Michigan (MI)

4 June 2018

Leaving Windsor Canada through Michigan off the motorways, is such a pleasant drive. Returning to the USA the scenery and architecture really moves my emotions. You feel the history here. I have never been so interested in houses as on this journey.

This is a channel in Coldwater MI. I find it difficult to imagine all these areas under thick snow during their long winters. Today it was 24C (75F)

These barns are so cute and are everywhere on this road and remind me of many movie scenes.

Quincy MI

A teepee in MI

And then I crossed into Indiana and came across my first Amish.

The birds have classy homes as well.

I pick places to stay randomly and I am so lucky that every place is so special. Goshen IN is another historical town. I feel as if I have walked into Clint Eastwood’s movie The Gran Torino.

How many gables does this house have! And that is only half the house.

A walk around Goshen.

Goodbye Windsor Ontario

4 June 2018

This was my third time in Windsor meeting up with my cousin Adrian and Great Aunt Luisa. The previous times I was here in winter experiencing a white Christmas once with Carlos and then with Dion.

This time the weather has been mixed but definitely no snow.

I have enjoyed a few days taking it easy with my Great Aunt Luisa.

I spent time with my cousin’s partner, Maria Luisa.

And I went to a Croatian wedding of Marko and Kira, my cousin’s neighbours.

Today I was very excited to hear the sound of the Grand Prix running in Detroit. It would have been exciting to go but I did not realise until too late. Besides I was up until 4:00am watching an exciting game of NRL where unfortunately my Wests Tigers were beaten by the Roosters.

My final photo in Ontario is the evening Detroit skyline.

Windsor Ontario

29 May 2018

Leaving Niagara Falls I stopped at the Butterfly Conservatory. What a magical place this is! I was only meant to stay for perhaps 15 minutes but it was so beautiful I stayed for one (1) hour and could have stayed longer. Many species of butterflies in a controlled enviornment and the only Australian butterfly called the Eggfly (it should have a prettier name) landed on my toe!!

Butterfly video

I drove to Windsor to be with my cousin Adrian. We went for a walk along the Detroit River in Windsor and took a photo of the Detroit skyline across the river. The USA border is only 12 minutes from this spot.

I enjoyed a sunbake at Sand Point Beach in one of the Great Lakes. The water was freezing, a lot colder than Sydney beaches.

Niagara Falls Canada

28 May 2018

What a glorious day for Niagara Falls. It was 30C (86F) but down near the falls the temperature dropped as the spray made it much cooler on the boulevarde.

Video of Niagara Falls

The last time I was here in 2010 it was winter and very different.

I much prefer the warmer weather Niagara Falls.

Today I was fortunate to experience Memorial Day celebrations and the Falls were lit up in red white and blue. There were magnificent fireworks which were so loud because they boomed and echoed around the Falls. Brilliant!!

Video of Niagara Falls at night.

And there was a full moon as well!!

Kitchener Ontario Canada

27 May 2018

The last 2 days I spent with my cousin’s partner, Maria Luisa, who is from Colombia.

After a hard work week Maria Luisa switched into party mode and invited her fellow country women Joanna and Luisa over for dinner.

Unwinding required some Tequila lick, sip, suck which I have not done for 30 years.

These Colombian ladies know how to have fun and I even got to dance salsa!!!

Thank you to all, especially Maria Luisa for your hospitality and love.

Toronto Canada

25 May 2018

Toronto has a population of almost 6M people and they have as much traffic as some of the large USA cities. More than Boston and several accidents so I decided to take the Greyhound in from Kitchener, where I am staying with my cousin’s partner Maria Luisa. So glad I did. I walked 27,000 steps and it would have been difficult facing a 2 hour drive after that.

Met up with my cruise son, Grant, from my Transatlantic cruise.

I did the free walking tour with Tour Guys.

I relaxed at Queen Quay Park and watched the planes coming in to land at the airport over the harbour. It made me feel like I was home.

Napanee Ontario Canada

24 May 2018
I took a detour from the USA roadtrip as I was going to drive through two states I had already crossed, Pensylvannia and Ohio. Instead I decided to drive parallel through Canada. After Kingston yesterday, I spent the night in Napanee.
This morning I enjoyed the Napanee River walk and cascades.

