Tribute to early RVers: my parents

by Chris Guld, Geeks On Tour One of the seminars we taught at the Gypsy Journal Rally was one of our very favorite topics: “Creating Narrated slideshow movies with Photo Story 3”  We have our routine and material down pat with this one, so my mind was free to wander a bit in getting prepared.  It dawned on me that since my Mom is with us it would be cool to show a sample Photo Story movie using pictures from my family’s RV travels in the 60s.  RVing in Alaska, Mexico and Canada are popular topics in RV circles – and we did it in the 60s.  So, I made sure my Mom was in the audience for this seminar and I quickly put together this little movie as part of our presentation:   To learn how to make your own narrated slideshow/movie, see our tutorials at: http://geeksontour.com/photostory.cfm It’s SOOO easy!  And, Photo Story is free, just like everything else we teach.  Read More →

On the Southern Edge of the Great Northern Forest

General Info: Prince Albert National Park, in central Saskatchewan, preserves 388,000 hectares of a transition zone between the coniferous boreal forest and aspen parkland. The park also includes about 1,500 lakes and streams. This naturally diverse habitat houses a multitude of wildlife, including a herd of free-range plains bison and Canada’s only fully-protected nesting colony for white pelicans. The park also contains important cultural features such as the lakeside cabin of conservationist Grey Owl and the rich 8000-year history of native peoples. Hours and Fees: The park is open year-round. The Information Centre is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., mid-May to early September, and on Saturdays during the peak cross-country ski season. Main campgrounds are open from mid-May to early September, and winter camping areas are also available. digg_url = 'http://digg.com/travel_places/On_the_Southern_Edge_of_the_Great_Northern_Forest'; Daily entrance costs (in Canadian dollars) $7.80 for adults ages 17-64, $6.80 for seniors age 65+, $3.90 for youth ages 6-16 (children 5 and under get in free). Annual passes are also available. Activities: Although Prince Albert National Park includes 150 km of hiking trails, you probably won’t need hiking boots to traverse them. Most of the trails feature good walking surfaces along gently rolling, forested hills without much change in elevation. There are several scenic driving routes to see the park’s wonders. Wildlife can often be seen... Read more

Rowan’s Ravine Provincial Park at Last Mountain Lake

General Info: Rowan’s Ravine Provincial Park covers 270 hectares along the eastern shore of Last Mountain Lake near Bulyea in southern Saskatchewan, Canada. The park is about 40 miles northwest of Regina on Highway 220. Hours and Fees: The park is open year-round, but full facilities are available only from May to September. Call 306-725-5200 for park visitor information. Entry fees are required and daily, multi-day, weekly and annual entrance passes are available for $7, $17, $25 and $50, respectively. Activities: With its multitude of fun outdoor activities you’ll never be bored at Rowan’s Ravine. Gather the gang for a game of baseball, mini-golf or beach volleyball. The youngsters will spend hours on the playgrounds located all around the park. The lakeside picnic area is perfect for relaxing between activities. digg_url = 'http://digg.com/travel_places/Rowan_s_Ravine_Provincial_Park_at_Last_Mountain_Lake'; The 100-km-long Last Mountain Lake features opportunities for boating, swimming and trolling for trophy walleye in the warm summer sun. Take advantage of one of the biggest natural beaches in southern Saskatchewan—perfect for sunning and parasailing. There is a boat launch ramp, on-water gas pumps, and an 85-slip marina for your convenience. The marina store sells snacks, fishing tackle & licenses, and convenience supplies. You can also rent paddleboats, fishing boats and boat-slips from the marina store. Pick up groceries from the park store or enjoy a meal... Read more

