1st long trip,Colo. to New England to Nova Scotia and back.

[susanka]

Hi, all. We've got our MH (a 30' Fleetwood Southwind Storm, 1999), going to have it hooked up to our new Honda CR-V next week. We've only gone on a couple of short trips so far. We plan to leave on 9/20 for a 24-day trip from Colorado up through New England and, we hope, on to Nova Scotia and back to Colorado. We plan to just start out without a lot of plan, and plan as we go, hoping to be relaxed about the whole thing.

We are full of questions: Is this a realistic distance to go, round trip? Mapquest says about 5600 miles. Is there anything special to do to go across the border into Canada when you're in a MH? We mainly hope to see fall color in New England and Nova Scotia, but have never been either place previously. We hope to stay in State Parks; the only place we have reservations is at Coolidge State Park in Vermont for five days, paid in advance, without knowing whether we'll actually get there. We think this is likely the only trip we'll be make to this area, at least this far north. We'll be walking around, but not doing any strenuous hikes; I have bad knees and don't walk real well.

I feel extremely naive asking these few questions: I know we don't know what we don't know. Any suggestions you have would be welcome (other than "Stay home!!") Thanks for any help you'd like to offer.

Susan

[susanka]

loulou57 wrote:
I am sure you have done your homework on border crossing what you require. I can give you an excellent B&B where they could possibly let you stay with your RV. They are on the bay of fundy side, on the ocean.

I have done the homework now; thanks. And I'd love to hear the name of the B&B. We don't want to make reservations until we see if we're going to make it all the way up there, so we might miss out, but that's just the way it will have to be.

Susan

[susanka]

Hi, everyone, and thanks very much for your replies. I feel like I should explain why I'm asking all these questions: I'm 77, DH is 64 and not retired yet, so I'm feeling closer to the bucket than he is and want to see all I can. We're married 30 years but just bought this RV from my son a couple of years ago and haven't used it much. We started planning for this trip last spring, but the proverbial roof fell in and we are only now beginning to get ready for the trip. We have 24 days, and I'm feeling like this may be my only chance to get to Nova Scotia, but we both said we wanted it to be a leisurely trip, so that's the whole story in a nutshell.

[VintageRacer]

Be aware that camps start closing in Maine and Nova Scotia/New Brunswick by the second week of October, so just call ahead and ask what's up. Fantastic time of year to travel up here, we are going up to Gaspe next week in fact. You can get Canadian cash from any ATM/Bank Machine without any trouble at all, and no one takes US cash up here any more.

Brian

[Tvov]

Most state parks in Connecticut close by September 30 for camping, some have only drive in, first come from early September. A few CT state parks are open for camping until mid October for drive in, first come basis. Few CT state parks have "hookups" - no electric and water at campsites. Most state parks you can fill water tanks at the shower / bathrooms and/or water spigots scattered around the campground. Late in the season you might find the hookup sites open and available.

Majority of private parks in Connecticut close on Columbus Day weekend, mid-October, as another poster pointed out. One neat thing with the private campgrounds in October are the "Halloween Weekends", they can be a ton of fun.

The reason why some leaves might be changing and dropping already in Connecticut and New York is lack of rain the second half of summer. It is really dry right now (not "drought" like out west, though!).

Avoid traveling on I95 as much as you can.

Have fun! I am jealous.

[NYCgrrl]

susanka wrote:
Hi, all. We've got our MH (a 30' Fleetwood Southwind Storm, 1999), going to have it hooked up to our new Honda CR-V next week. We've only gone on a couple of short trips so far. We plan to leave on 9/20 for a 24-day trip from Colorado up through New England and, we hope, on to Nova Scotia and back to Colorado. We plan to just start out without a lot of plan, and plan as we go, hoping to be relaxed about the whole thing.

We are full of questions: Is this a realistic distance to go, round trip? Mapquest says about 5600 miles. Is there anything special to do to go across the border into Canada when you're in a MH? We mainly hope to see fall color in New England and Nova Scotia, but have never been either place previously. We hope to stay in State Parks; the only place we have reservations is at Coolidge State Park in Vermont for five days, paid in advance, without knowing whether we'll actually get there. We think this is likely the only trip we'll be make to this area, at least this far north. We'll be walking around, but not doing any strenuous hikes; I have bad knees and don't walk real well.

