Escape To Ontario - August 20-30, 2020

In early August we got a call from our friends Jane & Michel wondering if we were ready to risk some camping in Eastern Ontario. Like us, they had not been anywhere since the COVID-19 business began and here we were in August. In our case we would have normally racked up 10-15,000KM of wandering by August. They had been out on a drive exploring some of the closer Parks of the St. Lawrence and suggested a couple of "long weekends" at Farran Park Campground and Woodlands Campground. After some discussion and many nasty words expressed by the reservation website we managed to book 3 nights starting August 20 and 27.

Since we had no need to go back to work between the weekends, we decided to do a serendipitous wander during that period including a pass through Prince Edward County to pick up some "supplies".

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Contents

Day 1 - August 20, 2020 - On The Road At Last

Michel was working until about 15:00 so they would not be heading out until after that but we had some things to take care of on the way so we hit the road about 13:10. As usual the first thing we did was head off the wrong way to stop by St-Viateur Bagel & Café DDO to pick up some "fresh from the oven" bagels to go with us. From there we made our way to the San-dump on L'ile Perrot to dump the last of "the pink" from the "ugly tanks". Besides that we made quick stops in Lancaster, ON for gas and at the Foodland in Ingleside, ON for a couple of items.

We got to Farran Park Campground about 16:45 and checked in. J&M arrived about an hour later. We all got set up. We had brought our Caravan Canopy pop-up shelter so we set that up an common ground and put the picnic table under it. Then J&M cooked up some burgers and we contributed some of our potato salad to make a great first night feed. We then settled in to catch up on happenings in recent months. Supper and gossip kept us late enough that we decided to skip the campfire tonight.

The Numbers For Today			Click Map For Larger Version
Distance:	127.2 KM
Average Fuel:	16.3 L/100KM
Time On Road:	2:54
📸Click for pictures from Day 1

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Day 2 - August 21, 2020 - A Day At Camp Catching Up

We got off to a leisurely start. Breakfast was Rod's Buckwheat Crepes. We then proceeded to enjoy a nice day around camp. Rod & Michel made a run into Morrisburg for some supplies - mostly from the LCBO.

As I recall, supper was some filet steaks with more potato salad and other salads. After dinner we enjoyed some time by the fire having barely dented the backlog of conversation.

The Numbers For Today			Click Map For Larger Version
Distance:	0 KM thanks to the use of J&M's Jeep.
Average Fuel:	0 L/100KM
Time On Road:	0:00
📸Click for pictures from Day 2

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Day 3 - August 22, 2020 - Grooming Dogs and A Fireside Chat

Another leisurely start and a pleasant day. After breakfast Michel made another run into Morrisburg while Rod settled in to grooming Weston.

Jane prepared us a fine dinner. After that we set about packing up the gazebo and other things we did not want to pack wet since rain was expected overnight. J&M were taking some of the bulkier items back with them since they had to return for the work week. They would bring them back on Thursday when we met again at the Woodlands Campground.

After that we gathered around the campfire again to work on "solving the world's problems".

The Numbers For Today			Click Map For Larger Version
Distance:	0 KM
Average Fuel:	0 L/100KM
Time On Road:	0:00
📸Click for pictures from Day 3

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Day 4 - August 23, 2020 - West To Kingston

Another slow start. At least most was packed up the night before. We finally got on the road a little after the 11:00 checkout time. There was competition for the sani-dump so we skipped that pleasure.

We made our usual stop at the SmartCentres Brockville to visit the LCBO there. We wanted to pick up some Château des Charmes Aligoté which this was the first branch along the 401 that routinely carried it. If you are a fan of French Bourgogne Aligoté you will enjoy this Canadian interpretation from Niagara-on-the-Lake. We do anyway.

We got to the 1000 Islands / Kingston KOA about 1:30 PM. After checking in we stopped to dump the "ugly tanks" where there was less competition than this morning.

We took a relaxing afternoon and evening sampling our purchases and exploring the camp. Be sure to check out the KOA Kingston Shoe Tree in today's pictures.

We thought it would be a nice change to wander up to Muskoka for a couple of days so booked a spot there.

The Numbers For Today			Click Map For Larger Version
Distance:	167.8 KM
Average Fuel:	14.9 L/100KM
Time On Road:	2:19
📸Click for pictures from Day 4

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Day 5 - August 24, 2020 - Up To Muskoka

We got on our way about 10:30 after breakfast from the galley. In our typical form, we decided to head up the less travelled roads through the Haliburton Highlands seeking the enjoyable over the expeditious.

We found our way to Baked & Battered Bakery and Fish Fry in the town of Haliburton where we picked up a mix excellent fried seafood.

