To Everything there is a Season!

So after 12,610 km, 72 campgrounds, 54 cemeteries, 2 weeks with a dear friend, 6 visits with family I haven't seen in years, 3,260 new ancestors to document, 7 provinces going and coming back, 8 time zone changes, 21 beautiful beaches, umpteen lighthouses,5 days with my daughter and grand daughter, 1 plumbing mishap(which could have been a lot worse) and a million wonderful memories, I'm home. Oh, and I should add, no speeding tickets, no flat tires, no food poisoning, no swimmer's itch and the same 2 cats I started out with. Getting back to normal will be interesting because I think normal is going to be different now.

Today, Carolyn asked me what I've learned from this trip. I know I can tackle anything and make it work - somehow. I know not to anticipate the worst - because it probably isn't going to happen. I've learned that facing a tricky situation (like high bridges) that I can just tell myself to be brave and everything will either turn out OK or it won't. Whichever, there's no point in worrying about it.

I've also learned that two ladies "of a certain age" have quite a different travel experience than we would have had 20 years ago. There's the added bonus of false teeth, blood pressure medication, arthritic knees and the inability to remember "what's his name's" name. It's the ability to tell each other the same stories over and over and neither one remembers that we've already been there. It's also hitting the sack at 9:00 rather than painting the town red every night. Instead it's the ability to laugh ourselves silly over the most ridiculous things and to see the very funny side of things that would have been major traumas before.

All in all, it's been a wonderful trip - an adventure in the intricacies of operating a motorhome with all it's systems and setup. It was learning not to argue with Miss Hathaway, the GPS, because she usually knew better than I did where we were and where to go next. It has been enjoying the comments on the blog and the emails I've received and loved reading as I travelled along. It has been reconnecting with my roots in a big way and giving a lot of thought to those who came 1 or 10 generations before me. I'm so glad I went.

The End!

Last Day - Boo Hoo!!!

Who knew McDonalds had wifi – but here I am.
So yesterday we passed the longitudinal centre of Canada. I guess I've pretty much covered much of the eastern half – maybe it's time to cover the rest.
If you ever drive through Dryden Ontario, you may notice they have a peculiar penchant for weird coloured cars. We saw 2 pink cars, a turquoisy blue one and one that was lime green. These were older cars and I'm sure those colours were not on the paint chips when they were new.
We spent the last couple of days at Falcon Lake, Manitoba – a very beautiful place with a naked beach.. A naked beach differs from a nude beach because the latter is where you swim naked and the former is when there is no one on the beach at all. Hard to believe such a lovely place is not better used.
This afternoon we arrived in Winnipeg and had a great visit with Russell and Linda, Roan and Kieran and grandma and grandpa, Meah and Peter. Another encounter that wouldn't have happened if it weren't for this trip. They have a great house in an older neighbourhood close to downtown.
Tonight, we've stopped in Neepawa and this is the last night of my trip. We saw our first mileage sign to Saskatoon just before we stopped, so I guess it's home tomorrow.
I finally have my moose signs figured out. The Quebec moose looks like he's the king of the world, the one from Ontario looks like he is in a bad mood and you'd better stay out of his way and the one from New Brunswick looks like you just caught him doing something really naughty.
To be continued.....

This is a photo Megan took at a very pretty lake where we stopped yesterday at a little layby - it doesn't happen often that you get a place to capture some of the incredible sights you encounter along the way. This was near Kenora and shortly before we crossed the border.

Falcon Lake is a wonderful spot, just over the border in Manitoba. Looks a lot like Bragg Creek, except with a lake.

Last night we had a roaring campfire and roasted marshmallows - hoping to get a glimpse of Mars. Unfortunately, while the marshmallows were great (burnt on the outside and mushy on the inside) - it was overcast and nary a star to be seen.

One more province, one more change in time zones - closer to home.

We just finished a laundry run. You'd think there was some sort of prize for how much dirty laundry you can tote along in one poor little motorhome.

This afternoon we are off to Falcon Beach, paddle boating and kicking back. Tonight we will be heading towards Winnipeg and should get there early tomorrow. Russ, I'll call you tonight and we can see what's up tomorrow.

Picnic time!!!!!

to be continued.......

Let Sleeping Giants Like

This is the Sleeping Giant in Lake Superior near Thunder Bay. The girls arrived this afternoon and we are camped at Happyland. After a swim and hot tub, we barbequed some burgers, another swim and then a rousing game of scrabble from which I got thoroughly skunked by both of them. It's a beautiful evening and I am sitting at the picnic table while they get their stuff sorted out.

This morning I stopped at the Terry Fox memorial again as I did on the way out but this time I have travelled almost his entire route and I cannot imagine how he did it. Just goes to show you that you REALLY can do anything you put your mind to.

Today, I almost stopped at a cemetery - out of habit. I must stop doing that or people will think I'm going a little batty.

Tomorrow we are driving to Falcon Lake which will take us out of Ontario and into Manitoba - a new time zone and one final province to go. I had planned to go to Newfoundland but the ferry from Sidney had a fire the day I planned to go and there were terrible lineups waiting for the remaining ship. Next trip.

Thunder Bay, which is half the size of Saskatoon is very pretty but I was surprised to find it has 3 Zellers stores - and a Walmart. They must enjoy their shopping here.

to be continued.......

And the Award Goes To.....

So, as my trip winds down I can look back at some of the Bests and Worsts along the way:

Best burger: Ney's Lunch and Campground, Marathon, Ontario

Best fish & chips: Shamrock Pub, Truro, Nova Scotia

Best lobster supper: St. Andrews United Church, Wallace Station, Nova Scotia

Best roads: New Brunswick

Worst roads: Quebec

Best Museum: Bass River Historical Museum, Bass River, Nova Scotia

Best travel food: Campbells Beef Cup of Noodles

Best Campground: Scotia Pines, Millbrook, Nova Scotia

Worst Campgrounds: Anywhere in Quebec – overpriced and crowded

Best Cemetery: Oxford Pioneer Cemetery, Oxford, Nova Scotia

Best Travel Buddy: Ann Taylor (the cats come second)

Worst weather: Goderich, Ontario – a tornado

Best weather: Goderich, Ontario – the day before

Best Beach: Buctouche, New Brunswick

Best Animal Sighting: Whales on the Bay of Fundy

Best Scenery: Toss up between Nova Scotia and Northern Ontario

Best Camping Deal: Walmart parking lots (free)

Best Event: Tall Ships in Halifax Harbour

Best Touristy thing: Magnetic Hill, New Brunswick

Best Camp Owners: The Jefferies – Algonquin Trails Campground – Dwight, Ontario

All in all, as you can see, there were far more bests than worsts.

to be continued......

