DAY 72 THE LAST DAY July 17

Got home about 3:15 today without any hitches. Some vital stats:
Total miles = 7,423.7
Total $ for gas = $3,488.29 (with Canadian$ = to American$)
Total gal. of gas = 1,015.7 (includes converted liters to gallons)
So that's about 7.4 miles/gal and a cost of about 47 cents/mile
I will send URL link to more pictures when I have them organized.

Day 71 Monday July 16

Well although we got up early to take advantage of the morning coolness, we didn't leave Spartanburg SC until about 12:30. The engine was missing and it took us over 2 hours going from garage to garage before someone would fix the sparkplug wire. No mechanics was the major problem. Finally ended up in this small place and they fixed it. Only wanted $10??!!?? Jack wanted to give them at least $40 and they compromised on $20. Go figure. We have made $95 for someone just to look. And we don't even know their name.
Hot, hot for sure. Guess I shouldn't have complained about the cold dreariness "up north". Am I never satisfied?? Onward and we are just south of Savannah GA. Should be home tomorrow.

Day 70 Sunday July 15

Well what an evening. Jack began feeling sick yesterday right after we left Staunton. As we feared an impending kidney stone. So we stopped of course. I was all prepared with getting to an emergency room plans but he passed the stone. Thank God for powerful opiates. He felt much better this am and in a very chatty, "l'm on uppers" mode. We did the local thing - must be because they were so busy - breakfast buffet at Shoney's ( we are home - grits and sausage gravy galore) and then on our way. Made a small shopping stop at JR 's for cigars etc and then on our way through NC. Stopped in Gaffney SC because terrible thunderstorm and I thought that was enough driving for both of us today after our almost medical emergency yesterday and traffic was also very heavy around Charlotte NC. Few more days and we should be home unless we get distracted by something interesting but the rest of the trip is pretty familiar territory.

Day 69 Saturday July 14

Made it to the Woodrow Wilson birthplace which sits on top of the hill in Staunton VA. See view of main street. It's the "manse" that the Presbyterians built for his father who was a minister. They left for GA when he was just 16 months old, but he often came back here because his mother was a great friend of Mary Baldwin who had the Augusta Seminary for Women in town when the Wilson's lived here. It is now Mary Baldwin College. Woodrow's sisters, nieces, etc all went to school here before it was common for women to go on to school so they came back often to visit. All of his grandfathers, father, inlaws were ministers and he didn't believe in Women's sufferage etc. Remember this was the 1850s and the church also "rented" 3 slaves that worked in the house. A little unclear on what the Wilsons did during Civil War. Only said the father was from Ohio and didn't believe in slavery although he had 3 in his house here???? Sort of glossed over and same with his second wife. Only president to have a PhD. His presidential library is here which surprised us because he was president of Princeton but he didn't leave there on a very positive note.

There was a book on presidents and their mothers at the Ike home. I should have bought it. I think there is a lot more to those stories.

We left about 12:30 with Jack feeling sicker and sicker as we went along. Made it to I77 and town of Hillvile VA. Not far from NC border. We will have to see how things go health wise. I started the day miserable but feeling a little better with a couple doses of dayquil.

Day 68 Friday July 13

A really great day considering it's Friday the 13th. Started out at the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley which is only 3 years old. Based around Glen Burnie the home of the local rich family. The last generation, a man named Glass used the family money for a collection of the decorative arts. Overflowed the house so museum was created. Another big part of the museum is based on history of the Shenandoah Valley which is very, very well done with sound clips, little movies, etc. Also a room with miniature houses built by the gardener at Glen Burnie - his hobby. Wow. Unbelievable detail and workmanship. Another whole parallel universe of people into miniatures who hold conventions, etc, that I didn't know about. Had great lunch at the museum's tea room. Mr. Glass had tea everyday at 4.
We then drove on down to Stauton VA to discover that is the home of the American Shakespeare Center. This great Blackfriar Theatre that is a reproduction of the original which was the indoor theatre as opposed to the Globe which was an outdoor theater in the times of Shakespeare. Beautiful. So we saw Romeo and Juliet. Very good with the lights on in the theatre as it would have been in the original theatre with candles. Really enjoyed it. No pictures allowed in museum or theater.
Think we will try to get in home of Woodrow Wilson before we leave tomorrow. Rain predicted for the next 3-4 days which may slow us down. We are following I-81 which is bumper to bumper trucks.

