The Most Unique Campground We Have Ever Stayed At

I am writing this from the awesome Radium Hot Springs in British Columbia - just a short drive over the Kootenay Mountains from Calgary. The expansive pool of hot mineral baths was a big draw, but staying at the Radium Springs Vacation Resort added a unique ‘one-of-a-kind’ touch to this stop. What a perfect place to celebrate Canada Day, July 1st.

Our park nestles in a picturesque valley surrounded by majestic mountains at every turn. Each full service level site is spacious, with quality connections including 30 and 50 amp power, plus cable. However what makes Radium Valley Vacation Resort (RVVR) so unique and special is every site features a 25-foot wooden deck that includes a 12’x12’ cabana with a peaked roof. Each cabana has built-in cupboards plus a large tables and benches as well a BBQ, filled with no-cost propane.

The park boasts a new clubhouse and a huge outdoor pool plus a large indoor pool with hot tub situated between two exercise rooms. Many additional amenities are offered. All in all, the cabanas, the scenic setting, the amenities and the location all add up to a campground 'extraordinaire.

Although RVVR is primarily open to timeshares and membership camping patrons ($11.00 per night for RV members). Contact info for non-RV members can be requested by phone from 1-250-347-9715. Without a doubt Radium valley Vacation Resort is the most complex picturesque park we have ever stayed at. John and I have been here about four times and on each occasion we are in awe at what is offered, both in the park and in the surrounding areas, Happy travels Peggi

RV Owners Lifestyle School Was A Huge Success

As of Monday 26th June, another successful session of the RV Owners Lifestyle School at Okanogan Collage in Kelowna, BC is now behind us, Over 3-days, the 188 students (maximum space is 200) attended 12, hour and a half seminars from a choice of 50 presentations. What was interesting is the majority of the students were brand new RVers – some didn’t even have an RV as yet. Most called British Columbia and Albert home. For certain these RVers will be so much better prepared for the enjoyable adventure that is ahead of them.

On the other hand, the 21 seminar presenters hailed from both sides of the border. These seasoned and experienced RVers each boast of numerous years of RV enjoyment. None of us were teaching from a professional point of view, instead we presenters simply shared our interests and expertise along with our love of extensive travel in a home on wheels.

My seminars included a ‘Canada Hotspots’ and ‘Extended Travels’ – both Power Point Presentations plus ‘How to Make Space Where There Is None’. But the line-up included topics such as batteries, propane, towing, insurance, RV weight, holding tanks, general travel and so very much more.

The days were long, but a variety of evening events helped everyone relax their minds as well as their bodies. The opening night ‘wine and cheese’ provided a super opportunity to become acquainted with other attendees. A three piece musical group encouraged dancing beside the aesthetic ‘Memory Pond’ on the second evening and as a Sunday night finale, we each enjoyed decadent catered ham dinner cooked by the Culinary Arts students.

Dry-camping on the college grounds ensured everyone was in easy access to the classes. The RV Owners Lifestyle School has grown continuously in 10 years. It is such a valuable experience, too bad it has not expanded across this vast country. It is always held in Kelowna, BC the last weekend in June. Stay tuned for registration and pricing early in 2008. Happy Travels, Peggi

More Changes At The Border.

In an earlier June Blog, I relayed changes in passport rules. However on our trip west this summer we experienced even more differences on a personal basis. We chose to travel from Ontario to British Columbia through the USA – via Michigan to Montana and then into Alberta. It was an awesome scenic trip to say the least, especially through South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana and into the Rockies. That will be a story for another time.

However we were surprised that agents at crossings in both countries treated our passports differently on this trip. In Port Huron, Michigan and again at Coutts, Alberta, the customs officials had our passports in their hands for about 3-minutes while they checked, and/or input info into the computer.

This is indeed a change in policy. In the past, officials would generally look at our passports, ask a few questions and hand them back to us. Yes our licence plates (tags) would always be checked, but any crossing history seemed to be buried deep in the file – if you had no tickets, no red flags went up.

It now appears as if dates of each crossing to and from your country of origin, plus how long you are in either country, may be obvious on a main file page. Not sure why, but it was apparent that both agents were recording, and/or checking info from our passports. This has never happened previously.

