Billeting

Being billeted sounded to me like you're going to be lined up and shot at dawn. Thankfully, here in Canada, it has a wonderful meaning - taking tired bikers into your house overnight, letting them do their sweaty bike clothes laundry, and feeding them great food or even a glass of wine/beer. It is Sunday - our 1 day off of riding - and 4 of us are billeted at the wonderful house of Audrey & Ron Vahrmeyer in Vineland, Ontario. Not only is their house beautiful with perenials surrounding the perimeter and a gazebo to top off the yard, they are surrounded by fields and orchards - some of my favorite landscapes. I woke up at 7:15am this morning and was drawn to take a walk through the orchards. It brought me back to the summer days in Michigan when I worked as a wrangler at a camp and my friend Julie and I would canter the horses through the orchards off Lake Michigan Drive - sometimes at night (I was younger and braver then). I've had interesting conversations with Ron about his very loved german shepherd who died a while back and with Audrey regarding healthy eating - she shares a lot of the same healthy eating habits and even has a reverse osmosis water filter - I'm definitely filling up my water bottles here=)

So far today has been surreal - walking through orchards, sharing a great breakfast with our hosts, stretching our tired limbs, wine tasting at 1 of the surrounding wineries (this was a very restful part of our sabboth), and relaxing until the celebration rally in St. Catharines this afternoon. We are praying the forcasted rain will hold off.

Sandy and I were billeted 2 other nights at George/Effy Holtrop's and Ann DeJonge's houses. Each time these people have made us feel like family and given us a break from setting up our tents. I know I told you all we were going to rough it camping (and we mostly are), but we don't want to turn our back on hospitality and the welcome break for us. I's better go and relax a bit more before the rally - it's back to the US tomorrow.