Maybe Martha is Mother Nature!

I was obviously the only one who felt like using the TransCanada Highway between Elliot Lake and Marathon today. It gave me a chance sit back, relax and take a good look at the scenery. The last time I came through this way, I was about 4 or 5 days into my trip and still at that white knuckle stage where I felt like every transport truck was going to blow me into the ditch or over a big cliff.

I'm amazed at the rock formations along side the road. Huge rocks blasted apart to make the road bed resulting in the most colourful and beautiful geometric designs. From black through red to creamy white, it's like watching clouds and seeing pictures in them. Some of them sparkle in the sun and most are decorated by those audacious, gnarly little evergreens and spikey mosses that cling there - growing in thimblesful of dirt deep down in the cracks.

There are lakes that could have been hand-mirrored by Martha herself that are dotted with tiny islands with perfectly placed trees that reflect in the water and are surrounded with lilly pads that are in full bloom this time of year. Frog heaven, for sure!

It was like deja vue today as I passed Mom Lake and then Baby Lake, but I had to smile, cause just down the way was Dad Lake, as well - I missed that one on my way through the first time.

This morning, driving was more like flying. Several times I was above the clouds and descended into a lovely fog - which sat just on top of the little lakes - very lovely in the early morning light.

to be continued.....

Get Out and Walk!

So I'm driving along today and casually reading the roadside safety signs. “SEAT BELTS SAVE LIVES”, SPEED KILLS, SLOW DOWN”, “TAKE A BREAK, DROWSINESS CAUSES ACCIDENTS”, “BACK OFF, TAILGATING KILLS”. I was just waiting for the sign that said ”DRIVING KILLS, GET OUT AND WALK!”

I left Ann this morning and I can still see her and Clark waving goodbye in the driveway. I miss my co-pilot and I really needed someone to guide me into a very small space in the campground, here at Elliot Lake tonight. Not only that, but the Kitties are not happy that their “Catnip Lady” wasn't here to spoil them.

Once again Northern Ontario does not disappoint when it comes to great roads and awesome scenery. As I'm writing, I am watching the sun set over the lake – a really spectacular one. No mosquitoes here – got to love that.

Tomorrow I'm off to Marathon and then an easy drive on Tuesday into Thunder Bay. I'm feeling a little sad today. Not only did I lose my traveling buddy, but I am seeing and hearing signs of fall and the end of my trip everywhere. While I still have things to look forward – seeing Carolyn and Megan in Thunder Bay and visiting with Russell in Winnipeg – the list is growing shorter. I have had so many wonderful adventures over the three months and I'm not sure I'm ready to settle into “normal” life just yet.

Well, tomorrow is another day and probably will contain some fresh wonders and a few surprises too. Ït ain't over 'til it's over” (Yogi Berra).

to be continued......

Everywhere the Wind Blows!

When all the planets are aligned, things just happen as they are supposed to. This photo is of the grave of David Daniel Harrigan of Cork Ireland - the original member of the Canadian branch of the clan who lived from 1787 - 1850. It was more by chance and good luck we found this tiny cemetery hidden away among the Albion Hills of southern Ontario. The fact that these tombstones are still in excellent shape and readable after 158 years astounds me.

On Thursday, several tornadoes touched down very close to where we were camping and although we got some wind and lots of rain, we had no idea what damage had occurred around us. An equestrian centre near Ann's had part of the roof overturned and 6 cars in the parking lot were overturned. In another town, close to Canada's Wonderland, more than 600 homes were damaged and many condemned right away. We were very lucky.

We're back at Ann's today and getting ready to make the long push to Thunder Bay where Carolyn and Megan are going to meet me to finish the trip. Clark (bless his heart) has just taken Nellie for an oil change and we are off to Port Perry for a bit of shopping and lunch.

Yesterday, in addition to finding David Harrigan's grave in Caledon, we drove through Mennonite country, where people still travel in horse and buggy and the girls all wear snug black bonnets. We saw them harvesting oats using teams of Belgians and saw fields dotted with old fashioned stooks of wheat. It was incredibly lush looking farm country and the produce available at the farm gates was beautiful. Each farm has a little table or cart by the gate filled with their day's pick and you just stop and leave the money in a jar for whatever you have purchased.

The area around Caledon has me a bit puzzled. This is where the Harrigan's settled when they came from Ireland, but it is very hilly and rocky - not at all the type of place you would expect a farming family to take root. Perhaps that's why, after 20 years or so they pulled up stakes and moved to the Stratford area around Kinkora. I have a photo of the original Harrigan family homestead which was in the family for 132 years.



to be continued...

I Spoke Too Soon

So, I guess I should keep my big mouth shut. No sooner than we got up this morning the rain storm of the year descended on us along with a wild thunder storm and (what we heard on the radio later) near tornado force winds. Nellie held up well and I managed to maintain my internet connection so we'll just call it a quiet day at home with the kitty litter).

I've been lucky enough to taste a fish chowder where the ingredients have been jumping in the bay that morning. And yesterday we stopped by and picked up corn that still thought it was on the stalk. Absolutely the best corn I've ever had.

Tomorrow, we head back to Ann's and then I'm off towards Lake Superior on Sunday.

to be continued......

Eat Your Hearts Out!!!

to be continued......

OH!!!! SCARY!

Having spent the better part of the morning outwaiting a torrential downpour - (yes, Nellie is very water proof) we headed off on another adventure and ended up in Lucan, Ontario - home of the Black Donnellys. It's a subject the whole town has made a tourist industry around and have done it pretty well.

I had always heard that one of the members of the vigilante group who murdered the Donnelly's was a Harrigan and so I wanted to do a little sleuthing around to see what I could find out. We went to the Lucan Museum and Archives and met a man who "Knew" the whole history of the Harrigans and their involvement.

He said that it was not something anyone wanted to talk about until fairly recently because everyone in the area was an aunt, a cousin or some sort of kin. He did say thought that it was rather ironic that a descendent of one of the vigilantes "the Harrigan" now owned most of the property in and around the Donnelly farm. He also said that these Harrigans were definitely connected to those ones over in Kinkora. I love a mystery, so it should be fun to unravel this one.

It was another lovely day and our bbq last night was the BEST! Heading to the beach tomorrow.

Tonight we are going to try making Blueberry Grunt which I think is a Nova Scotia pan bread, but I'm not sure so I'll have to let you know.

to be continued...

