Joie 31 years as a RV nomad


The title says it all and we met Joei, an RV nomad in Dawson Creek, British Columbia this year. We love our travels as part time nomads partly because you never know who you will meet next.

Charlotte at mile Zero in Dawson Creek where we met Joei.
Charlotte at Mile Zero in Dawson Creek where we met Joei.


Pulling into Mile Zero Campground in Dawson Creek in northern Brittish Columbia, located on the start of the Alaskan Highway, we ended up parking next to another truck camper. We noticed it right away as it was a Kodiak, one of the many truck campers we have owned. We were due for a laundry day so Charlotte headed straight there going to get that task over with. In between loads she told me she had met our neighbour in the truck camper, a young 80 year old lady who had been a nomad for 31 years on her own. I had to meet her figuring she would have some great travel experience and some stories to tell. Yep I was right, she has enough stories to tell, she has written numerous books on her experiences and travel as a solo female since her 50’s. She told us, with a grin, that we were allowed two days to set up next to her and then we would have to move on or she would have to do us in. The reason will be obvious as my tale unfolds, we spent two and a half days there and listened to more stories than could be written in this blog, it’s not much wonder she has published so many books. I think she kinda liked us as she said she was sorry to see us go despite her previous warning.

Joei Carlton Hossack, a true nomad. I purchased two of her many books and spent some great time listning to her many experiances. 80 and still going strong a true inspriation.
Joei Carlton Hossack, a true nomad. I purchased two of her many books and spent some great time listening to her many experiences. 80 and still going strong a true inspiration.


More about Joei, her business card reads Joei Carlton Hossack, Author/Entertaining Speaker/Photographer/Publisher/Jewelry Maker and Designer/Artist and Painter…and Woman of the World. You just won’t read all about that in this blog you will have to buy her books. I was interested in why she chose the lifestyle, the challenges and if she had any regrets.After getting permision to post to my blog she told me her husband Paul and her were stricken with a wonderlust and looked forward to travelling the world together. In 1992 they purchased a large condo in Florida where they would store their “stuff” while travelling. Shortly after they travelled to Great Britain where they had their Renault Traffic motorhome stored and continued to travel. Only 16 days into their planned four-month trip Paul had a heart attack and died in a campground in northern Germany. “That condo to store our stuff would become my milstone” she said adding Florida was never the place she wanted to end up. She felt trapped, but in the meantime had started writing about their 2.5 years of travel in Europe for newspapers and magazines as well as some speaking.
After constant complaining to her neighbours about how much she disliked where she was at they told her she should just get out. “So I did” she said proudly, she put the place up for sale and sold her “stuff”. After the condo sold she said she felt free, no tears, no joy, just relief, she was free. Selling it all she admitted was not easy and had hoped it was the wise choice and started looking at RVs. She said no matter the cost and all the fancy trim one still had to go outside to hook up the sewer. She settled on her first trailer a 22.5 foot Thor fifth wheel and her new Ford F250 Powerstroke Diesel to pull it. Well after many differnt rigs over the years some good and some not so good, she still has her trusty F250 diesel now with a 9.5 Kodiak truck camper. She really likes this set up as it is easier to drive, can park anywhere and she is home.

Joei lives here, a Kodiak truck camper on her trusty F250 powerstoke diesel.
Joei lives here, a Kodiak truck camper on her trusty F250 powerstoke diesel. A good diesel but I’m not sure it will keep up with Joei.


Those first years she admits were a steep learning curve starting with pulling a trailer and driving my “Big Diesel truck”. She travelled the USA speaking and ended up publishing her first book of several, took art classes and started making jewelery which she started selling along the way. “I was well set financially, her friends referred to her as trailer trash with a debit card,” she said. She has spent time in Walmarts and many different places and campgrounds enjoying every moment meeting new people along the way. RVers and especially nomads are always upbeat and have great experiences to share, she said. As we found out one never knows who you will meet down the road with interesting travels and stories, and the more time they have spent travelling the better the stories.
Despite not everything being all roses and some trying times, things breaking down, lousy weather, she would not trade her lifestyle for anything. “If I don’t like a place or the weather is bad I can just leave,” adding with a grin “or if I don’t like the neighbours.” Being a solo female traveller has never to her appeared to be an issue as she is usually surrounded by interesting like-minded people. Joei now spends most of her time in Canada, not retuning to the US during the winter as it is a hassle with health insurance as one gets older becomes very expensive. She now winters in BC when not on the road. Mile Zero campground where we met her now appears to be her summer place, as she has a monthly rate and an OK from the owners to sell her books and jewelery.
I would need books to share her stories, and I heard a lot of them, I found her stories and life an inspiration to follow ones dreams. She loves the freedom from being tied down with “stuff” and perhaps pushing ones self out of their comfort zone to obtain their freedom. At 80 she is fit and healthy and not ready to change her lifestyle any time soon. Mile Zero campground is the ideal place for her as there are many people heading up the Alaskan Highway and her RV neighbours are always changing usually never staying more then two days, more stories and more book sales along with her jewelry. I bought her book, “Kiss This Florida I’m Outta Here”, and one of her short story books, “North to Wherever”. She was told many people had the attention span of a “gnat” so she wrote and self published several short stores, (at the time we met her some 22 of them) for those with the attention of a “gnat” could enjoy them.
In her words to sum up her life,” I have been an RVer for 33 years – 30 years as a solo RVer. Thirteen years as a full time RVer and 10 years as a solo full time RVer. And yes my family and friends are a little worried about me, but this is my last kick at the can and I’m not ready to give it up soon”.
You will probably find her next summer between May and Sept in Dawson Creek at Mile Zero, ask for Joei and be prepared to listen and share. Did I mention she is also very outspoken, a shameless self promoter and sales person, but it fits her perfectly as she puts it “Woman of the World.”
Joei you made our brief stay at Mile Zero very interesting, informative and inspirational, we hope to meet again down the road.
I still have some catching up to do on the interesting people we meet, the great places and not so great places we have stayed at so stay tuned. We’re also pumped that we got tickets to the Quartzite Truck Camper Rally this year, it always sells out allowing only 450 truck campers to attend. If all works out it should be a good time meeting like-minded travellers, kinda sucks to be Canadian when the $50 ticket becomes $70 once you put the maple leaf on it. But hey, Joei would say …go for it!
Thanks for your comments and feed back on our travels always enjoy them, hope to see you down the road,
Gerry (RVcowboy)
Charlotte (Editor in Chief)

Wild Western Days Rodeo and lawnmower races…Beechy Sk.

A wild western days weekend in Beechy, Saskatchewan Canada
Beechy Western Days, just one of the longest running rodeos in southern Saskatchewan, Charlotte and I had the pleasure of attending this summer on our travels. We made it to Wood Mountain Stampede, the longest continual running rodeo, and now in it’s 56th year Beechy Western Days. For a small community of around 250 people, some say more, some say less, but regardless of the number the community and surrounding area came together to host not only an excellent rodeo but an added feature “the lawn mower races” wild and western entertainment at its finest.

Beechy Western Days rodeo now in it's 56th year.
Beechy Western Days rodeo now in it’s 56th year.
Even these young wranglers get to helping prior to the rodeo.
Even these young wranglers get to helping prior to the rodeo.
Checking upout the bucking chutes. this is not their first rodeo.
Checking out the bucking chutes. this is not their first rodeo.
Hours of pre preperation go into hosting a Rodeo including lots of corral setting up.
Hours of pre preparation go into hosting a rodeo including lots of corral setting up.
A lot of action happens outside the arena preparing livestock for the event.
A lot of action happens outside the arena preparing livestock for the event.


