Russ Mahoney, Terry and I   plan to cross the  International Bridge here in Sault Ste. Marie, MI  to Canada  in the morning heading to our adventure in the  Maritimes. I will attempt to post an entry daily but entries may be less  reliable as I am  retired and want no schedules.  We thank  those RV Forum members who will guide us from their previous trips or from their recent posts.

Betty
On our way to Ottawa

Have fun and post a line or two when you have a chance. No need for a complete journal unless you feel like it.

Betty:

On to the land of $6.00 plus fuel, eh?

I've checked  with my tour leader, Russ.  He thinks we will be in Southern New Brunswick in mid to late September.  We are on a mad dash to to Newfoundland to start.  Our next stop is in Ottawa to meet up with the Pally's and friends we met on our Yucatan Caravan.

Betty

I don't expect you will have much difficulty with French in Quebec except for those pesky road signs. 

Attached is a text file I prepared a few years ago to help RV travellers visiting Quebec.

When and where will the Cousins be catching up with this caravan??

Betty:

I'm soooo glad you're back on line with your trip journal reports.  I must sound like a broken record, but I do so love to "travel along" with you and Terry and Russ.

Margi

Betty, I think any food issues will be on your return to the U.S.  Forbidden items change of course, but last time it was meat, chicken, and some produce.  On our first trip to Prince Edward Island (maybe in the 1970s) they were having some kind of a potato blight.  As we got off the ferry in New Brunswick we drove through some kind of disinfectant and they went under our motorhome checking for whatever bug was the problem.  We were told the bugs get up under the wheel wells.  The Canadians were trying to contain the problem to PEI.  Anyway, you'll probably be using down your foods near reentry and that will help.  As I recall souvenirs that have skins and furs might be subject to question.

I just Googled United States Customs Prohibited Items and got a lot.  This one says:
These include plants, fruits, meats, vegetables, clothing made from the skins of endangered animals, ivory, lottery tickets, obscene articles or publications, and switchblade knives. Drugs without a doctor's prescription or narcotics, such as barbiturates, amphetamines, and marijuana, are strictly prohibited.

ArdraF

I can't imagine the Olympic Stadium would let anyone dry camp.  Are you referring to one of the commercial parking lots in the area?


I don't see how that can be.  One would have to be driving through City streets deep within the City of Montreal to drive past the Olympic Stadium.  However if you happen to be driving along the South Shore of Montreal, toward Quebec City, you might get a brief glimpse of the tower from a distance..if you know where and when to look.

Other majoer East / West expressway routes across the City would not put you in view of the Olympic Stadium.

Thank you, my dear friend, for once again taking us along with you.  If you're not "an author who could paint a picture for us", then I don't know who is.  We're very lucky to have you painting for us!     No pressure .... but, thank you, thank you for your efforts. 

Margi

Betty,
I along with Margi, and many others, I'm sure look forward to reading your log.  Your style of writing teases one's mind into painting a picture of your description.  It's wonderful.........

Thank you for posting what you can and when.
Looking forward to future posts, as the Maritimes are on our list of things to do.

Barb

Steve,
Is there anything left of Expo 67'?

HAlifax is right, the casino (former French Pavillion), the shell of the American pavillion (Buchminster Fuller) which burned years ago and the Forumula 1 racetrack.  Good place for a picnic thought.  It's called St. Helene's Island.

June 17 and June 18, 2008 Ottawa

Hello friends,

Despite  the pouring rain of the past 2 days we have been having  great experiences.  The RV lifestyle affords us the opportunity to meet the BEST people.  We are in Ottawa, Ontario,  Canada, which is NOT part of our Maritime plans so everything we heard and saw here was a bonus.

 We  met a couple on our  Yucatan trip, Fern and Annette,  who live just outside of Ottawa.(very near our Recreationland Campground)   They were born in Quebec, speak fluent French and were our tour guides on Tuesday.   Ottawa is the Capitol of Canada and 50% of workers here are employed in a governmental position. We toured  Parliament Hill, which is the epicenter of Canada’s  political scene.  ( a phrase taken right from the tour guide)   The gothic architecture is impressive as are many of the buildings  in Ottawa.  We saw the American Embassy , heavily fortified a massive yet plain building. We saw the Rideau Canal that is   an 8 mile long ice skating venue in winter.  We saw streets dedicated to shopping( Sparks Street Mall) ,  farmers market, fresh flowers, restaurants and night life.  We saw the most impressive of museums.  It is said there are more museums here than anywhere else in Canada.  We determined that we would have to stay for over a year to see them  all.  Our time was short so we did not take in any of the museums but I must  tell you I have marked Ottawa as a place to return.  This is a beautiful “big City“ but with easy access. (Marcia you and Lindsey would love it her for your mother daughter weeks) The  icing on the cake with our visit with Fern and Annette was a trip to their home on the water near  Ottawa River.   Fern built the home did all of the impressive woodwork and Annette has become a master  gardener upon her retirement. The rain denied our trip up the river on their pontoon boat but we had such a good time.  Fern introduced Terry to a fast food treat, French fires smothered in cheese curd  topped with gravy.  I called it “something”  but our friend today said I liked prostitutes so I am no longer confident in my French  pronunciations.

On day 2 in Ottawa,  June  18, 2008 we had the pleasure of visiting with Steve and Ginette Pally , who lived in Montreal for years and have now been living in a luxury high rise condo in  Ottawa for  4 years with winter visits to their winter home in Titusville, Florida.  Following a delightful lunch at Robbie’s, their favorite  Italian Restaurant, Ginette graciously drove us through the major highlights of Ottawa.  It was a treat for Terry to not be the driver.  Their car is a Mercedes crossover,  SUV and very luxurious.  Russ is now demanding better auto accommodations for his rides with us !   Ginette navigated traffic, one way streets, road closures and of course pouring rain.  We again saw Parliament Hill , stopped to see the locks on Rideau Canal, noted Fairmont Chateau Laurier, drove by  the National Gallery of Canada with it‘s big spider sculpture out front. 

I could go on and on but all I can say now is VISIT OTTAWA.  It is on my list of places to return! 

We stayed an additional night here at Recreation land .  This park is quite suitable for big rigs and one of the few within access of the city. 
Betty

With 2 of our 3 kids, and all 3 of our grandchildren living in Ottawa, we have spent quite a bit of time there over the past 8 to 10 years.  Donna and I agree that ti is a very nice vacation destination, with lots to see and do.  In fact, we leave for there in our Toad tomorow.

Betty

The French Fries are called potine, it is an acquired task which neither Marlene nor I have yet acquired

Hope the weather clears and you can see the changing of the guard in Ottawa. It is an interesting spectacle.