A more detailed catch up of our trip back to Canada...

Our Location: Buttercup Ridge, Roseneath, Ontario, Canada

 

 

Some coolish days here at the farm, some rain yesterday as well and the forecast looks the same for many days ahead. Cloudy, cool to very cool days, with overnight lows dipping to or just under the freezing mark, winds and the possibility of snow, rain or a mix of the two. Blah type days. Even with the calendar saying it's spring, different parts of Ontario receives different weather and this is typical pre spring weather. It's one of the reasons we try to stay away at this time of the year. 

 

 States crossed on our way home include Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri and Indiana,

 

Ohio, Michigan and finally crossing into Canada we entered the province of Ontario. Our home province. 

Riley and I have spent the last couple of days just trying to recoup from the long stressful drive home. We normally drive between 200-250 miles per day when we travel and will string together a few travel days in a row before stopping to rest. However this year's journey has been filled some very long days, on the way west and on the way east as well. The threat of cold weather, ice, snow and heavy rains moved us along through Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and into California in November on our journey west. Our longest day was just over 500 miles/800 km in one day heading west. Coming home we managed 600 miles/965 km in one day. I do not wish to do this kind of driving again.

 While in Wapakoneta, OHIO on the way home we encountered Dino at the grocery store, stocking up. 

We have posted photos of this tower before but it's always a wonder to see.

We had a layover day in the area of Richmond, Indiana where a broken spring on the Igloo and a check engine light on the Dogsled caused us some stressful hours. Pardo Towing from Richmond, IN actually came to the New Paris, Ohio rest area and changed the spring on the Igloo right in the parking area. Wonderful fella's, very helpful and knowledgeable. Guy Reid Towing, from New Paris, OHIO came to load the Dogsled and take us to Wetzels Chevy Dealership in Richmond, IN where the cause of our trouble was an injector that had been on recall for which I never received a notice. This caused the REGEN to come on and not shut off. At the dealership around noon and out the door at closing time of 5 pm, we were back at the rest area, hooking up peppy Dogsled and newly fixed Igloo for a second night just 3 miles inside the Ohio state line. 

Signs of spring along the way home.

 

To add to the stress of breakdown is the joy of dealing with the auto club. It took over an hour and a half for them to actually locate me before they could send Guy Reid Towing to haul the Dogsled. I called Pardo Towing to tow the Igloo on my own and as it turned out, they didn't tow the Igloo as I mentioned above. I was switched from USA to Ontario, Canada, back to USA to various different areas in the USA, was put on hold until the machine cut off and I had to start over, told I would have to pay for overage charges because apparently the Wetzels Chevy Dealership was over 200 miles away, when in fact it was less than 15 miles. Anyway, you get the idea.

An Oklahoma rest area. 

Grass is greening up in Oklahoma. 

We of course had to stock up on groceries on our way home and managed to find see some interesting things along the way. Including the person dressed in the dinosaur suit in the photos above. Fear breeds panic and I think the many empty shelves are an indication of the fear that is claiming the people of many nations. I think it's a very sad state of affairs when we horde food and essentials with the intent to resell and make money because of this fear and panic.

 The Arch in St.Louis, MO. We once again passed this city known as the Gateway to the West under cloudy skies with a light rain falling on a Sunday morning. 

 The mighty Mississippi River which divides the east and west.

Riley and I debated taking this route once again as we didn't really enjoy it the last time, but thought it best under the circumstance. We won't be taking it again. We dislike it for a number of reasons and in the future will be travelling the extra distance to reach I-75 for our homeward treks. 

 Our last morning in the USA for this end of winter, spring return. 

 

 Small town USA with pretty empty streets and few folks moving around. 

Our trip homeward found us seeing a few dozen Canadian plates each day on the roads heading in the direction of Canada. Some were repeats and we leap frogged over each other but not all were repeats. We certainly weren't alone and noted that the majority of the vehicles were single cars/suv's and not rigs. We found that to be interesting. The comments from the friendly folks in the USA were usually the same about 'how will you cross the border, it's essential travel only?' To this my reply was pretty much always the same,' Canada will always take her own people home.' Of course I explained that comment in this way,' when we go home, in our case we cross over the St. Clair River and the bridge is basically no man's land, once we cross over we are at Canadian Customs, if they send us back we have to pass through US Customs who will NOT let us into your country due to the virus, so if Canada doesn't accept us we would be left on the bridge for how ever long this takes. Since we are Canadian, we have valid passports and identification, we must be accepted. Our travel is essential, we are returning home.' At this point they usually smile and say,'Ah, I never thought of the bridge thing.'