Day 67 Thursday July 12

Jack decided he may never get back here so we should see Gettysburg. He was here a long time ago with the guys and I was here as a little girl I think. Anyway, we took the 2 hour "quicky" bus tour which was enough for me but I can see how people get into this war stuff although too complicated for me and I lose track of who is who and what is what before long. However, 64,000 people died in 3 days. All Americans by the way - obviously. The cannons were so loud Mary Todd Lincoln heard them in DC and you could see the smoke in Pittsburgh. Gettysburg the little town is a little nicer than I remember it but still mucho touristy but in a nice way. I didn't remember that the battle actually included the town. You can see bullet and cannon holes in some of the buildings. They are restoring the whole battle site to the way it actually was in 1860s by cutting down trees where there used to be empty fields, etc. Picture of statue commemorating NC soldiers. 1 in 4 killed there were from NC.

There were a lot of bikers and then we saw a sign that welcomed them for bikers' week. Parade of Chrome on the 14th to be led by the Clysdales from Budweiser. Seems a little odd although I see the connection.

Onto Eisenhower home. Mamie was a little weird. Everyone had to sign into the guest book when they came into the house included grandkids who may have signed 4 or 5 times a day. Her collection included a plate from Stuckeys with their picture on it and plastic presidents that came in cereal boxes??? The sun room was the favorite room where they watched Ike's favorite show - Bonanza.

We then headed out of town and quickly cut across MD and WV. Ended up in Winchester VA for the night. Will be continuing down the Shenandoah Valley with the key word being valley with no particular goal in mind and stopping along the way if something strikes our fancy. Will not be going to WV. Just more forests and mountains and enough of that. Our neighbors tonight are from guess where? No, Brandon. They are here for big family reunion of the Morgans as in Morgantown WV etc. Nine generations ago her Great to the 9th grandfather also settled here. The homestead is now a historical site and they will be meeting in the pavilion there. That's kind of nice.

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Day 66 Wednesday July 11

Well you just never know what the day will bring. I was reading emails as we were driving along because I could not get a good connection last night. Low and behold my sister's email is reminding me of the great meal she had a Hotel Hershey, and guess what? The next exit was for Hershey. We got off, waited about 1/2 hour then had fabulous lunch buffet in the Circular Room. Puts the Chateau Frontenac to shame let me tell you and we thought that was pretty good. And of course chocolate is supreme for dessert - chocolate cheesecake, triple chocolate cake, flourless chocolate brownies, chocolate bread pudding, key lime pie with chocolate crust, chocolate sauce for fruit and many non-chocolate choices. It was really wonderful to have real roast beef cooked just right too. Beautiful room as you can see and view from our table. Hotel lobby reminds me of Tampa Theatre. It's the 100th anniversary of Hershey Park this year.

Then onto Gettysburg. Started to pour-naturally- as soon as we started to hook up. We are taking it easy - lots of food to digest and we have concluded our problem is hay fever allergies. Sneezing like crazy and feeling icky - both of us. Traffic was very heavy although we got an early start this AM. Many, many trucks on the road and congested traffic in this area.

History buffs should know that the new, improved Gettysburg will be ready in 2008. Brochure makes it sound fabulous. They are restoring the old diorama that I vaguely remember from my childhood, adding 5 theatres and displaying much more of their Civil War stuff in a new museum. They will be taking away everything that was built on the battlegrounds and restoring everything to look as it did during the war. Rightfully so I should say. Also says they will have a restaurant serving civil war dishes. I hope that doesn't mean what the soldiers were eating?!?That will be great so we aren't spending anytime on that this trip. Something to consider for a future adventure though.

Day 65 Tuesday July 10

A travel day and I did all the driving. Jack had horrible spasm in his back. So proud of myself - across the narrow 2-way bridge to the US, through customs with no problem and zipped right through NY ending up about 25 miles from my old stomping grounds - Scranton, PA. In a pretty isolated park but nice and Jack is feeling better. I think it's allergies but I have very scratchy throat and ear pain. Great to be on straight, smooth road today. Headed towards Gettysburg and then we will take it from there. No pictures but scenery is very different - endless mountains is what they call it.

