Saturday, December 15, 2012

New Brunswick and PEI







Our first camping spot in New Brunswick.  Right on the beach.  Met two couples from Alberta and spent a few evening hours by our gas campfire visiting, getting to know them and exchanging emails.  We ended up traveling with Lyd and Dwayne off and on for the next few weeks.  Great couple from Edmonton that have a house in Honduras where they spend the winters. As we travelled we met up with Walt and Mary from Camrose in various places.  They returned home to Alberta in September. 

New Brunswick was a lovely experience done in two parts.  The first trip down the east coast scenic route as we headed to PEI.  Our second night was spent on the fisherman's wharf at Richibucto where the guys bought 4 freshly caught lobsters for $20.00 cash.  Best lobster meal I have ever had and we cooked them ourselves.  We were able to stay on the wharf for a second night.  I went to a salon and had my hair cut and colored and we went for a bike ride.

Next day, up and on the way to PEI.  Still traveling the coast scenic route and it took us on a side road that was gravel for a few miles.  Actually the gravel was better than the pavement.  Finally arrived at the famous bridge to cross over to the island.  The wind was blowing but for us it was a tailwind, so blew us across the bridge.  Stopped at the info center and gathered our information for the stay, maps etc.  Our friend Norm had told us about a place call North Rustico which is really on the north side so got directions and proceeded to find this place.  Free camping at a marina.  Got to love it!!!     



 

The last evening we were here, some fishermen came in with a 900 lb. Tuna and there was cause for celebration. Lots of beer for all! Everyone connected showed up and they gave us some tenderloin from the tail.  Lyd cooked up some for the guys and everyone thought it quite funny that a prairie girl was the first one to get them to eat fresh caught Tuna.



Each day we took a road trip in the car to see some more sights.  Went to Charlottetown, thinking we would go to the Seafood Festival but got there and discovered it was very expensive for what we would be interested in so decide to do a walkaround the Historical part of the city.  Lovely and very interesting!  There was a cruise ship in the harbor so that was a point of interest as well.
After another night at the Marina it was time to move to a RV Park.  Found a great park on the north coast and stayed about 3 days.  Toured Summerside, the beaches, Farmer's market, Ann of Green Gables and many more. 


The Beaches on PEI

Ann of Green Gables



Glass bottle Church

Oh Oh, big trouble!
We stayed at Twin Shores RV Park for 3 nights where we met up with Johanna and Rolf Heimlicher, a couple that we had met in California 2 years ago.  Great visiting again.  They are heading in the same direction as we are and may see them again down the road.

Tea pot rock

Tide out

Tide in
When we left Twins Shores we decided that we would take the ferry across to Nova Scotia so left Lyd and Dwayne with plans to meet up at the RV park on Cape Breton.

                                       Bye, friends!  See you soon!


Monday, November 19, 2012

Old Quebec City!!!

View of the Chateau Frontenac from below at Harbor.
After a stressful drive in the rain, through Montreal, and through the west side of Quebec City, over the bridge, construction, we arrived at Levis, QC. Easily found the Walmart parking lot and got settled.  Several rigs there so we knew it was a good one to stay at.  We were tired from the drive so unhooked the car and took a short drive around town, checked out the ferry across the St. Lawrence river to Old Quebec City.  Decided too late in the day to go over and tour around, will wait until tomorrow.  Main street Levis is very quaint but not much open as it was late Saturday.  When we returned to the RV, we discovered that several other rigs had pulled in.  Had a visit with a couple from Charlo, New Brunswick.  They gave us the low down on some of the things to see and do in New Brunswick and PEI.  They were on their way to a Rodeo in Tite, Quebec.  Famous, almost as big and well known as the Calgary Stampede. 
Sunday, Sept 9 we were up early, and looking to go over the ferry to Old Quebec.  Jim was talking to a couple of fellows outside and one was from BC.  After discussing the options, he and Jim decided we should go in to the city together.  So glad we did!  Mennow and Vi were great company and we had a wonderful day touring the ancient city!  The next morning, we were up and on the road early to make the trip through to New Brunswick.

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Niagara Fall! Ottawa!

