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RE: Riding Mountain NP Manitoba ... will we fit?
Boy did we ever fit! There are hundreds of sites and the full servie pull thrus are huge! In the full service area there was only one other camper and in the smaller sites there were probably 6 campers.
Trees were thick which meant no satellite but that was okay. Weather was awful and that was not so good. We had very poor luck finding animals. Saw a couple of ducks, several geese, one white-tail and one bison (that I swear was probably staked out within view of the exhibit). We also had snow (nothing sticking but still snow).
Diann
P.S. TrailerLife has BAD INFO on this park. Hopefully I will get on the stick and report it.
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robanddi
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05/24/12 05:34pm |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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RE: Riding Mountain NP Manitoba ... will we fit?
almcc, I was posting a response to Little Kopit as you were posting. Thanks for first hand info. We always prefer the park campgrounds when we can fit and are looking forward to arriving maybe later today!
Diann
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robanddi
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05/23/12 06:49am |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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RE: Riding Mountain NP Manitoba ... will we fit?
Thanks, Little Kopit. I don't know why I always believe Trailer Life which said site length was 20'. Even the on-line information does not give lengths. I called this morning and they will accomodate 35' so we'll fit (assuming we can put the truck elsewhere).
It will be good to cross the border this morning with hopefully everything fixed!
Diann
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robanddi
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05/23/12 06:47am |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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Riding Mountain NP Manitoba ... will we fit?
We want to see this park and would like to camp inside but it seems the slots are too small. We are 34' long (towing a full-size pickup which we can detoad). Must have at least 30 amp or the ability to run generator to recharge house batteries.
Will we fit in any of the campsites within the park or must we stay outside and then drive the toad to see the park?
Diann
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robanddi
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05/22/12 06:19pm |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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RE: Arrrrrrrrrrrrg! Part II
Thanks for all the good thoughts and smart comments! We are grateful it happened when we were close to cities where we could get service. In past years we have had some issues that were resolved in Canada very successfully (so I don't want to disparage our friends to the north).
Re Puff of smoke issue: We had a full tank and it wasn't a lot of smoke just whisps. They did test for error codes and none were found. The only thing they found was the dirty air filter.
Re Abby: Boomer would make a great playmate for her. Both breeds have energy to spare and Abby loves all dogs except when they walk by the rigs. She has to bark to tell them they are encroaching (or maybe she's just jealous they are out and she is in).
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robanddi
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05/19/12 10:55am |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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Arrrrrrrrrrrrg! Part II
We have been on the road over a week and still have not crossed the border. We did a 3-day layover to visit family in Missouri but have run into some motor home problems since.
First, while following me (when we had to relocate campgrounds) Robert noticed puffs of smoke coming from the exhaust when I went up hill. He was concerned and we stopped at a Cummins place in Iowa. They diagnosed dirty air filter (Robert was mad at himself; we have one back in Texas ... he had checked before leaving and the external indicator said it was fine; it wasn't).
Second, as we were going to our campsite in East Grand Forks, MN, we heard something (strange groaning noise ????). Robert walked beside while I drove and felt it might be universal joint fixing to go out. Found a semi truck place near by and they checked out u-joint. It was fine BUT the right rear wheel was too hot to touch. (Robert had tested this with his infrared thermometer - point and shoot - and it did not show a problem.) The mechanic was underneath touching inside of tire on right rear. Bottom line: slider was stuck and brake linings were ground down asymetrically. We are having parts shipped from Texas and they will install on Monday.
The good news is that we are in a delightful campground (I already posted about Red River State Rec Area elsewhere on the forum). Also we have encountered friendly and helpful folks along the way and that has helped us keep our tempers in check and go with the flow. Abby has been unaffected by our travails (but tonight thunder storms are predicted and she will not like that).
Diann
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robanddi
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05/18/12 07:28pm |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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Red River State Recreation Area (MN/ND)
We stumbled across this gem in East Grand Forks, MN (just across the river from Grand Forks, ND). The park was created after the devastating flood of 1997. FEMA came in and bought 500 homes and buildings and created 1200 park with a large campground of 113 sites (85 electrical with full hookups - most pull thrus). There are trails for walking and biking plus fishing and boating and entertainment and restaurants within walking distance.
Cost us $31 which included a $5 daily state park fee. I think it costs more later in busy summer season.
