The Last Chapter

The final stretch of our journey took us from Riding Mountain National Park (270 km northwest of Winnipeg) back home to Milton—a total of 2,366 kilometres. Much of this route retraced our path from early June, though we chose different campgrounds along the way. With home pulling us like a magnet, our travel days were a little longer this time.

We were blessed with beautiful fall weather for most of the drive and gradually watched the colours shift to autumn hues. Following the north and east shores of Lake Superior, we camped at Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park (near Thunder Bay), Neys Provincial Park (just west of Marathon), and Pancake Bay Provincial Park (north of Sault Ste. Marie). The cooler air meant no mosquitoes, though dense fog once again rolled in from the lake at times, adding to the driving challenge.

Fog starting to roll in off Lake Superior

Kakabeka Falls

Kakabeka Falls lies on the Kaministiquia River, once a vital link in the canoe route connecting Lake Superior with Lake of the Woods and the west. For centuries, Indigenous communities traveled this waterway, followed later by explorers and fur traders beginning in 1688. To bypass the falls, travelers used the 1.25 km “Mountain Portage,” which visitors can still walk today, retracing the steps of the Ojibwa people, fur traders, soldiers, and settlers.

Kakabeka Falls

Walking the historic Mountain Portage around Kakabeka Falls

Neys Provincial Park

Neys has a layered and fascinating history.

• In the 1920s, the rugged landscape inspired Group of Seven painters, including Lawren Harris, whose striking depictions of Pic Island are iconic.

• From 1941–1946, the site became Camp 100, a World War II prisoner-of-war camp that held German soldiers. The railway played a crucial role, transporting POWs from Halifax to Neys in just 64 hours.

• From 1946–1947, it was repurposed as a relocation camp for Japanese Canadian internees, forced eastward from British Columbia.

• In 1965, Neys was transformed into a provincial park, shifting from wartime history to a place of recreation and natural beauty.

When we arrived, signs warned of active bears in the area. Other campers mentioned three roaming the campground. On our second night, we encountered one—a yearling, newly separated from its mother and struggling to establish its own territory. Such bears are vulnerable, often drawn to human food sources, which can lead to conflict. At first, many of us snapped photos, but it quickly became clear this young bear was far too comfortable around people. With the season ending, we can only hope it finds its way safely into the forests and away from humans.

One of many Lauren Harris' iconic paintings of Pic Island on Lake Superior near Marathon, Ontario 

Our waterfront campsite at Neys Provincial Park / Lake Superior

Fran enjoying the view of Lake Superior

A "Superior" sunset 

Morning coffee at the Neys beach

Hiking one of the nearby trails

We found this paw print (a local black bear) in the sand on our hike. 

Enjoying the fabulous weather

The cute, curious and dangerous yearling black bear

Pancake Bay Provincial Park

Pancake Bay was another gem along Lake Superior. We enjoyed two nights in a waterfront site under brilliant sunshine. The warm spell even drew many campers into the water—though I only made it in up to my knees!

On departure, we made a must-stop at the Voyageur Resort to restock their famous apple fritters. Arriving at 7:15 a.m., we found the baker already hard at work, the heavenly scent filling the shop as six-packs of fritters were boxed up.

Two Teslas with trailers charging up

Lots of fall colours to enjoy on our trip around Lake Superior

Our waterfront campsite at Pancake Bay Provincial Park

That's me in Lake Superior....

Enjoying the sunrise on our way towards Sault Ste Marie

Apple fritters from The Voyageur Resort Bakery

A Special Visit

Next came a highlight of the return trip: visiting our dear friends Elaine and Norm. They arranged for us to park on Sagamok Anishnawbek property, with the kind permission of their friend Clyve, before ferrying us by boat to their nearby off-grid island cottage. In our boating days we met up with them every summer in the North Channel, so this reunion felt extra special.

We spent two days sharing stories, food, drinks, fishing (I caught a bass), and laughter. It was the perfect way to conclude our first summer adventure with the Airstream.

With Norm and Elaine heading to a secret fishing spot

Great to be in the North Channel on a boat again

Me with a bass on the line

Dinner time

We were treated to some aurora borealis / northern lights

Our two day visit was over much too fast. Until we meet again...

Oastler Provincial Park & Home

Our final stop was Oastler Provincial Park near Parry Sound, where once again we had a waterfront site and more glorious weather. We capped the evening with a farewell dinner at Henry’s Fish & Chips at the town waterfront—a tradition from our boating days, when we always visited their island location at Sans Souci.

