Did you know that 1/3 of the French Fries in the world come from the McCain's plant in New Brunswick?
September 30 Yesterday was a wash out, literally. This morning we awoke to brilliant blue skies. And mother nature did not even remember what she did to us yesterday.
After a 15 minute ride from our camp we were in Beautiful New Brunswick. Within 50 feet of the border was the second biggest Canadian flag I have ever seen, and yes, the signs are bilingual and readable. At the welcome centre we were told to move our clocks forward another hour to Atlantic Time. Pacific time plus four, Greenwich time minus four. The staff was, again very pleasant and ALL the maps and literature they gave us were in English!
The first stop was in Grand Falls. There is a massive waterfall in the middle of the city, now dammed and used as the hydro source for the area.
The fall was a mere trickle today, most was going to the turbines underground. I really think that we had more water in our trailer yesterday than we saw at Grand Falls today.
Next was Florenceville. Home of the McCain, [potato] empire. A beautiful town in really lovely countryside, where potato growing is the main source of income. We visited Potato World,
stop laughing, Fellette picks these things. It is a museum devoted to the potato growing industry in the area. We had an escorted tour, where we were the only visitors at the time.
Next to Hartland to see and drive on the longest covered bridge in the world, 1283 feet long, single lane.Hartland is a neat little town, something like out of the past, stuck in the 1940's.
New Brunswick has a population of somewhat over 700,000 people. It appears to be mostly rural and is like any other rural area except it is absolutely beautiful country. Small rolling hills with towns tucked off the main roads. We followed the St. John river most of the day. The farms all appear to be very neat and well maintained, almost obsessive with it. The total effect is very pleasing to the eye.
The highways in New Brunswick have so far been the best of any province we have been in. I suppose the Federal money is much more visible in a small province than in the larger ones. I also believe that the Maritimes get a very much larger percentage of Federal money than most others, on a percapita basis. Somehow, because New Brunswick was involved in the very earliest of Canadian history, they seemed to have parlayed that into their hand being deeper into the Feds pocket, and the Feds don't seem to mind it. There are more people in Vancouver than all of New Brunswick.
The picture by the picnic table is our home for the night, by the Saint. John river. [Everything here seems to be a Saint, Sainte, St. or Ste.]
The World's Second Longest Carwash
September 29 The drive from Quebec City along the North Shore of the Saint Lawrence through the Laurentians is an absolutely gorgeous piece of the world. Particularly at this time of the year. The leaves are a mixture of light green, yellow, orange and brilliant red.
The winding well-maintained roads snake lazily through the gentle rolling hills. Farms with large green fields with a divider of brilliant colured trees and shrubs accentuate the contrast of the colours.
We really must take that trip someday. Our excursion through this 125 kilometre car-wash of supposed beauty was hampered by torrential rains and low clouds, [like fog]! My white knuckles and death-grip on the steering wheel took away any thought of food or photography.
I came to the conclusion that we must be travelling at exactly the same speed as the torrent-producing storm clouds, going in exactly the same direction.
Hunger took over and we pulled off the road for a bite to eat. The rain stopped, proving my theory. Maybe. On the road again to the Ferry Terminal at Saint Simeone, half an hour down the road. The very short line-ups confirmed my fears; we had recently missed a ferry. That 20 minutes cost us three hours of sitting in the rain, waiting. The ride across is 1 1/2 hours and the cost is $116. Time for a snooze and some reading and a cup of tea later. The weather is not good for strolling.
The ride across was like a time warp, going back about 50 years, the Ferry was old, small and Spartan. No BC Ferry Employee would in their wildest dreams work on this ship. The passengers were pleasant, some elderly tourists and the rest appeared to be working folks going home after a hard days work, there were also some late-in-the-season tourists, like us.
We have been searching for information on this ferry for several days. The lack of Internet connection and the language situation doesn't make for easy gathering of information on matters like this. It will be nice to get into a province where the signs are at least bilingual. When that will be I have no idea.
The photo shows the fading north shore and the Laurentians in the drizzle.