Diann
Here is our site and view:
Can't seem to post photos or link to photos!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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robanddi
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05/16/12 07:36pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
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RE: Arrrrrrrrrrrrg! Count down is over!
Jim, in my heart I know you are right but in my head I get anxious without contact to the outside world. I don't mind turning off the contact myself but I want it done at my discretion.
Silly, but for me that makes a difference.
Diann
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robanddi
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05/11/12 07:20am |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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RE: Arrrrrrrrrrrrg! Count down is over!
Little Kopit, saw a pair of Canada geese (I finally learned to not say Canadian geese) today in the grass median (wide) on the Kansas Turnpike aka I35. Have seen a couple of more but only 1 or 2 at a time.
Diann
P.S. You know I am a tree hugger from way back! I do love trees and hate to see any cut down BUT I am hooked on my satellite connection so I just look for someplace somebody else cut them down (LOL).
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robanddi
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05/10/12 03:46pm |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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Arrrrrrrrrrrrg! Count down is over!
We leave today! There is a light mist which is inhibiting some of the last minute chores including bathing Abby. Surprisingly we both slept well last night and are raring to go this morning.
For those like us who abandon stick houses for extended periods, it is a real PIA trying to remember what we need to do before pulling out of the drive. I make lists, revise lists, start new lists and still have a niggling feeling there are some things left off.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I will be able to use my own Internet on a regular basis; we are switching to a different satellite and have been told we should be ableto get reception in AK assuming there is a clear line of site. (Those pesky trees and mountains often get in the way.)
Hope to see fellow travelers on the road this summer. Have a great summer wherever you are.
Diann
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robanddi
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05/09/12 06:45am |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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RE: Time to upgrade my Droid phone. Any recommendations?
I got a Motoroloa Droid Razr Max about one month ago. It is my first smart phone and I love it. There is a steep learning curve (for me) and I ain't there yet but I'm progressing. Battery life seems okay but then I am retired and can plug it in thru the day. I have used it for 6-8 hrs without a charge but I don't stream videos. No, no, not me; I'm hooked on Drawsome, Words with Friends and the hangman app.
Diann
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robanddi
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05/07/12 02:30pm |
Technology Corner
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RE: Where to stay on the Kenai Penninsula.
We always travel with a dog (now it is a very spoiled GSP)and most of the time she goes with us in the toad but on occasion we do leave her in the motor home. As mentioned A/C is seldom required BUT there are other needs for hook ups (at your site or not) including dumping and taking on fresh water. We need to run our generator to charge batteries (within posted hours, etc. etc.) and to use convection oven.
Having said all that, we seldom make reservations. For special days (4th of July, local holiday, meeting up with friends) we may reserve a couple of weeks in advance; otherwise we take pot luck. Our policy is to stop mid afternoon unless we are willing to camp in box store parking lot. The latter comes in handy when going from point A to point B and you are not much interested in what's between.
There are some fabulous provincial and state parks in western Canada and Alaska that would be a shame to miss. One of our very favorites is at Muncho Lake in BC (I used to always say Strawberry Flats but I gotta quit that or it's gonna be full when we arrive - LOL).
Diann
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robanddi
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05/07/12 01:05pm |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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RE: Where to stay on the Kenai Penninsula.
We love the Kenai (of course we love most of AK). I think it is a beautiful place and there are some absolute musts (per us). We don't fish so this may mean our priorities are different from others.
sue.t is right about the traffic and we avoid driving down or back on the busy weekends or when the salmon are running (thou it is fun to watch combat fishing).
Seward City Campground is great. You can't beat the view and there are excellent boat day trips to Kenai NP. Personally we lay in wait for a front row spot and then stay until supplies run low or tanks fill up. You get to watch people and boat traffic all day long and often a sea otter drifts by. Exit Glacier is good for a side trip.
Homer especially on the Spit is one of our favorite places. It can be hectic especially on the weekends but if you stay at the Homer Spit Campground, you can walk to the places on the spit and check out the fish haul every evening. Hopefully there will still be eagles around since the demise of the Eagle Lady. There are drives out from town with fantastic views and we have gone and seen only a couple of other vehicles (this is best done in your tow vehicle). Don't miss the lookoff just before you descend to Homer. The flowers are gorgeous and the views great.
We have stayed at several different campgrounds around and south of Soldotna. Nothing as magical as Seward or Homer but still nice and closer to river fishing.
