Wow I am getting behind!! I think I left off with the fireflies! Well that was exceptional! I even took a video I am sure you would all just love to see it!!
June 21st, the first day of summer and we are off to Dunnville, a small town on the Grand River by Lake Erie. We have a reservation at the Byng Island Conservation Park just across the River from Dunnville. Dunnville is the town where I was born and I have not been here for 30 years, so I am looking forward to seeing if there have been many changes. The little house my parents built all those years ago is still here on Broad Street and it is in very good shape, the gardens are lovely so I would say the people who own it now love it. We next head uptown and not much has changed here, the restaurant my Mom worked at (Knowles) is still there and still Knowles. Now to find my grandparents farm, it seemed fairly easy 30 years ago, but those memories are that much older and it is quite a bit more difficult. The railway tracks are gone! but after some exploring we finally find it. Some changes here but basically the same. So all in all a successful trip, wish you were here little brother to see it all with me! Love you!
Next day we are off to Niagara Falls. We arrive in our campground early enough to have a sandwich then head for the falls. Some showers today and the humidity is killing!!! But the falls haven't changed still awesome and everyone is duly impressed. We buy the Adventure Pass and take in the film "Niagara's Fury" and do the "Walk Behind the Falls" save the rest to tomorrow. Dinner at the Keg, where we have a view of the falls and see them lite up at dark. Wednesday we're back and take in the "White Water Walk" a boardwalk along the gorge, then the best, the "Maid of the Mist" awesome boat ride, quite wet! After dinner we hike up to the Sky Tower (?) and view the falls from on high. Awesome! Stop for a starbuck's and then decide to see when the "Body" exhibiton is on, well we luck out as it is open until 10:00. We are there for over two hours, don't know if any of you have seen it, or heard of it, but it is very well done and very interesting!! Today was the day of the earthquake which we did not feel, funny as we were walking along the gorge Robert said "I wouldn't want to be here if there was an earthquake". There was also a toronado in Midland which we are glad we missed.
June 24th. It was another wild night, wind, rain, lightening, thunder didn't get much sleep. And again the humidity is awful!! We have a lazy morning, do some laundry, I find a watermelon in my cupboard which I had forgotten about, let me tell you that was nasty! So just a regular clean up day. The sun does finally come out and we are able to eat dinner outside.
Off today for Alliston, north of Toronto. Some time on the QEW and over the Burlington Bridge. Do some zig-zaging through the countryside, beautiful! Hilly escarpment country. Our RV park is on the Nottawasaga River, lovely setting. Our neighbours are a couple from England and a couple from Germany with those rental rv's. Bought roast chicken at Sobey's so that's dinner.
(Skipper: Just wanted to let everyone know that Missy and I are still on the trip, but we must say we are taking a "backseat" but today I caught a big fat mouse, one of two I catch here by the river, my Mom and Dad are very proud of me!)
June 26th. A Rainy drizzly morning so we are a little slow but after lunch we finally decide to drive into Toronto, even though everyone says don't go there because of the G20-G8. We plot our course on the iPhone and park in Yorkville. Maurice talked to a couple of policemen who informed us the CN Tower was closed, which we figured so we just wander around and find ourselves in Queen Elizabeth Park (northend) rather quiet until police cars start arriving. We decide it's time for us to depart so find a nice restaurant and have an early dinner. We are back home around 7pm just in time to catch the news, police cars burning etc! my gosh!
On the Road again heading for Kingston, a long day today as once again we are zigzagging through the countryside. We enjoy this as we can travel slower and see more. Arrive at our park on the Rideau Canal around 4:30 and discover many lakes and mud puddles between and around us. Oh well, at least we are not in a tent!
June 28th, We had another downpour last night, Max thought the canal was going to flood. We head into Kingston and catch a ride on the 1000 Island Boat Tour, take the 3 hour trip so we see lots of the Islands, turns out to be a nice day, some sun, some cloud but no rain. Back to Kingston, wander around, do some shopping and banking, look at some of the fabulous old buildings then stop for dinner at a great little Italian Restaurant, good food and great service.
June 29th, Cool and windy but off we go to town and catch the Trolly Tour of the City, excellent hour, see lots and learn lots! Do more shopping, there is a farmer's market in town, have some lunch and back to the rvs. Ready for some R&R before heading for the Ottawa area tomorrow.
