After an interesting but comfortable sleep at the Lord Nelson Motel on the outskirts of Kingston we started early online finishing work tasks before departure for the border at Alexandria Bay.

Critical day today, stay tuned.

Oddly, the neon sign for the Esso station next door showed the gas price changed twice in the 10 hours we stayed there! So we left.

Drove to Ivy Lea – cute little hamlet on the St. Lawrence off the Gananoque Parkway. Went for a little walk and then I sat on my (last?) CIBC Friday call. Then to the border. This is it – if we don’t make it across then the vacation is doomed, how will Christy make it to Joe’s retreat in Orlando? How will we do any of the other things we hoped and planned for? Not to worry, “Are you vaccinated?” was the only question we didn’t even have to lie to. Well, we lied about having fruits and vegetables but they’re dehydrated so we didn’t think they’d mind.

Quick stop for lunch in mostly closed Alexandria Bay – couldn’t find a US map – then on to Green Lakes State Park outside of Syracuse. Nice 3 mile walk around the two lakes then on to our B ‘n’ B in Utica. Got there at dinner – met Allen our congenial host at his 200 year old farmhouse near the Erie Canal. Went next door to the Fraternal Order of Eagles for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. $4.75 for a local beer and a glass of wine. $25 for a massive chicken parm and home made rigatoni. I love this country.

Sat with our new friend Rich for a final final then off to finish some work and plan tomorrow.

https://www.relive.cc/view/vdvm33wrzN6