Quebec City, a must see!
September 28 Great day inside the walled city. The shuttle bus left the camp at 8.50 AM, our bikes chained to a post at the office. We were soon inside the absolutely gorgeous Old Quebec City. We never did get to the modern portion of it.
The day was perfect, some cloud, light wind and lighter crowds. We had decided to walk today. First to the Citadel, where we took an escorted tour with about 16 people. The leader was a young French Canadian man who was great dealing with what could be a somewhat controversial subject, the fall of Quebec City, [and New France?] to the British.
The Citadel is still an active Canadian Army base. It is in immaculate condition and a credit to the nation.
Next we needed something to eat, as it was now around 1.00 PM. Fellette picked the restaurant that offered a Quebecois Lunch for a modest price: Split pea soup, tortiere, [meat pie], maple syrup pie and tea or coffee. The meal was delicious!
The dessert pie was good, like pecan pie without the pecans. Our friend Myra, who came from Lachine Quebec, used to make the meat pie at Christmas.
Next we strolled down to the river level and wandered the streets, trying to avoid the shops and take in the history as much as possible. It was like a visit to France without having to fly.
All the people we engaged in conversation with were very gracious and polite.
We were ready for the shuttle to zip us back to what has become our home. Tomatoes and cucumber salad for dinner tonight, one heavy meal a day is enough.
The photos are bits and pieces of a day with great memories.
Montreal to Quebec City.
September 27 Three hours on good highways, with fantastic weather. It is farm country all the way, with neat little towns tucked a bit off the highway. Miles and miles of corn fields, didn't know that about Quebec.
We arrived at the campsite just after noon. It is well off the highway and quite comfortable. Fellette did a load of wash and I worked on the trailer. We had a bit of water get in during the heavy the rain in the prairies, so I removed the old caulking and redid it around the front window. Then I then fixed the drip in our waste water valve. A run down to the RV supply store to fix the electrical cord cover on the outside of the trailer and I was out of jobs to do.… These little things make me feel that I have done something constructive today, other than polluting the atmosphere.
Later we zipped down to the local super market. I always enjoy markets in foreign places, whether it be in a Tescos store in Britain or a fish market in Zanzibar. This was just a big store called Metro Plus. Boy, they have some nice stuff. I suppose it is the thing about 'yonder fields are always greener.' We don't really eat much fancy fare, but both enjoy looking at it.
I wore my 'Canada' hat to the store to let them know that we are tourists. Really. The people are all very nice, they just look upon themselves as Quebecers first, then Canadian. The more I read on the history of this country the more I understand them.
Tomorrow in Quebec City I hope to understand what happened at the battle of the Plains of Abraham, a battle that lasted 30 minutes! I bought a history book in Ottawa that is a good primer on the beginnings of Canada. It is very interesting, and I think that if the situation had been reversed, that is to say, if the beginnings of the country were British and it was lost to the French, us Anglo-Saxons would have a chip on our shoulder.
On the Quebec Licence plates it states,
'je me souviens', which Fellette says means 'I remember.'
I found out that those words are a reminder to the Quebecers to remember their roots, ancestors, traditions and those who fell for their freedom. It is also the motto of the Royal 22nd Regiment that is based at Valcartier and Quebec City at the citadel.
Montreal, The City
September 26 A Gray Line Shuttle to Downtown and we are in the bustling city. The three hour bus tour of the area appealed to us and off we go. The weather was chilly but dry, a nasty wind blowing.
I phoned my friend Andy in Vancouver from the heart of the city, Andy lived in Montreal until about 1955 [?], age 16 [?]. Apparently they lived just a skip and a holler down the road from where we were standing. It must have been a different Quebec in those days.
In spite of it's size, the city seems to have a friendly atmosphere, unlike some other larger modern cities. It may be all the monuments and remnants of a different era that are everywhere you walk or look. Although it doesn't have a particularly attractive background setting from the viewpoint at Mont Royale...
the downtown area is an interesting mix of old and new architecture. Not that I am an expert, it is just an interesting city. The people are also very pleasant and friendly.
