In Montreal

After arriving at Seb's around 8pm and saying a quick hello to Seb and Stephanie, I had to talk to family online as they were at internet cafes waiting for me. Needless to say after an action packed long day of driving it didn't take me long to pass out literally...lol thanks Seb !!! Seb and I set out on Saturday to do some sightseeing,  just happened to be the hottest day in Canada was in Montreal. The high humidity really took its toll on me. We jumped on the bus and headed for the Olympic Stadium, took the ride up the tower and caught the sights of the whole city. Off to the subway to head into downtown along Saint Catherine St, the main street in the city. Of course Seb pointed out the strip bars along the way. With the Formular 1 Grand Prix being in Montreal on the Sunday, the city was a buzz for rev heads. I've never walked up n down so many steps, we walked quite a few blocks then I said hey Seb its beer o'clock !!!! So we headed into bar for a beer, well that was an experience in itself....with my lack of the French language..I said Seb you order it!!! We then headed off for lunch, I ate a Montreal Smoked Beef sandwich at Nickels, the restaurant chain owned by Celine Dion. We then checked out the odd ferrari or two or 20 maybe,  they closed off some of the city streets with all the festivities. Back to the subway to head to Old Montreal. We walked around the old buildings and cobbled streets, then down to the riverwalk. By that time it was beer o'clock once again...lol. We sat and enjoyed a quenching beer before more walking around the pier. By this time this old gal was worn out !!! Back to the subway to head for home. I really enjoyed my day.

Spent Sunday morning at Seb's I needed my crib fix and also just had to play Tracks. After I gave Seb lessons on short keys, it was time to pack up and head to Lachine in Montreal. Met up with Dan aka koolkanadian, had a nice lunch in a restaurant in the Mall. Visited Dan's parents in the afternoon, then back home to get ready to host my tourneys. Monday morning took time out to get a wax job...lol. We then visited a larger Mall, had lunch there and had a look around, then off to Dairy Queen for desert. Went back home so I could spend a lil time catching up on my pages and league things. We then went for a drive down to Lake St Louis, really pretty area, took some pics then walked along the Lake, had dinner at a nice restaurant, then walked back to head back home ready for baseball. All I can say is thanks Montreal for turning up the heat during my stay..lol NOT...lol I prolly lost 10 lbs....lmao I wish. Thanks Seb and Dan for an enjoyable stay in Montreal.

June 10th - Montreal, Quebec to Ottawa, Ontario - 199 km

I said goodbye to Montreal and heading west for Ottawa to visit Daniel aka chickenmoxxy better known as buk buk...lol. At least heading into Ontario I could read the signs..lol although some were still in French. I arrived at Daniel's we chatted for a few, and I managed to collect my personally signed copies of his kids books he has published. I always said I would collect them in person...lol ..I don't think he ever believed that til yesterday...lol. Daniel headed off to work and we are meeting for breaky and a look around the city this morning before I head off to Oshawa.

Met up with Daniel for breakfast at Coras in the city, we then walked around the city for a few hours. Went up onto Parliament Hill and captured some awesome views and amazing architecture of the Parliament buildings and the library. I really enjoyed the city of Ottawa, very laid back, clean and pretty city for the nations Capital. We walked around the market place, sat in the peace n quiet of a small arcade for coffee. We then walked back to the car, I gave Daniel a lift back to his apartment before heading off. Yep he even trusted a crazy Aussie woman's driving...lol.

June 11th - Ottawa to Oshawa - 393 km

Once again I decided to take the country roads and steer clear of the Interstates for a few. I detoured through Campbellford to meet up with Deb aka AngelNdaDip formerly NekkidNHotTub. Deb was really excited to see me and was meeting up with her too and her cat Solo. We chatted for a few then I was on my way again heading for Oshawa. Campbellford was a lovely little town and I was glad I went through it.

I arrived at Anne's around 6.30pm, she had the beer ready waiting for me...lol. We sat and chatted away the evening over a couple of cold ones... We set off Thurs morning out into the countryside to the Blue Heron Casino, the drive through the country reminded me of home with all the farms. Stopped first at the Indian reservation to stock up on smokes...lol, I met the Indian Chief and that was cool. Off now to win our fortune.....lol. We headed for the slots, second machine I tried was kind to me.. I won $415 weeeeeeeeee, I then played that one some more and drained another $50 from it. I shared some of my windfall with Anne and she had a $250 win, I didn't wanna push my luck too far so off to roulette for a bit. played a while and came out even there so at least I walked away well in front for the day. We left there and back into town for a late lunch/early supper. We had a nice chinese buffet then back home. We both just lounged around for a few and rested up. Anne grabbed my camera lol took pics of what Lozzy does in bed...lol.

