Topic: Heading to Canada (Read 14265 times)

mariekie · « **Reply #30 on:** May 25, 2009, 08:36:40 PM »

Marsha,
We spent all day battling the rain and bad roads, trying to get through Indiana.

Right now we are in SW Michigan where we used to live. Right now I miss my AZ sunshine.

Mariekie

Marsha/CA · « **Reply #31 on:** May 25, 2009, 08:46:18 PM »

Mariekie,

I'm with you, I miss my California sunshine. I'm not used to damp-soggy weather. But then I have to remember the green-green grass and large beautiful trees get that way only with lots of water...

Wendy, somehow I think you and Jeff can come up with a plan to get through the bad weather. Is it really calling for more bad weather in CO?

We had more rain today here in St. Louis than California gets in several years....

Marsha~

mariekie · « **Reply #32 on:** May 26, 2009, 07:18:02 AM »

Marsha,

Get this........We left AZ 30 days ago and have had sunshine only for a total of 4 days and not consecutive 4 days either!

Why is it that nothing in nature comes in small measure???

Mariekie

Marsha/CA · « **Reply #33 on:** June 05, 2009, 10:19:50 PM »

Updating this thread.

We spent 5 day in Angola, Indiana at a great campground called Circle B. Lots of green grass with a stream running behind the campsite., They had a large dog run so we could let the dog run to his heart's content. Visited my sister and mom, attended a niece's wedding and had a great time.

Tuesday, June 2nd we left Angola and headed north up #69/#75 to Sault St. Marie to cross into Canada. We stayed the night at great Passport America park in Wolverine, MI. This is a really nice place for those of us with dogs. Lots of grass, a hiking trail along the Sturgeon River. I was itching to get out the fly rod. However one drawback to the campground was we had to travel on a gravel road for 2-3 miles to get to the campground. Tim dislikes gravel roads and mentioned how he was going to clean the coach when we got settled in Canada. Little did we know that nearly every secondary road in Canada is gravel. I think he's going to have to lower his standards a bit. I also reminded him that we'll get dirty when we go to Alaska, so consider this a trail run.

Before crossing the border we had cleared out all the food stuffs that are on the "banned" list for entry into Canada. Drank the excess wine

, threw away left over fruit and prepared to go through the Border Check point mid day on Thursday. It was my turn to drive so I took the coach over the Mackinac bridge, up northern Michigan through the entry port. It was a piece of cake, they asked 3 questions and off we went. They never asked for our passports, the animals proof of good health certificates; only where were we from, did we have any liquor and did we have any firearms. I was a bit nervous so I fumbled around trying to get out my state of residence for the inspector, but we did fine.

For the next several days we are camped on the shore of Lake Huron at a place called Santa Maria's Trailer Resort and probably have the only satellite friendly site available. The weather has been spectacular, cool at night (low 40s) and 60's or so during the day. We are here for another niece's wedding and have been driving all over Manitoulin Island meeting family, sightseeing and just basically "getting around". True to his word Tim cleaned the coach and tow car when we arrived; however all secondary roads on the island are gravel. You should see the tow car, it's covered with dust. I think Tim has given up. He just turns the wipers on...hits "mist" to spay the windshield with washer fluid and calls it a day. Tonight it has started raining, maybe it will clean off the dust.

Marsha~

momma22smallbears · « **Reply #34 on:** June 06, 2009, 01:23:27 AM »

Marsha,

You are going to have a blast! I wish i was still homeschooling so we had more time for the long trips. Will have to settle for a short two months this year.

Just wanted to say that i had a very positive experience in Quebec, although we do speak some French. Once you go east of Quebec City the majority of tourists are francophone so unless you are in a hotel or tourist centre you will not find many English speakers, but take a dictionary and learn how to introduce yourself in French (i always excuse myself, in French, for not speaking the language well) and i think most people are happy to try to help. In every country where i have travelled i have found just knowing how to greet people politely in their own language goes a very long way. The countryside east of Quebec City going along the St. Lawrence is stunning and of course you have to keep going if you want to do any whale watching. I tried to stop at every fromagerie (cheese maker) we passed and the smaller ones definitely didn't have English speakers but it was worth it for the fresh cheese curds. St. Anne de Beaupre is a lovely town and has an RV camprgound. A few years ago we stayed there for 10 days and made day trips out for site seeing and in that town there were a number of people speaking English as it is a big tourist area.