The general rule is visitors without visas can only stay in another country for 6-months per calendar year. Although this is not a new ruling, in the past many visitors, especially RVers, stretched these time frames. Without asking questions that would draw attention to myself. it now looks like time spent in another country could be a recorded fact. I am not sure what the agents were doing with our passports and because it was customs, I didn’t want to ruffle feathers by asking why. I am drawing my own conclusions and simply passing on border crossing changes that occurred on this summers trip into the USA and again returning into Canada.

Travel safe wherever you go, Peggi

One of Canada’s Top Five RV Parks

See also my previous post about driving through the mountains

Niece Kayla joined us in this beautiful city 5-years ago in British Columbia

The city of Kelowna BC is an awesome city – one highpoint is their expansive boardwalk that snakes along a picturesque waterfront. I will be presenting three seminars at the ‘RV Owners Lifestyle School’ at the Okanagan University (Canada’s answer to the ‘Life on Wheels Conferences’ that are held across the USA each summer).

Another highpoint of Kelowna for us is we are privileged to stay in 'Holiday Park'. This four-season resort is absolutely beautiful. They offer an overwhelming amount of services for RVers with diversified interests. It is an RPI (Resorts Parks International) park so members can stay for $8.00 (USA and Cdn rates at par) per night, but regular rates run close to $50.00 per night.

Some residents own their own lots and call this park their main home base for their RVs. Others add park models or buy a condo etc. The family style park offers a full choice of activities, four pools with hot tubs (one indoors) and recreation area plus so very much more. Golf course, tennis courts, biking, plus canoe and kayak rentals add to the mix.

Our site this time is a paved parking pad with an adjoining patio, the site is surrounded by a manicured hedge. When the owner is not using his site, the park rents it for him. This trip we are privileged to be on this well maintained site.

No matter where you look, a ridge of snow covered mountains surround the park – it adds to the outstanding beauty of the location. Since our arrival, Kelowna has had sunny beautiful days which has enhanced our stopover. If you plan to be in this are of BC, why not give Holiday Park a call. 1-250-766-4255

Tips To Navigate The Awesome Rocky Mountains

By morning light we could finally see the snow covered mountains. They were hidden when we arrived.

John and I arrived in Kelowna BC yesterday. We love this beautiful city but more on that in my next post. The 17th June when we arrived in Calgary and onto Canmore, the rain was on the verge of very wet snow. The clouds remained low and the road was wet as we left the next day for Kelowna. We met two RVers who were bragging that they always drive with their units in cruise control and allow their coach transmission to do what it wants.

But it did not take long for the clouds to move in again.

'Kicking Horse Pass' and then through 'Rogers Pass', John found he was driving in second or third gear much more than normal. The climbs and descents are long and steep, but on top of that there were many stops and starts due to mega construction where they are building a very tall bridge that will cut out many of the ups and downs of 'Kicking Horse Pass' between Field and Golden.

It will be an easy drive when the bridge will be finished

I am not an expert in driving techniques, but those who do not gear down in this terrain will find it very necessary to over use their brakes. I know I would hate to be caught going down a mountain with brakes that fade before I reached the bottom. When we first became Fulltimers 22-years ago, a neighbour stressed we should always go down a hill in one gear lower than we used to climb it. By allowing your engine to do the braking, you can keep your foot off the brake pedal. I am happy we were not on the same stretch of highway that the RVers we met were on during their journey,

John found that by staying in fifth gear or lower, the Luxor also did not overheat even once. Just for info, RVers heading to Alaska can reach Prince George by following the more gentle climbs of the Yellowhead highway through Edmonton and Jasper, Alberta. They can avoid the route we took altogether. Safe travels everyone, Peggi and John McDonald,

Take A Lobster Boat Tour, Plus Catch And Cook Your Dinner.

Passengers aboard the “Ambassador Lobster Boat” near Shediac, New Brunswick, cruise into complete lobster discovery. Experienced fishers allow you to haul in real lobster traps, teach you about the lobster, the fishery, the proper way to cook, observe a cracking demonstration, and finally, savour a freshly cooked mouth-watering complete lobster dinner. Sit back, relax and enjoy the seascape with a cool refreshment by your side and be pampered with our down home Acadian hospitality.

