We're Going To Canada!

[qtla9111]

After a long wait, the visa arrived from Mexico City. Not only did the visa come, but it includes multiple entries and good until Nov. 2019.

Viva Canada! Vive la Canada! Leaving Mexico April 15th.

[profdant139]

Chris, do you know where you will be on the night of May 23-24? There will be a great meteor shower visible from Canada -- it is supposed to peak from around dusk till 2 am, or so they say.

[qtla9111]

homefor2 wrote:
Head for the southern west coast of BC. It's spring here with the trees in blossom and spring flowers are here. Travel to the east only when it warms up.

Good to know that! We are headed for Campbell River as our first stop! I keep hearing about snow so definitely good to hear!

[qtla9111]

v10superduty wrote:
Chris, in looking at your route your planning I will give you a couple tips for the part of Ontario where I live.
Considering you are taking the #1 hwy from Calgary to Winnipeg realize there is also a road from Edmonton to Winnipeg and I think both are 4 laners almost full route. East of Winnipeg both funnel onto only one hwy and then when you get east of Winnipeg this all goes onto a "two lane" road just before you get into Ontario in the Kenora area. Its over 8 hrs to Thunder Bay on this hwy (#17) and the traffic is HEAVY.
Much more scenic and relaxed driving is to (about 15-20 kms just east of Kenora) take #71 south through Sioux Narrows, Nestor Falls, then #11 East through Fort Frances which joins back to #17 just before Thunder Bay.
Only about an extra hour driving but MUCH more enjoyable.
Then once east of Thunder Bay the hwy splits again to the northern hwy you plan to use but the southern hwy follows lake Superior and is way more scenic and pleasant drive. Much more hills and turns but because of that most of the heavy trucks take the northern hwy.
If you decide to take #71 south of Kenora as I mentioned send me a PM and will give you some more info. Our seasonal site is there just south of Nestor falls.

Have a super trip.

Thanks for the great trip route! We aren't in too big of a hurry and want to see the most and take the most scenic routes. Much appreciated. We're off in five more days!

[homefor2]

Head for the southern west coast of BC. It's spring here with the trees in blossom and spring flowers are here. Travel to the east only when it warms up.

[v10superduty]

Chris, in looking at your route your planning I will give you a couple tips for the part of Ontario where I live.
Considering you are taking the #1 hwy from Calgary to Winnipeg realize there is also a road from Edmonton to Winnipeg and I think both are 4 laners almost full route. East of Winnipeg both funnel onto only one hwy and then when you get east of Winnipeg this all goes onto a "two lane" road just before you get into Ontario in the Kenora area. Its over 8 hrs to Thunder Bay on this hwy (#17) and the traffic is HEAVY.
Much more scenic and relaxed driving is to (about 15-20 kms just east of Kenora) take #71 south through Sioux Narrows, Nestor Falls, then #11 East through Fort Frances which joins back to #17 just before Thunder Bay.
Only about an extra hour driving but MUCH more enjoyable.
Then once east of Thunder Bay the hwy splits again to the northern hwy you plan to use but the southern hwy follows lake Superior and is way more scenic and pleasant drive. Much more hills and turns but because of that most of the heavy trucks take the northern hwy.
If you decide to take #71 south of Kenora as I mentioned send me a PM and will give you some more info. Our seasonal site is there just south of Nestor falls.

Have a super trip.

[Orion]

As you are bringing your rig to the Island, it might be worthwhile looking into the Anacortes-Sidney BC ferry as they often have deals on RV rates. This is a lovely run as it wanders between many of the San Juan Islands. Sidney is a small town but is part of Greater Victoria.

[qtla9111]

Francesca Knowles wrote:
From what I can see of your route, looks like you'll be hitting I-84 through Oregon, then up I-5 through Washington.

Are you just blasting through there gettin' to Canada, or are you interested in any suggestions for along that part of the route?

I don't do marathon driving. We stick with about 250 miles a day. Based on math, it would be one day drive and three to sightsee. That of course is flexible and we can drive more to stay longer in other places or slow down.

We will be staying in Coos Bay and visiting friends in Eugene and all whatever else we find of interest. The markers on my map were just to make the map, but we are open to seeing new and interesting places.

[qhor]

The suggested route via Hwy 3 from Osoyoos is our favourite. If you do visit the Icefields Hwy to Jasper, then the Yellowhead (Hwy 16) across Saskatchewan to Manitoba, you will also have many more opportunities to boon-dock. Most small rural towns on 16 have community campgrounds accessable quite close; some free and others donation.
So many choices; so little time.
Exciting!!!!
Barry

[Francesca_Knowl]

From what I can see of your route, looks like you'll be hitting I-84 through Oregon, then up I-5 through Washington.

Are you just blasting through there gettin' to Canada, or are you interested in any suggestions for along that part of the route?

[qtla9111]

Unless you get temps of 44C like we do at home, we'll be very happy with relatively hot!

[Harvey51]

I don't think we will be crossing the border until May 22nd and then we will stay a few days with friends in Campbell River. By then we should be okay.

Perfect timing. You'll miss your "too hot" and catch ours, which might be just right for you. You won't see any temps below freezing and you will enjoy a lot over 25 C. I would suggest taking time to enjoy each area you visit and not spending the whole holiday driving. You can always come back another time.

[trigley]

Sidehillsoup's suggestions are good. The Icefield Parkway from Lake Louise to Jasper is a must. If you don't want to backtrack you could take highway 16 east from Jasper angling back to Highway 1 in Manitoba. I think it is a little more scenic than #1 although neither comes close to what you will have seen.
Just got back from Mazatlan today. Beautiful place, friendly people & 35C warmer than here! 64C warmer the day we went down!

[qtla9111]

Wow, you guys are great. We are pretty much working on our Canada route plan and still have lots to decide upon. Dan, you are putting me to think about this plan. We need to be back home by August 15th so we pretty much have two months to cross Canada.

[jimbob3ca]

Since you have posted that you will be entering Canada around May 22, snow should generally no longer be an issue. however, you never know, especially in British Columbia and on high passes. Just a heads up for you about crossing the border into Canada at that time in May if you decide to be a few days early. The weekend of May 17 to 19 is a long weekend, and line-ups at the border on May 19 and possibly May 20 will be long, as in hours. Since it appears you are going to Vancouver Island (Campbell River) there is a ferry from Washington State at Anacortes I believe, that will take you over to Victoria, then you can head on up to Campbell River. You can then cross to Vancouver from Nanaimo to get back to the mainland. Reservations if you can make them might be recommended if you are sure of dates.
Sidehillsoup's suggested route is an excellent one, which I would second. Another alternative is to follow Highway 3 at Hope to Osoyoos in the Okanagan Valley, then tour north through the Okanagan Valley to Trans-Canada #1 and then follow it to Banff. Here are some website addresses to the B. C. Provincial Parks and national park websites, which will give you lots of information,as well as what campsites are available along the way. Generally, until the end of June you should be good without reservations.

http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/
http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/ab/banff/index.aspx
http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/ab/jasper/index.aspx

Hope this helps. Have a great vacation.

[profdant139]

Chris, how much time are you allocating for the Rockies and the other amazing mountain ranges of BC? There is just so much to do and see!