FOURTH-OF-JULY, Day 8

HAPPY 4th of July to you ALL!!! Prior to our leaving Montreal, Bob and I walked the city streets one last time...this is just one example illustrating the focus on fashion that this city possesses.

This is a photo depicting contrast between the "old" (cathedral's spire) and the "new" (glass skyscraper) that co-exist in this metropolis!

St. James United Church - inside...

Depiction of Christ the Saviour and His followers...

our favorite perspective of St. James Cathedral.

Bob and I arrived at an underground shopping mall in successful search of those "deux" doughnuts that Bob so ADORES!

YES! You all are getting the true picture here...all we really do on this trip is EAT, EAT, EAT!!! (A little-known fact: Canadians refer to Americans as either of 2 slang terms..."Yanks" or, our favorite, "You alls"!)

St. Catherine Catholic Cathedral...

This does not begin to depict the magnificance of this huge cathedral!

Our "Hotel Vogue" will be sorely missed. Now, we have to pack up and DRIVE, DRIVE (eat!), DRIVE some more!

Canada-US border upon re-entry to America (Vermont, here we come!) "Honey, get out our PASSPORTS!"...

We are greeted by an officer with a barrage of questions, followed by a quick inspection of our PASSPORTS, and a simple (dreaded!) statement..."These passports are 'no good'!"..........................."WHY NOT?????????," we asked. Well, neither of you ever signed them. (As we process this brief, yet powerful, statement, Bob and I look at each other bewildered...) The kind officer finally smiled and said, "Just sign them sometime today!" :>] [<:

En route to Newport...crossing a scenic bridge in Vermont...

Finally here, Bob and I decide (once settled in our more MODEST hotel) to eat at the Local elk-meat restaurant in a small town of pop. 3,000, "The Cow Palace." Here is Heather in front of a group of majestic elk...there IS some resemblance, eh?

Bob amidst the elk-horns...

a very QUAINT town...

4th of July decorations adorn the entrance!

I have to say, these elk burgers and fries are mouth-watering and better than ANY hamburger we have had!!!

a local beauty...

a picturesque park along the local lake, Memphrimagog Lake! (that's right...say it three times fast, then three times BACKWARD)

We are driving to Jerry and Debbie Voll's house on the lake...they are both educators from Phoenix that we both know, and 6 years ago, bought a summer home lakeside where they stay for the summer months. They were very kind to invite us to share 4th of July festivities with family and friends this year...

This is how most people must envision New England to look...charming and quaint!

Here we arrive (along with several kids and adults) at the Volls'!!!!! We aren't too hungry, because we just devoured 1 medium elk...but when we see and smell the pot-luck fare, we decide we don't want to offend!!! Time again to EAT!

some of the "girls" on the lake-facing porch...

Who is this EXPANDING COUPLE??...

Picnickers down below the elevated porch...

Deb and Jerry's family members...

HERE THEY ARE...Jerry is a Phoenix Elementary School Principal, and Debbie (she's the one on the RIGHT!) is a delightful professor at Paradise Valley Community College! Lindsay had the privilege of taking one of Debbie's classes a couple of years ago, and she told me several times that Deb is one of her most favorite teachers of all time!!!

Jerry and Bob slipped away to relax in Jerry's boat down at their dock. Bob made the comment that he could sit there forever - it was so PEACEFUL!

This little guy was so proud! He caught this 7-inch fish BARE-HANDED in the shallow water by the dock!

Wait! You're supposed to COOK THE THING FIRST!!!

Their 3-year-old grandson, Keegan, loves to go out on the motorboat, but Mom makes him always wear his "HO Sports" lifevest! I LIKE HIS STYLE!

Jerry is very huggable!

He took us for a ride along the shoreline so we could spy (I mean, enjoy!) the various lake-side getaways. BEAUTIFUL!

Voll's "cabin" up on the hill, as viewed from below on the dock...

Keegan and Grandpa driving us across the lake on the boat. The little guy took this very seriously!

There they are AGAIN!!! We're wondering what it feels like in AZ right now....110 degrees perhaps????

a GRAND getaway "cabin"!

and another...

This is one of Deb's (and Heather's!) favorites. It looks peaceful, comfy and "lived-in"!
This is the final picture for today. After we thanked the Voll's for a memorable "4th" celebration, we moseyed back to our place, the "Newport City Motel" on East Main Street. We hope you all had a GREAT DAY, and want you to know that when you send us a message after viewing our blogspot, we really enjoy it!!!(except Jesse! : > ] )