Days 31 - 36 - Bracebridge

Day 31 – Monday – July 16, 2007 – Get to off load a few things today. Rig should be spacious feeling after that! Looking forward to seeing everyone again.

Arrived in Bracebridge about 12:30. Drive up was uneventful and just as pretty as we remembered. Got all set up in the Burgess Driveway Campground, even have WI-FI set up for the rig after son Alex tweeked the security for us!

Mileage – 33,265. Mileage for day – 130. Mileage for trip – 2,084.

Day 32 – Tuesday – July 17, 2007 – Gave Olga Fleming the neon bar sign from Mannings for Beth & Gally Galbraith. They love it and say thanks so much!

Dave and Mike went out to the cottage with Rob Burgess for a boat ride that they really enjoyed although I’m sure they couldn’t have had as much fun as Ruth and I did golfing with the Ladies. Golfed with Ruth Tedesco, Olga Fleming and Sheila. Had a great time. Even birdied number 16, that long par 5 over the ravine. Don’t think I have ever even pared it before? Bad drive into rough, chip out to about 165 yards, great 3 wood to about 2 foot from the pin. This game is easy once you don’t have to worry about ruining a great round!

Dinner was delicious as always, with lots of fun and good company. Everyone says hi to all the other Ocala Palms prior visitors.

Day 33 – Wednesday – July 18, 2007 – It’s Mens Day today although the stag party is tomorrow night so I guess this is like a bonus night? Finally sitting down to write this after the fact so my tenses may be a little squirrelly – sorry Ruth! Dave and I had our Ping fittings today. Hit a lot of nice clubs and got some good suggestions. They said Dave should be fine with Webby’s old club because as you all know their swings are very similar…. After the fittings, Dave was off to play some golf. We had been watching the gas prices since we got here since we wanted to get gas before we head north. It had dropped from $1.043 per litre to $.975 so I unhooked the rig and headed downtown to get some gas. Ruth had went with the other Ladies for the boat ride on Lake Muskoka. Anyway, got down to Canadian Tire, waited in line with all the other folks to get the “cheap” gas. Pulled up, filled up which came to about $146 Canadian. Now at this particular station, you don’t use your card first, you pump and then pay afterwards, you see where this is going don’t you? I put down my USAA mastercard – denied. Little confused by that since Dave had just used it to pay for golf, but ok. Give the nice lady my AARP credit card – Denied! Ok, here I am, all the men on the golf course, all the ladies on the lake and a bunch of Canadians waiting in line to pay for their “cheap” gas behind the American Lady with bad credit cards. Plop down my last option, my Citibank Card, which goes through! Seems that when we planned this trip, I failed to add - call the credit card companies to my checklist to let them know we were going out of the country. Took care of THAT back at Rob & Sheila’s so all is good again.


Day 34 – Thursday – July 19, 2007 - Boys rolled in pretty late from Men’s night last night although Dave was home a little earlier. Mike, Rob, PJ and a few others walked up to Webbs afterwards and Mike had a little difficulty moving to the side of the road when a car came by. Got out of the way of the car but the road bit him. Ocala folks will see the actual wound for themselves soon enough.

Started out as a beautiful day, plenty of sunshine and fresh air. Everyone met at the club house at 11 to drive up to Mark Omeara’s course – Grandview in Huntsville, about 35 minutes north of Bracebridge. Sheila, Ruth and I were the first group out because we had an event to get back to, (more about that later). We made it to the first green, where we were all set to make birdie when the heavens opened up and the rain started coming down – hard!

Back to the club house we go where we wait around for about 30 minutes before it is obvious that we aren’t going to get the round in. I have some great pictures of the club house and a couple shots out on the course.

Sheila, Ruth and I go downtown to ride “The Big Bike for Heart & Stroke” which was a great time. Ran into Lady bug Rita, Erin & Erin’s mom, Judy at the big bike ride. Went back to Rita’s for Pizza and a little liquid refreshment.

Men went to the bachelor/stag party at the club house – you’ll have to get the scoop from one of them.

Day 35 – Friday – July 20, 2007 – Ruth, Sheila and I went to the local arts & craft show today. Had some really special things there. I would have to call it more Arts than crafts. Ruth and I both bought a pair of earrings and Sheila got a couple of nice things too. Mike went with a group to play golf at Segwun and Dave had a relaxing day at the rig with the cats. Big get together at the Webbs tonight for all the out of towners.

Day 36 – Saturday – July 21, 2007 – WEDDING DAY is finally here! Day starts with golf, of course, an 8 a.m. firecracker start. Dave and I are with Jay and Rita Houston so of course you know we had a great time. Mike and Ruth are right behind us with Ike, the retired plumber and his wife Patsy. Great time had by all, golf followed by a nice lunch at the club, followed by a nice nap at the rig.

