“Once a year,  go someplace you have never been before.”

        ~Dalai Lama

So here I am, travelling on my own again.  My first day without Karen, I decided I would drive to Hopewell Rocks.  I left early in the morning to catch low tide to see the red shores and the huge sea stacks.  I am glad I went early because throngs of people showed up as I was leaving.  

 I drove south for a little further and then decided to visit farm stands and a farmer’s market.  I came back to the trailer with a bundle of fresh vegetables and sourdough bread.  

 The next day I planned to drive to Shediac on the coast.  I did but it was a downpour and the roads were flooding.  I decided to find a coffee shop and do a bit of writing and catch up on emails.  By the time I finished my coffee it was still pouring so back to the campsite I went.  It was not raining here so I took the opportunity to go to Costco, get fuel, and do some laundry.  

 August 15 - I drove to Grand Falls, NB.  I had heard about covered bridges in New Brunswick and it was suggested that I must see Hartland covered bridge.  I looked it up and to my delight it was on the way to Grand Falls.  

I set the GPS for Hartland Covered Bridge.  It took me to the bridge alright.  It took me to the end where there was no parking and nowhere to turn around with a travel trailer.  

  It’s a one lane bridge.  The last car coming the opposite direction had come through.  I gulped, looked up and said to Morgan, we can do this.  I was sure I had enough clearance if I stuck to the middle of the bridge.  

The bridge is 391 metres long.  It was the longest 391 metres in my life.  Construction started in 1898 and ended in 1901.  The piers are concrete and the bridge trusses are wooden.  

When I reached the other side there was a lady in her car, window down, and waiting to cross.  She said to me, “You are one brave lady.”

I proceeded to the parking lot (where I expected to be led to in the first place).  Then Morgan and I walked the bridge.  

 I made my way to Grand Falls where I stayed at Chez Walmart Campground.  It was me and eight other RVers spending the night.  I was happy that the traffic noise was fairly quiet by 2200 hrs.  That meant I would sleep well.  

August 16 - Grand Falls to Quebec City (Levis).  Today is also my wedding anniversary.  Ron and I would have been married 25 years.  I still miss my husband so very, very much.  ❤️

 I decided to take the Trans Canada most of the way and when I got to Rivière du Loup I diverted to Highway 132.  Oh my goodness, what a beautiful drive along the St. Lawrence River.  Farm stands, little villages, and wheat swaying in the fields. There were also a lot of cyclists so that told me it was a popular route.  

I made it to Chez Walmart Campground in Levis by 1500 hrs.  

  Now here is a story.  I belong to a group on FB called Road Widows, Road Warriors.  The women, as they name implies are widows and they are RVers.   I recently discovered a lady in the group who lives in Nanaimo.  We touched base by messenger but never had time to meet before I left.  As it was, she too was planning a trip across Canada.  Well, we managed to meet in Quebec City at Walmart.  And speaking of this Walmart, there were signs all over the place NO CAMPING.  After Diane and I met, I moved the trailer to Canadian Tire :).  She is car camping.  She is much braver than me, that I know for sure.  I invited her for dinner and a sleepover in a bed which she jumped at the chance to accept.  We have a lovely evening.  The next morning we parted ways.  She is heading east and I am officially heading west.  

August 17 - Quebec City to North Lancaster to a Harvest Host

 Because I had such a beautiful drive on Highway 132 east of Quebec City I thought I would drive the same highway heading west out of Quebec City.  While it was beautiful I was challenged by an abundance of road construction and detours.  It was taking forever to get to Montreal so I diverted to a main highway.  I ended up going through the city of Montreal but I was a pro considering Karen and I passed through Montreal on our way east.  I arrived at my host location about 1600 hrs.  

 I am not going to go into a lot of detail here bus suffice it to say that I had a very bizarre experience with this particular host and I was very happy to leave the next morning.  It you are a part of Harvest Host, please avoid The Old Flax Mill in North Lancaster.  

August 18 - North Lancaster to Almonte

 While on Fogo Island, Karen and I met a lovely couple named Steve and Joan.  We met because Karen and I rescued their tent as it was being blown across the field towards the water.  They were very thankful and after that we became know as the tent rescuers.  We kept in touch by email and I was invited to their farm on my way through Ontario.  I took them up on their offer.  I really enjoyed to get to know them better.  I had a lovely and quiet stay.  Steve and I played guitar together, Joan made fabulous meals, and Morgan fell in love with their Golden Retriever, Clara.  Clara could have cared less about Morgan.  

Their farmhouse is almost 200 years old.  Steve has done all the renovations himself and it is a work of art with the old farmhouse charm.  

