Southern Ontario and Niagra Falls

August 26, 2010
Set out for Thornton Ontario, where a friend of ours Barb Cormack lives. Barb had to cut her RV trip in the US short when she became ill on the west coast. It was hard to see her in a lot of pain, when just this spring she was so “gung ho “ about her trip. Hopefully she will soon be on the path to better health and be able to resume the RV lifestyle again.
From Thornton we headed for the Niagara region. This involved some heavy traffic in the Toronto area and large freeways again. Garmin brought us though all the traffic changes again and we pulled into Riverside RV Park ($45 bucks a night) early afternoon.
The area around Niagara is beautiful and kept spotlessly clean. There are a lot of tourists however, and prices are high. (Small dish of frozen yoghurt $5.00 and coffee $2.49) There are several tourist information sites, but getting information on what attractions are about is a challenge. We were sold an Adventure pass for $42 each that would give us 4 of the biggest tours. This included a two day bus pass on the People Mover, that ran up and down the Niagara Parkway all day long. Distance is about 20 km, so a little beyond my walking capabilities. We had no idea what we could expect from each “adventure”. Except for “Maid of the Mist” which is highly advertised. This is a boat tour that goes right to the foot of both the American Falls and the Canadian Falls,, What I didn’t count on was that there were really long lines while they crowded about 500 people on the two decks. Felt a bit like a sardine, and although I was lucky enough to find standing room by the rail, most people were in the middle of the deck with their cameras at arms length over their heads clicking pictures. The actual boat ride is less than ½ hour, getting to the boat and getting off again consumed about an hour.
The Niagara Fury, was a 4D theatre experience. While we knew that it was going to be a movie type thing, we wondered why they issued rain ponchos. We soon found out though, when experiencing the calving of glaciers ice cold water was splashed on us. I got wetter at this venue than I did on Maid of the Mist. But it was well done although very short 15 minutes. (I guess the water was the 4th dimension.)
The 3rd adventure was the Journey behind the falls. In this one you stood in line much like a cattle feed lot back and forth until you entered an elevator that took you down about 150 ft to tunnels that travel 1/3 of the distance behind the falls. There is an observation platform just at the edge of the falls (see picture) and then you travel on and on and on through a drippy tunnel surrounded by people in yellow ponchos, that leads you to the last portal and you will see from the picture the magnificent view that awaits. (I got wetter watching the movie) Then you trek back though the same tunnel, same line up to catch the elevator to the top. On our way back, a couple stopped and asked if the trip was worth it. Jerry told them if it meant missing Happy Hour, they should see about getting their money back. I now know why they do not give much information on this “adventure”. If they did no one would pay that money.
Don’t get me wrong, Niagara Falls is magnificent, and the area is beautiful. The major drawback is the sense that getting into your wallet is the main event for the operators.
Last night we went into town for dinner. Luckily we talked to a staff member who told us how to obtain free parking on Clifton Road (this is where the big ferris wheel, and all the other paid attractions are, parking is normally $20.00 most places , and here was $12 unless you knew the secret phrase (Boston Pizza). We had a good dinner and then walked down to the water again where fireworks were happening (10:00 oclock in the evening) At night the falls are lit up as well, and very pretty.
Today we will head into the big smoke (Toronto) and then north to Ottawa. We will be stopping for a bit in Mississaugua and then hope to avoid most of Toronto.

Northern Ontario

August 22, 2010
On to Kenora and Lake of the Woods area. Sure is different landscape from the prairies. Very scenic with rock and trees, and several lakes and rivers along the route. Still windy and rainy however. A quick stop at Kenora for lunch and then back on the road again. It is a long drive around Lake Superior. Stopped the first night at Ignace. There is a tavern there with a special on wings on Wednesdays , After talking to the owner, who is also the town’s mayor, we were told we could park right in the lot of the tavern. Suited us just fine and the requisite railroad was right across the street. Next morning up and on the way again to Thunder Bay.After searching for a Rogers Centre (my cell phone carrier) and Flying J, which no one had heard of we stopped for lunch at Walmart and got info on my phone at Future Shop. Then we hit the road again and made another stop at Nipigon. Noticed a sign at the tourist info centre, advertising a pickerel fish fry. It was getting close to supper time so we decided to stop. (I noticed later that a fellow dressed up as a moose, and a very pretty young girl were on the highway waving, could be that had something to do with the sudden turn of the wheel?)
Later we talked to these two characters( turned out they worked at the info centre) and were told we were welcome to park the motor home for the night and use the centre’s wi-fi as well.
There are several rest areas along this route, but very difficult to see if there is room for a large rig to turn around. One we stopped at, Rainbow Falls, was very clearly posted “no overnight parking” beautiful spot would have been a nice overnight place. (See pic)
Next stop was Sault Ste Marie where we pulled into a Walmart, but were told that there was no overnight parking allowed. A town ordinance resulted in some RV’s being ticketed and fined $50. Next door was Home Depot, who said “Come on over”. The Sault is a very interesting place, being the last locks on the St Lawrence Seaway. We walked down to the lock on the Canadian side, and could see the American locks as well. There is also a long bridge connecting the two countries at this point. The whole waterfront is accessible via a boardwalk, which we walked and then on to the Bushplane Museum. By this time my feet were pretty tired and we started watching for city busses to help us back to the rig. Stopped for lunch on Queen Street and watched the rain start again. Back onto the street and the long hike back (no bus came along) (I have a few extra blisters, and a good excuse to use the tracker for the next couple of days.)
Around 4 pm we decided to drive on in the rain and headed for Sudbury. Now that is an interesting city to get around in. We had decided both GPS units must be on the fritz, by the time we circled 2/3 of the city before arriving at Wal Mart. (Perhaps Garmin has shares in the Nickel Smelters?) The following morning we realized that either every street sign was removed during the night, or the town ran out of budget when it came time to make them. Garmin and Magellan prevailed however and we did get back on the road again. Next stop was Owen Sound, where live two of the cutest guys in the world. Nathan and Jacob are two of my great grandchildren that I got to visit for the first time.

