We left Sudbury before 7:00 AM, stopping at the Tim Horton's near Parry Sound and the Innisfil service centre. I was originally planning to take Highway 400 to the 401 in Toronto but didn't like the look of the traffic heading out of the city. Instead, we got off at Highway 89, a route that we haven't used in years. Cookstown, Alliston, Tottenham Road, Hockley Valley, Orangeville, Highway 24 and Guelph to Cambridge. That was a blast from the past.
Co-pilot Lorna kept me awake with conversation
Edsel in Orangeville
It looked pristine
We arrived at Kim and Mike's in Cambridge after noon. The family was back from church and suggested lunch at their new favourite place, Obie's Bar & Grille on Pinebush Road. We arrived just as they were opening at 2:00 PM and were seated by a lady who greeted Kim and Mike as regulars. The food and service were everything they said it would be and Lorna got a chance to spend some time with Jolene and Robyn while we ate.
Jolene has taken up knitting
Obie's Bar & Grille - Cambridge Ontario
Sandy and Kim
Robyn and Lorna
Waiting for the food
How better to pass the time than colouring?
After lunch, we headed directly on to Woodstock with a plan to meet later for a family supper. We found Heather and Tom at home after a morning of church activities and had some time to play with Fiona and Jasper.
Fiona as almost always smiling
Looking thoughtful
Bouncing
Fiona and Jasper
Heather suggested we go to Camp 31, a southern BBQ place in Paris, Ontario. It was based on the original Camp 31 established in 1908 in Brewton, Alabama, which started serving BBQ in 1985. The restaurant was about 25 miles away on Highway 403. I texted Mike, who was actually closer to Paris, and we set up a time to meet. What I didn't do was call in a reservation.
We arrived at Camp 31 just after Kim and Mike and were told that it would take about a half hour before they could seat a party of eleven. We spent the time outside catching up while the grandchildren played. Jasper was a big fan of the Cars movie franchise and liked the Tow Mater replica out front.
Sir Tow Mater, KBE
There was no trouble finding the place
They travel
And win
1, 2, 3 and swing
It wasn't a half hour when they summoned us to a long table set for eleven. The interior decor was a definite homage to the rustic feel of southern BBQ places we have been in. The fellow who served us was engaging and competent.
Paying attention to my carbohydrate restrictions, I ordered a two meat combo (brisket and sausage) and coleslaw. The brisket was good and the smoked sausage was the best I have ever had. Everyone else, including the young ones, seemed to really enjoy their selections. It was not inexpensive, but it would deserve a return visit.
The family gathered
My brisket, sausage and slaw
Sandy's brisket, slaw and cornbread
Lorna had (cat)fish and chips
Imagine a pulled pork poutine
Mike opted for quesadillas
Tom went the burger route
Heather's meal looks like a cheddar/brisket melt sandwich
By the time we wrapped up the supper, we found that we were pretty tired after a long day. Sandy, Lorna and I opted to go directly to The Best Western Plus in Woodstock where we had a room reserved. We said our goodbyes to everyone in the Camp 31 parking lot.
Just as we were leaving, a very nice vintage pickup truck arrived. It bore a sign on the door indicating it belonged to J. H. Minter Farms of Woodstock. While obviously in prime condition, the paint had been done to convey a feeling of age. It was quite impressive.
Seen at Camp 31 BBQ in Paris Ontario
On the way back to Woodstock, I got a call from Leslie, an old friend and one of my Sudbury Trail Plan Vice-Presidents back in the day. She and husband Eric had bought a boat to live on for the summer. The original owner of the boat was supposedly Pete Townsend of The Who. In any case, she was calling to say hi and tell me she had met Al, a golf buddy, in a lock on the Trent Canal. I didn't even know Al had a boat.
We checked into the hotel without incident, but I got sidetracked in the parking lot by a couple on a GL 1500 Goldwing from Prince Edward Island. Dave and his wife were active in the GoldWing Road Riders Association and they were in the area visiting offspring. We spent quite some time talking motorcycles and travels until Sandy came to collect me.
It wasn't long after we hit the room that we were all asleep.
Today's Route (378 Equinox miles):
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