By the way, Garrett Willis, who was supposed to be best man, was playing in Milwaukee and was in second place after Friday. His contract didn’t allow for his to withdraw so he wasn’t able to be here. Unfortunately he had dropped down to a tie for 33rd by the end of Saturday. Hopefully he will do better on Sunday.

The weather cooperated and the outdoor wedding was just lovely. Ron had a radio in his hand right up to the last minute, presumably talking to Jen with Carrie and her Mom. The bridesmaids all arrived by golf cart and Carrie arrived in the GMC. Unfortunately Lobo, The Girl Wonder Dog had been sick that day and was unable to attend.

Everything went off without a hitch during the actual ceremony although there was a moment of confusion about where the rings were. The minister, Sue, was very good.

At the reception, there were several speeches and toasts welcoming Carrie to the Webb family, Brennan to the Leitch family, all of which were more poignant than anything I could possibly describe here. Suffice it to say that it was a very touching evening.

There were a few interesting events later. There was a brief sighting of Barry Manilow dancing on a table during the playing of Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline. Lots of drink and good food combined with family and good friends. Erin Thorne who you may remember from the Pro Shop, looked lovely in a dress, with heels and make-up. Erin was photographed with almost as many people as the Bride!

Dave and I didn’t stay until the very end so we missed the cupcake fight and the subsequent arrival of Lobo who got as much cake and blue icing as she could lap up from literally everywhere. I was also told that Sweet Caroline was played a third and fourth time after we left.

(Saw Lobo the next morning and she was sleeping off what must have been a huge sugar rush).

Click on Photos to enlarge

Days 25 to 30

Day 25 – Tuesday – July 10, 2007 – Pulled out of Mom & Dad’s place about 10 a.m. heading north again. Had a little problem with the generator today. Stayed at the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe Campground, 7525 E Tomah Road, Mt Pleasant, MI. $17.00 cash for electric and water. Mileage 32,721 – mileage for day 215.

Day 26 – Wednesday – July 11, 2007 – Arrived at Gary & Kristin Shepard’s today. What a beautiful place! Right on Houghton Lake. Mileage 32,786. Mileage for day 65. Total mileage for trip – 1,605.

Day 27 – Thursday – July 12, 2007 – Rode bikes around the lake, well not actually all the way around the lake, that would be about 30 miles. We went about 6 miles one way and then decided to turn around and stop for lunch and ice cream on the way back to the house. Drove up to Pines???? State Park with Gary – huge trees!

Day 28 – Friday – July 13, 2007 – Played golf with Gary & Kristin at a golf course called The Loon. What a beautiful course, we would definitely play it again. Doesn’t hurt that I had a great round there! Dinner at the North Shore Lounge for Gary’s birthday. Happy Birthday, Gary!

Day 29 – Saturday – July 14, 2007 – On the road again already? Hard to believe that our visit is over already. We warned Gary & Kristin that where we go others will follow. We visited Ron & Jen back in 2003 and six couples from Ocala Palms went there in 2004. Gary & Kristin definitely have the Cramer Gold Star seal of approval. When they ask you to visit, you should jump at the chance. Great hosts and did I mention the spectacular view of the lake? Next time we plan to spend at least two weeks so we can really experience the area.

Stayed the night at a Super Wal-Mart in Lapeer, MI about 45 miles from the border. The gas price was $3.289 when we got there and dropped to $3.269 later that day. Don’t you know we waited until morning to get gas and it went back up to $3.289?
Mileage for the day 152.

Day 30 – Sunday – July 15, 2007 – Got gas at Wal-Mart as we left, used our Wal-Mart gift card so it was ONLY $3.259. Got 46.914 gals for a total of $152.89. Filled up because gas will definitely be more in Canada.

Crossed the border without any problems, I even rode up front as we went over the bridge! Stopped for the night at a campground in Milton, Ontario called Milton Heights Campground, exit 320 off the 401. Got full hook ups on a fairly level pull through for $27.00 Canadian. Pretty nice place, too many trees for sat dish but antenna was fine for one night. Feel lost without my cell phone and internet card. No Wi-fi in campground either. Both phone and air card will work but for an additional roaming charge. It’s good for us to unhook so to speak for a while anyway.

Mileage at campground – 33,135. Mileage for day – 197. Mileage for trip – 1,954.

Day 9 to Day 16

Day 9 – Sunday – June 24, 2007 – Well today has been a little anti-climatic. Karyn & the kids missed their flight but have been rescheduled to arrive tomorrow morning early. Went ahead and ordered the Nuvi from Sam’s Club.

Day 10 – Monday – June 25, 2007 – They’re here!

