Miramichi Part Two!!

Miramichi Part Two!!

Well mother nature doesn’t give a $^&*)&^$# what your vacation plans are and how long you have been planning them! Yes the rain caught up with us. Fishing plans that were in place with the guide and hotel etc came crashing to an end when the hotel clerk told us at check in that the fishing had been cancelled. Apparently the river had risen 3ft in the last two days and was now murky and unsafe. Nice!!  Not!!  Well plan B- one night in hotel, awesome dinner at the local Irish pub, TV (still nothing on) then continue on our journey east. Ryanne thought that the reception staff at the hotel was great! She could come into the hotel and get a Scooby snack anytime along with much attention. Yet at bedtime she wanted back into the motor home!!

Rattletrap had been asking for an oil change so off to Moncton to find a garage for her! She had the attention of three nice lads all younger than she is for just under an hour, fascinated that we had made it this far!!

The plan had been to stay at the Moncton casino, but we couldn’t find it easily so Kevan kept driving and lo and behold we were on the Confederation Bridge!! Welcome to the next province of PEI!!

Photos: http://photoshare.shaw.ca/view/11854269212-1379535260-19397

Karen, Kevan, Ryanne

Further down the road!!

Miramichi Part One!!

Miramichi

Well we are here in Miramichi for FISHING!!!!  Info centre (they are invaluable) check, local fishing/hunting store –are there any fish? -check, accommodation/fishing package-check. Just have to wait until Sunday to fish, as the guides are busy until then –good sign. 

Now we wait in the Miramichi campground, Kevan is being dive-bombed by the mosies every time he goes outside and does he ever react (needs vat of after-bite and an antihistamine due to some of the bites are approx quarter-sized. I’m apparently not as appetizing (only have two bites).

Once again thunderstorms performed for us with the bonus of finding wet blankets this am and thus the search for the leak began in the still pouring rain!! Kevan and his trusty box of “bodger-fixy stuff” to the rescue!! After a short period of time, viola no leak but now putting on gloves to slather the after-bite on him!!

Its reading and nap day with a “Martha Stewart moment” of homemade chip cookies. Will go discover more of the town and apparent farmers market tomorrow.

Photos:  http://photoshare.shaw.ca/view/11854227383-1379101907-29039/

Karen

Gaspe Peninsula

The Mighty Gaspe Peninsula!!

Well we made it finally to the Gaspe!! The trees are just starting to turn for fall. Kevan is tired of French road signs and deciphering them. It just a big challenge I see.

 My job is to retrieve coffee from Timmys/McD’s, or the odd gas station. That will be a café noir grande se vous plais? Always back that up with merci, and if screwing things up –pardon!! Forget pronouncing doughnut in French I just point and smile and show the peace sign!!

Its very pretty scenery here and we have repeated the many mighty hills (some 14% grade). The only difference between here and Barkerville is about 3000ft. Rattletrap did just fine only one or two hills we almost lashed Ryanne to the front bumper!! 

Will be off to see the Jacques Cartier museum I think in the morning then off towards the border of New Brunswick- as Kevan says English road signs again hurray!!!

Photos: http://photoshare.shaw.ca/view/11854294350-1378859963-64643/

On the road in Quebec

Karen, Kevan and Ryanne

Quebec Adventures!!

Parlez vous anglais??!!

Well yes we have made it to Quebec City at last! I have been waiting for this time most anxiously!! Well Kevan did awesome navigating the VERY NARROW HIGHWAYS and not just side streets. Very exciting when you are in between to “b-trains” on the overpass and a gust of wind hits!!!  No scars I promise on Rattletrap. Rattletrap will have a few days to recover while we play tourist in Quebec!!!

Wonderful service of a tour bus collecting us at the campground and dropping off in the middle of Old Quebec city, and voila a few hours later a pickup and they drive through the crazy traffic.

Beautiful city and vast amounts of history here. Walked on the “the plains of Abraham”, I’ll let you look that up!! Views from both the Citadel and the Chateau Frontanac were amazing. It truly was a flashback to France for me. I can only imagine what the streets would look like in the snow (and minus 30).

