Off to the North - Day 10 - 8 August - Cape Vincent to Watertown to Mars

Time to head home today. We had breakfast, loaded the car again and started off to Watertown to get some Hoffmann hot dogs, Croghan Bologna, and GF croutons for Amy. We stopped at

Hannaford Market, where we hoped that we could get everything, which we did. Just for old time's sake we did a drive through Watertown and took in the downtown area before going out Washington Street. 

A turn to the left on Bowers Avenue and where we saw the house in which we lived when we first moved to Watertown. It pretty much looks the same with the botched chimney repair, porch steps that still don't hold a coat of paint and some new shrubbery in the front yard. We also noticed that the small window that was in the primary bedroom walk-in closet has been removed and siding installed over it. 

We then drove over on Myrtle, down Haley, across Washington and down Pratt Street. Wow, how the Samaritan Hospital complex has grown. We passed Sherman Street school and then to Holcomb, Bugbee, and Harris Drive, where we paused in front of house #2. Much has changed on this house since we left in 2011. The shutters have changed from red to brown, the garage door and front door are now brown and the chimney is faced in stone (which we didn't capture in the photo). We loved that house in the summer with our deck and pool and miss that time of year there, but realized that in the other 3 seasons we would have gone stir crazy. 

Then it was on to I81 and the Thruway. After a brief stop for gas and to pick up some take along lunch purchases, we ran into some torrential rain. After that it was a virtual parking lot outside of Buffalo where we sat for over 45 minutes. Not fun.

After Erie Earle ordered some dinner that we picked up at the Dented Keg. Back home at 6:00.

What a great getaway the past 10 days have been. So good to see family and friends. We are reminded that they are what are important  and we are blessed to have such wonderful ones in our lives.

Off to the North - Day 9 - 7 August - Cape Vincent and Clayton, New York

Anniversary #51! Who could even imagine. 

It was really windy out on the deck this morning, but managed for a while because it is so beautiful. 

About 11:30 we headed down river to Clayton where we were going to celebrate the day and have brunch. Our destination was the Saint Lawrence Spirits Chateau. This was a former nunnery dating back to the 1600's. It was formerly known as the Fairview Manor, a place where we had been for a wedding reception in 2000. 

We couldn't get a table right away so headed to the tasting tent where we had a very refreshing drink. All the outside tables at the restaurant were booked and so agreed to take an inside one when one became available.

To our surprise, due to a cancellation, we were able to be seated at an outside table. Again, the views were so wonderful. 

Brunch was absolutely delicious. Of course, a Bloody Mary and Earle had a sausage and biscuits with red-eye gravy and I opted for a BLT Benny- Eggs benedict with bacon, lettuce, tomato, and avocado. Yum!

We picked up some corn and tomatoes at a farm stand on the way back to the house. Changed clothes and watched the rest of the Pirates game. Finally an 8-1 W over the Orioles. 

Mike grilled some hot dogs and we had a lovely picnic dinner with the corn and tomatoes we picked up.

Another installment of Murdock and it was time to turn in.




 

Off to the North - Day 8 - 6 August - Cape Vincent and Chaumont, New York

We had a lazy morning, sleeping in a bit, and then some coffee on the deck. The wind was pretty brisk, so after a bit moved inside to finish reading emails, Feedly, and the papers.

 It was a beautiful and warm day. Mike was doing some mowing of places he tends and so Liz, Earle, and I headed into the cute town of Cape Vincent. So many of the homes located on the water are stately. We did a bit of shopping and helped the economy before stopping for an iced coffee and macaroon at the Cup of Joy coffee shop. It hit the spot. We then drove out to the Tibbets Point lighthouse. When we lived in Watertown, this was a favorite of ours to go and sit on the rocks and watch and listen to the water. The light house looks like it has had a fresh coat of paint and the views are just as pretty now. 

Liz also gave us a tour of Maple Grove, a bed and breakfast home that she helps manage. It would be a grand place to have a family reunion since it can sleep about 14.
 

Back to the house and grabbed a bit of lunch before heading out to the deck to read a bit. It has been incredible to stay at homes on the water. 

Before long it was time to get ready for a gathering at Ron and Sue's in Chaumont, another beautiful home on the water. They had arranged a small gathering with some friends with whom we had taught. What a great time of drinks, a charcuterie plate and lively conversation, even some good gossip. 

Dinner and a tour of the She Shed ensued. 

Headed back to Cape Vincent and managed to avoid deer and other creatures in the deep twilight. 

Kept and eye on the Pirates game without being too obvious, but another L in the books against the Orioles.

Bed after a wonderful day with friends. 

Off to the North - Day 7 - 5 August - Morrison Lake to Cape Vincent, New York

Up and at 'em this morning with a quick breakfast and stashing all our stuff into the car. It was a beautiful morning and looked like we could travel rain free to New York. We left about 9:30 and figured to arrive about 2:45. 

It was very strange as I backed out of the garage that my backup camera only gave us a blue screen. Not sure why, but it is a nuisance not to have one in this car. Guess we will only pull into parking spaces where we can go out in forward.