Beechy is a village in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan within the Rural Municipality of Victory No. 226. The village is located in the Coteau Hills region of the province, at the intersection of Highway 342 and Highway 737. It’s really a destination community as it is not located on any of the major highways but a nice drive in the rolling hills on a decent highway, we met only a couple of vehicles on the way. The Beechy area was first settled by ranchers early in the 20th century, starting in the 1910s, immigration of Europeans to the Canadian prairies resulted in an increase in population for Beechy. These settlers started ranching and farming in the area, which remains Beechy’s primary activity today.

Beechy set in the rolling hills of southern Saskatchewan a population of approx 250.
Beechy, set in the rolling hills of southern Saskatchewan a population of approx 250. Quiet before the community fills with spectators and competitors for the annual rodeo.
Parked on a hill we spent a wuiet evening only to awaken surrounded by large horse trailers and the sound of horses and trucks.
Parked on a hill we spent a quiet evening only to awaken surrounded by large horse trailers and the sound of horses and trucks.
The quiet of a prairie sunset in Beechy.
The quiet of a prairie sunset in Beechy.

Beechy boasts a long history of community events, the first agricultural fair was held in the area in 1922. The first racetrack was built in 1948, and the following year the first harness races were held In 1996 the first Beechy Western Days Rodeo was held and continues on to today.
Charlotte and I arrived a day before the event and were amazed at just how much work went into putting on a first class rodeo, as well setting up many games for the kids and a first class race track for the famous lawn mower races. Small communities like this could not make these events happen without volunteer support from the community and area surrounding Beechy. Pens had to be put in place for the rodeo stock, the arena ground prepared to provide safe footing for the rodeo stock and barrel racing horses. Beer gardens and dance area set up, a full hall of events for the young ones and a race track second to none for the lawn mowers. Sometimes those of us who just show up for “the show” really do not appreciate the work that goes into entertaining us that goes on not just before but after the event as well.

Just a few of the many contestants arriving hopeing to place well and take home a cheque.
Just a few of the many contestants arriving hoping to place well and take home a cheque. We ended up moving to make room for many more to come. It’s easy when your home is in the back of your truck.


That first evening with our truck camper parked on the hill overlooking the arena all by ourselves we settled in for a very quiet night. The next morning we moved, fueled up and did a little shopping in town at the local Co-op and gift shop in town. Contestants needed the area we were parked in the night before, so we moved to spend the night near the golf course, close but thinking we were out of the way. To our surprise we awoke early the next morning surrounded by trucks and horse trailers all around us. We were in the middle of a rodeo so to speak, needless to say we knew more would be coming and in the hilly community of Beechy every space would be needed to park and unload their horses. The beauty of the truck camper is we could easily move our home to a steet in town and out of the way, quieter but close enough to enjoy the atmosphere.

Carl Bennet of Prairie Rodeo oversees the stock he provides being unloaded and placed in suitable pens.
Carl Barrett of Prairie Rodeo (center) oversees the stock he provides being unloaded and placed in suitable pens.
Rodeo contestans travel 100's of miles every weekend to compete. Between ,before and after get a chance to do some visiting and story telling about their last performance or lack of one.
Rodeo contestans travel 100’s of miles every weekend to compete. Between, before and after get a chance to do some visiting and story telling about their last performance or lack of one.
Team ropers line up waiting thier turn in the arena.
Team ropers line up waiting their turn in the arena.


Being one of the only Canadian Cowboys Rodeo on that weekend and near the finals the number of contestants in every event was packed for the Friday and Saturday performances, by contestants chasing the standings for the finals. Sunday’s performance featured the top ten from the prior events.

A calf roper makes a sucessful run and tie in just a few seconds.
A calf roper makes a successful run and tie in just a few seconds.
A crowd favorite Bull riding.
A crowd favourite bull riding.
One of the fastest events in rodeo ladies barrel racing.
One of the fastest events in rodeo ladies barrel racing.
Then there are those who jump from a racing horse to wrestle a steer down.
Then there are those who jump from a racing horse to wrestle a steer down.
Another fast time for this calf roper.
Another fast time for this calf roper.
Another popular event ladies tie down roping a lot of skill handling a rope.
Another popular event ladies tie down roping a lot of skill handling a rope.
Bareback and saddle bronc riders take the hardest beating of all on some tough bred bucking stock.
Bareback and saddle bronc riders take the hardest beating of all on some tough bred bucking stock.
Both horse and rider are marked in this event after the eight second ride. The tougher the horse the higher the mark and the riders style in staying mounted all count.
Both horse and rider are marked in this event after the eight second ride. The tougher the horse the higher the mark and the riders style in staying mounted all count.
Why anyone would want to compete in the wild horse race is beyond me...if you want really wild and western, you have to see it to believe it.
Why anyone would want to compete in the wild horse race is beyond me…if you want really wild and western, you have to see it to believe it. This cowboy barely got on before being ejected.

For those who do not know rodeo it is one of the only sports I know of that the contestants themselves pay the winners of the event. They pay an entry fee which goes into the event pool with the top three splitting the money, those who do not qualify for the money go home earning nothing. In some cases rodeo committees will add extra money to the pot to attract more contestants. Most rodeo contestants live on the road all summer long competing at rodeos across the province and for some as many as three in one weekend, putting on many miles. A lot of the contestants are from cattle ranching operation backgrounds and are a big family every weekend visiting and story telling, but fierce competitors in the arena.

A number of simple games for the young, housed inside the curling rink kept the younger ones entertained.
A number of simple games for the young, housed inside the curling rink kept the younger ones entertained.
Duck hunting with a fishing rod.
Duck hunting with a fishing rod.
Train rides around the race track pulled by of course a lawn mower.
Train rides around the race track pulled by of course a lawn mower. One looks not so young.


Outside of the rodeo Charlotte and I were impressed with the amount of work that went into entertaining the younger ones with some very simple games we had not seen since our youth, fishing in the duck pond and bobbing for apples…go figure.

Feature presentation the "lawn mower races". Pit crews preparing their machines.
Feature presentation the “lawn mower races”. Pit crews preparing their machines.


Then there were the Lawn Mower Races, the year finale to be exact on a very challenging track, lawnmowers and people packed the pit area all preparing the lawn mowers for the races, all helping each other make sure they were running their best. On the track it was fast and furious and everyone for themselves, with rollovers, crashes and bumping and grinding at full out speed. When one contestant ran into trouble and broke down everyone helped get the mower and driver fixed and back into the race. A first for us, we will never look at a riding lawnmower the same again, great fast paced entertainment, good sports and a good time for contestants and huge crowd of spectators.

Racing was top speed and may the best person win. Disclaimer: no grass was cut during this event.
Racing was top speed and may the best person win. Disclaimer: no grass was cut during this event.
Rounding corners on two wheels not uncommon during the race.
Rounding corners on two wheels not uncommon during the race.
A few crashes as fierce competition for the years final trophy pushe racers to thier limits.
A few crashes as fierce competition for the years final trophy pushes racers to their limits.
In the pits everyone helped each other to keep the machines running and on the track. Notice the safety bale in place to support the machine during repairs.
In the pits everyone helped each other to keep the machines running and on the track. Notice the safety bale in place to support the machine during repairs.
Sometimes the gears just get jammed and need a little adjustment.
Sometimes the gears just get jammed and need a little adjustment.
GEP20029 1
The years final race and the prize trophies along with the bragging rights…until next season.