Saskatchewan: The Land of Living Skies

Just north of Montana and North Dakota, the Canadian province of Saskatchewan beckons with a fresh vacation experience. It’s a haven for the nature lover, with countless opportunities to go fishing, horseback riding, or river kayaking. There’s plenty of wildlife roaming free in the forest, prairie, and riparian areas in this province called the Land of Living Skies. But there’s also a bustling city life, too. Countless opportunities for dining, shopping, and nightlife await you in Saskatoon and other points north. This One Tank RV Trip from Woodall’s starts in Saskatoon, about 2.5 hours northwest of the provincial capital of Regina via Provincial Route 11. Saskatoon Saskatoon is a young city (founded in 1882) named for a small purple berry native to the region and is the largest city in the province. The South Saskatchewan River runs through the middle and features several parks along its banks. Take an hour-long river cruise to see the scenery or start a 3-hour paddling trip into the city from the Poplar Bluffs canoe launch. Wander along the Meewasin Valley Trail, 60km of riverbank trails that wind through the heart of the city, or explore the Univeristy of Saskatchewan’s beautiful riverfront campus. The Mendel Art Gallery overlooking the river houses works by Canadian and European artists. Free admission, free parking and a complimentary coat check make it easy to spend an afternoon in this lively gallery. Also worth a look is the Ukrainian Museum of Canada... Read more

Into Denali National Park, Alaska

One of the last remaining wildernesses can be witnessed in Denali National Park, as can be attested to by the Rogers’ last trip described in their epic travel diary, The Rogers’ Adventure commencing at their Tok to Fairbanks journal entry. Mountains, rivers and diverse wildlife decorate the pristine, remote area in Alaska that was originally designed as a safe habitat for Dall sheep. Traveling into Denali National Peak takes visitors along the Tenana river valley, passing through several small towns such as Nenana. Native tongue translates “Nenana” as meaning point of camping between two rivers; referring to the intersection of the Tenana and Nenana Rivers. The city of Nenana is an important shipping port, with a variety of foods, freight and fuel coming in for distribution to small towns along the river. The town of Healy is another great tourist stop, well known as being the location for the largest coal mine in Alaska, the Usibelli Coal Mine. While the mine is not open to the public, it supplies millions of tons of coal toward the operation of 6 major power plants in the State of Alaska, as well as being a chief export item to Chile and South Korea. Denali Park itself was established in 1917, although known at that time by the name of Mount McKinley National Park after President McKinley. It wasn’t until 1980 that the park was renamed Denali National Park. In the native Athabascan language, Denali means “high one”. Fifteen miles into the park brings... Read more

VIDEO: Free Overnight Parking in Canada

When we took our Long Long Honeymoon across across Canada, we stayed in a number of private campgrounds. We love staying in nice wooded campgrounds with full hookup amenities. But we also did our share of “overnight parking” — stopping in places such as Wal-Mart, Flying J, and even a friend’s driveway. I’m grateful that we RV’ers have these options when traveling. Even though we prefer to stay in parks, there are times when doing so simply doesn’t make sense. My wife and I often travel during the evening; sometimes we don’t stop for the night until 9 or 10 o’clock. Checking into a campground would be a lot of hassle for a short stay. The beauty of “overnight parking” goes beyond the attractive (free) price tag. It’s also a matter of convenience. There’s no check in procedure, no check out time, and no site assignment. There’s no paperwork or red tape. It’s liberating. If you have ever undertaken a major RV trip across the United States, you know what I mean. But have you tried it in Canada? I’m happy to report that overnight parking works pretty much the same in Canada as it does in the United States. There’s no shortage of Wal-Marts in Canada, and they are generally quite welcoming to RV travelers. Just park in a remote corner, be a good citizen, and do a little shopping. You should also check for signs — some Wal-Marts have designated certain areas of parking lot for... Read more

VIDEO: Parlez-Vous RV? Long Long Honeymoon in QUEBEC!

