24,000

miles is the current mileage attained since Dec 28, 2009. No real major problems to speak of....just the odd annoyance. We, at the moment, are wandering aimlessly, with no particular plan for the next couple of weeks. We will be heading to the New England area eventually....if we can get back in to the USA. Our last encounter was iffffffffy. Apparently, you are only permitted 6 months in the States in any calendar year, otherwise they consider you are living there ( why would ANYONE want to do that). Our intent after leaving Quebec and N.B. is to cross at a smaller border point in the hope their system is not as up to date as Sault Ste. Marie etc. WE have no special points of interest to bring up. WE are just enjoying (?) the leaves as they put on their fall colours.

65 !!!!!!

Yup...the ol' girl turned 65 yesterday !!!! We are in Minden ( City) Mich at friends that we had met in Troy Alabama. They are also the organisers of the camping get together we were at last week. Prior to arriving here yesterday, we were at a camp ground in Oscoda, that was set in a oak and pine forest....very pretty being on the river and all. On Sunday afternoon we took a paddle wheel river boat cruise for two hours and relaxed ( we seem to be able to do that quite well thank you). The trip will continue today, however I'm not too sure what Internet we will have so the blog may lapse for a while.

Michian camping

Here it is Thursday Sept 9 and we are in Hale Michigan where we arrived on Tuesday fro a get together with the Michigan group that go to Troy Alabama for the winter. It has been very windy and considerably cooler during this stay. There is a supper called a milk can supper which uses a farm milk can filled with corn on the cob, potatoes, sausage, carrots and onions, then placed on a fire to cook. Good stuff I'll tell you. Last night it was a pot luck of sorts with spareribs as the main entree. We'll be here until tomorrow ( Friday) then head off to parts unknown ( at this moment) The cooler weather has been a welcome relief after some of the heat. It looks as if home is about the same weather wise.

Labor...labour Day

Michigan has seen our arrival. Thursday night....nite, we were in Illinois, last night it was Warsaw Indiana ( a great town full of community spirit ) and tonight it's Ionia Michigan, at the State Park. We'll be here until Monday, then head a little closer to Hale Mich., where the get together is, starting Tuesday. Warsaw has an event the first Friday of each month called First Friday ( imagine that) that is like a farmers Market and Cruise night all combined. On the way here we passed through a town called Shipshewana Indiana, which is the heart of Mennonite/Amish country. The town is very much St. Jacobs and every bit as crowded. The weather has really changed. It is now (4:15) 66F and I see Shelburne is about 59F. It was very windy last night and today has been overcast.

Wow !!!!!!!

We finally found a Dunkin' Donuts. Daughter Kristine gave us Tim Horton's and Dunkin' Donuts pre-loaded cards when we left for this trip. It didn't take too long to empty the Timmy's card, however it took 8 months and one day to find a Dunkin' store.
We are about 50 miles south of Chicago tonight and tomorrow night should be about 30 miles west of Fort Wayne Indiana. We took this longer approach to avoid Chicago....it's no fun in the summer, as we have found out in past trips around the lake. Then we start heading north towards Mich. The weather continues to be hot, although not as bad as home judging by the computer. It rained yesterday and again today off and on. Tonight is supposed to be rain again, then turn cooler ( 72 for a high Friday). I'll try to post pics later but the reception has been poor of late ( sun spot activity??).