Charlotte and I would like to thank those involved and the community of Beechy for making us feel right at home and part of the event. We met so many great residents of the area names elude us and we would just get them mixed up anyway, so thanks for your hospitality. The main organizer of the lawn mower races requested some images from me, he reached out but for some reason I cannot email to a gmail account so if you know him have him contact me at 306 229-4542 and I will arrange to get him the images.
If you have some time next year and want a weekend packed with fun check out Beechy Western Days, sure you will not be disappointed.
In our four months of travel we stayed at some pretty fantastic spots and met some very interesting people who live full time in their RV. I look forward now that we are stationary for a few months to feature them and places of interest we visited with you in future posts. Also working on a breakdown of costs and our feelings about life on the road in a truck camper.
Hope you enjoyed the images as much as I enjoyed taking them the indoor rodeo photos are a little blury due to low light and fast action. Thanks for those who subscribed and your feedback on the posts is always welcome…more to come, and we hope to see you down the road.
Gerry (RVcowboy)
Charlotte (Editor in Chief)

Life on the road and major tire problems

Life on the road has a few challenges, one of which should not come from newly installed tires.
Life on the road has a few challenges, one of which should not come from newly installed tires.

Not exactly a travel article but it’s part of life on the road, many of my 25,000 views come from people who are RV travellers and as a RV owner you know how important tires on the ground are, this is my story. Lack of photos to accompany this article as they would be in Canadian Tire service centers not very exciting or creative. Last September I had four new Motomaster X Trail tires installed on my F350 SRW truck. The truck is used only to carry our slide in Northern Lite truck camper. Upon installation in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan I noticed a shake at 100 km per hour. At the Saskatoon Canadian Tire Preston store there is no appointments made, it is first come first served, I live out of town and after having spent nearly 4.5 hours to have the tires installed sitting in the waiting room I did not want to repeat this process. Also I had to return as my low tire pressure light was on, this before I left town one hour later. I was told by the service person if it did not reset by itself I would have to have Ford do it. (They did not even know it has a reset code link 23, I did it myself after going on line at home.) I was told to drop it off and would have to unload the camper to do the balance (the only shop that required this as no other has asked to unload the camper) and they could not give me a time to get this done just leave it and wait. The service manager told me to get them balanced locally and send him the bill. Time went by as we were not using the camper and winter came, we did not use it over the winter. My first mistake waiting

The upside is that the tire problems forced us to visit areas we would not have chosen to visit.
The upside is that the tire problems forced us to visit areas we would not have chosen to visit.


This spring as I am a travel writer we once again planned a four month trip, rented our cabin out and before hitting the road had our truck totally checked out by Vanscoy Auto and assured only a top ball joint, steering stabalizer needed attention. I had Valley Ford do this along with a wheel alignment. I replaced the shocks with four new Bilstine shocks and a new steering stabalizer at this time thinking perhaps this was the shake, it did not go away. I paid to have the tires rebalanced at Martensville Canadian Tire before we left at their regular rate, there I was told 3 months had passed and no warranty. Still a shake at 100 km per hour, we had to get on the road and thinking perhaps driving them a bit would work out the shake. This was my second mistake.
We got to Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan and stayed over two extra days, Sam the service manager in that Canadian Tire store got us in and rebalanced the tires, this time at no charge, still a shake as he took it for a drive himself. So they rebalanced them again at no charge, but now delayed two days on our way to the Wood Mountain Stampede. After balancing them twice with no change and we were told our lower passenger ball joint was a little loose and may cause the shake. They could do nothing for us as their alignment guy was on holidays for a week and a half. When asked if they would change out the tires they did not have the X Trail tires in stock to replace them. We went directly to Knight Ford in Moose Jaw who got us in right away, note with the camper on. So I paid $1200 plus to have that work done and another wheel alignment with no success the shake was there. So far my wife and I spent approximately 10 hours in service centers. (The wear was minor and probably not necessary but on the advice of the Canadian Tire service people we had this done, I really had no choice). Now for sure I suspect it is the tires as my old Wranglers I took off before the trip had no shake what so ever. Moose Jaw Canadian Tire said they would order some in if I drove back and try that, I even considered at that time paying to have a different brand put on but they did not have those in stock either. So far the service manager Sam Morrison in Moose Jaw was the only service manager we encountered out of many that was really trying to help solve our problem. He test drove our rig several times to know what we were dealing with and agreed we had a problem.
We attended our rodeo event and contacted the Canadian Tire store in Medicine Hat, Alberta, they had a set of the X Trail tires so I contacted Moose Jaw informing them we were heading to Medicine Hat. After rebalancing them again with no luck, the store there replaced all four. Still no change and once again paid for install and balance and warranty. Still no change and they could not change me up to a different brand of tires as they had none in stock.

Life on the road requires flexability, even finding unplanned  overnight spots near tire service centers.
Life on the road requires flexibility, even finding unplanned overnight spots near tire service centers, note the shiny new rim.


Having to be on our way to Calgary we stopped approximately 50 kms later at an Integra Tire shop in Bow Island who rebalanced the tires and told me the one tire had a hop in it and it was probably a bad tire. Note! they did not even charge me a dime got me in right away camper on, thank you for excellent service, I was in and out in under one hour.We then drove back to Medicine Hat where they replaced the tire and told me the rim could be the problem but had no rims in stock. We found a Ford dealer in Brooks, Alberta that had a new rim ordered in for us. (Again,Canadian Tire service people indicated the rim should be replaced as it might have a little bend). We overnighted there and had an oil change at the Brooks Lube and Alignment shop where I paid to have them to move the front wheel to the back for only $10.00, no change just the same shake now on the rear. Going back after picking up the new rim, I than paid them to mount the new rim on the suspect tire, still getting a shake. Since we are on the road in a truck camper for the next now three months we had no place to take the old (not damaged rim) so left it behind. The folks at Brooks Lube and Alignment were excellent, very reasonable, and we were in and out in in under one hour with no appointment and camper on…go figure.
We had an event in Didsbury, Alberta we had to go to so continued on. After our stay in Didsbury several days later we took it to OK Tire in Linden, Alberta asked them to check the front end and drive line and anything that could possibly cause the shake. They drove it and told me it felt like the tires were out of balance so I paid once again to get them to rebalance them. They noticed a tire hop in the front tires so moved them to the back and the shake was a little better but still there. They feel it is the tires, now we are approximately 17 hours in service centers and a lot of money later spent on various improvement to our truck, only some were necessary at the time. Interestingly enough the old Wranglers we removed for these new tires never caused us a moments trouble and shake free even before all this work was done. OK Tire Linden Alberta were honest enough to tell us the tires could not be balanced properly and wrote what they found on the invoice. Excellent service and with the camper on, Saskatoon Canadian Tire take note.
By this time I had contacted Canadian Tire corporate office and after several attempts Andy at Corporate Customer Relations returned my email and upon sending him our sad story said he would replace those tires at no charge while we were in Calgary so I requested BF Goodrich All Terrain KO2 tires. I have in recent years used Canadian Tire to install Wrangler Duratrac tires on my truck and our Nissan Xterra and other vehicles and had no problems and being as we travel a lot could ususally find a Canadian Tire store located near us. These Motomaster X Trail tires checked all the boxes I needed re load rating and winter all terrain driving. I never suspected this amount of trouble and expense to change out my tires.

