BUCKET LIST TRIP ACROSS CANADA

Old Aug 23rd, 2013, 02:43 PM
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BUCKET LIST TRIP ACROSS CANADA

Hi folks,
Need a little input about our trip from Vancouver Island to Toronto late September. Family wedding, so we thought we'd drive across the country for the first time.
We will stop to visit family and friends in Calgary and Winnipeg, but have never driven Northern Ontario. So I am mainly interested in the Ontario part of our trip ( we know Toronto well). We planto come home through the USA.
My husband is a paraplegic but independent and does most of the driving. But it is important that we have a bed at day's end, and not be having to catch ZZZ's at the roadside!
Would be fine driving 7-8 hours a day. Just wondering about driving times.
Thinking about Winnipeg to Thunder Bay, overnight, then Thunder Bay to Sault Ste Marie, overnight. Then would like to take the Chi-Cheemaun ferry if possible. Would we be able to make the 11:10 ferry, or better to slow down and plan on the 3:50?
I have read that the speed limit is only 90 km, and with time change ( loosing an hour) and earlier sunset, I'm concerned that we would be pushing it and driving in the dark.
Time is not a big issue, but does 3-4 days seem reasonable for Winnipeg to Toronto?
Any thoughts on accommodation, restaurants and must see/do's would be appreciated!
Many thanks,
AM
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Old Aug 24th, 2013, 07:03 AM
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We made the trip in 3 days, but if I did it again I think I'd allow 4 . There are so,many beautiful spots to stop for a break to see the beautiful scenery north of Superior ..

We camped so cannot help with accommodations .

I recommend stopping to see KAkabeka Falls near Thunder Bay.
Also take time to see the Terry Fox memorial at the tourist information site in Thunder Bay. its very moving .,

It sounds like a wonderful trip. Have a good time .
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Old Aug 24th, 2013, 10:52 AM
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Thanks, Kodi...will put those suggestions on our to do list.
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Old Aug 25th, 2013, 12:59 PM
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Why not just enter the sections you think you might do into Mapquest and see what driving times it comes up with?
http://www.mapquest.ca/

If you did that you would see that Sault Ste Marie to South Baymouth is a 5 hour drive for example. So you can see that to catch the ll.10am ferry you would need to leave at around 5am to allow for the 5 hour drive and an hour's leeway.

If you put in SSM to Toronto, Ontario it will ignore the ferry and take you directly to Toronto. The ferry is not shorter if that is what you were thinking. Direct it is 8.5 hours from SSM vs. the 5 hours just to the ferry. Getting to the ferry takes you a long way out of the way.

I can't see much point to taking the ferry if you aren't going to take the time to see/do anything along the way. For example, when you arrive on the Bruce Peninsula, unless you take some time to see the coastline, the road down the peninsula is pretty boring. Unless you divert off the highway to say the Cabot's Head Lighthouse using say Dyer's Bay Road as your point to go in off the highway. The drive will let you see along the shoreline and what the attraction of the area is to summer visitors.
http://www.cabothead.ca/
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Old Aug 26th, 2013, 03:05 AM
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If the weather is half way decent, the ferry ride is very pleasant and a change from long hours of driving. Be sure to arrive in lots of time. I think the website tells you how soon to be there so your reservation will be honoured. Not likely to be overly busy in September, however.

I think 3-4 days from Winnipeg to TO is about right. Lots of rocks, trees and lakes, and in addition rocks, lakes and trees, not to mention the lakes, and the trees, and the rocks. A great experience and an opportunity to experience the vast wilderness that is so much of Canada.
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Old Aug 27th, 2013, 09:06 AM
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Thanks Improviser and Eliztravels2. Great info...we are going to add a day, so will have 4 days to travel...probably stay on Manitoulin Island our last night, so we don't have to power drive. Will take the early ferry and do some site-seeing on the Bruce.
Will enjoy the rocks and lake and trees...hopefully in fall colours...feel a Group of Seven moment coming on!!
Will check TA for accommodation on the Island!
Now to plan our return through the USA!
AM
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Old Mar 12th, 2014, 02:05 AM
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I suggest if you are with your family members then choose near by hotel or accommodation apartments.Last year,i gone to Africa island with my family and captured all memory in my DV- Camera.So carry camera with you to save your memories.
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