Epilogue

Canadian Adventure Epilogue

Well it has been a couple of days home now and we are just started to feel “at home” again. The house feels big and there is a lot of stuff inside. It takes more than two steps to make coffee in the morning. The dog is wondering why we aren’t driving anywhere and where the hell are her Timbits at coffee time!!!

Of course we missed our children, family and friends but we are missing our life on the road, that bodes well for our next adventure. Talks have been started of what modifications are needed to Rattletrap to go south to Baja!! First of all we need Kevan to have surgery and heal (my thought was he could do that in the warm air) alas perhaps I should just go back to work to prepare the bank accounts again!!

Looking at a montage of pictures last night with the parents and realizing just how far we travelled was awesome! The symbols of our country from coast to coast such as Maple syrup, beavers, the maple leaf, hockey sticks and these are usually found on the side of buildings called gift shops!!

Things at the beginning of our journey that we made fun of such as KOA campgrounds, CBC radio, Canadian Tire (I’ll never have them work on my vehicle), & BC Ferries. They are now not so bad amazingly!!

So in the end for me 77 days on the road & Kevan had been gone 85 days.

We put on 19769 kms throughout our journey in total.

Only thirteen nights not in the motor home.

So adventure with best friend (Kevan) and man’s best friend (Ryanne)

PRICELESS!!!

Maple Ridge to Victoria

Kevan Takes Four Ladies to Dinner!!

After a great dinner with friends in Summerland the next morning we continued our trek down to the lower mainland to stay in Maple Ridge. Females surrounded poor Kevan for the evening after he bought Chinese food!! Kids and dogs oh my! (Ryanne visited her mother and sister). It was a beautiful sunny day and the traffic was minimal for a change. A nice picnic in Manning Park and still Rattletrap is an attention getter!

The next morning we set off through the ugly traffic towards the ferry!! Kevan hates Vancouver traffic to start with and we both are having mixed feelings about heading home. Don’t doubt our love for our family and friends but we are having a blast (I truly think a better time than either of us expected in some ways).   Through the heart of the beast and the weather is rolling in a thick fog (oh so much more fun in traffic). Trying for the 11:00 ferry to Victoria but probably will be on the 1:00. Alas the ferry is late and finally works in our favour for a change and little ole Rattletrap rolled on board!!

Our last official night away, and in the happy home our long-time friends the Bonkowski’s. Home-cooked meal, old stories of days gone past, plans for the future (they are soon to be first-time grandparents!!) final send-off breakfast and north to Nanaimo we go!

Pics: http://photoshare.shaw.ca/view/11854228512-1382842623-62115/

The Travellers

Kevan, Karen, and Ryanne

Friends New and Old!!

We Are So Lucky!!

With our adventure coming to a close shortly (definitely not our last) we have been able to stay with both new and old friends on our journey from Alberta to BC. A wonderful stay in Airdrie Alberta with Don and Carol. Guest host of Zoe the dog. It was definitely different being the “hosties” vs. the hosts. A wonderful stay to be continued at our house at a later date!!!

Then off to Canmore, Alberta to stay with Nevil and Michelle. Garagiritias for the men in the man cave beside the four motorcycles sitting in lawn chairs!! A beautiful drive in the sun down to Summerland to stay with old friends and family for the night. Lots of fog down south which sounds similar to Nanaimo by the news.

Pics: http://photoshare.shaw.ca/view/11854298112-1382586033-93297/

Kevan, Karen and Ryanne

PS the Calgary Zoo is still fun even partially open!!

Regina to Lethbridge

Moose Jaw who knew??

Well finally out of Ontario, yay!!! Yet alas the thermostat is still high!!!! What can it be!!! Well the moral of the story is that trust your gut!! Kevan had suspected the thermometer from the beginning but had been told by two different technicians that it couldn’t possibly be this. So defer to the professionals (doctors, lawyer and mechanics) you say. So in the snow showers in the campground in the dark Kevan changed the damn thermostat ($5.00 piece) and lo and behold SHE IS CURED!!!!