From the very start we were getting notifications on the GPS about road closures and detours. We saw an awful lot of Canadian back roads until we finally made our way to Highway 407 and then finally to the 401. For some reason the ETA kept increasing and soon we began to see that 401 was closed at the exit for Cannifton. What a mess that was. The GPS took us off, but then kept routing us back on where the on-ramp was closed. I finally switched to WAZE and was able to navigate the closure until we got to the Shannonville Road exit. What a mess.

We got to the Thousand Islands Bridge and Customs about 3:00 and then to Cape Vincent where we were staying with our friends Mike and Liz. Their home is right on Lake Ontario and we were so appreciative of their hospitality and beautiful new home. On the deck for some hors d'oeuvres, wine, and catching up after not seeing each other for a number of years. 

Dinner was a lovely quiche (forgot to take pictures :-)), corn salad, and cucumber salad. So refreshing and delicious. 

Canines Rascal and Maggie introduced themselves as did feline Mattie. What great pets they have and so loving. Mattie reminded us of Cokie.

Liz and Mike introduced us to a new (for us) series called Murdock. Will have to put that on our list of binge-worthing watching.  

Headed to bed where I watched the end of the Pirates/Orioles game. Another L for the Buccos, unfortunately. 

Off to the North - Day 6 - 4 August - Morrison Lake and Orillia

Great to wake up this morning to a rain-free sky. Although a bit cloudy, there was some promise that it would be a partly sunny day. Catherine and Norman had an 11:00 tee time, but with all the rain yesterday, the course was cart path only, so they canceled that. 

Showers and breakfast and we headed out to do a bit of shopping. First stop was Home Sense that very much resembled a Home Goods store. We looked around quite a bit, but didn’t find anything that we really felt we needed to buy. They helped the economy quite a bit, tho. 

The to Costco where Norman bought 8 bags of Scotts Turfbuilder and they loaded up a cart with meat and other sundry groceries. 

Just a short drive to the waterfront where we went to Studebaker’s Restaurant. Nice outside dining on what had become a sunny day. Started with their specialty drink - a Caesar, which was essentially a Bloody Mary made with clamato juice. Then Earle had a buffalo wing wrap and I had Lava shrimp, which was a lightly battered shrimp with sesame seed and a Thai sauce. It was just the right amount for lunch. 

Then we walked to the LCBO and picked up a couple of bottles of wine. Back to the truck and was glad to see that the Pirates had tied it up and the afternoon game went into extra innings. Bryan Reynolds again instrumental to the 10th inning win. A Brewers sweep!

While on the way back I zoomed for a brief time with my Class of ‘70 Happy Hour Group. Gotta love the technology we have. 

Home and I gathered stuff for my suitcase and then out in the Muskoka Room to write. 

 We opted for Happy Hour down by the lake it is was just delightful. The sun was just beginning to set before we headed inside.

Lovely dinner tonight of spaghetti and meatballs, wine, and conversation. 

Off to bed so that we can get up and hit the road in the morning. Our time at Morrison Lake was so special and we cherish the moments we spend with family.
 

Off to the North - Day 5 - 3 July 2022 - Morrison Lake

Well, today was an absolute wash-out. It rained and rained and rained for a total of 1.25 inches. Pretty much chilled out for a time until after a late lunch. Read a bit and then we opted for a movie marathon. 

First up was an action packed movie, Focus with Will Smith and Margot Robbie. It was pretty decent film with some twists and a reveal at the end. 

Then a cute, action movie, The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard with Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson. Midway through it was wine time with a snack of escargot in sun-dried tomatoes. How delicious. 

After the movie, time for dinner prep. I watched some of the Pirate game - bullpen pitching tonight while Norman made a delicious Caesar’s Salad. OOPS, forgot to photo it, but this is the dressing. It was far better than any I have had in any restaurant. 

Catherine made a very unusual pork, in pork, in pork chop. She stuffed a boneless pork chop with a cornbread and sausage stuffing and wrapped it in bacon. It was delicious combination, but way too much. Looks like lunch tomorrow. 

After dinner, another movie, Restless. It was an ok movie, but I was paying more attention to the Pirates. What a walk-off home run by Bryan Reynolds to given the Bucs an 8-7 win over the Brewers. 

Off to bed around 11:30. 

Off to the North - Day 4 - 2 August - Morrison Lake

Up, showered, breakfast and out of the house by 10. Norman and Catherine had an 11:00 tee time at the Muskoka Bay Resort , where they are members. Since it wasn’t a great day to hang by the pool, we opted to get a cart and follow them as they played. It is like riding through a park that has incredible views landscapes. 

A little cloudy on the driving range

We went up to the clubhouse to have some lunch. It was a very long wait there for it to be served to us and both Norman and the waitress were a bit frustrated. 

Back to Red Maple and a change of clothes and we headed out for a Booze Cruise. A beautiful night for an outing on Morrison Lake with accompanying wine. 

Came back to the house and Norman started preparing dinner. While he was doing that we watched a bit of the Pirates, 3 home runs in top of the 6th. UGH! Then it was dinner time. He made a delicious curry of chicken, peppers, and apples. Yum.

Wine and conversation around the dinner table and fireplace til bedtime around 11.

Should have watched the bottom of the 6th when the Pirates scored 5 and pulled the game out.