Day 11 – Tuesday – June 26, 2007 – Time to pack everything up and drive over to Cedar Point. We probably had enough gas but didn’t want to have a problem while the kids are with us so we got some gas near Punderson. $2.949 20.348 gals at 32,231.

Arrived at Cedar Point right at 1 p.m. check in time. Nice paved, nearly level site, back-in with full hook-ups. Hopefully highest rate we’ll pay for a campground this trip - $85 per night. We’re going to the park this evening at 5 after we go to the pool first. Gotta run.

Mileage 32,311. Mileage for day 96. Mileage for trip 1,130

Day 12 – Wednesday – Jun 27, 2007 – Last night at the park was awesomeriffic as Jake would say. Ryan is riding everything in sight. Jake is having a little stress because he is only 43 inches and a lot of the rides that he thinks he should be able to ride with Ryan are for 46 and up only. They have 17 roller coasters here and I think Ryan is going to ride them all.

Today we decided to go with the Water Park since the forecast calls for it cooling off tomorrow.

Day 13 – Thursday – June 28, 2007 – Water park was a lot of fun too. Jake wore his pink goggles, which made it a lot easier for Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop to pick him out of the crowd in the little kids area, which was great. Ryan was almost running up the stairs to the big slides. Good thing Pop-Pop has been getting in shape at the fitness center in Ocala Palms for this trip.

Day 14 – Friday – June 29, 2007 – A note from Kitty and Casey – WE’RE LEAVING TODAY! The rig has been parked 100 yards from a wooden roller coaster since we got here. Every 3 minutes from 9am to 10pm we have had to listen to the screams from those crazy humans riding that thing! And the little humans have insisted on trying to sit in our favorite sleeping spots (everywhere).

Dave is taking Karyn & the kids to the airport in Cleveland and I’ll be driving the rig down to Fremont, Ohio and meeting him at the Super Wal-Mart there. GasBuddy.com has the gas there listed as around $2.94 but there is a Meijer’s in Sandusky with gas at $2.78 so I’m going to stop there on the way to Fremont.

Later –
Okay, now I do believe we need the Nuvi GPS. As I left Cedar Point, with my printed directions in hand, there was a sign that read, “Truck route to US 6” so I figured I should take that. After I did that, I never did see the next turn from my directions. So I’m driving by luck and feel from there on. Ended up going through downtown Sandusky with the motorhome and an empty tow dolly since Dave had the car. I have to believe it was on the news about the crazy lady driving through town who lost her tow vehicle.

I kept following the signs for 2 & 4 & 6 depending upon which one felt right to me. I’m thinking I can do this just as I see the sign for the low clearance ahead. Can’t make out the height but hey, I’m on a truck route right, how low can it be? How high is the rig again? 12’8” or was it 12’10”? Sign read 13 ft 8 inches when I can finally read it, which is past the point to turn around. I already had at least 6 cars behind me already. Now I’m slowing down because I have to go down under the railroad and then right back up again so I’m like, isn’t that going to change my height instead of a nice flat road with 13’ 8”. So I slow do to about 10mph listening as I drive under it. That really makes the folks behind me happy.

Finally see the road I am looking for – 250. Now the question is right or left turn. Was supposed to be a right but I’m not on the road that I would have been on had I followed my printed directions – where is that NUVI we ordered? I elect to get in the left turn lane. Wait – there is a sign to the right! So I start easing the nose of the rig over two lanes in about 50 feet to make my right turn.

Make the right turn onto the four lane road and about 50 people pass me. Now I’m thinking $2.95 doesn’t sound that high, maybe I should give up on finding that Meijers just get to Fremont. Where is Dave! Get in right hand lane to go find Dave and give my navigator a big hug. Wait- there it is on the left. Cross over another 2 lanes of traffic in about 50 yards. People here are so friendly, they all wave at me.

Filled up - $2.789 47.042 gals, mileage 32,321

Met Dave at Wal-Mart, tow dolly tire was low on air this morning again, which is really starting to bug Dave. At least he gets to use that new air compressor. This Wal-Mart has two of the tires we need and haven’t been able to find before. We go ahead and just get them both put on and keep the others for spares.

Back together again! Car’s on, cats are sleeping, all is good. Pull into Mom & Dad’s in Churubusco, IN at 6p.m.

Mileage 32,483. Mileage for day is 172. Mileage for trip – 1,302.

DAY 15, Saturday, June 30, 2007 – Slept great last night. Did a lot of laundry, felt like a college kid home for the summer. Got lots of things on our to-do list for this stop. This is where we start off-loading some stuff that we have been saving for parents and siblings since we started our down-sizing.

Day 16 – Sunday, July 1, 2007 – The pastor who officiated at our wedding, Pastor Burgland is on vacation, so we have a guest preacher today. Pastor Burgland and his wife went on a motorcycle ride out west for a week. Think Mom said Arizona?