Start Of Winter 2024 Southbound

After spending the summer at our home, travelling to some new places around Ontario and Quebec, it was time to pack up and depart for the start of our trip to Arizona.

Before that could officially start we had a trip planned to Michigan to undertake some training we had booked for us to help understand the operation of our new coach.

We packed up our summer campsite and departed North Bay with the car in tow on October 11.  Our first stop southbound was The Hitch House where we had purchased the coach in the spring.  There were a few warranty items that had been shipped to them on our behalf and we wanted to pick them up so we would be able to install them over the winter.  One was a new pantry drawer to replace one that appeared to be missing when we picked up the coach and the other was some tape used to blend joints in the wall panels.  With that done we departed right away for our next stop - Bill and Pat’s place.

Since we first met Bill and Pat we have enjoyed stopping to see them at their place just outside Durham.  They are always welcoming and we enjoy the time we spend there.  The property is gorgeous and is flanked by farmers fields with different crops every time we stop by.  We had a great afternoon, fantastic meal, and after a short drive in to town to the Lions Club to participate in a ‘Catch The Ace’ lottery tournament, returned without a win to the RV for an early night. 

Always get the primo spot….

Nothing wrong with this view

The following morning we were off to Michigan.  First off though we had a quick stop in Kitchener at Green Acre Park to drop the car.  We had no need for the car on the training course so didn't see the need to drag it along when we were returning to the park a week later anyway.  The park is wonderful, with spacious sites, 50 amp service, sewer and water at each site and a great mix of park model and RV’s throughout.  It is open ten months out of the year so is very popular with snowbirds who arrive back to Canada before other parks are open, or like us, want somewhere to stay after our home park is done for the year.  The park is just on the north side of Kitchener-Waterloo and is a convenient drive to the St. Jacobs Market and all kinds of shopping.  We had stayed there before and will do so again I am sure.  It is also close enough for us that we can go to see my family down in Vineland.

We only stayed in the park long enough to disconnect the car.  Once on our way it was a fairly straightforward trip down to Sarnia and across the border to the US.  However, we did have a small incident when crossing the BlueWater Bridge to Port Huron.  The toll booths for the bridge on the Canadian side are the old style single person booth but instead of a flat wall panel up to the roof, there is about a six inch overhang all around the top of the booth.  I was focussed on getting as close to my side of the lane as possible so I could reach the card reader for the toll and wasn't paying attention to the right side.  As I pulled up to the machine to reach out and pay, the agent in the booth to my right came flying out of her booth like her hair was on fire, stood in front of the RV so I couldn’t move and stated in a rather loud voice I had just ‘smashed into’ her booth.  I was shocked for a bunch of reasons, not the least of which was neither Pat or I felt anything, so got out to investigate.  She told me I had to “stay right where you are and don’t move” until her supervisor got there.  Unfortunately I did not get any pictures of the devastation, but it appears a previous driver had in fact hit her booth and there was some tin flashing protruding into my lane up at the top of the roof.  I must have hit that as the only evidence on the RV of any contact was a scratch on the top of the passenger side mirror.

The supervisor finally arrived and asked what had happened.  I said I honestly didn’t know but told him the agent said I hit her booth.  He asked to see any damage and I pointed out the previous damage on the roof of the booth and the scratch on the mirror.  He asked if there was anything else.  I said no, so he waved us through and bid us a nice day.

After a brief stop for fuel we continued on and arrived at our final destination for the night.  We are members of the Harvest Host program and have used the program extensively throughout Ontario.  I will post something at some point in the future about some of the interesting places we have stayed.  This was our first US destination and, other than the unique name, is typical of many of the hosts that participate in the Harvest Host program.  Bear Naked Wood is not what the name sounds like it could be, but rather a specialty furniture and live-edge wood manufacturer.  They appreciate the value added with RV’ers stopping in on their journey through the area so have set up a few parking spots just for that purpose.  The parking area is level, has a fire pit, covered gazebo and fenced dog run area for those with pets.  The owners texted us to say they would not be arriving home until well after we arrived so gave us directions about where to set up.  It was very straightforward and we got set up and took a nice walk around the property.  Shortly after a large fifth wheel arrived and also stayed the night.

Approach to Bear Naked Wood

We were up and on our way around nine the following morning for the short journey to our final destination for this portion of the trip - Spartan RV Chassis in Charlotte, Michigan.

Thanks for reading.