Day 64 Monday July 9

Great day. Went to Brighton which was to the west and got Jack's mail. Great little town that appears to be a commuting way out suburb for Toronto. They were wondering who Jack Page was at the post office and excited to see him. A very small town. I went into the grocery and every clerk knew every customer by name.
Took the scenic route back along the Loyalist Parkway which runs right along Lake Ontario just as the St. Lawrence pours into it or vice versa I guess. Beautiful and great little towns that don't seem too touristy. Several rv places so something to keep in mind for the future. I loved it. Heavy British influence of course. See just as many Union Jack as Maple flags even now. Wonder what I would have done if alive during the revolution? Would I be a loyalist and move to Canada? The British gave them all of this land etc. So seemed like a pretty sweet deal. Of course they kicked out the Acadians while they were at it which wasn't so nice. Or maybe I would have been part of the original 13. Who knows. As a woman I am sure I would have no choice in any of this you understand.
Then a nice little lunch in Kingston. I don't think we hit the nice parts of town that others have been so excited about. Princess Street seems to cater to the younger set so must be a universtiy here. Also it is known for its prisons??? and long history of all kinds. There was a huge granite prison on the way into town. Also huge hydroelectric plants along the Loyalist Parkway.
Then a little ride up the road for a 3-hour boat trip to the Thousand Islands. Only $22 and it was really great - went a long way. Some shots of the houses etc. Also got the recipe for 1000 dressing invented by a cook up this way who served it to an actress who told Mr. Boldt who built the Waldorf Astoria. He built a huge castle for his wife. When she died all of the workers just walked away. It is on one of the 1000 islands. See picture - now a museum. Anyway he served it in the hotel and you know the rest of the story.
So: 1 c. mayonnaise, 1 tsp chive, 1 tsp green pepper, salt and pepper. Mix it up. When ready to serve add 3 tblsps of chili sauce (to remind you of the sunset on 1000 islands) and 1 tsp of chopped dill pickle to represent the green 1000 islands. By the way there are really over 1800. Of course any little rock with at least 2 trees is called an island. See the one with boat moored and just a deck really. Jack and I think that's just perfect for us. Many of the islands are small with just one house on them. Others are big villages. Famous people with homes here like Irving Berlin, Astors, Vanderbilts, etc. the usual crowd. And Deer Island here which belongs to Yale's Skull and Bones Society. I think that was in that movie about the start of the CIA the name of which I can't remember where they met every year??

Day 63 Sunday July 8

Had a great breakfast near the By Market in Ottawa at Zaks and then did a little shopping. Did I mention they serve baked beans with breakfast here? Very busy but our nosing around limited by rain of course. Many street people in the area of the market – many of them drunk and asking for money. Just like DC used to be now that I think about it.
On our way downtown, we saw what we assumed was a murder scene. Lots of yellow tape and cops and bystanders looking into this big excavation where a building had been torn down – we think. Then we hit the road – Highway 7 which was supposed to take us to the town where Jack had his mail forwarded. However, we saw a big warning sign that there would be a detour ahead and there was. Many cops and lots of cars parked along the road before the detour. Don’t know for sure but the impression of people we asked was that it was another First Nations (Indian) protest. We couldn’t see anything in the brief time we had. Cops kept the traffic moving. By the way they call people of color "visible minorities" up here. We think that's what it means?!?! Many people of Middle East extraction in Ottawa it seems, at least along our route into town. Also drove through China Town and Little Italy.
The detour was along Rte 38 which lead right to Kingston where we wanted to end up tomorrow. Because we never did see a sign for getting us back to Highway 7 (we assume the detour was all the way to Kingston) we just changed our plans kept on Rte 38 so we are staying on the edge of Kingston. Did laundry and then made a really good dinner with the calve's liver Jack bought in this great sausage store in the market with the asparagus I found in another place. Topped with local strawberries that are in season – much tastier than FL strawberries that’s for sure. We will get the mail tomorrow and then a boat ride on the St. Lawrence and then onto NY. That’s the plan for now. We also saw two dead deer along the road today.

Day 62 Saturday July 7

Great day with about a minute of sunshine. Started with tour of parliament which involved a lot of walking but because it is summer break we got to see House of Commons, Senate, old library (all wooden and saved from fire because librarian rushed to close the iron doors that protect it), and caucus room. Took a while but interesting and a large group. Had to go through security etc. This was after standing to watch the changing of the guard that also seemed to take forever but great to see the pagentry.
Had enough time to go to Canada’s Gallery of Art and thought it was a good plan because - guess what - yes, more rain. Special Renoir exhibition of his landscapes and wonderful modern photography exhibit that was inspiring. Really weird architecture and hard to get around - very big too. Not much time for anything else although we did have lunch at the museum which included Renoir’s favorite dishes – cod cakes and perfitoroles (spelling) although ours were frozen. Again pooped. May be able to squeeze in a little more tomorrow before we leave. Got to see lots of the city and if someone said you have to live here, I would probably say OK except for one little thing. It is so cold here they skate up and down the river all winter.

