South of the 49th Parallel at last!

With three weeks to kill from the time the border opening announcement was made, till the border actually opened, there was plenty of time to get organized (and procrastinate) for the southern migration.  I doubt if I have ever been so well prepared - and impatient!  Since I have been using only the truck camper for all recent excursions, the 5th wheel needed to be brought back up to speed.

Batteries to be checked, fridge and furnace (never used) given test runs, see if the slides still work, stove, and moved the heater over from the truck camper.  Wiring checked and re-checked on the new 100W flexible solar panels and associated controllers.

 

Managed to get Hailey's vaccinations updated without anyone losing an eye or any blood.

Some of the tires were getting in fairly poor condition, and the spare was junk, so we hauled the rig into town to see if it still remembered how to tow, and to treat it to some new tires!

De-activated the home place, and spent the last night in the rig to make sure everything was up to speed.  Then, there was nothing left to do but pull out, and set up the high security gate to guard the place for the winter!

Still had a few days to kill, so we headed down highway 22 to Pincher Creek to check in on friends down there.  The highest winds were avoided, and a few world problems were solved.  Then we headed westbound, through the Crowsnest Pass, for the Rocky Mountains and British Columbia.

We pulled in to a provincial rec site for a night, so Hailey could get out for a bit - all while watching the snow line march ever lower on the nearby mountains.

The final night on Canadian soil was to be spent with friends near Cranbrook, BC, with a run for the border at some uncivilized hour in the morning - to hopefully beat the rumoured hordes of RV's and RV'ers who were reportedly massing along the whole southern border in eager anticipation of heading to warmer climes.  Guesses were that getting across the border could take hours or days, while negotiating the Covid restrictions, etc.  But I got a quick message from Wandering Willy, out further BC way that the border might actually open at 9PM BC time, instead of at midnight as expected!  I had already attempted due diligence, and phoned the US customs border station a week ago where I wanted to cross, but of course, it is impossible to get an actual person to answer the phone.  So, with best guess in mind, Ms Hailey and I said so long and headed for the border.  It was a pleasant hours drive, much of it through blowing snow and poor visibility, just to let us know what we would be missing while basking in the warmth of a Yuma and area winter!

She had already gotten back into the travel routine and re-established her preferred lounging areas in the trailer.

Much to our surprise, and contrary to a lot of the hype over snowbirds crowding the border approaches, we saw a total of two other rigs that might have been headed to the border!  There may have been more, but they were invisible in the lovely blowing snow!

There were no signs at the actual border, so we sat there and contemplated for a few minutes, wondering whether we should attempt the crossing and be turned back, or just go for it.  Another attempted phone call to the customs office we could now see - went unanswered.  So, with passport in hand and trepidation we went for broke.  Much to our pleasure, we were not turned back, and after a few of the usual questions on booze, vegetables and plans, "Oh, you're a snowbird", we were waved on through, and there was no one behind us!  We're off!

Because it was now about 10:30 at night (depending on time zone, daylight savings time, etc), and the periodic blizzards, we just drove about 5 miles into the US to the first roadside spot we could find and hit the sack.

It was a bit unnerving in the morning to see a speed plow go by on the highway, but a quick chat with the driver said that the roads were just wet, no snow.  So we carried on south through Bonners Ferry, Sandpoint, and Couer d'Alene, Idaho, then Spokane and southward to the Columbia River on the border of Washington and Oregon.  Looking forward to our 'usual' campspot on the river bank right by one of the locks, but was greeted by a new no camping sign as a welcome. :-(

So, we moved to a scenic, but exposed spot on the side of the road, and we'll see where tomorrow takes us!  Nice to be back on my unlimited, cheap, AT&T data plan after almost 19 months!  Despite the rumours of mass migration, we only saw one rig all day from BC, and a couple from Idaho and Washington state.  I guess we're leading the charge.  Maybe more will catch up in the next few days?

Stay tuned!
 

Countdown is ON! Only (approximately) 1,209,600 seconds to go.

 After Covid kept us restrained from traveling to the sunny south last winter, it is no exaggeration to say that we are more than keen to get moving again, and as soon as possible! 

In a mere

• 1,209,600 seconds
• 20,160 minutes
• 336 hours     

we should be able to cross the border again on our southward migration!  Sure was not looking forward to the long, long dark cold months of winter, flooding my rink again, and getting out the dreaded snow scoop.  Only the hot tub made the last winter survivable, as even (downhill) skiing and organized hockey was largely absent, or severely constrained.

 When the US 'finally' reciprocated the border protocols (fully vaccinated US persons have been allowed to drive into Canada since early August), that kick started preparations for a more 'normal' winter.

With cooler weather upon us, and the promise of warmer things just around the corner, there was little desire to use the summer (truck) camper any more. 

 

 

 First, it was time to get the tires rotated.

Then, it was quickly relegated to it's winter home on blocks.

Even before Hailey heard we were leaving again, she asked several times to go into the 5th wheel, so she could check out her dishes, litter box, and favourite napping spots.  I think she found everything in order - just as she left it, 18 months ago.

In the meantime, she has been eager to soak up whatever fall sun rays are available.

Her rather well-fed looking fox friend came by to say goodbye...

Fall colours were doing their thing as usual.

A flying squirrel paid a visit to the front deck one evening.

Fridge and furnace were tested, and still working fine, and my secret weapon, the stand-alone propane heater was moved over from the truck camper.  The tires were getting in poor shape when we returned home in the spring of Covid, and the rig has been sitting unmoved ever since, so it's time for some brand new rubber before we head out.  One less thing to cause trouble along the way.

