And I Would Drive 11,000 kms To You...

The star of the show was Maje!

During the excitement of leaving one month ago, I didn't set the trip counter on my odometer. I know before we left, Maje was at about 210,000. Tonight she is reading 221,482. So I'm going to say my kids and I have travelled 11,000 kms in the last month.

We are home!  I have 2 very excited children. They are amazed with all the space in our house!

The last day of travel was spent on Michigan's Upper Peninsula. I wish I wasn't so tired and anxious to get home. I think out of the whole drive, that stretch was my favourite. The UP (that's what the 'Yoopers' call it) is my kind of place.  As my dad said when we got home, it's Muskoka before Muskoka got over populated. The UP is full of lovely small towns where time has stood still. The views of Lake Superior are amazing. The size of this lake is overwhelming. I plan to return to this area someday and spend more time. Definitely a hidden treasure!

Michigan's Upper Peninsula - Lake Superior's Vastness!

Yoopers call these Pasty's - I didn't love them but maybe it's a local thing

I appreciate all the kind comments and support for this blog. It started out as a way to record all the fun that we experienced along the way and has turned into a 'thing'. Keith was blown away when he returned home and was told by friends of friends how much they enjoy reading about our adventures.

As this is a personal blog, please forgive the following. This was a big adventure for us and I would like to acknowledge those who made it very special and memorable.

First and foremost I want to give a shout out to our amazing kids. I'm biased, yes, but I know that these 2 have been anxious to get home for close to a week now. There was very little complaining and they never said they regretted the trip. This was all for them and their willingness to follow me on a dream is something I will never forget. Parker and Abby: you are the best travel companions - open to spontaneity and adventure! I hope you look back on this month and know that I wanted you to have an experience. It came from a place of love and a love of travel. I hope you look forward to many travel adventures of your own and remember me.

I want to thank my super supportive husband, Keith. He knows me well enough to ask if I'm planning my next adventure. I'm taking the night off from travel planning! You are always supportive of my hair brained adventures. For this, I will love you to the end of my days. I know you love being home or being on the boat, but meeting us for the 2 weeks was a great family vacation and the highlight for the kids. They love you so much and missed you everyday. Thanks for being the backbone to the family and the best partner a girl could ask for!

Thanks to my brother, Stephen for coming on the first few days of our trip to make sure I was going to be ok. We were SO glad to have you aboard for those first few exciting days! You got us when we were brimming with excitement! 

Thanks to Nana Jojo for meeting us in Calgary and driving home with us. You got us on the tail end of the adventure when we were tired and sometimes grumpy. Your excitement got us excited to share Maje with you. We hope you had fun! I know the kids will always remember you being with us with fond memories and a few laughs.

I want to thank coffee for fuelling my mornings and wine for easing the stress of the day. I looked forward to you both on a daily basis. Keep up the great work.

Hats of to the truck drivers of the world. I don't know how you spend your days on the highways. It takes a special kind of person to drive for a living. I felt akin to you all these past few weeks. I tried to be respectful and give you space. Sometimes I even gave a little wave because I now know what it's like to do a long haul. It's ok that you didn't wave back, I'm not part of the club, I get it.

Here's a special shout out to the guys out there who did a double take when they saw me slide out of the RV (because I'm too short to step out). I know you were wondering where my husband was when I was filling up with gas or emptying out the sewage. My sundresses were meant to emphasize the fact that this was a walk in the park. Driving big things isn't just for dudes. Oh, if you want, I'll tell you how to keep your sewer hose smelling like fruit, just ask.

The other star, my amazing GPS welcomed us home with a heart!

Wide Open Spaces!

Morning all from CALGARY! We made it.  We are going to pick Keith up in a few hours.  It is HOT here. We spent a steamy night in Walmart. Everything is booked because the stampede started yesterday. We’ll check into our campground this afternoon.  The kids are totally pumped that we don’t have to travel today AND we are staying for 3 days AND there’s a pool.  Life is good.

This entry is for my dad. He would never know this is written for him, but my mom is following (Hi Mom) and she will make him read it and he’ll nod and say something like, ‘that’s good that she’s in Calgary’.  He’s gotten even quieter in his older age, but still waters run deep, real deep and I want him to know that I love him.

Al is turning 80 today! 80!