Saskatchewan and Manitoba

August 15, 2010
On to Saskatchewan, stopped at Kindersley, The Kindersley Plains Museum was closed when we arrived, but since there were no signs stating that parking was not allowed, we pulled in next to a picnic table and had supper. No one came along to kick us out, and the requisite train was across the highway, so we stayed for the night. Next morning we went through the museum, an excellent display of early farming and equipment. The school house reminded me of the one room school I attended. When we checked about camping overnight, the staff at the museum seemed to think there was no problem.
On to Saskatoon then, and we had read about “free camping” at the John Arcand Fiddle Fest which started Aug 12th, the day we arrived, so we drove out to the farm it was being held at. Turned out the camping was free, but admission was $20 per person, per day or $50 per person for the 4 days. We didn’t know what to expect so opted for the $20 option. The music was fantastic, and some real quality fiddle and guitar players. (including the chap that wrote the fiddle music for the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Olympics) The second day was the Metis 100th anniversary and featured Metis musicians, also very good music.
While in Saskatoon we visited the Western Development Museum. Best display of old Agricultural Equipment we have seen so far, also gave a good display of the migration to Western Canada from 1800’s to present time. Wonderful old cars and railroad section too.
The rain came too though, and since we were parked in the middle of a farmers field with about 150 other RV’s we worried about getting out of there, especially when one fellow had to be pulled out by tractor. We did make it however (not that I was a lot of help, got the Tracker stuck).
We started driving on, and it rained harder and the wind blew, and the first thing we knew we were in Manitoba (Strong winds out here)
We stayed overnight at Brandon Manitoba, another Walmart lot. We do not recommend the local Montana’s Cookhouse there.
Next morning on to Winnipeg and the first paid parking so far. We are camped at a nice spot, at Ile de Chein (check the SKP book) about 15 minutes from town. Good spot to clean up and do laundry. The first day we visited the Mennonite Village at Steinbeck, it was raining so hard that we had the place to ourselves. (Come Hell or High Water, we are going to find out about Canadian History on this trip)
My daughter Kim flew into town for a Health Canada Certification meeting she was speaking at, so we did get a chance to introduce one of my kids to Jerry.
We spent the first day exploring the Forks Market, and Kildonan Park, then met Kim at her hotel in Ft Garry.
The following day we stopped at the New Flyer Bus Industries and Jerry was able to touch base with people he had dealt with while he was at Capital Transit in Juneau.
Later we met up with my cousin Phillip McLennan (whom I had never met before) and had lunch with Kim before her presentation. We then went to visit my Aunt Barb, whom I had last seen in 1974. Caught up on a lot of family history (including a few skeletons in the closet). Very nice visit.
Now we are back at the rig and doing the last of the laundry before we take off for Ontario tomorrow.

August 11, 2010
The fort was interesting and the musical ride was performed by a group of young horsepeople (mostly girls) in their teens. It wasn’t the big RCMP musical ride but they did do a good job.
Then across the Alberta prairie eastward to the Badlands at Drumheller. Drumheller is home to the Royal Tyrell Museum .
This area has had major discoveries and digs, and has attracted palaeontologists and geologists from all over the world, who work at the Royal Tyrell . This museum includes displays of finds from many other countries and boasts one of the worlds largest displays of dinosaur skeletons. It doesn’t matter how many times you have visited this place, there is always something new, and things you missed “last time” Our visit was cut short by a fire alarm that caused an evacuation of the premises, but I think our feet had had enough anyway by that time. It always amazes me, that with the number of children going though the exhibits that there is very little bad behaviour. (must be the fascination)
We had a rock chip in the windshield that Jerry got repaired locally, and we drove around the area to the Atlas Coal Mine and then across the 11 bridges to Wayne. (Site of a chapter 44 rally last June) and out to Midland Provincial Park (another coal mine). We are staying at a Walmart parking lot while we wait for my prescriptions to be filled. (received permission from management to stay parked here until they have the medications I need)
We will head on to Saskatchewan this afternoon hopefully.

