It seems the last couple of posts have been about problems we recently encountered with either our motorhome or Smart car. In the past few years the old Boy has been losing more and more power at higher elevations. Betty & I have always enjoyed the dramatic scenery driving through mountains or into canyons. But I must admit that I have done a fair bit of cringing recently when contemplating steep grades. Our last three trips through the Rocky Mountains saw us labouring badly as we attempted to make it up and over. There was a lot of “I think I can. I think I can”, but there was a nagging fear that our motorhome would be found dead on the side of the road at any time now. Yikes!
You may have heard the expression “Closing the barn door after the horse has bolted”. We bought and installed this RVi Brake3 system in our Smart car, after it went on its errant way. The cord plugged in near the red button is for a “breakaway cable”. If the car becomes disconnected from the motorhome, the brake is immediately applied.The little nose ring on the front of the Smart is what gets pulled if the car decides to go its own way.
Twelve years ago we had all the exhaust manifold gaskets replaced in San Antonio, Texas. At the time someone there told us about Banks Complete Power Systems, but as mentioned in an earlier post, we were on holidays and didn’t have time to consider that option. We were more than happy with the improved performance, and went on our merry way.
Some powerless manifold parts.Our old mufflers and tail pipes removed.
Then about four years ago we had the passenger-side manifold gaskets replaced in Winnipeg, and saw another temporary improvement in power. Unfortunately, two years ago, on our way out to Vancouver Island, we lost power again near Kelowna, B.C. and had the passenger-side gaskets replaced again. Some of the bolts installed in Winnipeg were not fitted properly and had worked themselves loose. BTW, bolts holding the driver’s side manifold were also stuck or missing, but that side is more difficult to access, so were never addressed.
Betty, Charlie & I enjoyed walks through a local park during our two week visit to Twin Falls, Idaho.Charlie particularly liked drinking from the fast-moving stream.
We appreciated the work Cullen Diesel in Nanaimo did in replacing transmission fluid, spark plugs and wires, and crossed our fingers that our troubles were over. But as mentioned in a recent post, we lost power again just east of Portland, Oregon, and wasted a week in Boise, Idaho waiting for a GM dealership to diagnose and repair the problem. They turned off the “check engine” light, but that was about the extent of their help, and we waited a week for that…
Ryan performs the unboxing ceremony at Craig’s Automotive, before installing the remaining Banks Power parts.The remaining parts of our Banks Power System are finally ready for installation.Here is our newly installed large chrome tailpipe.
Our last post saw us getting exceptional service at Craig’s Automotive in Twin Falls, Idaho, and we are more than happy with the results.
The Banks Power System came with an “OttoMInd Programmer” which monitors all functions of the engine and exhaust on our motorhome. It is programmed specifically for our motorhome and registers fault codes if the “check engine” light is activated. The system can be programmed to improve both gas mileage and torque.
This is not an ad for Banks Power, and Gale Banks has not paid us for this post (although we would be happy to receive compensation from him. Lol). In fact, the installation of a Banks PowerPack Bundle cost us thousands of dollars, but so far we are more than satisfied with the results.
This is the new Command Center that came with our RViBrake 3. Not that it’s a distraction, but we now have 8 screens to view while driving down the road… (The one above is our TireMinder.)
In hindsight I wished we had it installed twelve years ago. But right now feel that this system has added years to the life of our home on wheels. We have literally traversed dozens of steep grades since leaving Twin Falls a couple of days ago, and at every one our motorhome has had power to spare! What an incredible difference in performance – from creeping up grades at 35 mph, to floating up the same or steeper grades at 60 mph.
After leaving Twin Falls, hills like this were effortless for the old Boy.We had many mountains to climb, but did it without breaking a sweat.After leaving Twin Falls, our first night was spent at this rest area south of Butte, Montana.The next night we set up our bbq on a picnic table at this rest area near Miles City, Montana – had a nice steak to celebrate getting safely through the mountains!
Only time will tell if the resulting performance will continue, but Betty & I are most encouraged by the new lease on life that the Banks system has given to our motorhome. Here’s hoping that you can experience renewed vitality in your years to come!
No visit to Idaho is complete without visiting the Idaho Potato Museum. We stopped in for a tour and some tasty french fries and “tater dollars”, and did our mandatory comparison with the Canadian Potato Museum we visited on PEI a few years ago.Even the Idaho licence plates promote “famous potatoes”. Given that our youngest daughter, Lisa, is a potato aficionado, we think she’d love this state!
After leaving Twin Falls, Idaho, our plan had been to visit Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, then head east to Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming (featured in the movie “Close Encounters of the Third Kind”) and nearby Mount Rushmore, South Dakota, before heading north into Manitoba.
