Ten things you NEVER do with your RV. Some of these are just plain old common sense, some you learn the hard way and some… well; you just don’t do it with an RV!

10) While traveling on the interstate in your RV floor it to see what your top speed is.

9) Assume you can fit under that two lane road bridge that doesn’t have the height posted.

Wait until next week to winterize the RV when the current temperature outside is 15 degrees.

7) Attempt to empty the holding tanks when your sewer hose almost reaches the drain outlet.

6) Loan your new RV to your best friend for a week. You may be looking for a new best friend!

5) Back the RV into the campsite hoping there is nothing behind you.

4) Take your 35 foot RV on the scenic mountain parkway where the posted sign reads no RV’s over 25 feet allowed. Trust me on this one!

3) Take your brand new RV on a hunting trip with all the guys, trust me on this one too!

2) Believe the RV salesman who says, you’re truck can pull anything on this lot!

And #1 if you read “My First Real RV Adventure” article on the rv.net blog you will remember when you’re camping in bear country you never put your trash bags outside the camper door!

Can you add anything to the list?

Happy RV Learning,

Mark Polk

RV University 101

http://rvuniversity.com

http://rvingwithmarkpolk.blogspot.com

April 5, 7:00 at Breakwater Books in Powell River, Barb and Dave will launch “RV Canada’s Far North on a Dream.” The evening includes a travel show “Grizzlies and Gravel Roads North of 60.” If you don’t live in Powell River, find out when the Rees’s will be in your town with their show.

RV Canada’s Far North on a Dream $20 (CN/US) plus postage:

Mastercard … Call Barb toll free: 1-866-373-2607

Sample paragraph taken from Yellowknife, NWT chapter:

But the highlight of the trip awaited  us in the most unexpected place. As we drove around The Rock, a car was tail-gating us and Dave hates tail-gaters so he pulled over to let them pass. Instead of passing they pulled alongside,  and two First Nations women ask, “Who’s the writer?” On Boo’s back window a sign says, “BC Author on tour” Dave points at me and says, “She is.” Without any explanation they say, “If you want stories, follow us” and take off. Stunned, we look at each other. “Well you said you wanted stories,” says Dave. “Follow that car,” I say.

We have no idea where we’re going but soon we are in the Ndilio First Nations Community (not a reserve). Ndilio (pronounced Dilio) means ‘end of the island.’ We pull into a yard, and introduce ourselves. Diane and Loretta brought us here because their mom Muriel wants to write. On the way Diane called mom on her cell phone and told her she was bringing a writer home. Unlike us whites who need lots of warning to prepare for company, aboriginal peoples take it all in stride. Remembering what the Tlingit taught us about being on Indian time, we are open to whatever the universe has in store for us.

By the time we entered Muriel’s kitchen she already had the big yellow mixing bowl out and started making bannock. The tea pot sat in the middle of the table,and for the next two hours folks dropped in for tea or ask something. Those were the richest two hours!

Muriel, a widow of 10 years tells us about her brother George Blondin, author of four books. As we drink tea, Muriel mix’s raisins into the bannock and tells us as a medicine woman she wants to write the female version of her peoples’ legends. Her mother passed on the knowledge before she died at 94. Her grandfather known for speed, left camp with his dogs to make a 20 mile trail for his people. He arrived in plenty of time to build a hut, and kill an animal for dinner. On his death bed, he called Muriel to him, held out his hand and passed the gift of speed onto her. Watching her get the bannock into the oven in record time, I have no doubt she is speedy.

As a medicine woman, she must be pure which means no alcohol so there is only positive energy around her. We were in the presence of a great woman. Only once when telling why her fingers are crooked because they were broken in residential school did her light waver briefly. She grew up at Great Bear Lake in the Slavey nation but was taken away at eight years to residential school. They broke her fingers because she wouldn’t quit speaking her language. Why do whites feel they have to change, Christianize or rescue other cultures? Why can’t they let them be? But she quickly turned the bad memories around and said, “I am a survivor because I have faith in God. I survived cancer five years ago. I want to carry on our traditions for the children. I nourish my life style. We can survive if we look after our food sources.” We’ve been hearing similar refrains the whole time we’ve been north of 60.

At 17 she lived in the bush for three months with her dogs, where she looked after two injured eagles that went on to protect her. One day a bear got a whiff of her kill from a hunt, started prowling around and the eagles heard him. They squawked and dove at him until he ran away.   Another time it had been raining for days so Muriel hadn’t been hunting. The eagle brought her two rabbits, one for her and one for her dogs.

This is but one of the many stories plus things about Canada you never knew. Arm-chair travellers, dreamers, or RVers all enjoy Barb’s books. Preorder yours today and receive the free gift.

I completed a 10 part series in Snowbirds & RV Travel about the 2009 northern trip. The Métis magazine Whispering Winds also carried some articles. My 2011 goal is to find new paid markets to write for. There are plenty of free magazines that expect writers to write for free and that’s how I got started but no more. I’ve done my time. As a member of the BC Association of Travel Writers I was privileged to go on my first all expenses paid “fam” tour to Dawson City in June. Thrilling and fun …I want to do more of this.

Boo the menopausal van was retired in Dec.2009, traded in on a 1992 Dodge Travel Home high top camperized van now known as Boo 2. We’ve had a ball this year taking little trips in her, sometimes just for the day but a nice getaway. She towed the 27 ft. trailer up to Kelowna for the RV Lifestyle Seminars in June without any problems. So now we have the best of both worlds.