Day 61 Friday July 6

Spent day in Canada War Museum which is also fabulous. Very well done and runs smoothly from one section to another. Parallels USA wars of course except for South Africa. Makes you think about what a young country Canada as Canada is - really enmeshed in Great Britain, etc. for a very long time. Really came into their own in WW II. Writing this about 3PM as we get ready to exchange from one rental car that doesn't rent past noon on Sat to another. So will add pictures and revise. Wanted to post while I had the chance.

Day 60 Thursday July 5

How wonderful is the Museum of Civilization!?! (sorry pictures are in reverse order). We were there from about 10 to 6 and didn’t see everything. Thank goodness they had an electric scooter for Jack. Special exhibit was ancient artifacts from China. 2000 years before the periods – unbelievable how sophisticated they were. Picture of our favorite sculpture and of a battle axe – no kidding. Great collection of totems, an exhibit on Canadian history and one on the First Nations (aboriginals). All very well done. Newest exhibit is tete a tete with Canadians who made great contributions. So-so. Hard to relate when it’s not your country I decided. On the other hand the Canadian history isn’t that different than America’s in many ways. Had lunch at the Café de Musee. Pretty good but a little trendy for our tastes. I did have a salad with a maple vingerette – yummy. Beautiful place with gorgeous view of Parliament and Ottawa River. So we are pooped to say the least. We bought a pass for 10 museums and we want to see Parliament so will be here through Saturday.

Day 59 Wednesday July 4

A traveling day from Montreal to Ottawa. It’s not far and a good road with great views of the HUGE farms along the way. Raining hard just as we were about to connect up. Decided to rent a car to avoid long walks to entrances for Jack from who knows where we have to park. He can devote his energy to walking once inside. In a municipal camp which is really nice but still a distance from town also. Would have to take a cab to get to the nearest commuter bus stop. In newly developing suburbs with many new condos, townhouses, etc. just off the “interstate”. Drove to Walmart and was hoping for a wifi spot in the nice little shopping center. Their equivalent to Barnes and Noble’s is Chapters. The guy seemed mystified when I asked if they had wireless service. There is a modem hookup in the office at the camp but it is about $.60/minute to use the phone line so that doesn’t work.

Day 58 Tuesday July 3

Tour of Montreal on double decker bus today so shots of some of the many things we saw. We didn't get off the bus to spend any time at any of the spots. Some interesting stuff. Jack and I were here when I interviewed for job at Potsdam NY. Didn't like it then and still not crazy about it. It just seems shabby and run down to me despite all of the new stuff (comparatively speaking) with the World's Fair in 67 and Olympics in 76. Old Montreal is nothing like Quebec City either. I'm sure we are missing something. The key may be the small neighborhoods off the tourist track. Canada was $1 billion in debt from the olympics because it was before commercial subsidies and royalties from tv coverage. Just finished paying it off with cigarette taxes for the last 30 years. Of course, they didn't stop the taxes.

Picture of city with train that runs through the buildings in downtown, USA pavilion from World's Fair which is now some sort of museum, and St. Joseph's Bascilica which I remember from being here when I was a young girl. Lots of churches and monasteries etc that have been converted to condos etc just like Quebec. They call the loss of interest in religion the silent revolution. Also a picture of picketing workers in the cemetary who have been on strike for months. See the high grass around the tombstones and I guess no funerals either. By the way there are 1 million people buried here - I am pretty sure I heard that right. Also, they were filming a movie in one section. We saw trailers and actually shoting for at least two movies being made right now. One with Brad Pitt.