The best thing we learned was how to order our coffee at Tim Horton's, lol!

Giles · « **Reply #35 on:** June 06, 2009, 08:27:29 AM »

Welcome to Canada !
We are heading for Quebec City July 11; speak French, and know the area; any way we can help, from here or while up there, let us know.

rhmahoney · « **Reply #36 on:** June 08, 2009, 07:24:31 PM »

"I think Tim has given up. He just turns the wipers on...hits "mist" to spay the windshield with washer fluid and calls it a day. Tonight it has started raining, maybe it will clean off the dust."

Have had so much rain here in eastern Iowa that my car is now more brown than white. Fits right in with all the farm vehicles!

Marsha/CA · « **Reply #37 on:** June 09, 2009, 08:34:31 AM »

Giles and momma22smallbears, thanks for your support. I can't believe I'm so nervous about going into Quebec. I'm usually pretty confident about things, but this has me concerned. So much so that I've been trying to convince Tim to drop down into the States and miss Quebec altogether. Even the Canadians here in Ontario tell us they don't like going to Quebec. <sigh>

Russ, We have had so much rain on this trip! Yesterday and all last night was a steady downpour; we couldn't get internet satellite. The TV would come in; but not Motosat. Today it's cloudy-no rain. But, the tow car is clean!!

We were thinking of leaving today, but I've found a place where I can have my hair (s)

cut, so will stay another day.

Oh, some campground news. While we were gone all day on Sunday with family, they shot a full grown bear here in the campground right at a campground site. This is a large park and a place where families come to enjoy the shore of Lake Huron on the weekends. Apparently the bear was so brave as to go up on a porch near a trailer. So the "ministry" came out and shot it. A mama bear and 2 cubs have also been sighted, so we keep our eyes peeled as we hike the area with Charlie, the dog! They were also warning us about a mountain lion that had been sighted. Where we live we have mountain lions, bears, deer and fox along with coyotes right in our front yard; so we are somewhat familiar with the wildlife; and maybe not as concerned. Although we probably should be

Marsha~

momma22smallbears · « **Reply #38 on:** June 09, 2009, 09:21:19 AM »

I think it's all about attitude, if you are warm and friendly people generally respond in kind.

Quebec is a stunningly beautiful province. The best part is experiencing a different culture without having to fly anywhere, like Europe. Montreal and Quebec City have lovely architecture and interesting historic sites. We stayed in my SIL's timeshare in St. Anne de Beaupre and we liked it so much we went to a realtor to consider a summer cottage (we didn't buy it so now we have the cottage on wheels!). If you go on a whale watching tour, and there are several options, we went on a large boat but there were people in something like kayaks, perhaps the boats were bigger,( i can't remember, but they were a lot closer than we were!) anyway, you will be in what, if i remember correctly, is the only fjord in N. America. There are also some small islands in the middle of the river where people used to be stranded in winter and developed their own little subcultures, one of them is called Iles-aux-Coudres, that was my favorite. As far as my kids are concerned the best part about Quebec is the poutine (don't eat any in Ontario, they just don't make it right), and i think they would go back just for that.

Looking forward to reading more about your adventures!

Hfx_Cdn · « **Reply #39 on:** June 09, 2009, 11:52:01 AM »

We are crossing similar paths, but haven't met up yet. We are now in Ottawa, staying with grand children, and putting up with their parents. Spent the day yesterday taking things out of their storage places, doing washes, etc after having been in the coach for 6 months, and after having squirelled away little things for the kids. Our plans for crossing Quebec are uncertain as to route or timing, other than we will be back in Nova Scotia by month's end. Do you have an itinerary yet? Donna has no french, and I've lost most of mine, but we do get by. I am thinking of heading down the Gaspe as it has been years since we have gone that way, and it is drop dead georgeous country.
Giles, we do have one thing that we will need to refresh!

We will stop by the traffic circle again and leave you both a hug, so don't forget to go get it.

ruthandken CDN · « **Reply #40 on:** June 09, 2009, 12:03:25 PM »

I lived in Quebec for several years, just outside of Montreal. I never had a problem even though in the beginning my French consisted of 'Oui', and 'non'. I am not French and came from Ontario. I have been back a couple times over the years, and what I have always found in Quebec is that they are very friendly especially if you are the same to them. And if you attempt to speak the little bit of French you know, even if it comes from a guide book, they are even more accommodating. And sometimes it can be quite funny. I know people who have gone there and refuse to even try and speak the language and they will usually get the cold shoulder, and IMHO well deserved. When in Rome............................
Quebec is an absolutely beautiful province, and Quebec City, well that is just the best!! Like being in Europe, especially old Quebec. It's a must see as far as I'm concerned.

