Back in the USA

Old Vermont Covered Bridge

From our campsite located west of Montreal we traveled about 75 miles to where we crossed back into the U.S. at the Vermont Border. Everything went smoothly at customs, and it was a wonderful feeling being back in our own country. We love the Northeast States, and the weather in Vermont was ideal. In Logan, we stopped to take a photo of an old covered bridge. We stayed in New Hampshire that night, and then traveled on to Boston. There we stayed for a few days at Hanscom Air Force Base.

Gloria and Daughter, Andrea

Our daughter, Andrea and her son, Holden, live in Salem, not far from Hanscom. We enjoyed a couple of meals with them, and Holden, age 16, seems a bit better than when we last saw him at Virginia Beach in 2010. He is autistic and has suffered myriad seizures since he was six months old. When he was a little boy he was so bright and quite athletic. We continue to be sad about the deterioration of his physical and mental skills. Andrea stays busy teaching Head Start classes, editing college-level papers, and playing bass in several bands. She also takes occasional graduate level classes.

Boston Harbor

Massachusetts Statehouse

Holden

While in Boston, we spent a day touring the city. We have done this before, but Boston is so rich in history, and we always learn something new. From the Air Force Base we took the train downtown to the famous Commons. From there our double-decker tour bus took us to many historical sites. Included was the famous lounge where Cheers was filmed. We were amazed when Gloria approached the bus, and the driver lowered the entire vehicle so she could easily step on the platform. We also did a harbor tour in sunny, cool weather.

Cheers Lounge

There was one downer in Boston. While grocery shopping one evening, Gloria fell as she was walking out of a supermarket in Lexington.  She suffered a wicked cut on the bridge of her nose where her glasses severed the skin, and she also skinned her mouth. Fortunately, we were only three miles from a hospital. The physician in the ER was certain Gloria had broken her nose, but such was not the case. As well, she had no head injuries. After several hours she was released.

Public House Historic Inn

After a few days it was time to say goodbye to Andrea and Holden and move on to Northern Virginia. On our way we stopped for brunch at one of our favorite places, the old Public House Historic Inn in Sturbridge located not far from Boston. The food is great, the ambiance is typical New England, and the service is spectacular. Occasionally one must step back in time and enjoy the special quiet things of yesteryear. 

Montreal, Quebec

Marketplace

The City of Montreal has a population of 1,650,000 and an estimated metropolitan population of nearly 4 million on the Island of Montreal. French is the city's official language and is also the language spoken at home by 57 percent of the population in the City of Montreal proper followed by English at 19 percent. Montreal is the second largest French-speaking city in the Western world after Paris.

Montreal was called "Canada's Cultural Capital" by Monocle and recently was named a UNESCO City of Design. Though historically the commercial capital of Canada, it was surpassed in population, as well as economic strength, by Toronto after 1976. Today it continues as an important centre of commerce, technology, and tourism.

Downtown Waterfront

We took a day to get from Ottawa via Route 17 East to reach the outskirts of Montreal. Our journey had included some of the quaint little towns that reflect a bygone era. About 20 miles from the city we found a lovely but expensive ($49 per night) campground. We were not surprised when we got to the gate to learn that that host did not speak English. However, from out of nowhere, our “angel” appeared. His name was Henry, and he introduced himself as being the “other Airstream owner” in the park. He quickly got us registered by serving as interpreter and then he led us to our site. He was most eager to talk about Airstreams as he had a new 34 footer which, ironically, he had purchased in Texas from our favorite dealer. It was the last one made last year by Airstream. Jerry asked Henry about tour buses for the city, who said, “I’ve got a better idea. Let me be your tour guide. I’ll pick you up in the morning.” What a blessing to have our own private guide in a French speaking city. Driving around Montreal can be a real challenge.

Government Building

One of Montreal's Oldest Homes

Gloria and Henry, Our Guide

View from Mount Royal

Turns out that Henry came to Montreal from Florida during the Vietnam War to live with his father and grandfather. Now he spends equal time between the two cities. He has been divorced for 30 years, and his new Airstream is his home. He proved to be a fantastic tour guide and took us to most of the city highlights. We toured the downtown area with its magnificent architecture, saw the waterfront, and drove up to Mt. Royal where we could see the entire island. We also visited the old and new marketplaces. Lunch was at one of the finest restaurants in Montreal. While we were inside the old walls, we were also within a lush, stately garden. That evening we sat around the fire and swapped a lot of Airstream stories with Henry. As we left the campground the next morning Henry rushed out the gate to say goodbye. We will never forget the man that made Montreal a awesome city to tour. God was so good to send him our way.      

