Hookups, Trees, and Freezing Lakes: A GrandRaiser Search for Paradise

Let’s talk about a sensitive subject: sleeping arrangements. And… um…. er… kissing (more on that later) Now, as a 25-year-old Mild-Mannered Motorhome of distinction (such as myself), I don’t ask for much. Give me a relatively flat piece of earth where my old levelling tools tell a balanced tale, and I’m a happy camper.

But over the last 7,000 kilometres, we have sampled a full buffet of Canadian accommodations. We’ve done private campgrounds, lush provincial parks, open-air fields, and tight family spots: farm fields and sweeping Muskoka driveways. Let me tell ya, trying to balance the needs of a 30-foot vintage machine, an active nine-year-old First Mate, and two grandparents in their 60s is an art form. Life as a GrandRaiser family on the open road means everyone has a different version of paradise.

Harvey’s Rules for Camping Comfort

If you ask the crew, their dream setup is simple: total immersion in nature. They want to be completely surrounded by whispering trees and untouched wilderness. And yet… they want all the creature comforts. Hmmmmm……

Me? I like the shade, sure, but those deep-woods spots can be a double-edged sword for a mature guy like me. Early summer decided to throw a massive heatwave our way, and do you know what a 25-year-old MMM needs when the thermometer spikes? A steady, reliable diet of 30-amp electricity to keep my AC humming. Sometimes, you get the deep forest, but you lose the power. It’s a delicate balance. And judging by the relief I hear as they rush in, the crew appreciates the cool sanctuary when the black files and mosquitoes swarm in.

Then, well, there is the water situation. My crew loves to cool off after a long day of watching me do all the work. If we find a place with a heated pool early in the season, everyone is ecstatic. If we’re relying on a local river or lake, the word of the day is “invigorating” (which is the Skipper’s polite code word for freezing). But if that shoreline has a dock? Paradise found. The First Mate and the Dutchman will immediately vanish with fishing rods in hand, leaving me and the Skipper in peace.

Nothing, and I mean nothing, beats a campground with other kids. The first month was hard for the little guy because most kids were still in school and there weren’t many at the campgrounds. Now that is changed and the First Mate couldn’t be happier. We have run into quite a few families where the grandparents are traveling with a grandchild or two. But so far those are just regular families and not so many GrandRaisers like us.

The Backing-In Communication Test

I also have to witness the great backing-in ritual. The Skipper gets out to act as spotter, the Dutchman at my wheel, and I am stuck in the middle trying to interpret the hand signals. Let’s just say backing a 30-foot ship into a tight, treed slot tests the structural integrity of a marriage. But so far, the communication lines haven’t snapped, and they still seem to like each other. I mean, I’ve even seen them high-fiving and actually kissing. I consider that a major mechanical victory.

Of course, the Skipper has another non-negotiable: juice for her laptop and a reliable WiFi signal. She’s working remotely and keeping my digital diary alive, so if when we can’t catch a signal, the tension inside my cabin rises faster than my engine temperature on a steep hill. Then she remembers to embrace the calm…

VIP Escorts and Bison Neighbours

Our first night in New Brunswick set a whole new bar for customer service when we rolled into the Atlantic time zone. We pulled into Sunset View Campground. The moment we arrived, we were met by a campground concierge—yes, you read that right, a concierge—who zipped ahead of us on an electric scooter to guide us right into our site and get us properly situated. They even handed the First Mate a pack of cookies upon arrival (and another when we departed!). With that kind of top-notch treatment, we were unhooked and hitting the pool in record time. We felt pampered…. thank you Jimmy and Christopher!

But if you want to know some of our absolute favourite chapters of this road trip so far, it’s the wild cards. The Harvest Hosts stays have been nothing short of incredible.

We parked our tires at Big D’s Bison Ranch on the wide open prairies, which was spectacular. Read more about that adventure. Our first night in Québec was spent boondocking at a lovely acreage in a classically quaint little village called Saint-Eugène-de-Grantham. The host family had four kids and the Grand Mere who spoke varying levels of French so there was a whole lot of Fr’anglais happening Watching the First Mate out there on the grass with his new friends, I could see language barriers didn’t mean a thing. Kids just find a way to become fast friends, running around in the sunshine while the adults shared laughs and connected without needing a dictionary.

Whether we’re plugged into full hooks or boondocking on a farm, this old chassis is proud to be the vessel for it all. Speaking of vessels, let me tell you about the boats and ships and ferries and….. But that’s for another day.

Until then… safe travels, dearest readers. Thanks for reading.
Love, Harvey