On the road again!: To - Friends in Holland, Vermont,

September 5

We had another hearty breakfast and left Montreal around 10:30. We drove to Stanstead, Quebec, close to the U.S. border and got lunch at Auberge Sunshine there. We also got baguettes and croissants to take to Norman and Jane's.

Crossing the border at the Derby Line was easy.

This is our first visit to Norman and Jane's new house which is just up the road from where they were before. It is a log home. The weather was spectacular and we sat on their new deck all afternoon with its fantastic view.

We had a fabulous dinner with corn on the cob, hamburgers from cows down the road and a delicious salad.

September 6

This is the first cold, rainy day we have had in a long time. We both wore jeans and long-sleeved shirts and rain jackets.

Our first stop was Haskell Free Library which was built deliberately on the border and meant to serve both Stanstead, Derby and Rock Island. It started as an Opera House in 1904 because Mrs. Haskell loved opera and thought it perfect to entertain people traveling by train between Montreal and Boston. The Opera House funded the library. It was declared a heritage building by both countries in the 1970s and 80s.

Citizens from both countries used the front door, although an exit on the Canadian side was an emergency exit. However, since the advent of D.Trump, things have changed. Canadians can no longer use the front door. Each side has to come in and leave from the door on "their" side.

It is a beautiful old building. Norman and Jane both signed up for library cards.

After that, Jane drove about an hour to Knowlton on Lac Brome where Louise Penny based her Three Pines, Inspector Gamache books. We visited the bookstore and ate in the cafe in the basement where we all had croissants Gamache- ham, brie and apple.

As a surprise, Louise Penny actually walked in. She was so gracious talking with everyone and open to posing for photos. One of the patrons was a beautiful, sprightly 101 year old. We had our photos taken with her, too. Barbara told her that she'd heard her at the Nantucket Book Festival and she said that festival is one of her favorites. And, Jane thanked her for her help with the Haskell Library.