Digit on the Dash!

Digit's favorite place to spend time when we're not rolling is up on the dash, curled up by Miss Hathaway. She still rides under the covers on the bed when we're on the road.

Today is another scorching southern Ontario day. The temperature - with the humidex - is hovering around 37 degrees. However, down in our little river valley camp site, there is a lovely breeze and I'm writing this at the picnic table while Ann delves into her book.

This morning we went to Stratford, where I visited the Perth County Archives where I found a book on the Harrigan Clan - 100 pages of stories and genealogy. The archivist is going to copy it and I'll pick it up on Thursday, on the way back to Ann's. (SCORE!!!!). Then we stopped in Kinkora and (what else?) spent some time at St. Patrick's Church and cemetery taking photos of the Harrigan resting place. Inside the church are two beautiful stained glass windows dedicated to our great grandfather, David Harrigan and his wife Catherine Kennedy and we got photos of that as well.

Tonight we're going to barbeque and then sit and watch the river go by - just the perfect way to spend a summer evening!

Tomorrow we're off to explore the Black Donnelly's in Lucan and then Wednesday we plan to spend the day at the beach. Eat your hearts out, everyone.

to be continued.....

One more road trip

So, what's more fun than driving through Montreal in morning rush hour (6 lanes of traffic going 20k for over an hour and a half)? Absolutely everything? However, once past Montreal, the TransCanada spread out wide and beautiful all the way to Morrisburg. I got up early in the morning to try and make some miles before the heat of the day and also to get past the crossing of the St Lawrence. I don't like big, long, high bridges so I told myself to be brave and just go for it. Well, what a surprise – instead of a bridge, there was a lovely, bright, well lit tunnel. Bravery wasted!


I said I would open my mind about travelling in Quebec and I did. So here are the bests and the worsts. The best is that you can get through Quebec, from New Brunswick to Ontario in one fairly easy day. The worst is that everyone drives like they are in the Indie 500 and there is a death penalty for losing.

I have great respect for the rights of Quebecers to their language and all, but found that it isn't very tourist friendly. A good example are the construction zones. All the instructions are only in French so you have to take a good guess at what you're supposed to do.

However, Quebec is very beautiful and I did enjoy the bits I saw.


So the picture of the day is the Maitland River near Goderich Ontario and we are camped within feet of the riverbank. It makes a lovely sound since we are miles from any kind of noise polution. I picked up Ann on my way through Sharon and we are now going to explore the Lake Huron area. There are some incredible beaches in the area and being a week day, not too crowded.

Today, we're going to Kinkora where the other side of my family is from and once again, we'll be doing the cemetery tour.

As I am beginning to make my way back west, I'm still amazed at the beauty I've encountered along the way and I realize how lucky we are to live in such a rich and vibrant place.

to be continued....

Miss Hathaway has a nervous breakdown!

I just picked up one of those lovely little lunch packs (an egg salad sandwich, some cut up veggies and some mac salad) from le eee gee ah (that's right, I'm back in French New Brunswick) and have picked out a tree alongside the Madawaska River that looks like a nice place to picnic.

I'm about 15k from the Quebec border and my original thought was that I would get as closed as possible and then slingshot through La Belle Provence as quickly as possible. My experience on the way down wasn't that great and I didn't find people all that friendly. However, upon reflection, I realized I need to keep an open mind. So tomorrow I'm heading to Riviere du Loup on the south bank of the St. Lawrence to give it another try.

Poor Miss Hathaway had a pretty rough time today. I don't know how old her maps are, but she showed my driving cross country (which – if you've ever seen northern New Brunswick – would a complete impossibility) and kept “recalculating!!!, recalculating!!!!!” Fortunately, I could read the Trans Canada Highway signs, so, for once I knew where we were.

People who drive RV s like to wave at each other as we pass along the road. However, there seems to be a pecking order in play. You never wave at a vehicle smaller than yours – which is good for those folks who drive those Greyhound sized Big Rigs. Most of them are well past 70 and they need all their fingers and toes present to manage a monster that size. But for the rest of us, it's like belonging to a secret club, with our own rules and handshake. I saw a guy almost drive off the road waving at a motorhome that was exactly like his. And if you stop at a visitor information centre, everyone gathers in the parking lot to exchange bits of information about good campgrounds, road conditions and – of course – the weather.

Had to stop yesterday for a final “McLobster” and since lobster season just began today, I'm wondering what was in them.

I'm trying to take a different route home as much as possible although it's tempting to go back and revisit places I enjoyed on the way out. This is still an adventure, and I have much more to experience.

This evening I have a family of Canada goslings poking around my campsite looking for a handout. I suspect they are pretty spoiled with all the kids and families here. They keep hopping up on my step to peer in the door, and, of course there is a very mystified Digit on the inside looking out. She doesn't seem too sure whether her role is prey or hunter – but since there's a layer of screen between them, it really doesn't matter.

To be continued....

Do I LOOK that crazy?

New Brunswick is known for its covered bridges - which is good because it is raining cats and dogs here today. I, however, decided that caution was the prudent thing to do, so I didn't cross - I went around.

Nova Scotia cried when I left this morning and it has been all I could do today not to turn around and take "just a couple more days". I didn't though since there really is so much more to see and experience before I get home.

I stopped at Pugwash on the way and picked up my books and just as I was leaving town I spotted a sign by the road that reduced me to uncontrollable giggles. As you know, much of this journey has been spent in cemeteries, so imagine my delight to see a beautifully groomed, very old cemetery with a YARD SALE sign right near the front entrance? I would have stopped but there didn't seem to be anyone above grass around who could tell me which ones were for sale.

Once again, I really have to hand it to New Brunswick highways - smooth and divided all the way from Truro.

I've talked before about men of a certain age and how they dress in campgrounds. The past 9 weeks has taught me that they have distinct personality types too (All seeming to require as little work out of them as possible).

First, there is the GENERAL. He arrives with a tent trailer, a van full of kids and a roof rack piled at least 6 feet high. Right out of the driver's seat he starts barking orders. He stalks around directing everyone's activities and they're so busy, they don't realize he hasn't lifted a finger. His wife usually looks like she'd rather be having a root canal. He has every camping gadget known to man, including a porta-biffy and a solar weather radio.

The second one is the TIM TAYLOR dude. He thinks he knows everything but every move he makes is wrong. Backwards, upside down, parked at an angle - Finally his family plunks him down in a lawn chair and has him change the batteries in the flashlight, while they set up camp.

