Mid Summer Night's Dream!?

I couldn’t write yesterday. It was such a blah day. We left Tofino in the rain. The rain did help having to leave the beach, but it was feeling very much like the end of a vacation. We caught the ferry and then spent 3 hours in Friday Vancouver traffic. In the middle of the traffic, I had to figure out why my mom’s iPhone is not messaging me. Oh, and also convince her that we weren’t dead, we just weren’t getting her messages and couldn’t respond. We were all spent. I kinda felt like crawling in a ditch and giving up, but the Walmart in Kelowna beckoned. Sleeping in a Walmart parking lot doesn’t do much for your mood when you’ve had a nothing day but we didn’t have a lot of options.

This morning I was feeling a little guilty about my foul mood yesterday so I was determined to show the kids a great time on the drive back to Calgary. We needed a good attraction to get us all jacked up again. Kelowna is beautiful and the drive from Kelowna to Revelstoke is a great one. There were lots of exciting places where we could’ve spent the afternoon. All Parker wanted to do was power through and get to Calgary. One suggestion was the Enchanted Forest which looked really great but everyone said no to that especially when Keith saw the parking lot. I thought the roller ride down Mount Revelstoke would be awesome for everyone. Again, no. Not even a zip line enticed Parker.

In the meantime, I saw a fruit market called the Log Barn just north of Kelowna and pulled in. It was an interesting stop. We saw everything you would imagine at a roadside fruit market, fruit, baking, souvenirs, dragons, dinosaurs, gorillas... That stop didn’t do much to convince the kids I knew where the fun was.

WTH?

If you didn't like it, why so many pictures?

The thing that DID have the 2 of them motivated was free Root Beer day at A&W. We passed about 3 A&W’s, each time they are wailing for their free warm Root Beer (it would be so much better with ice IMO). We finally stopped in Revelstoke because at least then it was close to appropriate Root Beer drinking time. Yet again, Keith and I couldn’t handle the crowds so we ended up at Nomads in Revelstoke which turned out to be a great lunch place. Mushroom panini for me – so yummy. After lunch they still thought we were going for free Root Beer even though we had just paid (quite well) for cold Root Beer at lunch…

The winning stop of the day goes to The Last Spike just outside of Revelstoke. It was already a win for the adults because Keith is a history buff and I love anything with a plaque. The kids were thrilled with the gift shop. Win all around! The best part of the stop was the lovely people who run the place. I was trying to figure out if they are volunteers but you could clearly tell they love what they do. The ladies in the gift shop have a prop center set up, complete with beards that the one lady made. If I ever need to make a beard, I’ll be using her tips. It’s funny how someone’s enthusiasm can be infectious. I’m not a ‘dresser up’ person and you can imagine how much Keith enjoys it. Soon we were all dressing up for a photo. So much fun! Who needs a zip line? Oh and the ladies even chased us out to the parking lot with our keys because in all the excitement, guess who forgot them behind???

There's the plaque!

Seriously, they said no to the ride down the mountain, but yes to this...

Feel free to zoom in and look at the beard!

Tonight we have renewed and refreshed ourselves. We are all showered and laundered and hanging out in Calgary so that Keith can catch his plane home. We will be sad to see Keith leave but fret not, Nana is joining the circus. She will fit in for sure. I have high hopes that she will be the star of a few blog entries.

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????