Day 1 June 27
We left Barb’s and headed off on our adventure! Our first stop was a gas station south of Barrie (we both got hand cramps having to hold the pump so long), no surprise there. Our second stop, a gas station LOL, which we thought was going well until we had a mechanical problem with the pump, which was realized when the gas overflowed and hit our running shoes. OK to be fair, maybe we weren’t paying attention.
Road to our first overnight stop was good and while we had rain/construction we got to the Serpent River campground and pulled in. We had a smooth set up and a nice chicken dinner. What we neglected to do however is check the temperature. We left Toronto and it was hot and humid, so why would any other place in Ontario be any different. Hmm there is a new definition of “freezing ones ass off” when you go to the bathroom in the chill of the morning, it was 5 degrees outside. Bloody Hell
Day 2
Our goal is to close-up and get moving onto our next destination. Seems simple enough, unhook from power/water, retract stabilizers/slides and do your final check around the unit to make sure all is well. Well, all was not well, as the neighbor saw our back slide awning/cover did not retract properly with the slide itself. So Barb pushed the slide out 1/2 way and I crawled onto the roof from the RV ladder at the back of the unit. There were twigs in the awning/cover unit of the slide and I thought I could just remove the twigs and voila the slide would fix itself. So up I am on the roof removing twigs and the awning” snapped” back quickly and thank God I have lightening reflexes as I was able to get my hand out in time. So frankly we, and by we I mean me, thought the problem was fixed. NOPE the slide is now going in crooked! So we pushed out again and recruited the neighbor Aldo and the local handyman Brian to help two damsels in distress on DAY 2!!! Brian got his ladder (because Barb and I chose to leave out ladder at home because why in heavens name would we need it in the first 6 weeks….) and went up and low and behold it wasn’t just a few twigs but a damn birds nest! Brian did a great job cleaning the mechanical motor out and we were able to finally get the slide in with the help of Aldo and Brian pushing the one end in that was retracting slower. Excellent work all around and we were OFF 2 hours later than expected!
We travelled to WaWa to the Algoma Highland Wild Blueberry Farm and Winery to boon dock (for those that are not familiar with this term it means parking with no electricity/water etc.) our drive was relatively smooth however we were rattled by the rough start of the day and arriving late at our destination. Thank goodness our location for the night was excellent and the owner Trevor was welcoming and over the top accommodating even willing to go into the winery outside retail hours giving us wine for the night because all was not well with the back slide……
As we started pushing it out for the night, it pushed out crooked. SO in it went and we decided quite wisely to not use it again until we got it fixed. What does that really mean other than we kind of lose a bed? We have NO access to clothes. No socks/shorts/tops/pants/underwear etc. All locked in their wonderful closets and drawers blocked by the slide. Now for those RVrs out there, yes we should have put stuff in the overhead cupboards, but we were saving these spots for when we landed in Calgary and really loaded up from my house. Ah well, the things you learn on the way.
In the morning however, Trevor once again took us to the retail shop, again outside of hours, to purchase some blueberry jams. They are excellent by the way! He ships to Ontario locations if anyone is interested. So all in all, another great pit stop!
Day 3
From WaWa we will be traveling to Dorian Ontario staying at the Canyon Creek Co- Op store. Had a good sleep in WaWa but woke up to heavy fog and environment Canada warnings of extreme danger and to stay off the roads (which is why we had time for the blueberry jam purchases) We got on the road an hour or two late as the fog lifted, but the day went from bad to worse. We had torrential rain and low visibility, construction, multiple bridge constructions with NO advance warnings and no shit there were guys with stop signs jumping up and down and waving them in the middle of the road to stop people! Unbelievable.
SOOOO we arrived late yet again at our destination. That night huge rainstorm. Good times
Day 4
We got up and left Dorian thinking this would be a better day because frankly what more could go awry?? Well hurricane force winds for one………the drive for both of us was “HAND CRAMPING” as we had a death grip on the steering wheel, like the hand cramping to the friggin gas pumps!! We landed in Canyon Creek, it was seamless but for the million mosquitos who wanted us for dinner! OMG. Not much else to tell about this stop, relatively uneventful, despite the thunderstorm all night.
Day 5
Got up to inclement weather and thought what a great day with no torrential downpours in the forecast. Well shit!, Wind gusts of only 25 km per hour do feel like 100 when you aren’t used to the full brunt of a wind push against your large vehicle. Another long Friggin driving day!!! LOL
We landed at The Ranch, outside of Kenora and we can’t stress enough what a beautiful location this was and what wonderful hosts. (I will post pictures when I figure out how to do this on my iPad) It was worth the stress getting here. We love boon docking as you meet the most wonderful people. While the above notes regarding driving all sounds gloomy, we have had enjoyed wonderful dinners, good wine and great company so far.
We recognize we are novice RV owners but we will get more experienced and will get more organized with our posts along the way. Please be patient as we grapple with internet/wifi and lack thereof as we move forward.
Day 6 July 1
Up early and heading off to Brandon…..where we hope we will get our slide fixed on Monday. We also hope for great WiFi so we can update you further on the Canada Day long weekend…..yes we are driving on the Friday of a long weekend! Stay tuned
Love you all
BL
Once the bugs are out, it should be fun.
The weather here has also been crappy!
See you soon!
This too shall pass . . . . it sounds like you’re learning lots and coping well with what’s being thrown at you. Stay strong and have fun!