We acquired a new puppy in April the same week Dave lost his only brother, Bill. Pali,a Shitzu/poodle, chihuahua cross is 3 pounds of love and bossy attitude. He’s changed our lives and the energy in our home.

Dave went to work at Wal-Mart in Sept in preparation financially for the big trip. He’s living proof that 68 yr old guys still can find work. While we have our health we are going to make good use of our time.

Métis of Powell River went from 3 of us to forming own community. How exciting to feel like I belong, like this is the family I’ve been missing after years of not knowing. It will be official in February and then we’ll start planning events and educational components.

As we close the door on 2010, hope you can look back on it with few regrets and look forward to an even better 2011. Life fully without excuses or regrets, make a difference in the world.

Have you ever dreamed of travelling on someone else’s dime and writing articles that actually pay? We all start out small, maybe writing for free until we build up our portfolio but we must  get to the point when we know our writing has to have a monetary value.  This  interview in the newsletter gives us some simple tips on how to get started.

 Interview taken by permission from: The Right Way to Travel newsletter Sept.3/10. For the whole story and more fascinating opportunities go to:

 http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/2010/09/travel_discounts.php

TRWTT: What was your article about?

GINNY: I started on the island finale of the trip because it looked
more manageable. I thought I could finish it faster and get my byline.
The safari part of the trip was so mind-blowing and overwhelming that
I told myself I would “save it for later.”

Word to the wise: keep up with your writing, because before you know
it, you’re off on another trip and the commitments and deadlines start
to pile up.

TRWTT: How and where did you get it published?

GINNY: I got published in Travellady.com. It was unpaid, but it was my
first thrilling byline. And I’ve been hooked ever since.

TRWTT: Besides building credibility and getting published, did you get
any expenses paid, or were you able to get special rates and deals as
a travel writer?

GINNY: Not on that trip. But I have on others I’ve written about. I
usually travel everywhere for at least half-price, with many side
trips and excursions tossed in for free.

TRWTT: How do you go about securing discounted travel and perks?

GINNY: I often start the barter process with an e-mail to a manager,
telling him or her about an upcoming “Travel Writer Visit.” I am quite
direct in asking whether they offer special rates for travel
journalists, and I mention an interest in a place/event/excursion of
theirs. Sometimes that’s enough to do the trick, but only if you try
not to travel during peak seasons.

I have to say, another “perk” of all of this is that my husband has
become a very good photographer, and we work in great partnership to
get the travel writing done. It’s terrific to have someone fun to
share these adventures with.

 TRWTT: Do you have any tips for someone who’d like to get started
writing travel articles?

GINNY: Sure. My number one tip is the best tip I’ve received — to
start locally and write about something you know, in your own
backyard. One article I wrote was about New Glarus, Wisconsin,
“America’s Little Switzerland,” where I have been going for 20 years.

It got published in German Life — a very beautiful, glossy magazine
– and was distributed in nine countries.

My second tip is: Don’t over-direct your writing. When you’re getting
started on a new article, it’s important to just start writing, let it
flow, then go back and finesse.

Tip 3: Skip the flowery adjectives and power your story through the use
of verbs with muscle. I believe that’s one of Jennifer Stevens’
tricks.

Tip 4: Just ask. You won’t get a discount or an article
published if you don’t put yourself out there and ask for what you
want.

TRWTT: Where are you off to next?

GINNY: I plan on going to Ecuador — into the Amazon Rainforest and
then to the Galapagos Islands. I really love wildlife and nature and
this looks to be a dream trip.

If Ginny can do so you can you. I went on my first “fam” / familiarization tour this year, all expenses paid to Dawson City, Yukon. Yukon Tourism treated the three of us travel writers like royalty. From it I have contacts for more articles, contacts for my book launch up there next summer, and a better idea how this works and what is expected. I want more!

Happy writing and raising the bar on your own expectations!

Barb

 I couldn’t join BC Association of Travel Writers unless I sold at least two articles per year because this is an organization of professionals. The first year I scrimped to sell two. But by the next year Snowbirds & RV Travel found me and paid for the 10 part series about our 2009 northern trip.

 This year after the BCATW gala, an invitation went out for three travel writers to go to Dawson City, Yukon all expenses paid. Yahoo!! I finally felt like I belonged among the other professional travel writers. No more writing for free, or at least minimally and only under special circumstances like for Powell River Living.

 Those four days in Dawson was the pinnacle of my travel writing career. I was treated like royalty by tourism and business people alike. Three of us were wined and dined, toured around, given gifts and taken to the Commissioners Ball. The 1898 style ball is formal with dresses being specially designed starting at $2,000. Do I ever have stories! I did my homework ahead of time, contacting the seamstress, the commissioner’s office and an editor for a Yukon magazine.In the photo below with my two other travel writer friends  at the Commissions Ball. If you can make out the little feather headpieces we’re wearing they were gifts from our Yukon Tourism host. Oh the perks!

 Could you earn an income with your stories or enjoy what are called “fam tours”/ familiarization tours put on by tourism …YES You Can! Haven’t started yet? Start writing for free in local magazines to build up a portfolio of clips/tear sheets. Set a goal for when you’ll start selling stories. Writing is a job and we deserve to get paid just the same as the ad person does. Among the professionals, it’s a sore point when writers give their work away because it makes it harder for the rest of us to find editors that will pay. Start small, learn as you go, attend workshops, pick the brain of experienced magazine writers, study articles in magazines for content and structure.

