Issue 29 – NEW BEST FRIENDS

Diary published weekly since 2001
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Hi All: This has been another super week en route to Ontario. The days have been long with numerous miles of blacktop between stops, but touching base with interesting ‘Newest Best Friends’ en route has added a pleasant touch of class. This has been one of our most memorable trips to and from the west. We also found several unique campgrounds – some better than others, but each added to our stopovers. It still amazes me that even after such a long time on the move, we continue to find spots we have never visited before. Canada is definitely a vast country no matter how you look at it. Cool

We have enjoyed driving days in fantastic weather, but by all reports, bad stuff moved into many places right after we left. I began this Diary while driving through Saskatchewan on Friday and worked on it a bit in our isolated park east of Winnipeg. I added more info last night in Nipigon and I expect to send it tonight from our RV park just across the border into Michigan. Cool
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ONE MORE GREAT WEEK

Last Monday, our enjoyable western trip continued at the GREAT CANADIAN BARN DANCE CAMPGROUND southwest of Lethbridge, Alberta (www.greatcanadianbarndance.com) with Pat and Dianna. This young Fulltiming twosome has purchased a ‘site’ overlooking a peaceful lake at this park. They eventually plan to build a house that includes space for their MH – much like we snowbirds see in the southern states. Maybe by our next jaunt west in a few years, we can visit them in their new digs. Their park is heavy into musical ‘family-style’ entertaining dinner/music theatre extravaganzas from Wednesday to Saturday. Couldn’t fit in a show this trip, but for sure our next visit will overlap a weekend. Cool

Monday night all four of us enjoyed a typical Mexican Dinner on the screened patio of TWIN BUTTE COUNTRY GENERAL STORE & RESTAURANT. Food was tasty and company excellent. Gift Shop and Rustic camping is also available at this venue. Thanks goes to the two Emma’s, and to Jerry for our tasty meal, and to Pat and Dianna for the warm camaraderie. We had a great visit guys.
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MUSEUM OF MINIATURES

While at the Great Canadian Barn dance Campground we visited the outstanding MUSEUM OF MINIATURES in nearby Cardston, Alberta. 1-403-653-1142. www.geocities.com/miniaturesmsm Roy and Carol Wittman are owners/creators of the most impressive historic ‘Old West’ miniature displays we have seen anywhere. Roy is a retired BC Ferryboat captain of 35-years but his main love is to create things. Cool

He personified his ‘Old West’ with 1/12” scale miniatures of covered wagons on the move, Indian villages, a functioning fort, a herd of buffalo, wild animals, logging, rodeo, marine exhibits plus an active western town that includes stables, school, church, general store, blacksmith shop and hotel – personified with numerous figurines; Indian carvings and paintings. His collection also includes 150 authentic scale model cars and trucks that enhance their displays. His creation is ongoing so frequent visits will always be rewarding. Cool

Six years before retirement Roy created and sold. 1/12"-scale, ‘Wells Fargo stages’ and ‘’Prairie Schooner wagons’ to customers as far away as South Africa. He slowly added more pieces to the mix such as mixture of buildings with a shake roof on each of them – (25,000-miniature shakes applied by hand) and 700-planks make up the boardwalk that joins the buildings. The ‘tufts’ of grass in several scenes are made from human hair and the oat fields consist of 12,000 plants. He formed his garden vegetables from ‘Fima’ (a pliable material that is shaped, baked in an oven and painted). Before long his hobby was consuming his life. ‘Westward Ho’ Museum of Miniatures opened in May 2001. Cool

The 'Old West' exhibits surround the perimeter while the 'centre showcase' features animal figurines, Indian heads, a circus scene, a Christmas house, a flower shop, bakery – the list goes on. This museum is a ‘must see’ to really appreciate it. If you are ever near Cardston, Alberta, make a point to stop by. Cool

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CAMPGROUND GEMS ALONG THE WAY