The third guy is the GOOD OLD BOY. He isn't out of his vehicle 5 minutes when he's got the Alexander Keith's cracked and is having a long and stimulating conversation with his counterpart across the way. Pretty soon, both of them wander off - beers still in hand - to find some other good old boy to help solve the problems of the world. In the mean time, the families are left back at the campsite doing all the work.

Campin' is for the men. CAMPING takes a woman to manage.

Will Rogers said,

"Live in such a way that you would not be ashamed to sell your parrot to the town gossip."

to be continued....

Farewell to Nova Scotia!

This little ship is called the Jerusha after our 5th great grandmother Jerusha Peers. She was built in Wallace, Nova Scotia and is in the process of being restored to sailing condition. Not the Queen Mary - but significant all the same.


Tomorrow, Nellie will turn her nose westward and begin the long trek home. Miss Hathaway will be back on duty and the cats will be back under the bedclothes. I will be feeling rather sad to leave a place I have come to love so much in such a short time. I've LOVED the ocean, the people and the interesting little places I have found myself.


I have to stop by Pugwash and pick up my copy of The Valley of the Remsheg - which outlines the arrival of our United Empire Loyalist ancestors to the area around Wentworth and Wallace and I may (just one last time) hop out and photograph some tombstones. I have so much work ahead of me, getting all this information sorted out and entered into my website. One of the documents I got is 347 pages of new genealogical information - so I know what my fall and winter will look like.

This trip has been all about family. Discovering family I didn't know about; reconnecting with family I haven't seen for a long time and then finally heading home to the family I miss a lot. Who knew there were so many of them?

I haven't seen a TV screen since June 4th and it is going to take forever to catch up on Coronation Street. I have, however, enjoyed the constant companionship of CBC radio. Stewart McLean sounds just the same in Shubenachedie, Ste Agathe, Thunder Bay and Saskatoon.


So, Ann - you'll probably see me some time around next weekend. Carolyn, I'll see you on the 26th. And Russell, we'll be along your way about the 29th.

9 weeks on the road and to be continued...

This - That and The Other.

Got my plumbing fixed to I can now shower onboard and do the dishes in the sink - small things but most important when you're on the road.

Just some thoughts as I enjoy my last few days in Nova Scotia.

Martha moment:

Dani and I spotted this creation in a beautiful garden in Truro and couldn't resist taking a picture. Cute, eh?

Sidney!!!!!!!:

How much insurance was required to take Sydney Crosby and the Stanley Cup for a ride in a Canadian forces Sea King helicopter over Halifax harbour this morning?

Got the blues:

Is there anything more beautiful than Cumberland County Nova Scotia blueberry fields?

8 Generations:

Goulish as it may sound (Carolyn) – Dani and I took Alex to the Old Oxford Anglican Cemetery the other day and above or below ground there were 8 generations of Bragg's present and accounted for. To the left of Dani, is the grave of Charles Bragg/Matilda Swallow and to the right is the graves of John Bragg/Jane Rogers.

Red Sky at Night:

Every evening, I go down to the shore to enjoy the sunset and so far it's true, “Red Sky at Night – Sailors delight; Red Sky in the morning, Sailor take warning”.

Loyalty?

Most of my family came here from England and Ireland but I have just found a whole branch who were United Empire Loyalists who came here in 1778 after the American Revolution from Duchess County, New York. - Very interesting!!!

to be continued.......

My plumbing fell out!

Before I left home, Bill told me to listen to the GPS – regardless. And for the most part, listening to Miss Hathaway has been the wise choice. However, yesterday we were in a great big argument about a short cut I wanted to take to get to the highway. I'm getting a little concerned because the road goes from paved with lines, to old blacktop, to gravel. Not only that but it's getting narrower and narrower and I am relieved when I came out into a clearing that looked much like a new construction site. Plenty of room to turn around and start listening to the old bag. As I start back, I notice wet spots on the road (and a peculiar odor in the air) and sure enough, right ahead it a familiar looking configuration of PVC pipe and connectors. My whole water tank control system was sitting in the road – fortunately all in one piece. So, listening to myself, I managed to dump my tanks way out in the middle of nowhere and was able to recover my plumbing, intact. Listening to Miss Hathaway, I would either been barreling down the highway and would have lost the whole shebang – or it could have fallen off in someone's yard or in the campground – either way – an embarrassing situation. The joys of camping!

Dani called to see if we could try the Wooden Dog – coffee and dessert place. - which, as it happens – was closed on a day when all the tourists are in town. So we found another place just up the block and decided to have lunch. I ordered a turkey panini and was offered 6 kinds of salad, grapes or potato chips as a side. I opted for the grapes. Pretty soon the young lady who looked a little like Joanie Cunningham came back to announce that there were no more grapes. OK so we go through the salads and opt for the Greek variety. Back comes Joanie to inform us that there were no olives. We said that was OK so she brought the salads which were bowls of chopped veggies with italian dressing – and not even a hint of feta. The veggies were nice and fresh.

We took a little tour of Truro and drove through the heritage section. Homes that meet some criterion, get a plaque to put by their front door. We saw some of the most magnificent examples of Victorian whimsy and attention to detail. The house pictured above is for sale for $429,000 and has 8 bedrooms, magnificent foyer with fireplace, a music room, a games room big enough for a full sized pool table, 5 bathrooms and a double lot. - It has a plaque.

To be continued.....

Kindred Spirits

So guess where I went today? I couldn't be this close and not go to see the setting of my favorite all time story, Anne of Green Gables. The whole time I was there I kept thinking about comedian, Ron James' routine about visiting Green Gables and asking the guide if "this room was where Anne wrote her stories?" "She isn't real, you know." said the guide "She's just a character in a novel." Well this morning she felt quite real.

On the way home I started thinking about Kindred Spirits and how that has pretty much summed up my trip so far. I have reconnected with many of the kindred spirits in my life, my best friend, Ann; Charlotte and Mary Lee, my cousins; My niece Dani and her wonderful family and hundreds of spirits from my family's history.

I have to talk about the people of Nova Scotia. I would love to bundle up the whole bunch and take them home with me. I stopped to ask for directions yesterday, and without a lie, the man said to me, "Go down the road about 2 miles until you come to a red barn on the right side of the road and if you get there you'll know you've gone too far. Turn around and take the first road on the left. You can't miss it" If he had said "recalculating" or "make a U turn", I would have thought I was talking to my GPS (Who, by the way, has no respect for authority - I still control the on/off switch). Anyway, I have found people here so warm and welcoming - ready to do anything for you.