There’s a song that says,

So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart…

So much of me is my dad. I don’t know if he would’ve ever embarked on a month-long journey out here, but I think he gets why I’m doing it and why I’m not there to celebrate with him today.  When your mom hits a milestone birthday, you take her away for the weekend and shop and have room service and high tea. But dads are a bit simpler. They don’t need a special day all about them anymore. They are content if you’re happy and safe and Dad, I am both of those. 

Happy Birthday! I’m driving ‘er level and being careful. You’d be impressed with how many people have passed me on this journey. I don’t mind, I just ease up and let them go. I’ve been careful to take corners slowly and wide.  I’ve only hit 2 curbs, which considering the distance we’ve gone, that’s pretty good. I’ve only had to slow down once to the point where everything shifted forward in the motorhome…We’ll tell you about our ‘other’ adventures later.

18 years ago, after my 1^st year of teaching I NEEDED to go to Europe.  I went all by myself and I’m sure you worried then as you’re worrying now.  You gave me a card that I still have all these years later.  In it you wrote, ‘how can we keep you on the farm now that you’ve seen Paree (Paris)’.  I took that to mean that you understood my wanderlust and I’m going to assume you still get it today.  I’m sorry I’m missing the actual day, but there will be a slice of watermelon that we can share when I get back.  I hope you have a ‘fisherman’s feast’ tonight and think of me.  I’ll be thinking of you xoxo

Happy 80^th Birthday PAPA! – Love Abby & Parker xoxoxoxo

Conversations with Abby

Having Abby in the front seat, you never know what you are going to get.  Here are a few of her musings. Can you believe these kids came from the same parents????

Completely out of the blue -

A: I feel sorry for _____. Her lungs are black. Cuz she smokes.
Me: Well smoking is an addiction
A: Ya ______ tried to quit but she felt sick.
Me: That's too bad, isn't it?
A: Did you ever try smoking?
Me: Yes, I did
Silence
A: I'm going to try not to try
Me: Ok Abby, sounds good

A: Mommy, who is your hero?
Me: Well I have lots of heroes.  Nana is my hero because she did everything for me so that I could go to school and become a teacher.  Papa is my hero because he was always optimistic and knew things would work out. You're my hero because you are kind and considerate but you stand up for yourself. And Parker is my hero because he's so thoughtful and sensitive.
A: Ya, you and daddy are my hero. And Parker is too. Because he's so smart. Like he can't spell, but he's still smart. Hey, Parker?
Parker: What?
Me: Who's your hero?
Parker: What, like Batman?
Me: Forget it buddy.
P: Ok

Me: Hey! Is that an oil rig? Look, I think it's an oil thing! Anyone? Look out the window! Nothing! I get nothing!
A: Well, mommy, you don't always answer me
Me: I try Abby, but you talk a lot
A: Mommy, that is so rude.

A: This is fun and everything, but is it going to get better? I mean all we are doing is sleeping and driving.
Me: I'm having so much fun. It's fun though right? Parker are you having fun?
P: I'm having as much fun as I can

There's about a million other things that we talked about but that's what stands out...

Sundown in the Paris of the Prairies

We are somewhere between Moose Jaw and  Swift Current. If I had to give it a name it would be Buffalo Jump.

We were excited to be done with Ontario and got to Brandon, Manitoba in the early evening. We pulled into MeadowLark Campground, did some laundry and had a shower. #cleanagain

After a good sleep we were back on the road this morning, feeling rested and happy.

We quickly passed into Saskatchewan and I stopped at the welcome centre only to find out that it was closed!? Weird.  I sent Abby to read the sign.  She came back to inform me that not only was it closed, the building was empty.