 I-75 North in Detroit, MI heading toward the Ambassador Bridge, which you can see ahead and on the right. Tuesday, March 24, 2020 around 2 pm in the afternoon.

  

Crossing through customs was a breeze, no more difficult than our usual entry into Canada. The questions were different and a single page of self isolation instructions were given but truly it was about 30 seconds longer than our usual question period when crossing back home after winter travels. We were asked only ONE common question, how long away, the other questions were illness related and they wondered if we left the USA at any point. The answer to that question was no, as we hadn't entered Mexico at any time.  Usually we are asked the value of goods, any alcohol, firearms, tobacco, marijuana products but they didn't ask a single one of these questions this time. Instead they asked if we had a fever, cough, runny nose or signs of illness, told us we must self isolate for 14 days and sent us on our way. 

We are home in Ontario, Canada on Tuesday, March 24, between 2-3 pm in the afternoon. 

 

Toronto skyline as we pass through the city on Wednesday, March 25, 2020 around 11 am. Still busy by some standards but empty by Toronto standards. 

 

 We always enjoy seeing this pig, it means we are close to the end of our journey for a while. Buttercup Ridge is less than 30 minutes away from this spot.

Back in Ontario we witnessed no signs of spring, not even a hint as we kept going more east and a bit northerly. Dark skies seems to be the norm in the spring time in this area, with a few glimpses of the sun every once in a while to remind us there are better days ahead, or is it a tease only?

 

We aren't going much farther than this and soon we will see the pig in the above photo.  

 Still signs of winter left here, hanging around and making us all wish for warmer days soon.

We are within 10 minutes of Buttercup Ridge now. 

We are currently on day 4 of our self isolation, almost half way through. We have settled into our current spot and will adjust the Igloo as the ground thaws and mud becomes a way of life here on the farm for a while. Spring will show up in the next few weeks, we have no doubt. In a few days I'll venture a hike down the driveway which is soft, muddy and in terrible shape due to the frost/thaw and and take some photos for your viewing pleasure. 

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you are all safe, healthy, and warm where ever you may be. 

Until next time...take care, be safe, 

Deb 

 

We made it....

Our Location: Walmart front lawn, Hamilton, Ontario CANADA

No pics today, I'm too tired to do the editing. Today's post may be a bit more detail than you want to know but it's for myself and perhaps to put some sense to the reality of crossing the border with a vehicle purchased in the USA.  If it helps ease the worries for even one person out there, its worth having written it. I was stressed out about this crossing, the broker made it seem very daunting when in fact the whole thing was quite simple. I'm sure it could have been much more time consuming, difficult and even more expensive but I truly had no problems. If I ever do this again I will be certain to use the truck lanes as it's easier to get to the proper place using their lanes. I would also use a broker again, it simplifies things and you pay less GST using a broker.

Morning dawned in Le Roy, NY with a bit of a cool tinge to the air but nothing we couldn't handle. We noticed the overnight temps didn't seem too much different than the evening temps which meant it didn't drop much in the overnight hours. We've found that when the sun starts sinking the temps drop fast but last night the dip seemed to stop when the sun sank behind the horizon. Maybe that's a good sign!!!

About 6:45 am I rolled over, hopped out of bed (not literally of course) and started my day. Moving day is always a bit of an interesting event. Upon rolling out of bed every morning the first thing I do is make the bed, EVERY MORNING. So as I finish each morning ritual on moving day I also pack whatever items need to be packed away when I finish using them. When I finish in my room, and my bathroom, I move on to the living room and kitchen area. Some things get tossed on my bed, others get put into the sinks, etc. You know the drill, it never takes long but I always do at least a couple of quick rounds just to ensure it's all taken care of. So this morning by 7:15 am I was ready to start packing up outside. Riley takes care of her bedroom and 1/2 bath, she is also responsible for getting her cat into the carrier, moving the litter box and food/water. It's amazing how easily she's slipped into the routine. 