Making the best of our many service center stop overs we did fing some choice spots to stay at even though not planned. If we had made campsite reservations before leaving we would have had a major problem in changing or cancelling.
Making the best of our many service center stopovers we did find some choice spots to stay at even though not planned. If we had made campsite reservations before leaving we would have had a major problem in changing or canceling.


Follow up to service work in Calgary:
After being sent to Canadian Tire Pacific Place store as they indicated to Andy they had the tires, we made the appointment to have the tires changed out with BF Goodrich KO2 tires. The appointment was for 12:30 and we were early. Approximately two hours later the truck was still on the hoist with no tires, I was then told after inquiring as to what was the hold up, that due to a miscommunication, they did not have the right size tires. This would involve sending their driver one hour away to pick up the right tires. At 4:30 we finally had the truck with tires installed in only four hours a new record. I noticed the service man driving my truck and slide in camper over the speed bumps very fast. I ran out and asked him to slow down, he looked at me laughed and raced off over more speed bumps turned and left down the road. I was not told the truck would leave I had left my camera and lens just inside the camper on the floor instead of in the cab when worked on. Had I known the truck would leave this would not be where I would have left it, luckily other than things in the camper moved around it was OK. Those who know truck campers can appreciate this, the moron who drove it had no idea the damage that could be done. I use the word moron as a calmed down version of what he was. When I voiced my displeasure at this I was pretty much ignored with a shrug the service manager did not come out of the back shop and left the counter person to deal with it. She basically told to sign off and that these tires would carry no warranty. This after a warranty I had just paid for on the second set of X Trails and travelled perhaps 200 km. In my opinion after considerable time 22.5 hours spent in service centers and the extra expenses and down time I did not need to be treated like that by these people perhaps she should find a job not customer orientated. To this point I am the idiot for even putting up with this starting right from Canadian Tire Preston in Saskatoon Saskatchewan. Do not be me!
Thanks to Andy at head office I now have some tires that do not shake the truck around but am out of pocket $2,595.83 in uneccessary expenses and have spent 22.5 hours in service shops not counting the 4.5 hours to have them installed in Saskatoon originally. I notice the Canadian Tire service rate $145/hr. Well as a travel writer my time is also worth some thing and the last straw was how I was treated at the Calgary Pacific Place store. The upside to this is that Charlotte who spent most of our travel time browsing Canadian Tire stores will not even enter one, money saved right there.
My last word and lessons learned
I have in the last several years purchased tires for our truck and Nissan Xterra from Canadian Tire due to their warranty policy which I agree is good under normal circumstances, however like most insurance and warranties anything out of normal is a problem. To be honest it took two independent tire shops to let me know they could not balance the tires 100% and suspected the tire or tires. All the Canadian Tire service centers that balanced them told me they were out of balance so how can so many different Canadian Tire stores let an unbalanced tire go and charge me for it, the weight position changed every time they were balanced. I tried to question this but got no where so it is not all on me.
I will never again wait over four hours to have new tires installed and balanced, I will expect any problems to be dealt with immediately, also I will have a set appointment time and expect work to be done then. I would expect to be treated like a customer whose time is also valuable. After a summer of visiting many tire shops and service centers this takes Canadian Tire Service centers off my list of possible suppliers. Unfortunately some of our big chains have forgotten what a customer service is and even the good local people who work there, their hands are tied. In future local owned shops will get my business and will stick with brand name tires. So far we have put on nearly 2,500 km since the change and no problem, haven’t visited a service center since. I’m sure many have had different experiances, this is just my story. I wish I could have posted a better article as this reflects poorly on me for putting up with the run around. My time at the Calgary Canadian tire shop was the last straw and felt my story needed to be shared.
I really want to thank Andy from Corporate Canadian Tire who got me out of the Motomaster X Trail tires and Sam Morrison service manager in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan for treating me like a customer during this time, and although Sam and Andy had corporate rules to follow he treated me like he cared, a small but powerful gesture much appreciated.

Well we made it this far despite our tire problems. Good to be back at Dawson Creek but plans changed again this time fires in areas we wanted to travel.
Well we made it this far despite our tire problems. Good to be back at Dawson Creek but plans changed again this time fires in areas we wanted to travel.


So if my updates to the blog are sparse this summer you now know why, between tire issue delays and fires we have had to be very flexiable this summer. Other than our waste of time in service shops we have seen some great country and met some interesting people and learned a lot about full time living on the road. This we will share with you in upcoming posts. Subscribe if you’re interested in updates through your email, no charge to you and won’t make me a dime either it’s just good to share.
Hope you summer travels were good, stay safe and hope we meet down the road.
Gerry (RVcowboy)
Charlotte (Editor in Chief)

T.Rex world’s largest dinosaur, Eastend Sask.

T.Rex worlds largest dinasour.
T.Rex world’s largest dinosaur.

Before our visit to see the home of world’s largest T.Rex our tire problems persisted and I have had a lot of you ask to hear our story on that. My tire problems have been resolved. I am trying to be fair to the tire company in seeing how they handle my nearly 20 hours of wasted time and travel as well as almost $2,400 in extra costs. At this time it has not been resolved to my satisfaction and will share my experience at the end of this month which I feel has been adequate time for even a large corporation to respond.

T.Rex Discovery Centre in Eastend Saskatchewan.
T.Rex Discovery Centre in Eastend, Saskatchewan.
The large centre built into the hillside, home of many discoveries from the area.
The large centre built into the hillside, home of many discoveries from the area.
Lots of fun things to do for the kids.
Lots of fun things to do for the kids.
This one is concrete, but to scale.
This one is concrete, but to scale.


On our travels we stopped for breakfast in a small town in southern Saskatchewan, I had heard of Eastend and someting to do with a dinosaur. We noticed the T.Rex Discovery Centre built on the side of a hill from our breakfast spot in the park. We drove up after breakfast and it was not open yet, so we toured the small community nestled in the hills of southern Saskatchewan. Eastend is one of those small towns one drives into and you say to yourself “I could actually live here”. The well kept community has most of the amenities one would need as well as a great campground, which we ended up not staying at as we had another tire appointment.
The reason for Eastend being put on the map was the discovery in 1991 by a local school teacher Robert Gebhardt joining a team of palaentologists to look for fossils in the Frenchman Valley. What they discovered was a tooth and tail vertabra from what would be later discovered to be from the world’s largest know T.Rex dinosaur. In 1994 excavation began on what is now known as one of the most complete 75 percent, 65 million year old carnivorous dinosaurs ever found. The T.Rex was nicknamed “Scotty”. The T.Rex Discovery Centre was opened to house the fossil remains and is open May 20 to Sept 4th for visitors and admission is by donation.

Information overload, one can and we did spend a lot of time in here.
Information overload, one can and we did spend a lot of time in here.
Again just for kids there is an on hands interactive area just for the younger folks.
Again just for kids there is an on hands interactive area just for the younger folks.
Not sure what this was not my kinda pet though.
Not sure what this was not my kinda pet though.
I did not pay enough attention so I do not know what this was either.
I did not pay enough attention so I do not know what this was either.
Keep you pets on a leash around this fella.
Keep your pets on a leash around this fella.