On Day 110, we started early and got home early afternoon. We managed to park right in front of our condo, ferrying our belongings up by wagon, load after load all afternoon. Later, I delivered the trailer to a local farm for storage.

Our last campsite - Oastler Provincial Park

Dinner at Henry's 

All hitched up and ready for the final travel day to home...

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Towing the Airstream with a Tesla Model Y

So, what was it like towing a 28’ Airstream across the country and back with an EV? In short: impressive.

Our dealer, CanAm RV in London, Ontario, reinforced the factory-installed hitch and equipped it with weight-distribution bars and anti-sway gear. The Tesla Model Y’s torque and power made towing almost effortless. The car felt solid and stable—no “tail wagging the dog,” no white-knuckle moments, regardless of wind or passing trucks. Regenerative braking handled even long mountain descents with ease.

The biggest challenge was range. A 28’ trailer pushes the limits of the Model Y, requiring frequent charges beyond 80%.

Still, the experience sparked conversations everywhere we went. Hundreds of people approached us with questions: How far can you go on a charge? What’s it like towing with an EV? Could they take a photo? We enjoyed every chat—it almost felt like we were pioneers.

By the Numbers: EV Towing with a Tesla Model Y

Distance

• 🚐 Total driven: 13,194 km

• 🔗 Towing distance: 10,873 km

• 🚙 Non-towing distance: 2,321 km

Energy Consumption

• ⚡ Total used: 4,749 kWh

• 🔋 Non-towing: 371 kWh

• 🔋 Towing: 4,378 kWh

Efficiency (Wh/km)

• 📊 Combined: 360

• 🚙 Non-towing: 160

• 🚐 Towing avg.: 403

  • Range: 209–509 Wh/km depending on wind, terrain & speed

Charging

• 🔌 Total charges: 127

• ⏱️ Charged to 90–100%: 60% of the time

• 🚫 Unhitched trailer to charge: only 5 times

• 🏕️ Campground charging: 35–40% of total

• 💰 Public charging cost: $1,539

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Final Reflections

We’re thrilled to have completed this journey. Tesla vehicles, with their low centre of gravity, powerful torque, great aerodynamics and short braking distance, are remarkably capable tow vehicles. A smaller trailer—or an EV with greater range—would make long trips even smoother.

For us, the Model Y did the job, but next year we’ll be exploring other EV options with more range (though not pickup trucks, as their massive batteries take much longer to charge). Also, we have no need of a truck in the off season.

Most of all, we feel deeply blessed. This trip gave us unforgettable sights, adventures, and connections with family, friends, and fellow travelers. Writing this blog has been a joy, and your messages along the way have meant so much.

Until next time—thanks for coming along on the journey.

CHEERS !!

Homeward Bound

Departing Banff National Park, our minds shifted to the final leg of our journey. It now feels like we are truly headed home, but there were still a few visits and stops we’d been looking forward to along the way.

Heading west from Banff, we met our niece Alyssa and her partner Marc on the northern outskirts of Calgary. Marc arranged for us to park our rig in the industrial yard at his workplace, and then he and Alyssa whisked us off to a local Milestone’s restaurant. Over lunch we caught up on Alyssa’s move from Red Deer into the condo she and Marc are now renting together. It was wonderful to spend time with them, and… who knows? We may just have another reason to head west again sooner rather than later.

Lunch with Marc & Alyssa

From there we drove north and spent the night at Jarvis Bay Provincial Park en route to Edmonton. A wrong turn landed us on a long gravel road, and by the time we arrived at the campsite the car and trailer were completely coated in dust. Grrrrr.

Our next stop was a special one: William’s Campground in Beaumont, just outside Edmonton. This “campground” is actually the home of our niece Jen Jen and her husband Devin. Their property includes a gated driveway with space for one RV, a 50-amp hookup in the backyard, a large patio with table and umbrella, a treehouse, and even a Tesla charger in the garage. We were spoiled with royal treatment during our two-day stay and loved our time with Jen Jen, Devin, Zara, Tyson, and their two dogs, Dante and Marley.

The William's Campground

Stephen & Tyson in Tyson's treehouse

Stephen playing with Marley and Dante 

Tyson feeding his three pet salamanders 

Zara, Fran, Jen Jen, Devin and Tyson

While in Edmonton, we also managed to meet our friends Donna and Dan—who we know from Hawaii—for a breakfast reunion. Our timing was lucky: just hours later Dan was off to Toronto with their twin boys for Blue Jays games, while Donna headed to Calgary for a weekend with her sister. It was short but sweet to reconnect.