It's August 1st today and I'm beginning to think it's about time I started heading - slowly - for home. I want to have enough time to see more good stuff on the way back but I can't help thinking about how beautiful Saskatoon is in the fall and how much I miss my kids and my grandkids.

What's in a Name?

More tombstones. This one marks the grave of Thomas Swallow, my great great grandfather. There's an interesting family legend that says that Thomas' real name was Cheeseman. He served in the Royal Navy in the early 1800s and got himself into some trouble. To avoid a court marshall, he jumped ship in Halifax. When an official asked his name, he looked skyward to the little birds flitting in and out of the dockside buildings and answered "Swallow, Sir". Thomas was the father of my great grandmother, Matilda - one of 11 children.

This morning I met my new great nephew, Alexander - the little flirt! He is so cute, I could have absconded with him so easily. Hopefully, we will have a chance to get together again before we leave - I promised Dani a tour of the "Homelands".

It rained again today and the humidity is almost palpable in the air. Nellie was covered in heavy condensation this morning which - with the rain - helped remove a lot of the bugs and road grime.

Tomorrow, I'm off to Wentworth - home of the Swallows - where, I understand a descendent is still farming Thomas' farm. More graveyards! What fun!

My Cape Breton neighbours left this morning for PEI and I will miss them. They were so much fun and always had a funny story to tell over coffee.

I was going to head over to Newfoundland next week, but there was a fire on one of the ferries and so there is only one running - and the lineups are miles long. Guess that'll have to wait for my next trip.

To be continued.....

The Plane! The Plane!

Yesterday we went to Seednay for to see the ple-ens. A flight of over 100 planes of all different sizes, shapes, and ages landed on Cape Breton over a period of a couple of hours. They were celebrating the 100th anniversary of the flight of the Silver Dart very nearby. It was part of a trans Canada trip which has seen them touch down at airports all over the country. It was a thrill to see them since aviation has been so much a part of our family history. There's something about the smell of airplane grease......

Today - tadaaaaa!!!, the sun is shining and although the air is still heavy from two weeks of rain, there is a fresh breeze blowing in from the Bay of Fundy and I think it's time to do a little vegging on the beach.

Tomorrow Dani, Jay and Alexander arrive and I'm looking forward to seeing them and then Thursday, I'm back on the cemetery crawl. I have a couple more to do - and so much information to get entered into the genealogy.

Here's a little local joke:







God's County





An American decided try to write a book about famous churches around the world.For his first chapter he decided to write about famous Canadian cathedrals.So he bought a plane ticket and took a trip to Vancouver, thinking that he wouldwork his way across the country from west to east. On his first day he was insidea church taking photographs when he noticed a golden telephone mounted on thewall with a sign that read ~$10,000 per call~. The American, being intrigued, asked a priest who was strolling by what the telephone was used for. The priest replied that it was a direct line to heaven and that for $10,000 you could talk to God. The American thanked the priest and went along his way. Next stop was in Calgary. There, at a very large cathedral, he saw the same golden telephone with the same sign under it. He wondered if this was the same kind of telephone he saw in Vancouver and he asked a nearby nun what it's purpose was. She told him that it was a direct line to heaven and that for $10,000 he could talk to God. Thank you,said the American. He then traveled to Edmonton, Saskatoon, Regina, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal and in every church he saw the same golden telephone with the same $10,000 per call sign under it. Finally, the American arrived in Halifax, and again, there was the same golden telephone, but this time the sign under it read ~10 cents per call.~ The American was surprised so he asked the priest about the sign. Father, I've traveled all over Canada and I've seen this same golden telephone in many churches. I'm told that it is a direct line to heaven, but in all the other provinces the price was $10,000 per call. Why is it so cheap here?The priest smiled and answered, you're in Nova Scotia now son, it's a local call

Quietest Bunch of Braggs ----ever!

So, yesterday Charlotte called and suggested we do something together. After much argument with her GPS and several miles over unpaved roads, we accidentally (or was it an accident?) in Bragg Country. We took a good look at Collingwood and Oxford - including the ginormous blueberry processing plant and the Blueberry and Maple Interpretive Centre - where you can even buy chocolate covered wild blueberries. We stopped to take photos of the site of the original John Bragg land and then we visited the old Anglican Church which is the picture above. There in the churchyard rest many generations of Braggs and it felt like I was really at my spiritual eipcentre.

The church had fallen into disuse and so the local family members purchased the building and adjoining cemetery. It sits on a knoll overlooking an old steel bridge over the River Philip. And considering there was a forecast for heavy rains and gale force winds, it wasn't really too bad a day.

We then went over to Pugwash for a late lunch/early dinner and had the best seafood chowder ever! I really enjoyed the day with Charlotte - we haven't spent time together for ages and it was nice to laugh about the crazy family we came from.

Today's a bit of a rest day. Having a barbeque tonight with the folks next door, who are from Newfoundland - and funny as all getout. Got to do some laundry and tidying up - and HAVE to empty the litterbox (At 150% humidity - it doesn't take long to make it's presence known).

To be continued...

Camping is a graveyard is pretty inexpensive.

Although it's hard to read, this is the grave marker for my great grandmother and grandfather. Most of today was spent actually visiting the cemeteries and photographing. It was overcast, but most of the pictures turned out OK. Judy, I sure wish I had your gift.

I visited the Bass River cemetery and there was a guy there mowing the lawn. As soon as I appeared, he shut down his little John Deere and took me on a walking tour. Turns out his grandmother was my grandmother's twin sister. He had a little story about each one and I was scribbling as fast as I could to take it all down. He was a pretty big guy and had the loveliest down home accent. These folks don't realize what valuable information they have in their heads.

On a roll (so to speak) I headed over to Economy and inched my way into the cemetery there. The stone gates were just a little wider than the motorhome, so I had to fold back my side mirrors to get through. Again, I found lots of family plots and did a lot of snapping. Then I realized that there was only one skinny little road through this place and no more than a couple of feet to turn around in. Needless to say, I got stuck. Did I mention it has been raining here - a lot! I finally extracated myself, but when I was done... Well, let's just say, if you have a spare corpse lying around, I know where there's a pretty decent sized hole they might like.

On my way back, I stopped at the little museum in Bass River and picked up the photcopying they had done for me. As they often do, things pull together. I had just taken a shot of William Beattie's grave and within the papers from the museum I found this letter, written by my great grandmother (the one in the grave shown above). It is dated December 6th 1871 and it read:

Dear Aunt,

It is very sad news I have to tell you now. Uncle William is gone to his rest. He started for Halifax the first of last week in a little vessel by Winsor way and the vessel was l0st and all on board drowned. 10 persons in all.