Hey, what can I say, we made it to Niagara Falls, and got our pictures, had a nice walk along the river and fought the Labor Day crowds.  On our way, we drove through Port Dover and a few other lovely areas.  It is very pretty all along the route.  We had a bit of trouble finding a spot to park but really not bad.  Glad to make it here and see this Wonder of the World. 
 Because it was mid afternoon, Labor Day, and a holiday was a good time to get our drive through Toronto over with.  It went amazing and we were through the area in now time.  Took a side road and drove through many small towns and communties.  Camped at Port Hope in the Zellers parking lot.  In the morning, Jim needed to find a shop that could supply him with a piece of metal for a bit of work he had to do on the hitch for the car.  Found the spot in Cobourg and of course it started to rain so he had to do the work under the awning of the motorhome.  All done, lunch over and we were on our way. Unfortunately, in our travels we had a bit of a mishap.  Going out of the Zellers parking lot, it was extremely bumpy and uneven, don't know if the cupboard door was not shut  or what exactly properly or what happened but all of our plates fell out and crashed on the floor. All smashed except one so we threw it out as well. Looking for new plates. Our next evening stop after taking more side roads and going along the river was Trenton at the Walmart.  it was a quiet nite and we were on the road fairly early next day.   
When we stopped for lunch, Jim discovered that the water pump was not working.  What next!  Drove along for awhile and then found a great spot to stop so he could check things out.  I went for a walk in this little town by the name of Bath and took a few pictures etc.  Jim was able to fix the pump, by passing the relay switch. We bought a couple of books for 50 cents each and headed down the road. Drove along the coast to the intersection just before Kingston and headed north on Hwy 15 towards Ottawa.  The landscape changes here again and the roads are not as good.  Enjoyed the drive through the area, got through Smiths Falls,(took a wrong turn) and back enroute arrived at Merrickville.  This turned out to be one of our favorite places in Ontario.
It is right on the Rideau Canal and there are locks there for the boats to go through.  Very interesting!  We parked and walked around the main street and area.  Had a beer in one of the many quaint and unique pubs and decided to check out the campground which was right in town.
Our campsite, right beside the canal.
 
We even had a fire and sat out til after 9:00 pm.  Next day, washed some clothes, took another walk, I spent some money and bought a nice little black dress, and had lunch in the Mainstreet Cafe before we hit the road.  We filled up with diesel and propane in Kemptville and proceeded to follow the directions on my phone to the Walmart in Barrhaven to park the rig so we can tour the Parliament Buildings etc.  Arrived there after a bit of confusion and got parked.  Went into Walmart for a few things and I went looking for a pedicure. Didn't have to go far and got what I wanted done.  An hour and a half later I was back in the motorhome. Took a drive around the area and went for a short walk. After a pleasant evening, we were up early, ready to tackle the tour.
 

 
  As we approached the Parliament Buildings.  Beautiful!  So much to see!
                              Hmmm,  Princess Auto,  let me see?
Jim picked up a flyer while we were waiting for the tour to start.  We really enjoyed it and were very glad we took the time.  Did lots of walking around.  Went to the Byward Market and had lunch.  Walked along the canal and just had a great day in our Nations Capital!  Were very tired after all the walking so had an early night.  We could have stayed another day, but so many place, things to see and do that we got up early and in the pouring rain were on the way to Old Quebec City.  Can't wait to see this amazing city!









 
                             



































                            

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Long Point!

We spent four lovely days with Rick and Debbie at the Marina where they have a permanent spot for their fifth wheel. The owner allowed us to park the RV close to the water. We met their new friends Karl and Marilyn who took us out on Sunday evening to Port Rowe to see the fire works. Fabulous! I could spend time going into details but the whole experience was great. So nice to see them at their home and be able to picture them there. We're sad to leave but will be certain to plan a reunion at another time.

Martyr's Shrine

Wednesday: Got up early as we wanted to finish our ride along the bike trail. We went west to Port McNicoll, stopped to view the big ship, home for the 100th Anniversary. The S.S.Keewatin. The plans are to turn it into a museum, theatre, restaurant and pub. Will be gorgeous. Continued up the way to Marina's restaurant for breakfast. Yummy! Back on the trail to the Shrine. After checking that out we biked through a lovely park and along the water at Midland. On the way back stopped and chatted with a fellow parked with his RV close to the shrine. Decided that would be a good place to move ours to. Heading back we took a turn into the Huron museum. A gal gave us her ticket so decided to return. Did some shopping and moved the bus. Cleaned up, Jim had a nap and I walked over to view the Shrine. Beautiful place. 70 acres of land dedicated to the many Martyrs in the Catholic Faith. After I returned from my tour we went across the river and toured the museum. Very interesting. When we were done decided enough for one day. It was hot and beautiful so went back to have dinner and enjoy the evening. Next morning, up early again and on the road heading to Waterloo. Drove the back roads again and stopped at Wasaga Beach fo breakfast. Took a very narrow side road through Tiny which ended up being really tiny. Glad to be out of there. It was very interesting taking the side roads and we found ourselves at a small city by the name of Elora. Very famous for some of the movies shot there. Some locals let us fill up with water and while exploring the shops noticed product from my daughter Selena and son-in-law Gerard. That was fun! Found out we were only about 20 min away from Waterlo and our friends home. Arrived at Rick and Debbie's in time to have dinner and make plans for our days together at Long Point. Rick applied on line for a permit so we could park one night on the street. Cool!