In 1998, Eric LeBlanc, bought a used 14-passenger 40-foot fishing boat to host lobster tours – Shediac Bay Cruises was launched. Four years later, he acquired his “Ambassador” – a new 53-foot vessel with 65-passenger capacity. He also decided to raise the bar – to assure his tour was a step above the competition.

The 2.5 hour cruise sails daily from late April to early November – pricing range from group to single to family rates. Location – Pointe du Chene, NB, near Shediac, NB. Call 1 888-894-2002 or 1-506 5322175 for details.

The Seven Wonders Of Canada for 2007 Are Final

Three judges from Canada's National News program, CBC.ca, declared the winners on the 7th June, 2007. More than 1 million votes by Canadian residents promoting 25,000 nominations eventually transformed into a short list of 52, Two weeks later that list was reduced to 15 nominees by the viewing public. Three judges then decided the final seven top choices (in no particular order) to portray the wonders and meaning of Canada. Brief comments from the Seven Wonders Of Canada website highlight each choice.

Canoes take many forms: from the slick lines of a racing canoe, to the ruggedness of a seagoing cedar canoe, from cleverly assembled birch bark, to the shiny fiberglass, or the comfy inflatable. The canoe has slipped quietly into the stream of the nation’s common parlance. Early explorers and voyageurs took their cue from the Aboriginal peoples of Canada, utilizing the canoe as the most versatile and reliable mode of transportation,


An igloo (Inuit language: iglu) or "snow house" is a shelter constructed from blocks of snow, generally in the form of a dome. Although igloos are mainly associated with the Inuit people of Canada’s Arctic (as well as being found in Greenland), they are also part of the common Canadian identity.

Quebec City is the capital of Quebec and, after Montreal, the second largest city in the province. Quebec's Old Town (Vieux-Québec) is the only North American fortified city north of Mexico whose walls still exist. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985, as the "Historic District of Old Quebec".

Founded in the early 17th century by French explorer Samuel de Champlain, la vielle capitale will celebrate its 400th anniversary in 2008, and its history shows. In Quebec’s Upper and Lower Towns, above and below the cliff, you can find at least 11 architectural styles, ranging from Classical Revival (1790-1820) to International Style (1930-1965).

Born around 12,000 years ago, Niagara Falls is a set of massive waterfalls located on the Niagara River, on the border between Canada and the United States. The Falls are comprised of three separate waterfalls: the Horseshoe Falls, the American Falls, and the smaller, adjacent Bridal Veil Falls. The are visible from both sides of the border but the most awesome vista is from the Canadian side.

From the late twenties to the early seventies, Pier 21 in Nova Scotia was Canada’s ‘front door’ to over a million immigrants, refugees, troops, wartime evacuees, war brides and their children. It has been compared to New York’s Ellis Island, and is intrinsically linked to Canada’s multicultural national identity.

When I thought about the 7 wonders of Canada it occurred to me that my entire life has been spent under a wonder and that would be the Prairie Sky. To me a wonder should evoke a sense of awe, feelings of mystery and majesty, power and constancy. Our Prairie Sky has taught us to look up, as those of us who depend on the weather are inclined to do.

This Wonder of Canada almost speaks for itself. From the brilliant blue of Lake Louise, the Valley of the Ten Peaks, towering Mount Robson, Moraine Lake, not to mention the gorgeous Banff Springs Hotel… all these magnificent jewels set brilliantly in one, whopping “wonder.” The Canadian Rockies are distinct from the American Rockies as they have been very heavily glaciated, resulting in sharply pointed mountains separated by wide, U-shaped valleys gouged by glaciers, whereas the American Rockies are more rounded.

As an RVer who moves around frequently from west to east and north to south, I would not want to highlight the many wonders we have seen down to only seven. It was a challenging task to sa the least. Happy travels.

Passport Rules for American Travelling By Air Is Relaxed

Washington has modified and relaxed the need for an American traveller to have a passport for air travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean. To help relieve a massive backlog of passports awaiting processing these latest rules allow travels from now until the end of September, 2007.

New requirements require that air travellers must prove they submitted an application plus carry a photo ID. Dates for land travellers remains at January 2008 but according to Canada/USA negotiations, plans are underway to extend this date to June 1 2009.

Apply for your passport soon – once you have proof of your application you can continue to enjoy a visit to Canada by land, air or sea.

