Day 1 – on the road

Today after our tearful goodbyes, we hit the road. Dog, bikes, packed to the hilt with “stuff”. (Note to self: We need to get better at what we schlep). It was a dreary grey day but unseasonably mild; perfect for driving. Rudy needed to gas up so we stopped on our way out of Stratford. And we’re off. Driving spells snooze for me unless I’m behind the wheel. Boring. I wake up around Aberfoyle and Rudy realizes he’s left his credit card in the gas pump. I call the station and sure enough it’s been turned in (on Boxing Day no less! Honest shoppers!!) and I ask Tina to swing by and get it. Check.

As we pass through Hamilton the traffic picks up. The malls are busy! We are earlier than expected and I let my friend know we will be able to pop in to inspect her new digs in Niagara Falls. I set the gps for her new address and arrival time is approximately noon.

She’s on the south side of St Catherines near Lundys Lane. It’s a beautiful new subdivision surrounded by fields and forested green space. We find her place and I immediately take Molly for a quick stroll. As suspected she was ready for a 318 and a few pees. Rudy knocks on our friends door and she welcomes us in. We leave Molly in her car seat so she doesn’t track gravel and wet paws into the new house. We are only stopping for a quick coffee. Or so we thought!

SQ takes us on a tour of the house. It’s super cute located at the end of a private road second unit from the end. It has a single car garage that’s spacious enough for her suv and plenty of walk around space. Immediately on the left is a cozy sitting room/spare bedroom. Next to that is a large bathroom/laundry combo with a walk-in glass shower. Further down the hallway the space opens up into an open concept kitchen/dining/living room with a walkout onto a spacious covered deck that’s screened in overlooking the forested green space. It’s very quiet and serene. Privacy fences maximize the view and minimize the neighbours. Off the living room is the master suite with a large bedroom, walk-in closet and en-suite complete with soaker tub and glass shower. The stairs off the kitchen lead you down into a full finished basement that includes another tv area, bedroom, bathroom with a “party” shower, huge furnace/storage room and another area with table and chairs. The layout is perfect and flows nicely. I know she will be so happy there for years to come. Not to mention it’s lock and leave since the grounds are professionally maintained.

Back in the kitchen/dining area the new dining table has been set for four complete with cutlery for a three course meal. What!?!? We were popping in for coffee! We start with sundries tomato basil soup (yum), creamy potato salad, mixed green salad with mandarin and pomegranate seeds topped with poppyseed dressing, a baked spiral ham that could feed an army and a dessert (freshly baked) consisting of fruit salad cake and ice cream. Whoa. How do you spell piggy?? S-U-S-A-N-N-E!!

We literally rolled out of there feeling like a nap! As soon as we got into the car Rudy’s daughter called for the Christmas chat. We had a nice conversation and covered all the updates. She has some time off while her hubby heads back to work tomorrow.

I plug the Peace Bridge into the gps and we are off again. We pull into the Nexus lane and there’s one car ahead of us. Literally not even a minute and we’re at the booth. He takes our cards and enters our plate number. Asks Rudy where we’re going and for how long. That’s it. Literally not even a minute. It’s now about 2 ish. We want to find a place before dark.

Highlight: my sister has loaned us her EZ toll pass (like a 407 Transponder) and we pass through two tolls. That was not only convenient it was fast! Thanks sissy!!

Rochester seems like the best target and I google dog friendly hotels. I call the Hampton Inn and reserve a room. Next I plug the address into the gps. As we drive along we pass the exit for Attica. Rudy asks if it’s the same as the prison. More google. Yes. One and the same with the deadly riot in 1971 where many lost their lives. Interesting. We arrive at our destination and while Rudy checks in I take Molly for another outing.

Our room is pleasant enough. King bed (essential) decent bathroom and a small sitting area. First things first: Molly needs water. And I need the facilities. Rudy heads out in search of liquids (bottled water) and snacks. He’s back in no time and I crack a beer. Settling in for the night. Molly is happy to hop on the bed and immediately conks out. I put on my new festive pjs and join her (thanks again sissy!!)

One day closer to summer. Tomorrow: Sparkill NY.