Author Archives: Joe and Sarah Gill

As we crossed back into Canada, the customs/immigration officer seemed dis-believing that we are doing this trip for fun. She asked why we were not crossing closer to our destination because it would be obviously faster. Sarah laughed and replied that “fast is not our objective! We already crossed at Fort Erie – Joe has never been here before, so we are seeing the sights! We’re on holiday!” She rolled her eyes and waved us through!

This morning, we met a 1974 bus…only our fourth bus on this whole trip!

GEO-QUIZ: Last night was our final night of this trip sleeping in the van (staying with family tonight). We stayed in a super (quiet AND clean!) private campground in a river-side site. Where did we sleep last night?

Yesterday afternoon, Shasta vomited up what appeared to be the partially-digested bits of a fire pit – charcoal, ash, twigs and leaves, tinfoil, glass, and bones. Apparently, the previous tenants of our tentsite had buried their presumably meat-flavored trash in the ash of the fire circle and neither of us noticed Shasta sampling these delicacies in the morning.

Since he is a one-meal-a-day dog, and he was drinking water and seemed un-concerned with the vomit, we figured his body was doing what it was supposed to do, by expelling the junk.

Shortly after 11:00 p.m., Sarah leaned over the edge of the bed to say good-night to the already-sleeping Shasta, and could not rouse him. He was breathing but would not wake up. Joe used his 4G magic and found a 24-hour vet hospital nearby. We quickly broke camp and raced through the country roads (almost wiping out a family of three raccoons) and arrived at the hospital, where they were waiting with a crash cart for our unconscious dog…except, he was no longer unconscious…in fact, he was awake, wagging his tail, and ready to meet his new friends at the hospital. ??? Sarah is crediting his miraculous recovery to prayer – the vet could not say for sure what may have happened back at the campground. After a physical, some saline injections to combat potential dehydration, and a prescription for antacids, we piled back into the van and finished sleeping the rest of the night in the parking lot of the animal hospital.

GEO-QUIZ: Probably one of the most expensive places to have a dog emergency after-hours (even Martha Stewart would balk), which animal hospital took care of Shasta last night?

Very cool thunderstorms woke us up this morning as the noise rolled across our campground. We have the tent site area all to ourselves and are impressed with the generous size of each treed site. This is the most expensive campsite at $50/night (that includes access to the porta-potty up the road!) so it is understandable why it is empty! The other end of the campground is for RVs (the shower building with real toilets is built here) and they pay the same price??? Not surprisingly, a few tenters opted to camp in the RV section!

We got lucky this week, as Sophie is home for a week from her summer job in MD! Spending time with Yoshi and Sophie is awesome, since we did not come out for Yoshi’s graduation in May (Sophie has one more year of school). We will stay here for two nights.

GEO-QUIZ: The zipcode of their apartment encompasses more than one city; apparently, we could address their snail-mail using a different city’s name, as long as we used the correct zip code, and they will still receive it. What is the zip code of yoshi kuroi?

GEO-QUIZ: Back on the road again, we stopped for a tour at this famous school. Where are we?

A bear just ran across the road in front of us! The bear went over the mountain! Happened so fast, no time to get a photo!

We are staying with friends Frank and Eydie this weekend and also get to see the girls! Bonus niece sighting, too! It is nice to sleep indoors for a couple of nights and our hosts’ dog, Coco Chanel, is being a good friend to Shasta. Coco is a springer spaniel with the softest fur. She is beautiful and sweet, although she has an odd obsession with dragging the sofa pillows around the house! Sarah finally got to taste the famous Fonti meatballs (most excellent!) and wants to be a judge at the Meatball Cook-Off that Joe is planning.

GEO-QUIZ: Since 1988, daughters Jordan and Taylor have been attending this “world-famous” annual fair in support of a fire company in a small town near their beloved summer camp. For one weekend each July, people gather to eat steamed clams and chowder, drink Yuengling, and boogie under the stars. Funnel cake is an added bonus! Where are we?

Last night, we pulled in after dark to a magnificent state park. We found a pet-friendly site and settled in for a restful sleep, lulled by the drizzling rain. This morning, we refreshed ourselves with hot showers and coffee and headed south to see some of the geologic wonders of the area. Precipitous gorges, dramatic waterfalls, and verdant forests provide natural photo opportunities.

GEO-QUIZ: Shales and sandstones formed millions of years ago under shallow interior seas. River valleys were later forged by erosion and glaciers. The founder of this park was dedicated to preserving the Seneca culture and deeded his estate to the State. Where are we?

The emergency brake (that was supposedly fixed by a mechanic in a different town) seized on the right rear wheel. We called a flat-bed tow truck to take us into the nearest town, as we did not like the sound of the potential damage by continuing to drive on the seized wheel! Tim, our tow-truck driver, recommended a local mechanic and delivered us into their good hands. While the van was up on the lift, we walked through town and had some pizza at a local diner. It is a rainy day, but the farmers are happy for the precipitation!

Mechanic Lou and his team found the problem and had a spare clip and cotter pin that fixed the brake. Relieved to be back on the road, we headed to the closest Great Lake for a nap, before crossing the border.

GEO-QUIZ: Originally a Cayuga settlement (“where the big dam is”), European settlers built water-powered mills for this formerly bustling canal port. Now, private vacation properties cater to sailors, canoeists, and recreational fishermen seeking the elusive giant mud cat. Where are we?

Today we drove by an ancient VW graveyard. If we had more time and tools, perhaps we could have salvaged some parts for future breakdowns?!

GEO-QUIZ: Hiking, canoeing, fishing, swimming, and wildlife viewing are attractions along this peninsula that was likely a coral reef 350 million years ago.

As a Canadian, Sarah was a bit disappointed in the bits of litter in the campsites at this provincial park. Would it take a huge effort for the staff to daily sweep through the park and pick up the trash? Even more importantly, where is the pride in the visitors to the park? Why are visitors leaving so much trash at their campsites?

Shasta enjoyed the long walks and the near-by beach was pretty. Which park did we stay at?