 

I left on the morning of the 20th heading to Niagara Falls.  How can you be so close and not visit the Falls.  I also wanted to meet up with a zoom friend so that meant I could accomplish two things.  My stays in Niagara were through Harvest Hosts.  Both were at wineries with the first at Lundy Manor Wine Cellars and the second was at Creekside Estate.  Both have great tasting wine.  The bonus is that Creekside was near Christine and we got to go on a short hike together.  Zoom is great but meeting people in person is greater.  

 While in the Niagara area, Morgan and I visited the falls and of course they were a sight to behold.  The amount of water that flows is incredible.  I also could not help but think about the people who have attempted going over the falls in barrels and, and, and Nik Wallenda who walked the tightrope over the falls.  Crazzzzzzy! The weather, the mist, the energy!!! He did it at night too.  Watch it on YouTube.

 I had planned on staying a third night but my gut was telling me to head toward the Bruce Peninsula.  So, I changed plans and headed to Craigleith Provincial Park, the very park where I met up with Karen in May.  We met up again.  I gave her the things she left in the trailer, we visited a winery, and had dinner at her place.  I had come full circle. 

We also did a short hike and somehow along the way Morgan became lame but I didn’t notice until we got back to camp.  I decided to give it a day to see if she got better. I knew it was not her shoulder, her knee or her wrist - if dogs have those joints.  It was all about her toes.  I did not know if it was fractured, spanned or bruised.  

 August 24 -  Morgan is still limping.  She will have a day off her paw.  I am sure it will help.   We left for Tobermoray on the Bruce Peninsula.  It was a beautiful drive.  I have reservations for the 17:45 ferry to South Baymouth on Manitoulin Island.  

 I got very concerned about Morgan’s paw so while in the ferry lineup I started calling veterinary clinics.  I started with Manitoulin Island.  Their response was that they are booked up and try phoning around.  Between Manitoulin Island and Sault Ste Marie I called at least 25.  I was also getting the response that I would be charged an emergency fee.  With that in mind, I decided to bite the bullet and suck up the fee.  I called the Island Animal Hospital, on Manitoulin Island, and said that if I have to pay an emergency fee I will do it there because I would be there this evening.  

 Now that got them thinking.  I was put on hold and when they came back to the phone I was asked if I could bring her in first thing in the morning.  I said yes.  I feel better that I can have her looked at.  It may be nothing but it may be something.  

Dogs are allowed upstairs on the ferry, both inside and out.  Because of all the people I carried Morgan upstairs and we found a sheltered place to sit outside and enjoy the view. The weather was great.  

 I believe this is my first ‘Lake’ ferry.  It was a bit odd not seeing kelp or watching for whales.  In addition, there was no ocean breeze with that salty aroma I love.  

I didn’t have a plan of where to stay but I found out that across from the vet is the recreation centre with a huge parking lot.  That is where we called home for the night.  Morgan is still not bearing any weight on her little paw.  She is eating, peeing, and pooping.  I will not give her any food until after the vet.  

 August 25 - Morgan is still not bearing weight on her paw.  I had her at the vet at 08:45 where I had to leave her until they found time to check her out.  Two hours later the vet called to ask which paw because she was jumping round in excitement - probably to get out of the crate.  Hahahaha.  I confirmed the right front paw.  Another few minutes and I got another call that nothing is broken and she will be fine.  Keep her quiet for a few more days they suggested.  

I decided to stay on Manitoulin another night just to be sure.  We stayed at Little Current near the marina.  It was quiet and beautiful.  Morgan was doing great.  Hindsight tells me that I could have waited an extra day but …

 August 26 - We are heading West!  This is the day that I make my way to Ontario Highway 17.  This is the highway I used to travel east so it feels somewhat familiar.  I decided to drive until I didn’t want to drive anymore.  Pancake Bay Provincial Park is how far I got today.  From the highway it looked small.  I doubted I would get a spot BUT when they had room for me I found out there were over 300 campsites, plus it took me 15 minutes do drive to my site.  It was a great place to walk Morgan and there was a nice sandy beach for her to swim.  

 August 27 was just a travel day and we stayed at Penn Lake Park in Marathon, Ontario.  I washed the truck and camper.  It was filthy from the mud roads on Manitoulin Island.  

August 28 - Today was especially exciting because I went to an amethyst mine where I got to mine (or pick) my own amethyst pieces.  I learned that the geodes with amethyst come from Brazil.  Canada’s amethysts develop in veins.  It was difficult to stop myself from collecting more that I would ever need, but I did.  

 Morgan and I carried onwards.  I refuelled in Upsala.  Little did I know when I said fill ‘er up that I would drain the last of the fuel from their tank.  I was close to being topped up so I was happy to carry on.  There were a few people waiting for gas and I didn’t wait to witness their reaction  when they were told the station was out.  

