Getting there from Houston!!                 Photo Album at bottom!

We head North from Houston up to Niagara Falls before rolling into Toronto, Canada.

SEPTEMBER 4, WEDNESDAY
We met at the Shell station at Beltway 8 and 249 around 8am. We headed up 59 North all the way through Texarkana and stopped for the night in De Queen, Arkansas. We had great weather and made some good time!!

SEPTEMBER 5, THURSDAY
Pulled out of the hotel and took all back roads up to Mammoth Springs, right on the border of Missouri. Our route took us on Hwy 7 and then onto 27 to 16 then up 9 - all were great roads with only us to enjoy them. Made it into Mammoth, unpacked and then headed for some food out on the deck of the best local restaurant, River View!!

SEPTEMBER 6, FRIDAY
We headed up north into Missouri to meet Bob and Dawn in Steelville. We took Hwy 19; this road is one of the best I have been on, highly recommended if you are in these parts. We met up with Bob and Dawn and headed towards their house in St. Louis, with a stop along the way in Hermann for some authentic Germany lunch!! From there we headed East along the Missouri River to the local Harley shop to get some oil and other this and thats. We pulled into Bob and Dawn's and started washing clothes and bikes!!

Tropical storm in Houston! Sandra called Sue and said let's leave before it hits and we can't leave.  So, Chad drove Sue and picked Sandra up at the office at 1:30 pm, and they headed to Hobby for an earlier flight.  It started raining but wasn't too bad.  Security was heavy at the airport.  They had to take off shoes, belts, and the hand wand passed over them repeatedly.  Their flight left at 4 pm. After landing in St. Louis about 6pm, they took a cab to the Red Roof Hotel in Florissant, but only after finally getting out of the cab to stop traffic so the cab could turn the corner. Just love those people who block intersections.  Dawn picked them up from the hotel in the truck. It was nice to see her happy face after what seems like a long time.  They stopped to buy some wine on the way to her and Bob's home.  Bob, Lance, Johnny, Carlton and Annette were waiting for them.  Everyone who needed to, washed clothes, and then we all left to have Mexican food at Ruiz restaurant.  Good food! It's great to finally all be together. We went back to Bob and Dawn's to pick up clothes and are now at the hotel.  It's 10:30 pm and we be tired!

SEPTEMBER 7, SATURDAY
We're up before 6 am, planning to head out at 7 am.  It's a little cool, so we'll put on leathers.  We finally pulled out of the service station at 7:30 am and rode to the St. Louis arch.  What a sight up close.  It's made of stainless steel.  Looks like the French Quarter around the surrounding area.  We left there at 8:10 am.  Stopped about 9:30 am in Altamont for breakfast at McDonalds and gas. Some of us are taking off our leathers. A few others left their's on.  We pulled out about 10 am.  About 15 minutes later, everyone has taken leathers off.  11:30 am stop between Terre Haute and Indianapolis on 70 East in Brazil.  About 1:15 pm at I70 and German Church Road, Carlton pulled over with an engine problem.  He and the guys worked on it, couldn't fix it, and after calling the two dealerships in Indianapolis, Indianapolis South Side came about 2:30 pm to pick up the bike. It's the 100^th anny open house, so we ate hot dogs, fresh fruit, and lots more.  They even had a band playing.  The only problem was that a screw fell out into the intake manifold. It will be ready in about one hour. It's now 4 pm.  How lucky can we get?  HD has a National Patriot ride from California, ending in NYC on 9/11. The ride just came through the dealership, escorted by firetrucks and police.  How cool is that?  The dealership was founded in 1947 by Ann Schulteti, who is now 92 years old, and was at the open house.  The whole family works there.  Her 3-year-old great great grandson was there as well.  We got photos and autographs of the whole family.  It was so much fun!  Problems are what you make of it.  A broken down bike turned out to be quite a positive experience.  We got to Columbus, Ohio about 10:30 pm and ate at the Steak N Shake.  We stayed at the Wellesley Inn & Suites.  Johnny negotiated a $69 rate, almost $20 off!

SEPTEMBER 8, SUNDAY
Sandra checked her cell vm. A security guard left a message that he found Lance's wallet, but he didn't leave a phone number.  It's 8:20 am.  Lance went to Steak N Shake, hoping it's there.  Thank goodness.  The wallet was there, right across the freeway from us.  Strange the guy never said he was with the restaurant.  Lance thinks he wanted to keep the wallet. Before leaving, we all sing happy birthday to Sue!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!  We pulled out at 9:25 am, got gas at 10:40 am, and made it to Erie, PA at 1 pm.  Now eating good buffalo wings at Quaker Steak & Lube.  Left at 2:20 pm.  We saw corn and soybean fields everywhere until we reached New York.  Then we saw vineyards.  We didn't know NY had wineries.  We used George (Bob's GPS) to come across the Canadian border and get to Quality Inn Clifton Hills.  Correct street, but George thought the hotel was on the right.  It was on the left.  George was great throughout the whole trip – even though he took us on a few scenic routes to reach our destinations.  We got in about 5:30 pm.  Before the trip started, Johnny ordered champagne, chocolates, and roses for Sue that were in the room.  What a romantic that guy is.  We took photos and drank and toasted.  We showered, then walked down the road to The Falls.  Very cool, but not what we expected.  We thought the falls flowed into a huge river.  It actually looks like a small lake instead.  Had dinner at Hard Rock.  Gotta remember Canadian $ is not the same as US $.  Walked back to see The Falls lit up at night.  Had drinks at Ruby Tuesdays and watched The Texans beat Dallas Cowboys 19-10!!!  Woo Hoo!!  Am very tired.  Good night!

SEPTEMBER 9, MONDAY
Today is Bob and Dawn's 2^nd anniversary!  HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to our very special friends!!!  Got up at 6:30 am.  At 9:00 am, we all walked to the dock to ride Maid Of The Mist, the boat to The Falls.  It was fabulous, even though we had to put our foot down several times to keep pushy foreigners from walking in front of us.  The blue poncho rainwear kept us from getting drenched.  Of course, we had to give Trash Man our wet ponchos, which he proudly carried in his hood.  

CAN-AM Getting There Photo Album

NOTE: If you would like a copy of a photo in the album in high resolution just send me an e-mail and I will forward the original to you.
The photos in the album have been shrunk and compressed

Updated By
Lance and Sandra
Aug 16, 2009

E-Mail Lance and Sandra at web@lancesandra.com