Quebec Trip: 1.16.10

I was itching to "get away from it all" this weekend. We tossed out several ideas for a day trip: Lake Placid,Montreal, Eastern Townships, Quebec.... For various reasons the first two will be revisited later this winter. I can't say we exactly did the last one, but that was what we set out to do Saturday.

We left our house mid morning, and headed to the winter farmers market, happens every third Saturday during the winter months. We got a tamale, and delish baked goods for the road.

We headed up and over toward Canada. We explored a new area in Vermont, we were up in an area called the Northeast Kingdom and up near Jay Peak, a big ski area. It was a lovely drive especially when we were near Jay. It was so cool because we kept seeing this beautiful vista in the distance, then suddenly we were in it! I really can only describe it as being in Candyland...it was gorgeous,so peaceful-and warm, it was like 40! We stopped the car in the middle of the road for a photo op (okay,maybe I made Beth stop).

About two hours into the trip we accidentally found ourselves at a border crossing. Realizing as we were chatting with the customs officer, we didn't really want to cross at that place, as our destination was on the other side of a lake and it would be easier to go around the lake in the U.S. and cross into Canada on the other side of the lake. So we went trough the gate, turned around and then had to explain the the U.S. side that we were in Canada for like 30 seconds. Off we headed around the lake, through Newport and up to the border. Got through, good to go.

I should note here "bumming around the eastern townships" is not a suitable answer to "where are you going in Canada".

We drove around and somehow found ourselves at another crossing...but we were already in Canada, so we didn't know what to do. Erring on the side of caution, we went through. (There was the option of by-passing the gate). Well a very kind customs officer explained the road we were on is cohabitated by both the States and Canada. (yes, she used the word cohabitate) and we didn't need to declare cause we were already in Canada.

Beth had heard about a library that is in both the States and Canada. So we stopped to ask for directions to it (at a mechanic shop). Apparently the mechanic stressed three different times to "stay on the sidewalk or border control will come after you". Sure enough we found the library and carefully found a parking place in the right country and stayed on the sidewalk! The border cuts through the library diagonally and is marked on the floor with electrical tape. After that, we headed back to the States and went to Mass in Newport, where we ran into our friend Michael! So fun! We all spontaneously decided to go to dinner...back in Canada, of course! So there you go, that's our fourth and final crossing into Canada for the evening! We had a lovely evening, dinner, and conversation. I should note here, we met Michael in Rome, and realized last night that we've never had dinner with him in the States! Love it!