Interstate 94 took us past Home On The Range, North Dakota – presumably where the deer and antelope play, and never is heard a discouraging word. You can tell by the pic that the skies are not cloudy all day. lol.
But due to unexpected delays in Idaho, we decided to head north and east on Interstate 94 through Montana, leaving the national parks for a future visit.
The rugged terrain of southwestern North Dakota
Our old friend, Norm Cartier, who Betty went to Sunday School with, and I shared a house with in Toronto, has been recuperating from a stroke in Yellow Grass, Saskatchewan. So after crossing from Montana into western North Dakota, we decided to head due north for a brief visit.
Into North Dakota’s version of the Badlands.
We were also aware that spring flooding had closed portions of the main highway from Grand Forks, North Dakota to Winnipeg, so avoiding that route was considered wise.
Rugged beauty on the roadsides leading to Theodore Roosevelt National Park.Lots of picturesque countryside in southwestern North Dakota.Interesting rock formations everywhere.
With our capacity to boondock, we generally have been avoiding formal campgrounds. But checking the map, we saw we would be passing through Theodore Roosevelt National Park, and there appeared to be two nice campgrounds in the park.
A buffalo welcomed us as we entered the park.
Even though Betty & I have travelled through Grand Forks and Fargo on the eastern edge of North Dakota many times, we had never ventured further west of Minot, the location of a Family Motor Coach Association rally a few years ago.
Another striated rock formation at the entrance to Juniper Campground.
As we approached Theodore Roosevelt National Park, the terrain became more barren and rugged, similar to the Badlands of South Dakota.
Here’s a very bold boulder, reaching out for the sun.
We were amazed by the seemingly hidden beauty of this park, and enjoyed a very quiet night in Site 44 of Juniper Campground ($7./night for Seniors with our America The Beautiful pass).
After staying in a couple of noisy roadside rest areas, Betty & I were amazed by how quiet it was in the park. A buffalo walked through the woods near our campsite while there, but the trees prevented a clear shot (with the camera, of course).Wild buffalo took there time crossing the road as we began to head out of the park. Small birds seemed to follow them wherever they went.The scenic road from the highway to the campground is about 5 miles, with lots of wildlife along the way (and obviously a few bugs on our windshield at that point…)Believe it or not – Yellow Grass, Saskatchewan has its own campground!
The tiny border crossing into Saskatchewan was uneventful, and we had a pleasant visit with Norm and his wife, Francis, before heading east again.
This was our last night on the road, between the arena and ball diamond in MacGregor, Manitoba.
One more night was spent beside the local arena in MacGregor, Manitoba, and we are now back at Town and Country RV Park in Winnipeg. It hasn’t stopped raining since our arrival, so we feel like we could be back on Vancouver Island, except without the elevations to shed the water.
We appear to be parked beside a stream and pond, but it’s actually the lane and campsite next to us at Town and Country in Winnipeg. Rain, rain, go away!
Discovering Theodore Roosevelt National Park this week was like finding a hidden gem. We hope that you also have opportunities to find unexpected joy in your travels through life.
As we approached Winnipeg, our old Boy’s dusty odometer finally crossed the 100,000 mile mark. Here’s hoping for many more to go!
In 2017 Betty & I set a goal of visiting the 48 contiguous states and 10 Canadian provinces in 5 years. We sold our home in Winnipeg and went all in as full-time RVers – travelling in our 2005 Georgie Boy CruiseMaster and towing our little Smart car on behind. As chronicled in over 200 blog posts, since Dec. 27/17 we have toured 43 states and 9 provinces in what has become known as our overlandish odyssey. It’s been a marvelous adventure!
Betty finally adds state 43 – Montana to our sticker map.
There have been a few roadblocks and detours along the way. Most notably, travel restrictions related to the coronavirus meant that the U.S. border was closed for most of 2020 and 2021. From March 2020 – when we made a hasty return from Arizona, until April 2022 – when we crossed over from Vancouver Island into Washington State – our travels were all within Canada, which wasn’t a bad thing since there is so much to see and do in this vast country!
Bet & Charlie take a stroll along Long Beach in British Columbia’s Pacific Rim National Park, as a surfer passes by.
Our last few posts have told of problems with our motorhome and Smart car, which we hope are now largely resolved. The aging automobiles have carried us well on our journeys and (fingers crossed) they still have at least a few years left. Due to mechanical and health issues, we missed out on visiting Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming on our way back from Vancouver Island. So we look forward to covering those states this fall or next spring – either on our travels to or from our winter destination in Quartzsite, Arizona.
One of the many amazing sunsets over the desert mountains in captivating Quartzsite, Arizona.