On a very HOT Tuesday en route to Swift Current – we found the western Saskatchewan terrain included more hills than we remembered – so the coach, Katie, John and I were feeling the effects of our 35oC driving day. When we saw a sign 10 KM west of Maple Creek promoting the EAGLE VALLEY PARKWAY CAMPGROUND, (1-306-662-2788) we decided to turn in. What a neat place – the office and décor is now highlighted with a Tahitian theme. Thatched straw style umbrellas over the picnic tables in the open roof, yet enclosed, patio/lounge add a tropical sense to everything – an inviting Hydrotherapy Spa completed that picture. WiFi in the office area, a store/mini cafe, continental breakfast at the Tiki Coffee Bar, and a swimming pond/beach area on the lower level were definite added pluses. Cool

The biggest surprise was their unique campsite design. All sites were pull-thrus, but with a big difference. On each side of a wide road, RV’s pulled into spacious indentations – much as if we were parallel parked. Site picnic table/patios faced a lush wide manicured treed area. Those travelling the TCH (Trans Canada Highway) near Swift Current should consider stopping for a night. Good Sam full-service rates were just under $25.00.

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Wednesday and Thursday we stopped at another Gem – BUFFALO LOOKOUT.RV CAMPGROUND in Regina - 1-306-525-1448 www.buffalolookoutrvcampground.com The new owners/management have transformed the place big time. Coffee and goodies every morning, big rig sites, modern laundry and large rec hall, plus free WiFi in the office area. All this is only a hop; skip and a jump from Regina plus Passport America discounts are available for drive-up customers. We have done Regina’s tourist thing on previous visits, but we scheduled a two-day stop just to relax. Cool

One special reason for stopping in Regina was to meet and touch base with Trent and Teresa, long time readers of P&J’s Diary. This Duo is counting the days (actually less than 5-years) till they can hit the road. Lunch at Houston Pizza – Regina’s finest – gave us a perfect opportunity to share experiences. These two are at the same age as we were 23-years ago when we touched base with our new-found seasonal RV friends. We learned so much from those Florida neighbours as Trent and Teresa say they have learned from us by following our experiences. Guess what goes around comes around. Our food was decadent but it was our conversation that was most enjoyable – thanks guys for lunch and the touch base visit. Stay focused – time will fly by till you too can be following your dream. Cool
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WEEKEND STOPS ALONG THE WAY

Friday evening we relaxed in the very pretty ROCK GARDEN RV PARK (204-0422-5441) at Richer, Manitoba – we had a picturesque level pull-through site surrounded by dense bush – a great solution to Manitoba’s heat wave. Unfortunately the cell only worked for a minute or two at a time – niether the TV or Internet Dish logged onto even a hint of service. However it felt good to relax and pick up a book for a change. Cool

Saturday night we arrived at STILLWATER TENT AND TRAILER PARK in Nipigon, Ontario – 1-807 877 3701. The days drive was very pretty but it is an extremely loooong way from Winnipeg to Nipigon, Ontario. We have stayed at this full service park many times over the years although it is a 10-hour drive from Winnipeg (plus we lost an hour when we entered the Eastern time zone) – there is very little in between. We have had NO cell service since Manitoba – not sure if Verizon can not ‘piggy-back’ onto local cell carriers or what the reason is, but our phone has stated ‘No Service’ for two days. Cool

Although the entire route from Manitoba has been very scenic, I have really had enough of mile after mile of trees, lakes and gentle curving highway. Today’s (Sunday) drive on highway 17 from Nipigon has been exceptionally curvy with some intense climbs. It has been about 8-years since we took this picturesque route and we forgot how much the road snaked and how many hills it actually has. Over the years we have done the tourist things along the way and on this leg of this journey from A-B. Again - this was a pretty drive, but oh so long & boring. Cool

We are staying in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan for the night at the very laidback and inexpensive BP VILLAGE CAMPGROUND (exit 392 on Hwy 75. 1-906-632-1952 - $20.00 E&W) This is a short-cut route to London. FYI - Customs confiscated a 1.5lb ground beef we had in the freezer for Katie. On a positive note, I am happy to relay that much of the Trans-Canada highway in Saskatchewan and Manitoba plus some portions of Ontario is now four-lanes – more is on the way. Although ongoing construction was prevalent in a few places, for the most part, including today’s route to Michigan, the majority of the roads we travelled were in good shape – except 50 km on either side of Thunder Bay. Our car, hitch and motorhome have NEVER been this DIRTY. Cool
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FINAL WORDS.

