Disasters, Tales From The Road : And New Friendships

[@todddunn945]

driving across Canada in the winter can definitely be an adventure. Back in December 1983 I was on my was to Edmonton from the east. On Christmas eve I was approaching Winnipeg when I drove into a ground blizzard. For those that don't know, a ground blizzard is blowing snow on a sunny day. Just before noon visibility went from unlimited to a car length or so just outside Winnipeg. I drove through Winnipeg where there was no blowing snow in the city to the western edge of town where there was a wall of white. The RCMP had the trans Canada blocked so I got to spend a night in Winnipeg. I got a room on the third floor of a three story hotel and was stunned when I opened the curtains to blinding sun above a sea of blowing snow. Fortunately the winds dropped off and I left Winnipeg in the predawn hours for a straight through drive to Edmonton. The joy of Canadian winter driving.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Wow 🤩 Todd what a story thanks for sharing Cheers 🍻🙂

[@wilfs1196]

Been there done that many times when I was stationed at CFB Portage la Prairie as an RCAF Tech

[@kathrynmcmeekin9931]

I love this story,, sounds like some of our early marriage adventures.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

That’s wonderful 🌺🙂

[@stuartholmes6369]

You guys are...AMAZING great story always entertaining BRAVO.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thank you so much Stewart 🍻🙂

[@gerry2345]

I liked those stories.. and to hear about those french people replacing that tube for you and then having dinner together, just great.

[@cyclingonplants7444]

Hi Tina and Norm - I remember watching your Canadream trailer adventure video and you both were so sweet and likeable. Been a subscriber every since! I have never had any problems communicating with folks on our travels who did not speak English. Most people are willing to help and there are ways to use signs and some creative play acting to get your message across!LOL

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

You are so kind, thank you so much, we do appreciate your support.

[@sudburydrone466]

👍👍✌️ Typical Canadian weather for sept Furnace in the morning air conditioning in the afternoon.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

You got that right! ☕️🙂

[@AlMartinsvidplace]

Great Video, wonderful stories. My wife and I find that it's always the unexpected people interactions that stand out on vacations.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thanks for sharing! 🌺🙂

[@RetiredLovingIt]

That sounds like a great adventure you guys had 😅

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thanks so much

[@ftkinsella]

Hey guys glad to see that you’re doing well regardless of the weather. Crazy warm for this time of year.❤😊❤Cheers

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Yes we are good morning Frank have a great Saturday ☕️🌺🙂

[@tommills6123]

Love stories like these. Allows an easy human connection.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

We agree!

What wonderful memories! 😊

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thank you 🙂

[@benyablonski6278]

Enjoyed your walk down Memory lane. Thank you for sharing. We just got back from a Alaska 7 day Cruise. Weather was wonderful. People were great. - lots of extra charges we noticed. ~ Ben Y, Vancouver ISLAND

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Glad you had a great cruise Beny, we loved the Alaska cruise too.

[@johnandjanetmcdermott1936]

What a great pair you are! You are great story tellers. Thanks for sharing your memories and giving us some advice for those of us just entering retirement. Cheers!

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thank you so much!

[@jvstcu76]

What wonderful memories. I have found over the years that some of the nicest, most down to earth people are those we have met camping. Nowadays, we meet many retired folks who enjoy sharing their "camping stories". Sometimes they have had adventures in places we have been and it's fun comparing notes about a particular park. Of course, many times we will have a "potluck meal" and try some new and delicious dishes. I hope that you will share more of your camping adventures. Take care and have a great weekend. 😊

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Camping is a great activity and very social, thanks for watching.

[@Mike-t7l2g]

We also had a camping disaster when our kids were little. We didn't have much money way back then and so we decided to camp in tents and go to P.E.I. Well didn't it rain for the first 17 days of the trip! We never did completely dry out after that. Keep up the good work.- Mike from Ottawa❤🍻🥂🇨🇦🇬🇧

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Great memories Mike 🍻💦🏕️🙂

[@marie-louisewcislo6519]

A Mercedes will never let you down! Sweet red car you had. Got you to France! Travel is the BEST education for children…..and adults! Enjoy this fantastic weather! Marie-Louise

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

We did like the Mercedes 🇬🇧🌺🇨🇦

[@arnoldmonk6381]

Happy days, we had quite a few holidays in static caravans (trailers) in the UK when our children were young, part of loading up the old banger car was a toolbox and spare parts, water etc. Almost every trip involved a repair, fitting new points with my Swiss Army knife on the North York moors in the rain is a memory that will last. The kids were teenagers before we could afford a package holiday but they always enjoyed the static van, they now take their own children for a seaside holiday in a caravan.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Wonderful memories thanks for sharing Arnold ☕️🇬🇧🇨🇦🍻

[@Bracebarian]

Love these stories and have fond memories of holidays in France (80s) with my parents raving about Kia Royal. All we were allowed was Orangina.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Our son loved Orangina! We agree great memories, loved France!