If anyone’s counting, that still leaves two states – Kentucky and West Virginia – to visit on a future adventure through the Great Smoky Mountains, down the Blue Ridge Parkway to a winter on the Gulf coast. On another trip, we hope to fly to Newfoundland and rent a type B or B+ motorhome for a tour of that rugged rock, ticking off the last of our 10 provinces and 48 states.
That’s not a roadblock. It’s another mountain to climb.
But as noted in an October 2021 post, our travel plans are best made in jello. There are many factors beyond our control that need to be considered. One such matter is putting us temporarily out of commission for a while: I have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, and am scheduled for surgery tomorrow to remove it. While I am expected to be out of service this summer, the prognosis is good, and we hope to be on the road again to visit the remaining states and province.
After 48 years, my wedding ring had to be cut off in preparation for surgery.
These last few years have underlined for Betty and me the transitory nature of life on this earth. For us, we have not been content to finish our lives in an easy chair in front of a TV screen, watching the world go by. We have reached out to engage with our family and others on our planet – living to the fullest. Even if events put us out of commission for a while, our hope and prayer is that you and we can continue to experience a meaningful, joyous, marvelous adventure for years to come!
“…I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep.” Robert Frost
To any who may be wondering (or wandering and wondering…) last month’s surgery to remove prostate cancer appears to have been a success. After a week in hospital with jello as my main breakfast, lunch and dinner intake, I was ready for real food again. Thankfully, Betty & I recently enjoyed the meal I had been dreaming about during that stay: lamb chops & prosciutto-wrapped asparagus on the barbie, topped in fresh mint sauce from our garden. Yeah, I’m alive again! We meet next week with the oncologist to receive the full pathology report, but all signs so far seem favourable. He wants to monitor my situation for the next five years, with initial meetings every three months, but I’m off to a good start on the road to recovery!
On the move, even though I’m still connected to a few tubes. They sure do provide some funny dresses in hospital. lol
It’s been a tremendous blessing to have the support of our family and friends, especially in this past month. Each of our adult sons and daughters has stepped up to offer and provide help with the day-to-day issues that we otherwise take for granted, from installing our add-a-room to mowing our grass, to giving much-needed healing hugs. Friends have dropped by to help kick-start our air conditioning, replace the noisy muffler on our Smart, and take care of our yard work, ensuring the health of our plants and flowers. Evening campfires have provided warmth and encouragement, and favourite food drop-offs have contributed to accelerated rehab. How wonderful it is to have these caring connections!
Glad to be back to our home on wheels. All the extra tubes are disconnected and each day is better than the day before!
Betty & I have been blessed with good health for nearly all our lives. While purchasing travel health insurance has always been part of our trip planning process, the issue of health has never played a prominent role. When the insurance forms asked “have you ever…?” or “do you have…?” the answer has always been “no, no, no.” Going forward, things may be a little different…
Until now, these have been the main trip planning considerations:
Destination: Where do we want to go, and what would we like to see along the way?
Timing: How much time do we want to take, considering special family events & provincial and national requirements related to citizenship, taxes, and health insurance coverage? (eg.: no more than 180 days/year in the U.S. and no more than 5 months out of province.)
Weather: What can we expect the weather to be at our destination and along the way? We prefer to stay close to 21c or 70f, so that gets factored in. I find the website weatherspark.com to be a helpful tool in trip planning. One can easily choose country, state or province, local city, and time of year, drilling down from average yearly to monthly to daily temperatures and other weather issues at each location.
Budget: For each of our trips so far, we have registered odometer readings at the beginning and end of the journey, and compared those to the accumulated daily distance calculations between each of our proposed stops. So we have a fairly accurate picture of how far we proposed to travel, and how far we actually went. We have been able to compare those with proposed fuel costs, and actual costs, and have a fairly accurate sense of what the fuel costs will be (notwithstanding current fluctuations). Our accommodation costs have decreased as we have transitioned more from campground stays to boondocking, but our maintenance costs have increased as our vehicles have aged. As time goes by we have a reasonable expectation of what it can cost us for each proposed adventure.
Health: As mentioned, until now we have taken our health for granted, and it has not been a significant consideration in trip planning. But our recent experience has underscored that – without good health – none of the rest is possible! Wow, what a revelation!
Other factors: This isn’t an exhaustive list of travel planning considerations. Some can be expected, and others – for better or worse – are unexpected. That is why all plans need to be made in jello, with the journey contributing as much to the adventure as the destination.
Ok, for now I’ve had enough jello. The pain from surgery is subsiding and I’m on the road to recovery. Starting to get to the preparation of being on the road to the next adventure on our overlandish odyssey. Our prayers go out for your health and happy travels through life also!