56kz2slow · « **Reply #41 on:** June 09, 2009, 12:37:54 PM »

Quote from: ruthandken CDN on June 09, 2009, 12:03:25 PM

I lived in Quebec for several years, just outside of Montreal. I never had a problem even though in the beginning my French consisted of 'Oui', and 'non'. I am not French and came from Ontario. I have been back a couple times over the years, and what I have always found in Quebec is that they are very friendly especially if you are the same to them. And if you attempt to speak the little bit of French you know, even if it comes from a guide book, they are even more accommodating. And sometimes it can be quite funny. I know people who have gone there and refuse to even try and speak the language and they will usually get the cold shoulder, and IMHO well deserved. When in Rome............................
Quebec is an absolutely beautiful province, and Quebec City, well that is just the best!! Like being in Europe, especially old Quebec. It's a must see as far as I'm concerned.

I could not agree more with the entire post.

Steve, CDN · « **Reply #42 on:** June 09, 2009, 01:53:41 PM »

Quote from: Marsha

Even the Canadians here in Ontario tell us they don't like going to Quebec.

It's always regrettable to hear that kind of commentary from fellow Canadians. You have been done a disservice, Marsha by these remarks.

I've lived in both Provinces, and although I am the first to agree there have been problems originating from Quebec, most of these problems were directed inwardly and rarely to visitors. There are always horror stories from people who travel to every part of the world and even within North America.

There is no good reason for anyone to avoid visiting any part of Canada, including Quebec. A bit of preparation and common sense is all that's needed, in the same way as if you were to visit France, Germany or any place where English may not be the first language. And the truth is, in most cases in much of Quebec, except for areas beyond Quebec City, English is the second language.

Hfx_Cdn · « **Reply #43 on:** June 09, 2009, 02:53:49 PM »

As suggested above, Quebec is a must see, it's scenery is gorgeous, it's people are friendly, and from that standpoint you will never have any difficulties. Any negatives you will take away with you will result in some initial confusion over road signs and billboards that are entirely in French. To be honest, it isn't much different from many American areas which have now become uniilinguallly Spanish, and thus their billboards were unintelligible to me, besides since you're in a motor home you don't need to know where the nearest Tim Horton's is (coffee shop). However, after a day or 2 you get used to it, plus as far as road signs are concerned, the major ones are all in International Pictographs. Hech,m other than the city of Montreal, Quebec has given in to the accepted Right turn on Red that it wouldn't allow for years.

Tim Lassen · « **Reply #44 on:** June 09, 2009, 06:31:58 PM »

Just to correct Marsh the coach did not get washed. I did spray the dust off the front and the rear including radiator and washed front window. Other than that our time so far in Canada has been like living in a car wash. Some things I remember from last visit is that speed limits are more like a recommendation. The other is that people are very friendly here and ask lots of questions about US. Yes we are going to Quebec..Marsh can just hold my hand..tim

workingtorv · « **Reply #45 on:** June 09, 2009, 07:10:54 PM »

I am from Ottawa and other than the US we spend most of our other vacation time in Quebec and like others have said Quebec City is gorgeous and I found most of the people there spoke perfect english so you won't have any problem there. The roads are a little rough but you go with the flow and readjust things when you get there. Poutine is great so you must try that. Gaspe is awesome too so if you can take the peninsula and try it out. Most of all just enjoy yourselves and enjoy the weather when it gets here, it will be hot eventually...Right now in Ottawa it is a little soggy and damp.

Marsha/CA · « **Reply #46 on:** June 09, 2009, 07:14:07 PM »

Quote from: Tim Lassen on June 09, 2009, 06:31:58 PM

Just to correct Marsh the coach did not get washed. I did spray the dust off the front and the rear including radiator and washed front window. Other than that our time so far in Canada has been like living in a car wash. Some things I remember from last visit is that speed limits are more like a recommendation. The other is that people are very friendly here and ask lots of questions about US. Yes we are going to Quebec..Marsh can just hold my hand..tim

Thank you "darling" husband....