HAPPY HAPPY KEVAN!!!!!

To Regina overnight in a hotel for a change and Chinese food for dinner. Went to the RCMP museum and then off to Moose Jaw.

So Moose Jaw is a great little town with lots to do. We went on an underground tour of the Capone era that was fascinating. Found a great little campground for the night.

Stayed with Kevan’s cousins’ daughter and her husband in Lethbridge the next night, which was great!! Three dogs in the house was fun. Beautiful clear cold night but no snow. It’s predicted for two nights later (will be headed out first).

Getting closer to BC we have to get through Alberta first!!!

Pics: http://photoshare.shaw.ca/view/11854252997-1382581956-62768/

Kevan, Karen, Ryanne and a Healed Rattletrap!!

In Regina

Part of the Adventure they say!!??

Well luckily after the long weekend stay in Thunder Bay Rattletrap gained a new radiator after we walked around the “business district” of town for nearly two hours. Saw the abandoned rail cars, grain elevators, and a high concentration of rental properties (including guard dogs)!! So off we go trundling down Trans-Canada refreshed to find the elusive campground. Alas a lovely one found in Dryden owned by a German couple. Dinner in the sunshine and its midway through October what could go wrong you say!!!??

Early start due the time change, up and on the road, it’s another beautiful day. Thinking about coffee in Kenora but decided to go around on the bypass route. We met Adam, Amber and eventually Michelle. Ever so grateful to all and thank-yous will be sent!!

So there are  a few things that a wife will always jump at when your husband states emphatically, grab the fire extinguisher I’m pulling over fast I see smoke, and grab the dog!!! OK so this is a good reason to know where all safety supplies are kept (I did). Needless to say it was a fast exit luckily there was room on the roadside and not much traffic due to the early hour of 1000.

Thankfully there was no fire only smoke as we caught it in time, and found one of transmission hoses split beyond fixing and puking fluid everywhere!! So we are well prepared for most things except catastrophic failures and a hose we don’t have. So as Kevan was surveying the scene I did what any wife would do- held the dog and flagged down an OPP sergeant (Adam) whom was driving by. Thankfully he called THE ONLY TOWING COMPANY IN THE REGION on his cell because neither of ours worked in this spot!! Nice to know after the fact it’s a huge dead-zone.

So after a chilly wait for the tow as she (Amber) was towing cars from a huge drug raid going down we were off, not before another officer stopped as well.

 Small town, many mechanics and it took twelve calls of “sorry to busy to look” or they couldn’t bother with us, it started to look like we would be fixing her in a back alley, I was thinking I would be on the ground following Kevan directions as his shoulder is quite painful lately. At least it wasn’t snowing right? Alas Amber to the rescue at the local Canadian Tire (Michelle) and after some pleading we were in “sometime” today. Dropped at 1200ish out the door at 430 with the new @#(*&^  $3.00 hose attached!!!

Down the same road again, sigh of relief as we passed the puddle on the road.

Exhausted but wanting out of Kenora we made it to a sweet campground in Prawda Manitoba. GOOD BYE ONTARIO!!!

Things to note:

Always be nice to the police as they are handy!/Women tow-truck drivers’ rock!

Read the road signs to know where you are!/Don’t diss Canadian Tire some are great!

McD’s coffee in a pinch is good!/Always have AAA!

Pics: http://photoshare.shaw.ca/view/11854233706-1382147971-58327/

Thanksgiving Weekend

Holy Wind Gusts!!!

If Rattletrap were a sailboat we would have been across the prairies already! Another sunny and really warm day today. Off to a slow start today as we were going to The Canadian Bush plane & Heritage centre for what is supposed to be an awesome experience. Museum? Well that’s just up our alley!!  Apparently “hands-on” displays- that’s always fun no matter what age you are. Arrive through the maze of one-way streets around the waterfront with some of the traffic lights not working to find the museum looking closed. Damn!! Kevan checked it out and finds that they too have no power but come right in and pay on the way out. So with the museum to ourselves we wander around the large amount of displays. Unfortunately, no power means no video display, no 3-D firefighter movie, & no flight simulator!!!

