On Our Way Home

Sunday, Sept. 30

We didn't sleep too well overnight.  I guess it was anticipation of getting up and going to the airport, and getting everything ready in time.  We sure didn't want to miss our plane.  As it was, everyone was up, and we were ready to go about 8:00, which was an hour earlier than I expected to get away.  We knew Shirley was going to church and wouldn't get herself ready until we left, so about 8:40, we packed the car and left, after our goodbyes.

The drive to London was uneventful.  It was an hour or so of straight, flat freeway.  Traffic didn't start getting heavy until just before London.  We were looking for the place we had eaten when we arrived, and found it.  Had a good breakfast, and then headed off toward the airport.  It's amazing how different things look in the daylight.  I had no idea we had gone some of the places we had when we flew in.  At least now, we could see them.

At the airport, we unloaded the car at the entrance, and I had to take it and park it in the rental area.  Then we had to officially return it, which was quite easy.  I hope there are no other charges that will show up, but I'm sure we will get billed for using the toll freeway, sometime in the near future.

Once we checked in, it was up to the departure area, through security, and then sit and wait for our plane.  After about 2 hours, our flight stopped in Winnipeg for about half an hour, and then we were off to Calgary for another 2 hour flight.  We discovered that we could watch TV and listen to what was going on, so spent much of our time watching football and golf.

In Calgary, we had a long wait.  It was supposed to be about 3 and a half hours, but something went wrong with their computers, and things got backed up a lot.  The terminal was very full, and getting a seat was a problem.  Of course with planes not being able to take off, it was quite a wait.  Finally, they were able to get things going, and we boarded our plane about an hour late.  I was texting Christie and Karen to keep them informed, and they were both at the airport in Kamloops to meet us.

Then it was a matter of collecting our bags, loading them in the cars, and heading home.  We were pretty tired, so it wasn't long before we were in bed.

Back to Chatham

Saturday Sept 29

Got up in the morning not feeling real well, but we were heading back to Chatham.  We didn't feel much like eating breakfast, so left as soon as we showered and packed our bags.  We were on the road by 9:00, and headed out to highway 401.  Old GPS Jill tried to take us to the toll highway (407) but we outsmarted her and stuck to our guns to get to 401.  Once on that highway, it was clear sailing to Chatham.

The road was fairly busy and I had to pay attention so I wouldn't get into the wrong lane and end up getting off the freeway.  Dawn did see a sign indicating a potter, so she asked if we could pull off and find it.  However, once off at the exit, it appeared that the potter was 27 Km off the highway, and we decided not to go.  So, we moved right back onto the freeway and kept going.  The next stop was for something to eat.  We pulled off at an OnRoute to get a couple sandwiches at Tim Horton's.


Then on to Chatham and Shirley's house.  We got there shortly after 12:00 and they were just eating.  We weren't hungry, so by the time we got in and our stuff into our room, they were done.  We visited a while, and then Dawn and I went downstairs.  I wasn't feeling too well, and fell asleep.  I guess Carol and Earl came over, and Dawn went upstairs, but I was not doing well and stayed downstairs.  Carol came down to say goodbye about 4:30, so I woke up and went to see them off.

Shirley took us out to dinner at a nice restaurant, and that was basically it for the evening.  When we got home, we went downstairs to catch the tail end of the Regina football game, but were too tired to stay up for the Lions game.  In retrospect, it was likely a good thing as they lost.  Shirley told us it was 17-1 at the end of the first half, but she went to sleep, too.

Toronto - Day 2

Friday, Sept 28

Got up this morning not feeling well at all.  My cough had grown to a full fledged cold, and I was stuffed up and congested.  After showering and eating breakfast, we went looking for a pharmacy so I could buy some cough syrup and other things to stop the coughing and phlegm.  My ribs hurt from coughing.

Hanging From CN Tower

Construction Crane

We stayed close to the hotel for much of the day, and then about 4:00, headed of for the ball field.  GPS Jill indicated it was about a half hour, and with the traffic, we were at our parking lot by 5:00.  Paid to get in, and then we sat in the car and watched the construction around us, and the folks who were getting off work.

At 5:30 we headed up to Rogers Place, and had to wait 5 minutes for the doors to open.  Our seats for this game were more expensive, but we were closer to home plate.  We could see the players well, and could hear some of the things they were saying to each other and the fans.  Got some photos of Jeeter, A-Rod, and others, as the Yankees were having batting practice again.

Derek Jeeter

Alex Rodriguez

Once the game started, it was clear that the Yankees were going to play better.  They were getting some hits, and scoring some runs.  The Blue Jays outhit them for much of the game, but didn't score too many runs.  In the end, New York basically hammered the Jays.

We left in the 9th inning, as Toronto was coming up to bat.  It was far easier walking to our car tonight, than it was last night when the Jays won.  I guess lots of people had left already.  We didn't have to wait to get out of the parking lot, or into the correct lane for the turn I had to make on Spadina Ave.  The drive to Brampton was again, less than half an hour, so things weren't too bad.

We hadn't eaten dinner, so we found a McDonalds and had a bite to eat.  Then back to the hotel.  I started the computer and got the Blazers game on the radio.  There were only a few minutes left in the third period, and the score was tied 3 - 3.  Well, they played through overtime, and in the shootout, Victoria scored more times than the Blazers did, so we didn't win that game either.  Hopefully we will be home in time to hear how they do on Sunday's game in Victoria.