When visiting different places, travel “experts” tell us to visit museums, tour historic buildings, and generally behave like obedient fourth graders on a field trip. Our Long Long Honeymoon approach, for better or for worse, has always been a little different… Read more  Read More →

Marvel at the Extreme Tides of Canada’s Bay of Fundy

General Info: Fundy National Park, in southern New Brunswick, Canada contains two distinct environmental systems. The Bay of Fundy marine coastal environment features salt marshes, tidal flats and rocky shores. The park’s interior is part of the Caledonia Highlands plateau, featuring pine forests, deep river valleys and bogs. Download the park brochure PDF to learn more about the area. digg_url = 'http://digg.com/travel_places/Marvel_at_the_Extreme_Tides_of_Canada_s_Bay_of_Fundy'; The Bay of Fundy sees the biggest tidal changes in the world. At the head of the bay, the difference between high and low tide can be 16 meters–that’s the height of a four-storey building! The park is a wilderness area so visitors must take care of their personal safety and be mindful of natural dangers. Hours and Fees: The Headquarters Visitor Reception Center is open daily in summer from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., and from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in spring and fall. In winter the reception center is only open from 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Wolfe Lake Information Center is open from June 26- August 23 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. A daily entrance fee of CAN$7.80 applies to each adult (ages 17 to 64), CAN$6.80 for seniors (age 65+) and CAN$3.90 for youths (ages 6 to 16). A group rate of CAN$19.60 covers two adults and up to five children all traveling in the same vehicle. Season passes are also available. Activities: Fundy National Park hosts loads of outdoor recreational activities... Read more

Acadians and Giant Lobster on New Brunswick’s Coast

When European settlers first discovered the area now known as New Brunswick, they were greeted by aboriginal tribes whose friendly nature helped them survive the harsh winter and ultimately colonize the area. This friendly spirit persists to this day, as the diverse citizenry of New Brunswick embraces visitors from all over the world. The land has a soul and spirit all its own, the likes of which are seen nowhere else. This route from Woodall’s will only use one tank of fuel, but you may find yourself lingering longer than a few days to fully enjoy all the sights!digg_url = 'http://digg.com/travel_places/Acadians_and_Giant_Lobster_on_New_Brunswick_s_Coast'; Campbellton The township of Campbellton rests on the banks of the Restigouche River and is the starting point for this journey through Acadian Country. Prepare your eyes for a treat, as the land explodes with deep, vibrant colors; the sunsets are daily masterworks of Mother Nature’s majesty. Whether you’re hiking through the forests or fishing for some of the best salmon to be had, Campbellton is an outdoorsperson’s dream come to life. The waterfront has several souvenir shops and restaurants with a spectacular view of the water, and makes an excellent spot to end your stay in Campbellton before getting out on the road. Caraquet Provincial Route 11 is the only road for this trip, and as you proceed south you make your way through 109 miles of wild land until you reach Caraquet. This thriving fishing community sits... Read more

Say Bon Jour to New Brunswick at Mactaquac Park

Our Canadian adventure continues this week in New Brunswick, the largest of the Maritime Provinces. General Info: Mactaquac Provincial Park spreads out over 525 hectares just 24 km (15 mi.) west of the provincial capital city of Fredericton. digg_url = 'http://digg.com/travel_places/Say_Bon_Jour_to_New_Brunswick_at_Mactaquac_Park'; Hours and Fees: The park is open year-round from 8 a.m. to dusk daily. Entrance costs CAN$7 per vehicle per day, or you can get a season pass for CAN$70. For more specific information call the park office at 506-363-4747. Don’t be surprised if they answer the phone in French—NB is the only constitutionally-bilingual province in Canada (in contrast to Quebec, whose sole official language is French). Activities: There’s an 18-hole golf course and driving range at the park (and mini-golf for the light-hearted). The Mactaquac Lodge has a licensed bar and dining room for relaxing evenings without having to go to town. Mactaquac Lake and the St. John River invite swimmers, boaters and anglers to enjoy the waters. There are two beaches and a supervised swimming area, as well as a boat ramp, dock and marina. The park also allows windsurfing and canoeing. Enjoy a lovely picnic after hiking/walking along the many nature trails (one of which is wheelchair accessible). There’s a playground for the kids and a recreation field for soccer and other sports. See the park activities page for more things to do during your visit. Pets: Your pets are welcome to... Read more

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