July 9, 2022
It was supposed to be a big travel day.
But then we got distracted.
What should have been a ten hour trip will have taken us at least 16 hours by the time we pull into our driveway in the wee hours of Sunday morning.
We aren’t very efficient, but you can’t say we don’t have fun.
It was HARD to get moving this morning. I mean I could have stayed in bed for another two hours except we didn’t have the air conditioner running and I was HOT.
By the time we packed up, emptied the blackwater tank, ate a quick breakfast, and got on the road, it was after 10:00.
On the way to Michigan, we were super motivated to get to our destination. Hanging out in the bunks was a novelty for the kids and we took fewer breaks. No one really wanted to go home, so we lollygagged.
We successfully uploaded all our documents into the ArriveCan app at the insistence of border patrol on our first crossing and had our documents ready to show. And then, of course, no one asked for the ArriveCan receipt. Forty-five minutes well spent. Thanks, Canada.
First stop in Canada: Canadian McDonald’s. Let it be known that it is nearly identical to a US. McDonald’s, but you can get real bacon on your Egg McMuffin (which is hilarious since you get Canadian bacon on a U.S. Egg McMuffin). Incidentally, the milkshake machine was broken, so that also tracks with what happens here in the States. You will notice that Canadian McDonald’s also boast a tiny maple leaf in the center of their golden arches. Kids gave Canadian McDonald’s 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Second stop in Canada: The Real Canadian Superstore. Having stopped into Meijer in Michigan, we thought we’d sample another superstore. This store is more grocery store and less, all of the other items. We were charmed by the labels of products in both English and French. Kai found his favorite flavor of potato chip “All Dressed”. Of course, we bought a bag! Kids gave The Real Canadian Superstore 3 out of 5 stars (No cans of lemonade really hurt their standing.).
Third stop in Canada: Niagara Falls (again). You really can see the falls better from the Canadian side. The American side of Niagara Falls feels cheap and seedy, but the Canadian side is a vacationland. Kai and I had been around six years ago, but the falls are so impressive and it’s a really beautiful area to visit. The Hornblower (Canadian version of Maid of the Mist) wait was over two hours, but we ended up riding the elevators to the top of the Skylon tower, a 246 meter observation tower with a 360 degree view of the area. Everyone got a Canadian souvenir before we hopped back onto Kevin, warmed up a quick dinner on the highway, and hurtled toward the American border. A mere six hours behind schedule. Whoops.
Rob suggested we might want to drive until around 11 and find a place to sleep for the night. I desperately wanted to get home to sleep in my own bed. I knew the dogs needed to be let out and I just didn’t want to sleep at a truck stop. You know that feeling when you are so close to home, you just want to push through and be there already? So, Rob and I took turns driving and sleeping, finally pulling into the driveway at 3:09 AM. We left the Jeep connected to the car and stumbled off to sleep.
Today we unpacked and rested and came to terms with the fact that we have to go back to work tomorrow. It will take a few days to get back into the groove. The chickens need some attention, dogs need to be walked and brushed, and the garden needs to be weeded (pumpkins are taking over EVERYTHING!). But for now, I’m going to sit down and watch Stranger Things Season 4, Vol. 2. I’m going to pretend I’m still on vacation time, at least for a few more hours!
Wandering, But Not Lost 