 The Powell River Tourism project is the perfect place for locals to get their feet wet… or is that their computers working? Believe in yourself and your writing and you’ll go far. YES You Can Make Money Writing and have fun in the process! For the guidelines to this project go the Powell River Writers Conference site and the latest newsletter: www.prwriters.org

by David Goldsmith

If you always write the same type of article then you are probably
limiting your chances of getting published. Look at your favorite
publications and you will see they print a variety of types of
article. Here are five of the most popular types.

The ‘How To’ Article
This is a very popular type of article, in which you tell the
reader how to do something. It could be how to build a garage, how
to write a book, how to sell a house, or how to clean tar off a
pair of trousers. These articles tend to be particularly popular
because people love to find out how to do something.

When writing how to do something, and if the sequence is important,
then it is a good idea to number each step. Remember to keep your
instructions simple, yet specific. And you could even use a picture
or illustration if the publication allows it.

The ‘List’ Article
The list article is an article that lists several related pieces of
information, and is one of the easiest types of article to write.
It could be “10 Ways to Save Money”, “5 Flowers to Plant In April”,
or “The Best 12 Places to Live in Canada”. A list article should
have:

- An introduction.
- The list; each item may be a paragraph or two.
- A conclusion.

The ‘Roundup’ Article
In the roundup article, you provide a roundup of information,
statements, or opinions from a variety of sources. You might
interview a number of experts, for example, and ask them the same
list of questions. In your article you then write a roundup of the
answers, e.g.

“Bill Jones, CEO of SHJ Limited, is confident that the market will
turn around soon. “Within the next six weeks at most”, he
predicted. But Tom Sloane, at Pickwick Associates, disagrees. He
explains why…”

The ‘Inspirational’ Article
Inspiration articles include inspirational narrative, essays,
articles on faith and religion, and self-help articles.

Do you know of an issue or concern that affects many people? Think
of your own every day experiences. Write about the issue… and
help the readers to deal with life and to improve themselves in
some way.

The ‘As Told To’ Article
Because many of the people who have outstanding experiences are not
writers, there is a market for writing those people’s stories. This
is quite similar to ghostwriting, except that in this case the
audience knows that you are the writer. In the credits, you would
show “By Peter Wallace [subject], as told to Jim Davies…”
[writer].

Instead of writing a third-person narrative of the event, the ‘As
Told To’ article makes the tale more real and personal by using the
first-person.

So next time you are about to write an article, pause… and ask
which type of article would best suit your situation and topic. By
varying the types of articles you write your writing will also
develop a new depth and your articles will be picked up by a much
wider variety of publications.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

David Goldsmith is the author of “25 Ways to Write for Money”.
Discover multiple ways to grow your freelance writing business.

Article from: www.worldwidefreelance.com

Summer is finally here, and with summer comes sunshine, warm air and the open road. For many people, summer is all about RVing and the adventures ahead. For RV enthusiasts that may have picked up a new puppy since their last trip, it is not uncommon to feel anxiety towards taking your new dog with you RVing. After all, puppies are delicate animals and the road can be difficult even for seasoned travelers. This should not discourage you from taking your puppy on your next RV trip, however, as it can be safe and enjoyable for everyone involved.

When taking your puppy on an RV trip, it helps to have an idea of what you will be doing with the dog for fun, as dogs – especially puppies – can get extremely restless if not exercised on a regular basis throughout the day. Taking this into consideration, you may want to plan ahead and make a list of outdoor dog parks that run along your route, as this can be a great way to give your puppy his or her own little vacation. Touring dog parks can be great fun for both the dog and the family, and is completely free. It can also give you time to stretch and clear your head before heading back out on the road.

Another great way to help your dog let out some energy is to stop at rivers and streams along your route, as puppies love to swim. While you must use caution (IE skip the large lakes, always use a leash), allowing your dog to swim while under your control can be a great way to both occupy and tire out your puppy rather quickly, ensuring a restful ride in the RV.

Remember that your puppy is somewhat of a fragile animal, and most be shown significant, personalized care throughout the trip. Always make sure your dog has cold, fresh water at all times, as dehydration – especially in the summer – can jeopardize your dog’s health. Be sure to check for bugs and ticks if the dog runs through wooded areas during your trip to avoid bringing them into the RV. Also, be mindful of your puppy’s time in the sun – if it’s too hot, bring the dog inside. Finally, always make sure the dog gets exercise every two hours or so to prevent restlessness and over-excitement.

Article submitted by Victoria Knight from Pet-Super-Store in Victoria. Link below.

http://www.pet-super-store.com/pet-supplies/dog-crates/

Snowbirds & RV Travel

A series about our 2009 northern trip started June/July 2009 and continued for the  following months: Aug/Sept/09, Oct/Nov/09, Dec/Jan/10, and Feb/Mar/10. Click on the month and “turn the pages” until you arrive at the article. Stay tuned for April/May/10 issue.

RV Times

Although previous 2007/2008 articles may not be in their archives, the latest one for Jan/Feb/10 titled “20 Must-Do’s in Northern BC, Yukon and the Northwest Territories” is online. Go to articles and issue #133 Jan/Feb/10.

Part 5 in a series published in RV Times free magazine 2007. www.rvtimes.com

Crossing Canada Selling Books, Driftwood and Brandied Blackberry Sauce

Going Home: Manitoba to BC

Barb and Dave Rees left their home in Powell River, BC, May 26, 2007 on a working holiday, taking Barb’s book RV Canada On A Dime And A Dream on a cross-Canada tour. Their working holiday took them to farmer’s markets from coast to coast, travelling in their temperamental van named “Boo” pulling a 27-ft.trailer.