By Monday or Tuesday we expect to be back at GOLDEN POND in London. This has been an outstanding trip – but it has also been extremely tiring. At least now we are on a wind down – we plan to stay put for a couple of weeks before we head to Michigan for a Family Reunion on John’s side of the family. Hope each of you are enjoying your summer as much as we are enjoying ours. Have fun wherever your journey takes you, but be sure to leave time to relax along the way. Travel safe. P&J Cool Cool Cool

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TIP & PROMOS COMBINED THIS WEEK

WHAT TYPE OF RV IS BEST?

One big Q with no correct answer – Trent and Teresa (and numerous others) are unsure of what unit they should buy to go fulltime - a fifth or a motorhome (or even a towable). There is no proper answer because this is such a personal question. First off decide where your travels will take you? Most fifths offer expansive living space but motorhomes are a bit easier to put into travel mode. Fifths have more inside storage areas and MH have more outside compartments. When travelling in a motorhome you do not have to go outside the driving vehicle to make lunch or use the potty (passengers that is). Another difference – when it comes to acquiring a fifth and truck, purchase or upgrades can occur during different time periods, this helps to spread cash outlay.

One suggestion to future RVers (or soon to be fulltimers) is to rent a unit OR you could buy an older RV during your waiting period. Many dealers have a number of very serviceable reliable older units for sale – maybe without slides etc. These are good transitional RV’s until your ‘D’ day – (your Fulltime Departure Date). Maybe then you will know what you want in your special ‘Dream Machine’ home on wheels.

Les Doll’s e-book guide ‘WHAT EVERYBODY SHOULD KNOWABOUT BUYING A USED RV’ overflows with what to look for. Les is a working RV Tech, so he knows how to spot potential pit-falls such as water leaks, hidden damage, electrical problems and more. If you plan on buying a used RV please purchase this valuable ebook. It may save you from making a very bad purchase. All this for only $27.00 - instant download. Go to http://rvliving.pac113.hop.clickbank.net for details.
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MY SUPER VALUABLE INTERNET SATELLITE DISH

Many of the parks we stayed at offered WiFi from No-Cost to $5.00 per day – BUT that usually meant RVers had to go to the office to access the ‘Hotspot’. When our cell phone is ‘in service’ in the campground – I can sometimes connect to the Internet using it. That is if I have enough minutes.

HOWEVERif, being on-line 24/7 without searching far and wide for WiFi ‘Hotspots’ is important to you, why not add a Dish to your ‘RV toy chest’? They take only minutes to set up and they’re such a joy to use. Cost is $1495.00 & $69.00 p/mo. (USA/Cdn customers). Big plus with my supplier - there’s no time limit on tech support. Why not give Armand and his staff a call at 1-705-878-9252. Say Peggi sent you. Read the entire story about my wonderful Dish at www.rvliving.net/EarlyObserationsDirecWay.htm
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IS YOUR COMPUTER DRIVING YOU CRAZY?

If so, why not purchase several inexpensive helpful ebooks that are on sale ‘till end July? BUT this is the first such sale at the Newbie Club so if this promo is toooo successful, this Special Offer could be WITHDRAWN AT ANY time between now and the 31st July.


I received this Promo in the Newbie Club newsletter yesterday and it reads like this---
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In other words ... if You BUY 1 (ONE) - you get 1 (ONE) FREE.
Just purchase your product in the normal way and then email the Newbie Club your receipt and ask for the FREE product you request. The Support Team will email you the download link to you within 72 hours.