cdneh

But it feels wonderful, si Eh ma'am! I had a look through the footage from my dash cam. Which unbeknownst to me, was also recording audio. It was....colorful

Survived the road trip from AR to BC. Left August 11, made it back September 8th. I knew it was a long way, but man, it's a long way. I was not robbed, or carjacked, or murdered along the way, as some thought that would be the most likely outcome. Learned some things. There really are only two seasons in this country: winter and roadworks. Yikes, the further West I went the worse it was. So my scheme of not driving any longer than five hours a day, to keep my back from screaming at me, was laid waste, cruising along at the blinding speed of 25 mph. Seemed peculiar to be driving in one coned off lane of I-90 East whilst travelling West. My GPS kept blaring at me that I was travelling the wrong way on a one way street and I had better make a U-turn. After driving ten miles in that manner. Ahhh, my brand new GPS lies. Well, that's a bit harsh, but it is a trap for young players. Old ones too. Unless I selected the New Route, which wasn't always offered as an option, it did its level best to make me repeat what I had already done. Which is how I came to find myself driving over the Tacoma Narrows bridge away from Gig Harbor when that wasn't my intention. I ended up miles from where I was heading, in some sort of industrial area. I don't drive after dark, which complicated things; every pair of headlights coming my direction were surrounded my rainbow halos. An 8 min trip to my hotel from where I'd been visiting took an hour and a half. No problem at the border, in either direction. Once I was in Canada, I had to work out what km's per hour equated to in mph. There are a lot of one way streets there, and the 'all way stops' appear to be a mere suggestion for many drivers. GPS kept announcing my son's address was not found. There are six 3 story buildings in the complex, or there were. The one with that address attached to it has been pulled down, and they are erecting a 34 story tower in place of it. He had to come out and flag me down, entrances are closed and parking has been cut in half. Meh. I came in for a fair bit of honking, rude gestures, and verbal abuse. Not from my driving, as it happens. My son pointed out that people yelling Yankee Go Home was more likely down to my US license plate. Sheesh, people, grow up. Canadian are such friendly people Couple things I decided on. If I couldn't see the actual gas station or offered restaurant option from the highway, not to get off. I had several tours of lovely leafy suburbs that led to neither. Get gas before you need it, keep the top half of the tank full. There are some astonishingly long stretches of highway where there is absolutely nothing at all. Swearing at your GPS has no effect whatsoever. Am I glad to be back? No. I am glad to be off the road.

Tbone, I am exhausted simply reading this. It does affirm my decision years ago, to take every last article of my late husband's belonging to the hospice shop, to Habitat Restore, and to the local Vets association. All of it. One carload at a time. It's amazing what you can fit into the boot of a Toyota Matrix with the rear seats folded flat

It's a wonder I even found this thread. Apparently it's been a very long time since I was here. No point in trying to catch up, but I can let you know where I am at. I only hope someone remembers me, although I can't say I'd be surprised if not. And I am still here, right where I was the last time I posted. VA appeal went from the Board of veterans appeals, to the Court of veterans appeals. The board agreed they messed up, and the case was sent back down to the board early this spring for a new decision. Back to standing in what seems to be a never ending queue. Been an interesting year, kinda sorta. DX'd last year with wet macular degeneration, so I get injections in my eye on average about every month and a half. Woke up the last week of January in a ridiculous amount of back pain. Couldn't think of a single thing I'd done to earn it, either. After a couple of weeks of waiting it out, gave in and saw the Doc. Had xrays, an MRI. I didn't have to do anything to earn it, other than getting older. I have a compression fracture and a couple of bulging discs. And osteoporosis. Can't get into a specialist for that until December. The referral to PT was sent, but never arrived, so didn't do the time allotted until June. I really don't think it made a blind bit of difference. Lost my little dog in May. She had a lot going on; Cushings, tracheal collapse, cognitive disorder, and others. We managed pretty well with meds, until she couldn't figure out the couple of steps at the back door, or the ramps I put in for her, where dinner was. Paced and wandered all night, just like people do when the sun goes down. Didn't seem to know me sometimes, just seemed to lose interest in everything. So, in spite of knowing I would miss her greatly here on my own, I made the decision to do the right thing by her, and call it a day. A month short of seventeen she was. I saved a couple of her things, and the rest went to a local animal shelter. So, I am free as a bird. I have been away on a couple of short weekend trips. Next month I am hitting the road for a month. Driving to Vancouver BC to visit with my son. Have a poke around here and there. In October, I am off to London. There is a little group I went to Uni with still among the quick(ish), so we will have a small 50th reunion. I want to see the commemorative poppy display at the Tower of London before it ends in November. I am working under the assumption that I'd better do things whilst I am able. After that, it's anyone's guess

I remember you Simplest part of the entire immigration process. All the best!