Thoughts for our Blog from Rob on leaving Quebec

Wednesday, June 13, 2012 6:15 PM

Today is June 13th. That is usually a very luck day of the month for the Browns as I was born on the 13th. We had a long drive to do today and through Montreal, Canada's protest hot bed. It seems that the province, Quebec, promised free education to its citizens several years back and now is reneging on the deal. They want the college kids, regardless of age to pay their fair share. What a concept. Anyway, Montreal is where there have been several violent demonstrations. Just like our Occupy movements with a twist. So, up early and ready to leave Quebec. It rained all night, so we figured Jerre Glasgow got tired and went to bed. She has been doing a "Sun" dance for us whenever we needed it. Once we maneuvered the Trees and Limbs (capitalized because they were big and in the way) in our camp site, we pulled up to Hook up the Yukon and guess what, the lights on the Tow didn't work again. Glad we got more contact cleaner yesterday. After several tries, we are finally good to go. Has Gerri told you anything about the signs here in Canada? They have engineers who decide where to put them based on where someone who has lived here their entire lives would like to see them. You know, like right after you made a turn and wanted to make sure it was correct. The poor foreigner from the United States, has to guess, since there are rarely warning signs before the turn. Well, today one of those protesters in a "Smart" car (I think it is named that to differentiate it from the driver) decided to pass us on the right no matter our right turn signals flashing and that he had another lane to his right. Well, you guessed it we missed our freeway transition. I hope he got to his protest in time to be gassed by the cops. Well, my co-pilot quickly, re-calculates, Lucy our GPS is on vacation, so Gerri to the rescue. Let me tell you how much fun the side streets of Montreal can be. But that wasn't the best of it. I think you know we are 65 feet long and the first 42 feet don't bend and backing up is a big no no. We left Quebec behind and crossed over into English speaking Ontario. I sighed a big one for finally being able to read again even if the signs are too late. Well, they immediately got me. I was only 2 K (1.2 miles for those of you who don't translate French to English) into Ontario and there on the right is a sign that says "Visitor" center. Well, who do you think goes to visitor centers? You are wrong! This one was filled with anything but visitors. It was sort of a rest stop and fuel stop and Fast food stop. You guessed it. It was full of trucks and cars in the RV section. Of course, I figured out where I was supposed to go by reading my "English" signs. The truckers were from Quebec and only read French, or so it seemed. A lot of good that did. Trucks were parked on the left and on the right and in all the parking slots. Then there was this little brown car parked sideways next to a truck with is flashers on (he, the truck, was parked in the driveway). So, what to to??? I only want to get out of here so, I sent my trusty co-pilot out on foot to see what was on the other side of the building. If I could just get around that sedan, maybe I could cut behind the fuel truck and make a left turn by the light post and pass the guy with the flashers. Oh swell, now one of the truckers behind me has had enough and starts honking his air horn. Like that is going to do any good. The manager from the Fast Food Place comes out to take out the trash and sees the mess. She runs back in and soon one of her employees in uniform comes out to move her sideways parked car. She sees Dusty and smiles and waves. You don't want to know what I told Dusty to tell her. He wouldn't repeat it. My trusty co-pilot is back and says that if I am good I can make it. Well, I almost was. You can guess how almost is in a Big Rig. Now I am pinned between the Fuel Tanker and the light post and yes the guy in the back is still blowing his horn. By rights, I should have just shut everything down and left to get into line with the other Fast food junkies. But, no... not Rob. I decide I can make it past the pole, if I can just back up 2 feet which is a real risk to the tow bar and the Yukon. My co-pilot is outside watching with her teeth in full grimace but waiving me on. Well, we made it! Fortunately, it was only a few more miles to the campground which was happy to see us. They had a nice pull through for us. It was beautiful with lots of Maple trees all around. We got into place and took another big sigh.

Then, my trusty co-pilot asks me about the sign on the door to the office. You know the one that says, "Be sure to Boil the Water before Drinking". I kid you not. It was one of about 6 signs and having only semi-recovered from the "Visitors Center" I truthfully didn't read any of them before signing up. Well it turns out that their recent water test came back with too much chloroform in it to be safe for public drinking. This I learned after checking in and having my credit card charged $45.00. The good news is that Gerri asked me about the water sign before I hooked up and we have plenty of our own water in the tank. I think I will just sit out July 13th.