 We spent the night at a rest stop just east of Ignace.  It was a nice place to walk Morgan.  Although there was a lake, it was not a good swimming lake with all the murkiness and lily pads.  I talked to a fellow photographer.  He lives in his van.  You can find his work at AmericanNomadPhotographer.com    I also met another lady from Vancouver also on her way west.  It was a busy little spot.  

 August 29 - On the way east I stayed at a Harvest Host/Boondockers location near Kenora.  I enjoyed it by the lake so I made arrangements to stay two nights on my way west.  I also took an opportunity to clip Morgan to help keep her cool in the hot weather expected as I cross the prairie provinces.  It was a relaxing stay and I also needed the break from travelling.  

August 31 - A few days ago I contacted a photographer in a FB group called Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba Grain Elevators.  I was enjoying the pictures that were appearing on the page and asked him if there were many elevators near the Trans Canada Highway.  He was kind enough to give me a list of eight.  I was delighted because it made it so much easier for me to photograph them as I am travelling.  My first grain elevator was in Dufrense, Manitoba.  

 I am learning that some of the elevators have been demolished, some have been modified and upgraded, some have been repurposed, and some have been restored for historic purposes.  I have found through the FB group that they are scattered throughout the Prairies and there is an incredible following.  

Tonight I got to meet Karen’s mom and step-dad in Winnipeg.  I am staying at the Walmart closest to their apartment.  Bernie was kind enough to come and pick Morgan and me up.  We had a lovely chat, solved all the world’s problems, and ate a delicious home-cooked dinner.  It is always wonderful when someone else does the cooking.  Thank you Bernie and Gerry.  I am grateful for the opportunity to meet you two delightful people.  

 September 1 - Not on the list of elevators but some I heard about in Inglis, MB.  It was a bit of a detour from the TC but well worth it.  I also enjoyed the side roads where I am seeing a lot of activity in the fields with the farmers getting their grains harvested before the weather changes.  Next stop for the day was Elkhorn, MB for another few photographs before settling into a rest stop a few kilometres from the Saskatchewan border.  It was another great place with lots of grass for Morgan and I to play for her exercise.  

This stop was full of truckers and five RVers.  

September 2 - Swift Current is my goal for the end of my driving day but of course I didn’t get far before stopping in Moosomin for photos, followed by Grenfell, and finally Sintaluta.  

 I was fortunate to get two nights at the Ponderosa campground in Swift Current.  I was thankful for the power so that I could use the AC in the scorching heat and for the laundromat to catch up on some washing.  It always feels great to get the laundry done.  

With the extra time after laundry I drove back to Herbert to get some shots of the grain elevator there.  In all honesty, I was too tired and hot to stop on the way, so going back was much more enjoyable.  

The campground was nest to Swift Current Creek so Morgan had a few very refreshing swims.  

 September 4 - Westward HO! With a detour through Lethbridge to Taber for the evening.  Now here is the interesting thing.  I may have settled for a rest stop but the police alerts about the two brothers at large for stabbing 28 people, in Saskatchewan, led me to believe I would be safer in a campground.  By the time I got to the campground the alert was for Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.  They were both still at large and the police seemed no closer to making any arrests.  

On the way I stopped for another grain elevator at Gull Lake.  Also this morning the air quality was very poor due to wild fires in BC and Washington State.  I could see it, smell it, and taste it.  

Fortunately the Taber Municipal campground was in a bit of a hollow and the air was a bit better down there.  Being another hot day, I took Morgan to the river for a much needed swim and cooldown.  The campground was a gem of a spot on a hot day.  There were huge broad-leaf trees everywhere.  

 September 5 - On y way to Langdon, AB to stay with Wayne and Wendy Mikkelsen at their farm for a few days.  Of course, I stopped for more grain elevators.  This time in Stavely and Nanton.  Nanton had a bonus old car near it that I could fit into one of the pictures.  I loved it.  

I also a tried to go to the Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump World Heritage Site but after driving 20 kms off the highway to go there and to walk up to the building I find that dogs are not welcome.  No, I didn’t google it because I spontaneously decided to go when I saw the sign on the highway.  Grrrrrr.  And of course it was far too hot to leave Morgan in the truck or the trailer for any length of time.  Off we continued to Langdon.  

 It’s great to be back.  And I am still here.  What have I been doing for the past five days?  Cutting corn of the cob to ready for freezing, digging and cleaning carrots, slicing beets for pickling, walking Morgan in the fields, riding in a combine, learning about farming, sharing stories, laughing a lot, and just having a great time before hitting the road again soon.