In a few hours our doorbell will chime in all the neighborhood ghosts - actually our house looks pretty much like a haunted house with boxes at the doors and clothing hung up ready to move into the trailer.
Tomorrow morning Paul will drive out to the lake to hitch up the trailer and bring it home. We will spend the afternoon emptying the house and loading the trailer for our journey. Wednesday morning our plan is to hit the road with Tunica, Mississippi being our mid trip resting spot.
See you on the road - wherever we get wi-fi...
Monday, October 31, 2011
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Cruising with Carnival Magic
After our trip to the “Soo” we returned to our seasonal campsite at McGowan Lake. Labour Day weekend featured the annual “trick or treat” costumed children going from site to site. This weekend was followed by our “Beers of the World” pot luck weekend. By mid-September we winterized our trailer – as we were preparing to leave on our next adventure.
On September 22nd we boarded an Air France plane for Barcelona Spain – the gateway to our 12 day Mediterranean cruise aboard the Carnival Magic – their biggest and newest ship! We joined ten of our friends on this adventure.
Our first port (Sept 26th) was Marseilles, France – where we toured the old city and enjoyed lunch overlooking the port.
Next stop (Sept 27th) was Savona, Italy –where we took a ship excursion into the city of Genoa.
Rome was the next port on Sept 28th. We even got within 15 feet of the pope during his weekly tour of the square. What a treat.
Naples, Italy was our stop on Sept 29th. Here we had hired a private tour driver and got an inspiring view of the Amalfi coast. This is definitely 6-49 country. The scenery was incredible. Our last stop of the day was in Pompeii. What a feeling to be walking in the excavated city.
Finally we got a day at sea – no tours! This was our first formal dinner evening and we all got dressed to the nines.
Dubrovnik, Croatia was our stop on Oct 1st. What a fascinating walled city. A real step back in time.
After this we went back to Italy and stopped two days in Venice. A beautiful city but totally overrun by tourists. Not the city I remembered from 30 years ago.
October 5th saw us stopping in Sicily. We took another ship excursion “Following in the Godfather’s footsteps”. This brought us to two villages where scenes from the Godfather were filmed back in the 1970’s. Not much has changed since then.
After another day at sea, we returned to Barcelona on Oct 7th and began our journey back to Ottawa. This cruise was a memorable trip!
On September 22nd we boarded an Air France plane for Barcelona Spain – the gateway to our 12 day Mediterranean cruise aboard the Carnival Magic – their biggest and newest ship! We joined ten of our friends on this adventure.
Our first port (Sept 26th) was Marseilles, France – where we toured the old city and enjoyed lunch overlooking the port.
Next stop (Sept 27th) was Savona, Italy –where we took a ship excursion into the city of Genoa.
Rome was the next port on Sept 28th. We even got within 15 feet of the pope during his weekly tour of the square. What a treat.
Naples, Italy was our stop on Sept 29th. Here we had hired a private tour driver and got an inspiring view of the Amalfi coast. This is definitely 6-49 country. The scenery was incredible. Our last stop of the day was in Pompeii. What a feeling to be walking in the excavated city.
Finally we got a day at sea – no tours! This was our first formal dinner evening and we all got dressed to the nines.
Dubrovnik, Croatia was our stop on Oct 1st. What a fascinating walled city. A real step back in time.
After this we went back to Italy and stopped two days in Venice. A beautiful city but totally overrun by tourists. Not the city I remembered from 30 years ago.
October 5th saw us stopping in Sicily. We took another ship excursion “Following in the Godfather’s footsteps”. This brought us to two villages where scenes from the Godfather were filmed back in the 1970’s. Not much has changed since then.
After another day at sea, we returned to Barcelona on Oct 7th and began our journey back to Ottawa. This cruise was a memorable trip!
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Sault Ste Marie Titanium Rally - August 2011
In the middle of our busy summer, we decided to pull up stakes and join 28 fellow Titanium owners in scenic northern Ontario. So we hitched up on Monday Aug 15th, and headed west on our beautiful TransCanada highway – an oxymoron if there ever was one!! The trailer survived the trip and we stopped the first night in Sudbury – where we met our friends Wayne & Carolyn (our Texas neighbors) for dinner. 