I realise the lushness of all these North American places is what transforms after all the snow.

I spotted water snakes, a cute family of ducks with their ducklings and turtles sunning themselves.

Crossing from New York State to Ontario Canada

23 May 2018

I left Tupper Lake NY for Canada to visit my great aunt, cousin and friends. The GPS took me on a fun route including an unexpected ferry ride to Wolfe Island.

I didn’t realise I was crossing to an island until I got to the Canadian border check where the officer informed me the only way off was to get another ferry to Kingston Canada or go back to New York USA. My plan was to go to Kingston I just didn’t realise that entailed 2 ferry trips.
I can’t think what the border officer thought of me driving without knowing where I was going. Although most of this trip I start off with a destination but end up somewhere else.

I met these quirky women dressed in red hats and purple clothing. I asked if I could get a photo for my blog and they said people would think they were crazy. I told them that my friends would say that we are a good fit and I believe “your vibe attracts your tribe”. The Red Hat Society is a worldwide playgroup for women over 50, currently with membership in 30 countries. Audrey, Noreen, Frances and Helen are Kingston Ontario Canada Red Hat Society ladies and they were certainly fun.

On the second ferry trip, the 20 minute voyage was free!!

I explored Kingston Ontario Canada and it is an easy city to walk around. Parking is $CAD1.50 an hour so quite reasonable.

Walking around I loved the aromas coming out of the restaurants, so different to the smell of USA fried food.

On my walk I found the Martello Alley which lures you in to explore the quirky art. David, the gallery owner, is responsible for brightening up this alley which is the only art alley in the province of Ontario.

The gallery is also a co-op for local artists. When in Kingston pop in and say hi to David and meet the inhouse artists.

Upstate New York

22 May 2018

I wish you could see the scenery through my eyes. I drove from Pittsfield Vermont (VT) to Upstate New York (NY) through the Adirondack Mountain Range. Think of all the movie scenes set on lakes or rivers you have enjoyed like “On Golden Pond”, “Not Without My Daughter” or the advertisements for Canada.

Lakes, white water, stillwater rivers, trees of all shades of green, it just keeps changing and even in the rain it looks stunning.

Ticonderoga NY

I pulled over and sat and enjoyed looking at this for 10 minutes. I still haven’t seen any bears or moose.

The view from my room at the Sunset Park Motel in Tupper Lake NY. An inexpensive but clean and warm room with a million dollar view.

The site for the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics, Lake Placid NY.

Imagine this area covered in snow!!

North Hudson NY Town Court House

American Legion Building in Ticonderoga NY

For Star Trek fans. Set site Ticonderoga NY.

I saw a sign for a ferry from Vermont to New York and after checking it out decided, why not. It saved me about 45 minutes but I did it for the fun.

Ferry crossing Vermont to New York.

Crossing three borders Maine/New Hampshire/Vermont

21 May 2018

This morning I left Kennebunkport with the goal of reaching Vermont. I had no idea where I would stop but I put the town Sharon into the GPS so I had some direction. I am in awe of this countryside. The different types of trees with lots of shades of green and a smattering of purple and orange up the high mountains, the running rivers with whitewater rapids or like this spot in Alton Bay, New Hampshire just stunning.

House in Laconia New Hampshire

House in Lebanon New Hampshire

Across the border to Vermont.

More places in this area with the USA flag.

The Original General Store Pittsfield

I decided to stay in a hotel called the Clear River Inn and Tavern in Pittsfield Vermont which has a lovely running river out the back.

River at the back of Clear Tavern

Pittsfield has a population of 560 and I met almost 10% of them tonight at the Tavern attached to the hotel. I learned that Vermont is one of the states which allows people to carry firearms around but they choose not to. As one local said “we don’t have to prove anything “. I asked about bears and I have my hopes high that this is the place I will get to see one.

The locals advised me to be careful driving to watch out for moose. I asked one local what the plural of moose was and he said “more than one”. I like their humour.

If you get a chance to visit this area, this is a very beautiful place and these are real people of the USA. Pittsfield is also a very popular skiing place in winter. Those who know me can tell you this would not be a place for me in winter. Right now, it is stunning.

I enjoyed meeting the locals Whalen, Rob, Rob, Tim, Ralph and Jack and thank them for their hospitality and Juliette for taking the photo.