BASECAMP 06.21.18 ... " Planning for Up North 2018 "

           I thought it might be interesting to document planning for this adventure. 

The process began in October 2017; approximately 9 months prior to our departure from Ontario, in July 2018 ...

" What is the effort required to plan for ... a 3 month trip that entails driving about 7,000 kilometres (one way) across much of Canada, involving 4 couples, using different methods, routes and schedules to rendez-vous in Whitehorse YT? All are travelling west from southern Ontario to as far north as Tuktoyaktuk on the Beaufort Sea in NWT. The trip includes a couple of different activities in fairly remote landscapes, each of those requiring as much as a 2 - 3 week commitment. "

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For this adventure, our group has chosen the name ... 

TEAM     FOUR     DEGREES

So, by way of introduction and in no particular order, WE Are ...

Katherine and Boyd - Hiking: August 2016, Salmon Glacier BC CANADA

The ALCAN Highway

For all those folks travelling to northern North America this season. 

You can't get to Alaska, USA without travelling through Canada first ... unless you fly or ferry the Inside Passage from British Columbia to Alaska.

I've noted recently, in a number of social media groups that I am a member of, that ... there seems to be some confusion surrounding the history, of the building of the ALCAN Highway.

For all you history buffs and to provide travel clarification, here's some information ...

In Canada, many oldtimers and locals still refer to this highway as the ALCAN, not the Alaska Highway.

Currently, the ALCAN (Alaska Highway) runs 2232 km (1387 mi) from it's beginning at ... Mile 0 Dawson Creek, British Columbia, CANADA to it's ending at Delta Junction, Alaska, USA.

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BACKYARD 06.09.18 ... "Cooking In 'The County'- Part 2"

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Part 6 in the Series, Exploring Our Backyard

... learning to make pasta a mano (by hand) ...

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While trying to explore some of the many things that our new stomping ground (aka 'The County') has to offer (and also to stay out of Crusty's hair), I came across Angelo Bean, Artisan sausage maker and Italian Cooking Studio.  A quick search of his website  found his 'Pasta 101' class, an introduction on how to make pasta a mano (by hand) using the old Italian techniques. I quickly signed up for the class and was certainly glad I did.

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BACKYARD 05.21.18 ... " Cooking in 'The County' " - Part 1

Part 5 in the Series, Exploring Our Backyard

... learning to cook Thai ...

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The County

After a 6 month delay we finally managed to move in to our new 'villa' (aka townhome) in March.  Our new home is located in Prince Edward County (fondly known as simply 'The County').  The County is known for its' vineyards, craft breweries, art galleries, restaurants, boutique shops, orchards, artisan cheese, quaint Inns and also for a couple of cooking schools.

After spending several weeks unpacking, cleaning and getting settled, I decided it might be time to explore part of what The County has to offer.  I did some research and decided to enroll in a couple of cooking classes.

From The Farm Cooking School

Swimmin' With The Fishies!

We weren't sure if we'd even get away!

We had intended on being away for the whole winter once again, but (as was the case, with our winter of 2015 plans) ... things got overly complicated!

A townhouse we are having built has been delayed by about 7 months now. We should have been moved in by August of 2017; unfortunately, we're now looking at mid-March 2018. We had also hoped to be away for 2-3 weeks but, now we're down to only one. We'll be joined by Heather & Randy but, unfortunately will miss our American friends Janet & Andy who will be there ' just a few days after us ' and Mark and Reese whom it seems, we will now ' miss by just a few weeks ' ... SIGH!

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This first view is from our our rental apartments' deck in Bath ON ... it was easy to leave! 

A 3 hour drive to Toronto, then a 4 hour flight, almost due south to Cozumel MEXICO and the next view ... it will NOT be easy to leave! 

BACKYARD 11.24.17 ... " A Re-purposed Distillery "

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Part 4 in the Series, Exploring Our Backyard

... a new brewpub opens ...

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Getting There

Open the map as [Full Screen], from the left-sided list choose a Numbered Location and click, zoom in/out.

Upgrading LOAF's Rear Suspension

' Technical posts, like this one, usually only get published on our other website / blog MEET LOAF. However,  this time I felt it was appropriate to also publish it here. There is a constant process of repair, modification and upgrade required to keep rigs, like our truck camper, safely conditioned for extensive adventure travel. 

We have travelled over 70,000 kms in 4 years, with this current set-up. 

This is our most recent upgrade ... it's just one example, but it places the continuous maintenance that is required, in perspective. '

Post follows ...

