Oprah and Gayle’s Big Canadian Adventure – Part Deux – is finally officially afoot.  We escaped Detroit and made our way to Syracuse and then our end destination of Wakefield, Canada (in the province of Quebec).

Oprah and Gayle’s Big Canadian Adventure – Part Deux – is finally officially afoot. We escaped Detroit by making our way to Syracuse via another Delta partner (not Pinnacle) and U.S. Airways. We got into Syracuse near 4 PM and then made our way to Wakefield, Canada (in the lovely province of Quebec).

We are once again staying at the Alpengruss. The property is under new ownership – Ruth and Wolfie have been replaced by a young owner. Even though the accommodations are essentially the same – still no Internet access in the rooms and still very basic rooms with no air conditioning – it just isn’t quite the same as our last visit. The last time we were here (June 2011), I viewed the whole trip as more of an adventure. It was cooler and I was at 100% – both of which likely increased my tolerance. This time the temps are increased, still bearable by recent North Dakota standards, but still warm enough to make the lack of an air conditioner or fan noticeable.  I have always called the property quaint, but Oprah (a.k.a. Noah) says that “quaint” is just a nice way to say ghetto.  At the risk of being too Oprah-like, I must agree somewhat to this characterization. This year it seems like we are somewhere in-between camping and Motel 6 – neither of which would be my choice even on an adventurous day.  Alas, it is what it is and I shall just embrace it as the big Canadian adventure it us and move on.

So far this trip, so dubbed – Oprah and Gayle’s Big Canadian Adventure: Part Deux – has had its challenges. Two days of stumbling through airports with an uneven gait caused me to realize that the notion of survival of the fittest definitely applies in airports. Walking around the airport is not like a stroll through the mall.  In airports folks are playing with their phones, conducting business, and hurrying to and fro.  If you are in the way and moving slowly you take your life in your hands.  I feel the universe was gracious in allowing me – an obvious weakling that should have been separated from the herd and eaten by a predator – to survive.

I am not so sure about Oprah though as he is having a wicked allergic reaction that has caused him to have hives all over.  He is one uncomfortable Oprah.  Let’s hope the medicine kicks in soon. Noah has never had an allergic reaction to anything before, so the cause of these are somewhat of a mystery.

As for me, Gayle, I am settling in and focusing in on the primary objective of this trip – seeing my two grandchildren Noah Jr. and Cortney.  There are no trials and tribulations that can take away from that end result. 😉

Day one thousand one hundred and twenty-four of the new forty – obla di obla da

Ms. C