Ottawa: Canada's Capital City

Canadian Parliament

Amish Harvest

Once we crossed into Canada from Michigan, we turned east on lovely, scenic Route 17. We had driven this route before back in 2001 when we took 15 Airstreams on a caravan to Manitoulan Island. We will never forget that we were on that island when 9-11 struck. It was a horrible nightmare that we will never forget. But at least we felt safe in that remote area. This time, 11 years later, the road was much improved, and we encountered a construction stop only once. We always love seeing old farm homes and huge barns, and there are many along this route. At one point we stopped at the old Bavarian Inn for lunch where we had fed our caravanners. Little has changed about this lovely inn on the North Channel waterfront except that the professional waiters with their black bow ties are sadly missing. Just before reaching the inn, we saw several Amish farms and witnessed the intensive labor of harvesting grain the old fashioned way.

Nestled on the banks of the majestic Ottawa, Rideau, and Gatineau Rivers, Ottawa is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It is rich in culture and heritage. Its historic architecture is nothing short of awesome. Its 1.2 million people make it the fourth largest city of Canada. It is home to over 1800 high tech companies and is one of the cleanest cities in North America. Many languages are spoken here, but English dominates with 50 per cent of the population followed by French at 32 percent.

Changing of the Guard

We took a double-decker bus ride and had the best guide we have had on any tour. He was a native of Florida, but he seemed to know everything about Ottawa. He was also funny and intelligent, and his many historical anecdotes kept our interest all afternoon. One of the most interesting stops was Rideau Hall, home of Canada's Governor General, with it gorgeous, peaceful park. The changing of the guard marching to their posts with the accompaniment of bagpipes was a special event. 

City Landscape

Ottawa is a photographer’s dream city. We could have spent a week there and would not have gotten bored. If you are looking for grand architecture, friendly people, great food, and a clean environment, Ottawa is a city you will not want to miss.

Sleeping Bear Dunes and Northern Michigan

Sliding Down the Dunes

Huge Picturesque Barn

Camp Grayling Officer's Club, Circa 1917

After leaving Butch and Ray, we drove north along Lake Michigan in cool weather to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Miles of sandy bluffs that tower 450’ above Lake Michigan, lush forests, clear inland lakes, lovely beaches, and unique flora and fauna make up the natural world of Sleeping Bear Dunes. There are spectacular views across the lake. An island lighthouse, US Life-Saving Service stations, coastal villages, and picturesque farms reflect the park’s rich maritime, agricultural, and recreational history. This hidden gem boasts 64 miles of beaches along Lake Michigan, two islands, 26 inland lakes, more than 50,000 acres of land, and the monumental sand dunes from which it gets its name. At one of the dunes, we noted several people who had slid down to the bottom trying to walk their way back the steep incline. For every three feet they were climbing, they were losing two feet.

Old Barn With Unique Hinges

During the two days were in the area, we also enjoyed the quaint, small towns, historic buildings, wonderful restaurants, bakeries, and boutiques. We drove on to Traverse City and then spent a few nights at the Camp Grayling National Guard RV Park. We had stopped there with 15 Airstreams back in 2001 when we led the Great Lakes—Manitoulan Island Caravan. The little, primitive clubhouse is still there where the guardsmen and their wives had served us breakfast. So is the wonderful old Officer’s Club where we had had a fabulous grilled steak dinner. The post has grown a lot since 2001. One of the things we enjoyed this trip was a picnic dinner along the lake next to the post.

Mackinac Straits Lighthouse

Mackinaw Bridge

Pushing on north, we stopped at the picturesque Mackinaw Bridge. We took time to shoot a lot of photos of the bridge and the lighthouse the overlooks the bridge. The bridge is one of Michigan's largest assets and one of the world's leading suspension bridges. It provides safe, pleasurable, and expedient passage over the Straits of Mackinac for economic benefit and improved quality of life.

Marilynn, Carroll, and Gloria

While we were in the area, we invited Gloria’s brother, Carroll, and wife, Marilynn, to our campground for a wiener roast. They live in nearby Charlevoix in the summer and in Florida in the winter. Both of them have experienced some severe health issues during the past year, so it was good to get to visit them and see that they are functioning well. The weather was perfect for our campfire.

We spent one more night in the Upper Peninsula before crossing into Canada at Sioux Ste Marie. As we crossed the bridge, we could see the famous ship locks and Lake Superior.