After the tour we did a substantial, walkabout, eventually venturing underground to the vast network of a paradise for shoppers. Ten minutes was enough of that for us. Apparently there are about 30 km's of corridors of shops and boutiques. In that regard it is like any other large city.
They all look the same. We are not "city" folks and would not intentionally plan a visit to a humungous big city. It was on our route eastward so we did a one day visit. Tomorrow, we continue east to the much smaller city of Quebec.
Other than the Montreal Panorama above, the pictures are a smattering of the days sights.
Ottawa to Montreal
September 25 Two and a half hours of countryside driving then 1/2 hour of white-knuckle driving, [by Fellette], as we skirted around the west and south side of Montreal to a KOA campsite in a little town called St. Philippe de La Prairie, a little after 12 noon.
Don't bother looking on a map, it is too tiny. The sun is out and we are settled in for the day. We will try to send this through the phone line and then run our bikes into the town and check it out.
Tomorrow, we take the shuttle to town and do a Gray Line Hop On Hop off.
A picture of the RV camp as we see it...
Ottawa by Bus
September 24Blue skies greeted us in the morning after a blustery night. The 15 minute drive to Sparks and Metcalfe Street was ably accomplished by our trusty navigator "Jane", watched carefully by Fellette.
Hop-on-hop-off bus was the choice of the day. It certainly is a beautiful and well managed city. The area around the Parliament buildings is very open and comfortable. Today was the day that they were honouring the Law Enforcement people who died in the service. There were about 2,000,000 police officers from all over the continent for an assembly and parade.
We hopped on and took off on the hour long tour. I can see why powerful people in business and politics who live in the fancy areas in Ottawa can get a little headstrong. The place seems to be geared to the rich and powerful, with little perks, privileges and protection for them. One could soon lose touch with reality and the masses if you were living in that world for too long. [Stop being judgmental Doug!]
We hopped off at Rideau Hall, the Governor General's Residence. A massive estate, more in line with some Earl or Duke's home in medieval England. The front of the building is under renovation
the scaffolding and protective cover on it cost more than the average home. This is to give the stonemasons protection as they work on the face of the building.
The whole area around there, [Rockcliffe], is probably the most prestigious area in Canada. The Prime Minister's Residence is close by, also reminiscent of Old Canada.
I guess to govern a successful progressive country one needs to have all the trappings of power. They certainly have it, so there is no excuse for not giving it their all.
We lingered in Bytown, a trendy, market area and splurged for fish and chips!
We took the tour of the Parliament Buildings. Again steeped in tradition and a very beautiful structure. When we looked into the floor of the house of commons a shudder went through me, wondering about the well-meaning people that went into politics and were soon to realise how ineffective they were with their high goals, against the establishment. So much is done on the basis of seniority, from where you sit, park, your office space, etc. It is a meat-grinder in there.
Next, a visit to the Senate chamber, where I will not comment for fear of offending readers.
A short ride to a nearby Starbucks to get onto the Internet and send a few days blogs, and receive some mail.
Nice to hear from some of you, no matter how little you say, thanks. The photo of these two old folks is our first, and last attempt at self-photography!
Museum Day in Ottawa
September 23
Fellette was in heaven, eight solid hours in two museums. Fellette always enjoys museums more than I do. She reads every little piece of writing they have, and tries every little interactive button or handle there is.
I must confess that the two we went to, The Canadian War Museum, and The Canadian Museum of Civilisation were excellent.
First, the Canadian War Museum. A very very impressive building from an architectural point of view. Very spacious and every exhibit is to the highest standard you could imagine. Somehow you get used to the French/English verbiage and languages very quickly. It starts with the very earliest conflict between New France, [Canada] and the American, [British] Colonies in the South. It walks you through every conflict from there up to modern day. We have had a somewhat bloody involvement in wars but we do not seem to think of ourselves that way. School kids in Ottawa obviously get a better grasp of Canadian History as a result of being able to go to this museum. It was certainly better than any classes I ever had.