It ended up a short day landing in Wawa again in the same campground to rest-up, laundry and re-fuel with groceries. Nice roast beef, mashed potatoes with gravy and fresh veggies. Got to eat right!!!

Landed in Thunder Bay the next night. Seems we may be here a couple days though. Rattletrap has been running warm and Kevan suspects the original radiator may be the culprit. So here we sit until the long weekend is over and businesses are open again. Rolled over 230000 on the odometer (I guess she deserves another radiator). Happy Thanksgiving to all!!

Pics: http://photoshare.shaw.ca/view/11854242465-1381708844-73254/

Kevan, Karen and Ryanne

 

Heading West

Heading West towards the Motherland!

 

Well it appears that we are heading homeward now as we have stayed in the same place twice. The lovely KOA in Sturgeon Falls. The owner remembered little Rattletrap and us when we were registering and wanted to hear of our adventures. It took half and hour at least before we set up camp (to busy talking).

Beautiful evening as we ate dinner outside in the sun (21C) and watched the sunset from the dock on the river.

While enjoying our drive west we had to stop and take the picture of the largest nickel in Sudbury of course, and ended up touring the museum. Another underground tour. This time of a copper and nickel mine.

Alas more road construction, which will end, I believe when we are home in our driveway. I will have bright orange sign flashbacks!! Friday of a long weekend with good weather bodes for lots of traffic towards cottage country so we are trying to make tracks this afternoon. Unfortunately we are a little tired today so when the next KOA sign arose from the side of the road out came the KOA bible (info book of all KOA’s in the land) and yes they are open until the 15^th!! So exit highway and into 74 acres of KOA-land. Which includes all human amenities (including Wifi) but caters to our four-legged pets. They have their own agility park (balls included), wash station, grooming station, private off leash park (KAMP K-9), and dog-walking services!!!! OMG!!!!

Pics: http://photoshare.shaw.ca/view/11854276760-1381538000-95219/

Karen, Kevan and Ryanne

PS- She got the complimentary biscuit upon check-in again!!

Montmagny, Quebec

Snow Geese Festival in Montmagny, Quebec

After a day of driving from Fredericton we are in Montmagny, Quebec for the night. We had stayed the night before at a nearly deserted campground, ok there were about three units there overnight. Honestly tried to pay the camp fee both that night and in the morning unfortunately there was nobody home to take the fees. So with free hot showers this am after the torrential downpour once again we were off like a herd of turtles!!!

So Montmagny apparently loves geese due to the large number of signs, posters, duck carvings, and businesses with “geese” included in the name. So we are going to miss the annual snow goose festival, which is quite the shindig!! Not to worry though we were serenaded all night (I guess they don’t need to sleep) there were thousands of them on the beach next door!

Can really see the fall colours in the foliage past all the fast and furious road construction. Supposedly another week of sun and no rain albeit chilly at night now, frost warnings last two nights. Still wearing tank tops and short sleeves though in the day. Not bad for the second week of October. Nearly two months on the road!!!

So as we trundle back west the search for the almighty open campground is our daily mission. It’s either that or Wal-Mart camping. I wonder if there are casinos nearby?????

Pics: http://photoshare.shaw.ca/view/11854269832-1381449489-24138/

TTYL Karen, Kevan and Ryanne the wonder dog!

St John Nova Scotia

St John New Brunswick!!

Well time to twist Ryanne again with a motel for two nights!! Found a $60 a night joint on the side of the hill literally that appreciated Labradors (first choice didn’t)!! Aww now for a nice soft bed to stretch out in. Not!! Two nights later we remembered why we like Rattletrap. She is not stuffy and has a wonderful bed.

Kevan had found a shop with good reviews to have Rattletraps radiator serviced (she deserves the best you know). So as she was at the spa we toured the downtown heritage region looking at the many houses and buildings, some in many stages of restoration.   Found a couple of museums to check out. One was the city police department. So as I chatted with two retired police officers outside, while Ryanne gained her dose of affection, Kevan partook.

