A Canadian Intermission

When we last left off, we were camped in a Wal-Mart parking lot in Port Huron, Michigan. It was going pleasant enough until some rednecks thought it would be really funny to rev their engines really loud among the RV’S  and campers outside of Wal-Mart. I was appalled, but Luke found it quite amusing. Anyways, they quit their annoying antics at about midnight. I guess there is not a lot to do in Port Huron.

  

Anyways, we continued on our drive to St. Catharine’s, Ontario. As we crossed into Canada, we were met with quite possibly the friendliest border guard ever! She welcomed us back with open arms and as we drove away we both remarked, “We love Canada!”

I know this is ironic, but as soon as we came back into Canada it was cold enough for my parka. However, that didn’t last long at the temperature rose to a balmy 18-21 degrees for the rest of the trip. My grandma (Oma) and her siblings welcomed us warmly with a very Mennonite dinner, twibach (sp ?) included. The next day we met up with my Oma for breakfast at a local greasy spoon and went on our way to be tourists for the day. We drove through the scenic Niagara on the Lake, paid $20 ($20!!!) for parking at Niagara Falls, and of course completed the day with Tim Horton’s.

Made this friend at Niagara on the Lake. 

Niagara Falls was great. We were amazed at the all the different languages we were hearing as we strolled around the falls. Nothing brings people together more then nature’s tremendous phenomenon’s and the tourist monstrosities that are built up around them. On the one side you have this remarkable display of nature and creation, and then right across you the street you have about 5 casinos and every chain restaurant you can imagine.

The next day we attended a Mennonite MB church with Oma. It was so nice to be back in a Mennonite church, but it did make me miss home and all my family. A trip to St. Catharine’s would not be complete without a visit to the local Chinese food buffet. Oma loooves Chinese buffet. We went to the Mandarin, which apparently is a chain in Eastern Canada. She invited about 16 other family members and we had a blast.

Chinese Food? I'm not sure how the pizza made it in there.

Alas, the time came where we had to get on with our trip and head back into the great U.S. of A. Oma sent us off with a very bacon-esque breakfast, and we were on our way. It was great to visit St. Catharine’s, it reminded me of my time in Ottawa and my love for Eastern Canada.

The U.S. border guard didn’t really know what to do with us, but when is superior spotted the figurine of Luke Skywalker on the front of Luke’s truck, they let us in no problem. Now we write from a completely empty campsite in Rochester, New York, right alongside Lake Ontario. We have managed to catch the tail end of the Fall foliage, and it is just beautiful.

Tomorrow, we will try to make it to Cape Cod, Massachusetts, to finally dip our feet in the Atlantic Ocean.

Until next time!

Natalie and Luke