Back in Ontario…

 

Our Location:

Valens Lake Conservation, Flamborough, Ontario

We woke to sunny skies and coolish temps in Perrysburg, Ohio but it did warm up on our drive. Wheels rolling by 7:45 am we had the best kind of drive….uneventful. The regular rough stretch entering Monroe, Michigan, but other wise other than a noisy road surface, all was good. 

Our last state this journey.

We arrived at the Canadian Customs, paid our $11.00 and rolled across the Ambassador Bridge pulling into line about 9:15 am. A new Customs Officer, reading from the “script” was pleasant and by 9:30 am we were wheels rolling on past the Customs yard onto the streets of Windsor.  Our second bonus of the day, an easy crossing.

The Ambassador Bridge

TD Duck is crossing the St. Claire River for the first time. Lol.

We are going to cross that bridge to Ontario.

Chatham Kent was our first rest stop in Ontario. The call to our intended destination brought us our first curve ball of the day. Due to new management, no returning early admissions allowed. Hmmmmm… this is not good, we had based everything on this park. Riley came up with the place we never wanted to return to, I called and yes, they are open, in fact open all year. We had little choice and took a spot. Our third bonus of the day.  A call to Dad to let him know we are back in Ontario, and on the road we were once again.

Not birds, boats on the St. Claire River as we cross, you can tell we are high up.

Riley texted our usual folks to let them know we have arrived and soon we were pulling into the Conservation area. Just under $500 CAD secured us a spot for the week.  We stayed in this park once before with the old Igloo, which was 30 amp, but now we discovered there are no 50 amp sites. Not knowing this is rig was 50 amp when we bought it, and since we plug in so infrequently, I left my 50/30 conversion at home. While the rig came with a short 50/30, this one plugs into the rig, not the end of the 50 amp cord like the one I have at home. So that didn’t help us. We decided we would continue with our plans and worry about later.

That is Ontario, Canada. Weare almost back to our home province, but nit home.

We left around 2:30 pm with the Igloo running as usual on battery and headed off to Brantford to see daughter Bradey, SIL David, and grandsons Auston and Lincoln. It was a great visit, the boys are growing so fast, and are full of energy. We enjoyed a very nice turkey dinner, but shortly after, we headed out, stopping at Walmart but not finding a 50/30, instead finding a 30 amp extension cord. We had a solution. We bought the cord, came home, plugged in the short 50/30 to the rig, connected the 30 amp extension cord, and voila, we are good to go. I think this might be our option of choice going forward. The 30 amp chord is much easier to handle than the very heavy 50 amp. We shall of course carry both but we are thinking of using this set up. Our fourth and fifth bonus’ of the day.

The green grass of Ontario.

It’s hard to tell but there is the slightest suggestion of green in the trees, barely but it’s there. 

We travelled 250 miles/402 km. We stopped a number of times, travelling approximately 6 hours, we used about 20 gallons/75 litres of fuel, we averaged around 57 mph/91 kmh. We had a bit of a head wind, side wind at times, some stop and go traffic getting to the park and a bit of hilly countryside as well. So my math says about 12.5 mpg. Considering our fresh water is almost full, I think that was good. 

Until next time…..

Take care, stay safe,

Deb

Another day in the desert....

Our Location: 

 Road Runner BLM, Quartzsite, Arizona

 

Near the freezing mark this morning with no wind but it increased as the day went along, out of the northwest and finally just out of the north. The temps struggled again today and with the wind chill, well, it was a better day than yesterday but not what we expect out here in the desert. 

 

A little chat outside with Doug and Tom but it was mostly an inside day until around 3 pm or so. I headed out for a short walk but the wind was raw and I didn't walk far, just a couple of pics and I headed home. Deb and Tom were outside and so I sat down and started to chat with them, before long Doug and Yuma came along. As the sun went down we all decided we'd had enough and headed inside. 

 

I called and chatted with my other two girls today, both back home in Southern Ontario. Courtney has covid but is doing well, now it feels as if it's a bad cold. She was only really sick the first day with a terrible headache. I think she said she is on day 3 or 4 now. She works from home and is taking a few days to recover before getting back into the full routine. Bradey and family are doing well. The boys are growing fast!! They had about the same, if not warmer temps than we do here and although we may have reached higher temps later in the day, their morning temps were warm than ours. Chatted with my dad tonight as well, they had a good day but again the cold wind from the west. As we were talking he received a severe weather alert on his phone. Not sure what kind of weather but I will check it out later. Probably a cold alert, he was saying the temps are supposed to start dropping again soon. 

