Forget Downton Abbey, I want a show about this place

If you're ever in Glasgow, Scotland, and you take the Erskine Bridge, head Westbound on the A82, and, approaching Milton, you stay in the right hand lane before you take the turn off that is opposite the Arnold Clark dealership, do not, I repeat, do not take your dog. Or at least make sure he's good and leashed.

For you will have arrived at Overtoun House

in West Dumbartonshire, hard on the river Clyde, a castle built in the later 1800's as a retreat for a wealthy industrialist named James White, then bequeathed to the burgh of Dumbarton on the eve of the war in 1939. And it is here, on a bridge over a steep ravine, where an unleashed dog may inexplicably jump to his death. Yikes.

So far there have been more than 50 reported such deaths and though there are many theories, no one has an explanation. Well, except for this guy (creepy video intro alert!) whose flimsy investigation leads him to believe it's the smell of mink.  Dude, it's called the scientific method. Go read about it.

Toronto Scorecard

We spent the weekend in Toronto visiting the daughter (who is engaged to be married as of a few days ago). Many of you remember her for her poop scooping abilities. She is also a heck of a PR professional.

Some helpful travel tips:

Even though Google maps says it takes 5 hours to get there, you need to add an hour for customs and Toronto traffic, which is maddening. Build in an extra 30 minutes for when border traffic is heavy, then make sure it's ok if you're still 30 minutes later than that.

In Toronto, stay off of Eglington for a while. The construction of the subway is making a mess of traffic.

Make sure to tune in to local news about the mayor. Mayor Ford allegedly pulled a Marion Berry by allegedly (I'm going heavy on the 'allegedlys' just to be safe) smoking crack and going one better by being caught on camera. Unfortunate city rules don't provide for the opportunity to kick him out, making a mockery of the office and likely shutting down Toronto politics for another year.  Hell, they may even vote him in again.

Gas is $4.68/gallon when the going rate in Aurora is $3.09. Buy gas in Buffalo on the way and just enough in Canada to get you back across the border coming back so you can buy it in Buffalo again. Buffalo, BTW, was $3.30.

We seem to have good luck with the Rainbow bridge coming back in terms of wait time. So I am asking you all to use the Peace bridge so the Rainbow bridge stays clear. Thanks.

If you take the Rainbow bridge home and need to stop for food, I recommend Uncle Joe's Diner in Hamburg, NY. very near the intersection of Route 75 and I 90. Good pie which we refrained from trying this time around. NOTE: they get points off for playing Christmas music on November 3.

If you're disgusted with the Krispy Kreme's that they sell at the gas station, then the Peach Road exit in Erie has an actual Krispy Kreme store, where they bake them fresh. The Missus and I split a glazed doughnut that was probably 30 seconds out of the oven. Mmmm. 

A year and a half ago I didn't even have a smart phone and now I cannot wait to come back across the border so I can use it. Voice and data charges are prohibitive on our plan so all we can do where there is no wi-fi is text and check the time. We're going to look into the cost of temporary service upgrades for trips.

Toronto is a terrific city. Go there and have some fun.

Packing for the Great White North

As you may remember, my daughter  graduated college last June and has since moved to Toronto to carve out a life for herself. After a wee bit of homesickness (which she alleviated in part by getting a dog)

she is now doing very well. So we have planned a trip to visit her on her birthday in a few weeks.

Now, I usually wait to pack until the last minute, but I figure what with it being a foreign country and all I had better make a list of things to take, because who knows what they have in Canada? So here is my list so far.

Brand new undies for the border crossing strip search.

American to Canadian dictionary

Rolls of pennies to make up for the one cent difference in the exchange rate.

Parka, boots, scarf, mittens, long johns, electric socks, Chap Stick

'Curling for Dummies'

American bacon

All my Neil Young and Bryan Adams cd's.

My 'Annotated Guide to Canadian Prime Ministers' coffee table pop-up book.

Moose repellant


Plus, I'll have to practice saying, "It really sucks they're not playing hockey yet," with a straight face. 

If you have any suggestion, I'd be glad to hear them.