Uncle William and Henry Moore's son, George were all that were from about here. The rest were from the Five Islands. That's were the vessel was from. There were four of the bodies found. George Moore was one of them. He was buried yesterday. They have gone back to search for more. If Uncle is found we will send you word and if not, we would be glad to have you come down. This is a hard trial. I don't know how we will get along. We can only look to Him who doeth all things well.....

Your affectionate niece,

Flore A. Beattie

A tradition I think is very heart warming, here is that people put solar patio lights by the graves. I'd love to go some evening when it's been sunny all day. I'll bet it's a pretty sight.

A Whale of a Tail - or is it the other way around?

This morning I went whale watching - which was one of the things I really wanted to do while I was here. As you can see by the photo, it has been a rainy, foggy cool day and I had my doubts as to whether it would be fruitful. But the tour operator guarantees a whale sighting - so there you go. I trucked on over to Westport and boarded the Chad and Sisters Two at the appointed time. Finding it was fun - the fog being pretty thick. We donned our life jackets and headed out into the Bay. Round and round in circles we went and then - right in front of us - there it was. Glad I got the picture. We must have drunk a gallon of coffee and I was drenched to the skin but since it was definitely a sight I'd never see in Saskatchewan - well, well worth any discomfort endured. I spent most of the time visiting with some folks from Phoenix who shared the same sentiments.

One of the towns I have spent time in since I've been here is Great Village - home of my Chisholm and McLellan relatives. Honestly, if I were choosing a location for the great Canadian movie, this would be the place I would choose. It is just the right mix of quaint victorian homes painted in all colours of the rainbow, the right spired churches, the intriquing antique shops and galleries and super, super friendly people! I loved it!

Here's a list of the really important things to take with you on an RV vacation:

1. A level - so you don't end up sleeping up hill.
2. Velcro - I have velcro stuck to everything so it doesn't slide around while I'm on the move.
3. Rubber drawer liners - for the same reason as above.
4. My GPS - Miss Hathaway has become quite a good conversationalist and has kept me from getting too lost, too often.
5. My computer - not only does it keep me in touch, it's a great research tool and also doubles as a DVD player so I can watch the odd movie - I really recommend "Men of Honoir" with Robert DeNiro and Cuba Gooding Jr.
6. Move than one towell - I remedied this today on my way back.
7. RVing for Dummies - invaluable!

Tomorrow, I'm hoping to have a visit with my cousin Charlotte and then I'm back on the graveyard trail.

A Dime for your Thoughts!

What an amazing sight! The tall ships festival has begun in Halifax and about every half hour a new one enters the harbour. A bunch of us went down to see the beginning of this spectacle and I can hardly wait to go back and see it when they are all there. We are going back tomorrow night to see the fireworks and see the rest of the ships. If you want to see the ships yourself, here is the link: http://www.tallshipsnovascotia.com/ships.aspx

And you just have to love a province that has a special holiday to celebrate the good works of a favorite son, Alexander Keith. Another moose/deer image to add to my collection.

I've been warmed and amazed at the hospitality of the people here. I honestly feel like a celebrity. They even did a little piece about me in the local paper, although I can't believe there aren't lots of people who come here every year to look for their family roots. I've met so many people who are distantly related on my grandmother's side and I haven't even started on the Braggs yet.

The jazz festival is also going on in Halifax now and my cousin Charlotte from Edmonton is here volunteering. Hopefully, we can get together for a visit. And then, at the end of the month, my niece Dani will be here for a visit with Jay's family - Can't wait to see them, as well. I guess you have to go all the way across the country to catch up with family you never see at home.

'Tis a Grave Undertaking!

So, this morning I spent a grave morning at the Economy Pioneer Cemetery, taking photos of old family gravestones. I then had lunch with a very distant relative who was rounded up for me by the ladies from the museum I talked about yesterday.

I spent the afternoon getting groceries and wandering around the little fishing harbour. I could spend a fortune of “nautical”souvenirs but I showed great restraint.

I have set up shop here at Truro for the next two weeks because it is within a stone's throw of every place I want to spend time and do some research. I'm in a lovely piney campground with all the amenities – I could even have cable if I wanted. The internet connection is really good so I can be working on my computer while I'm doing me gravedigging. I'm also 45 km from the Bragg homestead so it's just a quick commute.

I still can't get used to coming around a corner and finding a beach or a lighthouse or something equally foreign to Saskatoon, but today this little fishing wharf was the best yet.

I took a GAMBLE and won!

July 11

Finally! After 5 weeks on the road, I am in Nova Scotia today. I got here early as there seem to be fewer campgrounds to choose from and many of the ones I looked at were jam packed and not very appealing. So, I'm at the Amherst Shore Provincial Park.

As is my new habit, I usually treat myself to a little nap after a long drive. Today, when I woke up, I thought I had gone deaf. The only sound I could hear were the little waves sipping at the red sand shoreline.

I'm only 45 k from the family seat but want to get some laundry done and get myself re-organized before making my presence known. This area reminds me so much of Bragg Creek (plus a great big ocean) that I can see why my grandfather and great uncle chose the land west of Calgary to settle.

July 13

After 3 days and nights without my wifi, I am glad to be back on the net. I have been driving through my spiritual homeland today and seeing, for real, the names and places I have been working on in my genealogy persuits for such a long time. The photo above is the Bass River Museum and I stopped in there because it was raining and because I saw that the door was open. The young lady inside began poking through records for the Gambles (my grandmother's family) and pulled out a 4 inch binder full of information about the family. It contains papers, legal documents, census records and many letters from family members over decades recounting various family stories and memories. The ladies are going to make me a copy at (get this) 5 cents a page. They also have all the cemetery records for the area so, tomorrow, I am going grave jumping in Bass River. Can't wait!!

I finally had to use my generator the other night in a provincial park and now I know I have about 8 hours of power on a tank of gas. The only problem is that it's a bit noisy so I didn't keep in to unless I needed it.

Nova Scotia, so far is pretty and smells much more like the ocean than New Brunswick did. Fortunately for me, it's lobster season so - guess what's on the menu for tonight?

Some Beach!

Today, I am camped within feet of the Atlantic Ocean at Dalhousie, NB. There's an actual real-life lighthouse right outside my door. Finally, we're (me and the cats) having great sunny weather and I can just smell the lobster from here.