As Forest Gump might say: “The weather is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re going to get!” Around the world we are seeing and hearing reports of extreme heat, droughts, floods, landslides, tornadoes, and all manner of other climate change calamities. Forecasts can change quickly, so it makes it a little more difficult to plan ahead for our travels. Fortunately for us, August in Manitoba has been quite a pleasant month – despite a few torrential rain storms that have temporarily flooded our campground. Here’s a bit of an update.
Often by August our flowers have wilted. This month they continue to thrive.A number of baskets of flowers brighten up our site.The flowers and vines in front of our woodpile and barn quilt were started from seed by our dear son, Andrew.The colourful morning glories have reached the top of our trellis, and nicely frame our summer campsite.Our vegetables have also been coming along nicely. These tomatoes should be ripe by next week.As previously noted, our campsite sign had taken a beating from the wet weather on Vancouver Island. This month I stripped off the epoxy that had been lifting and allowing moisture underneath, and sanded back to the bare wood. I had the pictures laminated at Staples again, but used varnish to penetrate and protect the wood this time. The result is darker than I prefer, but hope that it weathers better.Here is the other side of our sign. BTW, I have also routed our name in a similar block of wood, and hope to use it as a back-up, if this third attempt is unsuccessful.This week the warm weather cooperated and we hosted a happy family gathering. From left are Luke and his dog Fuji, Kevin, Georgia, the back of James’ head, Andrew, and the side of Isabella – obviously not a posed photo. lolAndrew, Lisa & Adam enjoy a conversation around the campfire, while Mom prepares dinner at the table in the background, and Charlie eyes Isabella’s hot dog.James stays warm with a blanket from Auntie Mary & Uncle Allon, delivered by Valerie, Kevin, Isabella & Georgia, who have just returned from a trip to the Yukon.Finally, the camera captures a front view of Isabella and James, as they cook hot dogs on the open fire. Note Isabella’s new shirt, commemorating her recent trip on the scenic Top Of The World Highway, out of Dawson City, Yukon. For some reason, the camera was unable to capture Valerie. We’ll just have to wait for another post…As the sun starts to go down, the palm tree lights up, and Andrew, Mom and Charlie enjoy telling stories around the campfire about this summer’s travels.Yesterday, Betty & I made the two hour drive southwest to visit the Morden Corn & Apple festival. We were surprised by how many came out to enjoy this three day annual event.A street in the town of Morden, Manitoba was closed, with tents and attractions set up over many blocks. The line up for a free corn on the cob was at least 2 blocks long, so we opted to purchase some and take it home for dinner. Apparently all available corn was picked locally yesterday, so it was fresh and delicious.
While there is much more that could be said about August in Manitoba, this gives a brief picture of what the month has been like. The leaves are starting to fall at our campsite, and we are preparing our home on wheels for a winter trip south. Forest Gump reminds us that we never know what the weather, or life, will bring, but our hope is that we can enjoy our times together with family and friends, wherever we may be found.
“One thing can be to another It doesn’t take any sacrifice Oh, Father and Mother And sister and brother If it feels nice Don’t think twice
Just shower the people you love with love Show them the way that you feel Things are gonna work out fine If you only will Do as I say
Shower the people you love with love Show them the way that you feel Things are gonna be much better If you only will…” James Taylor
I am struggling a bit with this blog post. Usually, the posts are written as a free flow of reflections on Betty and my uplifting experiences throughout our marvelous travel adventures. The title and excerpt from a James Taylor song point to a fabulous evening we shared with our sons and daughters this week. For sure it is the highlight of this post, but there are other events that crowd my mind and try to focus me in a different direction. I could/ should choose to share the great, uplifting part, and ignore the rest. We might have to read to the end of this post to see which way I went. Lol
Valerie, Lisa, Andrew, Luke, Betty & I enjoyed a fabulous dinner for six in our motorhome’s add-a-room. Dinner included caesar salad, loaded baked potatoes, ribeye steak, paired with Valpolicella wine, and finished with a chocolate cake. Delicious!
Last year (Sept. 2021 post), Betty & I had a family experience for the first time in decades. We forever love getting together with our adult children, their partners, and our grandchildren. With 12 to 14 people around the dinner table, there are always a variety of lively conversations as we catch up on everyone’s lives. But the dynamics are significantly different from our earlier daily meals with our four growing children. Those formative years created unique memories – good, bad, and otherwise – that can be shared again with the benefit of age, and hopefully gained maturity and wisdom. With 20-20 hindsight, we can now laugh at the seemingly earth-changing dramatic experiences we all lived through. And as our kids have kids, we can now see who is a chip off the old block. Or to put it another way: “What goes around, comes around.” Lol
Luke gives his dog Fuji a rub, while catching up with Valerie and Lisa by the fire.
