Come Go With Us...: Summer 2015: Ontario, Canada

Saturday, July 25, Day 39

Miles to travel 300

We were in Quebec, Canada. Our destination was in Ontario and we chose to get there by going south about one mile and crossing the New York border back into the USA. One plus was that we were able to get cheaper fuel.

As we were approaching the border, I noticed a sign that indicated that we would not be able to fit where the border agent wanted us to go (our truck camper is 12' 11" tall). I needed to get to the truck gate area but it was blocked off.

I waved at the officer and he just looked at me because I was stopped and blocking traffic behind me. So I got out of my vehicle and he walked to my location with his hand on his gun and pointed to the open gate. I kept my hands in view and pointed to the sign and said I was to big to go there. By this time there were more guys with guns approaching and I kept my hands in view and said with a smile I needed to go thru the truck gate. One of them removed the barriers so I could get there. I was told to not exit the vehicle and to wait for an officer.

It turns out the first customs agent in charge who wanted us to go through the smaller gate was the one who inspected us. He was not happy that I did not go through the gate he pointed at and was very inquisitive and asked many questions as to why we were entering the US in order to cross back into Canada. One does not say to a guy with a gun “because we can”!

I told him we were retired instead and any way we wanted to go was a direct way at our age! He paused and then smiled and asked us to open the truck camper slides so he could make sure we did not have any people hidden inside. He walked in and said he had not seen a TC with 2 slides before.

Home again .... briefly

He then let us proceed and directed us to a short cut for our journey.

After 75 more road minutes, we re-entered Canada in the province of Ontario. This marked number 8 of the13 Canadian provinces and territories in which we have traveled in our truck camper.

Back across into Canada

We were close enough to the border that we were able to stock up on groceries at a Walmart and have lunch at McDonald's with a maple leaf in the arches symbol.

Rustic lakeside camping

Our overnight stop was a campground near Calabogie and Lake Jamison and an evening with friends Sue and Dave. We had gotten there just before the heavens opened up with heavy rain and thunder. It was wet and noisy outside, but inside their fifth-wheel RV we enjoyed a great meal and conversation. We were only there for one night but will come back again.

A great place to watch the sun rise

This is a outhouse with hot water.

Sunday, July 26, Day 40

Miles to travel 231

A nice scenic spot to rest for a night or a week

It was a cloudy, wet, and soggy day when we started out. I had to put the truck in 4-wheel drive to make a short but steep, muddy climb away from our lakeside camping spot.

By midday, not only was the sun coming out but so were the blueberry stands. This part of Ontario is known for its wild berry fields. It was evident by the number of fresh fruit and baked good stands on the road side.

Ma and Pa fruit stand with fresh baked goods.

This was an easy travel day to go visit our friends Greg and Rainy. We would be at their campground for several days, and were disappointed to find out after we arrived at our site that we only had water and electric hookups.

That disappointment was only short lived as we discovered that very few sites at this park had a full sewer hookup (some had a grey dump). There was a central dump station that we had passed on our way to a great site located near the restrooms and showers. Our black tank can hold our waste for 5 days, so we went back and emptied our tanks. We would be fine. This campground had a required 10-minute video that they used to inform all new comers about rules, their activities, and facilities, which included an onsite bistro.

Rainy and Greg, our great hosts

Rainy was working at the bistro for a few hours, but after work she still had us over to their place for a beverage and comfort food. She called it “crock pot butter chicken” and it was served with rice and Caesar salad. While we were on their deck for happy hour, we had several visits from their friends who came by to meet us, including Kevin, the new bistro chef.

Monday, July 27, Day 41

The previous night we had related to our hosts that we were looking forward to some down time on our visit with them. This morning Rainy and Greg began to pamper us by fixing a bacon, egg, and hash brown breakfast with fruit and juice.

Greg took me on a golf cart tour of the campground and helped me sign up for a massage appointment. I had a 12:15 pm appointment which gave me time to do some slide motor maintenance while Daisy took a nap to get rid of a headache. Rainy came by and took me to my massage and then picked up Daisy and took her on a resort tour.

Campground pond

The park is large and spread out so having a golf cart helps. In addition to the office and clubhouse area, there is a heated pool, indoor hot tub, saunas, lodging rooms, game rooms, and bistro with bar.

Rainy and Greg's Floating Island

The landscaped area incorporates a picnic area, large playground, and a small lake with swimming beach.

Tuesday, July 28, Day 42

We enjoyed another day of relaxing, then in the late afternoon Greg and Rainy wanted us to see the immediate area around their resort before we left the next day.

We went on an afternoon drive around Roches Point.

History and scenery were the highlights on the way to their favorite dining spot.

Daisy and I enjoyed three relaxing days with Rainy and Greg. On our last day we ate at one of their favorite spots called the Lake Simcoe Arms.

Smiles all around are easy with great friends and cold beer.

Salmon, spinach dip and deep fried fish were the preferred plates.

On leaving the park we saw this sign.

It was sad to leave.

Our next destination was a place I had never been – Niagara Falls. We went there on Wednesday the 29^th, but for the purposes of this blog I am going to jump ahead and complete descriptions of our visits to other friends in Ontario before blogging on Niagara Falls.

Friday, July 31, Day 45

Miles to travel 251

Camping in the suburbs

We arrived at Jannie and Rob’s home in Strathroy about 2 in the afternoon and parked our older 2007 TC next to their brand new 2015 unit in the driveway. My saving grace was that ours is on a shiny 2015 truck bed. They have a nice house with a pleasant backyard garden. We took a tour of their new unit which they will park next to us in Texas for the winter.

Of course the doggie kids had to be in the picture

We had a special treat that evening. We shared a meal with 2 additional couples who were hosting a BBQ for us all. We traveled about 1 hour to the home of Pam and Bev in London, Ontario. We were also joined there by Patty and Russ. In Ontario we are fortunate to have a number of friends who live in a close traveling distance to one another.

High tech barn

The next day Jannie and Rob took us on a tour to meet their children. Both kids are farmers.

Their daughter and her husband own a very large dairy/crop farming operation.

It’s been several years since I have visited a modern dairy operation that uses computer technology to aid in the production of milk and the care of the livestock.

Isn't she cute. Her name is not Daisy.

She is cute too and her name is Daisy.

Newborn calves are fed automatically ...

Each calf's consumption is recorded and monitored.

Its the current rage!

and cows ready to calve wear "fitbits" that notify the farmer of activity changes and signals impending birth.

Styling

All the new mommies-to-be have one!

It feels so good to have your back scratched.

Gimme a kiss grandpa!

Grand daughter scooping the poop!

Their son farms the original farmstead of Rob and Jannie. He is a journeyman electrician and...

raises crops of soybeans and corn after hours.

He and his wife are also raising two grand-kids for the grandparents to dote over.

Have Binky will travel.

There he goes...catch him!

After our two farm visits, we went to one of their favorite places to dine. We first took a walk around the block to check out the town’s unique architecture before stopping at the Clock Tower to eat.