June 17th, 2025
Day 2 started off in a very nice way for me. Bill, the co-owner (along with his wife) of the KOA in Sault Ste. Marie, stopped by my site to say hello as I was disconnecting—riding in a golf cart on crutches, no less.
Despite his limited mobility, he was still checking in on his guests, and making sure that they were all taken care of. He told me they got 18 feet of snow this past winter (!!!), and his campground suffered severe damage to his fences and a number of roofs as a result, that now needed drastic repair.
Despite this, Bill was upbeat about business and said reservations have been up this year from Canadians, Americans, and Europeans. We chatted about how nice it is to see our American friends increasing their camping in Canada, and how important it is that they feel welcome to come across the border. I think our Canadian Campground owners are very appreciative of the business and pretty much roll out the welcome mat for all of their customers!
After checking out and saying goodbye, I packed up and hit the road—and wow, what a drive.
On the way out of town, I made a quick stop to say hello to the team at Christie’s Campers, who’ve been part of the RV community since 1972. Dave Christie was one of the very first people I met when I started in the industry back in 1985—and he quickly became one of my closest friends. Unfortunately, Dave wasn’t in when I stopped by, and neither was Sam, his longtime manager. Still, it felt good to swing by and see the Christie’s sign again. That place holds a lot of memories.
I stopped at Pancake Bay (how can you not?) and it was absolutely stunning, even in the cold. The Ontario Parks campground about an hour or two north is a must-visit if you haven’t been… though maybe in warmer weather. Definitely adding it to the “come back” list!
The stretch between the Sault and Wawa is some of the most scenic I’ve done in years, but also some of the most demanding. It’s full of sharp curves, steep climbs, and fast descents that must keep you focused the entire time, and often I felt like I was back on B.C.’s Sea to Sky highway from Vancouver to Whistler with the magnificent coastline.
There were many times I felt to myself that I couldn’t thank Andy Thomson from Can-Am RV (The Hitch Guru) enough for setting the CRVA Ford F150 and the CRVA Trailer up so well when we first got the RV from General Coach back in January. Andy and his staff worked hard to ensure that we would be safe in our cross-Canada journey. Despite the challenging terrain, I often forgot I was even pulling a trailer!
And the weather? Classic Canada. It started off fine, but turned into thick fog that looked like a snowstorm (just without the snow), then cleared into sunshine, then rain, and then ended beautifully. Four seasons in a day. Pretty standard for Canada! What’s that joke? If you don’t like the weather in Canada, wait 15 minutes?
Near Nipigon, I passed a sign that said “Heart of Canada Touring Route”, which I found after I googled, is a 1,500-kilometer stretch that connects Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Thunder Bay. It’s a joint initiative between Destination Northern Ontario and Travel Manitoba, offering a unique touring experience through northern Canada, which is a fitting reminder of why I’m out here.
This trip isn’t just about celebrating CRVA’s 50th Anniversary—it’s about reconnecting with people, seeing the places that make RVing in Canada so special for everyone, and doing something meaningful. This is where Care Camps comes in, and the heart of this trip.
All along, I somehow had to stay at the Thunder Bay KOA, because its owners, Kristie and Michael Kuper, have been instrumental over the past several years in supporting Care Camps. They used to mail checks to the Canadian Camping and RV Association for fundraising initiatives that they and their campers had done (sometimes thousands), and I just had to meet them—and I’m so glad I got the chance. It was immediately clear why they’re so respected in the RV park community and loved by their customers. Their passion for what they do and for giving back resonated through in the short time I met them.
After setting up my site, I ran into some familiar faces—John, Judy, and their cat Fred, ORVO members that Dawna and I had just met at the rally in May. I’m loving how this trip keeps bringing the RV community together in the most unexpected and meaningful ways, and it’s these moments that make the road feel a lot more like home for me.
Next up: Winnipeg, where I’ll be at Transcona Trailer Sales on June 19th and 20th for their Open House. In a very gracious move, they will be donating to Care Camps for every trailer sold during the 2-day event. I’m looking forward to being there and seeing firsthand how our Canadian dealers are stepping up to make a difference.
And don’t forget—June is Canadian RV and Camping Month! There’s no better time to get outside, explore our amazing country, and support our campgrounds.
Tomorrow, it’s back on the road again. Looking forward to what’s around the next curve—literally and figuratively.
—Shane
President, CRVA
🎟️ Buy a ticket, support Care Camps, and maybe win an RV!: www.crva.ca
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