July 3

Canada, O Canada!  Did about 350 miles today, but part of that was because I missed a road sign, did not take the proper turn and went quite a bit out of my way down the 401, eh.   Nice ride, nonetheless.

 Drove from Burlington to the northern islands in Lake Champlain.  These are a part of Vermont.  Traveled across the northern part of New York and crossed the border west of Montreal at Cornwall.  This was at Mike's urging because there is work being done on the Montreal bridges.  The islands in the lake were peaceful and bucolic, though I did notice the water seems to be slightly over flood stage.  In New York I passed through a very heavy ground mist for a time.  There were wind turbines with their big blades turning but only the top of a single blade at a time becoming visible above the fog.  Technological eeriness.

Crossed the St Laurence, one of North America's great rivers, and the one that allowed the French to penetrate the interior beginning in the 16th century.  It was a near thing whether Britain or France would control the continent, but British numbers won out over superior French frontier ability.  Also, despite early French dominance with the Indians, Britain's superior manufacturing skill meant British trade goods were cheaper than the French goods.  The ability to get more stuff, such as cheap muskets, from Britain was important in the fighting between The tribes that supported the French and those that fought with the British.  Numbers and the early industrial revolution in Great Britain is why English is the leading language on the continent today.

But I digress from tales of me into something more useful and interesting.  I return to me.

Temps between 68 and 84, high humidity, but I did not get rained upon.

The thing that strikes me about Canada so far is that it is expensive.  Mid-grade gas is about $1.35 per liter Canadian, and remember, the looney is worth more than the dollar.  Basically, gas is over five bucks a gallon.  Went for a Subway sandwich for dinner (a bit of yogurt for brekkus, a small roast beef sandwich for lunch and a 12 inch Subway for dinner, no cheese, no oil, no dressings - back on the wagon) and was a bit shocked that it cost over $8 Canadian.  My motel room is $112.

I am figuring out daily mile ages now so I can hit couple of provincial parks if I have the time.  Perhaps pictures of sights will be in tomorrow's blog.

Y'all take care.