So there you have it, our quiet day here in the desert. Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoyed your visit. 

 

Until next time......

 

Take care, stay safe, 

 

Deb

 

 

We are moving right along....

 

Our Location: Mile Marker 144, near Van Horn, Texas

 

The morning dawned coolish in Brady, Tx and we turned the heat on when we got into the Dogsled to give us a bit of a warm up. We packed everything up, checked the tires, pulled in the slides and connected the Igloo and Dogsled, wheels rolling just a tad after 8:30 AM, CMT. 

 

Prickly Pear Cactus and a Century Plant along the roadside.

More Prickly Pear.

A very long and lonesome highway is Tex 190 West.

 

Course hard top with lots of well worn grooves make up Tex 190 West.

We continued along Texas Highway 190West for most of the morning until we reached I-10 near Iraan, Tx. The highway was good, only a very few rough spots and even then, not that rough but it was a long drive on a two lane course hard top. Some rolling hills, some flat land and again into the rolling hills. We found it very uninteresting and that has us thinking we won't be using it again. We would drop straight down from Menard to I-10 instead of following Tex 190 for such a long distance. 

 

You could build a house from all those rocks and have enough to build another one too.

Our rock cuts back home don't have prickly pear growing out of 'em.

A stunning view!

 

Fuel is running anywhere from about $4.69 to $5.40, with gas usually being between $1.50 and $2.00 cheaper per gallon than diesel.  We gave the Big Dog a drink at Murphy's in Stockton where he lapped up about 27 gallons of his preferred drink at $4.99 per gallon. Considering we had a bit of a headwind/crosswind in places he did well. Temps are running from about 45F/8C night time lows to about 78F/29C for day time highs. 

 

We are seeing the outline for far off mountains.

The rolling hills of Texas on I-10 West bound.

 

Our original plan was to stop at or near Fort Stockton (226 miles/364 km from Brady), but we opted to keep the wheels going since it was pretty early in the day to stop. We added another 100 miles/160 km to the end of our day which makes things easier for the next couple of days. We travelled a total of 342 miles/550 km, which is a long day for us.

 

 Much better than our morning drive views. See those wind turbine way over there?

Much of the land in this stretch looks like this.

 

Prickly Pear cactus has been evident for a number of days now and even the yucca type Century Plants are in abundance too. Lots of scrub land today, lots of oil being pumped out of the ground too, along with a fairly big number of wind turbines. In fact as we were just coming back from our walk we noticed a single blade for a wind turbine sitting on a very, very, very long joined trailer pulled in on the opposite side of us, my goodness but he's long!!!

 

Very artistic way to hold the dirt on the side of the overpass, don't ya think?

The view out our door tonight.

 

Birthday wishes go out to SIL Barb (brother Rick's lovely bride) who turns 29 again today. We hope it's been a fantastic day Barb even though it's cold and damp. I asked Dad to have a piece of cake for both Riley and I!! Also happy birthday to Hazel, granddaughter of Barb the birthday lady. They share the same day, Barb just had it first. Hazel however is not 29 but 4. Happy Birthday Hazel Beanerrrrrrrrr. Haha. 

 

Not a bad view when you turn your head either.

The picnic spots here at the rest area. They include a grill, garbage cans, shelter, wind break and table with benches. Sign says NO SLEEPING ON TABLE AND/OR BENCHES .

A chat with daughter Bradey last night, they are all fine and Auston is enjoying his swimming lessons a tiny bit, so that's good news. He's such a shy little fella. Lincoln is growing in leaps and bounds. A chat with Dad today finds their temps in the single digits, I think he said 7C/44F with dampness in the air and high winds. Seems most of the trees are leafless now due to the winds for the last couple of days. 

 

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoyed your visit. 

 

Until next time..

 Take care, be safe, 

 

Deb 

Spring is coming to Manitoulin Island......

 

 

Our Location: Tehkummah, Ontario

 

It's been a while since my last post but I thought I'd catch up today. The winter has pretty much ended here, although we still have some snow and more will come but it won't last long. In the past week the ground is starting to show in places, the creeks and rivers are running, the fields are showing water laying everywhere and a few spots are showing a hint of red in the far off distance of tree tops. The now present mud is everywhere and if not careful one might find themselves wallowing in a mud bath. 