I won’t go into detail about our reminisces, but suffice to say it was a calming, centering, peaceable experience to shower the people we love with love, and show them the way that we feel. Truly uplifting for all of us!
Andrew shares tall tales with Lisa and their mom by the campfire.
Ok, that could be the end of a short post, but I would be remiss not to mention the recent, kind help from two fellow campers. We have had motorhome slide-out issues for almost a year now. A mobile RV repair guy in Nanaimo, BC spent much of last winter trying to fix our living-room slide problem, to no avail. I had been told in Twin Falls, Idaho that we needed a new slide controller, and had purchased one. A mobile RV repair guy in Winnipeg examined the slide controller connections – a real spaghetti mess of wiring in a very awkward location– and we lost control of our two bedroom slides.
A new slide controller, with all of its colourful connections.
Thankfully, Gordie and Jeff were patient enough to trace all of the many wiring connections, and get our bedroom slides operating again. We still have an issue with our living room slide, but their time and effort was much appreciated!
The slide controller’s spaghetti wiring is hidden behind our kitchen drawers, making it very difficult to access.
So I’m not going to go into the depth of my distracted mind, but a follow-up with the oncologist last week suggested that the surgery in June may not have removed all of the cancer. Scar tissue from the operation caused a blockage from my bladder, and after removal of the obstruction I am now back to wearing a foley catheter. He is scheduling further tests for this week to see if the cancer may have spread into my bones, and is setting me up for hormone therapy, known as Androgen Deprivation Therapy, for the next few years, or indefinitely…
Andrew’s partner, Annie, has created amazing paintings for our campsite sign!
Betty & I are still hoping to travel to Arizona next month for the winter, but our plans keep getting clouded in uncertainty. We can only take life as it comes, knowing that we rest in the palms of God’s hands, and remembering the inspiring words of James Taylor: “Shower the people you love with love. Show them the way that you feel. Things are gonna be much better If you only will…”
The other side of our much-improved sign, prepared with love by a very talented artist. Can’t wait to hang it at our future sites!
“Should I stay or should I go now? Should I stay or should I go now? If I go, there will be trouble And if I stay it will be double So come on and let me know…” The Clash
All year, Betty & I have planned on leaving the inevitable Winnipeg winter for the warmth of the Arizona desert sun, toward the end of October. Campsites around us are quickly emptying, and large flocks of Canada geese overhead constantly gaggle the message: It’s time to go.
Every day and night, Canada geese are calling us to join them.
We have already celebrated Thanksgiving, along with five October birthdays. A great time – including a delicious turkey dinner with full trimmings – was had by all at Andrew’s home. And Betty (Mom) gifted everyone with handmade, sparkling, brightly coloured Christmas socks, to be worn in December. Now it should be time to go!
Isabella, James, Aurora (hidden), Annie, Valerie, Dad, Andrew, Luke, and Georgia gather for a pic taken by Mom (Betty).Valerie holds her phone so that Lisa and Adam can join by FaceTime. Andrew checks out the cake recognizing Annie’s, Georgia’s, Luke’s, Lisa’s and his October birthdays. Everyone test-drove their sparkling Christmas socks, made with love by Mom.
On the other hand, I still have a CT scan happening today, and a bone scan scheduled for later this month. An Androgen Deprivation Therapy injection will come this week. Meetings with the rheumatologist and family doctor are booked for the next few weeks, and the oncologist won’t predict the need for future cancer treatments until after he sees the scan results. On top of all that, I came down with a painful case of shingles last week. And it may take up to a month to clear. Aahh, so much uncertainty!!
Painful shingles were an unexpected surprise when I woke up last week. Fortunately, I was able to get immediate treatment, adding to my long list of daily meds. I think my body’s trying to tell me something, but I’m not sure if I’m learning the lesson…
If we go there can be trouble, because my health is not stabilized and I would be unable to get travel health insurance. In the event of a health issue, I would either have to fly back, or we would need to turn our home quickly north. Uninsured health treatment in the U.S. can be bankrupting!
If we stay it will be double, because all Manitoba campgrounds close at the end of October. We would need to winterize our motorhome – which we never wanted to have to do again – and find a place to live until my health issues are resolved.
Can we find short-term, furnished accommodation (that accepts Charlie)? Or will we have to rent an apartment and ask our kids to move furniture in for us? Can we leave in November or December, or will we need to stay until April? Everything is up in the air until I have a clear prognosis.!