As I was about to leave the parking lot, I saw an interesting sight. I'm trying to word this nicely because my kids thought I was being mean.  A family had pulled up and out came 3 children. Two young boys were dressed almost alike in the same patterned shorts. Then an older girl got out, dressed in the same material as the boys' shorts. I looked closer and realized the white material was printed with red maple leaves. Then the whole family put on these tall (I have to say dunce) caps that were red and patterned. They had noise makers and signs. They proceeded to take a pic at the Saskatchewan sign. The whole family poses with their dunce caps, homemade canadiana- material clothing and 150 signs. I couldn't help it, as I'm driving away thinking I should've taken a pic (I didn't), I start laughing and I can't stop. I laughed until I cried. I'm laughing now. All day I would be driving along and just burst into laughter at what I witnessed. My kids didn't think it was funny at all and gave me looks like this:

This is what delirium feels like I think. Spontaneous bursts of uncontrolled laughter - all.day.long. So funny.  So in addition to this blog, if you are following a friend or family member who is also travelling the country and has perhaps outfitted their family with clothing, 'caps' and noise makers; let them know I think they are awesome. I didn't even stop at the Manitoba border much less get a picture. Way to go Canada cheerleaders! I'm not a bad person. I just needed a good laugh.

If you don't believe in Karma, read on my friend. About an hour later, I decided it was time to stop for a rest. As always I GENTLY turned the corner into a picnic area and heard a crash. I ask  'all good?' And the reply I got was, 'it's the milk'. Do you know how much 2L of milk is? Do you really? It's a lot.  When I finally got stopped, I was witness to a sea of white. Now, because I'm no longer swearing, I remain calm, but it's not a spill that is going to wipe up with some paper towels.  This is a throw-open-the-door-fling-the-mats-out kind of spill.

At the same time in the parking lot, a couple of men have also stopped and have their binoculars out to 'bird watch'. Today they got a treat - a raging, sweating mother schlepping carpets out of a motorhome. A rare sight? Perhaps. They might even be laughing spontaneously RIGHT now in remembrance of the sight. I don't know, but Abby informed me that I shouldn't have laughed at that family.

Oh ya, in all the excitement, we discover that somewhere between the Saskatchewan border and the picnic area, Parker has lost a flip flop.  He started crying (not from laughter) because he realized he put the milk in the fridge the wrong way and he only has one shoe.  Poor kid. I told him we can't cry over spilt milk, threw Maje into drive and got back on the Highway. Lesson learned.

We Are Never Getting Out of Ontario!

So now I have to pay Parker and Abby a 'Desormeaux Dollar' every time I say the F word.  They don't even have to hear it. They have joined forces. It started when I hit my head on the bunk that overhangs the driver area.  A little piece of my scalp will be there forever- just saying.  So yes, the bomb came. As I'm trying to gain control,  Parker says to me: 'Mommy, just cry, then you don't have to swear'. Sage advice. And here we are.  I didn't slip up today so I'm calling that a win for me.

We spent the last few days in Thunder Bay.  It's a beautiful city.  The KOA was great, the owners were friendly and helpful.  Apart from visiting the Terry Fox Memorial, getting a pic of Sleeping Giant and doing all the kid stuff at the KOA, I had a mission to fulfill.  I needed to find 'The Persian Man' and try the famous Persians I had heard so much about.  I am a self confessed foodie, but I usually prefer a savoury palate.  Nonetheless, I was willing to give it a go.  Here is my review:

I tried to eat it with a fork - ended up eating with my hand

At first glance the Persian looks like a super sweet donut.  I was thinking it might be a bit too sweet for me.  And it's huge.  At $1.10, it's definitely worth the money.  It's a semi plain cinnamon bun with a good pink icing (reminds me of 'pink things' that you find at church bazaars).  I really liked it.  I didn't think it was too sweet, just good.  I like the cinnamon bun idea.  I prefer a traditional cinnamon bun (no icing), but because the bun isn't sweet, it's all good. I wouldn't turn down another. The custard slice was good too. That was a blast from the past.



Here's the highlights of our conversations in the front of the RV - It was a Parker afternoon

Me: So are you having any fun?
P: Ya, I like the sleeping and the movies...I also like playing with fire

P: I'm amazed how the beaver can make those dams...

P: I don't think I should have eaten a whole bag of popcorn and a Persian...

P: Old Outch - that's weird
Me: It's Old Dutch, Parker, those are chips

P: You're swerving Mommy! Mommy! Swerving!

P: I'm having a craving for tic tacs and bbq chips...

P: I think we're on a tilt.

P: Do you want me to shut up now?

P: The Persian was a little too sweet for my front teeth.

P: DRYICE - what's dryice?
Me: That's dry ice, Parker.