The pompous moose (is that a grapefruit?) from Quebec road signs, called Prudence have given way to a much mellower looking fellow in New Brunswick. AND they actually have them here. I saw 2 cow moose grazing beside the highway this morning and if there hadn't been a big truck on my tail, I would have stopped for photos.

I have been quite blown away by the wild flowers along the roadside. There are millions of lupins in every colour you can imagine. Cream thru pink thru blue thru mauve all the way to deep royal purple. These are bedded down in massive patches of white daisies and dotted with wild tiger lilies. The whole picture is framed by acres and acres of - what I assume are fiddlehead ferns. Breathtaking!

New Brunswick has been a delightful surprise. The countryside is beautiful and mountainous (not the Rockies but enough to make my ears pop) and the roads are by far the best I've come across. This area abounds with the most perfect Christmas tree pines and the air is a spicy mix of salt water and the forest.

Now, I'm going beach combing. Sure wish I'd remembered to bring my binocs.

A Moose named Prudence!

The moose on the "Moose Crossing" signs in Quebec (as with everything else in the province) is bigger and much more menacing than in Ontario. And I still haven't seen the real thing. The all seem to be named Prudence (until I remembered that I was just being warned to take care - in French)

So here I am barreling along the Trans Canada, bound and determined to make it into New Brunswick before the end of the day, when I came around this corner and was treated to the mose incredibly spectacular view of a lake in dark boiling fog with spears of sunlight piercing through into the water. Having spent the day meandering along the south shore of the St. Lawrence, this seemed like a fitting place to stop. So, here I am just 40 clicks from the New Brunswick border at Lac Ste. Something.

I haven't talked much about the weather and that's because, on the whole, it has been pretty cold and rainy. With the exception of the week in Muskoka, I have used and blessed my little furnace every day. With new reports of a drought in the west, I wish I could package up some of this moisture and mail it back.

Tomorrow, I hope to get my first view of the Atlantic ocean and plan to spend a few days exploring New Brunswick before heading down into Cumberland County in Nova Scotia.

I think we've landed in Kansas, Toto!

Bon jour, Au Jourdui je suis en la coeur de Quebec. Aidez-moi!!!!

Yesterday I entered the Province of Quebec at about 10:00 am and really do feel like I'm in a different country. To begin with, I've noticed the way Quebois have a flair for the extreme. The worst roads and the most Arretez signs I've ever seen. There are no uncontrolled intersections here – every single one is a four way stop. Can you imagine how long it took to get through Montreal? I

saw my first depanneur (corner store) and caleche (horse drawn carriage) and was amused to see that there are as many PFK (Poulet Frit Kentuckie) here as there are in southern Ontario.


Once I got out in the country, I realized I was in corn country. Corn fields – as far as the eye can see. (not as high as an elephant's eye, yet – but it's early in the season).
Two things that have rather surprised me are the lack of quaint stone farmhouses and religious shrines. You could take any farmhouse here and plunk it down in Perdue and it would fit right in. The only difference is that here they all seem to have two or three gigantic silos build of cinder block. As to the religious shrines, I remember them from my travels in my teens but times have changed and perhaps I haven't been in the right places.


Again, I let Miss Hathaway guide me through the roads less travelled and a drove through some quaint and lovely villages where the multi-coloured little houses sit right on the roadside with no front yards. Each one seems to have a porch with a rocker and a 'grandpa' sitting there watching the world go by. Each village has a red brick church with a tall cream coloured steeple – the tallest building in the town.


Driving is a bit more of a challenge here, as I have to translate as I go along.


Tonight, I'm at Quebec City and plan to stay a day or two to see some of the sights. I won't be crossing the St Laurence again any time soon. The tunnel that leads to the bridge is about 4 inches wider than my motorhome and the bridge which is a kilometre or more wide is one of those metal ones you can see through. Tummy knots time.


It's the beginning of my second month on the road and I can't believe it. The time has just clipped along but I'm within easy days of my target so all is well.

Ode to the Golden Arches

I've been driving for hours and hours
And I'm getting quite numb in the seat
I've seen sights that were so pretty
But I'd really like something to eat.

Then over a hill I espy them
Like a beacon of hope in the night
Those beautiful Golden Arches
And the end of my hunger in sight

I'm not really big on their burgers
Tasting like old glue as they do
But I love their Chicken Caesars
As a matter of fact, I'll have two.

No matter the province I'm travelling
Or how far into the country I roam
Those beautiful Golden Arches
Remind me I'm not far from home.

Where are the Fashion Police when you need them?

I saw this and couldn't resist. I'd like to say a few words about the way men of a certain age dress in campgrounds. The fall roughly into two categories and you can usually associate them with their motorhomes.

The guys in the big rigs (greyhound bus size) are a natty bunch who sport plaid bermuda shorts, golf shirts and white shoes of some sort. They always top off the outfit with a jaunty hat (often bearing their gold club crest or some such form of identification). Often, their wives are in similar outfits.

The other guys (mostly hauling 5th wheels) wear t-shirts (if they wear shirts at all) bearing such witty sayings as "A 24 a day keeps the camping OK" or "Do bears go.......(you know the rest). They usually wear torn cut-offs and either black socks with sandels or runners. It's when they don't wear their clever t-shirts that really provide a picture. 'nuff said'

Being in Ottawa I thought it a shame not to visit some of the sight while I'm here, so I stayed over today and went to see the new Canadian War Museum. My grandson, Mark would love the place. On my way back I'm going to spend some time there going through the archives to see what I can dig up about my Dad's time overseas during the war.

Tomorrow, I am going to brave up and wiggle my toe in the Quebec highway pool.

We're having a dilly of a thunder storm right now, but Nellie is cosy and dry so all I have to worry about are the two cats clinging to my legs, begging to be picked up.

Some Things Never Change!

Some things change a lot over time. Yesterday, I went driving around my old neighbourhood - Carlingwood - in Ottawa. I drove past my old house and my old school where I spent every winter night skating and every summer night playing baseball. With the exception of the growth of the trees in the area - it all looked pretty much the same as it did back in the day... I drove past the old swimming hole at Lake Duchene and it has been turned into a lake front condo development. Another thing that doesn't change much here are the crazy drivers. I felt like I was back home in Saskatoon. I had also forgotten that when there is a holiday in this fair city - everything (and I mean, everything) shuts down with the exception of some drugstores and corner shops. And since I had not done a grocery shop yesterday, I am dining a la cuisine de Shoppers Drug Mart tonight. (See, my french is coming back).

