Friday, August 17, 2018

A MAJOR CHANGE TO OUR TRAVEL PLANS THIS WINTER

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With a predicted chance of rain overnight I left the Jeep parked outside in hopes of Mother Nature giving it a good wash.  By 6:30 this morning Mother Nature did just that.  Our wheelbarrow rain gauge showed we had a quarter wheelbarrow load of rain.

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A YOUNG GULL GIVES PHEEBS AND I THE EYE

Despite this mornings on and off again rain showers little Spoogins and I took our usual drive to Goderich with all the routine stops thrown in.  Only other stop was Jenkins Auto Wreckers to inquire about some winter wheel rims for our heavy duty desert sand and snow tires. 

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A LONE COAST GUARD VESSEL SKIPS ACROSS THE WATERS OF LAKE HURON

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AT THE BEACH ALL ABSORBED IN A CELL PHONE

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IT WAS ALL ABOUT THE CLOUDS THIS MORNING

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STILL TOTALLY ABSORBED IN THAT CELL PHONE

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NOT SURE WHAT’S GOING ON HERE BUT I’M GUESSING IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH A WEDDING

There has been a major change to our winter travel plans.  We had been considering a Plan B to our Plan A Oregon-California-Arizona trip for awhile and finally Thursday after discussing things again we decided to shelve our Oregon coast plans.  We will be leaving the same week-end as originally planned but instead of heading West we have now decided to head East.  New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia including the Cabot Trail will be some of our destinations.  We discussed Newfoundland but it’s too expensive to take the Motorhome on the ferry and it’s too long a journey to leave Pheebs in the Motorhome below decks. 

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THE ALGOMA BUFFALO WAS IN PORT THIS MORNING TAKING ON A LOAD OF SALT AT THE SIFTO SALT MINE 

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NO SIGN OF THE CAPTAIN ON THE BRIDGE, HE MIGHT STILL BE IN BED

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There are a number of reasons behind this decision with several of them being some health concerns on both our parts.  With the cost of our travel insurance rising ($3000 this year) we’ve decided to base the majority of our travels right here in Canada where our health costs are automatically covered just in case of a problem.  Also, Kelly is happy not to have to deal with Verizon again.  Always way to expensive, stressful, and often problematic.  No having to switch to an American phone plan either.  And this trip would only rack up a third or half as many miles as the Oregon trip and of course would be much less stressful for us.  This trip would also include a stop at Kelly’s Mothers in Spencerport New York on the way back.   Kelly has never been to Canada’s East coast so that is another big factor.  And of course I’m sure there are some other reasons we haven’t even thought about yet.

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‘NICE MORNING FOR A PADDLE OLLIE’…..’YES IT IS STANLEY’

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‘MY OH MY THAT IS A BIG BOAT OVER THERE STANLEY’…….’YES IT CERTAINLY IS OLLIE’

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A BIG WORK BARGE TIED UP OVER ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE HARBOR

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THREE LITTLE TUGS ALL IN A ROW MAKES ME THINK BACK TO  LARRY, CURLY, AND MOE

Okay, so what about Winter.  We hope to spend about 6 weeks on the road and return to Bayfield maybe late October or mid November depending on weather.  Whether we’ll stay home for the rest of the winter or maybe head south somewhere is anybody’s guess and we’ll make that decision after we get home.  Travel insurance goes by the day so the less time spent in the States the cheaper the insurance.  Times are a changing for us here at the Bunch and we just have to roll with those on-going changes and make the best decisions that are right for us.

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IT WAS A RAINY MORNING FOR A COUNTRY ROAD WALK

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Sanitized the Motorhomes fresh water tank this afternoon, drained it and added back about half a tank for now.  Ran up the generator for a bit too and maybe tomorrow Pheebs and I will take it out for a short exercise run around a few paved country blocks.  If it’s not raining that is.

