Customs went smoothly, but traffic was rather heavy around Montreal. We did enjoy seeing the city's skyline!
After passing that area and heading towards Quebec, we stopped at Tim Horton's, for the 1st time on this trip, for a bathroom break and to enjoy some coffee, hot chocolate, and some delicious pastries. About 20 minutes down the road I realized I had left my belly bag at Tim Horton's. Talk about getting a "sick feeling" deep down in your stomach. Fortunately Melissa had paid for 3 months of cell phone coverage in Canada (the least amount you could purchase, but they did have a special), so I used her phone to call Tim Hortons. They had found it and would hold it for me till we returned. I was so relieved and thankful! So we continued on to Ernie and Noela's house.
 |
| Somehow we kept seeing all these Tim Hortons and they called our name!!!! |
We arrived at their home in Saint-Andre-D'Argenteuil around 12:20 and what a happy reunion for all of us! It was so good to see them again. They had lunch ready for us and we really enjoyed the sandwiches and different salads. Of course it was wonderful for the 6 of us to sit around their table and just catch up on life. We toured the very nice home they had moved into last October when they turned their horse farm over to their son, Peter. The house is located in such a quiet, nice area. A perfect house and location for them at this stage of their lives!
 |
| What an adorable houseon a large lot in a very quiet neighborhood. |
After unloading the car we all got into Ernie's truck and he drive us back to the famous Tim Horton's where I left my belly bag. Everything was in it and I was so thankful. The young man employee said, "Merry Christmas"! Of course, it was time for another warm drink.
Then we drove to the horse farm that was owned by Ernie's father, then the home of Ernie and Noela's family and now this large horse farm operation is run by Ernie's son, Peter and his wife who live on the farm. They have 42 horses boarded at the farm and they own 14 of them. They do horse shows and teach riding lessons. It is a very busy place. In the summer, Ernie and Noela cut, rake, and bail all the hay which is about 600 of those huge circular bails. Quite a job for the 2 of them. We also met their 2 1/2 year old adorable granddaughter and their 3 month old grandson.
 |
| Arriving to tour the farm and stables! |
 |
| The farmhouse is over 100 years old! |
 |
| This wall in the barn is made out of stacked logs! |
 |
| Quite a large stable area...... |
 |
| and an areana for indoor lessons! |
 |
| Organized Tack Room. |
 |
| This board lists all the riding lessons for just that one day! |
 |
| Lots of outdoor areas for the horses! |
 |
| This is Peter with his daughter! |
 |
| Ernie and his granddaughter have a very special bond! He goes to the farm everyday and she is so excited to be with him. She is only 2 1/2 and is bi-lingual. |
 |
| Their new 3 month old grandson! |
 |
| Peter's wife with her daughter and Ernie and Noela! |
After leaving the farm, they drove us to a biking trail not far from their home - Route Verti d'Argenteull. We walked towards the municipal/county campgroound called Brownsburg Chatham and it was beautiful. The sites were so spacious and it was situated on a lake. We were impressed. After walking around the CG we got back in their truck and went back to the house for some peanuts and wine and more sharing time.
 |
| We parked at this trail and walked over to the campground! |
 |
| The happy camping friends! |
 |
| This is a view from the CG..... |
 |
| ,,,and then checking out the campsites! |
On the way back to their house, Ernie showed us an area near their property where each year you can drive over this water on an ice bridge. The ice gets thick enough for cars to drive from the one shore line to the other. Crazy!! Ernie and Noela both said they never have and never will drive across it.
 |
| It is hard to imagine driving across this body of water on an ice bridge! |
We ate peanuts and had some wine before dinner which gave us more time to just talk and laugh. Then Noela, who is a great cook, coked the coq au vin she had made ahead of time and served it with noodles for dinner. It was positively delicious. All the flavors and spices were incredible. We all helped with clean-up. Then it was time for some game playing. Noela had bought Skip-Bo cards which Ken and I had taught them to play in Florida. So we played 2 games and the women won both. Go ladies!!!!
 |
| So good to all be together! |
 |
| Doesn't get any better! |
 |
| Taken out the backdoor of their property! |
By 10:30 we were all headed to bed after a wonderful fun-filled day sharing life with special friends.
