Day 26 - Traveling to Chicago

   Yes I made it across the border!!!

For those of you who don't know the story...I had to get my passport renewed and so I had my parents send it to Nova Scotia to meet up with me. Well the Post office lost it somewhere and their promise of 1-3 days turned into 7 days! So it finally arrived in Bridgewater today but I left there on Saturday!😬

   So I decided to chance it and try to get across with just my driver's lisence and birth certificate as I was told at a Maine/New Brunswick border crossing that as long as I had those 2 pieces of ID, didn't have a criminal record and didn't get a persnickety guard, I should technically be allowed in!

   I arrived at the border and handed the guard my ID. He started running checks and instantly asked where my passport was. I told him the whole story including what I was told at the other crossing. After a few seconds he responded that they hadn't allowed anyone across without a passport in years! He said that may be what they do in Maine but not here! I asked if there was any chance of getting thru without it and he said no! My heart sank as I began to realize I'd have to travel 3 hours back the way I'd come!  He asked where I was hoping to go and if I had any hotel reservations, along with a few other questions. Finally he looked at me and stated "You took that news really well!" I replied that I knew there was a chance I might not be able to cross without my passport. Then he got this huge grin on his face and said "I was hoping for some kind of drastic reaction and all I got out of you was a smile! You're free to go!" And he handed my ID back to me! I wanted to slap him and hug him all at the same time because I really thought he wasn't gonna let me thru! I bust out laughing and drove off before he could change his mind!

   On my way thru Michigan to Chicago I came across a severe accident in the opposing lanes! The person had obviously passed away and traffic was literally backed up for miles like it is in this picture!

It made me so grateful to realize how close I've come to a severe accident on this trip but I've been spared every time! I'm so grateful!

   As I was driving I realized I'd be driving very close to Hyles-Anderson College where I spent a semester 7 years ago! I couldn't not stop by when I was that close! So fun to see it again, and boy what a lot of memories!

 

As I was driving thru Chicago I saw the exits for the streets where our bus route was and wow! Brought back so many memories and made me miss it all over again! Chicago will always hold a small piece of my heart!

   I drove thru the city at the perfect time! The sun was setting, the roads were a little quieter and I managed to survive my mom's most hated road! The Dan-Ryan expressway! Lol!

I'm now stopped for the night in South Beloit! Another day and a half of travel and I'll be home! I was thinking about it and realized in the last 3 days I've driven across 4 Provinces and 4 States!
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 

 

Day 25 - Traveling to Toronto

  Got to FaceTime my Dad this morning for Father's Day! If you can't be there you do the second best thing!

   Went to Pastor Jason Hines' church for the morning service! I've never been in a bilingual service before so it was a new experience, but it was great getting to hear him preach again!

   I then got back on the road with Toronto as my destination! About an hour in I pulled into a rest stop to use the washroom...but I parked in the shade and there was a beautiful breeze blowing...and well next thing you know I was waking up 2 hours later from a delightful nap! Lol!

   Got stuck in traffic in Montreal and discovered where Need for Speed got its racing ideas from...

   Finally arrived in Toronto safe and sound and exhausted at 12:15am!
 

 

 

Day 24 - Traveling to Quebec City

   Well the day I dreaded has finally come! The beginning of the long journey home! 

   I hate good-byes!!! It's one thing to say good-bye when you know you'll see them again soon but to say good-bye having no idea when you'll see them next is never fun!

  Anyway, I said good-bye to the Lakes today and headed towards Quebec City!

This was the longest drive I had done in one day so I wasn't sure how it would go! I got away at 11:30am and 12 hours later at 11:30pm (well technically 10:30pm cause I gained an hour!) I arrived in Quebec City!

That long drive wasn't without it's necessary Starbucks stop for a Double Double Fudge Frappachino with an espresso shot in it (AMAZING!!) and yes it was necessary because I was falling asleep on the road!

And a short chase after a beautiful sunset!!😊

 

Can't believe it was two weeks ago when I was here! It seriously feels like just yesterday! Time flies when you're having fun!
 

 

 
 

 

Day 23 - Beach day!

   Today was probably the most relaxing day I've had all month! 

   After doing some running around and trying to chase down my passport that the postal service managed to loose...we grabbed our iced Capps and headed for the beach!

   What a delightful afternoon! It was warm and sunny (first sunny day I've seen in a week!) with just the perfect breeze blowing! We literally just kicked back on the sparkling white sand and took a nap!

   Now the only problem with falling asleep on the beach in the sun is burns tend to happen! So red as a lobster I am again!

   When we came back, Jenna (the Lake's daughter) and her girls were waiting for us! So bbq hamburgers and hotdogs finished off the evening with them! AND I found a fellow lover of popping zits and peeling sunburned skin! Don't even ask how we got the conversation there but we did and found out we are hilariously alike!😂 Jenna & I that is! Mrs. Lake was appropriately horrified! Lol!

   It's now early to bed for me, because tomorrow is a 10.5 hr drive back to Quebec City!
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Day 22 - The Lakes

   What a fabulous day! Had so much fun and enjoyed so much beauty all around me! 

   Slept in and after a late breakfast, Miss. Cindy and I took off to explore! She was sweet enough to drive so I got to drink in all the scenery without causing any accidents!😂

   We headed off to Lunenburg first and what an amazing old town! It's a UNESCO site so everything has been preserved and many of the buildings have plaques saying what year and for whom the were built!

This particular building was the oldest!

I also got to see the famous Bluenose II! Had I of been one day later I would have missed it! 

 

   We did some wandering thru the cutest shops and ran into 2 awesome antique shops! Instant love! I'm pretty sure my car is gonna be full coming home!

So thankful I don't have to deal with these at the hospital!

We stopped for supper at this restaurant overlooking the water...such a pretty view! And I tried scallops for the first time!

Oh and we stopped in the cutest little place for coffe! Loved their ceiling!

Then we took off for a beautiful part of the coastline...and I couldn't stop snapping pictures!!

 Also this beautiful old academy!

We then continued onto Mahone Bay where these 3 churches all stand in a row!

We then headed home where we finished out the evening with lounging on the deck and ice cream! 

   Such a fun day and so awesome to be back with these dear friends after so long!