 

A few fru fru's sis and I assembled at work. 

 The winter has been long here, bleary, dreary and cold. A few medical issues with Riley and I as well as the Dogsled. However things are moving along and we are hopeful that getting back into the Igloo and the summer will do the trick. (for us, not the Dogsled) 

 

Sunrise on a morning walk.

Crisp and cold on these mornings.

Around mid Feb the Dogsled just wasn't feeling well, nothing exactly but something was off. Long story short, a flatbed took him from one garage to another where he sat for about two weeks waiting for a head gasket to be delivered, and eventually he came home, full of pep and doing well.  More expensive than paying my rent for the winter but oh well, we can't move the Igloo without him. A big thanks to Dad for the loan of "Marion" his car during our time of need.

Last week this road was just one long mud lane.

The local dairy farm.

 Work at the little Inn has been very quiet although it's picking up again as spring makes its entrance.  I currently do a little light housekeeping for a couple of elderly couples to help with the boredom of winter. The general agreement is spring can't arrive fast enough. 

 

It's beautiful in the right light, isn't it?

But it's cold and damp, chilling to the bone in fact.

 A few things to mention for my own future 'remembering' . Middle daughter Bradey and her hubby David are set to welcome their second child at the end of May. A brother for Auston. Nephew Jason enjoyed his trip to the far west coast of Canada where he spent about 5 weeks sledding in the mountains with friends.   Get well wishes to Connie. The entire family is doing well, healthy, happy and for the most part glad we can see spring. I've enjoyed my morning coffee with Joan this winter. We are about 6 weeks from moving back home in to the Igloo. Looking so forward to that. 

 

Looking back the way I've come.

 I will admit I've been slowly catching up on my blog reading, I just couldn't seem to read them over the winter for some reason. I'm envious of all you folks out there living the dream, soaking up the sun and scratching the hitch itch.  Al's (Travel with the Bayfield Bunch ) neck of the woods are much closer to spring than we are, but we're moving right along trying to catch up. Lorne and Sue (  A place called away )  Harold and Pat down in Mexico look to be just living the high life with daily outings and tempting food. Deb and Tom (  Celebrating the Dance   )  are teasing me with all the views they are enjoying. Thanks for the emails throughout the winter, brightened the day for sure. Doug and grandson Nick ( Miss Adventure Travels  ) are doing some great exploring and I've enjoyed all those views a great deal. Sorry to hear about the WL issues but hopefully a quick fix and you'll be on your way once more. Bill ( On our way )  and Patsy ( Chillin' with Patsy ) seem to be filling their days enjoying friends and family as well as introducing their newest family member young Master Gibbs to the RV community.  Ivan ( Road Trip )  and Hailey seem to be keeping a low profile out there in the grasslands.  Ken and Shirley ( Seeing America with Ken and Shirley ) are making me tired just reading about their busy days!  Colin and Contessa (5C's Que Pasa ) are also enjoying their new family members, a set of chocolate Doxies which they are enjoying introducing to the sights, sounds and smells of Mexico. Jim and Barb ( Jim and Barb's RV Adventure) are just wowing me with all their energy and making me chuckle often with their wit. Nice new wheels folks. Mz Kissack ( Kissack Adventures  ) is on uphill learning curve but I have no doubt you will breeze to the top with no troubles. Congrats on the big step and I'm sure you will enjoy the freedom. Rick and Kathy (It's about time ) seem to be doing well down there in the Windsor area, hopefully things continue well and you will once again be back on the road out of the cold.  I miss George and Suzie very much and think of them often. I think that about ends my reading, if I missed anyone I'm sorry. 

 

So that about sums up this post. I hope to stop in to your blogs on a bit more regular basis but can't promise. Summer is coming and I'm truly thankful for that. I may celebrate a "thanksgiving" just for that fact alone. Thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoyed the visit. 

 

 Until next time, 

 Take care, stay safe, be healthy, 

 

Deb

Travel plans, catching up and quiet times.....

 

 
Our Location: Summer Spot, near South Baymouth, Ontario, Canada


I’ll bet you thought I forgot all about you, well you’d be wrong. It’s pretty quiet here at the best of times and with this pandemic still chasing us all around, it’s even quieter and I had nothing to write about. I salute those that find something to write about every day, I don’t have what it takes to do that.