By 7:45 am we were doing the last checks for getting under way. Checking of the lights/signals/flashers is the next to last chore, always one last walk around and picking up the leveling boards, etc storing them in the back of the Dogsled. Then we're off. We hit the road running at 8:04 am with the big Dogsled itching to get going. I will admit I made a mistake. I told Riley to find the Queenston-Lewiston bridge but to avoid the tolls which are on the thruway I-90.  Our RV GPS whom we call Phoebe took us to Rochester and wanted us to go some wild way that I can't remember. I realized we were going too far east and managed to get turned around but couldn't seem to get where I wanted to go. We opted to just go back to the campground and start again, which we didn't really do but you know we headed back on 490 toward Buffalo and took the thruway paying the tolls anyway. I'm always amazed that I never get charged the same price twice when towing. Today's tolls added up to about $20 US. I think that's outrageous for the amount of distance we travelled. With just a car or when not hauling the tolls are much more reasonable but add the Igloo and it's nuts. Anyway, I'm getting off topic. 

We arrived at the Queenston-Lewiston Border area around 11:15 am. With the construction going on there finding our way to the export office wasn't signed quite as well as I think it should have been.  I wasn't completely sure where it was so I jumped out of the Dogsled, asked a fella on the US Incoming side of the barrier while I was standing on the other side,  the US Outgoing barrier. (When approaching the lead up to the Duty Free building (this building is on the right) off on the left there is a road that leads to  building beyond the cement barriers, you need to turn left and cross in FRONT  of the incoming cars at the border check booth (these cars haven't yet entered the USA as they have to talk to the Customs officer in the little booth), going left in front of the building to where the big rigs are parked on the EAST side of the building. DO NOT go behind the building, it is for trucks being X-RAYED) He pointed me in the right direction, told me which door to go to etc. Nice fella. Another fella came along as I was pulling in to the area, pointed me in the direction of parking for big rigs and before I knew it I was shutting down the Dogsled, gathering my papers, passport and wallet, heading inside. Easy, peasy, go thru the red door, follow the hallway signs, end up in EXPORT, two nice fella sitting behind their desks not doing much of anything, one asked a lot of questions and before you know it the other one is coming out to check the vin number. He okays that, tells me to have a nice day. Took less than 10 minutes. I asked him if I should go thru the truck lanes on the other side but he didn't know, said if I did and it was wrong they could call him up and yell at him. I laughed, he grinned and I thanked him for his help and told him to have a great rest of the day.  (Leaving the parking lot, look for the sign that says TO CANADA with an arrow pointing to the left or west, take that road, it will merge into the traffic heading over the bridge)

 

Back into the Dogsled, across the big bridge on which there was only a single lane Canada bound due to some kind of watering/washing of the bridge surface about half way across. It was odd, just some guy hosing down the middle of the bridge, no one else around.  Weird. Past the slow down but decided to head  on in with the cars, just in case they didn't feel like yelling at the other guy. ~laugh~ Talked to the fella at the little  booth, explained about importing the truck, he wrote up the yellow slip, sent me to the parking area which ISN'T set up for a smart car hauling a bicycle never mind a truck with a trailer of any length. Parked where he told me and entered the building. The nice lady in there started chatting about non commercial vehicles, I explained it is a personal truck but it will have commercial tags as all pick ups have them, you can't get a truck tag that isn't commercial as far as I know. All four of my trucks have had commercial plates. I explained about the broker saying I needed to go to visit the brokers office first. She checked with another person in the office before informing me I needed to go around to the back of the building. Another officer came out to my truck told me where to get around the building and park, he even came round a bit later to ensure I had found my way. I thanked him for his help, we locked up the Dogsled and headed inside.  (Canada Customs building on the right, commercial vehicles, brokers, big rigs are reached by going to the end of the building, turning right and parking in the big lot behind the building. Go thru the glass doors at TRUCKERS ENTRANCE, brokers are upstairs to the right down a long hallway. Find the right broker suite, give a name, collect the paperwork, go back down stairs to the IMPORT office, step inside to the big long desk, find the IN BOX, drop your paperwork in the box and go back outside the doors to the waiting room. They will call your name when it's your turn. When you are ready to leave (you may have to go back out to the waiting room and wait some more) you return the paperwork to the brokers office, they give you what is YOURS, and your done. When you leave you will still have to pass thru the PAY booth but customs is finished. You can go to the duty free shop from the broker level of the building).