Segment 1

Good looking cowboys, bucking broncos and the announcer yelling, “He’s holding on, no he’s off!” The stands erupted with cheers at the Double “B” Beausejour Rodeo.

On Sept.6 I’d cheered “Manitoba! Only three provinces till home!” We took #12 south to Steinbach heading for the next market at 4:00 p.m.

A Mennonite market with lots of fresh produce and shoppers chiefly interested in produce meant one book was sold. A kindly couple gave us a jar of honey to sweeten our day.

The next morning at the library we searched online for a rodeo, and found Beausejour Rodeo who accepted us with three days free dry camping.

We left Steinbach in a windstorm, heading north to Beausejour. Because we took the “scenic route”… known as getting lost, we found the Great Woods Park and Campground where we dumped and filled our water. The Beausejour sani-dump is behind the rodeo grounds.

And that’s how an old Calgary Stampede girl like me came to be surrounded by cowboys, horse trailers, and cowgirls. Next to us a couple groomed 2000 lb. Percherons.

The farmer’s market was inside a big chilly barn. A $2. pancake breakfast started the day with families in cowboy hats discussing livestock problems. At 10:00 a.m these hardy folks held a big parade with floats, horses, clowns and antique tractors with antique drivers.

At the market we realized people weren’t there to spend money. They were there to see a rodeo so once the rodeo started that was the end of any sales. By then our neighbors, Ron and Maxine the fudge makers had moved outside and invited us to put a few of our things on their stall. Suddenly my Dad’s rodeo photos from the 70’s attracted the cowboy’s. One said, “They aren’t going to believe I found these after all this time. Do you have one of my grandpa Harry Dodginghorse?” When I asked Dad he laughed, “I often covered the rodeos he was at.” Soon we had a crowd of cowboys sorting through photos and an hour later we’d sold 22 pictures. The finale to our day was the sky exploding with fireworks and our neighbor letting us plug into his generator.

The next day we moved everything outside with the fudge-makers. In the flow of traffic we talked to many people and watched the rodeo too. I tried my hand at taking bucking bronco pictures while the announcer kibitzed with the clown. We had so much fun, met new friends, and sold Dad’s photographs. By 5:30 p.m we left for Winnipeg. Following the perimeter road took us around Winnipeg to Portage la Prairie. West of Portage on the Trans Canada is a Flying Jtruck stop, a good place for RV’ers.

Our first stop in Portage was the dump station. We settled into the line-up and then watched the guy ahead of us grab the ‘potable water’ hose and use it to rinse his black water hose. Yuk! When we pulled up we were all shaking our heads, so I got bleach from the others to disinfect the hose. Lesson: Carry a spray bottle of bleach water or spray can of Clorox to disinfect the water hose before using.

We found the Wal-Mart mall on the highway devoid of other RV’ers and settled in for a peaceful night. Not! It sits in between four train tracks! But we had a very relaxing evening reminiscing about our gypsy adventures.

.Next morning a spectacular sunrise spread gold’s and mauves over Wal-Mart. There I stood in the lot in my old blue housecoat taking pictures. After breakfast we fueled up before we visited Island Park and our favourite trees. “I’m back,” I said to the ‘elephant feet’ trees whose character I fell in love with four years ago.

The Brandon Tourism office is off the Trans Canada in the Riverbank Discovery Centre. Lois told us about the cement igloo outside called the “ecodome” built from sandbags by university students as a demo emergency hut.

By then the winds were fiercer than ever so we took cover at Meadowlark Campground and RV Park. We enjoyed being set up with all the amenities and WIF for $27 …including Oprah!

9/11 – I always wake on the anniversary of this date thinking about the terrorism which changed the world forever. I sat in my safe little home remembering. No one knows when our loved ones will be taken away.

First stop was the new Wal-Mart for a spray can of Clorox. , then #10 South. After vast expanses of ripe sunflowers, we hit Souris and didn’t stop at the agate pit this time. We were so thrilled at “Welcome to Saskatchewan” we opened a package of Twizzlers to celebrate! In Carlyle, our friend Judy was glad to see us and interrupted her work to put tea and coffee on so we could catch up.

Later we settled at the Weyburn Wal-Mart located on the west end of town between the #1 highway and a train track, but fairly quiet. While taking a sunset picture I paused to remember those who never saw another sunset after 9/11.

Sept.12 and off to the Weyburn Pubic Library to collect our email. A one ton 13’2” diameter wheel celebrating their history hangs on the library wall.

Ogema, a little farm town has a camp ground so we pulled in for lunch and the sani-dump. It offers all the services but the water tastes awful. We’ve learned to taste the water before we fill up the tanks with ghastly water.

I started calculating how much we saved by making Dave’s coffee. Every morning I’d make a thermos of coffee for the day. We reckoned we saved close to $1000 towards Boo’s fuel.

In January 2007 CBC radio interviewed me about my book. In Mackenzie people heard it and told their friends Diane and Grant who searched CBC archives and emailed about the book. We became good “e-buddies.” Then they moved to Mankota in southern Saskatchewan so that’s where we were headed to see Diane in the hospital.

Turning at Lafleche we were heading for Mankota in another wind storm. Suddenly over a rise on this very narrow farm road loomed a combine machine with its arms extended the width of the road. Dave tried getting over but there was no where to go. I sat frozen watching this monster coming straight for us. “He’s going to hit us,” I whisper. At the last second he swerves and misses’ us by inches. My heart’s pounding and Dave says, “That would have made a good picture.”