[@jackiebowen6239]

Great stories! Thank you for sharing. We had a camper when raising our children as well, and also had a "water incident" with the engine. We laugh now, but were pretty stressed keeping the refills going, hoping to get to a safe stopping place! Nice that you have something near your son today. I'm sure it's a mutual benefit. Good memories; cheers!

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thanks for sharing your story Jackie 🌺🙂💦

[@christopherbarker976]

Hi Tina & Norm good to see you both another great story and adventure don’t tell anyone but we put the heating on the other night 😂. Take care Christopher Barker

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

We will keep your secret Christopher 🇬🇧😂🇨🇦🍻

[@susanacton5007]

Thanks for sharing those great stories guys. We're in the RV right now in the Northern Rockies in BC- returning to Ontario from our first Yukon trip. Fall has arrived up here - colours are beautiful.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

That is awesome! some leaves are changing here but very slowly as it’s lovely and warm Susan 🌺🙂

[@cathybildson-cardoso6485]

What wonderful memories for you and your family. Hope you enjoyed your season at the trailer. 🌞

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thanks Cathy yes we have ☕️🌺🙂

[@sulemanpiracha8123]

Great stories- I used to drive to London from Germany, picked up my relatives and then we would take a ferry from Dover or Folkestone to Calais. It was a lot of fun!

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

It was great taking the car ferry, we did have a very rough crossing once.

[@marilynrybak9154]

Enjoy your stories. 😃

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thank you so much Marilyn, we love talking about these stories, so many wonderful memories. 💕❤️

[@caro2983]

Norm and Tina, I just love your stories. This one brought me back to memories of our family and camping. Please keep sharing your stories!

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thanks so much, will do!

[@sammie44]

Tina and Norm, I’m so glad you’re enjoying the trailer life! You seem to be really settled in “retirement fun mode”. 😊 You look like you’re truly absorbing all of what life has of good, to enjoy. Good for you! Hopefully, your attitude and encouragement about retirement, can influence others to do the same. To learn to accept and embrace life’s pleasures, wonders, adventures and beauty! Monotony in retirement and in the older years seems so boring, I think. 😆 It can possibly bring on unwanted and unexpected illnesses; depression, sadness, negativity in general. 😞 It’s a true joy to see you both enjoy life and explore what life has best to offer you! You’re doing retirement on your terms! 😊 Of course, money and health does play a factor in a truly happy retirement. Doing the best we can with what money and health we have, and having a positive outlook,on life, is quite a good way to live. 😊 Keep well. Sam 🌷

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Hi Sammie, it is true what you say, but there has never been a better time that an individual can create an income or shop for discounted deals. In the end even our parents a positive mind is so important, Tina and her grandmother are masters of positive thinking and seeing the best in people and the situation.

[@sammie44]

@@ThisIsOurRetirement ♥️

[@sammie44]

@@ThisIsOurRetirementexactly, we just have to do the best we can with whatever money we have. A lot of or a little money can go a long way. Depends on our outlook and how we go about bings. Let’s keep our eyes open for those wonderful deals out there. 😊

[@barbiec4312]

LOVE these stories and the old photos. Would appreciate a longer view of the photos next time so we could drink in all the details. All the best from Northern California. ❤

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

You can just pause the video Barbie for a longer look 😂😂🇺🇸🇨🇦

[@LondonisAmazing]

What a great story! Thank you for sharing the recipe too😋

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Glad you enjoyed it! 🇬🇧🙂🇨🇦

[@johnbilinski6830]

Thank you so much for sharing your adventures. Made me think of my family’s camping when the girls (2) were young. Driving across Canada and having a great time even though we were a young family and funds were tight. I am now 68 and next year includes a month in Portugal and a safari in Tanzania in November. Can’t take it with you. Cheers

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

That’s awesome John this is what memories are made of.

[@VietnamSteve]

Good lord you have been adventurers forever. So great to hear these stories.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Thanks Steve, it has been an adventure.

[@freetowandernow]

Haha we are in our campervan in Ontario in September and we put the heater on in the morning and the a/c on in the afternoon! Cheers!

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

That is awesome! as they say typical Canadian weather Cheers 🍻🇨🇦🍷

[@darrylmcleman6456]

I learned to understand "BRITTS" watching Coronation Street and several good English Comedy shows. Also all creatures Great and Small which I enjoyed

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

They were great shows!