At the end of the tour we asked for a good place for the Montreal smoked meat sandwich we have been hearing so much about and it turns out Dunn's was across the street which someone else had recommended. Well, it is brisket but it isn't exactly corned beef. They put spices and lots of pepper on it and it is roasted not boiled. Kind of half way between corned beef and pastrami. Good but not as good as the chopped chicken livers which were the best we ever ate. There is a long history of a Jewish community here but we didn't see any temples or anything. Again maybe another section of town. There was an article in the paper about a Hasidic group that bought a resort in a nearby town that had been on the market for years to make it a religious retreat. The locals were saying that it did nothing for the economy because they are such a closed community so they expected no business as a result. All of the towns along the way here are St. this and St. that. Just small farming towns with big churches essentially.

I then left Jack to digest lunch while I walked a block to guess what? No, St. Catherine's St. which is the main shopping street in Montreal with 400 stores. Reminded me of downtown Chicago but the buildings aren't as high. Geared to the younger set but found a few things at the local department store. Also went down into their underground city which is like Toronto's - a huge maze of tunnels that connects all major points with shops, eateries, etc. Began to rain of course.

Did I mention the traffic? Horrible going into and leaving the city. We will be glad to be on our way out of town tomorrow. Ottawa here we come.

Day 57 Monday July 2

No pictures and nothing exciting to report. Got to rv park about 18 miles from Montreal pretty early so just chilled out. Another terrible thunder storm this afternoon. Will do city tour tomorrow and then probably move on to Ottowa. Some people in the camp in Quebec raved about how much there is to do there. We need to cross the border to Ontario and then make plans from there. Supposed to rain all week. Lots of comments on how unusual the bad weather has been.

Day 56 Sunday July 1

Easy day. A few errands then brunch at Chateau Frontenac. Huge room with carving (lamb and beef Wellington) and omelette stations, huge seafood station, other main courses (including red deer –yuck), breakfast foods with baked beans as a side – that’s a thing here, cheese (great) and fruit table, two dessert tables, and a special table just for kids with chicken fingers, pasta, gum drops, etc. Cute idea. We had a great table in the room overlooking the river and enjoyed it basically but I still wish they could figure out what to do with beef. Got a whole split of champagne with my mimosa. Then started to rain. Mostly locals and regulars eating here it seemed. Pretty long wait for the shuttle back to camp because of crowds. There was a big ceremony for Canada Day at the Citadel. Now off to do laundry, etc to get ready to leave tomorrow. Can’t believe it’s July already.

Day 55 Saturday June 30

Took the shuttle back into Quebec. Had a great breakfast along the street (you can see the sign, Le Petit Cochon Dingue little crazy pig I think) in the picture after taking the funicular (spell?) better known as an incline from the shuttle stop near the Chateau to the lower city. See view of the St. Lawrence from the car on the incline. Then spent most of the day in the Museum of Civilization. Four very different exhibits. One on libraries or lack there of for French Canadians over the centuries. The British kept them illiterate and the bishops banned and censored most books. At least we think that was the gist of it. Everything in French except this English guidebook that was not very helpful.
Then had an audio tour of exhibit on Tintin which was a very popular cartoon character in French. Tintin was a young boy who had adventures and the creator actually explored what he wrote about. So this exhibit was the story of Tintin’s adventure in Peru. They had a selection from the story and then an exhibit of the actual sites and artifacts from Peru. Very interesting stuff. Lots I never heard of before the Incans and creative way to interweave the two.
Another exhibit on Amerindians (aboriginals) that was also good. And their special exhibit was on dragons. Also kind of interesting how a mythical creature took on such religious, cultural significance from Chinese dragons which are good to St. George and the dragon - bad. Great art work in lots of different pottery, carvings, etc. Interesting stuff and both bilingual signs and notes.
We are pooped however and only in the 60s and a little overcast. Many many more people in Quebec today and harder to negotiate on streets etc.

Day 54 Friday June 29

What a wonderful day. Sunny, warm and spent all day on bus tour of Quebec and environs. All around the old city with frequent stops, then a lunch break, and on to several stops out of town – falls, island in the St. Lawrence where strawberries are in season, and Basilica of St Anne de Beaupre. Also copper museum that dedicated to the man that did the doors at the basilica, etc. Interesting. Just a great day and I actually got to take some pictures that included sun. Just love this city. It is also a UNESCO heritage city and they are gearing up for their 400th anniversary next year. Would be fun to come back for the brouhaha they are planning. They average 12 feet of snow and only 150 day growing season so it definitely needs to be in the summer. The St. Lawrence is wonderful.
We didn’t realize that it is Canada Day on Monday so we were lucky to extend our time at this camp here through Sunday. They had a cancellation. We will leave Monday to keep out of the traffic and see some of the museums and things. Everyone is headed to “cottage country” in the Laurentians primarily. Hope the weather holds. Other problem is that the aborigines (Indians) are protesting and shut down a major highway by setting fires and the railway between Toronto and Montreal. Because we are headed that way decided not a good idea to get into all of that. Probably why there was a cancellation. They blocked the bridge to Quebec for 90 minutes today after we already crossed it.