Later at the hospital we meet our friends. “Imagine you coming all this way to see me”. Dave and I felt like we’d known them for years.

We head north for Swift Current and our next market. Swift Current with 2374 annual hours of sunshine has grown up. They now have a new Wal-Mart mall, but we head up to the Wheatland mall where the market will be held the next day. Soon we were parked at the back of the mall overlooking the valley in what became “our spot” four years ago.

The wind rocked the trailer all night long. After breakfast we set up in the mall among Hutterites with many tables of produce. I watched a lady walk towards us and point at the poster for Dad’s rodeo pictures. “ I know this man. He’s my brother-in-law.” I just stood stunned, “You do?” As my mind raced to think who was related to Fred Kobsted, I blurted, “Who are you?” “I’m Shirley Millis,” she said. It hit me. She was my Mom’s brothers ex-wife …he died years ago. I walked around the table and put my arms around her in tears. “I’m Dorothy’s daughter, Barbara.” Then we both cried. What a beautiful gift to meet an aunt I never knew and find out I had a cousin close by. Shirley lives in Prince Albert and was down visiting her brother adding to the chances of our meeting.

Sales weren’t great but I had enlightening conversations with the Hutterite women from the Main Centre Colony. Without TV, radio, computers or divorce they are happy. If you want to meet the locals and get a feel for the area, sell at farmers or flea markets, and it helps with gas. Shirley brought her daughter Kathy over who invited us to dinner.

Sept. 14: We enjoyed tea and coffee in bed looking at the map of Canada with our highlighted route. Imagine how much we would have missed if we hadn’t dared to live the dream?

I took my prescriptions to Wal-Mart to be filled, something we can’t do in Ontario or Quebec without going to a clinic. It’s a good idea to stock up and keep the empty bottle when you do need the order filled because of all the information.

At the end of the day we went to my cousin’s ranch at Success. Her husband Rick, says that their ranch of 900 acres is nothing by Saskatchewan standards. A sunset drive after dinner gave me great pictures of an owl and a sunset that seemed to last forever.

Sept.15: Around us Hutterites joke with customers, old timer’s slap each other on shoulders, children vie for attention. The best part was Diane and Grant coming up from Mankota to have dinner with us. After they left, the wind died down so we could sit outside listening to meadowlarks sing and enjoy the valley view.

A.L William’s said, “We perform best when we have a crusade because it adds meaning and purpose to life. Crusaders have inner strength, and carry on when others quit.” Our trips are crusades not just tours because we inspire others to follow their dreams no matter their circumstances.

Whispering Winds

The latest article found in the autumn/09 issue 011 was from our northern trip up the Dempster Highway.

Chapter 5: Ontario (ON)

Water, Water Everywhere
Welcome to the biggest province on our trek and the one with the biggest heart! Even with gas funds in meager supply, we have faith in our sales here. This happens to be the land of thousands of lakes, moose, muskeg, trees, fishing, and chip trucks and, of course, French Fries. There’re so many lakes a map of Ontario looks like Swiss cheese. It’s a recreational paradise. Our first stop occurs at the provincial tourism office at the border, to share Powell River information.
A giant muskie welcomes visitors from the west to Kenora (pop.16, 500) on Lake of the Woods. Past the lake, dotted with 14,000 islands and a 65,000 mile shoreline, Hwy. #17 takes us right downtown. We stop at the tourism office (Ch. 21) to distribute information and get fresh water, then cross the street to a Husky station where we use the sani-dump. They have a beautiful walk along the waterfront with many unique gift shops. The downside of Kenora is the many “no overnight camping signs” throughout the town which makes RV’ers like us feel like not stopping at all.
From there we head south on #71, The Kings Highway, also called the Heenan Hwy., to Fort Frances. It was blasted through some of the most formidable rock in Canada. It opened in 1936 between Kenora and Fort Francis, named after Peter Heenan, born in Ireland. He came to Kenora in 1902 where he served as a Liberal Labour member until 1943. We have him to thank for the Old Age Pension Act in 1927.
This is one of the most scenic drives we’ve been on in Ontario. With few semi-trucks bullying us down the highway, we enjoy a peaceful drive on smooth highway. The only problem seems to be the lack of pull-offs. We stop at Sioux Narrows for a walk down to the lake. They have an interesting gift store with totem pole. Nestor Falls in the heart of the Canadian Shield also rests on the edge of the lake that teems with fish. Cabins nestle along the water and make us wish we were stopping, but we want to be in Fort Francis tonight.
Out of the blue we drive through a little community called Finland with farmland and few trees, all quite different from the lakeshore drive. We turn east on #11, through more farmland and stop at Canada’s smallest church in Emo. This minute 8’x10’ chapel was built in 1935 by a blacksmith, but a fire in 1973 consumed the church. The cross fell inward but didn’t burn so they rebuilt the church.
After a long day of driving we look forward to camping at Wal-Mart in Fort Frances. As we pull in I sigh, “Home at last,” certain we were done for the day. Not! We try to be respectful campers by going in and asking permission. We’re told a bylaw prohibits camping in Wal-Mart but they’re sympathetic and give us directions to where they thought we could park at Pither’s Point by Rainy River. The only campground in town ($30) on the other side of the train tracks from Pither’s Point sits half empty in the middle of tourist season. Exhausted, we stop in a very pretty spot, but the beauty doesn’t make up for the tracks above our heads just before they cross the bridge.
June 20: Trains terrorize me all night with their screeching and groaning. At 3:30 a.m. the third one since we arrived bumps along grinding metal for 20 minutes, and at 5:00, 6:00 and at 8:00. I want to scream! What a sleepless night while in typical husband mode Dave sleeps like a baby. Oh, and throw in a thunderstorm. So why were we camped here when I swore in the last book I would never camp by tracks again? Because we’re hiding out from those who might kick us out. As soon as Dave is up, we move into town and park by the side of the lake to salvage our day. After breakfast I sit on a bench overlooking the lake. Diamonds glitter on the water reminding me there must be a shining lesson in this experience.
Lesson #13: Take bad experiences and chew them over like a cow does its cud, bring them back up for the useful parts, expel the rest and move on to greener pastures.
With new resolve I journal my intent for the day: To create income opportunities, to spread inspiration instead of complaining, to live in the moment with joy and childlike wonder, and appreciate Dave.
The town sits beside Rainy River with many historical things to see so we walk around creating good memories to erase the bad ones. The area depends on a pulp mill presently working on an $84.3 million project. We stop at the Chamber (Ch. 21) and find out RV’ers stop at Wal-Mart all the time, at their own risk. If we’d known, we wouldn’t have asked and maybe we would have slept. We do notice there are no signs in the Safeway lot, so use your own discretion.
The Museum tour costs $2 for seniors and provides us insight into the area. In 1731, Fort St. Pierre was built at the south end of the lake. The Rainy Lake Post, operated by Hudson’s Bay Company and renamed Fort Francis in 1830, honours Lady Frances Ramsay Simpson.
Refreshed, we leave town over a high bridge, the Noden Causeway, crossing Rainy Lake, eventually climbing to Rainy Lake lookout. On the road I entertain myself with their imaginative place names: Red Gut Bay, Ottertail Road, Seine River, Blue Lantern, Pair-a-Dice Road, and Crilly, to name a few.