Photos show Fellette with Hitler's Staff Car and a tank her size!
Next The Canadian Museum of Civilisation. It really should be called The Museum of Canadian Civilisation, starting with the Vikings in North America and ending with a mock up of the Vancouver Airport waiting room in 1960. There is a very large portion devoted to the Indian role in our history, in particular the West Coast Tribes.
They have made the roof a pale blue canopy 30 or 40 feet up, so you appear to be outside. The mock ups of an early Canadian village, buildings, stores, a railway station, a print shop, an actual whole Ukrainian Church, an oil well, a sawmill, down to a music store in Winnipeg let you actually walk through the years to modern day. You really need more than a day to see it all. It may sound boring, but I guarantee you it is not. The only negative is that it has this government bureaucratic feel to it, it is hard to describe but somewhat frustrating in spite of a most courteous staff.
Sturgeon Falls to Ottawa
September 22Good weather, crummy roads. The Trans Canada Highway as we know it disappeared sometime during the day. It was a pleasant drive as far as small towns and countryside was concerned, but the road surface disappointed. The road must have a poor base and needs to be completely redone. Only about 30 km's west of Ottawa did it get decent.
We arrived into the camp at about 2:00. Nicely situated in a wooded area with much privacy between the very few that are still touring. 15 or 20 in a camp that holds 150.
The priorities this afternoon were, a laundry, a haircut, a few groceries, and an early night. We have been on the road too long without a break, I for one, am looking forward to a lazy morning before a short ride to Ottawa and some city sightseeing at a leisurely pace.
We will be here for two days we think. Periodically we look at our progress and what we have yet to do and wonder whether we have enough time to do the circuit in the time allotted at the pace we like.
Photo is a lake by the road where we had lunch.
Wawa to Sturgeon Falls, Ontario
September 21We may all have preconceived ideas of what certain things that we may have never seen are like, at least I do. For example, I always assumed that Sudbury and the area around it was a big dirty unattractive mining area, and that the whole scene would be rather depressing.
How wrong I was! The landscape from western Ontario to here so far area is absolutely breathtaking. It is low rolling hills of solid rock, carpeted with low growing deciduous and evergreen trees. At this time of the year it looks like a painting or a calendar.
We got an early start and went to The High Falls at Wawa.
For the next hour or so, all the lakes that we passed on the highway, and there is one about every couple of kilometres, had a mist or fog over it as the early morning sun started to heat up the day. Photographs cannot possibly capture the beauty of it.
The weather today was the best ever, and the highway was virtually empty. Generally, a good day. We did put many miles on today as we want to get into Ottawa early and get ready for a bit of sightseeing in a city.
Today's highlight, other than the continuous gorgeous scenery, was a visit to a roadside craft stand that had some of the most beautiful crafts, and carvings by Indians and locals that you will likely every see.
The trapping and fur business is alive and well in Canada, in spite of Bridget Bardot.
Tonight we are camped on the shores of Lake Nippissing,
Doesn't that sound neat!
They’re Still Out There!
Mom & Dad have asked that I post a short note to let you all know that they are still indeed out there!
They’re in the Ottawa / Hull area for a few days doing the museum & tourist attraction
thing, and haven’t had a chance to track down an internet café yet.
Thunder Bay to Wawa
Great day, good roads, good weather, great scenery. There is a lot to be said for travelling this time of the year; no line-ups, low rates and light traffic.
We started the day with shopping at Wal-Mart where there were about 12 RVs who spent the night in the parking lot, including the German couple we met yesterday. I did a cleanup of the truck and trailer while Fellette shopped.
Thunder Bay is a bit spread out and it is very old, the streets are somewhat irregular and not in too good a shape so getting out of there could have been a bit of a problem.
HOWEVER, we have this navigation aid called a Tom-Tom. It works on the GPS
[Global Positioning Satellite] principal. We enter the city
[or address] that we want to go to and it tells you how to get there, as you travel; both visually on a small screen mounted on the dashboard, and it actually speaks to you in any one of about 30 languages. We have chosen "Jane" as our
voice, a very nicely spoken lady with an English accent.