We climbed the stairs to the brokers office, picked up the paperwork (which I didn't need to print out after all even though the original guy told me I had to print it out), went back downstairs, dropped the stuff in the inbox in the import office, we headed back out to the waiting room. Chatted with a nice fella hauling cars, said he'd been there since 8 AM it was now pushing 11:30 am, said he'd been called in twice already. So I'm thinking this isn't going to be fun. We chatted for about 15, maybe 20 minutes, they called my name, I went inside, they handed me my paper work said, "You're good to go." I grabbed it, headed back to the brokers office upstairs, gave them what they needed, came back down, slid out the door and we were free to go. It was just about Noon. Took us less than an hour to do the entire thing. I can't tell you how easy it was, how relieved I was and how good it felt to be finished. ~laugh~ 

I called my dad right away as I knew he would be worried. He of course wasn't home but I left a message anyway. Jumped into the Dogsled, turning the nose toward Hamilton and we headed out. We enjoyed the drive along the QEW, it was uneventful, a bit windy but otherwise very calming and pleasant. The leaves are starting to pop out here, the waters of Lake Ontario were choppy and churning with white caps quite visible. We pulled into the Wally World, tucked ourselves up against the curb, checked with Customer Service, we were given the green light to stay for a couple of nights and hurried out to have some lunch. We were unhooked, and finished lunch by 2:30 pm. Shortly after 3 pm we were back inside stocking up on a few things that didn't buy in the US as they are about the same price but actually cheaper as there is no exchange here. Riley headed for the Tim's while I brought home the groceries. 

We spent the rest of the afternoon doing a few little things, calling a few people, reading and just kind of settling down a bit. My dad called around 7 pm and we chatted for a quick couple of minutes before he had to go which was fine as it was time to start dinner. Tonight we added a few more things to an already made but frozen 4 cheese pizza. Popped that into the oven and shortly there after we were enjoying piping hot pizza. 

After dinner we pulled out the Yahtzee game for a bit. I can tell you that Riley is such a little stinker, she rolled TWO Yahtzee's in one game. Can you guess who didn't win that game? ~Laugh~ I did roll a Yahtzee in the second game though and I even won the second game!!! I was glad we called it at a draw, I'm sure I wouldn't have won another one. ~laugh~ 

After that it was off to our own ends of the Igloo to do what we do to amuse ourselves every night. So there ends the busy day and the crossing of the border with my new to me Dogsled. It was an excellent day, I have absolutely no complaints, I'm happy to be back in the beautiful province of Ontario, and before long we'll be visiting with middle daughter Bradey and her partner David. I'm tired but it's a good tired. 

 

A huge thank you to cousin Craig for his wonderful information in helping me to get thru this process. It was as easy as you said it would be. Thanks again. 

 

Welcome to George and Susie from Our Awesome Travels. I've been reading their blog for a few years and have enjoyed their travels. George and Susie winter in the southwest most winters and I've enjoyed reading about their many adventures both there and here in Ontario. George prepares the most amazing things on his Weber Q, and I've taken many ques from his posts which has led us to enjoy some amazing things on our own Weber Q. Thanks for the tips George. I hope you enjoy your visit here, thanks for stopping by. 

Thanks for stopping by, it is most appreciated. Nothing too exciting but it keeps us entertained. ~laugh~  I hope you enjoyed your visit, feel free to leave a comment. Until next time...be safe, take care...

On the road, more bumps than just construction....

Our Location: Exit 108, Burke Outlet Shopping Center, Bessemer, Alabama

A cooler night last night but still nice enough to leave all the windows open overnight. This morning dawned with only a slight chill in the air but warmed up significantly throughout the day. The high temps today 84F/28.8C. It was a warm one. ~laugh~

Up at the fire it was Mac and I for a bit, then Bobby showed up followed by Swilley, then we added Robert to the mix as well as Mike, Pete and Paige. A bit later on Pat and Billy also showed up but I had left at that point. 

US 49 North out of Gulfport, MS heading toward Wiggins, MS

Mr. Swilley came with the news that the river was rising and moving might be in order. Then there was the 'it's not rising very fast so we don't have to worry' followed by ' Butch says everyone has to go" and then 'well it seems to have crested'. We went to the Wolfe and looked for ourselves, it was 6 ft and surging a bit. We left there went to Walmart to get some fuel and dry cat food, came back to the Wolf River once again and it was over the 6 ft mark with no visible signs of any part of the 6, which meant it was still rising. We came home and packed up deciding that it was easier to just hit the road and not hem and haw about it for a matter of a couple of days. Mac left about 10:30 am, and we pulled out about a half hour later. Trish and Mike were also heading out today. 

We said our goodbyes, gave and received hugs from those wonderful folks there that we have come to know pretty well. It's always sad to leave but it's nice to be on the road again. Hopefully we'll see them all again at some point down the road but if we don't our lives have been enriched greatly by knowing them even for the short time we have. We have been fortunate to meet such wonderful people in our life time. Thanks to Mac, Billy, Charlene, Swilley, Mike, Trish, Paige, Pete, Pat, Robert and Amanda for seeing us off today.