By 4:00 p.m. we arrive at the information centre (Ch. 21) at the highway junction to Atikokan. When we explain to Nicole and Morgan that we’re selling our way across Canada and need to sell in the area, they get on the phone. By the time we leave they’d received permission for us to sell in town. Turning up #11B we end up in Atikokan, The Canoeing Capital of Canada, (pop. 3,500), or as they say, “We are the little town that could.” They’ve survived mine shut-downs, logging crises but still hang onto their spirit and pride. Only 43 km. away lies Quetico Provincial Park, a world renowned wilderness park. Canoes are displayed around town inviting people to experience many canoeing opportunities. Atikokan in Ojibwa means “dry Caribou bone.”
At city hall, helpful staff members say, “Anywhere on municipal property, no charge.” Now that’s hospitality! We stop for the night by the side of an industrial strip and no train tracks. The only noise being the distant hum of the mill. I watch a steady stream of people going to work; people with bills to pay, families to raise, dreams to live. Hopefully they view their work as a means to an end and not a replacement for making their dreams come true. We know from experience that it’s easier to stay in a safe rut than take a risk. Sure gas money is tight, but I believe in miracles. Yesterday, Bud our house-sitter had to leave for work in Vancouver, yet out of love still deposited $200 in our account. That’s the miracle! At this point, 4,929 km. from home, we want to rest. Gas has cost us $1615 so far with sales covering most of it.
June 21: Happy first day of summer Ontario! Four years ago today we left on this same epic journey without knowing what to expect. Don’t know which is worse, ignorance or knowing. By 10:30 a.m. our tables are set up in the sun on the main street. Right away we sell a jar of sauce. A guy on a bike admires our goods but says he’s broke so I give him a Power Rock. He peddles away smiling; small reward for us ‘paying it forward.’  We love small town Ontario where the roads are rough and the people friendly.
We happily wave at people and tell our story to passers-by. “Oooh, look at that.” I point at a 1934 yellow International truck as it pulls up in front. We have to talk to the driver and take pictures. By 12:30 we’ve had a fun, relaxing morning and made $19. That’s $19 more gas money than we had when we woke up. After gassing up Boo, we head for Thunder Bay, 203 km. away.
Happy RV’ing for us means smooth highways, few truckers, rolling scenery dotted with lakes, and masses of wild flowers along the road. That changes when we come upon resurfacing, so for miles Boo slogs her way through loose gravel pulling the old grey mare that bucks along behind. We pass the Atlantic Watershed Point where all waters now run south to the Atlantic. Once again, picnic sites and rest stops are scarce as hen’s teeth. Unless you’re prepared to go off the highway some miles to a lake, there are few spots. After we’re on the road for two hours without stopping, I get cranky. Just like a kid, I need to get out and play.
Third time zone passed at 4:10 p.m.! Only three to go until Newfoundland. Finally, in desperation, we pull off in a pulp load check area to stretch our legs. Black flies immediately smell blood and attack, ending our walk. At the junction of #11 and #17 East to Thunder Bay it becomes #102, MOM’s Way (but changes back later to 11 and 17). No, it doesn’t have anything to do with mom’s escaping down the road, although maybe that’s a thought. It stands for Manitoba, Ontario, Minnesota tourist route. At the junction we choose #102 the shorter route to Thunder Bay. Once again we’re on familiar road with the familiar stream of semis. But now we’re running out of gas so we pull into the first gas station before Thunder Bay.
Welcome to Thunder Bay (pop.110, 000), one of our favourite places in Ontario. It’s the beginning of the 100 km. Terry Fox Courage Highway. We stop first at the Delaney Arena behind the Soroptimist International Friendship Garden to empty our tanks. (Ch. 21). Then, four years after our last trip, we pull into our friend’s yard. No searching for a place to bed down for five days. Nice!  Thunder Bay lies alongside Lake Superior, the largest fresh-water lake in the world. We always feel like we’ve come home when we sit besides its vastness.
June 22: Old friends at Victoriaville Mall market warmly welcome us back. Torsti Landvik, the new coordinator, buys a book right away because of the write-up about their markets.  Joanne Barrie, the past coordinator, is dealing with the sudden loss of her husband who had a heart attack while gardening. She hugs us, bringing all of us to tears. We need to live our dreams before it’s too late. No one knows when that day will come.
Lesson #14: Don’t wait until everything lines up perfectly before making your dreams come true. All of the lights will never be green. Life is fragile no matter our age or health. What dreams have you put on hold?
Our table faces the mall door so the constant stream of people sees us right away. This mall, beside a resource centre, means many of those down on their luck hang out here, but we’ve had the best talks! A chatty fellow we met in 2003 tells all his friends about our work. Another guy talks about our rocks and offers to bring us a special one. Across from us, Isabelle, an 89-year-old flower/produce seller, looks a little more bent over than she was, but her spirit remains high. People count on her fabulous bouquets of flowers for bargain prices. By the end of the day we made $155. Joanne convinced the vendors and the mall to allow them to sell Wednesday instead of Tuesday in order to maximize our sales since pension cheques will be in then. Good ole Thunder Bay folks come through for us again!
We finish our day in our little home with me curled up in a lot of pain. In the middle of the night, I’m up and taking pills, I’m grateful we’re travelling in our RV. Imagine what this would be like staying in other peoples homes. At least we’re in our own space. The cost of fuel is still the cheapest part of RV’ing.