P: We need to stop on the side of the road and build an Inukshuk

P: This arrowhead was not well made, it just broke off in my mouth

P: Am I yammering on?
Me: No, buddy, not at all :)

Parker now has an semi broken arrowhead necklace that he purchased from yet another trading post.  Abby really wanted a dreamcatcher from that stop, but couldn't part with her money (whadup?). A little further down the road, she found a much cheaper version in an Esso - sorry traditional native trading post lady.

Tonight I'm really thinking we need to get moving and stop shopping.  I can't believe we are still in Ontario.  Another Walmart but in Dryden this time.  I have to say the parking lot smells a little like pee, but it's free. Keith is so proud. More money to spend at a trading post tomorrow. We are saving so much money!

What are these lovely flower/weeds?

I'm in love with them!  They are all over the sides of the highway in big clumps.  I started noticing them south of Thunder Bay.  To me they look like lupins but maybe just a weed? They smell great as well.  They are cancelling out the pee smell in the parking lot.

If I don't get out of Ontario tomorrow, I'm gonna owe the kids some money.

The BEST Canada Day Ever!

Hello from the road!

Here are the kids on Friday evening, so excited to get started on an adventure of a lifetime!

Tonight we are all tucked in at Rainbow Falls Provincial Park, third night and we've all had showers (#clean)  I'm sitting by candlelight (battery operated but still...) and thinking about how to sum up the last 24 hours. A Canada Day not to be forgotten! We've covered a lot of ground, met lots of nice people and I think we've checked off some tourist sights for Abby and Parker's bucket list although really it's MY bucket list for them, but whatevs.

Our Friday destination was Sudbury.  I figured we'd be there by 9ish, but ended up pulling into the Walmart parking lot around 10:30 - Maje goes a bit slower than I'm used to travelling.  She is weighed down with a lot of stuff, despite my efforts to keep Abby from bringing every stuffed animal and trinket she THINKS she needs for the next month. The rattling and shaking in the RV takes some getting used to, not mention I'm constantly looking in my mirror, watching 4 mountain bikes bounce on the bike rack.  I'm then envisioning them flying off onto the highway, causing mass chaos and I ease up on the gas every time. Never have I ever had so many people pass me.  It's very humbling.  And where is everyone going in such a hurry? Seriously.

Walmart, Sudbury ON offers a great view for RV peeps. We scored the last of the prime realty.

Of course, it was too late on Friday night for a pic, damn you Maje.  These were taken in the morning.  Just don't look the other way and you'd think you were in a great locale.

The view from the other side.

Now the beauty of being in Walmart meant that I could pick up all the things I remembered that I had forgotten on the LONG drive to Sudbury: shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, tin foil, AAA batteries...  However, Sudbury Walmart closed at 10pm (double damn you, Maje) and isn't it nice that Walmart employees have Canada Day off?  Nice.

Big Nickel - check!

Farmer's Markets were everywhere! - hello? Saturday morning in June!  Wahoo!  Keith would never stop for all this! We stopped at one in Blind River and I sent Abby to buy some maple syrup (another thing I forgot) from the local market lady, "Flo" who promptly pocketed Abby's change and the maple syrup has leaked all over the cup holder. At least now we can make pancakes.

Next up? A series of amazing Trading Posts. This would be another No from Keith, but a big Yes from mom. Parker is now the proud owner of a really great bow and arrow and another fidget spinner. I'm thrilled, we def needed another one of those. We all feel sad that Parker is out of money, but he's been extremely helpful, hoping to rack up those 'Desormeaux Dollars'.  Abby, on the other hand has been strangely frugal but did buy a used stuffed turtle from our friend Flo, which has been living in our awesome freezer (which actually freezes stuff) waiting for the ok to come out after the dust mites have died.  She has named her 'Summer'.  We look forward to her being tossed around the space soon.

Obligatory pics from Trading Posts - check, check, check!
We are never going to get anywhere fast.

We even happened upon a Canada Day Parade about to start in a small town that was drawing huge crowds.  Well, I'm sure it did draw huge crowds eventually. The lone man sitting in a fold up chair all by himself on the side of the road was taking no chances. He got there early in order to get the best spot.

We even went through a town that celebrated with 150 Canadian flags!