Gerald Ford Museum

Gerald R. Ford Museum, Grand Rapids, MI

The highpoint of our time with Ray and Butch (see previous post) was a trip to Grand Rapids to tour the Gerald Ford Museum. His presidential library is located in Ann Arbor, where he was an All-American football player for the University of Michigan. Gerald Ford was our only President to never have been elected to Vice President or President. He had served for nearly 25 years as a Congressman from Michigan before being appointed by Richard Nixon to replace V.P.Spiro Agnew, who had resigned in disgrace. Eventually Nixon resigned, leaving Ford as the new President in 1974. A little later he would pardon Nixon for his crimes “to heal America.” But the public, wanting blood, would not forgive him and voted in Jimmie Carter to replace him in 1976.

He Paid the Price for Doing the Right Thing

America's Only Eagle
Scout President

Ford always swore there was no deal with Nixon, and we believe him. He was always a man of integrity and was our only Eagle Scout President. He maintained those values all his life. When Jimmie Carter came into office, he thanked Ford for what he did to help heal America and give her back her confidence after Watergate. So the one act that doomed Ford's presidency was probably also his greatest achievement.

Betty and Gerald

Ford was born in Nebraska and adopted by his stepfather as a small child. His real name was Leslie Lynch King, and his father was a wife abuser. Ford’s mother left her first husband just days after Gerald’s birth. Our only other adopted president was Bill Clinton. He was happily married to his wife Betty Bloomer, a former dancer and model who was also a divorcee. She was a popular First Lady with liberal views concerning women. She and Ford were married for 58 years. Betty also had a drinking problem, which she eventually conquered. She started the Betty Ford Center for addicts.

Ford Statue

Gerald Ford served as a naval officer during WW II and saw action in several engagements in the Pacific. He was nearly killed on one occasion when his ship was hit with a typhoon.

Last Rites for a Good Man

Following his years as president, Ford remained active in the Republican Party. He was the kind of leader the GOP could surely use today. After experiencing health problems, Ford died in his home on December 26, 2006. He had lived longer than any other U.S. president  (93 years and 165 days), while his 895- day presidency remains the shortest of all Presidents who did not die in office. 

Our Michigan Family

Dennis With Gloria Supervising

Our trip to Romeo, Michigan was for the purpose of having our Hensley hitch inspected by the factory. The trip was fortuitous indeed. The Plant Manager, Dennis, discovered a crack in the under belly of the hitch; left alone unattended, it could have been a disaster. Dennis quickly disassembled the hitch and replaced the entire lower assembly. Because Hensley hitches carry a lifetime guarantee, the new part and labor cost nothing. We did have to pay an upfront inspection fee of $75, but that was nothing when compared to what might have happened without the diagnostic work and Dennis’s attention to detail.

Old Lighthouse Near Our Campground

Ray, Butch, Jim, & Sue

When we first got to Ohio (see previous post) we contacted Jerry’s cousin, Cecila, aka Butch, a physician, in Dearborn, MI. Since Romeo is not that far from Dearborn, we asked about getting together. It had been years since we last saw her and her family. She was all for seeing us, but she and her husband, Ray, were heading west to Lake Michigan for a week-long camping trip with friends at a county park. She would have time only to meet for lunch Saturday, as they were packing to leave for the lake on Sunday. However, she suggested that we join them for a few days at the lake. 

Since we had no rigid itinerary, we agreed to do it. The weather was promising to be ideal. We still did the Saturday lunch thing, as we wanted to see Botch’s older brother, Jim, and her daughter, Sue. It was a great exchanging old times and family memories going back to our childhood.

Canadian Coast Guard Vessel

Lighthouse Near the CG Station

On Sunday morning we traveled on the Pioneer Campground on the lake and awaited the arrival of Butch and Ray. While the name, Butch, is a bit unusual for a doctor, she has carried that nickname since we played in the sandbox together during her visits to Ohio. We’re just glad that her specialty is family practice and not surgery. She and Ray made us feel welcome as camping buddies from the beginning. They took us many attractions, including a lighthouse, Coast Guard station, and the Gerald Ford Museum. They also did the driving, which gave Jerry a much-needed break.

Dr. Butch, Gloria, and Ray at the Captain's Seat

At the Coast Guard station, there was an American ship in dock as well as one manned by the Canadian Coast Guard. Both were open to touring, and Gloria was able to climb to the upper deck of the U.S. ship for a presentation. She even got to sit in the Captain’s seat. Crews on both ships were extra friendly and seemed to enjoy talking about their missions.