Talk About Adventures!

Pulled out of Saco, ME headed east to Brattleboro, VT. Decided to travel the state roads so we wouldn't have to subject our rig to the Massachusetts roadways any more than we have to. After traveling from Boston to Maine, we found our printer practically 'disassembled' it had been jarred so badly on the bumpy roads.

A beautiful drive, such lovely homes and towns. All went smoothly until we stopped at the WalMart in Keene, NH. We've been there before - and it's not a 'super store' - but we just needed to get some prescriptions filled before we headed into Canada tomorrow. Much to our surprise, there was no pharmacy. We have never encountered that before! Picked up a few grocery items they did have - and headed on to the campground.

I had navigated us right to Highway 5 - which is where the campground is - (didn't check the KOA book - like a dummy) - and directed Roger south on Highway 5. I THOUGHT we were connecting to Highway 5 north of the park. (Must have thought it!) We found ourselves winding along through a very pretty, very BUSY town. This took us quite a bit of time - and we had a few nervous moments wondering if we were going the right direction on one-way streets. As always, we got a lot of 'looks'. About the time we began to run out of town, I realized that we had just driven through the bustling town of Brattleboro. It suddenly 'clicked' in my brain that the campground was NORTH of the town! So we had to get on the interstate and drive BACK three exits. It took us right back to the 'round-about' where we had turned south in the first place.

When we arrived at the park, the first thing they asked was "Did you see any nudes?" We were a bit taken aback by the question, to say the least. Sure enough, it seems that it is not against the law to 'go nude' in Brattleboro - and there are a few exhibitionists taking advantage of that fact! And we missed it! (But Roger was in no mood to go back - especially with the fifth wheel in tow!)

Nice easy visit there. I did the complete review, for Roger was suffering terribly with his gout. A beautiful small park, and it was no problem. The folks are selling; the new owners will take over at the end of June - and we'll have to go back to do a new owner visit with them - and look for nudists!

Thursday morning, bright & early, we headed west to Canada. I had planned a 'late lunch' stop at the Cracker Barrel in Cicero, New York to help break the day. It was a nice stop - and only the second time we have been to Cracker Barrel since we left home. Believe it or not!

Then it was time to 'cross the border'. Have been 'hassled' so many times at the border, that we were traveling in 'civvies' and stated that we were going in to visit one of the parks. As always, they had us pull over and searched our trailer. Then we are called up to the Immigration Officer's desk, where he proceeded to imply that we were lying to him. His position was that we were going in to 'run' a KOA; he knew this because he had arrested somebody - at some point - that did that. We assured him we were employed by KOA (and NOT looking for another job) - but that this visit was a 'social' visit with a new owner. He then switched his position and said that we must be going in to "inspect" them. We again told him we were not; that we would indeed return later in the season to do this, but that was not the purpose of our visit this trip. So they searched our trailer a second time, while he proceeded to threaten us with being 'arrested' if they found any evidence in our trailer to prove that we were going in to 'inspect'. When they could find nothing, he then decided he needed to 'verify' our story. So we provided names & numbers of the park, and he did indeed call them (on their 800# no less). They told him the same thing we told him - and we were finally free to go.

BUT, by that time Roger was royally upset - and not being as 'meek and mild-mannered' as me (imagine that!), decided to give the officer a piece of his mind. The whole time I'm kicking him in the leg trying to get him to shut up! He's telling them "I told you the truth, and you didn't believe us - so next time I'll just lie, since that's what I'm being accused of!" Got Roger out of there - him muttering and sputtering all the way, while I'm having visions of spending the night in a Canadian jail!

So now, we head 'west' on Highway 401. Now it feels 'south' to me - but even the compass said we were going west. Turns out its a bit further 'west' than I had really thought, so now it's time to get gas. Pulled off into a station and there is a provincial patrol car blocking our access to the diesel pump. Roger decides to grab the chance to go to the bathroom while the officer fills his patrol car. (That's probably why he was so cranky at the border!) Roger hadn't much more left, than the officer walked back to the truck and opens the driver's side door. I'm thinking, "What now!" All he wanted to do was tell us that there was a "Flying J" on down the road where gas would be cheaper! But at that point, I knew Roger would be in no mood for another stop - so I thanked the officer and told him how much we appreciated his help; we would definitely remember that the next trip.

Arrived at the Brighton KOA - about 7:30 p.m., then stood 'talking' with the owners until dark! Didn't see the inside of the trailer until 9:30 last night! Thankfully we had stopped for that late lunch - or we never would have gotten supper.!

It's very warm here - although we are on top of a hill - and get an occasional breeze from Lake Ontario. The owners gave us the 'nickel tour' this morning - and we're rounding up some pictures of ideas, etc. to share with them. This truly is a 'social' visit - getting to know them before we come back later this season to do the review. Now you KNOW we can hardly wait for that border crossing again! :>)