WanderLuff 2011: June 2011

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

A Fond Farewell in Montreal

We had seen all the National Parks and historic sites that we wanted. We had visited cities. We had driven almost 17,000 miles since leaving on Christmas Day. Our last goal was to catch up with our Swiss friends in Montreal before their return to Switzerland. We had first met back in Texas and several times again along the road. Now would be our final farewell.

Eddy and Aline had arrived in Canada a year ago and bought their camper. They had traveled around Canada, the US, and Mexico. Their two daughters Jenny and Cindy had learned English along the way and taught our children French! It was time to pack their things and sell the camper.

Along Lake Ontario at Darlington Provincial Park.

The weather was cooperating for an outdoor picnic.

We were glad to be together again sharing stories of different adventures.

Peter and Eddy model Sagamore shirts.

Sad to see the "for sale" sign on Mako!

We spent the day exploring Chateauguay outside of Montreal and the huge park area.

The kids practiced English and French once again.

Caroline got a little "girl power" from Jenny and Cindy!

The trees in the park were perfect for climbing!

The men rode bikes back to the campground. Nice bike Eddy.

We made our preparations for the last barbecue of the trip. We needed to perfect their S'more technique before sending them on their way.

Rich and Eddy always working.

Marshmallow toast!

Eddy with more Sagamore apparel.

It was a fine evening for such a special occasion.

The last "good-bye" for now.

Until we meet again!

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Hockey Hall of Fame, Toronto, Ontario Canada

Look who else has the Stanley Cup !!!

Our route took us east through Indiana to Port Huron, Michigan for the night. It was a busy campground and full of action for the start of summer and the Father's Day weekend. We spent the evening around our neighbor's campfire learning about Michigan. The kids enjoyed the street hockey court both for evening and morning.

Richard had only one wish for Father's Day- to visit the Hockey Hall of Fame in downtown Toronto. We had defied all logic in driving the Winnebago to the downtown of other major cities. Fresh off the championship victory of the Bruins there was nothing to stop us! We hit the Blue Water Bridge from Port Huron, Mi. over the St. Clair River to Ontario, Canada.We arrived at a parking lot next to the Air Canada Center and paid a mere $5 to park the View for the afternoon. We walked two blocks to the hallowed halls of the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Toronto's CN Tower.

Air Canada Center where the Maple Leafs play.

Hockey Hall of Fame.

Hockey's most revered building.

At the inside entrance.

A GIANT Ken Dryden.

Bobby Orr's skates in bronze.

The famous #4 shirt!!!

The original Stanley Cup.

Hall of famer, Bobby Orr.

Another NHL goalie?

Net minder.

Father's Day wish come true!!

In the locker room with the "Greats".

The famous shirts.

Chicago

The View just barely fit.

We sped across the rest of South Dakota. Our fair weather had given way to driving wind and rain. We all began to think of home and only stopped for dinner and sleep in Minnesota and Wisconsin. We will have to return another day for exploration.

Our destination was in a Chicago neighborhood not far from Wrigley Field. Tom and his wife Thu graciously opened their home to us once we had wedged the Winnebago on the parking pad of the lot they own next door! Our first night was spent together with their children Nate and Maggie watching the Boston Bruins conquer the Vancouver Canucks in the final game of the Stanley Cup playoffs!

The following day, June 16, was Caroline's 8th birthday! We followed a tip from Tom and visited a German bakery to have her choose her cake for the evening's celebration! We spent the afternoon with Tom and the kids as he toured us around the city. We visited the Loop, the Willis tower, Millenium Park, and Lakeshore Drive.