“So come on and let me know, should we stay or should we go…”
“…No I haven’t the need for the pain No I haven’t got time for the pain I haven’t got room for the pain No, No, No I haven’t got need for the pain No, No, No I haven’t got time for the pain I haven’t got room for the pain The time for the pain is over.” Carly Simon
These days I’m in full agreement with Carly Simon: I haven’t the need for the pain! Notwithstanding the constant “molten lava” flowing down my arm (as the Shingrix for Shingles commercial says), I haven’t got time for this pain! It’s been three weeks, and the meds I’m taking to combat it are leaving me dizzy & dopey. (Although Betty wonders if that isn’t just my normal self. Lol.) And the pain doesn’t seem to want to go away…
Betty googled the contributing factors to Shingles, and they include age (check), compromised immune system (check), recent surgery (check) and stress (check). I didn’t ever think I’d get it, so never considered the Shingrix vaccine. The doc says I’ll have a natural immunity for the next year, but could get the vaccine after that. Among other vaccines, Betty will be looking for this one soon.
On the topic of our last post “Should we stay or should we go?”, the oncologist says stay, the rheumatologist says stay, my brother the doctor says stay, Betty the nurse says stay, our kids and grandkids say stay, and our friends say stay. And I say I can’t wait to get to the Arizona winter sun! Lol.
Ok, I’m outvoted, and recognize that my current unstable health condition would be very problematic if we were to go.
Betty & I haven’t lived in an apartment since the 1970’s, and as recently as a couple of months ago, if you had asked either of us, we would have said no to moving into an apartment. Our home on wheels is our home, and we have been more than happy with the freedom it has brought.
But under the circumstances, winterizing our motorhome (which we swore never to do again) and moving into an apartment in Winnipeg for the next six or seven months is the better option.
So the “Ramblin’ Reddochs” travel blog is going to have to go on hiatus for the next while. Since we started full-timing five years ago, I have enjoyed posting well over 200 entries about our overlandish odyssey. But for the next while our travels will be limited to uninteresting visits to grocery stores, doctors, and hospitals – definitely nothing travel blogworthy…
Here’s hoping that you haven’t the need for the pain, and can carry on enjoying whatever life brings your way!
“I’m on my way from misery to happiness today, aha, aha, aha, aha…” The Proclaimers
In some ways, every day is a day of discovery. Unless one has an all-seeing crystal ball, one never really knows what the future will bring. While it can be comforting to stay cocooned at home, not until we get out of the box can we more fully discover and experience the beauty and complexity of our world. This post is about Betty and my current out-of-the-box adventure.
It must be said that our present travels are not without trepidations. It has been almost exactly a year since my last post. Health issues sidelined us, requiring the rental of an apartment in Winnipeg to rest, recuperate, and undertake many medical appointments. Our wonderful adult children donated back enough furniture so we could live comfortably, and we were most fortunate for support in finding a well-maintained, quiet, friendly building for the recovery period.
Our apartment has mostly hand-me-back, as opposed to hand-me-down furniture. lol. Its walls are covered by pics taken by us on previous trips.A snowy view from our balcony last winter.
My oncologist, rheumatologist, and family doctor have all given the green light for our travels, but on the road we will still discover whether I can sustain the rigours of our planned adventure. My most recent bone scan, CT scan, numerous blood tests, and colonoscopy were all encouraging (although I wouldn’t encourage anyone to have the latter unless absolutely necessary – LOL). The docs have prescribed enough medications (with the exception of a new arthritis drug) to last for the next six months. However, because of our missing crystal ball we have chosen to maintain our wonderful, furnished apartment, in case I need to curtail travels and make a speedy trip back to the cocoon.
Health is not the only marker on our road to discovery. Readers of this blog may recall that our old motorhome gave us quite a bit of grief on our last few adventures. A number of times we lost substantial power going through the Rocky Mountains, and spent many thousands of dollars to keep it roadworthy. Over the past summer we finally got our three slide-outs functioning properly (yeah!!) and had our fuel pump replaced. Our friend Gordie at Town & Country campground replaced the motor connected to our automatic steps so they fully extend and retract. It could have been catastrophic if we tried to drive off when they hadn’t retracted. We are so thankful for Gordie’s expert ability to replace and repair a number of issues with the motorhome and Smart car.
Just as we don’t fully test our own limits until we get out in the world, Betty & I took our motorhome on a couple of short trips during the summer to check its performance. It had been parked for over a year, so we ventured out for an enjoyable weekend at Winnipeg Beach Provincial Park, and to a Family Motor Coach Association rally in Austin, Manitoba. One of our hydraulic levelers failed to retract at the Austin campground, and a fellow FMCA member was able to get it working again. That is exactly the kind of problem you don’t want to discover when on the road!
We had a pleasant stay at Winnipeg Beach Provincial Park this summer.
Another issue to discover relates to our ability to communicate. No, I’m not talking about Betty and my deliberations – that is a lifelong journey! LOL. While in Winnipeg we reduced our cellular service, as we had good wi-fi at both the apartment and the campground. But on the road we would need extended coverage. Betty & I upgraded to Canada-U.S. cell phone plans, with the hopes we could effectively communicate with family and friends while away. So far we have discovered that Betty’s cell service is connecting, but unfortunately my newer phone is not connecting to the cell service. That, and a number of other electronic bugs are still to be resolved.