Brunch get together with Dan & Donna in Edmonton

Heading east again, we overnighted at Silver Lake Regional Park near Maidstone, Saskatchewan. Let’s just say… not memorable.

The next stop, however, was a highlight: Twin Peaks Creamery, a Harvest Hosts farm. The name alone had us intrigued. This family-run farm features an on-site creamery and ice cream parlour, plus beef and pork products raised right there. They also have yard games, picnic tables, and a petting zoo with goats and sheep. Naturally, we left with a haul: three pints of ice cream (Pralines & Cream, Mint Chocolate Brownie, and Coconut Vanilla) and a selection of pork tenderloin, sausages, and ground beef. Fran somehow fit everything into our tiny freezer—though we had smartly made space in advance. A week later, we’ve nearly polished off the ice cream, and every flavour was fabulous.

Camping at Twin Peaks Creamery farm

The farm mascot? 

Milking time....

Mmmmm - where the good stuff is

Twin Peaks ice cream flavours

From there we stayed at White Sand Regional Park near Theodore, Saskatchewan—again, nothing to write home about. A theme began to emerge: in Saskatchewan, every venture off the highway seemed to involve gravel roads. By trip’s end we estimated close to 100 kilometres on dusty, washboard surfaces that rattled our teeth and left the car and trailer looking like they’d been dipped in flour.

En route we took a tiny ferry across the South Saskatchewan River

We cut that stay short by a day and added an extra night at Riding Mountain National Park in Manitoba. The name comes from the escarpment that defines its high elevation and from its historic role as a popular place for horseback exploration. The park, established in 1929, became Manitoba’s first national park—but only through the forced displacement of the Keeseekoowenin Ojibway people, an important part of its history often overlooked. In the 1990s the park also dealt with a serious outbreak of bovine tuberculosis spreading between elk and local cattle, which was eventually addressed through collaboration between Parks Canada, farmers, and Anishinaabe communities.

What makes Riding Mountain special is its mix of three ecological zones—forest, grassland, and lake country—which earned it UNESCO biosphere reserve status. It is also home to about 3,000 moose and several named peaks, including Riding Mountain at 2,365 feet.

Unfortunately, our visit was marked by cold, wet weather, and our electric heater ran almost nonstop. We did manage one outing: a drive through the Lake Audy Bison Enclosure, home to about 40 bison. Seeing these massive animals roaming freely was unforgettable.

Bison vs Buffalo?

A quick note on terminology: in North America, the correct term is bison, not buffalo. The true buffalo live in Africa and Asia. At one time, over 30 million bison roamed the Canadian prairies; by 1900 fewer than 300 remained due to overhunting and disease. Thanks to conservation efforts, today there are more than 150,000 across farms, ranches, and the wild.

Staying cozy while it is cold and wet outside

Although it feels like we’re nearly home, a quick check of the map was sobering: 2,366 kilometres still lie between us and home. For perspective, we are 2,108 kilometres from downtown Vancouver—so not even halfway back from the west coast. One more province to cross.

One more blog post to go. Stay tuned.

Three National Parks in Nine Days: Revelstoke, Lake Louise & Banff

We’ve just spent the past nine days exploring three of Canada’s most iconic national parks—Revelstoke, Lake Louise, and Banff. The Columbia and Rocky Mountains that frame these parks can only be described as majestic, towering, rugged, snow-capped, dramatic, serene, soaring, breathtaking, monumental, and awe-inspiring—and the list could go on and on.

Canada’s national park system began in 1885 with the creation of Banff National Park, sparked by the discovery of hot springs near Banff Station. In 1911, the Dominion Forest Reserves & Parks Act established the world’s first national park service—today’s Parks Canada. Since then, the system has grown to balance conservation and tourism, while more recently working in partnership with Indigenous communities to protect traditional rights and cultural practices.

Revelstoke

On our way to Revelstoke we stopped at the historic site of “The Last Spike.” On November 7, 1885, the final spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven here, completing the dream of a railway linking the country from sea to sea. Considering the distance, terrain, and timeframe, it was an extraordinary engineering feat—one that helped shape and unite Canada.

"The Last Spike" Monument

Fran at "The Last Spike"

There are some unconventional vehicles for going through the mountains!!