The first afternoon we went for a drive around town. No, that isn’t code for we got lost!!  We found not far away were the famous Reversing Falls. So from a vantage point across from the pulp mill you can watch the river out flowing then later in the day the reverse with the Fundy tide pushing against the river with a difference of 14 ft!! This creates rapids and whirlpools, which can be seen. Unfortunately the jet boat rides season was over.

So stocked with fresh groceries, tank full of gas, and a clear day ahead we are off to Fredericton as our next stop on the journey!!

Pics: http://photoshare.shaw.ca/view/11854236263-1381448533-91703

Cheers from refreshed Rattletrap and the Gang!!

Digby

The Land of the Mighty Scallop!!

Tis true! They taste the best fresh from the fisherman. Managed to find the only campground open in the Digby region!! Almost started to look for a Wal-Mart!! A couple nights to recuperate and relax (code words for laundry). Rattletrap made the journey to one of the islands (Long Island) and no we didn’t have any ice tea! She had to cross on a small barge-like ferry at low tide- can you imagine the angle up and down with the wicked tide shifts out here?? It was fun watching the crew (while drinking a cup of coffee) say they put the “big rigs” in the centre of the boat. A wonderful meal was had at a local restaurant. Parked the “rig” in Beautiful Cove for a walk, cup of coffee, talked to one of the locals who explained lobster and herring fishing to us whilst we watched from the sidelines.

While waiting for our 4:00 sailing to St John NB we drove to the Annapolis Valley and to the first capital of Annapolis Royal. Great farmers market (German bakery- nuff said!!) beautiful houses and tons of B&B’s. Off to the great ship for the crossing. Well all we can say is DON’T COMPLAIN ABOUT BCF’S!!! The ship appeared very old, she was, couldn’t tell whom was the crew (no uniforms or safety equipment). Three hours to pass and luckily we met a couple from Ontario to talk to. Felt a little peckish so off to the cafeteria, ok Kevan and I were the only patrons and figured out why when we ate our hamburgers (not so legendary)!!! Whew we made it to St John – now to find a motel in the dark!!

Pictures: http://photoshare.shaw.ca/view/11854276713-1381104010-30066/

The Adventure continues……

K&K&R

Peggy's Cove to Lunenburg

Peggy’s Cove around to Lunenburg!

We made it to Peggy’s Cove on a dreary soggy day. Took the proverbial picture of the lighthouse and surroundings. Into the gift shop for a coffee and look around and found a lovely watercolour. I had the local artist sign and date it for me! The funny part was when we were leaving a couple of double –length tour buses entered and started to unload copious amounts of seniors!! By the time Rattletrap made it back to the main road we had passed 15!!!! on their way to Peggy’s Cove (its was going to be tight in that little cove).

Our landing for the night was the UNESCO township of Lunenburg (home of Bluenose II). Being the patient people we are and wanting to see the sights we set out walking towards town in what was the drizzling mist. Unfortunately when walking home the RAIN   began. Two soggy Ibbotson’s all the way home to Rattletrap.

Kevan also had the opportunity to fish again at the next campground and was successful for a small bass!!! Yay!!

Needing a couple of days in the same place to catch up on chores (laundry again) and afternoon naps so found a nice campground in Whale Cove which is near Digby.

Pics: http://photoshare.shaw.ca/view/11854220780-1381017739-64891/

The Travelling Ibbotson’s

Halifax at her Best!!

The Wonderful town of Halifax!!

We needed a break from the trail so Halifax was our destination for three nights! Found a nice hotel (The Atlantica) only a short taxi ride (less than $10.00) when parking downtown if you could find it over $15 for a few hours!! Wonderful boardwalk around the harbour (that’s Kevan for they had Timmy’s) with shops, restaurants, tours etc. All devised to extract $ from your wallet. I was good and didn’t buy much as we only have so much room in poor Rattletrap!!