Kingston is a great little city, we have enjoyed it, even though the weather has been blustery, and wet! Oh yes when we came back to the rv we discovered neighbours from Duncan! We don't know then but they know the Berkey's their last name is Livingstone, live in Maple Bay.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Thursday, June 24, 2010
June 24th
This is just a short note to let everyone know that we are okay. We did not feel the earthquake and we were not near the tornado. We did have a frightening storm last night (for us westerners). Like Max said this morning, if we were home we would have just sat back and enjoyed the show, but here you just never know! Our connection here is not the greatest, tomorrow we are off to small town north of Toronto so hopefully will be able to catch up and post some photos! I will try tonight but no promises!
Sunday, June 20, 2010
June 16th to 20th
Here we are camped at Turkey Point Provincial Park by Lake Erie. A very nice park and must be the first one that we have been able to drive into without trimming the trees or knocking them over! These parks are very tight!
On the 16th we woke in Sault Ste Marie to pouring rain, in fact it had rained hard all night, and once again we had water front property! We are on our way to Manitoulin Island and the countryside is quite beautiful, getting glimpses of Lake Huron now, but it is still raining and rains all day. We finally arrive at Watson's Camp on the south end of Lake Manitoulin $35 to park in the field and get the extension cord out for a little power. The sun trys to break out a couple of times so things are looking up. It is very pretty here and they will let us leave the rigs here for the day tomorrow so that we can drive around.
Up early and we're off, first to the Tea Cup Hiking trail - up to an escarpment, very imposing! Then off to Bridal Veil Falls, no hike here, it's right along the roadside, very pretty. On to Gore where we stop for fish and chips, yummy, and it's time to head back to pick up the rvs.
Bulletin! Robert just called me over to the bushes the fireflies are putting on a real show! Amazing, wish I could take a picture for you all! (I did take a video!)
Back and hook up the 5th and we're aff to catch the ferry. $247 and we're away. Depart at 3:50 and arrive in Tobermoray just before 6:00. On to Cypress Lake Provincial Park and find our spots. Very tight fit but great spot, after hot dogs we go for a short hike about the lake and park. Up in the morning and off on the hike to the grotto. Maurice decides to take a short cut but it turns out to be a long cut and we don't see him until we're back at the RV for 20 minutes. Beautiful hike into the Georgian Bay, the water is gorgeous! Wish we had our swim suites (it's a little cold tho).
But 1:30 we are on our way south to Grand Bend. Stop in Southhampton for a bank stop and see my first Cardinal! Cool! I love birds, so does Skippy! Travel down the coast of Lake Huron and arrive Grand Bend around 5:30. Try one RV Park it's full so down the road to the Pinery Prov. Park and thank heavens we get in. Call Chris and Joanne to let them know we have arrived and they invite us to dinner! Very nice as it's 7:30 by the time we get settled, have a shower and get to their house!
We spend the next day with Chris and Joanne and have a great time getting reaquainted. We explore the main drag, do a little shopping, walk down to the beach and put our feet in Lake Huron, very warm! Hot day and muggy. Have lunch then return to the house to drink more wine and just have an awesome time. It's sad to have to leave but we don't want to over extend our visit.
This morning we were lazy and by the time we were on the road it was 11:30 but we had an excellent day, we took the side and back roads down to Port Stanley on Lake Erie, then we traveled along the lake to Turkey Point. We've seen all kinds of crops, beautiful farmland, and fantastic old homes. It really is beautiful! Took the guys out to dinner for father's day and came home to catch up on all this stuff when the fireflies came out! We are truely blessed and send blessings to all of you! (sorry no photos tonight, I'll try tomorrow) Oh my, we just heard a Whip-poor-will! Gets better and better!
On the 16th we woke in Sault Ste Marie to pouring rain, in fact it had rained hard all night, and once again we had water front property! We are on our way to Manitoulin Island and the countryside is quite beautiful, getting glimpses of Lake Huron now, but it is still raining and rains all day. We finally arrive at Watson's Camp on the south end of Lake Manitoulin $35 to park in the field and get the extension cord out for a little power. The sun trys to break out a couple of times so things are looking up. It is very pretty here and they will let us leave the rigs here for the day tomorrow so that we can drive around.
Up early and we're off, first to the Tea Cup Hiking trail - up to an escarpment, very imposing! Then off to Bridal Veil Falls, no hike here, it's right along the roadside, very pretty. On to Gore where we stop for fish and chips, yummy, and it's time to head back to pick up the rvs.
Bulletin! Robert just called me over to the bushes the fireflies are putting on a real show! Amazing, wish I could take a picture for you all! (I did take a video!)
Back and hook up the 5th and we're aff to catch the ferry. $247 and we're away. Depart at 3:50 and arrive in Tobermoray just before 6:00. On to Cypress Lake Provincial Park and find our spots. Very tight fit but great spot, after hot dogs we go for a short hike about the lake and park. Up in the morning and off on the hike to the grotto. Maurice decides to take a short cut but it turns out to be a long cut and we don't see him until we're back at the RV for 20 minutes. Beautiful hike into the Georgian Bay, the water is gorgeous! Wish we had our swim suites (it's a little cold tho).
But 1:30 we are on our way south to Grand Bend. Stop in Southhampton for a bank stop and see my first Cardinal! Cool! I love birds, so does Skippy! Travel down the coast of Lake Huron and arrive Grand Bend around 5:30. Try one RV Park it's full so down the road to the Pinery Prov. Park and thank heavens we get in. Call Chris and Joanne to let them know we have arrived and they invite us to dinner! Very nice as it's 7:30 by the time we get settled, have a shower and get to their house!
We spend the next day with Chris and Joanne and have a great time getting reaquainted. We explore the main drag, do a little shopping, walk down to the beach and put our feet in Lake Huron, very warm! Hot day and muggy. Have lunch then return to the house to drink more wine and just have an awesome time. It's sad to have to leave but we don't want to over extend our visit.
This morning we were lazy and by the time we were on the road it was 11:30 but we had an excellent day, we took the side and back roads down to Port Stanley on Lake Erie, then we traveled along the lake to Turkey Point. We've seen all kinds of crops, beautiful farmland, and fantastic old homes. It really is beautiful! Took the guys out to dinner for father's day and came home to catch up on all this stuff when the fireflies came out! We are truely blessed and send blessings to all of you! (sorry no photos tonight, I'll try tomorrow) Oh my, we just heard a Whip-poor-will! Gets better and better!
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
June 9th to 15th
We're back! Since the kids are so far behind I am takin over. Besides Skipper is in the dog house as he caught a chipmunk yesterday, luckily we got it away from him before it was game over!!
So here we are in Sault Ste. Marie, the weather has been marginally better, at least warm if not dry. We had a good time in Winnipeg, our first night we did what all tourists do, found the closest mall and went to the movies :o) isn't that what they do? Next day it was windy and rainy, nasty in fact. We did a tour of the Royal Canadian Mint (no free samples) then drove downtown and trompted around The Forks, to the Market, Fort Gary Hotel etc. The weather did improve. Stayed up to midnight doing laundry (fun).
June 10th we're back on the road the weather held off and it was actually kinda nice as we cruised along heading for Dryden. Stopped in Kenora, very pretty little town but very busy, not a place where you want to be pulling a 32 foot 5th wheel, but finally a very nice man helped us find our way to the Zellers parking lot where we got parked. Walked up town, Robert wanted a CIBC branch, I bought ice cream. Arrived Dryden (not so pretty) and pulled into the Walmart Parking lot, asked permission to park and they were happy to have us. There is a Tim Horton's across the road so breakfast is taken care of, it must be the busiest Timmys in Canada!
Next stop Kakabeka Falls just west of Thunder Bay. Much rain today! The landscape is beautiful though, many lakes, lots of trees. Saw some moose (pic), very cool. Arrived at the campground in the pouring rain, very expensive. These Provincial Parks are very expensive compared to the US and their State Parks, also they charge you an entry fee anywhere from $6 to $10 on top of the camping fee. Took a look at the falls, impressive the highest falls in Northern Ontario. Drove into Thunder Bay for a look around saw a cute little beaver (pic) but we're not too impressed with Thunder Bay.
June 12, woke up to better weather and we're off. Decide to take a look at Fort William in Thunder Bay and end up spending most of the day there. Very interesting and fun. We're on the road again by 3:00 but Robert sees a sign advertising suspension bridges so we are off on a country road which soon turns to dirt (red dirt though cool) and finally we are there. $18 each later we are hiking up a canyon and over two suspension bridges, one 300 metres and one 600 metres, beautiful place, they have invested a lot of money here. On our way back to the highway we see two black bears (pic) in a field of tall grass. They are having a great time running around, standing up and then we realize there are some very large birds in the grass as well, I am sure they are Sandhill Cranes, we're not sure if the bears are after them or their young and the adults are trying to lead the bears away or what, amazing! We carry on to Nipigon for the night.
Next day it's off to Wawa. Again beautiful country and today saw a bull moose (big!). The campground host gave us a couple of options for dinner so we visit the Kinniwabi Pines Rest. owned and run by a Trinidad family, very friendly! My first Pickerel! Yummy, in fact one of the best meals we've ever had! On to Sault Ste. Marie, some beautiful views of Lake Superior. Stop at Agawa Rock and hike down to the beach to look at the pictographs, very cool! (pic) On to our campground right on the lake. Got to put my feet into Lake Superior. This campground is too far out and no internet so this morning we moved to the KOA. After we got settled we headed to the US side and took a self tour of the locks then back to look at the Bushpilots Museum. Max was very excited as we finally found a Starbucks! Well 11:30 pm and it's just started raining again, my brain is ready for bed so night night everyone! Sorry no pictures tonight, hopefully tomorrow! Well maybe I'll try a couple before I hit the hay!!
So here we are in Sault Ste. Marie, the weather has been marginally better, at least warm if not dry. We had a good time in Winnipeg, our first night we did what all tourists do, found the closest mall and went to the movies :o) isn't that what they do? Next day it was windy and rainy, nasty in fact. We did a tour of the Royal Canadian Mint (no free samples) then drove downtown and trompted around The Forks, to the Market, Fort Gary Hotel etc. The weather did improve. Stayed up to midnight doing laundry (fun).
June 10th we're back on the road the weather held off and it was actually kinda nice as we cruised along heading for Dryden. Stopped in Kenora, very pretty little town but very busy, not a place where you want to be pulling a 32 foot 5th wheel, but finally a very nice man helped us find our way to the Zellers parking lot where we got parked. Walked up town, Robert wanted a CIBC branch, I bought ice cream. Arrived Dryden (not so pretty) and pulled into the Walmart Parking lot, asked permission to park and they were happy to have us. There is a Tim Horton's across the road so breakfast is taken care of, it must be the busiest Timmys in Canada!
Next stop Kakabeka Falls just west of Thunder Bay. Much rain today! The landscape is beautiful though, many lakes, lots of trees. Saw some moose (pic), very cool. Arrived at the campground in the pouring rain, very expensive. These Provincial Parks are very expensive compared to the US and their State Parks, also they charge you an entry fee anywhere from $6 to $10 on top of the camping fee. Took a look at the falls, impressive the highest falls in Northern Ontario. Drove into Thunder Bay for a look around saw a cute little beaver (pic) but we're not too impressed with Thunder Bay.
June 12, woke up to better weather and we're off. Decide to take a look at Fort William in Thunder Bay and end up spending most of the day there. Very interesting and fun. We're on the road again by 3:00 but Robert sees a sign advertising suspension bridges so we are off on a country road which soon turns to dirt (red dirt though cool) and finally we are there. $18 each later we are hiking up a canyon and over two suspension bridges, one 300 metres and one 600 metres, beautiful place, they have invested a lot of money here. On our way back to the highway we see two black bears (pic) in a field of tall grass. They are having a great time running around, standing up and then we realize there are some very large birds in the grass as well, I am sure they are Sandhill Cranes, we're not sure if the bears are after them or their young and the adults are trying to lead the bears away or what, amazing! We carry on to Nipigon for the night.
Next day it's off to Wawa. Again beautiful country and today saw a bull moose (big!). The campground host gave us a couple of options for dinner so we visit the Kinniwabi Pines Rest. owned and run by a Trinidad family, very friendly! My first Pickerel! Yummy, in fact one of the best meals we've ever had! On to Sault Ste. Marie, some beautiful views of Lake Superior. Stop at Agawa Rock and hike down to the beach to look at the pictographs, very cool! (pic) On to our campground right on the lake. Got to put my feet into Lake Superior. This campground is too far out and no internet so this morning we moved to the KOA. After we got settled we headed to the US side and took a self tour of the locks then back to look at the Bushpilots Museum. Max was very excited as we finally found a Starbucks! Well 11:30 pm and it's just started raining again, my brain is ready for bed so night night everyone! Sorry no pictures tonight, hopefully tomorrow! Well maybe I'll try a couple before I hit the hay!!
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
June 9th, Ile des Chenes (Winnipeg)
Mom wants to blog today so we're turning it over to her! We might add a comment here and there. Hi to all you doggies out there: Booker, Salsa, Tank, Harley, Winston and Fergus (even tho we didn't get t meet you all!).
Hello everyone! Here we are in Winterpeg! Yes it's like a westcoast winter here except for the great lightening shows!! We have had terrible weather!!!! Is someone trying to tell us something? Also we discovered a great slash on one truck tire so we stopped in Yorkton at their Cdn Tire and had it replaced, luckily they gave it to us under warranty so a $220 tire for only $88. we liked Yorkton.
We enjoyed our short stay in Saskatoon, had lunch at a Mexican Restaurant, eel Burrito, it was excellent! Then we spent one night at Fort Carlton, north of Saskatoon, toured the fort, it was very interesting and the weather was pleasant except when we went to park our rig (in a big field) it started to pour, rivers were runing down the gravel road, so we parked in the parking lot (paved) for the night. Luckily they are not too busy yet. We have attached a photo of a foal we saw out in the boonies travelling to the fort, he was so gorgeous we just had to take his picture.
On we went to Good Spirit Lake, just north of Yorkton. They have sand dunes there, interesting, and a mosquito population that would blow your socks off! Nasty! Travelled through some pretty country, Wakwa, Humbolt, Wadena (Pamela Wallin's home town, there's a street named after her). It is so green everywhere, so much rain! The crops should be 80% in by now but in most places they are only 50% in.
From Good Spirit Lake we travelled to Riding Mountain National Park in Manitoba. Another beautiful spot. Kept looking for a moose and finally saw one but by the time we got stopped and I went back to take a photo he was long gone. Saw lots of deer and I think the coyotes were camped next to us otherwise was very peaceful.
Yesterday we arrived here just south of Winnipeg. Looks like rain for the next three days, we will sight see today and head out tomorrow, not sure if we'll enjoy Northern Ontario in this weather but we must push on. The roads are terrible!!!! I thought Mexican roads were bad, some of these are just as bad or worse if possible. The weather is terrible!! but the country is beautiful and we are seeing many memorable things. I'll post some photos and hope to here from some of you! Thanks to those who have left comments.
Hello everyone! Here we are in Winterpeg! Yes it's like a westcoast winter here except for the great lightening shows!! We have had terrible weather!!!! Is someone trying to tell us something? Also we discovered a great slash on one truck tire so we stopped in Yorkton at their Cdn Tire and had it replaced, luckily they gave it to us under warranty so a $220 tire for only $88. we liked Yorkton.
We enjoyed our short stay in Saskatoon, had lunch at a Mexican Restaurant, eel Burrito, it was excellent! Then we spent one night at Fort Carlton, north of Saskatoon, toured the fort, it was very interesting and the weather was pleasant except when we went to park our rig (in a big field) it started to pour, rivers were runing down the gravel road, so we parked in the parking lot (paved) for the night. Luckily they are not too busy yet. We have attached a photo of a foal we saw out in the boonies travelling to the fort, he was so gorgeous we just had to take his picture.
On we went to Good Spirit Lake, just north of Yorkton. They have sand dunes there, interesting, and a mosquito population that would blow your socks off! Nasty! Travelled through some pretty country, Wakwa, Humbolt, Wadena (Pamela Wallin's home town, there's a street named after her). It is so green everywhere, so much rain! The crops should be 80% in by now but in most places they are only 50% in.
From Good Spirit Lake we travelled to Riding Mountain National Park in Manitoba. Another beautiful spot. Kept looking for a moose and finally saw one but by the time we got stopped and I went back to take a photo he was long gone. Saw lots of deer and I think the coyotes were camped next to us otherwise was very peaceful.
Yesterday we arrived here just south of Winnipeg. Looks like rain for the next three days, we will sight see today and head out tomorrow, not sure if we'll enjoy Northern Ontario in this weather but we must push on. The roads are terrible!!!! I thought Mexican roads were bad, some of these are just as bad or worse if possible. The weather is terrible!! but the country is beautiful and we are seeing many memorable things. I'll post some photos and hope to here from some of you! Thanks to those who have left comments.
Friday, June 4, 2010
June 4, Saskatoon
Well here we are in Saskatoon, we thought Saskatchewan was dry! not so, it seems almost everyone has waterfront property! Yesterday we came through a rain storm that was deafening! Dad almost had to pull over and stop until it was over. Today though it is finally sunny and warm and we are hoping for more sun and warmth! Mom and Dad really enjoyed Alberta, they got to visit lots of family and stayed in Elk Island National Park where they saw Buffalo, beavers, moose, elk and trumpeter swans! Last night we stayed at a regional park on the North Saskatchewan River - kinda primitive but it had bunnies so we liked it. Tomorrow we are heading for Fort Carlton so Mom and Dad can see a real Hudson Bay Co Fort and Indian Village sounds like fun! Bye Bye! (PS. I was sure I had this bird!)
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