Be it ever so humble…

Friday and Saturday, Mar. 16 and 17, 2012 OTTAWA, ON – Yes, we are home! Just pulled in less than an hour ago, and it’s great to be here. The house looks in excellent order and the snow is gone from the front yard. There is snow out back, as well as at the shadowed edges of farmers’ fields and road banks that we passed on the way into town, but everyone is reveling in the mild weather. We spotted two people driving with the roof down, and several wearing shorts and bicycling or roller-blading. Thankfully, our trip from Harrisonburg in the Shenandoah Valley to Binghamton yesterday and from there home today, was perfect in terms of weather. Even the fog that greeted us this morning burned off fairly quickly and didn’t impede visibility on the highway. Actually, we had excellent traveling weather this trip, from start to finish. It has been fun following the spring from south to north. Seeing daffodils, hyacinths and forsythia in full bloom in South and North Carolina was such a treat, as well as listening to red-winged blackbirds and robins, that will be coming north soon but haven’t yet arrived. And we passed so many fruit trees in blossom as well – and heard that the famous cherry blossoms in Washington, DC, are a couple of weeks ahead of the usual time because of the unseasonably warm weather. When we crossed the high bridge at Alexandria Bay back into Canada, we looked at the beautiful view, and the water surrounding the Thousand Islands was completely open and free-flowing. It was lovely to see all the cottages and docks ready to be opened up and set out for summer fun in the months ahead. In the sky over Ottawa as we came north from the border, there were great flocks of Canada geese in muddled strings, rather than disciplined vees, and many of the geese were also in the fields resting and drinking from puddles of water between the farmed rows. Even they seem to be back earlier than usual; I associate them more with May than March. We now feel that our new motorhome is thoroughly broken in and ready to provide years of traveling comfort. We’ve added little touches that have made the coach a home, and after two and a half months in very close proximity, Val and I are still on warm speaking terms (and then some!), so it has passed that test as well. So many features, like the easily opened and closed awning, comfortable seating, generous counter space and well-thought-through storage compartments have confirmed that this rig will take us far. But for now, we are happy to be in our big roomy house with all its comforts, safe and sound. And, to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in proper style, we’re going to order in Chinese food for supper. Only in Canada, you say! Our parting photo, sunset over the Gulf of Mexico, provides the closing image of our Winter 2012 trip. When we travel next, this blog will resume. Meanwhile, happy trails to you!