Bear's Wild Ride: Lake Placid to Montreal (Day 24) September 15, 2019

FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS!

Bon Jour from Montreal!

Easiest drive to date. 113 miles from Lake Placid to Montreal. Total miles 113 + 5029 = 5142 miles.

Just over 2 hours. We planned out our next few days this morning. Two days in Montreal. One day in Toronto. One day in Ann Arbor, MI where we'll visit Bill's parents Ken and Mary Weber; One or so days in Madison, WI visiting my old law school buddy Greg Dutch and his wife Sandi. Then off to Minneapolis to visit old family friends Ed and Mary Bock. After that, somewhere westward. We are only able to plan so far in advance.

Last night I finished blogging about 10:30 p.m. I went to bed and found the whole family (Beth, Meyer and Peg) there talking. We discussed dreams and nightmares. They all seemed to be surprised that I have nightmares where someone or something is threatening me harm or death about ten percent of the time. It has gotten better since I retired. If anyone wants to know why I retired, there is one reason - stress. My work was stressful.

We tried to get the "kids" to go to bed. Beth agreed to play one game of “would you rather” with Meyer in exchange for him leaving our bed. He offered her an option so disgusting that it cannot be written down. Beth blew up (as expected). I laughed so hard I cried. A great ending to a great night.

Thanks again to Uncle Favor and Diane for their hospitality. This reunion was for his 80th birthday. We all look forward to his 85th so we can reune again.

[I just had to re-read what I had written to make sure I did not use the "f" or "d" word. I caught one and edited it out. It was just a dream. Must I really follow that rule? Am I obsessive? Superstitious? I am supposed to follow my dreams - right?]

Before we left on this trip, Beth's friend Monica gave her a piece of advice about how to get along on the road. "Be quick to say you’re sorry". From my experience on this trip, I can expound on that: "Be even quicker to forgive". In case you are worried - don't. We are still speaking to each other, although I am forgiving way more than reasonably necessary!

We arrived at the Hotel Nelligan in Vieux (Old?) Montreal. It is a converted warehouse.

Our stonington pals JB and Janie recommended it. We like it. If they are reading this - Thank you!

We are now in Quebec. French is the official language. Sometimes, I am not sure [yikes, I just had to edit out the "d" word] whether to speak English or French in simple courtesies, e.g. to other passengers on the elevator. I try to say Bon Jour, Merci, Sil vous plait and whatever other French I can dredge up from the one year I took once upon a time.

I can remember Ouest from Est. I can't remember the words for left or right. So far everyone has spoken enough English that it has not been a problem. Enjoying the language process.

Montreal is a lot like other big cities – Starbucks, skateboarders and sushi bars everywhere. It is cosmopolitan and diverse.

I managed to walk through the entire touristy section – old Montreal in about two hours.

It feels like the first time I go to a city I end up in “fisherman’s wharf”.

For dinner, the hotel recommended a good bistro: Holder. Good food. Great service. Everything looked good on the menu

Meyer and Beth were happy with their choices

Meyer had the veal special (the first). I had the cod (the second).

from where I was sitting, I had a good look into the kitchen. This lady, dressed in black, seemed to run the show. She was the middle person between the cooks and waiters