A Magical Realist: Canada!

Well, I've finally made it to Canada! The trip takes 6 hours from Boston to Lac Morency so I left on Friday so I could make a midway stop in Vermont to visit my friend Atticus for the weekend. We had a great time. I didn't take many pictures on Friday but I was greeted with homemade pizza!

Snacks for the road.

I made it!

The next day, we woke up and made breakfast. I made us some banana and oatmeal pancakes and Atticus made us fancy carrot-grapefruit-ginger juice in her new juicer. After that, we set out on foot to check out the town. First we went by the waterfall to a tucked-away hot chocolate place:

Old pump.

Sculpture.

Another sculpture.

Waterfall.

Atticus in front of the waterfall.

Chocolate samples.

Dark hot chocolate with vegan marshmallows!

Next we wandered in and out of a bunch of stores:

Me with a book titled "How to Move to Canada."

Homemade birdhouse covered in pinecones.

Atticus with gum that says "I kissed a republican."

Another view of the waterfall.

Scenic view of some train tracks.

Last we went in the Vermont Folklife Center:

Cardboard cutout people.

Me in front of the cardboard people.

Pictures of rural scenes made with collage elements.

Atticus in front of a metal statue of a fish on a bicycle.

Me under a wooden arch.

Then we made a brief stop at her work with the intention of having me print directions, but there was a snafu with the printers so instead it was just a tour of her office. From there she treated me to Indian food (so good!) and we went back to her house to binge watch A Series of Unfortunate Events on Netflix.

Atticus draws while we watch Netflix.

On Sunday I went to the local Episcopal church. The service was really nice and they were one of the friendliest congregations I've encountered. It almost makes me wish I lived in Vermont so I could go there for church.

Sign for St. Stephen's Episcopal Church with rainbow flag under it.

My intention was to set out immediately after church for Canada, but when I got into my car I realized something. I'd forgotten my passport at home! I had to drive the 3 hours back to go and get it. At least the drive was pretty?

Bridge with icy river underneath.

Pretty mountain road with bare trees and blue skies.

When I got home, I raced through the house, said hi to my housemates, hugged my cats, grabbed my passport, and dashed back into the car. Then I decided to stop at Noodles & Company for mac and cheese to fuel me for the 6 hour drive ahead.

Me with my mac and cheese.

Picture of the road and sunset (don't worry I stopped to take this).

The drive actually wasn't bad because I love driving and singing in the car. Plus once I got into Canada I found a radio station I liked that was all in French so that was exciting. The final bit of the drive was ridiculously twisty and I got in super late. But just look at my cabin!