Day 53 Thursday June 28

No pictures although glorious views especially near Notre Dame du Lac - gorgeous lake that I can't think of the name of. Probably the prettiest vistas so far when the sun broke through the clouds. So cloudy and no pull offs so I don't bother with pictures. The drive was right along the St Lawrence River but unfortunately so foggy we only caught glimpses. I'm sure it is great. Beautiful, huge very rich farms along the way. Some with 4 or 5 silos. Stopped for breakfast at this little place - most expensive and worst breakfast ever. Greasy, tasteless omelette and Jack ordered a waffle and got 2 small frozen waffles AND had to pay $1.25 for extra syrup that was in one of those small salad dressing cups. Did not leave a good impression. Don't know why the syrup thing bothers me so much - ok I do. Think IHOP or Denny's, they bring bottles full.
We are at KOA camp - our least favorite outside of Quebec - the city. Also unhappy with people here but we will be able to take city tour all day tomorrow and they will pick us up here so that's a plus. Going to cook the blood sausage that we bought a couple of weeks ago I think. Don't know about that but trying to clean out the fridge.

Day 52 Wednesday June 27

Raining again but got in a walk along the river before it started. I love this St John as much as the St John's in Fl. Then we headed out continuing along the river northwest through New Brunswick on this great highway - almost an interstate. I was so excited and great views of the river which runs along the Maine/New Brunswick border without the bumpy, rough scenic road routes.

Some weirdo things along the way. The largest axe in the world at Nackawic - go figure but it is the heart of lumbering/paper mills country. Many trucks on the road - hence its high quality I expect - carrying loads of finished lumber. Then to Florenceville. We got a little lost looking for Potato World - don't laugh and came across the covered bridge that is connected to a regular bridge - odd and no mention of it anywhere. We did get to Potato World which was a little disappointing although Florenceville is the French fry capital of the world. Potatoes are just not that exciting but learned a lot.

Of course, poor Jack who was again looking forward to their cafe and its unique potato dishes. He is expecting viccychoise (spell?), potato pancakes, and potato doughnuts. What they had was 6 toppings on French fries, a nicoise salad which does have cold potatoes but I think of as a tuna salad not a potato dish, and some kind of fried dumplings with caramel sauce. Jack did have the potato soup which was good but not the best and I had French fries with bacon and cheese which didn't compare to the fries with blue cheese I had at Hops in Tampa. Canada is #4 in potato production although they sure make a big deal out of it. Know who is first? No, China, then Russia, Poland, and USA.

Oh well. We continued on to Edmundston which is at the border with Quebec and of course raining again. Small town that calls itself the capitol of the Madawaska Nation which is like Key West being the capitol of the Conch Republic - never existed. Madawaska is a result of people really unhappy with division of the area when Maine and New Brunswick border was set so they created an imaginary country. So onward to Quebec City tomorrow. We will be back in Eastern time zone when we cross the Quebec border instead of current Atlantic time so good bye maritime provinces. Looks pretty empty between here and the St. Lawrence and then hang a left and shouldn't be too far to Quebec City. Planning to stay on this side of the St. Lawrence until we get there. Have to get out my French for Dummies although they say everyone speaks English.

Day 51 Tuesday June 26

Very slow start. Pouring down rain so we waited it out a little. Then back across the Confederation Bridge and made it across New Brunswick to a great spot near Fredericton. It’s a combination rv park, diner, and crafts store along a river. Lots of great stuff and a pretty good dinner. Picture is of the Confederation Bridge dissolving into the fog of course. However, it did brighten up and the lady in the rv store tells me things will begin to boom this weekend. We are headed in the general direction of Quebec City and have been told it does not take long to get there.

