Lynda L. Lock's Blog, page 13

Sparky's Epic Adventure Across North America (Rome and Cape Vincent New York)

 June 3rd, from Lock Haven PA, to Rome New York, and Tug Hill New York. The drive was beautiful, passing several interesting towns.

The heat was intense when we arrived in Rome New York so we didn't explore the way I had intended. We overnighted in Tug Hill Resort a bit north and west of Rome. The facility was okay, but I could hear every word from the guests in the next room. Ah well, I got a decent sleep and we headed out early in the morning.

I had planned to catch the small ferry from Cape Vincent NY to Wolfe Island Ontario. It was out of order, so I drove another 25 miles and connected with the bridge from near Clayton New York to Ontario. I should have booked a night or two in this area. It's beautiful.

Newfield Pennsylvania covered bridge














My Mazda 3 - a little dirty but running well
Redfield Reservoir near Tug Hill Resort













Spooky house Orwell New York
Several interesting signs at Tug Hill Resort













Love it! But I was out of US $$. They don't take cards.

Cape Vincent New York is beautiful!

Sparky's Epic Adventure Across North America (Lock Haven Pennsylvania)

June 2nd, Sparky's Epic Adventure. We overnighted in Lock Haven Pennsylvania. The cute historic downtown area has massive homes and several large churches. The town has economically fallen on hard times though and many of the stores are empty. Sparky was overheated in the 90-something-degree, (mid-30s C) weather and went for a wade in the river.

Hot dog - cooling down at Lock Haven PA

Private mooring for pontoon boats Lock Haven PA
Large, dramatic church at Lock Haven Pa

Another pontoon boat Lock Haven Pa
Cute house across the river from Lock Haven Pa

Sparky's Epic Adventure Across North America (Maryland & Pennsylvania)

June 1st Friendsville Maryland and Bellefonte Pennsylvania. (I am getting better at spelling the state names!) Miss Google routed us through a number of smaller roads and towns. The slower routes add driving time, but for me, the adventure is more important than just arriving at the next hotel.

Friendville Maryland

Friendville Maryland

Friendville Maryland

My Mazda 3 in Friendville Maryland

View of Maryland from rest stop

Bellefonte Pennsylvania

Bellefonte Pennsylvania

Sparky's Epic Adventure Across North America (West Virginia)

 May 31st Charleston West Virginia, state capitol.

I only drove 200 miles this day, because of a restless sleep the previous night. I stopped in Charleston West Virginia, and checked into the first hotel that I could find.

The Hawthorne Suites was interesting for a chain-style hotel. Every room was equipped with dishes, a proper fridge, and a microwave, plus had the use of the outside BBQs and patio seating. Judging by the number of company trucks, I think their clientele was primarily people on work assignments who were living at the hotel. It was a great place to overnight.

Sparky charming the front desk ladies

Charleston West Virginia Governor's mansion

The dome of the capitol building
Across the river at Charleston WV
The capitol grounds, Charleston West Virginia

Sparky's Epic Adventure Across North America (Berea Kentucky & the Historic Boone Tavern)

May 30th Berea Kentucky, college campus and the Historic Boone Tavern. The campus has a total undergraduate enrollment of 1,468 (fall 2021), its setting is rural, and the campus size is 140 acres.

It's a very pleasant place to visit.

Lunch on the veranda while we wait to check-in

Historic Boone Tavern on the college campus
Berea College campus

Berea College campus
Berea College campus - student?

Berea College campus
Berea College campus

Sparky's Epic Adventure Across North America (Tennessee back to Kentucky)

May 29th traveling between Lebanon Tennessee and Berea Kentucky. The fun part of traveling with Miss Google telling me where to go, is she also says things like: Speed trap ahead! Thanks, Miss Google.

Crosses in front of church for Memorial Day service

Sparky's Epic Adventure Across North America (Tennessee)

May 27th and 28th. We continued on to Tennessee to visit my friend, Carmen Amato. She is the author of the Emilia Cruz Detective series and the Galiano Club Mysteries.

I swear Lawrie has taken over my Google Map lady whom I refer to as Miss Google. Lawrie always liked the 'interesting routes' and in the last two days Miss Google has picked out a route that leads us along the narrow, winding, country roads - totally avoiding the interstate freeways.

I had a blast driving through the countryside, but occasionally my co-pilot would huff at me! "Just stop and let me pee, for pity's sake!"

We spent two blissful days just hanging out with our friends and the various critters in Tennessee.

No driving. No sightseeing. Just chilling.

Bear, aka Polar Bear
Hazel - with a wolfie-smile
Getting the chickens all in a row!

Llamas fascinated by Sparky

Sparky's Epic Adventure Across North America (Kentucky)

May 26th, day 26 of Sparky's Epic Adventure. We wandered through more of Missouri, and a bit of Illinois, then overnighted in Paducah Kentucky. I took the scenic backroads today so we were 7 hours on the road.

