CAN-AM Rally / Tour begins!!               Photo Album at bottom!

We headed from Toronto over to Ottawa and through Montreal and then down in the states to Plattsburgh, NY through Vermont and New Hampshire.

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. We packed and headed to Toronto, which is supposed to be about 60 miles away.  Surprising to see more vineyards in Canada.  We pulled into the Holiday Inn at Mississauga about 2:30 pm, and checked into a really nice suite, with separate living area.  We registered for the ride.  Awesome Can-Am pin and belt buckle!!  Really nice sweatshirt too.  Not sure we'll wear it though.  It's not that cold.  We went to Jacox HD to have Bob's bike serviced.  Bob's bike was just this side short of having the same problem as Carlton's bike.  Lucky we got it in time. 4:20 pm and we're eating at The Red Cactus.  We're starving!  We partied until midnight in parking lot outside the hotel's front door.  Met Policeman Shawn.  After getting off duty, he went home to get his incredible paint job bike and came back to party with us.  We also made a new friend.  We asked his name, and he said, "Just call me Sweetheart."  Sue went to the kitchen and brought back club sandwiches, which we ate while sitting on the curb, having refreshments and visiting with everyone.

SEPTEMBER 10, TUESDAY
Left at 7:30 am for breakfast at Jacox dealership.  The last meeting ride was at 8:30 am.  We rode to Quinlan's HD in Huntsville, Ontario, where we had lunch.  We raced to leave so we could beat the rain, but pulled over and put on rain gear anyway.  Thundering, lightening, and it stopped before we got everything on. Decided to keep it on since roads were very wet and it was chilly.  Scenery is beautiful.  Trees, Algonquin National Park, lakes, but NO MOOSE, which we were told would be a high probability to see.  We were able to finally snap photos of one moose.  Made it to Pembroke.  Guys went into town for liquor at the LCBO store.  We girls and Bob tried to wash clothes at the truck stop across the street, but there was one washer and one dryer, so we ended up packing the bikes and going into town to the laundromat.  We bought KFC next door and ate while doing the clothes.  The attendant taught us about loonies and toonies. Until 6-7 years ago, Canada did not have coins.  The loonie was introduced.  It's one Canadian dollar.  And guess what?  A toonie is two Canadian dollars, which was introduced into the economy about 3-4 years ago.  Back at the hotel with drinks in hand, we went to the hot tub and the swimming pool.

SEPTEMBER 11, WEDNESDAY
50 degrees, so we're layering up.  Those sweatshirts DID come in handy after all!  We went to the dealership for breakfast, where we took our photo with the sweatshirts on.  Lois has joined Sweetheart. There was a moment of silence to remember those who died one year ago.  A local reporter interviewed us about our thoughts on 9/11.  Pretty scenery on the way to the dealership in Hawkesbury.  We were freezing.  Lance bought new boots, so now his feet will be dry and warm.  Had hot dogs and GREAT corn on the cob.  We dropped Sue at the airport in Montreal about 3:40 pm.  Emotional goodbyes between her and Johnny.  Traffic out of Montreal was horrible.  It took us 1-1/2 hours to get out of town.  We got to Sherbrooke's Ramada Inn downtown about 8:30 pm.  Cool little area to stay in. Had dinner next door, then went to the hotel bar for awhile.  Went to the room about 10:15 pm.

SEPTEMBER 12, THURSDAY
Had a great full egg, bacon, juice, etc. breakfast at Seddy's Pub.  We found out that 3 bikes were stolen last night, right at the front door of one of the hotels.  It's cold, but dry.  We leather up.  Tried to go to Mount Washington, but it was closed to motorcycles because of 200-mph wind and snow.  Had lunch in Berlin, NH at a Chinese restaurant. The local paper was next door and came over to interview us and take photos.  Cool!  Got to Littleton HD about 6:30 pm.  No one there.  We got a little nervous when we found out that we were staying at the Comfort Inn in Berlin.  We had lunch there several hours back!  But found out that the hotel is in Berlin, VT.  We had lunch in Berlin, NH.  We ordered Dominos pizza and ate it in the bar with everyone else. Sweetheart and Lois join us for awhile.

SEPTEMBER 13, FRIDAY
We're headed to Wilkins HD in Barre at 9:00 am.  Much warmer today.  GREAT!  Sunny!  While in line at the restroom, Sandra was surprised to find herself behind Sharon Stein, who recognized Sandra from the Big Dam Tour, which was our honeymoon. Sharon and Don got married while on their way home from that tour.  They are traveling with us now for the rest of the day.  So cool to run into them.  How super that we should be together with them and Bob and Dawn, who we also met on the Big Dam Tour.  We left Wilkins about 9:15 am, stopped for gas and arrived at McDermotts HD in Fort Anne, NY about noon.  Had hot dogs and hamburgers.  Took off long underwear and leathers, right next to the cornfields.  Beautiful day.  When leaving the dealership, a big coyote ran across the road.  We also saw deer on the way to Lake Placid.  We thought it might rain, so put on rain gear. It never rained, but it did get cool. Lake Placid is a nice community with some cute shops right on Mirror Lake.  No time for shopping though.  Saw the Olympics man-made downhill ski slopes.  Got to Plattsburgh in time for dinner at the big hall.  Met HOG regional director, Arnie Beaman. Checked into the Best Western Hotel and headed to the bar.  Lance talked to Lee Burson.  He's meeting us in Wilkes-Barre on Sunday with his new 2003 100^th Anniversary Ultra Classic.  Had a GREAT time in the bar with Don, Sharon, Annette, and Johnny.

SEPTEMBER 14, SATURDAY
Guys got oil changed. Girls did laundry.  At 1:00 pm, Johnny, Lance, and Sandra finally left to see White Face Mountain.  Fantastic view.  We took the elevator to the top, but took the stairs down, which were a little tricky with rocks as steps. Dawn stayed to get allergy antibiotics.  Annette and Carlton shipped stuff home.  Got back about 6:00 pm.  We all went to the local university for the closing ceremonies and farewell dinner.  Had a blast!! THANK YOU, HOG!!! We continued the party in the hotel parking lot.  Haven't a clue what time we went to bed. 

CAN-AM The TOUR 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