Noticed this old timer along the way.

We pointed the nose of the Dogsled north to reach I-10 EAST, then chased our tail to get on to US49N in Gulfport, from there it was a straight shot to I-20/59 NORTH. We passed thru or near the Mississippi towns/cities of Saucier, Lyman, Hattiesburg, Laurel, and Meridian. We crossed over in to Alabama and continued our trek North East until we came to rest here in Bessemer, a bedroom community of Birmingham. We arrived here about 6:30 pm. 

I filled up the Dogsled's food bowl this morning at Murphy's USA on US 90 at Walmart, the price for a gallon of diesel food was $2.19, I was thrilled with that price. I filled up again at Knoxville, Alabama after 5 straight hours (55 mph for a total of 240 miles) of driving. I thought the gauge was faulty, we left before noon and were still driving at 5:30 pm on the top half of the tank. I pulled in to a fuel stop, filled the dog bowl once again and you know what? It was right on the money, used 17.6 gallons of fuel to travel that distance. I am very impressed. That's just under 14 miles to the gallon fully loaded/towing and driving in tow mode as well. I used cruise so I know I stayed consistent at 55 mph with few variations. The big dog did good. ~laugh~ 

His older brother, or maybe just more USED brother.

We pulled into the Walmart here in Bessemer, Alabama went to customer service asked about spending the night. Negative, nada, nope, no. The Walmart does not allow anyone to stay over night. It's not a city ordinance, it's a Walmart decision. The nice young man told us to try the Burkes Outlet just down the hill and so we did. The nice sales clerk told us it was fine and so we tucked in here at the bottom of the hill under the streetlight for the night.

We walked back to Walmart to get a rotisserie chicken even though they wouldn't allow us to park. I walked Riley back to the Igloo and then I walked over to Sonic to get some fries (it's been a long time either of us have had fries) to go with our chicken. We should have skipped the fries, they were awful. It was our first time to eat anything from Sonic, I think it may be the last one too. The chicken was good though. I added an orange to my dinner and we were finished. 

HRH looking around on her travel day in some time.

After that I called my dad to chat for a bit, brag a bit about the Dogsled's great performance today and to tell him where we can be found tonight. After that I started on the paperwork for the border crossing. This is when things started NOT going according to plan.

 I was not aware the brokers needed 5 days to do all the paperwork( I was under the impression they needed the paperwork just 72 hours prior) and I was not aware that the state of Alabama does not give the TITLE to the vehicle in the 'parting' package they gave me. They need to mail the title which will not work in my case and I'm kind of in a dither about that. I need that title in hand no later than Tuesday so I can cross the border and I don't know if a copy will do for me. They can email the title to the broker (a copy if okay for that) but the broker needs to have it for 5 days before I can cross. I also need a copy of the vendors NAFTA certificate to do my dance at the border which Mr. Manley said they would email tomorrow to the broker and a copy to me. 

Military presence here in the south, NO plates.

We will be in Cleveland for a few days and I'm hoping I can pick up the title at a Chevy Dealership there, maybe they can fed ex the thing there or something. I don't know if I could get it at a campground in Cleveland as I'm not sure where we will be staying yet. Hell I don't know if they can even have it in 5 days. See what I get for procrastinating? I need to stop doing that, this will be my lesson for certain!! So instead of sending any paperwork tonight I'll be on the phone in the morning trying to figure this stuff out!

So now you're caught up with us. Are we having fun yet? ~laugh~ I'll just bet you're saying, How come she didn't know she didn't have the title, how stupid can she be? Well I'll tell ya in Ontario you walk out with the title, you know that's the piece you take to renew your tag, they stick one piece on the back of the title and you put the other piece on the plate. They gave me everything I needed to get the tags so I assumed that meant it was the title. Oh how wrong I was and how foolish do I feel now? VERY VERY. 

We have been in and out of this state for a half times this trip.

However there is nothing I can do about it now, I'll deal with it tomorrow and we'll go from there. We can extend our insurance for a couple of days if we have to and I can extend the truck insurance for a month as well. Riley's first appointment isn't until the 14th so hopefully we get everything worked out for that. Stay tuned for the rest of.....yes, she's blonde!!! ~laugh~
 

It's after 11 pm and I'm tired so I'll sign off. Thanks for stopping by, hope you enjoyed your visit. Feel free to leave a comment. Until next time..be safe, take care..