Sunday, October 23, 2022

Step Two, Leaving the Country

Arrowhead Lakes RV Resort, Wapakoneta, Ohio

On Sunday, Oct. 23rd we were up by 7, had breakfast, packed up, pulled slides in and pulled out at 8:10 am. It was a great day to travel with the high already around 10C/50F and the pale blue sky only showing a few wispy clouds and contrails. 😊

We were hoping the X cloud didn't mean
anything negative - it didn't
The trees along the 402 highway weren't as impressive
as what we left back home
but our major highways (like Interstates) are sure nice!

After the beginning worry, which means whimpering and whining, Gibbs was happy to get into his bed in Black Beauty. I had one avocado left so rather than eat it for breakfast, I had my last banana instead, we hung it on CanAm’s door with a note. They’ll get it Monday morning and I’m sure someone can use it. I brought my laptop along for today’s short journey.

Entering Sarnia and the Blue Water Bridge

It's a lovely place to cross

The driving distances will get longer but today is all about getting our feet into the United States. We arrived at the border of Sarnia/Port Huron and crossed the Bluewater Bridge at 9:10. In line for 5 minutes and chatting with the cute young attendant for 5 minutes. 😊 She was very friendly and asked basic questions of Citizenship, going where, return when and what are we bringing across? Easy.

I'm sleeping Mom, don't bother me
Nice temperature and we were still in Michigan
I know it was nice back home too

No surprise that I-69W’s right lane was terrible so with hardly any traffic, we eased into the left lane and it was a 50% improvement at least. It wasn’t much more than 10 miles and we were onto newer pavement as we made our way towards Flint, MI. That’s enough to put a smile on our faces! A bit of construction near Attica Twp/Lapeer moving us to the East lanes where the interstate was divided but still easy traveling.

Entering Ohio
Nice walls along the Interstate creating a sound barrier for residential

At Flint, we took Exit 133 onto 75S and then Hwy 23S. On Google maps, it showed a long stretch of construction, down to one lane, but being a Sunday, no one was working so that helped. You always get the usual ‘I’m more important’ drivers who try to stay in the ‘closing’ lane until the last minute and then want to cut in. Sometimes we, and others, are able to ride the middle so they can’t but mostly, we let them in.

Arrived at our park
We went to the space museum a few years back so 
won't be going this time

At 11:30, we stopped at the Ann Arbor Rest Area along 23 to stretch our legs and take care of business. Our little guy was happy to get out for a walk too. He’s been so good. Nearing Toledo, we caught I-475S, a smooth transition from Hwy 23 and scooted around the west side of the city. There is plenty of traffic, even though a Sunday, but no issues and we took Exit 1-A to get back onto I-75S.

It's a very nice park, geared for children
with this park, mini golf, indoor pool etc.

It was 12:45 so we ate our egg salad buns on the road rather than stopping at a Rest Area when it wasn’t necessary. We stayed right on I-75S until we reached our Exit 111 onto Bellefontaine St. in Wapakoneta, OH. Our park, Arrowhead Lakes Resort, was just on the right after we turned onto Cemetery Rd. Check in wasn’t until 3 pm but we were able to follow through anyway and get onto Site 8.

Before supper, Gibbs and I walked the whole park

We relaxed for the afternoon. It was quite warm so I opened a couple of windows and Gibbs and I went upstairs to watch a movie. It’s one called The Book of Eve and I think I’ve read the book a while ago. It was interesting to see Eve (Claire Bloom) as a 65-year-old set out on a life of her own after 40 years of marriage. It also features a Canadian, Daniel Lavoie, whom I’ve only known for his music. 😊

He had no interest in the stream today

this guy has been standing on the corner
far too long
No bus route here!

We had chili on toast for supper and after clean up, the evening was filled with me writing my blog and Bill mapping out tomorrow’s journey. It’s a bit of a ‘fly by the seat of our pants’ trip this winter. This was a great day and we’ve made it to our first stop. We can only hope tomorrow brings another great day.

It has been a beautiful night

Some of the trees need branches trimmed
but this is our spot for the night
The park is pretty busy this weekend
Good night!

Thank you for stopping in.

26 comments:

  1. Welcome to the US, I'm always so happy once we have the border crossing under our belt :-)

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    1. Thanks! That's exactly how we feel. Bill said today that he felt a weight lifted.

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  2. Hope you have safe travels. We just home on Friday from West Yellowstone MT for six months. Hope you have a good winter.

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  3. I love easy crossings. Looks like a fantastic to start your journey. Safe travels.

    Deb

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  4. Safe travels! Enjoy!

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  5. Welcome to the US!! I'm glad the crossing went well. Now to enjoy the ride and vista's along the way.

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  6. Sounds like an easy transition into the USA. Safe travels on this next leg of your journey. Gibbs has certainly become accustomed to the travel easily. Good pup!

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    1. It is a great way to start the journey. :) Gibbs didn't take long to settle with the traveling. He gets hyper until he's in the back seat though. haha Thank you!

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  7. Welcome. You stayed in a very pretty area. We never made it to Michigan and Ohio. I enjoyed the pictures.

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  8. Looks like good progress to me!

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  9. Sounds like the first step of the journey went well. Hopefully all the following ones will be easy as well.

    God bless.

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  10. Welcome to the US and our state. Looks like you had a good travel day. Wishing you many more. Be safe.

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  11. We just arrived in Florida on Oct 20. First time driving! Your photos as always are great!

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  12. Sounds like an easy crossing, just curious did you have to show proof of vaccination? I can't believe we are still requiring it! Your pictures are awesome!

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    1. Very easy and pleasant too. No, they don't even ask but we think it might come up with our passport information. Thank you Shirley.

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