We wondered how it was going to be, driving near Dannemora, the area where they are still searching for the two escaped murderers. No picking up hitch- hikers for us. We saw no evidence of searches, at this time.
Along the way we passed this sign and thought maybe we were closer than we thought, but no..... it was Newfoundland, New York. Still miles to go.
The N Y Thruway has text areas. They are called, " It can wait."
We are approaching the border crossing. I am ready. No uncooked chicken. No firearms. About 12 bottles of beer.
You can see the border crossing into the US on the other side of the road.
There is a stopping point before crossing into Canada. This is where we encountered federal marshalls involved in the search for the convicts. I thought it best not to take pictures. They were heavily armed. We were politely asked to open the door into the rv for inspection. Good thing we have this small rv. He could stand at the door and see everything.
Into Canada.... all my ready answers were not needed. He asked our reason for entering the country, if we had firearms, how much cash we had, how long we would be in Canada. Do not joke around. Easy entrance.
And on to Montreal. It is only about 30 miles from the border. Everything is in French and only French. Good thing I remember a few words from over 50 years ago. Changed the GPS to km. We got to Montreal and the campground. We had to make many loops from one road to another. Although the GPS is clear, it is the pictured map that got us to the campground. In the cities, roads enter and exit, circuitously. Got to the campground. Somehow the credit card machine for us to pay is not working. He says we can pay in cash. We have no Canadian money yet. Will he trust us to return later to pay? I don't think so. We get it worked out. Now I chose this campground, which is on a lovely spot on the St. Lawrence River, because there is a river taxi that goes from the campground ( it is also a marina) to the city. It is not running! I don't know if it is temporary or permanent. So we get directions to the Metro. One attendant says it is a short walk, the other raises his eyes when we say we will walk. Turns out to be about 1/2 hour walk, not a problem.
Get to the metro. Try to buy a ticket. Cash only. We have no cash. We are directed to the area to buy from a machine using credit cards. Directions in French. We figure it out. Go back to the turnstile. Our ticket does not go in the slot. That is clearly pictured. Finally we are told you place the ticket face down on a little square. How would anyone know that? We are able to read the metro map to get to the historical area.
NOW.... what may turn out to be the hardest part of the whole trip for Les: we get on the train and I take a seat. A man, about 45 years old I would say, gets up and gives Les his seat! No, No , No says Les. The man is insistent. Is Les now old enough for people to give him a seat? He ruminates on this for the next hour.
We see some lovely parts of of oldMontreal.
We take the Duck tour. This is a tour around the city that goes from the streets into the St. Lawrence River.
In the river, on a island,you see this structure that looks like a ruin. Turns out it is from the Montreal Expo, 1967. Won a contest. It is a series of boxes that are now expensive condos. Designed by Moshe Safdie (sp) who was a student at McGill Univ. I think he also designed something like this in Israel. Looked better close up.
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