They are little brown bats that apparently think that the awning over the breakfast place is some kind of cave. They weren't bothering anyone, so I guess it's fine, but I didn't expect to find that.
Based on the recommendation of some Canadians I met in Tennessee I decided to pass through the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to get to Sault Sainte Marie, Ontario. This all seemed like an easy enough task, but that all started to change when I discovered that it was laundry day again.
I located a laundromat across the strait in St. Ignace, MI, and when I put the address into the GPS it took forever to calculate, and then told me that my arrival time would be 9 am. It was noon! And it was only 6 miles away! Upon further investigation I found that I still had it set to avoid Interstates, toll roads, and traffic, and therefore it was planning to take me on the 1098 mile trek around Lake Michigan. Amazing that were it not for a four mile bridge it would take days to travel six miles north.
So I crossed the bridge for the low price of $3.50. I find it interesting that they charge by the axle, and this meant that I paid the same toll that a car does. Nevermind the fact that 2 wheels does less damage than 4, but whatever, I got across and found the laundromat.
It seems that this laundromat has the market pretty well cornered around these parts, because they can charge $6.00 per load to wash and dry! I was beginning to dislike this U.P. to Canada plan…
While my laundry was doing it's thing my mind started to race about going to Canada. Most of the panic was coming from the fact that my phone has become a lifeline in a lot of ways. Not only is it my connection to home, but it is also how I find meetings, estimate travel times for the day, and any other number of things that get me to the next meeting. But now I was planning to travel to a place where roaming charges could quickly break the bank. On top of that I was having trouble figuring out where meetings were, even with the phone, and realizing that there were very long distances between meetings in Canada. This was going to be tough, and I was in a bit of a panic and about ready to say, "Never mind Canada!"
Then I called Mandy and she reminded me that action is the key, that I should go and try it, and if it's terrible I can always come back into the states. She was right, and I was feeling better.
So I packed up the most expensive load of laundry ever and headed north. I quickly realized that if West Texas had more trees it would be very hard to tell if you were there or on the U.P. They are essentially the same; people talk different, the landscape is flat, it's hot, and the only thing around to speak of is wind. Oh, and it's boring.
I crossed the bridge into Canada. (Paying another $3.00 toll and realizing that I had just paid $3.50 to get into a place and $3.00 to get out of it, and experienced nothing in between.) When I told the customs guy that I was going to Canada to go to meetings he looked at me sideways and said, "You're doing what?"
"I'm traveling the continent trying to do 60 meetings in 60 days."
He paused, and I got nervous. These types of situations always make me nervous, even though I haven't done anything to get caught for in a long time.
After the long pause he handed my passport back and asked what I did for a living. (I then understood why I had to wait in line.) I told him and we chatted for a second and he said, "Have a good trip."
I breathed a sigh of relief and darted away from his booth before he could change his mind. I'd made it into Canada!
Once in Canada I started to feel a little better. (Other than not knowing how fast I was going.) I located the meeting and then got some food. Then after the food I went back to the meeting and was immediately relieved by just being in the room. This thing is magic!
The chairperson, John, told a little of his story and I could swear he was telling mine. Just like what happened in Kentucky, I immediately knew I was in the right place. The conversation that followed was about taking inventory, spiritual awakenings, and love. At one point it was mentioned that as selfish people coming into the program it is impossible for us to love, but after the spiritual awakening of the steps we can begin to see it, feel it, and even show it. An extra big thanks to the Northern Group in Sault Ste Marie for reminding me what it's all about!
After the meeting some folks were kind enough to lend me some advice about camping outside of town, but after being warned about moose on the road I decided that riding at dusk was going to be a bad idea, and got a room at the Ambassador Motel. This place even gives you an actual key to your room!
The meeting reminded me that it would all be just fine, and Mandy was totally right, action was the key! Thanks, Darlin'!
Oh, yeah, and I got to see this:
