Sunday, June 30, 2013

Camping La Cle des Champs


We arrived at Camping La Cle des Champs which is in Saint Philippe Quebec a few days ago. The weather was terrible for the entire drive heavy winds and torrential downpours all the way. I’ve seen a lot of campgrounds in my travels but I was somewhat wowed by this one.  What a beautiful place. I thought we would have problems because Susan and I both don’t speak French. Not a problem everyone speaks English so far. Check in was great, escorted to our spot, all hooked up and YES my fridge fix worked no blown fuse. Yeah baby!!!!!!

Camping La Cle des Champs RV Resort
Campground Entrance

Our site #2020
 
Our Patio

Recreation Hall

Exercise Room/Laundry Room/ Washrooms

Swimming Pool
The reason for this stop is to meet up with the rest of the group I nicknamed the Maggie Group, before heading further east. The convoy will consist of Jean & Danielle, Louis & Louise, Fern & Guy, and Susan & me.
Danielle & Jean
Louise & Louis
Guy & Fern
Susan & myself
We were going to head into Old Montreal to do some sightseeing. However, after listening to the Maggie group and their family members who live and work there they suggested another time because of the long weekend. So we decided to take their advice. I walked around the campground numerous times getting ideas for our place back home.
Nice well kept sites
Our street
Our morning walks, we don't get far
Patrick, that's a manly axe you have there
The last day we had to do a little grocery shopping so we found a Wal-Mart. We should know better than go to Wal-Mart, $200 later and way too many groceries we are stocked up for the next year. You would think we are going to the end of the world where there are no grocery stores. Oh well we will definitely eat well.

As we pull out we say goodbye to all the people we met. I’m leading; Jean & Danielle behind me and the others are coming along later in the day.
 

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Refrigerators & Peacocks

As I sit back and think about how time is flying I can’t help but wonder what adventures this trip will bring. As we make the final preparations for our 2 month excursion down east, anyone in the RVing world knows that things happen. This time it’s the refrigerator, it won’t turn on. Checking the fuses, their we go a blown fuse, easy fix. Everything else is working great.

Fast forward 2 days and off we go.
All hooked up at N.E.T and ready to go
It's a beautiful warm sunny morning to start an adventure. Of course driving through Toronto is always fun wall to wall traffic, stop and go for 40 km. This traffic has never really bothered me, you just take it in stride. We decided to stop for lunch I checked the fridge Susan went for food. Trouble, fridge won’t turn on. The fuse has blown again I can’t change it because it’s behind the slide. We arrived at Rideau Acres Campground in Kingston made all the outside connections changed the fuse and yes the fridge works again. Something is pinching a wire causing it to short out. I checked underneath looks like a pinched wire. I will fix it later we have a lunch or supper date with some great friends Brian & Carol. Supper was at Swiss Chalet in Kingston topped off with wonderful conversation. It was good to see them again.

I chose Rideau Acres Campground because of the huge discount with Passport America and also I stayed here back in the 80’s. This campground has been around for many, many years. It is on Hwy 15 just outside of Kingston on the Rideau Canal waterway.

Rideau Acres Campground
Front Entrance
Site # M17

We decided to do a nostalgia tour of places I worked, played, and lived. Wow things have changed. What did I expect after 40 years? The gym I work in is now a computer center. All the soccer and ball fields are still there. After a quick tour of CFB Kingston we drove around the city seeing some of the site i.e. downtown Kingston, the Kingston Pen, and the waterfront. The nostalgia tour was fun but I wanted to get back because I have been hearing peacocks. As I walked the entire park I realize how big this campground really is. Along with the numerous activities i.e. disc golf, mini putt, boating, and swimming, the park is quite beautiful.

Open Field Campsites

Waterfront Sites

View of the Rideau Canal
Pull-thru Campsites

Wildflowers throughout park
Disc Golf
As I walked the park I finally found the peacocks. What an amazing site. I was able to capture several pictures of the young males, females, and older males in full plumage.
I had to take the picture at a strange angle to get all the plumage

Male Peacock
Female Peacock
Young male strutting his stuff
Continuing my walk through the park there were a number of other birds and fowl present.
Rock Pigeons
Young Mallard or Mexican Duck
Guinea Fowl
Our two nights here has been quite enjoyable. I would stay at this park again if visiting the area. Tomorrow it’s on to Montreal.