Friday, September 30, 2011

Back in the USA

We left Riviere-Du-Loup, Quebec around 9AM after yet another Continental Breakfast. The day was dreary and remained threatening throughout the drive with a few sprinkles here and there. It was extremely windy and it showed on our mpg.
We opted not to cross over into Quebec City and pushed onward. Actually I could sleep off my cold - Last night's stay did not give us our best sleep. We could hear everything going on on the floor above us. How is that possible ? Don't they put cement in between? Every drop of water, every flush........

Stopped for lunch at a restaurant near a truck stop that was doing a booming business. French was the language of the day, although the menu had English subtitles. We both chose the meat pie (ground beef and pork), which much to our surprise came with root vegetables, a toss salad and coleslaw with a side dish of two scoops of mashed potatoes and gravy. A hearty meal indeed. Included the glass of soda with no ice - I miss ice in my drinks.

We were following the St. Lawrence River Valley passing through farming country. Large barns and silos (sometimes several on a property), grazing cattle and horses dotted the countryside. There wasn't much sign of fall - things are still quite green.

The skies brightened as we neared the border. We came down a side road (rt 133 - along another river) thru a town with one lovely home after another, not mansions but very nice, with about every one in four for sale. At the border the guard asked if we bought anything in Canada and I told him 2 and 1/2 meters of fabric and he let us through. Didn't seem worried.

We were glad to be back in the United States and are still convinced there is nowhere better. From I- 89 we took the exit toward Stowe/Waterbury (Horrible Traffic!) to visit Ben & Jerry's and take the Factory Tour. Our tour guide was a real hoot - reminding us a little of Emily (Granddaughter) in her mannerisms ( and her use of the word "homonigized" instead of homoginized over and over). Our sample at the end of the tour was "milk and cookies".
We then went up the road to the Cabot Cheese Store (with only 15 minutes to spare) and bought a few things (including ice).
We are staying in a Sheraton tonight where a 50 year college reunion is being held this weekend. Everyone seemed to be checking in at once right when we arrived but we made conversation while waiting in a long line. Supper was at Friendly's just across the interstate. The weather outlook is less than appealing for tomorrow - rain and much cooler (in the 50's) but we're heading to the Shelburne Museum and more!

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