Happy Canada Day to my friends up north! It was finally time for me to return to the US and, I guess, my body clock knew that. I was only able to sleep until 0515. This did allow me to some some teleworking very early from the hotel. At 0800, I went to breakfast in the lobby (VERY crowded again). Back in the room, I continued teleworking. I'd asked for a late checkout (due to some meetings) but the hotel front desk called at 1215 to ask "why haven't you checked out?" I assured them that I had coordinated a late checkout and they relented. Fortunately, I had packed the night before so, at 1245 (done with my meetings), I departed the hotel. Another bonus: I was able to carry everything back to the parking garage on Sanguinet (UQAM) in one trip. After using my paper ticket, I got to my car and then left the garage (1255). I found this parking location to be very inexpensive. Next, I drove west towards the Notre Dame des Neiges Cemetery. At around that time, one of my work colleagues (Rakesh) called but I asked to call him back later. Carefully avoiding tickets (I do feel like I know the traffic rules better now after I researched them online), I drove through town until I reached the NDdN entrance near the St. Joseph's Oratory. After trying to get my bearings inside the cemetery, located the family plot (1330). Owen Coogan was a direct ancestor who didn’t complete the journey from Ireland to the US like the rest of his siblings, cousins and children. He was living in Montreal when the Constitution Act, which officially created the Confederation, was signed in 1867. Since his death in 1885, the rest of the family departed the country and the upkeep of the family plots was left to the cemetery staff. I’ve actually been in touch with them during the last few years and believe they have done a good job. However, the elements have not been kind to the stones and I was starting to get concerned they’d be illegible in a few years. Fortunately, I recently learned some new techniques for tombstone upkeep from one of my New Hampshire friends (Denis I.) and thought I’d try to make improvements myself. This idea was inspired by my experience during El Dia de Los Muertos in South America, when family members spent a holiday improving the final resting places of their departed cherished ones. The love and respect they showed was very moving and I hoped to emulate their dedication, Ultimately, I think I made some good strides towards getting the letters to “pop”. The cleaning even revealed a different spelling for Owen’s wife’s maiden name: O’Here vs. O’Hare, as we’d always read it. The weather was great while I worked in the tall grass of our family’s plot and I even had time to clean a second stone. During this project, I was startled by fearless families of groundhogs and raccoons - they got so close! Hopefully, today’s efforts will ensure that the lettering on the stone that memorializes Owen’s journey across the sea can be appreciated for years to come! I left the cemetery at about 1430 and got on A-20. Making my way to A-10, I drove out of Montreal and crossed the Saint Lawrence River. I made one work call (Rakesh) after I'd hit some traffic (camper broke down). Got on A-35 and later stopped in St-Jean-Richelieu for lunch at a restaurant called "Scores". My order ended up being a nice platter of meats, veggies, rice, etc. Also got pie ala mode - mmm... At 1535, I got back on the road (A-35 again) and made good time to QC-133. Passed the time with audiobooks and calls with my daughters. Made it to the border by 1615 and there was only one car in front of me - maybe Monday traveling is smarter than other days. From there, it only took two hours on I-89 for me to reach home. Unpacked at 1815 and resumed teleworking for part of the early evening. Overall, I had a great trip!