The wait for the centre to open was very much worth it and would recommend it to anyone. Charlotte and I were shown around by a young student palaentologist who answered many of our questions and educated us a lot on the process of preserving and identifying the remains of these million year old discoveries. He also told us how they can date such finds but I have already forgotten that it was kinda over my head a little. We really did appreciate the personal time that was spent with us as we knew literally nothing about the process and time required for them to safely excavate and store the prehistoric past.

Where the time consuming work comes in preserving the past.
Where the time consuming work comes in preserving the past.
The labs are open for all to see and they will be very happy to explain the workings to you.
The labs are open for all to see and they will be very happy to explain the workings to you.


Eastend is in southwest Saskatchewan, Canada 55 kms north of the Montana border and 85 kms east of the Alberta border set in the rolling hills of the Frenchman Valley. For more information check out T.Rex Discovery Centre or watch the documentary, The story of the T.Rex-Biggest in the world.
Hope you enjoyed the photos and just a little information on this community I will leave the rest for you to discover and enjoy as we did.

Thanks to our new subscribers as this is a non monetary site so just your appreciation and interest is our pay and we are pleased to share our images with you. Way more to come as we have another 6,000 kms to go and may I add on good tires.
Hope to meet you down the road, the scenery is great but the people we meet make the memories. Make today and every day the best day of your life.
Gerry (RVcowboy)
Charlotte (Editor in Chief)

Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan Canada

One feels very small here in the grassdlands of Saskatchewan.
One feels very small here in the grassdlands of Saskatchewan.
This stop was not originally on our list but are we gald we made the trip here to experiance untouched vast grasslands.
This stop was not originally on our list but are we gald we made the trip here to experience untouched vast grasslands.

We left Wood Mountain this morning to the Grasslands National Park East Block, just 29 kms south of Wood Mountain on the US border. Rock Creek Campground turned out to be more than expected with 24 tent/RV sites all with 50 amp electrical. Eight oTENTsiks, picnic tables, fire pits and fire wood with a burning permit. Vault toilets and RV sani dump station with potable water. The park also features dishwashing stations, and a kitchen shelter. The park can also facilitate the equine campers in a fantastic setting to hill ride in the grasslands of southern Saskatchewan.

Looking a litte small from up here.
Looking a litte small from up here.
The patway to many walking trails in the park, one can register and hike out camping anywhere in the vast hills best have gps.
The pathway to many walking trails in the park, one can register and hike out camping anywhere in the vast hills best have GPS. It was 30 pus today so we only took the several km hike and not the 10km starting from this point.
A reminder of the people who lived on this land before becoming protected as a National Park.
A reminder of the people who lived on this land before, becoming protected as a National Park.
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If you’re looking for water activities this park is not for you, if you want to hear nothing but the wind blowing and big open skies full of stars at night this may be a fit for you. GNP is Canada’s only national park that presents and protects the Prairie Grasslands Natural Region. The park represents one of the finest intact parcels of North American mixed grass prairie habitat in existence. This is the type of park we are looking for away from the noise and the crowds and land untouched by plows and concrete, nature pure and natural. I am so pleased we have the National Parks to preserve nature in its natural state and protect the grasslands from the plow as it appears canola is taking over more acres all the time.

The Red  chairs a common site in Canada's National parks but a beautiful views for one to sit and ponder for awhile.
The red chairs, a common site in Canada’s National Parks, beautiful views for one to sit and ponder for awhile.
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The changing landscape is amazing in these hills.
The changing landscape is amazing in these hills.
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The Park Office with the campground in th background. Also a great equine campground for those wishing to ride the hills.
The Park Office with the campground in the background. Also a great equine campground for those wishing to ride the hills.
The vastness will make one feel very small as it goes for miles without a road or building in sight.
The vastness will make one feel very small as it goes for miles without a road or building in sight.
Don't hike in sandles or flip flops.
Don’t hike in sandals or flip flops yes rattlesnakes do live here.
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This is so different for Charlotte and I as we have travelled the north and the forests in the province, but if all we wanted was more of the same we would just stay home and not travel. We are finding beauty wherever we are either in a canoe, hiking or just passing through. It’s been a great day and a great find.
Before registering at the campground we took a tour on a paved roadway passing through the park and were amazed at the hills and deep ravines, there are many spots to get out and view the landscape. We registered for $31.50 which included power and water. There were very clean washrooms, potable water and sani dump. After taking one of the hikes through the hills we enjoyed the quiet of the campground where one could only hear the wind, a total change from the rodeo. We also enjoyed meeting a couple Marc and Nancy from Quebec who practised their english on us and did very well, much better then I would do in their province. They had been on the road for several months and were returning home in their class B van. We also met Ron and Maureen from Ottawa travelling pulling a teardrop trailer it was good to meet others who had no timeline to be anywhere.

There is a beauty in this untouched wilderness, that the early settlers and native Canadians passed over and lived on.
There is a beauty in this untouched wilderness, that the early settlers and native Canadians passed over and lived on.
The sun sets on another day that was full of enjoying natures unspoiled beauty, and meeting some very interesting travellers on our journey.
The sun sets on another day that was full of enjoying natures unspoiled beauty, and meeting some very interesting travellers on our journey.


The park staff were very helpful and friendly, also fluent in french and helped us understand the balance of sharing a natural resource with the public. This is definitely a park we would return to and one we almost overlooked in our travel plans.
That’s it for this one, thanks to the new subscribers it makes me feel good as we are now over 23,000 viewers to the site. Take care, have a safe summer and we hope to meet down the road…
Gerry (RVcowboy)
Charlotte (Editor in Chief)

Wood Mountain Stampede

Wood Mountain Stampede held at the Wood Mountain Regional Park "the gate keepers".
Wood Mountain Stampede held at the Wood Mountain Regional Park “the gate keepers”.
Cowboys and cowgirls from all over travelled miles to compete in the 137 rodeo event here at Wood Mountain.
Cowboys and cowgirls from all over travelled miles to compete in the 134th rodeo event here at Wood Mountain.
Set in the beautiful hills of Wood Mountain, a lot of history here.
Set in the beautiful hills of Wood Mountain, a lot of history here.

July 7th saw us at Wood Mountain Stampede, this was definitely not on our original travel plans. Delayed for a medical procedure in Saskatoon, we had spent the month of June in Prince Albert National Park. We then travelled north to La Ronge for a short trip and to pick up the best wild rice grown anywhere. So far our trip has taken us from La Ronge to Prince Albert, Smeaton, Saskatoon, Moose Jaw, and Wood Mountain Regional Park. It was here at Wood Mountain the longest running continuous rodeo in Canada was held, it’s been 134 years of traditional rodeo.

The covering of the grandstand with branches is a tradition that goes back a long way.
The covering of the grandstand with branches is a tradition that goes back a long way.
The branches allow the air to flow through while providing shade for the spectators.
The branches allow the air to flow through while providing shade for the spectators.