We transferred some funds in our bank account from Canadian to U.S. currency, and topped up our U.S. bank account. However, Betty’s U.S. updated debit card didn’t arrive until after we left, and mine didn’t seem to work when I tested it at a U.S. atm. So that’s another issue that will need addressing when I get cell service again. In the meantime, our U.S. Mastercard seems to be working just fine…
Since most of us have become so reliant on Internet access, we stopped at a Verizon store in St. Cloud, Minnesota, and reactivated our Verizon jetpack. It provides 100 GB/ month so we can map out our route and Google possible campgrounds and other points of interest along our journey. When it comes time to prepare blog posts, I transfer pictures from Betty & my cell phones to add to the shots taken with my Nikon camera. This works fine in most places, but we are currently situated in a very picturesque but isolated Kentucky State Park, with little to no cell service, and definitely no Internet access. Having grown up without such conveniences, it’s not the end of the world – but it means that this post won’t be uploaded until we re-enter civilization again. LOL.
Our travels have been most enjoyable to date. We left Winnipeg on Oct. 14/23 and had an uneventful border crossing (thank goodness, as one never knows what the focus will be!) After restocking our fridge with fruit and vegetables, we had a quiet night in the Grand Forks Walmart parking lot. Yes, this was only a short drive south, but we have decided that a three hour drive each day is just fine. Why rush, we’re retired!
Charlie still had his winter coat on at our first overnight stop. He is never without his squeaky chicken, on the right of this pic. lol.
From North Dakota Betty & I made our way to the headwaters of the Mississippi River, at Minnesota’s Itasca State Park. Our plan had been to more or less follow the river down to its mouth at New Orleans, where it flows into the Gulf of Mexico. But there are no roads that exactly parallel the river. We had written away and received maps of the Great River Road – “a National Scenic Byway Along the Mississippi River”. For most of the way, the river forms the boundary between 10 states along its path. A green “Pilot’s Wheel” designates the featured roads. All have points of contact with the river, but most are also minor routes that significantly diverge from the waterway. Each state provides information about points of interest along the river.
On the left is Lake Itasca. On this side of the rocks is the start of the Mississippi River.
Obviously, taking a boat would be the best way to discover this mighty geographical feature. We found the roads on either side to be generally well maintained, but after a few days the twists and turns, ups and downs, deceleration into small towns and acceleration after, became a little tiresome. For sure it is far more scenic than our previous Interstate trips straight south from Winnipeg to South Padre Island – our winter destination. But it became a much longer journey with a little more stress on our old bodies and coach. As a result, we have cheated a bit (don’t tell anyone – LOL) and have sought pleasant, non-Interstate, but more direct routes south.
A sign in Itasca State Park commemorates the search for the river’s source.Betty found the river, but it’s no more than a small stream at this point.An interpretive centre has been built at the river’s headwaters.These stones mark the divide between Lake Itasca and the Mississippi headwaters.Our campsite in the park was $35. + $7. park fee + $8. for firewood.
From Itasca State Park we drove 3 hours to a Sauk Rapids, Minnesota Walmart, and the next day on to Nelson Landing RV Park in Wisconsin.
We stayed a free quiet night in a freshly asphalted new Sauk Rapids, Minnesota Walmart parking lot.As we made our way south, the trees shifted from leafless, to fall colours, to green.We criss-crossed the Mississippi River many times, as it also made its way south.We took more pics of the river, as we crossed over it, than one would want to see in a post. lol.The next night we stayed at an unintentionally free Nelson’s Landing Wisconsin campground. It is a beautiful, well-maintained spot with level, full-service sites. We couldn’t find a campground office anywhere; there was no-one around during our visit; and we called the phone number listed on-line. The voice-mail was full, with a message saying “If you’re calling about the campground, call someone else”. But it didn’t give a phone number for anyone else… Weird!
Our next segment took us to the Mystique Casino parking lot (another free stay) at Dubuque, Iowa, and then the next day to free overnight parking at a Litchfield, Illinois Walmart. From there we made another 3 hour drive to the beautiful Arrowhead Lake Campground in Johnston City, Illinois.
Arrowhead Lake is a well-kept municipal park with our large site (L111 at $35. total for 2 nights) on the side of a lake.Bet, Charlie & I appreciated the warm days relaxing by the lake.
Betty and I are now enjoying Columbus-Belmont State Park on the extreme west side of Kentucky (our state number 44. Yeah!!). Our site overlooks the Mississippi River, and we can relax here for four days, before heading out on the next phase of our adventure.