Marsha~

ArdraF · « **Reply #47 on:** June 09, 2009, 07:24:49 PM »

Marsha and Tim,

Just check the weather forecast before going out the Gaspe. It's gorgeous BUT if it's foggy you won't be able to see anything and the trip would be a waste. We got there on our third try and loved it. The first two times were lousy weather so I'm really glad we waited.

ArdraF

momma22smallbears · « **Reply #48 on:** June 10, 2009, 12:35:27 AM »

So sorry to hear of some bad experiences in Quebec, yes they do happen, but please realize that there are always some bad people mixed with the good. I have lived most of my life in Africa and believe me, it's true! I am American and my husband is Canadian but born in Iran. He holds a green card, and our worst border experiences are crossing into the U.S. with him. I would do anything not to deal with U.S. Immigration/Homeland Security but i also know the good in the country so it's something we just have to deal with. Just say "bonjour" and then explain you are not francophone and 9 times out of 10 you will be fine. Also, as someone has said, right now around the world, everyone is glad to see tourists, with the current economy.

Now, for those in motorhomes you may not need to go to Tim Horton's but it is part of the national heritage,

so you ought to get "a coffee" at least once. And just so you understand the language, a "double double" is a coffee with two doses of cream and two sugars. That's real cream, btw, not half and half, they do have milk though. DH tells me "double double" is in the Canadian dictionaries! Cup sizes are smaller, we are always overwhelmed to arrive back in the States to find a small is equivalent to a medium or large elsewhere. I don't think much of the donuts but the soup and sandwiches are good. There is a Tim's in Kitchener, Ontario, that i find a cultural phenomenon, it's a hang-out for all ages and cultures, so on a weekend night it is common to find old eastern Europeans and young groups of mixed culture/race teenagers in their separate groups, hanging out inside and out. I've never seen anything like it.

Giles · « **Reply #49 on:** June 10, 2009, 08:44:31 PM »

Marsha, if you are still in the area, and wish to do so, by all means, go to QC and enjoy it. Most people will bend backward to help you; most places have bilingual employees any way; and a smile will go a long way. We have had bad experiences all over the world, and I will come back to this later when I have more time to write.
Ed and Donna, thank you for your kind thoughts. Can we meet again one of these days ?

Tom · « **Reply #50 on:** June 10, 2009, 09:09:17 PM »

I went ahead and split/moved the Quebec discussion here. I may need to move one or two messages between the two topics. Apologies for the tangential discussion.

Hfx_Cdn · « **Reply #51 on:** June 11, 2009, 06:13:03 AM »

Talk about drift, sorry. Giles you could come east this summer. I doubt that we will be back here again until fall.

Barb · « **Reply #52 on:** June 11, 2009, 06:20:23 AM »

Tim, Marsha
We crossed into CA through Woodstock yesterday and went to Hartland to see the World's Longest Covered Bridge. And than to King's Landing. It's kinda like Greenfield Village in Dearborn, MI. We had dinner in a Pub called the Snoddy Fox in Fredericton. Parking on the opposite side of the street. If you go into the Visitor Center, you can get a 3 day free parking pass. Good for metered spaces too. Heading to Caribou, and Grand Falls today, if the Mosquitoes don't carry be away.

My Brother's Place Campground. 100' pull thru's, grassy sites, 50A FHU'S. $29.00@nite. Pay for 6 nites, and get the 7th free. Free WiFi. GS discount. Irving Flying Associate excellent place to fuel. Diesel $2.59. Can't use Flying J rewards card. There's a good grocery store, and also a Wal*Wart.

Barb
Currently in Houlton, ME
Day Triping into CA

56kz2slow · « **Reply #53 on:** June 11, 2009, 06:39:53 AM »

Barb, if you like flowers, once in Grand Falls, you can drive another 30 miles on Route 2 to Edmundston where they have "Le Jardin Botannique". There's also a very nice campground adjacent to it, but it's just semi-serviced, the site we had anyway.

Also, anywhere in New Brunswick, if you are not in a hurry, I strongly recommend taking the scenic route instead of the highway. The highway just has trees to see, not much different from any other highway. From Edmundston to Fredericton, I always follow the scenic route as much as possible. It's the same distance, but the scenic route has a few advantages. There aren't as many big hills because it follows the St. John River, and there's hardly any traffic. Also, it's scenic, hence the name.