Don't forget there are day, overnight and longer trips over Cook Inlet to Katmai (if you can stand making reservations way way in advance) or to Lake Clark NP (less well known) with grazing brown bear. We did a day trip in '06 and plan to do an overnighter with friends this year.
Diann
P.S. The tunnel is a treat and so is the ferry to Valdez. We also love Valdez but be prepared 'cause it rains alot there. Another hidden (to us) gem was Childs Glacier out of Cordova (take the ferry from Valdez). There is a wonderful campground (can't remember who runs it BLM?) and absolutely fantastic glacier watching from the shore of Copper River.
P.P.S. Oh, well, I tend to run on and gave you more than you asked for. So I'll stop!
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robanddi
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05/07/12 11:40am |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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RE: Spare tire for diesel pusher?
Hmmmmmmmm. I'm gonna keep my fingers crossed for us and hope others are not unfortunate as trigley with two flats within a few days and both times in the boonies. We do tow so worst case we unhook and drive for help!
Diann
P.S. I'm not going to let anything rain on my parade. I'm not quite packed but mentally ready to leave IN LESS THAN A WEEK.
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robanddi
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05/05/12 07:32am |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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RE: Where to find pet sitter when on the road?
We leave our dog for up to two weeks at a time. However, we always check out the place before doing so. I suggest a visit and questions may relieve some of your concerns. We have been lucky (???) and have never had a major issue.
Diann
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robanddi
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05/04/12 05:21pm |
RV Pet Stop
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RE: Spare tire for diesel pusher?
I should mention that we do have towing service for the motorhome; that does relieve one part of the problem (assuming they can find you ... last year in Newfoundland we had a breakdown and the tow guy thought NL stood for Netherlands). We did manage to limp back to St. John's without a tow.
Diann
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robanddi
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05/04/12 03:46pm |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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RE: Spare tire for diesel pusher?
We have traveled 150,000 miles in our DP including 3 trips to Alaska and 4 to Newfoundland. We don't carry a spare and have never had a flat (fingers crossed our luck will continue as we head out to Alaska next week). My husband is pretty diligent about checking tires (on DP and Avalanche) and replacing as needed.
Being retired with almost complete flexibility is a part of the decision process and also the fact we could not change the tire without help anyway. We have had other breakdowns (not many thank goodness) on the road and have limped back or gotten assistance.
Hope you have a wonderful trip. Look for a hyper GSP named Abby; we'll be accompaning her.
Diann
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robanddi
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05/04/12 04:50am |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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RE: Spring has sprung - Yukon River ice breakup at Dawson City
Wow! I am getting so excited; we leave in a week.
Diann
P.S. I guess I better bring long pants ... just looking at all that ice is making me cold sitting here in A/C in my shorts.
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robanddi
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05/01/12 04:06pm |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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RE: Arctic Circle Tour?
We did Barrow overnight in 2000 or 02 and loved Fran (author of Tacos on the Tundra). We did two trips out of Fairbanks (one fly/drive to Coldfood and the other fly/drive to Prudhoe Bay). We have driven our Avalanche up as far as the Yukon River.
While all the trips were interesting we enjoyed the Prudhoe Bay best of all. I think it was because of the people and the guide (excellent). We had to land on the way up at Coldfoot (supposedly Deadhorse was socked in - it wasn't). Continued flight and overnighted at Deadhorse. Got to dip toes in the Arctic Ocean/Beaufort Sea. Weather was awful most of the way driving back but we still had hilarious time stopping at every puddle so Steffanie (the driver) could dip her window washer and try to scrape mud off windows. Overnighted at Coldfood. We went on optional fly to Gates of the Arctic NP and Anaktuvuk Pass (which literally means lots of caribou sh_t - no joke and this is a good thing as the natives, Eskimos who went inland, live off the caribou). We went with Arctic Air Tours (?) and it cost just under $1800 for 2 nts/3days 2 people.
I think we drove to the airport ourselves each time. We actually parked the DP at the airport when we went to Prudhoe Bay in a secure area for a couple of $ a night.
Diann
P.S. sbishop, our friends drove Model T's all the way from Texas to Deadhorse! Five vehicles began the trip but only 3 completed it.
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robanddi
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04/30/12 07:30am |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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RE: The Alasa Highway yesterday
Great pictures and makes me feel cold in my shorts back here in Texas. Maybe I need to pack a couple of jackets when we leave mid May!
Diann
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robanddi
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04/23/12 07:06pm |
RVing in Canada and Alaska
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