June 22: In Thunder Bay we have the opportunity to sell at several different locations in one week; one of them being Wilson St. Market. It’s too early in the season for the produce sellers consequently buyers are few, but we sit in the sun with Torsti working on our crafts and visiting. People tell us we should be at the CLE market because there’s lots of produce but we’d decided the $55 cost was prohibitive. By noon we’ve only made $15, so maybe CLE would have been a better bet.
Lesson #15: When selling, choose high traffic areas even if it costs more. Do your research ahead of time instead of wasting hours sitting around for a couple dollars.
Afterward we head for Fort William and the 30th birthday of their Franco-Festival. Last time we couldn’t afford the tickets to get into the fort, but this time it’s free!
Lesson #16: Check out the local holidays, festivals, parks etc., either at the tourism office or online. There are many free or by donation events.
Fort William was the hub of the fur trade in 1815 as voyageurs brought their furs from the west and traded for goods from the east. At Rendevous in July there could be up to 1,000 people in the fort, but that dropped to 30 in the winter. With guides in period costume, we take a walk back in time as they play out their roles.
Historical trivia anyone? Beaver top-hats, from matted beaver down, were made without glue or stitching. The hat was so solid a child could sit on it without ruining it. The hatters used mercury in the process and eventually went mad. Thus the saying, “Mad as a hatter.” People in England believed that pale skin was more beautiful so they made slits by their ears and put leeches on them to suck their blood. Yuk! The extent people will go to for vanity’s sake hasn’t changed much through the centuries.
Back at home, the Tocheri’s are in from their cabin so we visit. It hardly seems like four years has passed. That evening a thunderstorm scares me, but not Susan who is thrilled by the display. As a child, her dad would gather the kids on the porch, make hot chocolate and, unafraid, they’d watch storms. I, on the other hand, was told every bad thing that could happen in a storm. “Stay away from windows, off the phone, out of water, stay in inside.” The litany of fear-based information succeeded in instilling a terror which I am working on calming. We hear about a tornado touching down east of Winnipeg at 400 km. an hour. That could have been us, but once again we are ahead of it.
June 24: Soggy Sunday and 948 km. to Sudbury, which will take about $350 in gas and 2 ½ days to get to.  We have $263 and faith our sales will come through. But for today, we’ll enjoy a lay-about day before the market tomorrow. In spite of the rain we appreciate a leisurely breakfast and game of cards. In fact, we don’t poke our noses out till noon when we head down to the waterfront for a walk. Thunder Bay has sister cities in the USA, Finland, Italy, Japan, Ghana, Singapore and Taiwan. A beautiful pathway along Lake Superior in a park-like setting gives us a chance to unwind. Just up from it stands the old 1905 railway station which evolved into a restaurant/gift shop. Strolling around there we meet up with a cute little Terrypoo puppy walking his family, Keith and Julie. Patting and oohing over him, we talk with them on the walk.
We sit on rocks and munch on fresh pineapple while watching the sailing club circle a capsized sailboat and get it upright. Lake Superior is the largest fresh-water lake by surface area in the world, covering 31,700 sq. mi. being 350 mi. long by 160 mi. wide. New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island would fit into it. No wonder I feel like I’m sitting by the ocean. There’s a Circle Tour covering 1,300 miles around Superior down into the states. We’ve added it to our wish list.
Back at home with the Tocheri’s, we relax in their yard while Bruce, a generous, great cook, barbeques for us. He makes sure we are stocked up with veggies and herbs before we leave.
June 25: We wake to brilliant sun streaming in, and no thunderstorms! Without a market to sell at, we stay put all day showering, lining up markets, Dave beading. We find a Toastmasters club to visit, and clean up emails from the comfort of our trailer thanks to WIFI in the area. I’d assumed there wasn’t any WIFI, and found it by accident.
Lesson #17: Don’t assume WIFI connection’s are only at regular sites like libraries and internet cafés. Try it anywhere: a mall, outside a casino or hotel, at a truck stop.
June 26: My least favorite way to start the day: with thunder rumbling and lightening flashing so I crawl closer to Dave. My knight in shining armor will protect me. But I can be brave. I get up to unplug my computer, make tea and sit writing by myself during a thunderstorm. I keep reminding myself that life is all about “facing the fear and doing it anyway.” The storms pass and the birds are singing. We can learn from them. Attitudes are contagious. Is yours worth catching?
At noon we meet upstairs over the International Tea House with Heart of the Harbour Toastmasters Dave, Mike, Joanna, and Tony. We help set up, and I take on roles of evaluating, invocation and toasting. They’re effusive in saying we inspire them, but it works both ways. Their big attitude with a little group was symbolic of what Toastmaster clubs do all over the world. There are five clubs in the area, based out of Minneapolis.
In 2003 we’d run out of gas in Thunder Bay. By knocking on doors we met a wonderful couple who helped Dave find gas for the motorhome. This year we drive around until we find the area again and surprise them by knocking on their door. We meet John and Jan Pomfrey again and give them a book as a gift. Then off to give Boo $100 of gas @ $1.11 and Canadian Tire bucks before hooking up the trailer to dump the tanks.
That evening another big thunderstorm hits. I watch the TV in horror as they forecast severe thunderstorms, hail and tornadoes heading our way. EEK! Big chicken me cringes while Susan says how serene the storm seems. Is she nuts I wonder as lightening strikes and knocks the power out? I can’t say I am disappointed when the storm moves on and we can have our usual fashionably late dinner with them. Bruce has been simmering meat balls in sauce all day….mmm! We love our ‘extended family.’

