APR. 25, Thursday, Amish country and disaster strikes
We had a late start. After paying our park fees of $25. we got on I-70 and headed east. We crossed Columbus, Ohio and took State Hwy 62. We were treated to marvellous sceneries of typical American Colonial style houses and buildings. It was marvellous. The lawns and yards were immaculate and the whole thing was just awesome.
We continued east on 62 and the country side was picture perfect with lots of neat farms, gentle rolling hills and quaint little villages. (took lots of pictures) We finally arrived in Millersburg where we stopped for lunch and walked the main streets and looked at a couple of shops. This is Amish country and it's evident everywhere. Even saw a horse and buggy parked beside a couple of semis. Cool!! We continued on to Berlin, the heart of the Amish county and again stopped at a couple of shops. It is gorgeous country and there are lots of Amish people about in their traditional attires. Really neat! ( SEE PICTURES)
From here, the country side became monotonous but pretty all the same. We arrive at our cross-road in Canton where we fuelled 11 gals @ $4.21 and continue on State 30 then I-77 to Akron. Here we turned north on State 11, a four lane hwy and headed for Jefferson where we were planning on spending the night. It is 3 p.m.
Twenty miles north, DISASTER struck. I saw white smoke coming off my trailer tires so I slammed on the brakes and moved to the shoulder. I discovered that the spring had come apart, caused by two broken shackle plates on the "MooreRide" suspension system.
I called BCAA and got a tow to come out. They arrived a half hour later, pretty quick. All they could do was put a block between the spring and frame to open a small gap between the tires, then they followed me to the next exit by mile 61, approx. 1/2 mile, across and over the highway and stopped in a yard where Bob, the tow truck operator knew the owner and he(Mike) offered us to spend the night in their gravel yard, provided us with power and water and made sure we were comfy. So here we are, 8 p.m., just finished setting up and Val is making us a light dinner. We even have TV, AMAZING!!! What a day! No WIFI
N 41* 21' 55"
W 080* 42' 09"
Alt: 1059 feet
Distance today: 392 KM @ an av. speed of 43 mph
APR. 26, Saturday, repaired and on the go again
I was up early and on the phone by 8 a.m. trying to find someone to fix the suspension. Mike and his crew are in the yard already and already customers are coming in to pick up gravel, mulch and rocks for their gardens....it's Spring after all. Anyway, he and his mechanic, Creg, came over and took a look at the damage and Creg figured he could fix it but first we had to wait until they were finished with a truck already in the bay. That was fine by me. Creg came with me in my truck and we went to a horse trailer dealer who might have the two plates needed about ten miles away. He did! So I bought them at less than $6 with taxes and drove back to the yard. We sat until 11:30 and in the meantime, I called the RV dealership in Warren but they couldn't do anything for us until at least Monday.
Mike waved me to come in and we backed-in the trailer in his garage where they proceeded in doing the repairs.
We were hungry so I asked if it would be OK to unhooked and Mike insisted we take his company truck instead, so we did and had a nice lunch in Cortland, a village nearby. We came back to find the trailer ready to roll. I expected to pay at least $100 if not more and when Mike said it cost NOTHING, I was SHOCKED!!!! I insisted he takes something and he refused. They both said they were more than happy to help a fellow camper. WOW!! WOW!! So we thanked them profusely and were on our way by 1:30 p.m.
We headed north again on State 11 , turned east on I-90 and stopped in Kingsville to get fuel: 18 gallons @4.16 We kept going, crossed into Pennsylvania and an hour later, into New York State. Right away we noticed the high prices of fuel @ $4.559; glad we fuelled earlier. We exited I-90 at Fredonia, a toll highway in N.Y., paid $5. and continued on State 20. It has now become hilly with some steep climbs.
Finally arrived in Warsaw where we stopped for the night at Rainbow Lake resort, a AAA discount park ( also a P.A. site but only Sunday to Thursday) but still cost us $30. the most we've paid so far but we want water and electricity ( I don't dare travel with water in the tanks now). Glad to be here....it's 6:30 p.m.
Tomorrow, we crossed into Canada. Looking forward to be home even though I know the prices are going to be higher for fuel and repairs.
N 42* 45'54"
W 078* 11'28"
Alt: 1746 feet
Distance today: 360 KM @ an average speed of 44 mph
APR. 26, Sunday, in Canada
Left around 10 a.m. after dumping; went through Warsaw on hwy 20, a pretty little village, and climbed a 10% hill. Thank goodness, it wasn't long. From here, the hills became easier to negotiate and the country side became flatter. We turned north on I-86, went through Rochester and headed east on State 104. It was a pretty straight and flat road with beautiful farming country and lots of trees. Connected with I-87 and headed north for Canada.
We arrived in the 1000 Island area, and what a gorgeous area this is. We paid the toll to across the bridge and saw all kinds of little Islands and boats going back and forth. On the north side of the Island, we crossed into Canada, about a 20 minute wait, and after the obligatory check-up, we hit the 401 in Ontario and headed south to exit 623 and our campsite, "Rideau Acres Islands", a Passport park ( approx 20 miles away). Paid for 3 nights as we want to let the forecasted storm blow over, I hope to be able to wash the Unit and Val wants to do laundry.
Glad to be back in Canada, I think
N 44* 18' 24"
W 076* 25" 15"
Alt: 335 feet
Distance today: 390 km @ an average speed of 47 mph
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