Leaving Ypsi

Well, I went to Windsor, Canada for a quick buying trip and got more than I bargained for.  Crossing into the country, I informed the border patrol that I intended to go to the Duty Free Store to buy some scotch, perfume and maybe some chocolate.  There was so much construction going on and poor signage, I immediate got lost and wound up in a restricted area where I wasn't supposed to be.  A very nice lady offered to guide me out, having to pass another guard in the process.  He informed me that I had to be in Canada for 48 hours in order to buy duty free, but I figured what the heck, I'd Burged it for nearly an hour to get there so I would give it a try.  After weeks of dreaming about Bell's scotch, they didn't have it.  So I settled for a bottle of Dewar's, some nice perfume, Belgium chocolate and headed back.  While attempting to enter the gate for customs, not one but two cars cut me off and forced me to brake hard at a blockade.  When I pulled up to the guard, he asked "how many people cut you off out there?" and I answered, only two.  When he asked what I had to declare, I told him and he said "technically, you're supposed to be there for 48 hours before bringing things back duty free, but I'm not going to send you back this time."  What a relief!  I guess he figured I'd risked my life for some booze and perfume and needed a little break.  Thank you officer! 

It took some doing to get my TV fixed, as the cable connector had been ripped from it as it flew off the wall mount.  Good ole curvy mountain roads! I had to figure a new way to replace a stripped wing nut, then noticed a leaking grease seal on a trailer wheel.  So I had all the wheels re-packed this morning before departing Ypsilanti for the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  It was an uneventful day and I haven't taken any good pictures in over a week, but I hope to tomorrow as I cross a very big bridge.

The best part of Ypsi was visiting friends from Sun and Fun in Florida.  Debbie and Walt Williams had me over for a cookout and to enjoy their pool.  The water was a little cool (73 degrees), much warmer than Sliding Rock, but cold to these Yankee folks.  The food and drink were very fine and I appreciate their warm hospitality.   What a treat to travel that far and see friendly and familiar faces!  That was definitely a high point of my time there.   I also enjoyed seeing other fine folks. 

Tonight I'm in Traverse City, MI, and will leave in the morning for the UP and points west.  Once again I put too much trust in the GPS and allowed it to take me on some not-so-good paths.   The adventure continues!