Before we left Paducah in the morning, we roamed around the historic area of Paducah. It was a Saturday, and the market was in operation. I purchased a metal dog sculpture from the artist to add to our overloaded car! What was I thinking?

On the backroads

Paducah Kentucky market
Ewin Ledbetter and my new dog


Historic area of Paducah Kentucky
Historic area of Paducah Kentucky

Sparky's Epic Adventure to Newfoundland (via Missouri and other parts)

May 24th and May 25th of Sparky's Epic Adventure across North America, via a convoluted route. Today is our first full day visiting with Rob and Julie Goth. Julie and I left the fur-babies to get into mischief while we explored the downtown area of Jefferson City, Missouri. It's the capital of the state and has many historic old government buildings as well as stately homes. It is also the childhood home for Julie and Rob. The weather is hot and sunny, and I finally changed my shoes to sandals. Looking forward to another evening of laughter and giggles with wonderful friends.

European-style fountain outside capital building

Julie and I at Canterbury Hills Winery
Cathedral of St. Joseph, Jefferson City
                                                                               The state capitol building.

A Snarly Greeting at Seas the Day Gibsons BC - I changed hotels!

Near the beginning of Sparky's Epic Adventure Across North America, I had a two-day reservation for May 4th and May 5th at Seas the Day in the pretty community of Gibsons, BC. #seastheday

The owner/operator had sent me a message the day before stating that I should park in the back alley, between the red flags. I was traveling and neglected to acknowledge that I had read the message.

When I arrived at 2:00 p.m., I drove through the back alley but couldn't see where I was supposed to park, so I went around the front and parked in an available spot two houses away. 
The front gate to Seas the Day looked to be the main entrance to the accommodation. It was clearly marked with a large sign displaying the name, and the phone number. 
As I approached the front gate, three small dogs began to bark at my dog, Sparky, and me through the wire gate. I phoned the owner and said that I was waiting outside the gate. Then one of the dogs barged through the wire and proceeded to harass both Sparky and me. 
I tried several times to fend off the dog. It got more aggressive. The owner appeared on the upper deck and asked, "Did you want something?" 
I replied, "Yes, I'm Lynda Lock. I have a two-day reservation." 
She came down to the gate, asking me if I had opened the gate to allow the dog to escape. 
I said, "No, I did not open the gate. The dog barged through the opening in the wire." The gate was made of wire, formed in squares, about 3 inches by 3 inches. The dog was a white poodle or poodle mix. He was small but aggressive. 
The owner repeatedly tried to call the dog. The dog, Sully, ignored her and continued to become more aggressive. 
It bit Sparky. And it tried several times to bite my ankles. I finally used my large purse to fend the dog off.
She continued to call the dog. It ignored her and followed my dog Sparky and me as we tried to return to my car. She said the dog was a rescue, and it wouldn't listen to her. She also said it would run away if she tried to catch it.
I got angry at the continual harassment and ran toward the dog, yelling, "Get in the yard." It ran towards the fence but continued to lunge and snap at us. It refused to enter the yard while Lorraine kept repeating it was a rescue and didn't like other dogs.
Lorraine again told me to park my car between the red flags in the lane behind her house. 
I drove around again but couldn't locate the parking spot. I called her and asked for clarification.
"It's right beside the Mercedes." Then she added, "We're not ready for your three o'clock check-in." (It was now about 2:25 p.m.)
At that point, I was shaking. Sparky was shaking. And the very last thing I wanted to do was stay at this place. I owned an awarding winning Bed and Breakfast from 1992 to 2000. Then I became a manager of a 142-room hotel from 2000 until 2008. I know how to treat guests.
The owner has steadfastly refused to refund any part of the two-night stay. Her reason is that I did not follow check-in procedures by parking in the lane. I tried to, twice. 
I subsequently booked a pleasant two-night stay at the Davis Bay Oceanside Hotel. 
I have attempted since May 4th to get a refund for the second night of the canceled stay. The owner/operator has steadfastly refused, saying the whole incident was my fault because I did not park in the lane. My niece and I drove along the lane the next day looking for the parking spot, and with some difficulty we did locate the limp, wet Canadian flag that was apparently the indication this was where I should park.
Were it not for my extensive family connections to this area, I would have taken the next boat off the peninsula to escape this unpleasant situation.
Sparky and I have now been traveling for twenty-five days and covered 5500 kilometers (about 3400 miles). We have only had pleasant greetings and good experiences at our accommodations in Davis Bay, Tofino, Wenatchee MT, Superior MT, Boseman MT, Buffalo WY, Cheyenne WY, Oakley KS, or Topeka KS.
I'm looking forward to the remainder of our 4-month adventure across North America.
Cheers 
Lynda and Sparky  The parking spot indication