One of the neat things about traveling like this is the opportunity to make new friends that are from a totally different background. Last evening we all got together with some new friends and had a birthday bash. Judy turns 29 again on the 16th. Al just celebrated his 39th birthday at the end of July and our new friends, Gilles and Janet Landry from Sunderland Ontario were celebrating Janet’s 29th birthday of August 11.

The interesting part of the story is how we all became friends here in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia. All three families have been camped here in a parking lot at Stones RV this past week. Al and Audrey are purchasing a newer fifth wheel trailer to replace their Hitch Hiker which was damaged in a wreck. (No one was hurt!) Gilles and Janet are waiting for a slide motor to come from California, so their slider will work again. It is quite possible that we will be able meet with Gil and Janet again in a couple weeks. They are headed for Newfoundland, and Gary and Judy also are headed for Newfoundland. Gil is a retired educator, and Janet a retired librarian. Their 12 year old dog, Sheba is a Husky. They have been spending their idle time here in the library researching Gil’s genealogy. He traces his ancestry back through the Acadian French from this area who were deported to Massachusetts in the 1750’s.

Now it can be told! Al and Audrey have not wanted anyone back in St. Helens to be worried about them. They ran off the road and wrecked their pickup and trailer. The pickup has been repaired. Primarily the bed of the pickup was crushed down by the fifth wheel as they drove through the bottom of the median between the highways. The Hitch Hiker was not so fortunate, and the insurance company has declared the trailer a total loss. The long wait has been to get the insurance stuff done and arrange financing for the replacement RV. They are moving to an “almost new” Titanium fifth wheel trailer, and then we will resume our journey. Al and Audrey are planning to end their migration in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. They will return through the United States and plan to be back in St. Helens sometime in September. You “Hayriders” will have to welcome them home with a new “Hayriders” decal for their new RV. In times like these you have to keep in touch with your sense of humor. Audrey says they will be known as the “Ditchriders.”

Look below to see a photo of Al and Audrey in front of their new digs.

We all send our love to those friends and relatives back home.
Gary and Judy with Al and Audrey