Saturday, April 12, 2014

LANSING MICHIGAN TO BAYFIELD ONTARIO…..’WE’RE HOME’ AFTER THE QUICKEST BORDER CROSSING OF EVER:))

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Always a nice feeling knowing home is only a matter of hours away. It's a Snow Bird perk we both really enjoy. Had ourselves on the move by 6:45 a.m. & we were finally back on our own Ontario time again. Traffic was lite on I-69 all the way. A major highway construction project just a couple miles from the border itself turned out to be confusing but a lucky guess put us on the right road.
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LAST REST STOP AREA BEFORE THE BORDER
It was our 9th Port Huron homeward bound border crossing in 10 years & it was our quickest. No line-up & the one car at the booth pulled out just as we rolled up so never had to stop until we were right at the window. It was exactly 9:15 in the morning.  Handed over our passports, 3 quick questions, & with a 'welcome back to Canada' from the lady border guard we were on our way. This is always one very, very, precious moment for us as we pull away from the border gate.  We look forward to it from the time we leave Canada until the time we get back.  Only word to ever come even remotely close to describing that great feeling we have inside after successfully clearing the border is, Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh:)))))

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ROLLING UP & OVER THE BLUE WATER BRIDGE IN PORT HURON THIS MORNING

As much as we love the States & consider it our second home it is always such a huge feeling of relief to be back on our home turf. Our Provincial health coverage kicks in again & no matter what happens it is going to be resolved with less complications than if we were south of the border for sure. I'm sure American folks traveling in Canada experience the same thing when getting their feet back on their own familiar home turf as well.

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OUR SOUTHERN ONTARIO LANDSCAPE IS LOOKING A LOT LIKE THE FLAT LANDS OF KANSAS

How great to be back on a two lane quiet country highway again as we headed into Forrest Ontario for our Tim Horton’s coffee.  Surprised to find Timmies undergoing a major facelift but no problem as Kelly waded through the construction zone & returned minutes later with 2 medium size coffees & a couple of 22-10 ton Apple Fritters.  We slogged those Fritters down in short order & got our faces right into our coffee cups.  That was our second Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh for the day:))

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Nice quiet relaxing drive for the rest of the way home.  There is always something comforting in being surrounded by old familiar surroundings.  Rolled through Grand Bend casting a glance in at Ron’s FOUR SEASONS PERFORMANCE to see what he had sitting around in Class A Motorhomes.  A toot coming into Bayfield going by friends Di & Harry’s place STORMRUNNER RV SALES.  Stopped on Bayfield’s Clangregor Square & unhooked the Jeep.  Kelly & Pheebs headed on home with me following.  Don’tcha just love that coming down the home stretch feeling.  And did I mention what a fine Saturday morning it was too.  As reader’s know, Saturday mornings are my favorite time of the week & coming home in warm sunny weather this morning just made it all that much more special.

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LESS THAN A QUARTER MILE TO HOME & YES THAT IS SNOW ON THE RIGHT

As expected we had some snow as I pulled Winnie into her spot but at least it was in the melting phase.  Course I had to step out of the coach into snow but who cares, we were home.  Pheebs was already racing around all over the place.  Think she knew she was home too.  Also noticed something else we had been expecting.  Winter storm damage.  We had been seeing it for the last day or two on our way home.  Branches & trees down.  Our property is a big mess but no serious damage from downed tree limbs other than a smashed lamp post at the end of our driveway.  Going to take me a lot of work to get things cleaned up this year but that’s Ok I’m looking forward to it.  Gives me something to do for the next week or so & having a project in front of me is always a good thing for AL:))

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PULLING INTO OUR RV SPOT

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AND MY FIRST STEP OUT THE RIG’S DOOR GOES RIGHT INTO A VERY SOFT & WET PILE OF SNOW

It was 11 a.m. when we rolled into our driveway & it was 3 p.m. before either one of us took a break or sat down.  We’re both like that, we just like to get at things & get them done.  Clothes to come in, fridge & cupboards to be emptied, laundry, TV’s & sound systems to re-activate, etc. etc.  It’s a necessary but welcome hustle & bustle.  When I finally did sink into my recliner for the first time this year it was my third Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh moment.  And my thoughts were once again the same as in previous years, ‘that’s it, I’m never getting out of this big chair & ever going anywhere ever again’!!  Of course we all know I’ll be moaning & groaning & chomping at the bit in a couple weeks to get going & do something different again.  Always happens with me that way.

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UNLOADING BEGINS

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BOOSTING THE SANTA FE’S DEAD BATTERY & THIS SNOW & ICE BEHIND THE HOUSE IS GOING TO TAKE AWHILE TO MELT

Anyway, we are home safe & sound & thanks to everyone for their thoughts & kind wishes as we slogged our way back to Bayfield Ontario.  With heavy rains closing in on us right now I hope to get caught up with some blog reading again over the next few days, get some emails answered.  I’ll try to remember recent questions readers have asked as well.  See y’all tamarraw……………:))

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PHEEBS ISN’T SURE ABOUT ALL THIS SNOW STUFF

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TRY THIS SNOW CONE PHEEBS………….. EEEEYYYOOOUUUUUUUU

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Y’KNOW, I REALLY DIDN’T LIKE THAT SNOW CONE MOM & JUST DON’T BE GIVING ME ANOTHER ONE EITHER