This doe seemed to hang around for a couple of months. She would show up in various places including the ridge outside our dining room window.

The weather has been great for the most part but like others I’m sure we’ll all be happy to be rid of the humid conditions soon, not to rush fall or winter though. Sweltering heat here with high humidity has been the story for most of us in Ontario this summer and we here in the northern part were a great deal more fortunate than our friends and neighbours in Southern Ontario.  I think we can all agree it has been a summer unlike any we’ve ever experienced before with weather and pandemic being the top of the news for a very long time now. Hurricanes, tornados and floods are now more and more in the headlines as well. Certainly not the type of summer we are used to and our thoughts go to those that have and are suffering and struggling during this very trying time. Hopefully the coming weeks and months bring relief, promise and hope to all.

 

I haven’t been keeping up with blogs nor Facebook so I have no idea what’s happening with everyone. The pace of life here is very different and I find it’s bedtime before I think of turning on the computer and by then I’m ready to call it a day. So I apologize for not commenting and keeping up but as we all know, blogging is to be fun and not a chore.

 

These colourful mushrooms are starting to appear in lots of places around our summer spot.

 

Today’s photos were taken mostly with my phone, although a few were with the camera out the dining room window. The photos range from wild life to sunrises and a few things in between, taken over the past number of weeks since my last post. I hope you enjoy them.

These two photos are in the village of South Baymouth, near the ferry terminal. Very rough waters out there in Georgian Bay made for a few very rough trips on the Chi-Cheemaun.

Both the snake and the hummingbird were photographed out the dining room window.

Riley and I have decided we will be staying in Ontario this winter. With Covid 19 still very much making it’s ugly self known we both feel it’s safer to stay where we have family to help should it be needed. So we are currently searching for winter accommodations on Manitoulin Island. Something small and preferably in the south east area but we will be looking at everything. Comments are always the same: everyone seems to be searching for a winter spot here this year. So I guess we aren’t alone.

A sunrise shot taken on the way to Dad's house for coffee shortly after 6 AM.

These three shots were taken on a different morning on the way to coffee with the fog hovering, things were damp and the dew was heavy.

 

 Some notes to to share that I would normally mention in my blog but since I’m catching up some may seem a bit out of date to some but I’ll include  them anyway. Some notes will of course be for the future as well, since I’m not sure when I’ll write another post.

 

Another sunrise on the way to morning coffee. 

 

 

Another fog covered morning.

Taken between my dad's house and my brother's house with the sunrays shining through a maple tree.

 Condolences to our good friend Sharon and family in the passing of her husband Ron in May. We truly regret not being able to see them on our way home last spring but will always remember Ron’s gentle voice, kind heart and wonderful friendship. We’ve known them for years and have always enjoyed their company.  A true gem and we will all miss you Sheriff.  Condelences as well to the Hall family in the recent passing of their mother Pat, a fixture around Tehkummah for as long as I can remember, a contributor to the local newspaper, she wrote Tehkummah Talk and Times for many years catching everyone up on the local happenings in and around the area. Also to the Ward family in the passing of Susan and to the Oswald family in the passing of Helen. Both of these women were well known in the community, even if I didn’t know them well, and they will be missed greatly.

 

Sunrise one morning as I step outside heading for coffee time.

Birthday wishes to my middle daughter Bradey (July 24), my Aunt Sandra (August 5), my Dad (August 10), cousin Tammy (August 28), our friend Randy (who celebrates today, August 29) and a big happy birthday to my grandson Auston (who will turn one year old on September 12). Happy Birthday as well to my niece Nicole who will celebrate a birthday on September 30. The month of August is also brings us more memories of those that have left us, my mom (whose birthday was Aug 15 and passed on Aug 4, 2003), my late husband Richard (passed on Aug 10, 2006), and my grandmother (whose birthday was Aug 17 and passed on Aug 31, 2005).

The same sunrise as the above photos.

Some other notes for myself, dad’s brother Donnie arrived home almost 3 months to the day after his motorcycle accident. He is now in a wheel chair, but in good spirits and seemingly doing well. He arrived home August 26, 2020, having been injured June 19, 2020 in a single vehicle accident.  Fortunate for sure.

 As I said, I’m not sure when I’ll update my blog again but I assure you all that you cross my mind and bring a smile to my face each time I think of you. Thanks for stopping by!

Until next time….take care, be safe, stay healthy.


Deb