On a grey wet morning we left Niagara-on-the-Lake heading to Grand Rapids, Michigan. After weaving through agricultural areas, guided by Lola (our GPS),we came to a dead stop. A vertical lift bridge over the WELLAND CANAL was drawn up to allow a freighter to pass. This particular canal was constructed in the 1820’s during the great canal building era – when the Erie, Chesapeake and Ohio Canals among others were constructed. The Welland Canal, 27 miles long, connected Lake Erie and Lake Ontario so goods could bypass Niagara Falls. As part of the St. Lawrence Seaway, the canal allows ships from the Great Lakes ports to reach Montreal, the Atlantic Ocean and points beyond. This pause on our trip west reminded us of how these man-made waterways were so important in building our nation.
Lake Huron enters the St. Clair River at the point where the Blue Water Bridge connects Ontario, Canada to the state of Michigan. But to cross the bridge, first we had to go through US border control. Why were we driving a car with a temporary plate? Why were we entering Michigan with a vehicle from Vermont when we live in NY State? Where were we going? Whose car was it anyway? Jane asked the agent whether he wanted the short or the longer explanation; he replied, “Just whatever would explain it all.” So I said it was our son’s Subaru, which he bought on the internet in Vermont, and we, from NY state, were driving it to him in Hood River, Oregon. He then inquired, “How are you getting home?” Jane said “Southwest.” Convinced of the truth of our tale, he returned our passports and vehicle registration, and waved us along on our way…..
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