We had a great visit with them. When we returned to our campground we found that we were parked next to our good friends Doug and Sue
– and that Tony & Sharon, Bill & Margaret, and John & Carol had also stopped for the night at Carol’s Campground. Our mini-rally had begun!
Next day we all headed to the ” Soo “ and arrived at the Sault Ste Marie KOA – a really nice campground. Our site opened onto the campfire gathering ground – so we really had a large site. It was a beautiful warm day – so we took advantage of the heated pool to relax our sore muscles.
Wednesday was the official check-in day, so it was fun to watch the Titaniums roll in one after the other. By late afternoon, the area was full of rigs and our official ‘meet and greet’ happy hour started.
An evening orientation session was held at the campfire and a local historian gave us a short presentation on the history of Sault Ste Marie.
Thursday morning we all truck pooled into downtown for a tour of the Ermatinger and Clergue Blockhouse Historical Site – followed by a tour of the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Center (where we also had lunch served amongst the displays).
Later in the afternoon we moved over to the Essar Steel plant where we watched steel being made into large rolls. Very interesting and very hot!! A cool swim back at the KOA was in order. That evening, the campground owners hosted a wine & cheese party for the group. What a busy day!
Friday morning (at 7am – is this a vacation?) – the trucks all lined up and we headed to the Algoma train station where we boarded the Agawa Canyon Tour. It is a four hour trip each way, with a 1 ½ hour stop at the canyon. Breakfast and lunch were served on the train’s dining car and the scenery was spectacular (even if the seats were painful).
We managed to walk to several of the waterfalls and were heading back to the train just as the black clouds rolled in. We were among the lucky ones who did not get wet but others decided new, dry Agawa Canyon t-shirt would make the return trip more pleasant. On our way home we stopped to pick up some food which we BBQ’ed. We had a nice dinner with Doug & Sue – in our trailer since another thunderstorm cancelled all outside activities.
We had a great visit with them. When we returned to our campground we found that we were parked next to our good friends Doug and Sue
– and that Tony & Sharon, Bill & Margaret, and John & Carol had also stopped for the night at Carol’s Campground. Our mini-rally had begun!
Next day we all headed to the ” Soo “ and arrived at the Sault Ste Marie KOA – a really nice campground. Our site opened onto the campfire gathering ground – so we really had a large site. It was a beautiful warm day – so we took advantage of the heated pool to relax our sore muscles.
Wednesday was the official check-in day, so it was fun to watch the Titaniums roll in one after the other. By late afternoon, the area was full of rigs and our official ‘meet and greet’ happy hour started.
An evening orientation session was held at the campfire and a local historian gave us a short presentation on the history of Sault Ste Marie.
Thursday morning we all truck pooled into downtown for a tour of the Ermatinger and Clergue Blockhouse Historical Site – followed by a tour of the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Center (where we also had lunch served amongst the displays).
Later in the afternoon we moved over to the Essar Steel plant where we watched steel being made into large rolls. Very interesting and very hot!! A cool swim back at the KOA was in order. That evening, the campground owners hosted a wine & cheese party for the group. What a busy day!
Friday morning (at 7am – is this a vacation?) – the trucks all lined up and we headed to the Algoma train station where we boarded the Agawa Canyon Tour. It is a four hour trip each way, with a 1 ½ hour stop at the canyon. Breakfast and lunch were served on the train’s dining car and the scenery was spectacular (even if the seats were painful).
We managed to walk to several of the waterfalls and were heading back to the train just as the black clouds rolled in. We were among the lucky ones who did not get wet but others decided new, dry Agawa Canyon t-shirt would make the return trip more pleasant. On our way home we stopped to pick up some food which we BBQ’ed. We had a nice dinner with Doug & Sue – in our trailer since another thunderstorm cancelled all outside activities.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Titanium Owners Rally
Thursday May 26th, we headed to Kingston with our fifth wheel for the annual Titanium Owners Rally which is held at Rideau Acres Campground. This year over 40 Titanium owners were in attendance. It is always fun to see all the units set up in our rally area.
Unfortunately Mother Nature did not comply and our Thursday night welcome campfire got rained out. Rain continued into Friday, so rubber boots were the style of the day as we did the best we could to meet some of the new folks.
We got together with our good friends Doug and Sue to share dinner and a movie (Jane picked Shutter Island - not your Friday night chick flick!!)