It's Route 165 between Woodstock and Fredericton
It's Route 130 from Hartland to Grand Falls, it's a little weird in Four Falls, but with a good recent map, you'll be fine
It's Route 144 from Grand Falls to Edmundston
Going the other way, it's Route 105 from Fredericton to Young's Cove/Coles Island. From there, you can get back on Route 2 (Trans Canada) to Moncton and down to Halifax.

All those follow the St. John River valley and are very beautiful.

Marc...

Tom · « **Reply #54 on:** June 11, 2009, 07:51:18 AM »

Steve Pally previously created this file in our library on Communicating inQuebec.

Hfx_Cdn · « **Reply #55 on:** June 11, 2009, 08:18:31 AM »

If you are not in a hurry, I'd recommend a right turn at Amherst, to Parrsboro and Five Islands, which picks up the Trans Canada again just short of Truro. If you like rock hounding a side trip to a World Heritage site at Advocate Harbour will provide some fossils, Parrsboro was once a major wooden ship building harbour, and there are several nice campgrounds all along the Bay of Fundy, including a nice Provincial Park at Five Islands, which will give you a beautiful view of the worlds highest tides.

rankjo · « **Reply #56 on:** June 11, 2009, 08:48:19 AM »

Another great place to visist in New Brunswick is the Mactaquac Dam. It's spectacular scenery, and there are daily tours at the dam which are fascinating.

It's just west of Fredericton. Call ahead to find out when the tour is running. It's in the tourist guides too. Just across the lake from the dam is Mactaquac Campground, which is a beautiful, full facility government-run, campground with a nice beach, a tournament golf course, one of those treetop adventure doohickeys where you clip onto a wire and cruise around through forest and over water. You can rent a houseboat and stay out overnight (or more) exploring the 'Headpond' which is the flooded St John River above the Dam.

ps a poster above mentioned the "Snoddy Fox". For the sake of clarity I should correct that to "Snooty Fox". Other well known Fredericton eateries include Frank's Finer Diner, Burritto Loco, and the Delta Hotel has a nice riverside outdoor pool/deck/bar/restaurant if the weather is warm and dry.

I live just above the dam, so any questions about this area just email me at jrandjs@nbnet.nb.ca or 506-363-3319

Rankjo

Giles · « **Reply #57 on:** June 11, 2009, 07:25:50 PM »

Ed, probably won't have time to go as far East as where you are; we will spent a good bit of time in Maine though; lobster time we hope.

Hfx_Cdn · « **Reply #58 on:** June 12, 2009, 06:37:20 AM »

Enjoy the east, the last I heard, lobster was selling for $3.50 a pound, which is VERY cheap

Tim Lassen · « **Reply #59 on:** June 12, 2009, 07:11:57 AM »

Marsh and I are now in the Niagara area/Vineland area regrouping before trekking East. While here will visit the Falls one more time and Niagara by the Lake which we only drove through on our last visit. We can hopefully also restock our wine supply. Hard alcohol and beer are pretty expensive here but wine is similar in cost to US. The beer we have bought is in bottles and cans are sold individually at LCBO at $2 per can!. Six bottles about $8-$9.

We plan to leave Monday or Tuesday with next big stop in Quebec City. We fueled in Parry Sound at $3.32 per gallon which will be ~$3 per gallon US.
So far we learned that in Ontario we are not considered Seniors. That was the good news. The bad news was camping in a Provincial Park (Sturgeon Bay) for $38.50 per night with only minimal electric ,no water and no sewer. We did have a view of a lake so that was $10 of the fee. If we were Canadian and Ontario residents the cost was only $28. I wonder now if we make such distinction in our State and National campgrounds for seniors. Anyway we wondered why the park was empty except for us and one couple from Germany.

One bonus from our visit was an outdoor show put on by a mother fox and her to rambunctious cubs while we ate dinner. I believe they were quite adapted to campers and expected food for their show but unfortunately we did not oblidge. On this trip we also noticed several pheasant, which I have seen little of in the US lately. Still no moose sightings but then I still think this is largely a Canadian myth perpetuated by large highway signs.

We have noticed many of the lakes in this area have a reddish/brownish tinge to the water color. My thought was this was due to iron deposits or acidic waters. A campground newsletter indicates that Georgian Bay is having a significant algae bloom problem and high phosphate concentrations so maybe that adds to the coloration. Traveling along TC17 many construction projects in progress so must be good for local economy. Seeing the large projects almost made me want to go back to work..almost.....tim

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Author Topic: Heading to Canada (Read 14265 times)