I then set off in the evening to meet Kim aka chitforbrains and her daughter Karissa. We sat and chatted the evening away, before I knew it it was midnight. lol. They will all be coming into Toronto tomorrow, so will spend more time with them there too.

Setting off this afternoon to meet Val, Linda aka mmmpeaches and smokingail. Before I left Anne's we just had to visit her little pub to meet her the locals and her friends. Of course I only had soda cause I had to drive. Lozzy does NOT drink n drive !!!!

June 13th - Oshawa to Peterborough - 77 km

I arrived late afternoon in Peterborough, met up with Val, Linda and Gail, we chatted for a while, had coffee then I set out back towards Oshawa. Was nice to meet up with them.

left to right: Val, Gail, Linda                                                                                

June 14th - Peterborough to Toronto - 137 km

I arrived on Kim's doorstep bright n early all ready for a huge day and night. Did some laundry then we both set off for a manicure. Said goodbye to Kim's hubby Dave and son Dustin then Kim, Karissa and I then set out for Toronto, we parked downtown and then headed for the CN Tower, the World's tallest building.. I actually saw my first baseball game...weeeeeee.. well.... even it was a birds eye view from 553M ( 1815ft) in the air.... The views of Toronto from the tower were awesome. After the tower we walked downtown, checked out the sights, and yes we went past the nudie bars...lol and of course I managed to just stumble across a Toronto Cop...lol. We left downtown and headed for our Hotel to get ready for a big night out. Kim chose to drive cause she never drives in Toronto and felt she couldn't get lost with my GPS. All was going along just fine til we needed to make a left turn, wellllll I said next left Kim, we just happened to end up on the street car tracks. I cracked up big time, couldn't stop laughing, the tracks just happened to be raised about 6 inches from the road, Kim says umm we may feel a slight bump here as we dismounted the tracks. I thought omg the locals will look at the Florida plates on my car and think dumb American drivers....if only they knew !!!!!!!

Our designated driver Nina picked us up from our hotel, we all met up at the Mandarin restaurant for dinner. There was Mike aka the Northerner44, MJC aka hatracklou, Nina aka Nakedtigress, Kim aka chitforbrains, Karissa, Pat aka Powerpuff and Barb aka snowwolfbarb from Wolfsden league. It was also Barb's birthday so she was in party mode. It was great to catch up will them all and I thoroughly enjoyed our time together at dinner. Thanks everyone for coming out was a great start to a really fun night.

left to right: Nina, Pat, Barb, MJC, Me, Mike, Kim, Karissa.

We said our farewells to Mike, Pat n MJC and then headed off to the karaoke bar to party the night away. It was a small bar but boy did we have fun with the locals....lol. Was time to start the serious drinking and get the singing voices lubricated.....lmao yeah right...Lozzy doesn't have any singing voice. I was like what the hell I'm game for anything. Met up with a few of Nina's friends, then was time to let loose...lol. Proud Mary was our first tune we attempted, lol thanks Barb for capturing that on video. Then the shots started to appear, that combined with beer chasers had Kim and I really  in the mood. Even did the splits at one stage during the night....lol. We danced and sang away the night til 3am umm they had to kick us out. I think Kim was a little worse for wear, as soon as we got in car for drive back to Hotel she was away with the fairies !!!...lmao. I had a really fun night thanks to all in Toronto !!!

Here's the links to YouTube if ya's really wanna laugh !!!

  ~*~ YouTube Videos ~*~

The last thing I really thought I would be doing on this trip is hosting the TOC with a hangover...lol but I survived ok with very little sleep. Kim finally awoke and beer was on the menu for breakfast, didn't take her long to top up from the night before..lmao.

June 15th - Toronto to Niagara Falls - 130 km

June 17th - Niagara Falls, Ontario to Alma, Michigan - 562 km

June 19th - Alma, MI to Milwaukee, Wisconsin - 360 miles

June 21st - Milwaukee,WI to Minneapolis, Minnesota - 337 miles

Anyone who wants to meet up with me, Barbee and Merle in Minneapolis just email me for details or check xxmatterof time's message in chat box.

Upcoming dates to mark your calendar

June 21/22nd weekend - Minneapolis, Minnesota

July 4th - 10th - Vancouver, BC

July 11/12/13th weekend - Seattle, Washington

If I'm close to you along the way please give me a yell either on msn or send me an email to loraway50@hotmail.com, would love to meet you.