Well folks we pulled out of PEI early on June 9th, keen and eager to start our grand adventure.  Had an uneventful trip to Farmington, Maine where we pulled into a campground called Troll Valley.  Since it was misty rain, and the forests are rich with ferns and greenery this funny little campground certainly seemed like it could be home for Trolls.  Didn’t see any though!  Our only “incident” of the day occured at the border where they searched both rigs.  Just a fast look see.  They confiscated half a lime because it was from Mexico.  A couple of hours later we went in a grocery store and purchased - you guessed it - limes from Mexico.  

Day 2 saw us once again enjoying traveling through New Hampshire’s beautiful White Mountains - in the mist and rain.  Never seem to hit blue skies here, but it never seems to matter because its lovely anyway.  Stopped in Gorham for Pumpkin Butter, and then west to Cabot, famous for its cheese factory.  Took the tour, purchased loads of snappy white cheddar and other goodies.  Camped that evening in Northern Vermont.

Day 3 we crossed over the top of Lake Champlain into New York State.  The bridge over Lake Champlain crosses just a half mile of so from the Canadian border in the land made famous by the book, Last of the Mohicans.  One of the forts from the days of the British/French wars is visible and impressive from the Bridge.

When we got to the border to cross back into Canada it was closed.  The bridge over the St Lawrence River runs through the  Aknesasne Indian Reserve, and they (the indians) had blockaded it to protest the border patrol officers, and customs people wearing guns - or something.  So we had to go further down the river to cross at Ogdensburg.

From there it was foot down on the gas to get to Kemptville, Ontario for Smoked Meat sandwiches for the guys.  It’s a tradition.  Jack spent part of his childhood in this area.  Lunch was eventful because the waitress managed to dump my stirfried veggies and chicken in a birdnest all over the table and Jack and his dinner.  Good for a giggle.

You see how this trip is going to go.  One food experience after another.

We drove on to Renfrew and set up camp in a lovely campground beside a small lake.   Carol, Russ and I are settled in for some R&R. Jack caused a little flurry of excitement when he fell off a canvas camp chair (he was standing on it) and banged up his leg.  It swelled up from his knee to his crotch, and turned a lovely purple.

Day 4 He went off with his golfing buddies for three days.  Friday was a big day, golf, followed by wing night (hot, spicy chicken wings) and jalapeno pickles all followed by the boys getting together for the Stanley Cup, the final game of the hockey season. In spite of his “injury” he’s having a great time.

Tonight the boys are joining us at the campsite for a Barbecue.  Tomorrow we head out, taking Hwy 17 to North Bay.  We have five days to make Thunder Bay, our next layover.  Weather this weekend has been perfect. The lake is a joy; geese, turtles, a beaver, waterlilies, fish (they tried but didn’t catch any - 4-year old in the next campsite landed a nice bass).  Campfires ringed the lake last night, lovely, but the smoke was a bit much.

Yours till next time - Julie              If you wish to correspond, please email separately, to julie@seacroftpei.com