One of my old solar panels has been keeping the batteries charged during the last year and a half it has been parked without ever being plugged in - just like the boondocking we do when on the road.  But over the last two summers, we have acquired a couple of new 100w flexible solar panels, that have now been well tested with the truck camper.  Now, they will add a welcome increase to the charging capacity of the 5th.  They are so light and easy to handle, and so thin that I often slip them under the mattress, or behind the couch for storage.
Looking forward to being able to finally get some use from my unlimited data AT&T account, that I have been paying for and hardly using for the last year and a half.  A few times, when traveling or camping near the border I've been able to use it a little, but having it virtually full time again will be a welcome change.

 

Hope to see some of the usual 'winter friends' again this winter, and spend time in some of our usual haunts in the desert.  I think Al should just load up Scooter with Pheebs and everything they need, and turn for the border as soon as Kelly gets home! 

Still trying to convince Wandering Willy to hitch up for a while this winter...  John & Brenda ...?  I'll be down there waitin' for ya'll - as they say down there!

Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Home (for now)

We exited Ontario from the Kenora area, and cruised most of the way across Manitoba, skirting the southern edge of Winnipeg.  It's mostly farmland, but with help of Google maps, we found some bush to hide out in for the night.  Turns out most of the bush was actually Spruce Woods Provincial Park, so we just scrunched up against the boundary on the side of the back road.

There are established campgrounds in other portions of the park, but we much prefer the peace and quiet of more deserted areas, and this spot filled the bill just fine.

 

While still in Manitoba, we tracked down a laundromat and car wash side by side in suburban Virden.  Since we needed both, we got the proverbial two birds at once!

The next night, passing into Saskatchewan, we found a late night spot just across the highway from Crooked Lake Provincial Park.

Next we met up with Ernie & Deb, who were visiting relatives in beautiful, downtown Sheho, Sk., and got a tour of the town, as well as some of the places they used to hang out some 40+ years ago!

 

Next stop was at Kipabiskau Regional Park, where I lucked into meeting some cousins with a cabin there.  Then I got involved in some beer consumption, that also involved grown men trying to hit small white balls across grassy fields!  Later on, there was good food, and good stories around a fire.

After a quick visit with more relatives in Tisdale, we continued our cross-country Trek. Unfortunately, we just cruised right through Saskatoon :-(  We know too many people there and it could take a couple weeks to visit everyone, so it was just easier not to stop at all?

Carrying on west, dusk was upon us when we found this quiet spot between a game preserve and some pasture land.

Somehow, Hailey managed to lose her collar and bell while chasing the snakes and grasshoppers, and then I managed to lose her for a while.  She never goes anywhere, and always knows where 'home' is parked, but that doesn't prevent me from the usual panic, till I trip on her hiding in a bush watching a vole!  The local 'girls' were quite interested in what was going on!

While searching for a college classmate's place out in the countryside, I got surrounded by members of the  local combine club.  There was one on the road in front of me ...

And, another one blocking my exit to the rear!

Luckily, we managed to escape, tho Hailey was too busy napping to be worried.

Dang it all - then we had to detour south a bit to meet up with some old high school friends who were also on the road in camping mode.  This led us down to Saskatchewan Landing Provincial Park, on the South Saskatchewan river.

The park also provided some more confusing signage for my collection.  ALL vehicles require a permit, but NO vehicles are allowed?   Hmmm?

 

Saskatchewan is even going high-tech on the highway, with a few of these well-signed photo radar sites.  I wonder how long before some redneck drives over it with a tractor or 4X4?

We were on the road for about 7 weeks total.  One of my concerns about being gone so long was the lack of mowing on my home grasslands, otherwise known as lawn.  Well, it turns out that it wasn't too bad at all!  Sometimes the good neighbours come over with the big mower, but no sign of that happening this time.  Nice to see the 5th wheel again, though it looks a bit lonely after being parked for well over a year now.  Hopefully, the border will open for southern travel this winter ...

Total mileage for the trip was 14,099km, or about 8,762miles.  The big GMC is closing on 500k now, but still purring along like new.  Pretty sure it's all 'broken in' now, with many miles ahead of us.

Hailey was happy to share the home recliner with me - till we come up with another travel plan!  Till then, don't expect a lot of blogging!

Lake Superior - Westboound

It was the end of August as we continued our westward journey along the north shore of Lake Superior. Hailey was out in the endless sandbox whenever she got the chance.  There are a lot of nice beach areas along the way to test the waters.

 

One might think that the park below was closed - like the sign says.  But no, it is simply another misleading sign on an open gate to an open park!

 

 Without thinking, I waved at this OPP officer running radar on the highway as I pulled out of my overnight camp spot along the Michipicoten river, and took this picture - with my handheld DEVICE!  Good thing he didn't arrest me ;-)

Couldn't resist stopping along the shore of Superior near Rossport for another quick dip, and to enjoy the scenery.

But for the night we needed a bit more seclusion, so we ended up in this huge flat area along the railroad tracks.  Right across the track was the lake shore and of course we had that all to ourselves.  The trains came by at all hours, but it was not that disruptive, and Hailey had a large hunting area to keep her happy.  We ended up spending two nights there - and enjoyed the aerial flying displays from some local falcons and eagles.

There is a pretty cool bridge in Nipigon, so we had to get airborne for a better look.

 

 

Headed for Manitoba and Saskatchewan next!