July 28-30 -Montreal

Followed the Ottawa River along Hwy 417/17 through farm country with large chateau homes along the river front, only to be contradicted by the mess of traffic coming into Montreal. Really enjoyed the long tunnel under the St Lawrence(NOT) -3 lanes wide but big rigs can only use the center lane as the side lanes are too short. Not in any hurry to go back through. Major construction everywhere slowing things down to a crawl often.

We took a 3 hour city bus tour with stops at Old Montreal, NotreDame Basillica, the Olympic Park, Mount Royal Park with its scenic overview of the city below. Also passed the harbour, Chinatown, the Biodome, McGill University, St Helen's Island & Casino,the Bell Center (new home of the Montreal Canadians hockey team).

We had lunch at the famous Reubin's restaurant on Peel Street with new friends, Sam & Connie Tameny from Murrieta, CA -had to try the famous Montreal smoked beef sandwich -have never seen anything SO large (for $12).

Whilst in town, we had an amazing storm at the park so arriveded home to lakefront property !!

July 27 - Ottawa

We went to the Museum of Civilization. It features the First Nations people from the beginning of their Canadian history. Each Canadian tribe has an in depth display of their culture built and donated by the tribes -totem poles, longhouses, costumes, tools, etc. Many beautiful carved bone and argalite stone pieces, woven baskets,fur and woolen clothing and jewellery. Many artists are featured along side of their creations.

Also featured in a seperate display was the Mystery of the Tombs of Egypt, including real mummies, carvings off of some of the pyramids, ancient cosmetic bottles and stone jewellery. Yet another informative day !!

July 25 - Ottawa

Went into downtown Ottawa. Did a walking tour of Parliament Hill with all its statuary and beautiful architectural buildings. Did a tour of the Center Block which is where our Senators, MPs, and PM conduct all of our political business. The paintings, furnishings and wall sculptures are quite remarkable, when you consider the ages of some of them. We took a city tour on an Amphibibus -had a terrific bi-lingual guide who gave us more info in one hour than we could have accummulated in days. We ended our great day at D'Arcy McGee's Irish Pub enjoying a meal of lamb shanks. Yummmm

July 23 - Happy 43 B'day to son, Troy

Went through Wawa where we saw the world's largest Canada goose. 100km east of here on Hwy 101 all streams flow north to the Arctic Ocean. Countryside very much like Alaska except no mountains. Lots of highway repair work everywhere along this route.Chapleau is the world's largest crown game reserve. Went through Timmins -the Shania Twain center, gold & copper mines, pulp mills, and diamond mines north of here.

July 22 -Terry Fox Courage Highway

Lots of wildflowers, including huge multi-coloured lupines. Amethist mines. White River, birthplace of Winnie-the-Pooh.

July 21 - Thunder Bay, ON

Went to Kakabeka Falls (Ojibwa for Thundering Waters) referred to as Niagara of the North.This is the second largest natural waterfall in the world, dropping 128 feet.

Spent all afternoon at Fort William Historical Park, where you step back to 1815 in the midst of the fur trade. Life there is recreated through costume and full working kitchen, bakery, dairy, blacksmith shop, tinsmithing, barrel making, etc. Children are encouraged to parcipate in the different venues. We witnessed "The Arrival" of a canoe coming with new men and supplies. They were greeted by a working canon demonstration. We also witnessed "The Arrest" of a voyageur whose three month contract had expired and he wanted to leave, but they needed him to stay on as a blacksmith. Really well done and entertaining. We drove to the Marina and Marine Park on the shores of Lake Superior. Many huge elevators, tanks, freighters, etc along the wharfs. Finished off our outing with homemade ice cream. Yummmmy.

July 20 - to Thunder Bay, ON

Lakes, trees, lots of wildflowers and beautiful coloured granite along the way. Miles of bog land filled with bullrushes and stunted trees, telephone poles on tripods. Crossed Longitude 90 West - half way across Canada. From here all streams flow south to the Atlantic.

July 19 -Kenora, ON

Spent the day in beautiful Kenora, ON (amalgomation of three communities -Kewatin, Norman, Rat Portage) This area is very similar to our Okanagan Valley with summers based around the many fresh water lakes. Fishing here is a big thing (perch, pike, pickerell and muskie). We took a 2 hour cruise aboard the MS Kenora around the Lake of the Woods (which is 70 miles long, 50 miles wide, has 65,000 miles of shoreline and is home to 14,500 islands). We had a local commentator telling us the history of the lake and its occupants, past and present -lots of the rich and famous, movie stars, govt. heads, etc. It was a sunny day so spent the entire trip out on deck.