Kootenay and Cowboy Country

August 9, 2010
Ainsworth Hot Springs was lovely, but no place to park overnight, and the smoke from forest fires in the area was very noticeable, so we decided to head on to Creston taking the BC free ferry at Balfour to Kootenay Bay. After checking a couple of gas stations, who were out of diesel , we motored on to Yahk. (Have you been to Yahk and back?) that is on a semi famous t-shirt sold in a small store here.
There was diesel there and a pleasant young fellow directed us to the parking lot at Yahk community center, where we could park free overnight. (Again the train on one side) but a nice treed area we had to ourselves.
The next morning, it was on to Kimberley, where Bruno Marti operates the City Bakery. Bruno is an old friend from the 70’s and the Swiss buns and coffee were a perfect breakfast while we caught up on news of friends from the skiing days.
From Kimberley we headed to Fort Steele, a town and fort that died when it was passed by the railroad in favour of Cranbrook, and came back to life as a living museum. There is an ice cream parlour, black smith shop, hotel, opera house, cafe, livery stable etc all operating with workers in period costumes. A theatre troupe adds to the overall “historical feel” of the town with vignettes and friendly greetings.
We took advantage of “Saturday Night on the Town” which takes place 4 times during the summer. (We hadn’t planned it, but arrived there on one of the Saturdays) The program began with a roast beef dinner at the International Hotel, then off to the Wild Horse Theatre for a live performance of “Fisherville the Musical” (Fisherville was the original name of the town before Sam Steele of the North West Mounted Police arrived to quell an Indian uprising) After the theatre we got on the steam train for a “Sunset Train Ride” stopping at a meadow where cordial and dessert was served. Another vignette was performed by the theatre troupe and then it was back on the train and on to Fort Steele again. A very enjoyable day and well worth the charge of $40.
That night we stayed at a Walmart parking lot in Cranbrook.
Early next morning headed out Hwy 3 (Crowsnest Pass Route) following the Kootenay River to Alberta.
We stopped at the Frank Slide interpretive centre. At 4:10 in the morning on April 29, 1903, 82 million tonnes of rock from Turtle Mountain buried part of the coal mining town of Frank Alberta. 70 – 90 people lost their lives. In less than 100 seconds, the slide covered three square kilometres of the Crowsnest valley under a layer of rock up to 30 metres deep. (That is about 120 ft to the US folk reading this) The site is much the same as it was in 1903, except for the highway going through the middle of it. Very impressive.
Our next stop was Fort McLeod, Alberta where very nice Alberta SKP’s make their home. Doug and Jean Poile invited us to stay in their driveway for the night.
(Do you get the idea that we are not paying a cent for parking so far?)
Doug and Jean were in Edmonton, and would be returning in the evening, so we headed out to “Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump” just west of here. There is a very good interpretive centre which leads you though a buffalo drive (Hunt) The legend says that a young brave wanted to watch the buffalo tumbling over the cliff, so he hid under a ledge and watched the buffalo fall. The hunt was very successful and as the bodies piled up he became trapped between the animals and the cliffs. When he was found his skull had been crushed by the weight of the buffalo carcasses. Hence the name.
Then back to Fort Macleod and coffee and good conversation with Doug and Jean. Slept like a log but just now heard the inevitable train.
We will visit the “fort” at Fort Macleod today and see the RCMP musical ride, then on to Drumheller and dinosaur country.

Newfoundland here we come!!!!

OK, OK, I havent posted for awhile, but I will try to do better.

August 3, 2010
Crossed the Canadian border about 6 pm at Sumas. The usual questions about why and American and Canadian with two separate addresses were travelling together of course, but other than that, a relatively painless experience.
We motored on to Bridal Falls, where we met up with my cousin Chris and her husband Dave. Had a short visit, until the waitress reminded us that she did have to clear our table before she left for the night. From there we drove another 20 km to a rest stop near Hope BC, where we spent the night. The rest stop was okay, but sandwiched between the trans Canada hishway and a railroad track. We were approached by a long haired dude, with CD’s to sell. After ascertaining that we liked two kinds of music, country and western , he figured he had found a mark. Afraid he left disappointed.
Day 2 was spent winding down highway 3 (Crowsnest Highway) through Manning Park and the Coast Mountains to the desert area of Osoyoos and then along the boundary to Greenwood.
Greenwood has the distinction of being Canada’s smallest city. For me it also meant the Lind Valley Ranch and the home of my old friends from backpacking and canoeing days. An added bonus was another friend from the same era was visiting them. They are in the middle of moving back to Alberta as they have sold the ranch. So with Jerry’s strong back and my distinct leadership abilities (I watched) we helped load some furniture and settled in to swap lies for two days.
I will miss visiting the ranch, since I have probably stopped by there two to three times a year for the last 10 years. However they now have a nice quarter near Edson, Alberta and the Lobstick river flows through it on the way to Chip Lake. A more leisurely canoe trip than the whitewater we used to do when the body was more supple.
Today is the 6th and we are headed for Ainsworth Hot Springs, and then BC’s free ferry on Kootenay Lake. This way we will miss the Salmo Creston Skyway, and see some of the Kootenay Country.