Between Jane and Fellette we are scoring 100%. However, in the more remote areas Jane gets confused and gives us bad advice, like "left turn ahead," when such an action would take us off the roadway. Great in built-up areas, which is where we need it.
No attractions for us today, just gorgeous scenery, hills, lakes, and little quaintsy towns eeking an existence out of a remote and beautiful environment.
To live here you have to love the life of fishing, ice fishing, moose hunting, snow and very long and cold winters.
The town of Wawa, is really quite nice, around 1800 people and one main street. The local curiosity seems to be the local General Store and gas station.
[With a moose on the porch].
Somehow for some reason more than a few buildings and monuments are sporting reproductions of a humungous goose.
I think it was an attention-getter for when the highway was opened in the 1960s.
The highway we came in on today is called the "Courage Highway" after Terry Fox. There is a very large and well kept monument to mark the site of his easternmost point before he had to stop.
So far we have done 4011 kilometers!
[2400 miles].
We are still alive and well!
All is well here.
At this time [Sept. 20], we are in a place called Wawa, Northern Ontario. We are settled in for the night and they have an internet connection, sort of. Craig has not had time to post the blogs that I have sent,
coming soon.It is a bit too complicated for me to actually post them with the unreliable arrangements. Sorry folks.
Doug
Thunder Bay, Ontario.
[Was Port Arthur and Fort William Towns] In 1971? The towns merged, and there was a vote to decide the new name for the merged city. Three choices; Lakehead, The Lakehead, and Thunder Bay. For years the place was known as the Lakehead and almost everyone wanted either Lakehead or The Lakehead. Those two names split the vote and Thunder Bay won the day. Pity, it is indeed the Lakehead!
[At the west end of Lake Superior.] The day started rainy and drizzly, but as the hours went on, the showers stopped and the road was dry!
Wow, dry roads, isn't that wonderful! The countryside is absolutely marvellous, rolling hills, mixed evergreens and deciduous trees make it very colourful as the leaves start to turn, and little lakes every mile or so. The sun was not yet showing it too well so we didn't linger.
The traffic was light and the pavement excellent and soon we were in Thunder Bay. Our propane system needed work, that was done in 3/4 hour.
[Life is so simple in small communities!] Fellette gave the mechanic a jar of blackberry jam for his speedy service. He has three young daughters, all under 12. Next, off to Thunder Bay Airport to pick up a package of forgotten goods from home at Fedex. The airport is about 20 acres and is like driving into a large parking lot. In and out in 15 minutes.
Next, to The Fort William Historical Park. A two hour tour of life in the early 1800s at a fur trading fort. A group of six of us, good stuff, more Canadiana. Then to find our nest for the night. Done in 20 minutes. Earlier at the Fort we chatted with a German Couple that have been in North America for about six months. They sent their Motor Home over from Germany to Baltimore, by ship obviously, and have toured Canada and the US with it. I asked him where they were staying tonight and he said, "Likely Wal-Mart!". Go figure that one out. Gas is 1/2 the price of Germany and the lodging is free.
We then went out on the town tonight in Kakabeka Falls. Turkey dinner, great, a break for the cook in the family.
Tonight may be the first night in about a week that we don't have rain pelting on our roof.
An assortment of photos from Fort Williamfollows. The Indian is an Ojibway, his name is standing bear.
[I wonder how he got his name??]
The fall was a mere trickle today, most was going to the turbines underground. I really think that we had more water in our trailer yesterday than we saw at Grand Falls today.
stop laughing, Fellette picks these things. It is a museum devoted to the potato growing industry in the area. We had an escorted tour, where we were the only visitors at the time.
New Brunswick has a population of somewhat over 700,000 people. It appears to be mostly rural and is like any other rural area except it is absolutely beautiful country. Small rolling hills with towns tucked off the main roads. We followed the St. John river most of the day. The farms all appear to be very neat and well maintained, almost obsessive with it. The total effect is very pleasing to the eye.
