We woke a little early last Thursday, the 12th of September. Knowing we had a lot of work left before we could leave. Even though the packing had been done the day before, and the back of the truck under its cap loaded up with all the paraphernalia we tend to take along with us for a week away from home. Not that the cottage we've been renting for the past several decades that allows us to bring Jackie and Jillie with us, isn't functional enough. The kitchen has a full-size refrigerator and stove, and all the basic essentials for meal preparation are there. But there are so many things we tend to take with anyway for me to feel 'comfortable' in the kitchen preparing meals that I find indispensable. We keep a fair-sized box fully loaded and ready-to-go for just such occasions.

There's clothing for us and for the puppies, meant to fit the bill regardless of the weather conditions. And the ten-day weather forecast for the Waterville Valley was dismal; rain, rain, overcast skies, and one day of sunshine. Cooler temperatures as well, since we'd be in the mountain landscape we so admire. That all needed packing.

That morning we showered, fed the puppies, took them out, prepared a brunch for all of us that we'd share once we crossed the border into Vermont from Quebec, closed up the house, took a long last, lingering look at the garden and off we went on a cool, overcast and windy day, knowing that the forecast for home and for our destination were both calling for showers. No showers; the rain had stopped at the cottage in the morning and by the time we arrived it was well over.

The drive was non-eventful and pleasant. We chatted together and discussed events in the news, with a focus on the upcoming federal election later in the month. So time passed quickly When we got to the border four hours later there was an unaccustomed wait. Only one border line was open for business and things went quite slowly. It took us a half-hour before we could cross. And the Vermont welcome and rest centre is located just five minutes from the border and it's where we headed directly toward.

We walked the puppies on the newly-mown grass, which was in fact more thyme than grass, and the thyme was in flower and redolent with its herb fragrance as we walked upon it. It's as tough as any grass and a lot prettier as well. There are a number of specimen oaks, a lovely old elm, a few crabapple trees on the property, and adjacent the rest centre is a milking farm of Holsteins, Guernseys and Jerseys, overlooking the Green Mountain range of Vermont.

We brought our coffee, tea and brunch over to the only picnic table directly warmed by the sun; all the others under trees and well shaded. We needed the sun to warm us up given the height and the cool temperature. We split a boiled egg between Jackie and Jillie; he prefers the yolk, she will eat anything. The cattle, intrigued by our presence, left their position on a lower, distant pasture, and came trickling over in bunches.

They're curious creatures and wanted to know what and who we were and what we were doing, although the whys of it all undoubtedly eluded them. Jackie and Jillie responded to the presence of the cows by barking furiously at their presence. Jackie was a little interested in approaching the fence and the large bovines standing there.

Finally, we said goodbye to the cows, to the rest stop, and continued on our way. For a change, when we reached the Franconia Notch the sky was semi-clear; so often we drive through the Notch in rain or under low-slung, dark skies. When we arrived at our destination, Jackie and Jillie recognized where we were. When Donna, our hostess approached us as we parked in front of the cottage the puppies ran gleefully toward her, insisting on being greeted like the little princelings they think they are. Donna kindly obliged.

They entered the familiar cottage, and as we unpacked and put things in order, they relaxed after the arduous hours they spent fast asleep beside us in the truck, Jackie mostly on my lap, Jillie resting her head on my husband's lap as he drove. They're little troopers and they're excellent companions whose company we truly appreciate.

And then it was time to leave the cottage and do the food shopping at the local Hannaford's supermarket, to stock up the refrigerator with all the ingredients needed for meals for the next week for all of us. We were informed years ago that no one would mind our taking the puppies in with us. They sit quietly on the kiddie seat of the shopping trolley in their carry bags while we select foodstuffs off the shelves and do our best to accommodate all the people whom the puppies attract, from excited children to elderly men and women -- all who want to see them up close and personal.