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Supersprings model ss13, were installed in June 2014, in an attempt to strengthen LOAF's rear suspension. After driving an additional 50,000 kms, we noticed they 'appeared to have lost their effectiveness' and we weren't sure why?

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Contributing technical author for this post, Shane Hanthorn, has been LOAF's passionate, lead mechanic since June of 2015.

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TRAVEL SNAPSHOT: 183 Days in 2016 / 2017

The travel statistics for this period begin in mid-December 2016 with an ' Around the World Trip. ' We visited 3 new continents and 6 new countries in almost 15 weeks. All that tired us out somewhat ... we returned home, took care of some adult-type responsibilities and then found time to embark on a few day trips exploring our own backyard. Once we were rested up even more, we tackled a couple of shorter adventures.

The maps below are interactive. To view our routes in detail you will need to begin by clicking on [  ] (top right corner) for full screen. Use the 'hand' to pan and +/- to zoom and reduce, as needed. The first map displays our Around the World trip, the second tracks a couple of adventures around Ontario, New Brunswick and PEI, for the remainder of 2017. 

If you've been following our most recent BASECAMP posts you'll understand why we've launched a new Series, Exploring Our Backyard. You'll also know why we were only able to road trip around our home province until early August, before escaping to Eastern Canada for a few weeks.

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FIRST CTCO Rally: Ontario Chapter

First Rally of  the Canadian Truck Camper Owners Facebook Group

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A suggestion by Gilles prompted the get-together, Helen advertised and organized the event, Marie & Steve gathered us all for a session of t-shirt tie-dying, Cecile organized use of the Legion's horseshoe pits, Nancy & Jim brought in a tailgate of firewood and Everyone provided good fellowship and entertaining conversation. 

We camped at the Lions Club CG located downtown; along the banks of the historic Rideau Canal. Merrickville is a pretty tourist town and is known for its' cafes, art scene and music concerts. There are several nearby historic sites within easy walking distance from the campground.

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Attendees

Christa & Stefan Garber, Kelly & Bob Paquette, Nancy Shepheard & Jim Bell, Cecile Cousineau-Forget & Luc Forget, Andra & Brian Wintonic, Cathie & Jeff Loos, Lydia & Gilles R Cote, Marie Misiura-Holm & Steve Holm, Martine Chagnon-Buda & Colin Buda, Peggy Belanger & Tom O'Kane, Gordon Baker & Lianne, Helen & Dann O'Kane. 

Missing
Unfortunately Peter Ovesny broke his foot. He and Lisa Stanton Ovesny were booked in but cancelled and stayed home; she played nurse.

Most members live nearby; Marie and Steve were already on the road travelling but they were the furthest away in Niagara Falls. Christa and Stefan are from Alberta (and Germany) but the timing worked for a scheduled visit with their Toronto-based children. 

The Tally
23 members, 1 guest, 3 dogs, 7 truck campers, 1 travel trailer, 1 class c, 3 cars

Kouchibouguac National Park

We drove from Linkletter PP in PEI, along as much of the remaining North Cape Route that we could, until road construction encouraged us to detour inland. 

A mild tailwind wind, nudged us back over the Confederation Bridge. 

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Along the Way to There ...

... I was able to continue my search for the ' World's Best Seafood Chowder '. This latest, tasty offering was from the Bayou Pub and Eatery in Shediac.

PEI North Cape Coastal Drive

Strong winds, horizontal rain and areas of fog moved onto the island for several days. 

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Probably the remnants of the several hurricanes moving  north from the Caribbean. We decided to change our plans to drive the complete North Cape Coastal Route. We turned south a few kilometres north of Jaques Cartier PP and followed the Trans Canada through the middle of the island to Summerside. From there, it's only a short drive to Confederation Bridge.

 But we did have some decent weather ...

Photos ... one of the many working oyster farms we have/and continue to drive by ... and, just one more of the countless, freshly painted churches we stopped to admire, then more pretty homes and more pretty properties ... next, one of several Lucy Maud Montgomery residences: (this ONE features - a glass canopy zoo containing a number of dead birds displayed on a branch, the homes kitchen pantry, the homes back-shed room, a typical bedroom)

Chignecto to Cavendish

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FUNDY NATIONAL PARK

Following the Bay of Fundy, east from River Beach PP to Fundy NP; is a short drive. Once there, we connected with our friend Charlie and his 'humans' for an easy hiking day. There are nearly 2 dozen hiking trails and 3 backpacking trails to choose from ranging from easy to difficult. This time of year the trails are much busier than they were a couple of years ago in September when we were here .