[@debbie8430]

Ohhh. I love Canmore. Such a picturesque little place.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

We loved Canmore too

[@Rossy-tf2jh]

Great stories, guys !!!!! THANKS ! Hugs !🥰

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Our pleasure! Cheers 🍻🙂

[@kp8740]

Keep the stories coming please. 😊

[@markbajek2541]

I had a water pump/ radiator fail as I was trying to cross from Canada into the the US on the Ambassador bridge around 6PM in very heavy traffic after a fall color trip into Vermont.. , made it almost half way across the bridge but had to pull a U turn on the bridge and head back and get through Canadian Customs without leaving the country.. then fix the car the following day in Windsor after spending the night in the car. Better there than trying to limp the car into Detroit in the dark and trying to fix it someplace downtown.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Yikes 😱 what a story Mark 🍻🙂

[@mrscuteas]

Great stories, we say caravan in Australia too. A trailer is something you put garbage in to take to the rubbish tip 😂👍

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Too funny 😂😂

[@macdaddymgiarc]

Loved your story and seeing you both again at the Trailer! It has been beautiful weather in Southern Ontario these past two week. So warm in the day and cool, with windows open at night. I am going to miss these days at October rolls in. As I look to downsize from my family home in retirement, getting a trailer for the summer is something I am seriously thinking about. Lovely to hear these stories and think of how they could be part of my life. Thanks again and take care. Craig from Hamilton

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Glad you enjoyed it Craig thanks for watching Cheers 🍻🙂

[@paulhunter6652]

Hi Norm and Tina! I like the Zep shirt. Wonderful stories. I’m still trying to get over the jubilee clip. Maybe we will get a trailer…but that’s another story yet to be told. Closed the pool yesterday. Bags packed. Got our Saily app downloaded. Three more sleeps. Cheers. Paul and Helen.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Have a wonderful time in Finland 🇫🇮 glad you enjoyed the video Cheers 🍻🙂

[@Savannah-ed4rv]

All of your travels sound so interesting but it seems scary to me. I've never been much of a traveler and especially going to a foreign country is very intimidating when I think about it 😊 my husband loved to travel, however and if he were still with me I'm sure that we would be going a lot of different places.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

A recently bereaved friend took a foreign trip and found another person to go with and then in turn it was an escorted trip with a group and guide. She had a wonderful time and felt safe.

[@bobfmirvine6652]

Thanks again!

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Our pleasure!

[@lynnspencer7753]

Love your story.

[@kabsalsa]

A trailer park is a great way to spend Ontario summers.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Yes it is ☕️🙂

[@darrylmcleman6456]

Jubilee clips----worm drive hose clamps or just hose clamps in U.S.A. and Canada! CHEERS from HERE!!!

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

It’s difficult sometimes speaking Canadian 😂😂

[@oldbloke204]

Starting to sound a bit like my usual camping trips. It's been very dry here and it's now raining as I try and pack the car to go away tomorrow. The tent etc that's going on the roof rack will now have to be wrapped up to stop them getting drenched. Likewise we're going to camp in a Desert that hadn't had any rain this year when I rang them recently but it will be raining whilst we're there. On one of the days we have to go and pick up my sister in law who is joining us midway through the trip but the road in and out of our campsite is impassable in the wet. Guess which day will be the wettest whilst we're there? I wish I was making this stuff up. People are generally very good and will help out when out camping or whatever. Here it's almost an unwritten law as it's very easy to get into serious trouble in a lot of the places people take their 4wd's/caravans these days. Australia can be a pretty harsh place when things go wrong.

[@pamelalambe1356]

Thanks for the stories, really enjoyed.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Glad you like them!

[@williamsion3000]

good one another great idea to do!!!

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Glad you think so!

[@RamonaStrait]

So enjoyed your stories… wonderful memories!❤

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@jeremy1350]

Hi Tina and Norm. It's 27c at 4:40pm in Montreal. We stay in the twenties for at least a week, and the lowest low in the next week is going to be 13c Sunday night. AND all the trees in my neighborhood are STILL Green !!!

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

It’s amazing Jeremy 🌞🌞

[@patassion]

Yes love the stories

[@ItsBlissfulAcres]

I love this

[@grantboucher9342]

we love the adventures of " NORM and TINA" even though you talk funny

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

We think you all have foreign accents 😂😂

[@annanufrio4468]

love the stories

[@Carnut26]

Love the memories. We have so many camping stories as well. Just wondering - did you get a new car?

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

No it’s the same one our Hyundai Elantra Cheers 🍻🙂

[@bw6078]

Norm rocking the Led Zeppelin shirt.

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Rick on!

[@rickinmo6837]

❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@ddavidson5]

Interesting that you wanted to give your French friends something uniquely English and you decided on sherry which is exclusively produced in the wine-growing region of Jerez Spain. Of course in France I am sure you didn't have a lot of "English" items to choose from. 😁 Certainly it's a great memory!

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Sherry was primarily controlled and produced by British companies

[@ddavidson5]

@@ThisIsOurRetirement Indeed, and port too! Either way I am sure that it went over well.

[@bazuelke]

What year was the picture?

[@ThisIsOurRetirement]

Mid 80s 🙂