Revelstoke itself, once called Farwell, grew during the Columbia River gold rush of the 1860s but truly came into its own with the arrival of the CPR. In 1886 the town was renamed in honour of Lord Revelstoke, a banker who supported the railway. Forestry and later hydroelectric development drove the economy, and the completion of the Trans-Canada Highway in 1962 opened the area to tourism. Today, Revelstoke is known for world-class skiing, its unique history of ski jumping (introduced by Norwegian immigrants in the early 1900s), and its location within one of the planet’s rare interior temperate rainforests.

Our Airstream "Tug'n" in the lower left of the picture in Snowforest Campground, Mt Revelstoke National Park

We were lucky to snag a campsite (on opening day back in January) at Snowforest Campground in Mount Revelstoke National Park, tucked partway up Revelstoke Mountain and surrounded by dramatic peaks—and plenty of bear warnings. From there, we drove the 26-kilometre Meadows in the Sky Parkway to the summit, where sweeping vistas and fields of wildflowers rewarded us.

Fran preparing to do the ski jump run on Mt Revelstoke

The peak of Mt. Revelstoke

The town of Mt. Revelstoke

The Columbia River is the largest river flowing into the Pacific Ocean in North America

Us at the peak. We climbed the last kilometre, thin air and all...😆

Driving this section of the Trans-Canada is an experience in itself. Every turn reveals another snow-capped mountain, another valley, another marvel of engineering carved through impossible terrain. Frequent stops are practically mandatory to soak in the splendour.

Lots of avalanche tunnels - glad it is summer

An engineering marvel

Lake Louise

The history of Lake Louise reaches back long before the arrival of the railway, to the Stoney Nakoda people who lived in the region. In 1884, the CPR built a station here, naming the settlement Laggan and the lake Emerald Lake before renaming it in honour of Princess Louise, daughter of Queen Victoria. Chateau Lake Louise soon followed, attracting visitors from around the world. The lake’s signature turquoise colour comes from glacial “rock flour” suspended in the water, which refracts sunlight into a luminous blue-green glow.

Nearby Moraine Lake is equally famous, set in the Valley of the Ten Peaks. Fed by snowmelt and glaciers, its astonishing azure colour is the result of light reflecting off glacial silt. The lake is untouched by human alteration—no dams, drains, or diversions. Because of its fragile ecosystem, access is carefully managed: the road is open only during summer and closed to private vehicles, with Parks Canada shuttles providing transportation.

We saw these grizzlies on the shuttle to Moraine Lake

This black bear snuck up on us

Sun rose on Moraine Lake

This is how it looks - no Photo Shopping...

Another grizzly sighting 

Lake Louise - the view from Chateau Lake Louise

We camped at the Hard-Sided National Park Campground, a reminder that this is true bear country. Tent campers are directed to a separate, electric fenced campground. On our shuttle to Moraine Lake, we were lucky enough to spot grizzly bears—a thrilling highlight.

Our mountain view from our campsite at Lake Louise National Park, Hard Sided Campground.

Are you hooked on this scenery yet?

The crowds here are immense, but the organization is impressive. Shuttle systems minimize human impact while still allowing visitors to experience these extraordinary landscapes. And it’s easy to see why people travel from across the globe—the scenery speaks for itself.

Banff

Our final stop was Banff National Park, the birthplace of Canada’s park system and one of the most visited national parks in the world. We stayed at Tunnel Mountain Campground, a vast site with over 700 campsites, yet still surrounded by jaw-dropping mountain views rising far above the treeline.

Banff is a model of visitor accessibility, with an inexpensive and efficient public bus system linking the town with popular attractions like the Banff Gondola up Sulphur Mountain, the hot springs, and even nearby Canmore. For hikers and cyclists, Banff is paradise—endless trails wind through valleys, forests, and alpine meadows, offering something for every level of ability.

Banff scenery

Main street in town of Banff

Banff gondola to top of Sulphur Mountain

Views from the top of Sulphur Mountain

Bow River flowing through Banff

Banff Springs Hotel

Waterfalls on Bow River

Elk grazing in our campground

Reflection

As we reflect on our time in Revelstoke, Lake Louise, and Banff, it’s impossible not to feel grateful for the vision of those who established Canada’s national parks more than a century ago. Thanks to their foresight, generations today—and tomorrow—can stand in awe of these landscapes.

For us, these three parks are not just a highlight of our journey, but a bucket-list experience we would recommend to anyone.