We made our way out of Colorado on May 28th and started our journey North through Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois and Ohio before arriving back to our hometown of Rochester, NY. We spent a month visiting with friends and family before heading to Canada.
In an effort to get more caught up on this blog before the end of 2024, I will condense our trip between leaving Colorado and NY by posting some pics of the highlights while focusing more on our time in Canada.
Our first stop was North Platte, NE with a stay at a wonderful Harvest Host, Pals Brewing Company. We then spent 4 nights in Lincoln, NE at Camp Away. While in Lincoln, we made a day trip to Omaha.
Pal's Brewing Company and walking on a path in North Platte which we found to be very flat.
Haymarket and Sunken Gardens in Lincoln, NE
Walk along the Omaha Riverfront Trail.
We made a stop in Des Moines, IA, on June 2nd for a 3-night stay at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. This was conveniently located close to downtown Des Moines. We enjoyed seeing the Capitol building and visited the Pappajohn Sculpture Park, located in the heart of the city.
Downtown Des Moines, IA
On June 5th, we traveled to O'Connell's RV Campground in Amboy, IL for a 4-night stay. Having visited before, we primarily used this visit as an opportunity to unwind.
We spent one night at an amazing Harvest Host, The History Museum in South Bend, IN. During our stay, we toured the National Studebaker Museum, located on the same campus as The History Museum. We dedicated a few hours to exploring the 55,000-square-foot facility, which displays an extensive collection of vehicles and artifacts that tell the story of the Studebaker Corporation, a company that transitioned from making wagons to becoming a leading automobile manufacturer.
National Studebaker Museum
We made another stop in Jefferson, OH, staying at Kenisee Lake RV Park for three nights before reaching Rochester, NY. We were fortunate to stay at Pat's friend's house for 24 nights. They have an RV pad beside their house with full hookups, and we truly appreciated their hospitality. During our time in Rochester, we caught up on physicals, connected with family and friends, and enjoyed some relaxation. On July 7th, we moved about an hour west to Akron, NY, to be closer to our Buffalo family. Our kids and grandson also flew in while we were there. We celebrated Pat's 60th and Alyssa's 28th birthdays, attended a wedding shower, and enjoyed a girls' spa get-away at the Inns at Aurora. We had a fantastic family reunion with everyone!
Hometown visit with family and friends.
On July 16th, we departed from Akron and began our journey north. We spent the night at Swan Bay Resort and Marina in Alexandria Bay before proceeding to Montreal South KOA Journey in Saint-Phillipe, QC, where we stayed for three nights. We enjoyed exploring Montreal, a lively city with a captivating old-world charm situated on the banks of the St. Lawrence River. We visited Mount Royal Park and strolled through the Marche Jean-Talon market, an open-air market featuring vendors with a wide range of produce, baked goods, meats, and cheeses. We had visited Montreal before, but it's a city worth revisiting!
Meandering through Montreal
We departed from Montreal on July 20th, traveling further north to make Quebec City KOA in Nicholas, QC our residence for 5 nights. This was our first visit to Quebec City, and we thoroughly enjoyed every moment. It felt like exploring an old-world European city. The highlights of our trip included a visit to the stunning Montmorency Falls and indulging in high tea at the iconic Chateau Frontenac, a symbol of French heritage in Canada, which beautifully showcases the city's rich history and the blend of old-world European influence with North American architecture. Interestingly, the hotel holds the distinction of being one of the most photographed hotels in the world due to its striking appearance and picturesque location. We certainly snapped quite a few during the day and also when it was all lit up at night.
Beautiful Quebec City
On July 25th, we headed north into the Canadian Maritimes. Our first stop was in Edmundston, New Brunswick, where we stayed for 2 nights at Camping Edmundston as a brief stopover. On July 27, we continued to our next destination, spending 4 nights at Hartt Island RV Resort in Fredericton, NB. This resort was perfectly located near downtown Fredericton, with a fantastic bike path running right through the park. A few months before our visit, we met a lovely couple, Mark and Susanne, and their adorable Aussiedoodle, Bella, while in Monument Valley. To our surprise, we discovered they are from Fredericton, and when I mentioned our summer visit, we arranged to meet up. We enjoyed a wonderful walk with our dogs along the St. John River, gaining insights about the area from a local's perspective. Afterwards, we stopped at a brewery and had a lovely lunch with some brews and ciders, discovering we had much in common. Even our dogs had similar personalities! Making new friendships is one of the highlights of our RV lifestyle.
Friend meet-up in Fredericton.
Time flew by, and before we realized it, we were on our way to our next destination on July 31st in Shediac, NB. We spent 3 nights at Camping Beausejour. During our stay, we visited Hopewell Rocks in the Bay of Fundy, an iconic natural wonder famous for the world's highest tides and unique rock formations. The Bay of Fundy's tides can rise up to 50 feet, exposing the ocean floor at low tide. These distinctive formations, called "flowerpot rocks," are shaped by the bay's strong tidal forces. The towering structures are the remains of ancient cliffs, sculpted by erosion over thousands of years. Each has a unique shape and name, such as "Lover’s Arch." At high tide, the rocks transform into islands, providing a perfect scene for kayaking. We reached Hopewell Rocks in the morning during high tide, allowing us to see kayakers navigating around the enormous rocks.
After viewing the rocks from the platform, we drove a bit further to Fundy National Park, where we hiked the Dickson Falls Trail. This beautiful path led us through enchanting woods to a breathtaking waterfall perched atop a steep cliff. Following the hike, we timed our return to Hopewell Rocks for low tide, allowing us to explore the ocean floor. It was incredible to see the rocks partially submerged earlier in the day and later walk on the ocean floor with them towering above us.
