FROM Y'ALL TO EH!!! Day 29 - 37 June 21 - 28, 2010 Dowling to Burks Falls to North Bay, Ontario

We arrived back in Dowling late Saturday and Gary had to leave for Timmins on Sunday so we just hung around and vegged. On Monday night we went over to Gert Bolger’s house for dinner and had a very nice night. We sat around and told Ted stories. Ted Bolger was the individual who first trained me when I joined GWG and soon became a mentor, teacher and a coach but most importantly a good friend. We all miss him.

Kathy & Gert Bolger

We spent Monday and Tuesday just enjoying Ashley and Mandi as we had planned to leave on Wednesday. It was a very enjoyable trip and it was really nice to spent time with Mandi and of course to meet Ashley Jordan. However, Wednesday did come along and we had to leave so we regretfully said our goodbyes and headed down the road. The trip to Dowling was very special and we look forward to getting back soon

We were packed up and heading down the road with the next stop being Burks Falls, Ontario and the home of Bruce and Chris Campbell. Bruce and I go way, way, way back as we played soccer and rugby together in the very early 70’s. We also made a couple of trips together when we were single, one to the east coast and the second to Australia and New Zealand. It was fun reminiscing about not only the trips but the early days in total. We spent two nights at the Campbell’s catching up and it was really good to see them and we plan to be back soon. On our next trip to see Mandi and Ashley we are also going to stop in Burks Falls. This time we will hold them to their promise to take us out to their cottage for a few days. Good friends are always good friends that time doesn’t diminish.

Chris Campbell

                                                                                  

Had to get the head shot in.

Bailey

On Friday we left Burks Falls and headed to North Bay. We were planning to stay with Rick and Trudy Stanton and we ended up parking the Truck Camper in their driveway. We spent another three nights with them and the stories just kept coming and coming. It was a lot of fun. Also on this part of the trip we were able to get in a golf game at the North Bay Golf and Country Club. I hadn’t been back there since my caddying days in the early 60’s. We played with Ricks’ brother Jon and Gerry Rivet but I forgot my camera and didn’t get any pictures. We ended the evening going for dinner at the Green Papaya, the food was very good and we thoroughly enjoyed the evening. It became much more enjoyable when I found out Gerry and Karen had treated. Thank You both. Again I forgot to take my camera to the dinner.

Monday morning we said goodbye to Rick and Trudy, promised to keep in touch and headed out.

We left the Stanton’s and headed to Four Mile Lake to visit with Cousin Al. Al and Aline Sage have a cottage at Four Mile Lake which is a small but very pretty lake.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Al and I spent a lot of time in our younger years creating havoc for our parents (especially his). The last time we were able to visit was prior to us going to Texas and it was really good to see them.
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

We spent the evening catching up and rehashing old tales. A lot of these tales took place at the cottage and it brought back a lot of memories. We had a very nice evening and we were also able to see their son again (Cory) as he joined us for dinner along with his fiance Sarah. We hadn’t seen Cory since he was a baby.
 

 
We got ready to leave in the morning but not before I had to take a few pictures. Cousin Al is a collector and do it yourselfer. He has discovered a new way to store his tools that he feels should be in the cottage. Tool Fridges. If the truth were known, it’s the only way Aline will let him have them in the cottage.
 

 
We left Al’s with a promise to spend more time on our next visit. However, prior to leaving North Bay I had one more stop. We headed to St. John’s Cemetery and I had a visit with Mom and Dad. After chatting for awhile I said my goodbyes and we headed to Barrie, Ontario to meet up with friends there.

The last few days in Burks Falls and North Bay were very special. I left the Bay in 1973 and really haven’t spent much time here especially since Mom and Dad passed on. I cannot put into words how much I have enjoyed this portion of the trip and the effect it had on me. It was so nice to be able to reconnect with old friends and family. They all made us feel so welcome. I am sorry I did not make the effort to keep in closer touch. That will not happen again. It was with a tear in my eye that we hit the road again.