June 22nd, 2025

Yesterday was one of those days that reminded me why I’m doing this.

I spent the day at Transcona Trailer Sales in Winnipeg, who generously scheduled their Open House to coincide with my arrival in Winnipeg on the CRVA 50th Anniversary RV Tour. That kind of support means a lot. Transcona is a proud family-run business, now into its third generation with the Bromley family. I’ve known Garth and his brother Terry for years, and it’s been great getting to know Garth’s son Travis, who serves on the RVDA of Canada Board and took the lead organizing today’s event for us. He is an outstanding young man, and it’s easy to see why he was the recipient of the George Goodrick Emerging Leader Award in 2023. I know his dad is proud—and rightly so.

They opened early today, setting up by 9:30 AM even though their hours start at 10. I was there right on time, and to my surprise, there was already someone waiting in the parking lot who immediately came over to talk to me. Not to browse RVs, but to buy a ticket in support of Care Camps. He had heard the promotion on the radio and made the trip for that reason alone. And he wasn’t the only one. Throughout the day, others came by to browse RVs, and many left with raffle tickets in hand. I was overwhelmed by Winnipeg’s generosity, and I am extremely grateful for the meaningful conversations I had with every person who stopped to chat.

I talked about CRVA’s 50th, about the General Coach, whether they had an RV and camped, and why this trailer giveaway was so important to us, not just to celebrate our milestone, but to give back. This is why the RV community is so special.

And speaking of giving back, Forest River, one of the largest RV manufacturers in North America, continues to be one of Care Camps’ most significant supporters. They proudly place a Care Camps sticker on every unit they build, helping raise awareness and funds across the continent. It’s partnerships like these that show the heart of this industry, where manufacturers, dealers, campgrounds,and their and campers all come together to support a cause bigger than any single organization.

The event wrapped up around 3 PM, and after I packed everything up I made my way to KOA West Winnipeg, a short 40-minute drive west. And Dawna—if you’re reading this (you better be!)—I’m settled in and doing just fine!

As I was hooking up my water and power, I noticed I was surrounded by two massive Class A motorhomes. On one side was what looked like a 40-foot Winnebago Horizon, and on the other, a gorgeous 38-foot Tiffin Phaeton. As I was filling my fresh water, I struck up a conversation with Lori, who owns the Phaeton with her husband Michael. Turns out, they’re from Toronto.

And in a small-world twist of fate, they came to the Toronto Spring Camping and RV Show back in 2022 to first explore the RV lifestyle. Lori had enjoyed camping in her younger days, but had never really shown Michael that she wanted to get back into it. After a couple of trial runs renting a Motor Home through Canadream, she was hooked—and Michael didn’t try to talk her out of it. By 2022, they bought their beautiful motorhome and haven’t looked back since. Hearing their story was exactly the kind of reminder I needed tonight.

It’s stories like theirs that make this trip so meaningful for me. Yes, we’re celebrating CRVA’s 50th year, but we’re also celebrating the journeys people take, the lives they build around RVing, and the connections that make this lifestyle so rewarding.

And if you haven’t yet, I would be remiss not to ask that you buy a ticket for your chance to win our $100,000 Canadian-made General Coach Travel Trailer. Every ticket and every dollar supports Care Camps, helping kids with cancer enjoy the healing power of the outdoors. Whether you’re an RVer or not, it’s a small way to make a big difference, and you will feel better afterwards, trust me!

So if you have been following my journey, and if you can find a way, please:

✅ Please donate or buy a ticket if you can to https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/care-camps-of-canada/events/purchaseticketstowin2024generalcoach/

✅ Share this with your friends and followers on your social media.

Enjoy your Sunday!

#CRVAOnTheRoad #TransconaTrailerSales #CareCamps #ManitobaCamping #RVDAofCanada #CampinCanada #GoRVingCanada #MichaelandLori