Saturday morning we were greeted by the dulcet tones of the bagpipes – as the annual Celtic fest was being held at the campground. After three years, we have started to become accustomed to the pipes and they were more like background noise while we held our Tech Session meeting. We felt really sorry for the Celtic marching bands and performers who were tromping through the wet grass – which quickly became muddy fields. An added attraction this year was watching one of their motor coaches being extracted by a monster tow truck!
Saturday night twenty six couples went on the Kingston Dinner Boat Cruise. Forty eight of us piled onto a school bus for the ride down to the boat dock. The sun came out and was shining as we cruised the Thousand Islands area. Dinner was great and we even got to dance to the music of the on-board entertainer. A good night was had by all.
Sunday morning started with a Pancake Breakfast – which was hosted by the park in their indoor hall. No wet grass this morning!! Sunday evening is our PotLuck dinner – so we’d better bring our stretchy pants!!!!!!!!!
Unfortunately Mother Nature did not comply and our Thursday night welcome campfire got rained out. Rain continued into Friday, so rubber boots were the style of the day as we did the best we could to meet some of the new folks.
We got together with our good friends Doug and Sue to share dinner and a movie (Jane picked Shutter Island - not your Friday night chick flick!!)
Saturday morning we were greeted by the dulcet tones of the bagpipes – as the annual Celtic fest was being held at the campground. After three years, we have started to become accustomed to the pipes and they were more like background noise while we held our Tech Session meeting. We felt really sorry for the Celtic marching bands and performers who were tromping through the wet grass – which quickly became muddy fields. An added attraction this year was watching one of their motor coaches being extracted by a monster tow truck!
Saturday night twenty six couples went on the Kingston Dinner Boat Cruise. Forty eight of us piled onto a school bus for the ride down to the boat dock. The sun came out and was shining as we cruised the Thousand Islands area. Dinner was great and we even got to dance to the music of the on-board entertainer. A good night was had by all.
Sunday morning started with a Pancake Breakfast – which was hosted by the park in their indoor hall. No wet grass this morning!! Sunday evening is our PotLuck dinner – so we’d better bring our stretchy pants!!!!!!!!!
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Titanium Back at Our Summer Campsite
Wednesday morning we slowly headed to Morry's - arriving after 1pm. As usual we ran into some forum members! Bill and Margaret showed up shortly after our arrival- so we spent a few minutes catching up on their winter adventures.
Our trailer was ready, so Paul spent a some time going over the new axle to familarize himself with the new parts. After paying the bill, we headed for Dundalk, Ontario. Our Texas neighbors John & Marg had invited us to stop, so after parking our rig in their neighbors driveway we settled in for the evening. Rick and Judy who also live there joined us for a great dinner and lots of conversation.
Next morning we all headed over to Rick's place for breakfast - and as usual, Judy spoiled us with lots of delicious food. Also got a chance to see Rick's garage where he rebuilds cars for the Phoenix auction. What a large operation. Before we left, John took time to show us his collection of vintage cars. These two guys are amazing - with their collection of vehicles.
We arrived at McGowan Lake around 7pm - and we were seriously outnumbered by the swarms of blackflies!! So we quickly backed the unit onto our lot, dropped the front landing gear and left!
Saturday afternoon was the "Welcome Seasonal Campers" wine and cheese - so we headed back to the lake to catch up with our summer friends. Unfortunately it was raining, so attendence was down. But we did have a chance to rake the leaves on our lot into piles - and hook up the power to the unit. Then we headed back home to our dry warm house.
If it ever stops raining we'll go back up to the lake to start the camping season.... LOL
Our trailer was ready, so Paul spent a some time going over the new axle to familarize himself with the new parts. After paying the bill, we headed for Dundalk, Ontario. Our Texas neighbors John & Marg had invited us to stop, so after parking our rig in their neighbors driveway we settled in for the evening. Rick and Judy who also live there joined us for a great dinner and lots of conversation.
Next morning we all headed over to Rick's place for breakfast - and as usual, Judy spoiled us with lots of delicious food. Also got a chance to see Rick's garage where he rebuilds cars for the Phoenix auction. What a large operation. Before we left, John took time to show us his collection of vintage cars. These two guys are amazing - with their collection of vehicles.
