Days 1 & 2
We left Morrisville at about 1:30 and started our trip West. Our plan was to head to Ottawa (4 hours) and call it a night. We attempted to cross the border at Cornwall, NY but were thwarted by the border being closed. Apparently all of the issues with the Injuns and the White Man have not been settled, leading to the closing of this border crossing. So we continued West and crossed at Ogdensburg. Headed north to Ottawa on a dreary day. Travels were going well Katie was snoozing and Danny was content on his laptop. Me and the Missus were glad to be on vacation and to have started our trip. We decided to press on past Ottawa as it was dreary and might as well make put some more miles behind us. We finally needed to stop after 6 hours on the road to fuel up, it helps that all of us have bladders made of steel. We don’t stop for anything but gas !!! Pulled into the gas station and mistakenly was at a credit only pump. Went to start the van and would you believe it would not start !!! What day one and this wonderful van (named Bucky) decided that it had had enough and it was time to take a break. I quickly befriended another motorist and asked if he could give us a boost. He did, Bucky roared back to life and we were ready to hit the road. We drove a couple hundred more miles before pulling over in Sudbury, Ontario (nickel capital of the world) to call it a night at midnight. After a little exploring of Sudbury we found a lovely campsite (a.k.a. Walmart parking lot).
Shut off Bucky and tried to restart just to see if the not starting at the gas station was a unique event. Bucky once again decided it was too tired to start. No worries, it was bedtime we can tackle the issue of the van not starting in the morning. Had a wonderful night sleep and turned the key with fingers crossed, Bucky roared to life once again, and was anxious to be on the road again. We pressed on to Sault Ste. Marie (300 kilometers in the distance) crossed over into the US and inquired at the Michigan information center if there was a Ford Dealer nearby. Drove there and shut off Bucky tried to restart and ..
No Go. Carolyn and the kids kicked some ties on the new cars in the lot whiled I gave my expert opinion to the mechanic. Carolyn and the kids walked a few blocks to the locks, while I stayed faithfully at Bucky’s side awaiting the prognosis. It was discovered that Bucky needed a new starter, while this was happening, I walked down to the locks to find the rest of the family. Found them on a mini golf course, we then watched a very large ship (700 ft) go through the locks. Walked back to get Bucky who was now good as new.
Drove past the locks and saw a 1000ft ship go through. On to a Kewadin Casino/Hotel
for the night. Kids took a swim, I went to the tables to make money for dinner. If I had no good luck it would be ramen noodles in the room. I was successful and we enjoyed an all ypu can eat buffet. We are now sitting in the room with big bellies. Carolyn is downstairs trying to earn breakfast, if she has no good luck it will be oatmeal and raisin bran in the morning. The plan for tomorrow is to drive to somewhere in the vicinity of Minneapolis.