Day 50 Monday June 25

Gorgeous day finally. Sun all day and we saw the moon for the first time. Drove around Prince Edward Island. It really is beautiful here. Saw the Green Gables of Ann of Green Gables. Interesting. LM Montgomery the author lived down the road and cousins of her parents lived at Green Gables. Wonderful farms that are right on the St. Lawrence - I think it is a Bay or Strait out here. Soil is bright red. Cavendish Agriproducts is the big business which includes potato processing. Large plants everywhere. And some aquafarms for oysters we think. Of course lots of cows and every farm has cottages for rent. Gorgeous views but that's about it. Flowers are lupins which are everywhere.
Stopped in a restaurant recommended at the rv park. Terrible. Then onto Ann of Green Gables - the Musical. The longest running play in Canada. Very, very well done. It's late and signal is weak so I will finish this entry the next chance I get.

Day 49 Sunday June 24

On the road today. Picture of our view from restaurant where Jack had the best pancakes for breakfast. It's the Conso Causeway that connects Cape Breton to the rest of Nova Scotia. It was built by blowing up the mountain on the left that is still the source of stone that is shipped around the world. Before I forget, there is an Indian reservation on Capte Breton - very shabby, very poor with this pitiful cigarette shop.

Then all the way across Nova Scotia into New Brunswick, a sharp right and before you know it you are on Prince Edward Island across the Confederation Bridge which Canada claims is the longest in the world. Pretty unspectacular because it is not a suspension bridge and of course can't see the columns that hold up the 44 spans when you are on it. The welcome center at PEI is like a little village with shops etc. Very, very different scenery and that's refreshing. Although overcast with storm brewing all day. A little sunshine when we got here.

We are staying guess where? No, we are, believe it or not on the Hillsborough River that runs along Charlottetown which is the capital. We are right across the river in Stratford which is like a suburb I guess. There are more rvs here than all of the other rv parks we have been in combined. And all huge bus types, many seasonal parking here. The license plate of the car that one of the rv is towing is RVPUSHER. cute - from Nevada. So picture is of the other Hillsborough River which is nothing like Tampa's. No definite plans yet. Will get a rental car and stay at least another night here.

Day 48 Saturday June 23

Well we made it to the bottom of the Cabot Trail on Cape Breton - foggy and misty along the way. Again tried to kill some time in a cute place along the way. I had mussels - the local in thing and we bought some things in a great little gift shop there. Only other people in the place were a couple from Newfoundland who really talked it up and even suggested a route for us to take so reconsidered briefly - and then decided not for us. Not enough bang for the buck. It's a long way by ferry and lots of km between places.

We stopped in the Alexander Graham Bell Center in Baddock. Nice view from the center -see picture- again with the fog. AGB was big into tetrahedrons so see them throughout museum. Picture is of hangings in the main lobby of the plane he built 4 years after the Wright Brothers who built theirs in secret - so the story here goes. So his was the first in Canada/Britain. You can see AGB and his wife Mabel in the corners. She was the businesswoman, came from wealth, and was deaf. Seems like he just liked to tinker and she tried to make a business out of his ideas. Before marrying her he worked as a teacher of the deaf - how they met, she was one of his private pupils. He was applying a technique developed by his grandfather for the deaf to speak. As far as inventions go, really he just worked on improving existing things like xrays and he did develop a metal detector when they couldn't find the bullet in Garfield when he was shot. He was in litigation for 8 years over patent for the phone so doesn't sound like that was totally his idea either.

Also built a hydrofoil boat for use in the WWI but the war ended before anyone used it so it was just left to rot on the beach. What is left is in museuam and they built a reproduction.

The sun came out so we headed up the east side of the Cabot Trial which everyone brags about. And the views are wonderful - but they are views very similar to all of the other rocky coast, wooded sea views and just as limited by fog, etc. Road was terrible and this is a major tourist region. We had to go very, very slowly. So we decided to turn off at the point of last resort (if we didn't we would either have to find a place to turn around and do the bad roads again, or keep on going all away around the cape). We took this small ferry across an inlet so we could go back to a better highway.

So we are Cabot Trail dropouts. It was just too much for us old fogeys (how do you spell that?) to go all around the cape on such bad roads. We are back near Baddock in an ok camp on the water. The woman at registration said we were the second rv today who came back from the trail saying it was too bad to do. That made us feel a little better.

Jack and I have decided we will do Prince Edward Island and then back our way towards Montreal. At Montreal we will decide whether to head south through New York back to FL or cut across to Mich. If we get to Mich we will decide whether to head south from there or continue on to Dubuque and then south. To be honest, it depends on the quality of roads between here and Montreal.