One of the best rodeos anywhere and we have been to a few, in our earlier years we followed the CCA rodeo circuit as rodeo photographers and were at one every weekend across the province of Saskatchewan. This is the account as recorded in my daily journal:
Friday July7th
Stayed over in Moose Jaw last night had rear tire balanced one more time with no change in the shaking at 100 kms. Thinking it must be the tires. Drove to Wood Mountain Rodeo $70 for two nights on the rodeo grounds and $15 each for rodeo passes. Visited Wood Mountain Post established by the NWMP in 1874. The post established just north of the newly established international border with the US made it a strategic point in stopping illegal trade including whiskey traders, horse thieves and cattle rustlers. When Fort Walsh was built the post was closed.
In 1887 when Sitting Bull and thousands of Sioux fled the USA the post was re-opened to monitor their activity. The Sioux lived comfortably in the area until food supplies ran short and returned to the USA. The Wood Mountain Post was once again closed in 1883.
The North West conflict prompted the NWMP to re-open the post in 1886 to do border patrols and stop supplies coming from the US. Following the conflict the post was used as a police station until the Provincial Police Force was established in 1918 and the Post was closed for the last time. Today it still stands partly reconstructed a reminder of by gone years in our history.

Part of the fort preserved as a reminder of our history.
Part of the fort preserved as a reminder of our history.
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Another day in Wood Mountain Regional Park. Today we took in a team roping competition in the rodeo arena, a Ranch Rodeo and the Canadian Cowboys rodeo. We talked to and met some very interesting people that love the western lifestyle. Also a different breed of RVers who travel all summer long going from rodeo to rodeo pulling their horse trailer which also includes RV living quarters. Some of these units would be right up there with the top RVs on the market today and are dual purpose. It has been 26 years since we were at this rodeo and enjoy the laid back, very traditional western feel to the event. This includes placing willow and poplar branches over the grand stands and bucking chutes. This practice dates back to the beginning of the rodeos here. The popular rodeo draws a large number of contestants, featuring the beer gardens and cabaret dance on the Friday and Saturday evenings after the performances. The CCA Rodeo is Saturday and Sunday.

Bareback bronc riding just one of the events.
Bareback bronc riding just one of the events.
Opps the saddle is way ahead of this rider as he goes out the back door in the saddle bronc event.
Oops the saddle is way ahead of this rider as he goes out the back door in the saddle bronc event.
Ladies barrel racing one of the faster rodeo events.
Ladies barrel racing one of the faster rodeo events.
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Steer wrestling and team ropeing are two other popular events.
Steer wrestling and team roping are two other popular events.
Getting ready for the bull riding.
Getting ready for the bull riding.
Always a popular event the bull riding and that 8 second ride.
Always a popular event the bull riding and that 8 second ride.
A bull riders best friend the bull fighters who get between the bull and the downed cowboy.
A bull riders best friend, the bull fighters who get between the bull and the downed cowboy.
The pick up men also aid the cowboys getting off the bucking broncs saftely.
The pick up men also aid the cowboys getting off the bucking broncs safely.
Intermission saw the crowd entertained by these young ladies and their horsmanship skills.
Intermission saw the crowd entertained by these young ladies and their horsemanship skills.
Not for beginners do not try this at home!
Not for beginners do not try this at home!


Saturday night was one of the noisest nights we have had so far, When there is a rodeo dance on you can expect the music to play into the early morning and it did. That was expected, what was not expected was a generator parked right out front ran all night long, and not a quiet generator. Sleep was very sporatic to say the least, we hope it was for a sleep apnea machine or something.

Wood Mountain Regional Park also features a swimming pool, and one of the best rodeo museums in the country.
Wood Mountain Regional Park also features a swimming pool, and one of the best rodeo museums in the country.

A view of our past is featured in several resored homesteads at the park.
A view of our past is featured in several restored homesteads at the park.
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That’s about it for this blog, so much one just has to experience it for themselves and take the time to explore the rich history of the area. We’re off to Grasslands National Park next blog and would like to take you along for the trip. We were impressed by this park if you want to subscribe leave your email address and you will be notified by email when I actually get a post up or get cell service. We are working our way north now that we have travelled from the north of the province to the far south.

The best part of this travel is meeting some very interesting people who we will also share with you.

Safe travels and make every day the best day of your life…..Cheers

Gerry (RVcowboy)

Charlotte (Editor in chief)

Quick Set-up camp table

Small outside cooking table, stores away easy and quick set up.
Small outside cooking table, stores away easy and quick set up.

You asked for it more on the quick set-up camp table. We do as much boondocking as we can so in many places there are no picnic tables to cook on. There are days we do not want to add any heat inside the camper cooking so we cook outside and not always able to have a fire to cook over. We needed a quick simple table to do this. I started with a laminated pine shelving from Home Depot and being a photographer looked at my mono pod and tripod for support. I accomplished this with screwing two quick release camera mounts to the underside of the shelf.

Quick release camera mount.
Quick release camera mount.
Quick release on the mono pod, the same is on my tripod.
Quick release on the mono pod, the same is on my tripod.
My mono pod with the quick release head.
My mono pod with the quick release head.

This way I could use both the tripod and mono pod to create a table or just the mono pod when connected to the camper. I found two brackets in the gate hardware section to fasten to the camper, two plain L shaped corner brackets to the bottom of the shelf and I had a quick connect to the camper.

Camper attached table.
Camper attached table.
Free standing table with adjustable height and leveling.
Free standing table with adjustable height and leveling.
Small harware brackets found at the hardware store.
Small hardware brackets found at the hardware store.
Two brackets to the rear step provides secure mount with little movement.
Two brackets to the rear step provides secure mount with little movement.

We always needed a coffee table so a piece of square shelving and a wood burnt checkerboard/chessboard with another quick release and my tripod accomplished this. No matter what terrain we are on I can always level.

Tripod to small square plywood top.
Tripod to small square plywood top.
Makes a great coffee table or games table with adjustable height and leveling.
Makes a great coffee table or games table with adjustable height and leveling.

The table top, tripod and mono pod store in the basement of our Northern light. I’m sure non photographers can come up with a suitable alternative to my equipment. Just wanted something quick, simple and in a truck camper easy to store. I hope the photos tell a better story.

L shaped brackets requied I notch the slide in tray to fit flush.
L shaped brackets required I notch the slide in tray to fit flush.
Slides easily and quickly out of the way with room underneath for storage.
Slides easily and quickly out of the way with room underneath for storage.

When travelling and living in a truck camper or small RV everything you pack must have a use and even better many uses. If we encounter a grungy picnic table or none at all this quick set up works great for us, it would only be better if it could be located under the rear awning. Anyway I had many questions about the set up so I hope this answered a few and is just as clear now as mud.

Next Post Wood Mountain Stampede, Canada’s longest running continuous rodeo celebrating 134 years this year. Images and details in the next post, subscribers will be notified by email when they are up…

Thanks to the new subscribers you keep me going. Hope to meet you down the road….
Gerry (RVcowboy)
Charlotte (Editor in Chief)

Posting notifications on (Facebook)-Gerry Popplewell-(Instagram) – gerrypopplewell

Full time travelers along the road.

Well 47 days into our full time travels and my tire problems have not yet been solved, this will make for an interesting read if there is a conclusion to the story. That for another post as for now we have spent more time trying to resolve the issue then really travelling, just part of life on the road. It would really be nice if nothing ever needed replacing or repaired once we purchased it. Around our cabin there was always something that needed attention and no different on the road, except we get to shop in many different communities. It is also a proven fact even new will not guarantee a product that works these days as it appears many in the quality control dept. were laid off.