What I can't make light of is the amazing views we've been able to experience the past 2 days. This is truly a road trip that everyone should experience. My kids, once I screamed at them over the noise from Maje and the sound of whatever movie they were watching, agreed that it is indeed beautiful.  When someone is in the front with me it's a no device zone and they are watching the views and chatting with mom. I think these times will be the most special for me on this trip. Conversations in the car are great anyways and seeing Canada through their eyes is what I'm looking forward to the most. The joker in the back on the iPad will get my attention when it's his/her turn in the front with mom.

Aguasabon Falls & Gorge

Lake Superior

Rainbow Falls PP

So yes, lots of memories made on this Canada Day 2017, but the best ever? Maybe that's a little excessive. It will definitely be a day that I will look back on and remember what I was doing on July 1st 2017. Here's a few cryptic pics to keep you guessing. I'm saving the real story for the end of the trip but here's some other things we did to keep busy yesterday..

hmmm.

Already, this is his fav memory of the trip!

def after hours

What are you doing?

hooligans

by day a busy trading post, at night...

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work!

Well it's a race to the start of this adventure.  This month has been a blur!  End of the school year for the kids and I includes late nights, weekend boating, birthday celebrations for Keith, Nana, Mamo, Papa, retirement parties, Graduations, end of the year celebrations, teacher gifts, moving classrooms, report cards...we are all just going on adrenaline and watching for the light at the end of the tunnel. Throw in a major trip and it gets chaotic.  My amazing team is working hard.  The kids have been excitedly packing as I go behind them and unpack the unnecesary items.  Keith is fixing leaks and making sure Maje is ready for the big journey.  I've got virtual lists and handwritten lists and they are starting to come together.  I know I will forget something, but we have our newly purchased selfie stick, our coffee maker, plastic wine glasses and our entire dvd collection.

This past weekend was a trial run for the Desormeaux's in the RV.  We ventured all the way to the KOA in Craighurst (Barrie) which is a whopping 5kms from our house! If you've never been, it's really a great campground.  We enjoyed going home for forgotten items and to have a shower (camping is way dirtier than the boat).

Highlights and new learning from this experience:

1.     Full Hook up is the way to go.  Seriously, so easy.  Water, sewer, electric done in minutes

2.     A newly purchased sewer hose is a beautiful thing

3.     We need more blankets

We did a mega shop at Canadian Tire and got more than a few looks from people as we pushed our overflowing cart to the parking lot. A stop at the LCBO (who else thinks that strike scare was a major cash grab? But I couldn't chance it!) and we were ready to get back to the campground.

As friends have talked about how excited they are to follow the blog, someone recommended that I keep it real.  No worries there.  I have scoured Pinterest for RV hacks and I have a vision of what my lovely home on wheels should look like - here's a little taste of what it looked like Sunday morning:

And as Parker so nicely put it, "If it looks like this after one weekend, what will it look like after a month?" No fair, I was just getting organized!  And who brought the balloons???

Sunday was time to pack up and get home to prepare for the last week of school.  As I unhooked my sewer, water and electric in the HAIL, yes HAIL, I wondered out loud how many times I would be doing this in the rain.  But I didn't dare complain!
Hail - 1
Allyson - 0

So in the past month I've been thinking about the sibling relationship.  Parker and Abby, like most siblings, run hot and cold. So the question is, how to bribe them to get onboard with the dream of a blissful family vaca? Answer: I'm bringing back the 'Desormeaux Dollar'!  Years ago, in my classroom, I gave out Desormeaux Dollars that students could spend in the Desormeaux Store.  The newly minted Desormeaux Dollar of 2017 is 'kinda' legal tender.  Parker and Abby will be paid when they contribute to the dream and will have to pay me back if they take the trip off side.  Abby has bought in fully completely.  Parker is more skeptical because he feels he's always onboard.  I know he'll join in the fun when Abby is cashing in to buy giant pencils and Fun Dip. And each one is $1 - there are no 5's, 10's or 20's at the Bank Of Desormeaux...

So here's to the end of the school year.  The empty shelves at the LCBO are thanks to Educators who are passing each other in the halls and holding up fingers to show how many days/hours left and giving a wink of joy!  Stay tuned as the next blog entry will be the first leg of the Desormeaux Canada Tour - Destination: Walmart, Sudbury Ontario. How will we contain the excitement????