Dalvay-By-The-Sea

A rainy day, so we explored a nearby Canadian National Historic Site and enjoyed a very nice lunch in their dining room.
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Spotting a Rare Bird on Grand Manan Island

We sailed for 1.5 hours on the Grand Manan V ferry from Blacks Harbour on the mainland to North Head on Grand Manan Island, 

... We spent a week here,

... We met two more Journeymakers!

... We saw an extremely rare bird.

The fish chowder in the ferry cafeteria was more of a potato chowder, but still tasty. If you want to eat here, best arrive early; although staff are very friendly and helpful they really are over-burdened serving meals and wait times can be long. We were treated to a clear sailing, saw harbour porpoises, someone saw a whale. 

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Island Hopping

Mostly just photography, from a short leg of this trip; some sailing and some driving ... 

In New Brunswick; L' Etete to Deer Island to Campobello Island and return. That's Lubec, Maine USA (bottom left).

No More Delays ...' From Here to There '

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' To Canada's Maritime Provinces ... We're Heading East ! '

We've been prepared to leave for nearly a month now, but unresolved issues with our new homes' construction schedule delayed us somewhat.

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LOAF's feeling quite prepared too ... he's been subjected to a few planned DIY modifications, a major upgrade and some expected repairs.  

I've fabricated an air foil (to keep bug splatter and (possibly) fuel consumption down), extra body protection at a few camper locations (primarily to protect sensitive electrical and plumbing fittings), new and improved storage inside and outside (providing easier access to amenities, supplies, gear and tools). We've upgraded the tires to Load Range 129E; each is now capable of a maximum 4080 pound load (up from 3594 lbs, it's all about safety and drive-ability). The trucks backup alarms and rear camera have been relocated to the campers bumper. New exhaust manifolds complete the service; the OEM parts from FORD lasted a little more than 121,000 kms before cracking. Many Thanks to Shane (LOAF's lead mechanic) at Cannifton Garage in Belleville for much of this service.

So, we're away again ... this time our focus is on Canada's Maritime Provinces ... don't know how far east we'll get, don't know how many provinces we'll see ... but, we'll probably be gone for a couple of months.

A Journeymakers Garage

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It's been difficult for us ... to find a shop that will work on LOAF. 

LOAF is 13 feet tall and weighs more than 6 tons ... he's hard to get through a door and even tougher still to lift!

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BACKYARD 07.10.17 ... " Tall Ships and Vineyards "

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Part 3 in the Series, Exploring Our Backyard

... we set sail, drank fermented grape juice and were joined by The Raisins ...

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Getting There

Open the map as [Full Screen], from the left-sided list choose a Numbered Location and click, zoom in/out.

BACKYARD 07.01.17 ... " Flags & Rabbits "

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Part 2 in the Series, Exploring Our Backyard

... we celebrate Canada Day and have lunch in " the land of the running rabbit " ...

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Getting There

Open the map as [Full Screen], from the left-sided list choose a Numbered Location and click, zoom in/out.

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The FIRST Provincial Park in CANADA

Our Family's' camping history in Algonquin Park dates back to the late 1960's

Back Then ... Dann's parents would pack the family car with food, some beers and homemade wine for them and ginger beer for the kids, all the necessary camping gear and a few tents; later the family outfit evolved to include a couple of different tent trailer models. We survived black bears at our campsite and fish hooks in our thumbs, we poked rainwater through the sides of canvas tents and joyously paddled the family canoes ... the brilliantly shiny, excruciatingly noisy, searingly hot and tremendously sticky aluminium Grumman and we learned to appreciate the stable, camo-wrapped, sportsman friendly Coleman. Favourite spots were the Kearney Lake or Pog Lake campgrounds. Dad recognized, early on, the passion his kids had for the outdoors. He ' knew somebody who knew somebody ' and was instrumental in getting both Dann and Tom hired on as interior canoe rangers; each for several seasons. Lianne worked at the Canoe Lake Portage Store and later, Tom went on to work as a conservation officer in the park. 

So far we have tallied 31 different trips made, over an almost 50 year period; as day, extended weekend or multi-day back-country adventures. We have skied and snowshoed during the winter months; canoed, fished, backpacked, hiked and cycled from spring throughout autumn. This, will mark our 32nd time here.

A Historical Photo ... my oldest (not many survived; after editing, this old analogue barely did)

A typical early 1970's interior canoe ranger camp. Back-country gear then ... tea in a billy can, canvas pup tent with a tarp over to keep the rain off, rubber rain ponchos, blue jeans, braided nylon rope for clothesline.