We arrived at Gravenhurst / Muskoka KOA about 3:30 PM and checked in. We took an initial wander around camp then just relaxed and snacked on bits and pieces from the galley.

The Numbers For Today			Click Map For Larger Version
Distance:	326.9 KM
Average Fuel:	15.3 L/100KM
Time On Road:	4:50
📸Click for pictures from Day 5

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Day 6 - August 25, 2020 - A Day At Camp

Today we just enjoyed the camp and did some chores around the RV.

The Numbers For Today			Click Map For Larger Version
Distance:	0 KM
Average Fuel:	0 L/100KM
Time On Road:	0:00
📸Click for pictures from Day 6

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Day 7 - August 26, 2020 - A Leisurely Drive to Brighton

We wanted to visit some spots in "The County" on our way back to Long Sault on Thursday so we decided to head down to https://koa.com/campgrounds/brighton/ Brighton / 401 KOA. We had never stayed at the camp before since it was so close to the highway but in this case it was conveniently located just west of "The County". In addition, the showers were open! The shower in the Roadtrek is a bit of a joke so it is always a treat to find real ones.

We got rolling about 10:45 and made an early stop at Freskiw Farms Muskoka where Lillian picked up some nice produce including 6 cobs of fresh corn.

We arrived at Brighton / 401 KOA about 2:30 PM. We wandered around camp, checked out the showers (lovely) then pigged out on the corn.

The Numbers For Today			Click Map For Larger Version
Distance:	245.0 KM
Average Fuel:	14 L/100KM
Time On Road:	3:42
😞No pictures for Day 7

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Day 8 - August 27, 2020 - Surfing The County, Back to SD&G

We actually managed to get rolling before 9:30! We entered "The County" on Highway 33 or The Loyalist Parkway and followed it to Bloomfield, ON where Lillian checked our a few of her favourite shops. We had hoped to grab a bite at The Saylor House Cafe and B&B but it was closed. It seems they were having some staffing challenges with the summer workers back at school.

We then moved on to Picton, ON where we made many stops including: Sobey's, Ralph's Meat Market, Zest Kitchen Shop, Rosehaven Yarn Shop and the local LCBO.

We got rolling out of Picton about noon heading up route 49 so we could stop for some Mohawk gas. We got to Woodlands Campground about 3:30 PM. We checked in then made our way back to Fines Home Hardware Building Centre in Ingleside to pick up a couple of items before heading back to camp about 4:30 PM.

J&M caught up about 5:20 PM. The space between the sides was big enough for a football game if you don't mind a few hazzards. We picked a spot to set up the gazebo and generally got organized. Jane had some burgers ready to cook for our usual arrival meal.

The Numbers For Today			Click Map For Larger Version
Distance:	320.2 KM
Average Fuel:	14.9 L/100KM
Time On Road:	6:02
📸Click for pictures from Day 8

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Day 9 - August 28, 2020 - More Catching Up

Besides a quick run into Morrisburg it was a lovely day around camp eating, drinking and walking dogs. It was interesting to see the number of folks from the dog showing community around this weekend. Normally this would be the weekend of the SD&G Dog Show but it was cancelled due to COVID 19 restrictions. It seems habits are hard to change.

The Numbers For Today			Click Map For Larger Version
Distance:	0 KM
Average Fuel:	0 L/100KM
Time On Road:	0:00
📸Click for pictures from Day 9

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Day 10 - August 29, 2020 - An Early Birthday Dinner

Today we just hang around camp taking long walks to redicover our old dog showing site. Jane busied herself in the galley putting together a special dinner for a slightly early celebration of Rod's 70^th birthday. Some wine and wonderful company made the whole thing special.

The Numbers For Today			Click Map For Larger Version
Distance:	0 KM
Average Fuel:	0 L/100KM
Time On Road:	0:00
📸Click for pictures from Day 10

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Day 11 - August 30, 2020 - Heading Back Home

Time to head back home. Lillian's brother is due in town later today for further birthday celebrations and have a change of scenery. He lost his wife earlier in the year before the whole COVID-19 thing broke out and has been pretty confined since much like all of us.

Again we pulled out shortly after the checkout time of 11:00 and skipped the sani-dump stop. We did top up gas in Lancaster and paused at the San-dump on L'ile Perrot to dump "ugly tanks". We arrived home about 1:30 PM.

The Numbers For Today			Click Map For Larger Version
Distance:	120.9 KM
Average Fuel:	14.4 L/100KM
Time On Road:	2:11
📸Click for pictures from Day 11

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The Numbers For The Trip