We arrived at McGowan Lake around 7pm - and we were seriously outnumbered by the swarms of blackflies!! So we quickly backed the unit onto our lot, dropped the front landing gear and left!
Saturday afternoon was the "Welcome Seasonal Campers" wine and cheese - so we headed back to the lake to catch up with our summer friends. Unfortunately it was raining, so attendence was down. But we did have a chance to rake the leaves on our lot into piles - and hook up the power to the unit. Then we headed back home to our dry warm house.
If it ever stops raining we'll go back up to the lake to start the camping season.... LOL
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Heading to Walkerton
In the three weeks since we arrived in Ottawa, we celebrated Easter with a full turkey dinner and most recently Mother's Day with a lobster feast. In between the two events, the weather has not been pleasant, so we have not missed our Titanium, nor our summer retreat at McGowan lake. I guess we've become 'warm weather' campers and were in no rush to join the 'hardy' folks who have been anxious to start camping season.
Last weekend Paul and Amy went car shopping and Amy is now the proud owner of a 2011 Honda Civic - nice car!
Today was a beautiful warm day, so after Paul had the truck's rustproofing re-applied and Jane returned from her swimming class at the OAC - we packed up and headed towards Morry's Trailers in western Ontario to retreive our trailer. It is scheduled for pickup on Wednesday so we drove to Barrie, Ontario and camped out at a Super 8.
Last weekend Paul and Amy went car shopping and Amy is now the proud owner of a 2011 Honda Civic - nice car!
Today was a beautiful warm day, so after Paul had the truck's rustproofing re-applied and Jane returned from her swimming class at the OAC - we packed up and headed towards Morry's Trailers in western Ontario to retreive our trailer. It is scheduled for pickup on Wednesday so we drove to Barrie, Ontario and camped out at a Super 8.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Stupid Axles!!!!
Camping overnight a Morry’s is always interesting. We arrived just as Tony Lane had finished setting up his rig, so he gave us a hand to connect to electricity. It’s always fun to run into other forum members who are camping for the night - we met Gary from New Brunswick and Don from Perth. Well the propane heaters quickly warmed up our units and after a short chat we settled in for the evening.
Lo and behold at 4 am it was 42 degrees in the Titanium – so Paul had to go out and switch the propane tanks and fire up the heater. It seems we only run out of propane in the middle of the night.
The work on our rig started early and by eleven am all my scheduled work was almost done. But when they raised the rig they checked the wheel bearings …guess what! I got to join all the other Titanium owners with a set of problem bearings. Even though I have Lippert axles not Dexter axles – it seems our unit suffered the same defect.
After an examination of the options, we decided to leave the trailer at Morry’s and get replacement axles from Lippert shipped to Morry’s. It got real interesting trying to empty the contents of the home we lived in for the past six months into the pickup. Well it was crammed packed, but we did a good job of packing. So off we went down the 401 and got home in Ottawa by 11:00 pm.
The weather in Ottawa is terrible – so it’ s nice to be in a warm home. We will go back to get our trailer in a few weeks (maybe it will really be spring by then!). We are settling in to our Ottawa routines and preparing to spend Easter weekend at home.
Here are some of our last pictures showing camping in warm Mississippi and the slow progression north into snow!
Lo and behold at 4 am it was 42 degrees in the Titanium – so Paul had to go out and switch the propane tanks and fire up the heater. It seems we only run out of propane in the middle of the night.
The work on our rig started early and by eleven am all my scheduled work was almost done. But when they raised the rig they checked the wheel bearings …guess what! I got to join all the other Titanium owners with a set of problem bearings. Even though I have Lippert axles not Dexter axles – it seems our unit suffered the same defect.
After an examination of the options, we decided to leave the trailer at Morry’s and get replacement axles from Lippert shipped to Morry’s. It got real interesting trying to empty the contents of the home we lived in for the past six months into the pickup. Well it was crammed packed, but we did a good job of packing. So off we went down the 401 and got home in Ottawa by 11:00 pm.
The weather in Ottawa is terrible – so it’ s nice to be in a warm home. We will go back to get our trailer in a few weeks (maybe it will really be spring by then!). We are settling in to our Ottawa routines and preparing to spend Easter weekend at home.
Here are some of our last pictures showing camping in warm Mississippi and the slow progression north into snow!
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