Shediac, Bay of Fundy National Park, Hopewell Rocks at high and low tide.
Our journey in Atlantic Canada continued as we traveled to Prince Edward Island (PEI) on August 3rd. We stayed for 7 nights at Holiday Haven Campground in Cornwall, a charming park situated along the Charlottetown Harbor. Our visit to the island was packed with activities. Pat went on a fishing charter and caught some cod and mackerel. We explored nearby Charlottetown and enjoyed visiting several breweries. Potatoes are PEI's top crop, and we purchased some at a roadside farm stand and tasted some delicious potato fudge. On our way back from one of our outings, we discovered a unique honey winery tucked in the countryside called Island Honey Wine and had a delightful tasting experience. The island is renowned for being the setting of the beloved children's novel, Anne of Green Gables, by Lucy Maud Montgomery, published in 1908. We visited the Green Gables Heritage Place and toured the house that inspired the book. We had a fantastic week exploring this amazing island.
Prince Edward Island Activities
On August 10th, we traveled to the neighboring province of Nova Scotia. We stopped for a brief 2-night visit in Glenholme at Elm River RV Park. Despite the short duration, we managed to enjoy a pleasant hike on the Vibert Trail and had an intense workout on the steep stairs before proceeding to our next stop.
Vibert Trail in Truro, NS
On August 12th, we arrived at the North Sydney/Cabot Trail KOA in New Harris, NS for a one-week stay. The highlight of our visit was driving on the renowned Cabot Trail, considered one of the world's most iconic routes. This road winds through the Cape Breton Highlands National Park, famous for its stunning landscapes, featuring rugged coastlines, towering cliffs, rolling mountains, lush forests, and tranquil river valleys. The blend of dramatic highlands and the expansive Gulf of St. Lawrence offers a mix of breathtaking views and serene locations. Walking along the cliffs of the White Point Trail made us feel as though we had been transported to Ireland or the Scottish Highlands. There was even a man in a kilt playing a bagpipe adding to the ambiance of the area.
Cape Breton Highlands National Park
We also visited Island Folk Cider House in nearby Sydney and sampled a flight of their unique flavors.
Sydney Waterfront and Island Folk Cider House.
On August 19th, we headed to our next stop and settled at Woodhaven RV Park in Hammonds Plains, NS, for a 7-night stay. I selected this park because it is close to Halifax, the capital of Nova Scotia, famous for its maritime heritage.
Woodhaven RV Park
During our visit, we explored the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site. This star-shaped fort sits atop Citadel Hill, offering breathtaking views of the city and Halifax Harbor. Built in 1856, the Citadel is a testament to Halifax's rich military history, as it was a key defensive position for the British Empire. We were happy it was dog-friendly, as Myah had a good time exploring the Fort, too!
Halifax Citadel National Historic Site
The next day we visited the Halifax Public Gardens and strolled along the Halifax Waterfront, a boardwalk that stretches for miles and is lined with shops and restaurants.
Halifax Waterfront and Gardens
We also took a day trip to Peggy's Cove Lighthouse, one of Canada's most photographed lighthouses. The white beacon sits on a rocky granite outcrop overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, creating a stunning scene. We hiked a trail near the lighthouse that offered spectacular ocean views. We also had fun walking around the quaint fishing village.
Peggy's Cove and surrounding area.
We drove about an hour East of our RV park to spend a day in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. Before arriving in Lunenburg, we made a quick stop in Mahone Bay to snap a picture of the famous "Three Churches". These churches are not only places of worship but also significant cultural and architectural landmarks. They stand as a testament to the town’s diverse religious history and the enduring beauty of its waterfront.
Three Churches in Mahone Bay.
Lunenburg is a charming coastal town brimming with history, character, and beauty. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s famed for its waterfront, historic architecture, and seafaring traditions. We took a small boat tour around the harbor while visiting and learned more about the history of the town. It was a wonderful way to view the brightly colored houses from the water.
Colorful Lunenburg
We arrived at our last stop on our Canadian Maritimes adventure on August 26th and stayed at Kiwanis Oceanfront Camping in St. Andrews for a 7-night stay. We loved our time in St. Andrews, officially known as St. Andrews-by-the-Sea. Situated on a peninsula jutting into Passamaquoddy Bay, St. Andrews offers breathtaking views of the water, islands, and coastal scenery. The tides of the Bay of Fundy create ever-changing landscapes, making it a great place for nature lovers.
One of the main attractions is visiting Minister Island, which can be reached via a sandbar at low tide. We drove our car across the sandbar and spent time exploring the island and the historic summer estate of Sir William Van Horne, a railroad magnate. We toured the island's buildings, including the Covenhoven Mansion, a sprawling 50-room house built in 1891, and the stone bathhouse with a saltwater pool that fills with each high tide. Pat and I took turns touring the mansion since dogs are not allowed inside. Myah enjoyed walking around the scenic grounds with us. We had to ensure we left the island before high tide, or we would be stranded until the next low tide.
Ministers Island
We rode our bikes to Kingsbrae Garden, an award-winning garden with over 50,000 perennials, themed gardens, sculptures, and even resident alpacas and goats.
Kingsbrae Garden
We went on day trips to the nearby cities of St. Stephen and St. John. We hiked the Chamcook Mountain Trail, one of the highest points in the area, which offers stunning panoramic views of Passamaquoddy Bay, the Bay of Fundy, and the surrounding forests. Overall, our experience in this region was fantastic, and we felt sad to leave such an incredible place.
Wrapping up our time in the Maritimes.
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