Here’s our little toad in Kentucky, with the Mississippi River in the background.We have been fortunate to stay in this western Kentucky State Park, with a view of the mighty Mississippi from our full-service campsite. (Site 031)The well-maintained park has swings and benches to watch the boats go by.This picture shows a barge going up the river, which seems to be particularly low, despite the fact the Ohio River joins it just a few miles upstream.A grounded barge can be seen on the far shore of the river. The trees are just showing their fall colours around our motorhome at Columbus-Belmont State Park.Bet was finally able to add Kentucky (state #44) to our sticker map. Yeah!
Betty & I are still in the early stages of this overlandish odyssey – on our road to discovery. But so far we are happy to sing along with the Proclaimers: “We are on our way from misery to happiness today – aha, aha, aha, aha.”
“Sean I’d say the best one came from Tupelo, Mississippi…” The Proclaimers
After leaving Columbus-Belmont State Park in Kentucky, Betty & I had a pleasant drive through western Tennessee, and have spent the last few days in the State of Mississippi. Interstates and back roads have all been in good shape, and we are most happy that our old coach has provided a smooth ride with no mechanical issues. Yeah!. The weather has been great, without a hint of rain (or snow!) along the way. As the Proclaimers earlier highlighted – We are truly on our way from misery to happiness today!
Keeping with songs from The Proclaimers“Sunshine on Leith” album, Betty & I had to check if the best one really did come from Tupelo, Mississippi. We found a pleasant campsite (#17) in nearby Tombigbee State Park and set out for Elvis Presley’s birthplace. Here’s a little of what we found:
This small State Park is a short drive from Tupelo, MississippiOur full-service site (#17) provided a restful night.The main purpose of our visit was to check out the birthplace of “The King of Rock & Roll”.This humble two-room home actually looks a lot better than it did when Elvis lived there.Here is a pic of the young Elvis, with the rundown shack in the background.Betty couldn’t resist giving the young crooner a pec.We drove past the downtown Tupelo hardware store where Elvis got his first guitar. He wanted a gun, but his mother thought it would be too dangerous.While driving around downtown Tupelo, we were stopped at a red light when a train whistle started to blow. Lights flashed but no security arms dropped to block traffic. I wish I had gotten a pic of the locomotives crossing diagonally over the busy intersection, but we were too shocked at the time! While waiting for the train to pass, I did get this pic of a “Canadian Pacific” car (far right), although the logo is hard to read. In the end, the train came to a stop – blocking the intersection, and we turned our Smart around and took another route back to our campground.
For those who watch HGTV’s Home Town series, we couldn’t help but make our next stop Laurel, Mississippi. Our first free night there was spent at a Harvest Host site – Panels Up Solar, with our second free night at the Veterans Memorial Museum, another Harvest Host participantin Laurel.
Betty & I had a nice walk around downtown Laurel. We saw no high-rise buildings in the town.And had an enjoyable dinner at Cafe La Fleur, in preparation for our upcoming visit to The Big Easy.While we didn’t see Erin & Ben, we did drive by many of the houses they might have renovated. I say “might have” because we were too cheap to pay for a guided tour of homes featured on the show. lol. The town is much larger than we had imagined, with many attractive homes that would have predated the HGTV home renovation series.We did get a pic of one of the local signs designed by Erin, and actually paid for ice cream from the Laurel Creamery, across the street from this pic.Our motorhome clock showed the temperature at 32c (the outside reading of 29c was from a guage in storage) so we were justified in buying the ice cream. lol.As mentioned, our second free night in Laurel was spent in the parking lot of the Veterans Memorial Museum, where we felt very safe and welcome.I’m sure our veteran friends and former campground neighbours – Brian & Henny – would have appreciated the large collection of military artifacts on display.Before we left, Betty said Tanks!
We are now about as far south in Mississippi as one can go, without falling into the Gulf of Mexico. Betty & I are staying six nights in beautiful Buccaneer State Park, with the intention of catching some rest, resolving previously mentioned communication and banking issues (my cell phone is now working; we have good internet connections; and the bank says it has re-activated my debit card), spending some time in nearby New Orleans, and finishing off our Mississippi River trek by driving to the point where the “Mighty Mississip” enters the Gulf of Mexico.
The road taken followed the edge of the Gulf, before we turned into our campground.We are surprised to find the Park almost deserted. Maybe others know something about the upcoming weather we don’t?We have a large site (#9) with nice shade trees.Betty and Charlie have been able to relax and restore in this well kept, quiet state park.
Whether or not you think the best one came from Tupelo, Mississippi, Betty & I have enjoyed our visit to this state, and hope you are also having an enjoyable time, wherever life finds you!