>>>to be continued when you purchase the book.

So far we haven’t seen any grizzly bears but as we head farther north we are bound to. The Yukon river is an incredible green that the Yukon River Quest paddlers tackled yesterday. 170 paddlers in 77 boats set off from here destined for Dawson City on their 750 km quest.
We’ll meet them there.

As a travel writer many opportunities have opened for me. I am so priviliged to have the best of both worlds: write and travel while making an income at the same time.
Watch for articles in Sun Cruisers RV magazine, Whispering Winds, RV Times and anything else I can find.

RV Canada with Boo the Menopausal Van is getting lots of exposure thanks to the sign on Boo’s front: Boo the Menopausal Van. We’ve been stopped at gas stations to sell books. Flag ladies just grin at us as do anyone standing on the streets.
We are having such fun exploring and learning so much about Canada’s early literally ground breaking history. This is the land of gold miners and the famous Alaska Highway.
If you want to follow us sign up at: http://mytripjournal.com/rvcanadawithboo

When we get to internet we’ll be updating. We are following our dreams all the way to Tuktoyaktuk July 12. We will be standing at the Beaufort Sea sharing our blackberry wine with someone just like we dreamed it would months ago. Hard work,determination and courage is all it takes.
Keep following your dreams and never give up.

July 19 in Carcross, Yukon:

July 11 will go down in our history as a very memorable day. It was the day we took a river boat tour up the McKenzie 180km to the Arctic Ocean.We did see two grizzlies on the river’s shore and got wonderful pictures. Our dream destination Tukotoyaktuk which sits at 69 degrees north. By then we’d already crossed the Arctic Circle at 66 degrees by travelling up the northernmost highway in North America, the Dempster. It is 760km of gravel and spectacular scenery.

But I digress that’s what got us to Inuvik, NWT where we hooked up with Up North Tours, Kyle and the guys who are so accomodating and knowledgeable.

In Tuk with our guide Boogie,we took our Powell River water and standing in the Arctic Ocean we poured it and refilled it to take back home. We hauled our bottle of blackberry wine all the way up there but never got a chance to share it so that had to wait till we were back in Dawson City.

I could hardly believe I was standing there in this totally differnt world of cold, no trees, sewer and water lines above ground, 24 hour sunlight, hunting whale and polar bears as a natural way to feed families, and pingos. What an eye opener!

We flew back to Inuvik over the pingos which are giant pyramids of permafrost pushing through the ground. In Inuvik we had a private tour of the famous Igloo Church built in a style that defied tradional building by putting down a foundation which isn’t done because of the permafrost.

The day was capped off when we attended the Great Northern Arts Festival cultural ceremonies. Watching the drum dancers, throat singers and whip artist demo made us feel like July 11 was a perfectly rounded day of really seeing and feeling the far north culture.

But now we are starting to backtrack from Whitehorse to Watson Lake, we are discovering yet more beauty. We’re currently in Carcross, Yukon and the smallest and most northern desert in the world. Majestic mountains and blue lakes abound.

Everyday we meet new people, learn more history, inspire and be inspired. This has been a journey of rediscovery of what is really important to Dave and I: keep it simple and enjoy each other without distractions and stress. Once again, as we did in our two previous adventures we are rekindling the depth of our love for each other and this great land we live in…and life in general.

Teslin, Watson Lake, Liard Hot Springs and Yellowknife lie ahead and yet to unveil their beauty to us so stay tuned.