East Coast here we come!

[Fredward]

We've put about 3,000 uneventful miles on the coach so far in 2008.

This Friday 8/1 we're heading to Rhode Island and New York via Thunder Bay, Sault Ste Marie, Sudbury, Parry Sound, Ottawa, etc and then crossing the border somewhere into Vermont. We have relatives to visit in Portsmouth, RI and Irvington, New York. We'll spend a couple of weeks or so on the road before returning to Minnesota via the lower route finishing up going thru Wisconsin.

Anyone with any advice about crossing Ontario and Quebec? We've done this same trip before on the Harley, but this will be the first time with the bus and car dolly and kid. Particularly interested in nice places to spend the night; private or public campgrounds, etc. Also places to stay away from. Preferred routes, etc. We'll have a pickup and fifth wheel accompanying us to remind us how the other half lives. 

[Tom Y]

Are you going into Maine?  Tom Y

[Ednj]

We will be in NY near Oneonta (where cell phones don't work)August 8th -11th for a kids quad party  .
Look for us heading up Rt 88 in the bus towing the quads. 
Here are some pix (notice the bus) from years past  .

[Ednj]

 

[travelingfools]

Where is it you are refering to as "the lower route" on your return trip ?

[Fredward]

Its the 10th of August now and we are back into an area where Internet is available. The trip through Canada on the Trans Canada highway was spectacular. Rhode Island was beautiful. We stayed in a campground near Portsmouth that was beautiful but had no Internet.

Now we are in Irvington, NY just up the Hudson from NYC now. Our return trip to MPls will take us through Niagra Falls, NY, maybe back into Canada, Michigan and Wisconsin. We're leaving probably Tuesday.

We've put on about 2500 miles so far. The only event of any significance so far has been the loss of power steering fluid due to losing the top off the resevoir/filter. Fortunately, the cover stayed with us so all we had to do was buy five quarts of ATF, put the cover back on and head down the road again. I must have forgotten to tighten it when I re-installed the engine last winter.

[jjrbus]

If you need fuel in the Nagara Falls area try to fit in Smokin Joes.   
http://ecommerce.smokinjoe.com/acb/stores/1/sjetradingpost.aspx#gas

They have 2 locations and are generally around 20 cents a gal cheaper. 

Being an American, I really hate to say this, but I would stay on the Canadian side. The politicians have run rampant and destroyed the American side!!

[white-eagle]

make sure no guns in CAnada.

if you come across the top of ohio, we're 15 miles from I80/90, aka turnpike on the west side of cleveland.

[travelingfools]

Randys smoke shop and smokin joes was $4.35 yesterday...If your gonna stay in the area, Id recomend 4 Mile Creek State Campground...Stay over here, but view the falls from the Canadian side, about 15 min from 4 Mile campground...Give me a shout if you need any info on the Niagara Falls area. We'll be staying at 4 mile next weekend.

[Fredward]

How are the border crossing wait times in the area generallY? We spent an hour in the line when we came into the US up in Vermont. We are considering finding a spot somewhere around the Niagra Falls area Tuesday nite. And I like it on the Canadian side also......

[travelingfools]

Its really hit and miss...Obviously the good times to cross are after 10pm and before 7am. It really depends on if Canadian customs is pissed about something, or if US Customs is doing some sort of detail...There is a website somewhere that has cameras on the bridges and also somewhere will give you pretty up to date wait times (on the web)..Ill try to find them later today..

[cody]

Not sure if you'll be heading thru the Upper Penninsula at any point but fuel here in Baraga is $4.01 at the Pines today, 4.13 at other spots here.

[Fredward]

Thanks guys,
I think we'll hit the finger lakes region in New York Tuesday; Niagra Falls Wednesday; maybe UP of Michigan Thursday. We might try Fort McClain State Park - a favorite of ours.
Fred