Note: If you travel cross border by land, no passport is necessary but if you must return by air for an emergency, you may not be allowed into the USA if you have not previously applied for a passport.

Canada has also relaxed their rules as a result of the backlog but passports are still required – an application receipt is not enough. Many promos covering this subject are available on Google.com.

RV Travel Opportunities Now Available For Dialysis Patients

Last January, a newly registered Canadian non-profit organization became a corporation so they could raise money to offer freedom for dialysis patients, Travelaire in Red Deer, Alberta donated a 20 foot, Westwind trailer (value of $25,000.00) – $35,000.00 of dialysis equipment was added in the space of the tub and shower. Dialysis patients routinely spend much of the day several times per week undergoing lengthy hospital treatments. This trailer offers an opportunity to administer treatment at night, so they can get out and enjoy an RV adventure.

Dialysis treatments are necessary to extend life for many patients suffering from kidney problems. By having the equipment on board, Patients who are able to administer ‘home dialysis’ can schedule their lengthy treatments at convenient times. As a result they will not have to spend their daytime hours in a distant dialysis unit. If patients cannot self-administer the dialysis, a nurse may be able to travel with the patient. This trailer sleeps five.

By launching this program, two Red Deer women are changing the need for lengthy medical times for some people. It enables a number of dialysis patients to go camping and enjoy the outdoors. Both women are part of a program that provides dialysis ‘home’ treatment.

Since this special RV is located in Red Deer, Alberta it will mainly serve the northwest, but plans are underway to add more fully equipped RV’s to the fleet. A fund raising program is underway. Go here to participate or phone (403)-346-1706. Rental inquiries can be made by phoning (403)-343-7458.

Reasonable daily rental costs range between $75.00-$125.00 depending on the season. However renters must have a vehicle that can tow over 5000 lbs. Travel safe, Peggi

Narcisse Snake Dens, Manitoba Are Another Seven Wonder Nominee

In my last blog, I mentioned that a CBC.ca television contest was underway to discover the ‘Seven Wonders of Canada’. Large and small venues were suggested by Canadians and voted on by over a million others. Although the personal voting is now closed – the final decision is in the hands of three-judges. Winners will be announced during the Sounds of Canada program on the 7th June.

The Narcisse Snake Dens are located six kilometers north of Narcisse, Manitoba. (136 km north of Winnipeg). Each winter, tens of thousands of non-venomous Red-sided Garter Snakes live in a selection of natural subterranean limestone caverns. In the spring when the snakes leave their dens, they mate before they head to nearby marshes for the summer. It is the world’s largest gathering of this variety of snakes.

The best time and place to witness this tangled slithering mass is from the viewing platform during early spring - just after the snow melts. One visitor Kari, stated that she expected to ‘see’ the snakes, but she was so surprised to ‘hear’ them. The sounds of their scales as they rubbed together made an awesome noise. Kari was also surprised to talk with so many visitors who came to the den to overcome their ‘fear’ of snakes. Tunnels have even been built under the roads to restrict deaths of the snakes due to traffic.

The Famous ‘Montreal Bagel’ Made The Short List

CBC.ca are hosting a contest to discover the “Seven Wonders of Canada”. Each selection was suggested by a Canadian and voted for by Canadians. Finalists will be announced on the ‘Sounds like Canada’ program airing on the 7th June. A total of 25,000 nominations received over one million votes – public voting is now closed, but three judges will take it from here.

Small or large historical stopping spots, unique attractions and one-of-a-kind creations made the short list of 52 competitors. The main criteria - each nominee must be totally Canadian and have the ability to inspire. Candidates were selected in various categories from diverse Canadian locations.

Knowing the criteria, it was easy to see why the owners of the famous Viateur Bakery in Montreal were surprised to be included on the short list. However their loyal customers feel Montreal Bagels are so fresh, soft and chewy – unlike any such delicacies available anywhere – it was obvious to them that Viateur Bakery was a one-of-a-kind unique Canadian local business.

These bagels are made with special ingredients and boiled in a large pot before they are baked in a wood-fired Kiln. During each twenty-four hour period, long planks loaded with lines of unbaked doughy bagels dipped in sesame or poppy seeds continuously move in and out of the oven. Add cream cheese to these warm delicacies and it helps to understand why they made the short list.