July 18 -Steinbach, MN

Visited the Mennonite Heritage Village. Learned so much about their history and how they got here. Lots of Reimers amongst them. Had a traditional Mennonite lunch there and left more than satisfied :)

July 16 -17 Goin' to Winnipeg !

Went through potato country east of Brandon. Trees are more numerous and much bigger -mostly leaf trees and lots of dead fir. Strawberries, wheat, canola, soy beans. and flax crops. Checked into Travellers RV (Coast to Coast) east of Winnipeg. Fast moving clouds and cooler temps -puddles all around. Lovely sunset tho.

Today we toured the Royal Canadian Mint -learned so much about, not only our currency , but how many other countries that we manufacture coins for. An hour well spent. Then off to The Forks, the area where three major rivers join, to enjoy a stroll in the sunshine through the Market, unique craft shops, delis, open air cafes & bars, and "buskers" playing their varied tunes on a variety of instruments. We drove through the main parts of downtown, so many large old buildings, mostly brick or stone. One can clearly see that the railroad has played a major role in the development and economy here.

July 15 Moose Jaw to Brandon,Mn

NOT enjoying the Trans Canada Hwy -broken up so badly it is like corduoroy. Passed lots of canola, wheat, silos & elevators along the rail lines in the small towns. Arrived in Brandon late afternoon, met Bob Tokaruk at the Husky and he piloted us to their home for o'nite on their driveway as there were no campsites available in town (work crews have arrived). We shared a wonderful BBQ steak dinner with Bob & Jutta in their lovely home.

July 13-14 Saskatoon to Moosejaw

Oh, boy !! Shredded the new belt about 2 hours out. Went through part of the Qu'Appelle Valley and over the dike at Buffalo Pound Lake, which had whitecaps on it and breakers on the shore. Raining again today. Really missing the beautiful BC weather :( Checked into the Prairie Oasis RV park and spent the evening watching the lightening and listening to the thunder and pouring rain (3/4" overnight). Next AM Norm was able to get a new belt, which he installed himself. Always great travelling with a mechanic :) We went through the Tunnels of Moosejaw in the center of old town. They were originally to join all the steam heating systems in the large old buildings. Supposedly, Al "Sarface" Capone and his boys did business here with goons, guns & gals during prohibition thus it was called "little Chicago". The second tour was called "Passage to Fortune" where the Chinese immigrants came to seek a new life and were forced underground in intolerable conditions because of the white prejudices while trying to realize their dreams. After the tours we went to Yesterdays for a bowl of hot homemade borsch & bun, and ended up visiting with Nurse Nancy & Joe the Cop Havixbeck, from Kelowna. Also took with us homemade cabbage rolls, perogies, stuffed pretzel and Ukranian sausages - sounds like a great meal coming up !! Discovered that friends of ours from Blythe, Roger & Sherry Morrisette, live in the trailer park adjacent to our park so had them over for a couple of toddies and an evening of chat.

July 12 - Drumheller to Saskatoon

A day full of greens and golds - grain, grass,canola. Did a sudden change of route when we shredded our alternator belt and seized two bearings near Rosetown. We were going to Swift Current but decided Saskatoon would be a better choice for parts. We were able to keep going and stayed on a friend's work lot overnight. His mechanic was there to help us at the crack of dawn. We compensated by taking Dennis & Rene Anderson, owners of D.Anderson Paving & Trucking, to lunch at the Flyin'J Truck Stop.

July 10-11 Drumheller, AB

Royal Tyrell Museum of Paloeontology in the badlands of Drumheller, AB. Golfed at the Dinosaur Trail Golf & Country Club on seniors' rates. Great day in the sunshine.

July 6-10 Carefree Resort at Gleniffer Lake

We spent 4 great days with new friends Terry & Sandy Peterman, also full-timers who live here. Had rainy cool weather but managed to get in a couple of games of golf and a great trip around Gleniffer Lake on their pontoon boat. Again, terrific hosts.

Fun at Finky's

July 5-7 at Finky's in Leslieville, AB

We spent a few days with new friends Ron & Karen Finkbeiner at their farm/rv park 1 km from Leslieville. They, along with their friends and family, made us feel most welcome and sent us off with deer sausage and delicious home canned relishes & jam.

More mountains

July4 - Lake Louise to Leslieville, AB

An incredible drive up the Icefields Parkway to Saskatchewan Crossing then going east to Rocky Mtn House, AB. Undoubtedly the most beautiful place on earth.

June 30/09 Beginning of Cross-Canada adventure

Vacated the park and went to Royal York Golf Course for 3 days as our lot in Vernon was rented out for 3 months.