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LOOKS LIKE AN EARLY MORNING LADIES BREAKFAST CLUB MEETING

GROANER’S CORNER:((  A farmer purchases an old, run-down, abandoned farm with plans to turn it into a thriving enterprise. The fields are grown over with weeds, the farmhouse is falling apart, and the fences are collapsing all around.  During his first day of work, the town preacher stops by to bless the man's work, saying, "May you and God work together to make this the farm of your dreams!  "A few months later, the preacher stops by again to call on the farmer.  Lo and behold, it's like a completely different place--the farm house is completely rebuilt and in excellent condition, there are plenty of cattle and other livestock happily munching on feed in well-fenced pens, and the fields are filled with crops planted in neat rows.  "Amazing!" the preacher says. "Look what God and you have accomplished together!""Yes, reverend," says the farmer, "but remember what the farm was like when God was working it alone!"

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“I used to be a demolition expert - it was a blast.”

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If Lawrence Welk would have had twin daughters what would he have named them? - Anna one, Anna two...

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26 comments:

  1. Al, your travel change sounds like a good plan to me!!! We just returned home from a 2+ week trip to WA and OR coasts. We enjoyed our camping stays and the ferry ride in WA. Campgrounds in/around No Cascades NP, Olympic NP and Cape Dis were lovely and not crowded.

    However, the OR coast was jammed with people and traffic. It was a mistake to go in August we learned the hard way. Fire smoke was heavy anywhere inland from the beaches, so the trip to / from was poor for sightseeing and landscape photos.

    Have fun up in the Maritimes. We fantasize about that trip, but that is just too far for me to drive. Maybe we will see you around the desert SW in February.

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  2. Good plan Al and Kelly. Roll with the punches. You will have fun in the moho wherever you park it.

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  3. Luv that first photo! I like changing plans like that. We do that often. While down East we stopped at Hopewell Cape Rocks in NB. They have one lot for RV parking during the day so we got to walk on the ocean floor then hang out for a few hours & make lunch....then go back down to see the night tide. Was one of my favourite days there. There is a Facebook page called Camping Eastern Canada, maybe Kelly can have a look. We did take out very cheap extra health care though. Ohip doesn't cover ambulance costs outside of Ontario, The Walmart in Reviere du Loup we came across by accident when lost so we overnighted there & it was a good spot, not far from the Hwy. I will look forward to following along when you go.

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  4. I understand fully Al. Health is what it's all about, for all of us. And it's also good for Kelly to see a few of the eastern Provinces. I just can't imagine spending a winter in Bayfield, unless there is just no other choices. I hope things work out for each of you, and Scoogins too. :-)

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  5. Your travels will be wonderful. Have fond memories of our RV travels there.

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  6. Now you have me excited about your possible travel plans in Canada. I have always been so sorry that when I was still able to travel long distances, I didn't drive to the places you mentioned. I have been in all 50 of the United States, but only a couple of Canada's Provinces.

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  7. The new plan sounds great, a short burst getaway and see how you feel from there. Great idea. Close to home. Good times. Enjoy!

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  8. Nova Scotia and the Cabot trail were one of the most enjoyable trips for us. Baddeck was were we stayed and the Canadian technology museum is awesome. The music festival is great to see/hear also. Hopewell Rocks and Fundy Provincial park was great with their giant tides. We plan to do it again in a year or two. Great choice.

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  9. Nice to be flexible and to change things up. Wow that is a lot of money for insurance. One of your American blog readers,a good friend of mine, recently did a similar trip to the Maritimes. I will find the link to the first post and send it to you.

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  10. I love the Maritimes and what a great time to visit. You'll be there for the beautiful fall colours. Be sure to check out a few lobster suppers. Many communities have them. They are kind of like the turkey dinners on the prairies, only the ladies serve lobster rather than turkey. You'll really enjoy this trip, we've been there many times over the years. The Maritimers are very friendly people. Once, years ago when we were travelling with our three kids, we stopped a man to ask directions and he asked us to come home with him for dinner we declined but couldn't believe the welcome.
    Enjoy!
    Elaine McCullough May
    Ladysmith BC

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  11. All the best with your travelling to the East Coast. Even when travelling in Canada, out of province insurance is advisable. If you decide to go to the U.S. again, look into Bell's plan called "the North American Plan", it includes unlimited calling, including long distance to and from the U.S. and across Canada, also texting and different data plans. We used it all last winter and are very pleased with it.

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  12. What a great plan, Al. We took a trip up there in the 90’s and loved it. We need to go back, for sure. Have fun!