I feel extremely naive asking these few questions: I know we don't know what we don't know. Any suggestions you have would be welcome (other than "Stay home!!") Thanks for any help you'd like to offer.

Susan

I knew I'd heard of Coolidge SP before. In fact it's in my bucket list. Got there from a fellow poster at another site and here is her review and pics:
Coolidge State Park

As well there's a blog I read that's written by a eastern Canadian. He camps a lot in upstate NY (no, it's NOT New England:D) and Eastern Canada. Writes great descriptions of the various PPs and SPs he visits:

Route Alto 80

HTH and have a glorious time:)!

[NYCgrrl]

Veebyes wrote:
Hmmmm....you may be a little late for peak fall colours in Canada. Check as timing varies year to year depending on a number of factors.

It may seem like a long trip but all it is is a series of one day jaunts. It is not like you are going off on safari across a desert.

Here's a link that gives a foliage timetable for New England:

http://www.yankeefoliage.com/peak-foliage-forecast-map/
Believe it or not the leaves are already changing in the middle of Manhattan:E

[Veebyes]

Hmmmm....you may be a little late for peak fall colours in Canada. Check as timing varies year to year depending on a number of factors.

It may seem like a long trip but all it is is a series of one day jaunts. It is not like you are going off on safari across a desert.

[x96mnn]

If you are going to Nova Scotia you should make it a point to spend a few days in Cape Breton. It is rated the 3rd best Island to travel to in the world.

It's Main attraction is the Cabot Trail, it is one of the 8 natural wonders of the world. You will be left speechless. There is also the fortress of Louisberg, Celtic colours musical event and 3 of the top ranked gold courses in Canada, all with beautiful hills and water views.

Campgrounds are plentiful and depending on what you wanted to take in during your visit. The most centrally located to it all is Seal Island Bridge KOA. Has 50amp pull through site and beautiful views of the water. There is also arm of gold, glenview, and three more campgrounds in baddeck. Baddeck in itself is a place to visit, a very small town with tons of charm, is the home of Alexander graham bell and his museum is something to see. Lot of famous people have summer homes in baddeck and have a world class golf course called bell bay.

Just food for thought.

[noteven]

Sounds like a great trip.

Check on the Canada Border Services website for information for visitors.

In all of Canada you must also carry proof of having valid public liability insurance in effect with you in your motor vehicle. Canada Border Services at ports of entry are not concerned with this - law enforcement will ask for it under certain circumstances such as an accident or traffic violation. Operating a vehicle without liability insurance is a serious offence.

Businesses may or may not accept US currency, and if they do they may not offer fair exchange rates.

If you spend a lot of money while travelling you will want to shop around for the best exchange rates. We exchange some money at large banks for the best rate when we are planning a visit to the USA.

Have a safe trip

[bamcote]

You might also want to check ahead to the different parks and campgrounds where you might be staying to see when they close for the winter. Some of these in the New England states may close around Columbus Day.

[Grit_dog]

If your route shows 5600mi then you will prolly put on over 6k mi with side trips. In 24 days, that's approaching 300 mi per day, IF you drive every day. Spend 5 days at one place combined with driving thru the Midwest and northeast which is not fast like out west, you'll be hard pressed to make the whole trip and get back within your timeframe unless you're just boogying down the road all day every day.
Sounds like an awesome trip. Nothing special about getting into Canada other than no felonies, dui s, guns and have your passports.
Best of luck but if I was making a trip that far and momentous I'd plan on a little more time.
Took a week to drive from Seattle to Anchorage last year and while we enjoyed it, we certainly didn't get off the beaten path and didn't spend much time doing anything but driving and camping along the way. No other tourist activities. Gotta remember it'll take a little longer drivin a big bus with a trailer than blowin down the road at 80 mph in your car.

[loulou57]

I am sure you have done your homework on border crossing what you require. Also what you are allowed to cross with. No guns and if you have any criminal record, even DUI you will be refused entry.
I would plan where you are staying in Nova Scotia. If camp grounds are open where you want to go you may need a reservation. I can give you an excellent B&B where they could possibly let you stay with your RV. They are on the bay of fundy side, on the ocean.