Real Talk!

Had a rough night last night... probably over tired... and woke up before the alarm at about 6:30 a.m. Lake Placid was completely fogged in... by the 8 o'clock rendezvous time, one group had already left and the sun was trying to make an appearance... looked promising.

We drove around the lake and then stopped at a diner for breakfast... the coffee was great, breakfast was good and we set off to catch the ferry at Port Kent New York... we were about 40 minutes into the ride when we got stopped by flashing red light and a fireman... shortly followed by sirens and more emergency vehicles... we had to turn back... and take an alternate route...

It was extremely upsetting when the fireman mentioned that there had been a very bad accident between a motorcycle and a car... all we could do is push on... praying that it wasn't anyone from our "group" who had been hurt....

We were a solemn group when we reached the ferry... kind of quiet...

Watching them load up the ferry was pretty neat... a loaded log truck and a big truck with a honking big hook swinging in the breeze... several motorhomes and probably 15 or 20 motorcycles and a whack of cars... and a few pedestrians to boot... it started to spit rain so most of the gang put on their rain gear... Fabian and I grabbed jackets....

By the time we landed in Burlington Vermont, it was raining much harder and the ferry crew suggested that the three gals who were passengers (Lisa, Avi and I) should walk down the ramp... as it would be very slippery.... no problem....

After that, the day becomes a blurr of cold, wet, survival instinct. It was nasty... and made what might have been a short day much longer... it wasn't until 5 that we limped into White Plains New Hampshire- aching for something warm and dry....

Scott and his wife Lisa were wonderful, hanging back and going a speed we were comfortable with... and Bob Kinnear and his son, Ian, came catching up to us close to the end of the journey... most of the others had stopped for lunch... we didn't have time... too busy trying to watch the roads... through a wind-screen and pelting rain...

the mountains here are fogged in, too... but there is a hint of clearing... could all be another cruel hoax so that I won't throw in the towel! No kidding, although it was quite a stressful day for Fabian, trying to see and trying to maintain control on the greasy pavement... I was not afraid...

I admit that I have been looking longinly at the BMW that Lisa and Scott are driving and thinking of the Harleys that Lynn and Harry had yesterday... and I can see a little more comfort... much cushier passenger seats and foot paddles, not teeny pegs... and you know, even Fabian has mentioned, a few times... that he had bought his motorcycle for "looks" and "sound" and he's thinking that if I like riding and if we want to do any more trips, it is probably time to trade for something more of a family bike....
less flash, more comfort...

Well, the blackberry doesn't have reception here... and the laptop is a little slow... so, I've emailed my daughter... and now we're ready to put our feet up... we're a little hungry... we've had a hot shower and we're finally dry....

kind of out in the middle of nowhere... this resort has been here since the 20s... it's very charming... mind you, we likely won't see much of it... going to crash early, no doubt... and probably going to have to take off at 8 a.m. tomorrow... we bought maps today... and will try to get a handle on where it is we're going... it's been somewhat uneasy trying to keep up with the speed racers... and feeling like a burden to those nice people who try to stay back and give us direction....

We'll be back in Canada, tomorrow... which is great... while everyone has been very nice... we chatted to a fella from Texas on the ferry and another real American last night, at the hotel... and most of the people in most gas stations have been super nice, too...

but you know... I was looking down an awfully long, flat, wet bit of highway today... and I was thinking "there's no place like home".