Realising the Dream
Travelog of RVW members Maggie Birchmore and Di Chawner
e-mail: Magsndi@worldnet.att.net

Having had a relaxing ‘holiday’ on Prince Edward Island we arrived in New Brunswick Canada.  Our first stop was a visit to the Hopewell Rocks on the Bay on Funday where the sea levels rise on average between 32 and 46 feet each day.  The rock formations in the reddish cliffs are millions of years old, carved by the sea and sculpted into flowerpot shapes.  When the tide is out you walk amongst them and realise their size.  

From there we headed west to the Gaspe Peninsular, Quebec.  Leaving the motorhome in New Brunswick we took the car into Quebec.   It took us a while to get used to everything in French.  Gaspe is a large peninsular, the north side of which is the entrance to the St Lawrence Seaway.  We had bed and breakfast for a couple of nights and during the day saw some dramatic coastal scenery and ultimately some very strong winds.  We were very glad not to be in the motorhome at that point.  It did mean that there were really rough seas which were quite spectacular.  We had anticipated seeing many large cargo ships heading into the seaway, but we were surprised to see so few.  A sign of the times maybe.

We returned to New Brunswick and collected Eileen and headed to the cities.  First though we went for a boat ride along the St Lawrence in search of Beluga whales.  White whales which prefer to swim just below the surface of the water and do not perform acrobatics.  So we just counted the white blobs in the sea but that was ok too.

Our first major city along the seaway was Quebec City.  The old part of the city is very French looking, the streets, buildings and cafés.  It is of course set up for the tourist but even so it is very easy to get around and well worth a visit.

Next stop Montreal, a typical modern city.  We found it lacked character and for us, any interest.  We didn’t stay long.

We moved on to Ottawa, the Capital.  A far more interesting place.  We went into the Parliament building.  Strange really as neither of us has been into the Parliament buildings in London, but we have now over here.  What is it about being a tourist!!   We took the tour of the parliament and had the fundamentals of the Canadian Parliamentary system explained to us.  Not too dissimilar to our own in the UK.  Finally a lift ride to the top of the Peace Tower, a bell tower attached to the main Parliament building.  Wonderful views of the city and all was well until they told us the lift was broken and we had to walk all the way down.  Phew, glad it was down and not up.  Now we know just how unfit we are!  Despite this we have to say that we liked Ottawa, a city well worth the visit.

Our final city was Toronto, except that as we have been here before and seen the sights, this time was purely visiting friends.  We left Eileen on one of their friend’s driveway and we had a week away from her.  Our friends took us to Niagara Falls where we went on the Maid of the Mist and viewed these tremendous falls from water level.  What an experience, the wind and spray produced by them has to be felt to be believed.  So exhilarating.

After a nice break from travelling, it was soon time to move on again.  We said our goodbyes, collected Eileen and headed west towards Barrie, Ontario. A night at the local Walmart and then onto Sudbury.  It’s now Fall and the trees are beginning to show their beauty.  Such colours that the camera does not do justice to. Unfortunately what comes with the Fall is not just the colours but the cold and now it is getting colder. To us, it seems very cold.  Time to head south.  It was after all the beginning of October.

So now our next hurdle was the Border crossing.  All I can say here is that it took us over an hour to get through.

Back in the US again.  This time we were in Michigan, a new state for us and as it turned out a beautiful one too.  We headed for St Ignace in Upper Michigan.  We spent a couple of days there, went to Mackinaw Island and took a horse drawn carriage around the island.  There are no motor vehicles allowed except for the Police and Fire.

We moved on again, a short drive down to the main Michigan peninsular and we stayed at a city park in Petrosky that was on the shores of Lake Michigan.   In summer I expect its packed as the location is perfect.  For us though we had to huddle up as a storm came through and the wind got up.  It was cold.

Another short scenic drive took us to Traverse City.  The fall colours were peaking and unforgettable.  But here the rain came and then the snow, and of course a leaking roof.  A careful climb up onto the roof with sealant gun in one hand and the job is done.

We stayed longer than originally planned mainly because of the weather.  El Nino, who-ever he is, has a lot to answer for!!  A brief respite in the weather allowed us to head south to Elkhart Indiana.  The home of RVing.  A visit to the Motorhome Hall of Fame museum and a look at RVing since the 1930’s was then followed by a trip round town.  A town which thrived on the numerous RV Manufacturers is now struggling and looking tired. It seemed sad. 

Out of town and in the countryside surrounding Elkhart and Goshen live the Amish and Mennonite communities.  We found an Amish style restaurant and had a wonderful lunch.  The Amish have an interesting lifestyle in this day and age.  No electricity, cars or phones, just their community life and plenty of horse-power . The Mennonites have similar religious beliefs but choose to use modern amenities, however, they do not have television, radio or computers in their homes.

We left Elkhart and set our sights on reaching Independence Missouri, the end of our trip.  If anyone is thinking, well that’s it then, no, it isn’t.  On the interstate in the middle of somewhere, we stopped at a rest area for a cup of tea.  A check of the vehicles revealed a problem with Eileen.  The slide-out was opening of its own accord.  So, having clambered underneath only to find a bolt had sheared off we desperately tried to get the slide-out back in place.  I guess we must have looked pretty much at our wits end when two gentlemen came over.  ‘Can I help’ said one ‘I’m a mechanic’.  ‘You bet’ we said.  So we gave him a new bolt and under he went and sorted it out.  Knights in shining armour.  So with a big thank you and a Bar of chocolate they went on their way and we, with great relief, went on ours.  Next stop Independence.

We are now in Independence and getting ready to go home. It’s been a long trip but really good fun. We have met with old friends and made new ones.  Now we plan for next year.

Till then, bye for now.

Di & Maggie