After so many museums I was starting to feel blasé about them so when Kevan said lets go to Pier 21 it’s the immigration museum honestly I think my eyes rolled because we were already going to the Maritime museum as well. Can you guess who was the emotional one leaving later? Yep that’s me!! Reason being that our family (my dad’s side) have little to no knowledge of my grandfather’s roots (it’s a long story that would need copious amounts of either chocolate or liquor) only that he immigrated to Canada at some point. We didn’t even know his mothers name. Well after the tour of the original building that saw thousands of immigrants, downstairs there was a young man in the genealogy room that had within twenty minutes found his immigration papers, ship and its information, family names, and the town that they went too. My great-grandmothers name was Isabella!!!

OK, enough sappy stuff and on to the cool things Halifax had to offer. Great food- ok thinking of seafood? Not!! Gourmet burgers in a funky restaurant!! Irish pub with the best pizza!!

The Maritime museum was great with a special area in regards to the Titanic including artifacts from the ocean floor. The Citadel was also a great stop with the largest amount of historical military artifacts I have ever seen.

There were a few tall ships giving tours as well as a well-known Theodore the Tugboat (cartoon when Jon was small) tied up.

Wonderful weather here, shorts and t-shirts!!!

I think Ryanne is in her glory with an elevator to her suite on the 14^th floor, walks through the lobby with her adoring fans, and carpet!!!

Photos: http://photoshare.shaw.ca/view/11854271681-1380925442-96728/

Til next time....

Karen and crew

Rattletrap’s view of this whole trip.

So these nice people take me out of retirement. I was sitting by the seashore in Victoria, enjoying an odd trip to some beach or ski hill, just enjoying not going anywhere too fast. 25 years and 210,000 kms is a good life and time to put your tires up and enjoy yourself. Maybe take up a hobby, tell stories to the younger motorhomes of what it used to be like to travel to Mexico in the old days and unfortunately leave the odd stain on the pavement (old guys do that ya know).

Then along come these two assholes from Nanaimo who buy me from that nice young lady, who bought me from the nice people who purchased me new. Yea, they did a lot of work on me, shined me up, made me feel young again, but bloody hell they didn’t tell me what they was thinking.

One day they get me up early, load all their stuff in me (along with that bloody dog of theirs who keeps hopping on my passenger seat) and head off on the BC Ferry. Then they take me up every bloody hill in BC, I mean everyone I swear, in the heat no less. Don’t they have any consideration for my age? Guess not.

And then it was across those accursed prairies. Flatter than an old beer and almost as tasteless. And it was hot. Not like warm but like “holly fuck it is hot” type of hot. But I didn’t complain. No Sir, just purred along. Sometimes I got a little warm but I never lost my temper, er temperature.  Don’t these two respect my age?

But going through Ontario was nice. Slower pace, lots of trees, not too many of them damn hills and the temperatures were nice. Kinda liked it there.

But then we went to Quebec. Roads like shit. They rattled every old joint I have loose. And the drivers! Had to keep hitting my brakes hard, sometimes really hard. Pot holes the size of truck tires. And the hills were endlessly steep. I had to wheeze up them in first gear sometimes. It felt like it took forever. What were these two middle aged arseholes thinking?

But the last while it hasn’t been so bad. Back near the ocean again. Temperatures more to my liking, and no hills. Not a one. Well a couple of small ones but not like the Rockies or Ontario. No wonder them hurricanes come in and wreak havoc. No hills to stop them.

And the roads aint too bad except up in the Cabot Trail area. Real narrow like with no shoulder at all. Good thing them kept a sharp eye on their driving as if they wandered off the side of the road it would have torn my axles off. No respect I tell ya for us old motorhomes.

Now the fat one, he was nice to me. Changed my oil, lubricated my squeaky old rear shackles and rotated my tires. Nice guy bit of an ass, but nice guy. Now if he could just learn to drive.

Well I have to go. Gotta rest up for the remainder of the trip. I might wheeze and gasp a bit but I will make it. I hope. What were these two thinking?