Three States & One Province on Black Friday

Trip Start Nov 27, 2009
1
2
13
Trip End Dec 18, 2009


Loading Map
Map your own trip!
Map Options
Show trip route
Hide lines
shadow

Flag of United States  , Kentucky
Friday, November 27, 2009

This story really began yesterday with the thoroughly frustrating pick up of our U-Haul truck three and a half hours late. After confirming that we would pick up the 10 foot van at Applewood Village at 9 am the office there didn't open until 9:40 in spite of a sign saying 9 am opening. At that time the fellow had the audacity to say we were early, after we'd confirmed the 9am time with him by phone the day before. The van we took from there had squealing belts that the Oakville U-Haul garage was unable to fix so Richard ended up going to Park Lawn and getting another van there. Unfortunately the attendant there would not help him move the dinghy out of the original van. Not a good starting experience with U-Haul to say the least!

Still our packing went well as we dodged rain squalls so we were ready at 7:30 this morning while it was still dark. This trip was so much better than the one we took in February - just rain instead of snow and no icy conditions
Dinghy in the Van
Dinghy in the Van
. There were a few flurries near Bradford but not a big deal. Funnily enough the temperature has gotten colder as we've headed south - hovering around freezing in Ohio. We both had visions of the skating rink highway we tried to negotiate in February in the Daytona to Cinci stretch. This time there was only construction to deal with.

Our border crossing went as well as can be expected. The U-Haul was x-rayed but we got through in about half an hour and we've definitely spent longer than that in our car. Using the truck route meant we went through some of the less desirable areas of Detroit. I can't remember when I've seen so many burned buildings but at least the fire hall was in tact.

We lunched at a Tim Horton's that Dave Hunter's I75 book recommends and tonight we ate at a Korean restaurant we could walk to from our hotel. It was buffet where we cooked at our table over a charcoal grill. We were the only non-Korean folks there!

I think we'll sleep well tonight!
Florence hotels Slideshow

Comments

Shirley Pellegrin on Nov 28, 2009 at 03:36AM

Hi Richard and Laura - Drive safely - Have a wonderful trip.
Shirley

Barbara Gooch on Nov 28, 2009 at 04:08AM

Have a safe and wonderful trip. Thanks for the card!!
Sheesh, can't believe that you had to move the dinghy.

Vicki & Curt on Nov 28, 2009 at 03:03PM

Glad to hear you eventually made it on your way. What did Vicki tell you about UHAUL....HA HA
Safe travels.

Vicki & Curt

Mum & Dad on Nov 28, 2009 at 04:23PM

We had the same experience on the truck route thro Detroit wi th the RV. Glad you made it the first day in good weather even tho cold. Keep in touch M & D

Doug Goodfellow on Nov 28, 2009 at 05:28PM

Hi Richard and Laura-Where exactly are you going?For how long/

Best,

Doug

Gina on Nov 30, 2009 at 12:22AM

Thought of you over the past 4 days of Thanksgiving weekend, since knew you had started the trip. We had 80 degree weather here over the holiday and then it dropped to low 70's on the weekend, so we've been doing lots of gardening & house reno projects. Will be in Sacramento next 2 days and Portland Thursday on business but will keep in touch. All I can say is U-Haul sucks - I refuse to use them after many bad experiences but Mum told me it was the only company that would allow a one-way/drop off in the U.S. Safe driving and hope you got to enjoy some turkey with the rest of us!!

Add Comment

Use this image in your site

Copy and paste this html: