Archive for the ‘Canada’ Category

Away we go! Heading west and north

Wednesday, August 2nd, 2023

Paul and ships, boats, and Locks. He doesn’t like the water but he loves to watch this. We spent our first night on our return trip enjoying a view on the St. Lawrence Seaway from our site at Grass Point State Park. Very nice park, lots of grass and we got a spot right on the Seaway. It was a bit hazy from those fires again but we had a beautiful view in the morning.

From here we are heading into Canada. Next stop Log Chateau Park Campground near Toronto.

Moving towards Detroit

Wednesday, August 2nd, 2023

Another night in an RV lot. This one is very quiet with only a very bright light right outside of my window. London Ontario Canada is our stop for tonight. Tomorrow we will be in Detroit. The drive here was through even more beautiful farmland. Everything is so green here and the corn is almost ready for harvest. We had some local corn last week even though it is a bit early. It was still very good. At $1.25 CAD an ear it better be local and good! It was.

This RV dealer is just outside of town so this am Teddy and I went to the local Starbucks for breakfast.

This is a unique RV dealer. There are so many Airstream trailers and they display them with Tesla’s! I also saw a BMW towing a trailer and a vintage Trailer while hanging in the lot while Paul works. We looked a bit pedestrian in our Jayco RV and Honda CRV.

Another small town and Little Internet

Wednesday, August 2nd, 2023

Seems to be the theme of this trip into Canada. Grand Valley is where we are staying for the weekend. We do find very nice RV spots. This one is out of town right on the Grand River. I can hear the tiny rapids all day and night. Very calming.

Orangeville is the large city about 30 minutes away so of course it’s raining all day Friday so we go there to get supplies at the Walmart. After some research we found several things to do this weekend. One was golf! Found a very cute 9 hole course with a very interesting driving range. They also have an 18 hole miniature golf course. The best part is Teddy was welcome. Good thing cause he does not like to sit in the car when he can see us. We decided to just use the driving range at Lynbrook Golf as par 3 is not my favorite and we had a slow start to our day.

Next stop is Elora which in the research I did is a very quaint town with a gorge! What a beautiful, hopping village. The shops were all unique other than the 3 ice cream spots. One of them had handmade ice cream and apparently everyone knew it was the best. The line was long. The good news is today I had decided it was a cocktail day, not an ice cream day.

We did not walk down into the gorge, the stairs were narrow and steep and I was just not in the mood to hike back out after reaching the bottom. We could get a glimpse of the gorge from a very nice walk along the edge.

Town was beautiful, not a lot of art but this guy played for the entire 4 hours we were in the town.

We found another quaint spot to have lunch right in the middle of town. Perfect spot because after lunch Paul got onto his phone and I took a little walk. I resisted and didn’t make any big purchases but browsing was really fun. And to finish the day we enjoyed cocktails at a local distillery, Elora Distilling Company had the best Cosmopolitian I have ever tasted! The vodka is Amethyst Spirit with Triple Sec and white cranberry juice and a splash of lime juice. I bought the vodka, now I have to find the white cranberry!

Kawartha Lakes

Wednesday, August 2nd, 2023

Known for the Trent – Severn Waterway. Paul is in heaven. He will be traveling throughout this area doing dealer visits and he will definitely be stopping and watching all of the action. There are many locks along the canals and there are even lifts!

So many lakes; Balsam Lake, Cameron Lake, Four Mile Lake, and so many more.

Lifts. Kirkfield Lock 36. We watched for about an hour. These people wait to get into the lift, it takes an hour to raise the lift. Once these boats got into the lift we walked to the road way above and we saw many boats waiting for their turn once these got lifted. So I figure 2 hours to go about 100 feet in the canal. Amazing! I don’t get it but the engineering is pretty amazing.

Our campsite is not really close although there is a lock nearby in Fenelon Falls where we spent one day enjoying the small town and of course watching the boaters move from one lake to the other.

Lots of little towns and lots of farmland. Orillia is the largest town we have come across during this part of our journey. We went here one day just for the internet. Lunch was very nice, long but great food. Paul had his Poutine. It was a lot but he wasn’t happy, took 45 minutes or more just to get our food and then it wasn’t very hot. I guess even Canada is having trouble keeping up with customer demand and short staff.

We keep running into long waits at restaurants and then a longer wait to get the food we ordered. Our last attempt in Fenelon Falls we were told a 15-20 minute wait to sit on the patio with Teddy. Great, it’s lunch time and it is a beautiful day. We walked across the street watching the locks (again!) and after 30 minutes I went to check, one party ahead of you and then you will be seated. After 20 minutes more I saw the sign for subway! Yep, my least favorite but the park was beautiful so why not. My lovely lunch with a cocktail just turned into a 6”italian sub and a fountain soda on a park bench. The view was the same and the price was probably half! Paul’s happier and Teddy could care less.

Today we are going to another lock on the Trent canals. Very nice little town of Bobcaygeon. Same type of town, locks very busy as it is Sunday. I guess they all have to get back to work. We enjoyed a local ice cream Kawartha Lakes Creamery. Very good ice cream. The first place had a line at least 40 minutes! Not worth it but Paul found us another spot right in town with no wait. Great ice cream and another park bench with a view of the locks. This is becoming a theme of this week.

Canada, just across the Strait

Thursday, September 8th, 2022

From Port Angeles you can take the ferry to Victoria; We went for lunch. It was a little work to be able to board the boat. You had to go on the night before and register and prove your vaccination status, load your passport info and then you get a scan that you have to bring with you. Then when you get to the ferry in the US they confirm that you have everything you need before you can board. The boat ride was very nice but then when you get to Canada you have to stand in line for about 20 minutes to present your passport which has all the info that you uploaded to them the night before. It takes all day! We left home about 7 am and got home about 5:30 pm. It was a perfect day and lunch was fun. We had lunch at Redfish Bluefish which turns out it is a first choice among the locals. I found it on Yelp and it was walking distance from the ferry. Turns out its right on the pier in a shipping container. Walk up ordering only and a few bar seats if you are lucky – we were! The fish dog was great – a fish sandwich on a hoagie roll. Paul had fish taco’s which were huge.

Besides lunch we walked around town until my feet hurt!

houseboat city
Fun plant sculptures
Now that is eye catching!
The Empress Hotel
The water taxi – we watched these run across the harbor

If you look closely you can see the 3 planes that are part of the water airport. Paul knew the names; de Havilland Otter and the de Havilland twin Otter. We watched many of these take off.

Coming home you go through US customs in Canada before getting on the ferry but then you have to present your passport in WA also and declare (again) any big purchases you made! That process was pretty fast but seemed redundant. We had a great day but it was too long to leave Teddy home. We won’t do that again for awhile!

Week of Sailing

Friday, August 12th, 2016

Bon Voyage!

                    Bon Voyage!

We had an amazing week with friends and family among 3000 other guests as we sailed into Alaska from Seattle.  Our group was 17 and we had family from New York, Colorado, San Jose as well as many friends from home.  It was definitely the way to celebrate my birthday.

The boat was lots of fun, with the expected entertainment, food choices, and amazing care in the cabin.  We were all grouped together so the halls were a bit noisy and the balconies were a place to visit your neighbor even if it was 6 am – there were whales!  and icebergs, and a few bald eagles.  We didn’t want anyone to miss the excitement (or was it we were awake so why shouldn’t our friends)!  One evening we had a pesky towel man that would not turn the TV off!

Next time I want the private room, please

Next time I want the private room, please

We ate too much, tried to exercise but the activities never end so it is really easy to say “run in circles on the track (1/9th of a mile long) or go play bingo!  We played lots of card games,  had a little survey test to get to know our friends better,  sang a little Karoke!  I found out Nick (son-in-law) can really ROCK it!  We saw the shows, drank a few drinks of the day, learned how to put an outfit together from others suitcases when someones suitcase didn’t make it until day 3 –  thats a long story!  We sat in the hot tub reminiscing, sun catching and of course a lot of sightseeing!  We saw whales off the boat; a porcupine, a couple of bears, salmon swimming upriver, and some bald eagles.

We took a tour of the Glacier and a waterfall; we rode the train that was the same route for the Gold Rush in Alaska; Ziplining in British Columbia; and a PediCab ride around Victoria.  The weather was pretty good, one rainy day in Skagway where we found you can still get condoms for $1!,  the beer is $8.  The seas were calm and no one got sick or lost, except for those 3 suitcases.

Formal, Captains night!  We actually got everyone in the photo!

Formal, Captains night! We actually got everyone in the photo!

Setting sail,  Stephanie, Amy, Judy, Arlene, Cindy, Nick Me, Paul

Setting sail, Stephanie, Amy, Judy, Arlene, Cindy, Nick Me, Paul

Mendenhall Glacier outside of Juneau

Mendenhall Glacier outside of Juneau

The trail to Mendenhall.  Why would you want to hike on the Bear Trail?

The trail to Mendenhall. Why would you want to hike on the Bear Trail?

Yep, it was a little chilly on the walk to the Glacier

Yep, it was a little chilly on the walk to the Glacier

Mendelhall Glacier

Mendelhall Glacier, and my girls!  

Swimming Salmon.  Near Mendelhall Glacier

Swimming Salmon. near Mendelhall Glacier

Dinner wit the whole gang, I think!

Dinner wit the whole gang, I think!

Whitehorse Train

Whitehorse Train

Looking to the harbor where our Ship was docked from our Train

Looking to the harbor where our Ship was docked from our Train

Warming up on deck after a day in Skagway

Warming up on deck after a day in Skagway

Glacier, we sailed right up to this one.  We were less than a 1/2 mile from it.  Saw a couple chunks break off.

Glacier, we sailed right up to this one. We were less than a 1/2 mile from it. Saw a couple chunks break off.

Victoria Harbor

Victoria Harbor

Monkey Tree,  It looked fake, almost like a tiny cell tower!  We saw several so I guess they were real

Monkey Tree, It looked fake, almost like a tiny cell tower! We saw several so I guess they were real

I think this guy has my donut!  It probably looks better on him after 6 days of overeating and never missing dessert!

I think this guy has my donut! It probably looks better on him after 6 days of overeating and never missing dessert!

Another wonderful memory.  Sharing it with my friends and family was the best part of the whole week (and a couple chocolate cakes with vanilla ice cream).  Can’t wait to get home and see everyone again.

Perfect area, lousy weather

Monday, September 30th, 2013

When you live in your RV and travel like we do you are bound to have one of those experiences where the area is prefect but the weather just isn’t cooperating.  We are in Kelowna, BC in a very cute little campground right on the banks of Lake Okanagan in the Okanagan Valley.  This area is beautiful and full of wineries.  They are growing bright purple grapes everywhere but it was just too wet to really get out and explore. Besides, the price of alcohol is prohibitive in Canada so why even taste!  We walked a little in downtown enjoying some of their public art and we found a Geocache – our first in Canada.

Brower Hatcher

Brower Hatcher

This was my favorite art piece.  Inside there are shapes that represent things in the lake; there are fish, lilly pads, and it lights up at night.  We found our geocache right near the bear.  We usually forget about this activity but we met a couple that were doing a community geocache and after talking with them for a bit then decided to find one here.

The weather is not only wet it is pretty cold and windy so we stayed in most of the weekend.  On Sunday we went to a movie.  This is our second movie in two weeks and that is a record for us.  Neither movie was really worthy of going to the theater but it was better than sitting home watching reruns!  Movies here just like everything else are a bit pricey.  $39.  for two tickets, a large popcorn and 1 soda!  We watched Meet the Millers on Sunday and while we laughed a lot this movie was a bit slow.  The other movie we watched last week was The Family – Paul’s choice.  It had lots of shooting and you were suppose to love the family but they were just too weird!  Both movies I think the story was there but I never fell in love with the characters.  Paul says Jennifer Aniston is pretty hot for 40!

We will be back in the states tonight and I am ready to get back to normal, whatever that is!!!

Wish we had more time!

Thursday, September 26th, 2013

My favorite photo of Canada!

My favorite photo of Canada!

Trees, hikes, glaciers, lakes, rivers, streams and snow!

Woke up to this our first morning

Woke up to this our second morning

We are spending a few days in Lake Louise in the Banff National Park, Alberta.  The elevation is about 5000 ft and Lake Louise Village is the highest village in Alberta which means it is cold here!  Paul still has on his shorts our first day but wished he had worn jeans by the afternoon when we took a ride onto the Athabasca Glacier.

Glacier ride

A million dollars per vehicle to bring tourists to the base of the glacier

A million dollars per vehicle to bring tourists to the base of the glacier

This was a highlight.  From the viewing area you can see the glacier but getting to walk on it was even better.  The ride was very cool, almost disneyland like.  The beginning of the ride you descend at a 30 degree drop and the vehicle moves effortlessly at about 6 mph.  The 6 wheels are made by Goodyear or Michelin and are about 3 feet thick and almost as tall as I am.

The glacier base in infront of these two vehicles

The glacier base in in front of these two vehicles

Standing infront of a small crevas of running water from the glacier

Standing in front of a small crevas of running water from the glacier

Athabasca Glacier

Athabasca Glacier

The glacier is approximately 6 km (3.7 mi) long, covers an area of 6 km2 (2.3 sq mi), and is measured to be between 90–300 metres (300–980 ft) thick.  I can’t even imagine this!  When you walk on it, it does not feel any different than an ice covered parking lot other than you know and you are surrounded by snow and ice!   We saw some ice hikers that were lowering each other into a crevas which our guide said they go down about 300 ft!  Wow.

The Ice Field Parkway connecting Banff NP and Jasper NP has all kinds of lakes, rivers and streams and of course the glaciers.  Most are only visible from the road and are surrounded by amazing mountains.  We got our first touch of snow just before the tour area of the Athabasca Glacier.

First snow fell yesterday!  So peaceful

First snow fell yesterday! So peaceful

 

Ewww. Yellow snow

Ewww. Yellow snow

Lake Louise is a very unusual lake in that it has a Glacier feeding it from the top

Lake Louise 2

 

 

And a huge Fairmont at the other end!

Fairmont from 500ft above!

Fairmont from 500ft above!

Yep, I hiked a 1 mile trail up 500′ to get this view!  Walking through the fresh snow was amazing!   It was only inches but you needed your earmuffs and parka because it never got 40 degrees all day!

Even the birds are slower now!  I got this shot only about 8' away

Even the birds are slower now! I got this shot only about 8′ away

So cute

So cute

Morraine Lake

Morraine Lake

Morraine Lake is know as the valley of ten peaks – I could see them but the picture didn’t.  Another beautiful lake but the cold is getting to us so we chose to just look and not explore!  The snow is melting but more is to come!

Along TC1 inside the park we kept seeing these overcrossings.  They are built solely for wildlife to cross in their habitat.

Wildlife crossings

Wildlife crossings

We didn’t see much wildlife during our stay here other than lots of birds and one large family of Elk however the campground has a special area for tent and soft sided RV’s that is inside an electric fence!  The bears pass through the area often so the tents are not safe.  Lots of warnings about not leaving anything outside and the ranger is driving through often to make sure.  I was a bit nervous walking in the woods, in fact on our hike up the trail on Lake Louise Paul played music to calm my nerves!  Not really but it was fun to see the other hikers faces when they came upon us huffing up the hill singing Willie Nelson!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Poor Duke!

Monday, September 23rd, 2013

Some days Duke is our source of entertainment!

Really!

Really!

We tried to get his photo driving a bobsled but even Duke has his limits!

This is so cool, the do it yourself car wash has a do it yourself dog wash.  You put in the coins and choose which cycle you want just like the car.  Duke and the car got a bath for $10! and the house isn’t a mess!

Are you ready?

Are you ready?

Duke is having a heart to heart with his dad!

Duke is having a heart to heart with his dad!

The things you find just wandering around and not having a “normal” life!

 

Riding an Olympic Ski lift

Monday, September 23rd, 2013

1988 Winter Olympics is the site of the  debut of the Jamaica National Bobsled Team.

The inside of the bobsled track

The inside of the bobsled track

Visiting these locations of past Olympics makes me want to attend an event someday, however visiting after has it’s benefits; no crowds, no long lines, no freezing temps, etc.

The Ski Jump tower

The Ski Jump tower

During the summer they use the tower for the zipline course.  It is a very fast, high run so they have parachutes that slow the rider!

Wheeee...

Wheeee…

 

Calgary from the Olympic Tower

Calgary from the Olympic Tower

We enjoyed an afternoon of watching summer sports on a ski mountain.  Like Whistler they have lots of mountain biking.  The Bobsled track is here and operates during the summer where a professional driver will give you a ride thru the 14 turns at speeds up to 100 km/h.  They had closed it for the season but that would be one to add to the bucket list!

 

Ready, Set, Go!

Ready, Set, Go!

We did get to ride the Skyline Luge!  What a lot of fun that was.  We look like cartoon characters!

 

Our first Selfie!

Our first Selfie!

We are closing in on the end of our time in Canada.  We had one really cold day so I’m ready to head south!   A beautiful country but traveling here takes a lot more effort than just wandering around the states!  Learning about the metric system has been a challenge especially since our little HHR is truly American made and does not have Kilometers on the speed odometer!  We have to turn on the GPS to know how fast to drive.  Money:   Loonies, Toonies, and play looking bills!  You need a lot when you are here, especially in British Columbia!  Locals tells us that BC stands for bring cash!  Alberta is not as expensive but still more than home.  And then they don’t have pennies so either you make out by a couple of cents or you lose out on a couple of pennies!  They do rounding.  Shopping requires you to understand math!  And of course the lack of being able to use my phone at will!!!!