GROANER’S CORNER:((  A doctor, a lawyer, a little boy and a priest were out for a Sunday afternoon flight on a small private plane. Suddenly, the plane developed engine trouble.
In spite of the best efforts of the pilot, the plane started to go down. Finally, the pilot grabbed a parachute, yelled to the passengers that they had better jump, and bailed out.
Unfortunately, there were only three parachutes remaining.
The doctor grabbed one and said "I'm a doctor, I save lives, so I must live," and jumped out.
The lawyer then said, "I'm a lawyer and lawyers are the smartest people in the world. I deserve to live."
He also grabbed a parachute and jumped.
The priest looked at the little boy and said, "My son, I've lived a long and full life. You are young and have your whole life ahead of you. Take the last parachute and live in peace."
The little boy handed the parachute back to the priest and said, "Not to worry, Father. The 'smartest man in the world' just took off with my back pack."

31 comments:

  1. Great to hear you made it home with no hassle. We both get anxious with boarder crossings.

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  2. Great! Glad you had an easy border crossing! Looks like around here. Snow here and there in the melting phase, as you say. Now just take it easy, enjoy your recliner and cure your cold!

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  3. Doesn't seem to make a difference whether you're traveling in our motorhome or through an airport... it is ALWAYS a big... Ahhhhhhh... once we get through security, customs, emigration... the whole enchilada... and on the "right" side of the law. Happy you made it home safely... have a great summer!

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  4. Glad you're safely home. Enjoy your cooler summer!

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  5. Glad you made it home safely. I sure know that feeling you are referring to - we are on the last leg of our trip and will pull into our home base tomorrow. :) Enjoy the settling back in period at all your old familiar haunts.

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  6. Glad your home...... Relax and enjoy it for a bit, then get to WORK. I know the feelin of having two places.....

    Monday is my next Xofigo infusion,,, then in 30 days I have the LAST one... #6... I hope I get the clearance for the doc to get outta town....

    you have a great successful trip...Welcome Home!!

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  7. I know EXACTLY how you feel. There really is no place like home. When we open that front door, and our own house 'smell' hits us, we know we're home. Love our time away but we're always ready to come home.
    Welcome home..now the fun begins.

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  8. So good to hear that you made it home safely! We both had bronchitis so knew how you felt...just didn't know how you were able to drive. We are chomping at the bit to leave...

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  9. I know how you feel, there is a special feeling when you cross that border.We always end up emptying the motor home as soon as we get home,even though we say we aren't going to.

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  10. Welcome Home! Thanks for yet another adventured filled winter the the Bayfield Bunch. Have fun with the winter clean-up.

    MnM

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  11. Welcome home! At least now you'll be cleaning up your own yard & not the neighbor's!

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  12. ahh..welcome home Bayfield Bunch,welcome home!!
    thanks for the 'ride' this snowbirding season!

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  13. Welcome home! So glad you had a safe trip. Enjoy getting things back in order and that recliner!

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  14. Now you don't have to be concerned about rattle snakes!

    Ya know Al, you don't have to clean everything up in the first week you are home. Watch that hip.

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  15. There's no place like home, and you have several of them to enjoy.

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  16. When you buy stuff that stays in Congress, do you have to tell them about it?

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  17. So glad you guys are safely home - I can just imagine the relief of being back - just like you feel when you are heading South in the fall!
    That look on Pheebs' face - and the caption on the photo (after the sno cone) are hysterical!! I love having a great out-loud laugh with my morning coffee, and the Bayfield Blog brightens my day.
    --Jool in North Texas

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  18. Gotto love those easy border crossings, we are hoping for one too, in a couple of days.

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  19. We've had many years of relatively easy border crossings (knock on wood) and I guess nowadays they scan your passport and know pretty much "what's up" with you and your entourage. So unless you have "known associates" let's say, you've very little to worry about.
    But it always seems to feel like a crap shoot.
    Still easier to "cross the border" in the EU though....

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  20. Oh, and welcome home. Pardon the snow.

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  21. So glad y'all are HOME! I feel that way when we get back into California or even Riverside County! Mid 80's here yesterday...a really nice day!
    Cheryl Ann

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  22. Welcome home, snow and all. Bet you are glad that did all that work last year cutting down some trees and branches. Likely your mess would have been worse. Certainly not looking forward to that hustle & bustle even thought it is a part of the homecoming.

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  23. Home sweet home. And I have to agree with Pheebs. A snow cone?? No thanks. Enjoy your chair for a coule of hours before you tackle that yard.

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  24. OMG - I just love your jokes!

    Happy to see you home safe and sound. Nothing like being home after being away. Those pics of Pheebs laying in the snow - my only thought was, isn't that freezing cold on her tummy? Doesn't seem to bother her, though.

    Enjoy being home! :)

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  25. Ah yes...home sweet home. Even as a full timer I always look forward to getting back to Indiana...that will always be home. We will be heading that way come Monday morning. HOME...how sweet it is!

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  26. Yep, it is good to get home....for about 2 weeks. Then I miss the Hiker. We have a lot to haul in too..electronics especially. We take our TV from the kitchen, and our big desktop computer and printer from home too...Sheesh...HELLLLO...a laptop would be so much easier, Dennis!

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  27. Great to see you made it back home without incident. Pheebs may be questioning why you got back before things thawed...

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  28. Glad you made it safely home with no border crossing delays.

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  29. Glad to see you made it home. AH Home Sweet Home!

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