Leslie you would be proud I went shopping in many of the boutiques here. You would need hours to check out all of them, from local crafts and textiles to artists in the streets.

Another adventure was grocery shopping, honest it was fun! Trying to interpret French and speak to shoppers and staff alike, then take a taxi back to campground!!

Photos http://photoshare.shaw.ca/view/11854297173-1378684905-75485/

 

Au revoir!!

Karen, Kevan and Ryanne (le woof!!)

 

 

Ottawa and the Freeways!!

Holy Freeway!!

Well Karen managed to drive Rattletrap in Ottawa, I don’t know who was more nervous Karen driving (I did great I might add) or the navigator Kevan (praying Karen wouldn’t be involved in any MVC’s)?? That being said we found the campground that had come with good reviews- perhaps they should have been dated 1980-90’s we guess. The first clue was the derelict water slides or the over run - tennis courts? Anyway only booked for two nights and they have a pool! Did I tell you we could only use it certain days of the week and certain hours in those days!!!

Anyway rented a set of wheels and made it downtown. The view from the Peace Tower in the Parliament building is spectacular. Most impressed with the War Memorial on Vimy Lane though!!

To further our historical interlude we attended Fort Henry in Kingston the next day. Toured around with both guide and on our own.

Yes another KOA again next to the endless cornfields!!!

Photos: http://photoshare.shaw.ca/view/11854275803-1378661377-15037/

Still cruising the Trans-Canada

Karen/Kevan/Ryanne

KOA Kamping!!

Hola Kampers!!!

Well I see a theme lately and it KOA camping!! Yes I used to laugh at such things as not really camping but now in my old age a HOT shower, Wifi, and hook-ups to keep the fridge cold are really nice. Honestly we have not gone to the dark side completely we will still free camp when possible, as the fishing is better and no rules other than our own!!

We are in the KOA campground in Sturgeon Falls Ontario tonight. We have stayed at the KOA in Thunder Bay and Wawa (land of the mighty goose) that didn’t seem that mighty up close personally.

Apparently in Thunder Bay on August 30^th it was Halloween!! See the pictures to prove it. A little noisy with hyped up kids but the pool was empty!! 

The weather is finally cooler and of course wetter. Last nights monsoon pelted us hard. Hard enough that just before bed (thank god) Karen realized the back window was open and the bedding was wet. Laundry time!!!!!!

 

Ryanne was having a mopey day I think cause she was leaning on our shoulders whilst we drove- even Kevan’s!!!!

Wonderful views seen today of Lake Superior and Huron, not just homework in grade school they do exist!!

                  

Well off to plan Ottawa accommodations and activities. Kevan has promised only on museum per day (we will see)!!

 http://photoshare.shaw.ca/view/11854270665-1378169477-12777/

 On the road reporting

Karen

Ryanne’s point of view.

They said “lets go for a car ride” and we have been going for car rides everyday. For lots of days. And they take me for walks where there are all these new smells I have to stop and smell. And I meet new people who rub my head and say I am pretty for my age. Fuckers.

In the mornings after Kevan takes me for a walk so that I can relive myself. Every morning I stop, take a crap, look up at Kevan with my soft Labrador eyes and think “ok fat man, go and pick it up in that little plastic bag, and lets get going as I want breakfast”.

I sneak into the front of the motorhome and sleep on Karen’s seat. This way I can keep an eye on what is going on and I can shed my hair so that she gets it all on her clothes. I sleep there at nights sometimes as well, but not if I am snoring: my snoring keeps me awake. So when I snore I sleep in the hallway of the motorhome where they put my mat and blanket that way it keeps Kevan awake.

My walking buddy bought us a Tim Horton's card before we left to make sure that Kevan gets his caffeine and I get my Timbits. It seems pretty much everyday we get Timbits. Kevan is happier when he has coffee. Thanks Mark!

Gotta go. Dinner is ready and I have to eat it quickly so that I can mooch some people food from Karen. Then Kevan has to take me for a walk and pickup my crap.

Woof Woof

Ryanne.