July 2016  (you can click on pictures to make bigger)

It has been a long time since we did a “Blog”, so after some pressure from friends learning of our travel plans, we have decided to begin new postings.  Reading not required.  Optional!



Arbella Loop Home

Lanai View Arbella Loop

Retirement in The Villages has been a true “Blessing” and a wonderful life style that we truly embrace.  We love our new house, neighborhood, and of course our seasonal Wisconsin friends. 

 

 

Our RV life has always been leaving Wisconsin winters and heading south or west.  Now, being Florida residents, leaving the Florida summer heat makes sense.  In that regard, one last area on our “RV Bucket List” has always been the Maritime.  Obviously could not do leaving Wisconsin winters, so now is  the perfect time to do while escaping Florida heat.  Leaving  Florida July 1 , with plans to return home around August 31, covering Wisconsin, Michigan, Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island.  A healthy agenda to say the least.

But first we head to Wisconsin to attend Bob’s brother’s daughter Abigail & Jonathon’s wedding.  We arrived July 5 for the wedding on July 8.  The trip up was uneventful except for 100 degree heat in Georgia and Alabama, and then some exploding rain storms in the Midwest.   Our friend, Ron Tenpas graciously hosted us for a week’s stay at his lovely home.  What a marvelous host.  The wedding was elegant and the bride beautiful.  It was held at the Paine Art Center in a beautiful outdoor garden setting, followed by wonderful appetizers and dinner.  A truly nice experience! 

Abigail and Johnathan

Hickory Oaks Campground Oshkosh

From there we moved to the Hickory Oaks Campground in north Oshkosh continuing to connect with family and friends before our Maritime departure scheduled for July 15, 2016.  An early departure it was, 7:15am, heading north to the upper UP of Michigan, over the famous Mackinac Bridge with our first stop in Petoskey Michigan.  We passed a national Mini Cooper rally travelling south on Hwy 2, counting over 350 along the way.  In Petoskey,  we reserved  a lovely KOA campground in this high tourist area on Lake Michigan, ie; $70/night just to park our rig. 

 

The highlight of this area was touring Harbor Springs, Charlevoix, and Petoskey, all  very “high rent”

 



Charlevoix

 

Harbor Springs Home

areas, beautiful homes, large boats, and wonderful scenic harbors.  Leaving Petoskey we head straight down the center of Michigan towards the Canadian border.  Scenery was beautiful.   Crossing the border at Port Huron.  The line was very long taking maybe 30 minutes.  Agent less than friendly.  Lots of questions.  Many made no sense.  Once crossed we head towards Toronto.



Boarder Crossing

Our goal was to spend a couple of days touring Toronto, but entering the city we hit a horrible traffic jam.  Took us 5 hours to get thru the city in the “express lanes”, no off ramps.  Accident brought traffic  to a standstill.  Entered 3:30pm not out until 8:00pm.  Spent night in a Wal-Mart Parking lot.  So much for Toronto.  Not going to get us back there.

We then head for the tourist area of Kingston.  The beginning of the St. Lawrence sea way and the famous 1,000 Islands Park.  Found a very nice campground and booked three nights to tour the area.  Purchased a one day pass for Hop on and Off Trolley, Day Cruise, and a Fort Henry Tour.  Beautiful city situated on the north east shore of Lake Ontario.

Arriving Friday, July 22, 1000 Islands National Park, actually the village of Rockport, Ontario.  Booked a two night stay and a two hour tour of the islands. 

1000 Islands Park

 

Very busy tourist weekend, felt like the only people who spoke English.  Lots of buses, Orientals, French speaking Québec’s, India, and more.  The tour was nice, but hot and crowded.  Many beautiful homes, all on islands, including the famous Boldt Castle.  Back to the campground , a nice family oriented KOA.  Tomorrow Montreal.

Got through Montreal  with no problem and heading towards Quebec City.  Stayed at a Walmart in Quebec, 100% French speaking, all store labels French. 

Walmart Quebec

 

Met a nice bilingual speaking gentlemen traveling in a conversion van.  Single and has traveled all over the world.  Interesting guy.



Caution for large "Mice"

Monday July 25 arrived at our first Maritime destination.  Edmondston, New Brunswick.  Nice campground on the river.  Booked three nights.  Again, all French speaking but most bilingual.  Lovely area, reminds us of our travels to Alaska.