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  13. Love the east coast and am sure you will enjoy the trip, I have been there 7 times years ago all over and love the area and people. Yes every year our health insurance keeps getting more expensive, we will keep going as long as we can afford it.

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  14. Al, your travel plans sound great and I can't wait to follow along on your exploration. We've never been to the east coast of Canada and look forward to your adventures! Max.

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  15. Love the photos you took of the ducks. Looks like you had a great day for traveling. Thanks for the share, hope you have a fantastic weekend. Keep up the posts.


    World of Animals

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  16. Sounds like a lot of us are on the same page when it comes to sticking to Canada for our future travel plans. We have settled on Vancouver Island this winter and I'm quite happy about avoiding the U.S. the border, the whole rig-a-ma-role! We are on a Telus plan for our cell phones by the way, the gal in Milton, gave us the Business plan with extra wifi coverage and it's free texting and long distance in Canada and America... no need to switch at all, it switches as you travel and adjusts no extra cost. As to the ferry, here's a few tips that I learned from folks about the ferry from Vancouver, perhaps it relates to all. There are senior discount days you can watch for that give you a hefty amount off the fare. As to the spoogins, we learned on both of our ferry rides, over to Victoria and back to Vancouver, that if you are towing, it pays to unhook and have someone drive the car on. When you do this, you save $75. (Vancouver Ferry) AND you drive the dog on with the car, because you can come and go from your car where you can't with the bus. So you drive the bus on. Park it and then go find your car on the upper airy deck where you can stay with your dog in the car. This is what we will do in the future, one, we will save money and two, we won't be hulking Kelly up the stairs to deck 4 to the dog room where she's very fearful and barks at any other dogs who come in. Just something to think about checking into if you want to go over to Newfoundland, because, well you're there! :D

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  17. I'm excited about this new plan because you'll be visiting places I've never seen.

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  18. Well, I'm delighted to hear your new plans. I find it very refrshing that you've come up with such a different plan. You'll love the maritimes if you get down to the shore a bit, we were there three times in earlier years. I'm not sure you'd enjoy the attractions (like King Tut's Tomb) at the west end of the national park on PEI, but tucked away several miles to the east is a seperate unit of the park, Greenwich Beach - a long floating boardwalk over a marsh, and miles of beach. When we were there in'99, we walked the entire trail and didn't see another soul.

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  19. That new plan will be a whole new adventure and that's terrific. Besides, then I will get to see photos of places I've never been. :-) Here's to Pheebs and her happily healing tail.

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  20. LOOKS LIKE AN EARLY MORNING LADIES BREAKFAST CLUB MEETING --- Whoa!! That's below the belt, Al. How about a men's coffee?

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  21. We loved camping in the Maritimes. Don't forget about the Yarmouth shore (waaay south of the popular places) in Nova Scotia. Lovely campsites on the ocean with the most amazing sunsets you will ever see. There is also a bunch of fantastic provincial and parks that are cheaper than Ontario parks. Also on the south shore is a Night Sky tour you don't want to miss. Have fun and glad to hear Pheebs's tail is on the mend! Cheers, Judi

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  22. We spent 6 weeks in your Atlantic Provinces and enjoyed every second! Kelly will love it! We also did not go to New Foundland for the same reasons you named...expense and our puppies.

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  23. I have been very lax about blogging and just caught up on your change of travel plans..We use to go to upstate NY in the Fall..Dennis was stationed at Saratoga Springs in the Air Force...Upstate New York is one of my favorites..I am so jealous of you going to Nova Scotia too!!! Yep, one thing for certain is that things will change in our lives..This may very well be our last Winter RV trip...if we get to take one...Time will tell!

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  24. Sounds like a good plan, Al & Kelly! We don't enjoy making long trips anymore since I'm the one doing ALL the driving! And, we have a new pup to take with us...Bodie! He travels well in the car, but, like you, we don't want to stress him. He is almost 9 months old now and he is just the sweetest thing!

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  25. We enjoyed the ferry ride to Newfoundland, but would never take a dog. It is too long a trip. The dogs that were left in cages on the ferry looked pretty unhappy as we went back to the motorhome.

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