GASPESIE QC-2

  We are following the waters edge on Hwy 132 and it’s beauty is endless. Small towns, not much population. Besides the views, we came across such interesting things as the tallest vertical axis windmill in the world(110 meters)and of course international signs that meant What?    This is Forillon National Park of Canada which is located at the very end of Quebec. It had some very nice hikes, which unfortunately I(Diane) am unable to do at this time. But we enjoyed the entertaining docents at Hyman’s company general store that was restored to its 1918 appearance.

This young man in the picture could have been on a stage, he was so enthusiastic and so very excited to practice his English.  The other picture is Anse-Blanchette’s family homestead

also but not shown is a barn/stable, fish shed, woodshed, fish stage used to produce salt dried fish. It is a hundred year old house decorated as it was in the 1920’s. The same family lived in it until the 1970’s when the park took it over.

GASPESIE QC -1

   

 

We are driving around the Gaspe’ Peninsula QC. Our first stop is the lighthouse of Rimouski where we decided to enjoy

a bike ride along the coast. We rode through charming waterfront villages to Sante Luce about 4 miles up the road.

Upon our return we parked across the street  on the waters edge for the night. What could be better!

Very interesting, the Centre D’Art Marcel Gagnon.

These are cement statues going into the straits of St. Lawrence

This is another of our wonderful overnighters. We stopped at the Site du Phare de Cap Madeleine(lighthouse)we asked if it was ok to spend the night. They said for $5.00 and we could help ourselves to water. The bathrooms were left open all night too! Another fantastic view! The sunset was gorgeous.

QUEBEC CITY

Quebec City gets our pick for the Best City to visit in Canada. Truly a unique experience like stepping into France

without having to go as far.  The City of Quebec was founded in 1608 and is also known as the cradle of French

civilization in North America. The fortifications of Quebec surrounding the old town are 4.6 km in length.

We strolled the walls enjoying the Citadelle and the river views.We wandered through the quaint streets

lined with gift shops and restaurants with fresco dinning then my feet gave out and we took the funicular

down to the waterfront were we caught the ferry back to Levis’ where we were able to park for 24 hours.

We really did not do Quebec City justice as we only stayed one day. There is so much to see here one could

really stay at least a week if not longer. But since this is not our destination and only a stopping over place

we want to press on. But what a fantastic City!       

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MONTREAL

 

 

We had to wait a day to see Montreal as it was raining when we arrived. The good news was we were parked at a Casino. It was worth the wait, the next day was fair and blue just perfect for our bike ride. We vote this city as number 1 for excellent bike paths. The paths are along the waterfront, canals, and city streets. But at you can see in the picture the two  lane path is separated from the main street by a three foot curb. Bikes are widely used here. There are rows of rental bikes  every few blocks especially in downtown. You can use a credit card or pass, ride to you destination leaving the bike at the next rental spot. We rode over the bridge along the waterfront, by the old city, into three parks, through the University district and into downtown and back to the island the Casino’s on. It was about 26 km. We couldn’t resist the smiling dog!

OTTAWA

After taking a day to drive into Ogensburg NY to pick up our mail, the next morning we headed to Ottawa the Capital of Canada.

We stayed at the Moose Lodge which is conveniently located to downtown. And I have to take this opportunity to say we have

never experienced such a friendly group of people as at this lodge. We went to the steak dinner with live entertainment on Friday

night, where so many people came over to welcome and chat with us.

We caught the bus across the street, first stop was the ByWard  Market, love these markets, so many sights and yummy smells.                                                                                              Full of flowers, fruits and vegetables. And of course every  imaginable restaurant along with booth after booth of crafts.   

The Parliament Building of Ottawa  (which we took a tour of) and the Library sit along the Ottawa River.  You take a self guided tour of the grounds

around the buildings. The construction began on these buildings in 1859 and today they are among the finest examples of  Gothic Revival 

architecture in North America. On our second day we visited  Rideau Hall the official residence and work-place of every Governor General

since 1867. This historical site is set in a lush landscape of 76 acres. In all honesty this was a bit of a disappointment, first stand in a long line

at the basement entrance to go through security, then walk upstairs to see 2 rooms and the foyer, first room, some art on loan from museums

and a small block mock up of the residence, the other room was the great ballroom/ceremony room. Personally I was under impressed.