Waiting for tire service over two days in Medicine Hat Alberta Canadian Tire. Thanks to Walmart we did not add extra expense to the stay over.
Waiting for tire service over two days in Medicine Hat, Alberta Canadian Tire. Thanks to Walmart we did not add extra expense to the stay over.
A beautiful sunset from the Walmart resort in Medicine Hat Alberta.
A beautiful sunset from the Walmart resort in Medicine Hat, Alberta.
A beautiful campsite at Brooks Alberta in the Tillebrook Provincial campground. We stayed over for another tire balance and oil change. If in the area we highly recomend Brooks Lube & Alignment for great service.
A beautiful campsite at Brooks, Alberta in the Tillebrook Provincial campground. We stayed over for another tire balance and oil change along with a new rim from the Brooks Ford dealer. If in the area we highly recomend Brooks Lube & Alignment for great service.
Getting at the spare with the truck camper on is not easy.
Getting at the spare with the truck camper on is not easy.
Only in Alberta and perhaps Texas will you find Texas gates on a highway.
Only in Alberta and perhaps Texas will you find Texas gates on a highway.


Enough of a rant and on to some positive, we met many great people so far in this year’s travel several have allowed me to share their story with you. Lynne and Owen from Connecticut USA who are living and travelling full time in their converted van. A van that was partly converted very simply already as a camper van which Owen found once they had decided to sell their house and everything and see the country in the van. It appeared this was possibly Owen’s dream of travel and living in a van, but when asked Lynne admitted she loved the simple lifestyle and we could see she was also 100% committed.

Meet Owen and Lynne from Connecticut USA.
Meet Owen and Lynne from Connecticut, USA. Two van life’rs enjoying the freedom of travel, a simple way of life and all that nature has to offer.


Owen, not a small man, admitted for some time he watched van life living on YouTube and read books on the lifestyle. He said “my health was suffering, I was putting on weight just sitting reading and watching others, I said to Lynne let’s just do it”. He found the van, put their house up for sale, got rid of a lot of stuff and their house sold quicker then expected, but they made it work and moved into the van. After two years in the van they have travelled the US and now were checking out Canada. Ron said he has never felt better and his health is improving now that he has got off the chesterfield and done it. Neither have any regrets on their decision.
Lynne was a stay at home mother who was very involved as a video artist working with a public Access network dealing with a lot of local issues in their community. She also did a lot of volunteer work. They raised three children and did a lot of camping and Lynne managed to find time to pursue her artwork. Lynne just recently lost both her parents, who they had spent some time looking after during their health battles.

Both are musicians and enjoy the great outdoors and a simple lifestyle.
Both are musicians and enjoy the great outdoors and a simple lifestyle while living in their van.


Owen was a registered nurse by trade and a research medical professional. He spent many years working for a big pharmaceutical company, a very draining job he admitted. He loved the outdoors and camping so travel was in his blood. He saved and when he was laid off due to covid that’s what made the decision to travel easier, he now does some contract work while on the road when he has to he said. He now has turned his attention to collecting herbs and wild plants along the way that have medicinal properties and doing some research into there uses, way over my head.

Ron is studying the medicinal properties of wild plants in nature as they travel.
Owen is studying the medicinal properties of wild plants in nature as they travel.


Lynne and Owen have been to the big RV show in Quartzite, Arizona in January every year and the RTR hosted by the well known Bob Wells of Cheap RV living. Both these events are on our bucket list and meeting the grand daddy of RV living would be great. Hopefully as one never knows but the truck camper rally in Quartzite in February is a possibility for us…again see how that goes. Are they planning on owning another home, not really they say. Owen a dual citizen of the US and Canada say perhaps they would purchase a little piece of land in both countrys to park on in between travels. The world is a big place to explore and time is limited.
We met Lynne and Owen in northern Saskatchewan and they were impressed with the kindness and friendly people they found along the way, they extended their stop over in the province. See people do notice when you take the time to say hi with a smile, they just pass it on. Safe travels Owen and Lynne and thanks for sharing with us.
These along with Ron and Anne from my last post and others we have met share the same feeling of freedom as we do as we travel. None of us make reservations and try to avoid places that require them. Any time we need help someone is there, no problem, and full timers understand this the best. It has been said by many the freedom they feel from “stuff” holding them down and are finding out how little “stuff” one really needs to be truly happy and comfortable. One becomes more aware of our water waste, our power usage and the amount of garbage we produce, all that has been reduced in our tiny homes on wheels. If the general population was aware of the waste perhaps our planet would not be where it is today.
Despite some issues we are enjoying all the places we have lived at and will share them as I catch up, sometimes one just has to enjoy the moment. There is never any shortage of experiences or people to write about…just time to get it done. Retirement I found out is not a holiday it’s hard work….stay healthy and safe travels and wherever your are enjoy every sunrise and sunset.
Hope to see ya all down the road thanks to the 22,000 people who have checked out the site I am going to try and keep it up, I’m really surprised that many are interested but thank you. I am not monitized and have no intention of earning income off this site, so it’s free to subscribe you will not be contacted with some ad, it just makes it easier to get notified by email.
Gerry (RVcowboy)
Charlotte (Editor in Chief)

RV living the downside

Truck Camper life and road repairs part of RV living.

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As with many homes, our homes on wheels sometimes need some attention.


I, like many others, have watched many YouTube and blog sites on full time RV living. Most sites are intriguing as they feature the most beautiful camp spots, great hikes with great views from the windows of their home. While this is true there is the not so glorified aspect to living on the road. Every home needs maintenance and same goes for our homes on wheels, just sometimes not in the most convenient places.

Ron Anne and Auzzie
Ron, Anne and Auzzie


To continue on with Ron and Anne in their Northern Lite who you met in my last post, they exemplify the resoucefulness one must have to survive on the road. Their truck air conditioning was not working so Ron left the Narrows to Prince Albert to get it looked after. While Ron was gone Anne discovered water in the basement of their NL 10.2. The leak was coming from the grey water tank where a fitting had cracked. The grey water tank was only accessible through the basement crawl space and very hard to get at. This is not the first time a crack has happened on this model as when Ron contacted NL they knew exactly how to repair it.

The test run yes Anne fits only her shoes show as the leak is deep inside the basement. Now you see why Ron and I would not fit.
The test run, yes Anne fits only her shoes show as the leak is deep inside the basement. Now you see why Ron and I would not fit.


They would have to cut the drain pipe in two places, screw out the fitting and replace it rejoining the drain pipe with a rubber hose and clamps. Now Ron is a pretty big fella and no way was he going to be able to crawl into that space, he sized me up instantly and I agreed to help with the fix. It’s a good thing all pieces needed for the plumbing fix are standard and parts were available after a drive to Prince albert.
When it came time to get the job done, I could not get past my mid-section and if I did we would not have had enough butter to get me out. Poor Anne, she was the only one left that could fit in that basement, but like a trooper she did what had to be done with guidance from Ron and encouragement from the cheering squad.

Not exactly the best working conditions and definately not for those who are claustrobic.
Not exactly the best working conditions and definitely not for those who are claustrophobic.

