Many Bridges in Two Countries and Two States

Today was a winding series of roads making it feel like a long day. We left Canada coming south into New York at Cornwall Crossing the St. Lawrence river with two bridges. At least we could pay the bridge toll in US currency, as we packed the Canadian currency last night.

Northern Bridge across St. Lawrence River into USA

For a while, we wondered if we were going to be able to get out of Canada.  Our Garmin GPS, who is affectionately called "Esmeralda" seemed to want to take us east to Montreal, in spite of the many course changes.  As we were pulling into the US Customs Border Crossing, she was saying "make a U-turn".  Fortunately, ignored her and used Google Maps to actually make it across the border.

Border crossing into USA

Border crossing went quickly, with standard questions of how long were we in Canada, what did we buy (cookies, gifts, tea and one bottle of good McCallans Scotch Amber) and what was in the car we were towing. Were there any people in the car?  We told him it was too full as there were two electric bicycles in there. He laughed and said have a good day. We had a good six days in Canada, but glad to be back home in the USA, where we don't have to interpret signs in French. 

New York and Vermont country-side with many farms

The 150 miles on the US side of the border was quite pastoral with many farms and tiny hamlets.
While the roads were in great shape, we do keep wondering why people build their homes so close to the highway. We saw plenty of corn fields, about ready to harvest and farmers harvesting hay.

One of the many small hamlets, each with at least two churches

We crossed Lake Champlain, but very near the top, thanks to the Truckers Atlas, which Tom and Cindy Harrington recommended. It is laminated and shows all the roads safe for trucks and RV's, especially bridges. This has really helped us choose safe routes, especially bridges. While there are two bridges across the long Lake Champlain, only the northern route can handle our weight. This route was actually three bridges, across a series of islands.

Bridge leaving Rouses Point from the east

We saw many boats enjoying the water and met numerous RV's going away for the weekend. It was rural area the entire way from the time we crossed the border through northern New York into northern Vermont, with no towns beyond 1,000 in size.

Lake Champlain near Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge

Tonight we added two states for new York and Vermont. We also drew on the province of Quebec, which is quite large. We did discover that our last fifty miles in Canada were in Upper Canada. This made no sense to us, since we were so close to the USA border. Wikipedia again answered our question. After two uprising in what is now Quebec and Ontario in the 1830's, the two provinces were established, making the divide on what is the upper St. Lawrence river. So, Quebec is Lower Canada, since it is downriver and closer to the Atlantic ocean, even though it is north of Ontario.

Neil pointing to Quebec and new states of New York and Vermont

Tonight we are in Colchester, Vermont; just north of Burlington alongside Lake Champlain. Looking forward to tomorrow to tasting Vermont maple syrup, the tour of Ben & Jerry's ice cream and other New England specialties.

Best Wishes,

Neil and Pamela