Ottawa Trip - Day 2

I realized last night that this was my first time in Ottawa since (August) 1991.  Seems hard to believe my travels haven't brought me back since then...  Eileen and I slept quite late for each of us (0700) and took our time getting ready.  Steve and Heidi had suggested we meet for breakfast so there was enough time for me to take Mika for a walk, get Eileen some coffee and for us to talk some more.  At 0900, we all got together and ate a nice meal at the buffet.  We actually stayed in the dining area until after they closed (1000) and may have continued for several more hours.  However, Steve got a call about the luggage arriving at the airport.  This was a great piece of news and we drove over (short trip) to pick it up.  After returning to the hotel and sorting through the stuff that belonged to Steve/Heidi or Eileen, we ended up talking for another hour.  It was past noon before Eileen, Mika and I finally departed the hotel - what a nice visit!  All of us buoyed by the great conversation as we departed.  Eileen reminded me that we'd planned to take a walk before the expected rain arrived.  So, I again looked at my long list of planned events and realized we couldn't do any of them because there was not enough time before we had to be in Potsdam again.  Like yesterday, though, I found a "consolation prize": a complex of urban trails near Sawmill Creek.  To get there, we drove a short distance east down Hunt Club Road (ON-32) until we got on the Airport Parkway (ON-79).  Driving north, we eventually found a place where we could park (Kaladar Park) and access the trails - we started our "hike" at 1230.  The pathway followed the Sawmill Creek and was mostly next to a road, train track and bus road.  Despite the urban nature of the trail, however, there were some pretty things to see and Mika had a ball with the water, ubiquitous black squirrels and throwing sticks.  Eileen showed me some edible (Staghorn?) sumac.  I tried it and it was good (it has Vitamin C, I guess). There was some ice but the paved trail was mostly easy walking.  We turned around when we were "abeam" of a Home Depot (on the other side of the creek).  As we walked back towards the car, Mika and I played "tug of war" (fun).  By the time we were done (1330), Eileen and I were ready for some food.  She suggested that we get lunch at a place nearby that had been recommended by Steve and Heidi.  I agreed with this recommendation and, after a short drive, we arrived at the Shawarma Palace (1345).  While Eileen was parking the car and getting Mika situated, I managed to get some assistance from other patrons on ordering a plate of food.  Once it arrived, we laughed to see that the Mixed Plate was HUGE and we couldn't even finish it while working together.  The food was delicious, though!  We got done eating at around 1445 and got back on the road.  To get back to Potsdam, we essentially backtracked (via Hunt Club Road, ON-19, ON-32, ON-73 and ON-416) to the Saint Lawrence River.  Eileen and I had another great talk along the way - our conversation was light and fun after such a great weekend in Ottawa.  We both noted that there still had been no rain (we were lucky, I guess).  The border crossing wasn't stressful - line looked long but it was over 30 utility trucks that were waved through to a screening area.  The weather and views as we crossed the bridge were awesome.  Eileen's dad called as we made our way (via NY-812, NY-68 and US-11) back to Potsdam.  By the time we arrived at Eileen's house (1630), I was already tired.  To make matters worse, by then it had started to rain...  Eileen had some things to do and I still had over four hours of driving to do.  Reluctantly, I said goodbye (1640) and headed towards home.  I used NY-72, NY-11B, US-11, NY-190 and, finally, US-11 again to reach Rouses Point.  It was mostly dry and dark for most of this phase of the drive.  I actually got to talk to all three of my daughters for about 30 minutes each (what a treat!).  I encountered a line of about 20 Fire Trucks (decorated with colorful Christmas lights) that were waiting on a side road - guess I got lucky with missing a traffic jam...  When I reached Lake Champlain and got on US-2, it started raining.  From there until I got home, there was constant precipitation.  It wasn't cold, though, so I didn't worry about ice.  I listened to music and tried to stay alert.  For some reason, it seemed much later than it actually was.  In Albergh, VT I got on VT-78 and used it to reach I-89.  From there, I was able to keep up a good speed all the way home.  My dad called me and we made plans for later in the month.  I wanted to stop a few times for a bathroom break but I kept passing rest areas with hours that showed they were already closed.  I was also monitoring my gas gauge closely but I was able to make it all the way to Hanover without getting fuel.  Arrived at 2040 and unloaded in the driving rain.  Spent some time texting with Eileen before collapsing on to my couch - I went to bed about an hour after I arrived home.  This great trip reminded me that I don't have to drive too far away to find a fun weekend - it just requires friends, outdoor activities, food and creativity!