With headlamp on Ron explains the procedure to Anne to allow her to do the repair.
With headlamp on Ron explains the procedure to Anne to allow her to do the repair.
Armed with the proper tools
Armed with all the tools of the RV plumbing trade Anne is ready to go “underground”.
Ron was a help
Ron was a big help, with a little push and Anne was in.
Auzzie and Ron
Auzzie and Ron supervise the fix from “outside the box”.
Not an easy fix
This was not an easy task even for a service tech, but Anne pulled it off with a perfect fix in cramped quarters.

The fix was almost complete, Ron wanted to support the rubber connector with about a 3 inch foam and none was to be found. Charlotte suggested the canoe seat I had purchased on line and was made of rigid foam and being as it was not one of my better purchases may work. We tore apart that seat, sawed off what was needed and it worked great.

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To celebrate a fantastic barbeque dinner cooked by Ron and Anne, for the little we had done to help this was totally overpayment. But so appreciated the great company and food, we will cross paths again.

Last account well on their way to Labrador the fix was 100 percent.
Thanks Ron and Anne for letting me share your story it is so typical of the things that can go wrong on the road and the imagination required to fix them. This was not their first repair and one would hope but will probably not be the last either on their home on wheels. One must just think it through, if it’s broken it can be fixed.
After having spent a month at the Narrows Charlotte and I left to visit with friends on a farm at Smeaton for five wonderful days. My surgery appointment for June which we had waited in Saskatchewan for July 3rd did not happen due to a different procedure needed. It cannot be too serious as the soonest it can be done is if we drive to Humboldt is in October, if I wanted it done in Saskatoon probably 18 months to wait. So we are back on the road again and that story for another post, my next post I would like to introduce Owen and Lynn full time in their van for two years and visiting the Narrows from Conneticut, USA.

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Just had to share this image.


I had no idea just how flexible we would have to be when I posted that article, at the time of this writing we are at the Wood Mountain Rodeo down south near the Montana border. Did we plan this not a chance but here we are. More on that and the story of our on the road repairs and the rodeo in upcoming posts.
Until then stay safe, enjoy your summer and if travelling may the wind be at your back, we really hope to meet you down the road. Look for the studiowest.ca Northern Lite.
Gerry (RVcowboy)
Charlotte (Editor in Chief)

From the Narrows/Truck camper living

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Fires in the north country creating a smokey haze here at the Narrows.

Time at the Narrows was spent visiting with many travelers around the campfire.
Time at the Narrows was spent visiting with many travellers around the campfire.
This is our big screen TV, the whole outdoors.
This is our big screen TV, the whole outdoors.

Writing from the Narrows campground in Prince Albert National Park today this seems to be our go to place to start our travels. After a great visit with my cousin Brent and Wendy we started discovering all truck camper people are very similar in their thinking. Brent and I would consider putting a wood burning stove in the campers, Wendy and Charlotte not so much. I think they are concerned about the hole in the roof or something like that. They are now wandering following the good weather in BC and so far staying out of the snow (yes snow in Alberta and BC June 19th).

Just an image I liked on the "big screen".
Just an image I liked on the “big screen”.
Smoke produces a soft glow as the sun sets.
Smoke produces a soft glow as the sun sets.
Brent and Wendy at the Narrows.
Brent and Wendy at the Narrows.
Campfire Pizza
Campfire Pizza

Truck campers in Saskatchewan are not very common, a lot of people like their big fivers as they call them and tow behinds. So we were kinda impressed when as Brent and Wendy were leaving in pulls another truck camper and a Northern Lite no less.
Being true to my nature, they say it runs in the family, I just had to introduce myself and Charlotte to these newcomers to the campground. I had hoped I could get a little information on their travels for my blog, Ron indicated at the time it was just a quick stop on their journey. Little did we know at the time the little information I hoped to get would turn into a whole blog on its own. That quick stop for them basically an overnighter would turn into a week stay.

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Ron Anne and Auzzie at the Narrows

This worked out great as I would like to keep up my blog but our lives here were getting very repetitive as far as something to write about that would keep ya all spellbound and reading. Well it is almost scary to think how much these two were like Charlotte and myself. Let me introduce you to Ron and Anne Baker with their dog Auzzie from Powell River, BC, with their permission of course. PS:It took awhile to get their permission as Ron later said upon our first meeting, “this guy wearing a western hat, scarf and a front tactical bag that looks like he is packing walks up to me. I thought perhaps we ended up in the deep south of Texas or something”. I was of course packing but as he found out it was my camera, far more dangerous. Note Anne was hiding in the camper that first meeting, we eventually got to meet her as well.
My notes from June 6th/23
Today we met Anne and Ron Baker and their dog Auzzie from Powell River, BC and spent the entire afternoon comparing our Northern Lite campers and upgrades we have made to them. We found we have much in common as we all have that nomatic desire to travel experience and see new parts of this fantastic world we live in. Like us they have a stick and brick home just newly constructed and have rented it out for what they said would be for a year and a half and hit the road in their truck camper which is now home. They are heading across Canada to Newfoundland and Labrador spending time on the East Coast of Canada. When asked why Labrador Ron replied “because there is a road there, and we have not met anyone who has been to Labrador, so we are going”. They plan on wintering perhaps in rented accommodations somewhere on the east coast and will retun travelling a different route in the spring.
Anne and Ron are not new to camping and travelling.They have been to Mexico and have also spent time off dry land on the water in their 25 foot boat they lived on for periods of time. Not sure I will live long enough but that also was on my bucket list. This is their 2nd Northern Lite truck camper as they sold their first one to help finance building their new house, Ron said. Once the house was done they got the travel bug again and purchased their present 10.2 NL and loaded it on their Dodge 3500 Ram dually. Anne and Ron have done an amazing job with upgrades and changes to create a comfortable living and storage spaces to suit their lifestyle on the road. I am now inspired to look for more hidden spaces we can use. I really should have documented them, perhaps Ron will share them on line.
Before truck campers they tented and backpacked and even spent their honeymoon travelling in a rented van. Now retired and having sold their printing shop they owned for 20 years, they are looking forward to travelling while they can. Like us they have left their home, theirs overlooking the ocean, ours overlooking Pike lake to be enjoyed by someone else while they live in their home on wheels.
Another thing we have in common we do not like on line reservations and feel it is just a money grab and not at all convenient for travellers. They also avoid the popular Provincial campgrounds in favour of small center campgrounds, gravel pits and Rec sites along the road. I’m sure there is a large group of RV nomads that do not want to have to be anywhere at a set date, time or even month, that want to plan how long we stay or when we leave in advance. Anne and Ron enjoy the freedom to follow their hearts to move and stay at will with the flexibility to change plans. We have found in the past RV travellers and especially those full timers are willing to help each other along the way. This was the case here as we all know that own Northern Lite truck campers they have a problem with water getting into the generator compartments. Ron just finished applying a drip channel around his. This is something I have been wanting to do, Ron generously gave me enough of his left over channel to do around mine.

A drip mold added to around the Northern Lite generator copartment.
A drip mold added to around the Northern Lite generator compartment.


Now these were the intended notes to post with a few additions about Anne and Rons travels. Like youtubers and travel bloggers we want to try and make RV life just sound like we just discovered a fresh bowl of cherries. This is not always the case so you are just going to have to tune back into the “Rest of the Ron and Anne story” in my next blog, as usual I have gone on far too long.
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As always Charlotte and I hope to meet you all down the road.

Gerry (RVcowboy)
Charlotte (Editor in Chief)