I had a lovely lunch today with my cousin Mary Lee and her husband Colin today. It was great to catch up and we spent some time looking at some old family photos. There was one of cousins Robert and Allan (ages 4-6) all dressed up in sweaters and berets (very European and very funny, if you could see the pair of them now).

Tonight, I am going in to Greely - the local community - to watch the fireworks and then tomorrow I am heading off to Morrisburg to see some of the historical sites in that area.

I'm a little apprehensive about crossing into Quebec, but I think if Miss Hathaway carries on in English, she should get me through to New Brunswick by the weekend.

H A P P Y C A N A D A D A Y from Ottawa!

So, the lovely thing about having no schedule and no particular itinerary is that you can be lost and not even know it.

Today, I set Miss Hathaway up to take me somewhere close to Ottawa but to avoid all major highways.

It was a beautiful clear blue day to meander through the kelly green farmlands north of Toronto and then to re-experience the Canadian Shield around the Kawartha Lakes before slipping down into the wooded Ottawa Valley. The roads she took me on were in pretty reasonable shape but bereft of large transport trucks and anyone who was in much of a hurry.


Now, there are some pros and cons about traveling this way. The pros, as I mentioned, are light traffic; the sighting of many more animals (now I know where all the deer crossing signs should be); an absence of radar and radar-toting OPP's; no traffic lights in the middle of nowhere; the chance to drive through (not around) some very picturesque towns; and the chance to be able to look around and really enjoy the scenery.

The cons, on the other hand include a lack of service stations (it's OK I filled up yesterday); the lack of Tim's coffee; passing lanes; well spaced direction, highway and speed limit signs.

On the whole, I enjoyed the pros much more.


None the less, I spent most of the day, not knowing exactly where I was – but I did see a beaver beside the road, so I figured I must still be in Canada.


Tomorrow, I'm off to Ottawa – since there is no more fitting place to spend Canada Day – in my estimate.


Every store here sells fireworks so I imagine July first will be a real delight for my cats. Last night we had a big thunder storm and this morning they were still in their hidy holes. They have settled in to traveling now and while Nosey hides under the bed behind my suitcase, Digit climbs up into the bed under the covers and travels there. Once I stop and the air conditioner comes on, it seems to be their cue that they can come out for the evening.


I had the most delightful week with my best friend Ann last week as we toured the Muskokas and Algonquin Park areas. One of the great inequities in life is that she and I live in opposite parts of the country but I treasure her friendship and my cats are wondering where the cat-nip lady went. Clark, Anns husband is a pretty handy guy and was able to fix or answer many questions about running the motor home and that was so much appreciated. Love you guys!
I'm just 40 minutes outside Ottawa tonight, but have no wifi here so in case it is a few days until I get connected again.


Happy Canada Day everyone!

Just a Day at the Beach!

Well, I found out what you are supposed to pray for at the Canadian Martyrs Shrine at Midland. A sign right in the middle of the courtyard in front of the Church asks ”What would you do for a Klondike Bar?” Who knew?

Went to Wasaga Beach and dipped our toes in a very cold Georgian Bay but enjoyed some time on the big sandy beach. The place is an absolute zoo – I can't imagine what it would like in July. We also drove over to Collingwood to shop and are now back at Wasaga Pines Campground for the night.

I guarantee you have never tasted a steak as beautiful as the ones we barbequed tonight, served with baby purple potatoes and fresh, fresh asparagus. I'd show you a picture of them, but we ate them to the last crumb.

The countryside in this area is very pastoral with lovely red brick farmhouses decorated with very Victorian gingerbread, broad wrap around porches and surrounded by split rail fences. This is also the area where there seems to be a garden centre on almost every corner, so all the yards are bright with fresh summer flowers.

I have never seen so many Muskoka chairs in my life. Every trading post, general store, garden centre, drug store and grocery has them. They are painted all the colours of the crayon box and I would love to pick one up – however, I would have to move half my stuff out of the motorhome if I did.

Tomorrow, we are back at Ann's and I will hate to say goodbye to her. I'm anxious to get on my way but we have had so much fun this last week!!!!! The good thing is, I'll see her on the flip side so at least it's not goodbye for long.

The new voice on my GPS, which is finally set the way I want it, is a very proper, slow speaking American woman we have christened Miss Hathaway, after the bank secretary in the Beverly Hillbillies.

Quilty as Charged!

Yesterday we spent some time in a quilt shop in Dwight, just outside Algonquin Park. I couldn't resist the "Nova Scotia" themed one with the lighthouse, sailboats and seagulls - so I bought it! It makes the motorhome more cozy.

Maddie had suggested a place for breakfast this morning and did we ever have a good one. You were right, Maddie - the eggs were great!

Today, we are sitting on the shores of Lake Couchaching - right at the Marina. Again we have a pool to enjoy and a view that is amazing.Bill, all the fire hydrants here have 6 foot signs beside them with a picture of a hydrant on them. I guess we're now in the country of the big snow - not far from Collingwood.For all the deer and moose crossing signs we've seen, I feel like accusing the Ontario gov't of false advertising - narry a one in sight.

I think Midland will be our destination tomorrow and then back to Ann's on Sunday, so I can be heading east Monday morning. It has been a blast having here along - she's the only one I know who can make me laugh just with a look.

Have a great weekend.

Oh Really A! (Orillia)

The humidex today is 36 degrees so we decided to take a day off driving and get caught up on the laundry and such. There is a beautiful pool here and a mini-putt to we're just puttering around that.

Tomorrow we'll be heading back down through Bracebridge and Gravenhurst and on to Orillia and the beach country - Tomorrow is Christmas Day in June there and there is a parade of Christmassy decorated boats and rafts.

This morning we had a scrabble death match and went to the Cookhouse for breakfast. The Cookhouse is a very rustic (take that for whatever you think it means) but the food is really good --- and that's about our major excitement for the day.

Oh Moosey! Moosey! Moosey!

So today we went hunting for moose in Algonquin Park. There were "Moose Crossing" signs every few miles - but with the temperature hovering around 32 degrees C, all we saw/felt were blackflies, mosquitoes and a hundred gazillion daisies in the ditch. We did, however see some of the most incredible scenery and you can see by the photo.

We visited an amazing store called Algonquin Outfitters where I bought myself a moose in a canoe, so the day wasn't entirely mooseless.

This is the very best campground I've found so far - really neat and lovely owners (who are planning to relocate to Saskatoon soon). There is a pools and with the temperature hovering (oh, yeah, I've already said that) - I'm off for a swim in a few minutes. Then later tonight we're off to the Cookhouse bar for Open Mic night - should be a hoot.