So moving right along, we then went to the Currency Museum. Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about currencies around the world.

Shells, beads, teeth, cacao beans, paper and metal are among  more than 8,000 objects on display.

Toronto

After a leisurely drive along the shoreline going through the charming town of Niagara By the Bay (darn it was so early no stores were open) we came into St. Catherine. Here we  stopped to do laundry (the dreaded chores) and stock up at Costco. Caught the QEW into Toronto, there we got off at the waterfront. We stopped at a large parking lot, so pulled in to inquire. It was $12.00 and we could spent the night if we were out by 6:00am. OK! Another bike trail! We were up for this so off we go into the city pulling into tiny parks around waterfront marina’s in and around everything on along the water. Then Jim spotted the Ferries, and said “Let’s go for a boat ride”. This took us to Ward Island for $4.00 we then biked around the island catching a different ferry on the other end for the return to Toronto. It did start to rain then but being the hardy RV’er’s this did not bother us. Well it was a warm rain.

Windsor to Niagara Falls

We entered Canada  from Detroit into Windsor of course the entrance to the bridge is under construction, signs read don’t follow your GPS follow signs, but the crossing made up for that as it was not crowded, after a few questions we were waved through. We took the coastal route enjoying the farm stands where we stocked up on fruits and vegies.  Are aim was to stay at the Moose Lodge in Brantford but it had the “worlds smallest parking lot” so plan B we followed the signs to the OMG Casino. We parked around back and to our delight the Trans Canadian Trail ran behind the Casino. We explored some of the trail.

Next day on to the awaited Falls. Neither Jim or I had been there before. What a wonderful sight driving in! We pulled into the paid parking lot, $20.00 for an RV. Jim not being timid said “can we stay the night” and they said sure. It was great being able to walk along the falls seeing the sights then return to our RV for a rest and dinner then walk back at dusk to see the colored lights shinning on the falls.

MICHIGAN

We are so glad we made the time to stop in Dearborn to see Greenfield Village and The Henry Ford Museum. This is an all day excursion, there is so much to see. This weekend being Memorial weekend it was Civil War Remembrance Days. All the lawns were set up as a camp with everyone in period costumes. There were marches, drills, music, etc…. The Village itself has so much history with each house or building you visit. Another must see on our list. 

And I could say if you only want to see one museum in the country The Henry Ford Museum (not counting the Smithsonian)

should cover most everything. Not only automobiles but planes , trains, bikes, farm equipment, furniture and people,

the Weiner Mobile, etc…Again it is huge. Plan on all day.

INDIANA

OUR FIRST STOP IN INDIANA WAS THE INIDIANA DUNES NATIONAL LAKESHORE. A GEOGEOUS HOT DAY JUST CALLED FOR A BIKE RIDE ALONG THE COAST.

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NEXT WE WENT TO SHIPSHEWANA FIRST AS THE GIANT FLEA MARKET IS ONLY OPEN TUES & WED.  FANTASTIC PRICES AT THE ANTIQUE AUCTION. ONCE AGAIN , CAN’T GET STUFF INTO THE CAMPER……..DARN!  WE THEN VISITED THE MENNO-HOF, THE AMISH & MENNONITE STORY-YOU TRAVEL THROUGH FIVE CENTURIES OF FASCINATING HISTORY,FROM SWITZERLAND TO AMERICA. THEN STOPPED INTO THE VISITOR CENTER FOR OUR FREE CD OF THE HERITAGE TRAIL. IT IS A 90 MILE LOOP,                                                                                                                  

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YOU FOLLOW ALONG LISTENING TO THE HISTORY AND LOCAL SIGHTS.IT GOES THROUGH THE TOWNS OF ELKHART, BRISTOL, MIDDLEBURY, SHIPSHEWANA, GOSHEN, NAPANEE, & WAKARUSA.

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AND OF COURSE NO TRUE RV’ER COULD LEAVE ELKHART WITHOUT VISITING THE RV-MV HALL OF FAME! AMAZING STUFF.