Well, whilst going thru the past messages, over the years, i felt i must join in the long ranging discussion. First, Ruth and i are still living! Not camping any more, but the motor home is ready to go at any time! Can't sell it, as gas cost is prohibitive. I remember when we went to Ipperwash Park, I had forgotten to buy my beer in the USA, and couldn't find the best hidden beer store in that area. I got to talking with a local feller, name of Charlie Miller. He said if we'd follow him to his place, he had some, and we could sit and talk for a spell. So, off we went, about ten miles, back in the sticks, and finally got to his home. He had two beers left, and sort of warm, but we sat and talked for 4 hours, and consumed his beer! What a wonderful experience, for a guy like me who likes to sit and talk to anybody! I offered to pay for the beer, but he wouldn't take any money for it! Said the fact of sitting and talking to nice folks was priceless! But, he did tell us how to find the beer store! Best example of hiding something in plain sight! Another time, we camped near Niagara Falls, in a nice camp on the Canadian side. Whilst eating lunch, a foursome came in and proceeded to try to set up one of those cheap blue dining fly's. The 4 post type. Well, after ten minutes of falling poles and twisted ropes, and lost patience, i went over to tell them i knew the secret of putting one of them up, and we'd help! I got the bum's rush, got told to mind my own business, and got fishy eyed stares from them! Well, another half-hour of trying to set it up--the poles and fabric were all stomped on, broken, and ripped and tossed into the trash! And, they left and didn't come back! One thing about Niagara Falls: Yes they are beautiful, but an hour of watching water run over a cliff, pales in comparison to the sights at the Welland Canal! Watching those ships cross a farmers field, then go into the lock, and sink out of sight--was a wonderful experience for my family, especially our two sons! We could talk to crew members as the ship was in the lock chamber and ask where they were from, or going! I always tell folks who are going to Niagara, to look for the Canal!

Here's part of Anton's Tips Page: Get the Milepost. This book is worth carrying, period. Buy it almost anywhere in the north or order it online from themilepost.com. It's like a phone book 7/8" thick and costs $25. Camping spots. Throughout the North Country (AK, Yukon, and NWT), free roadside/wilderness camping is available nearly everywhere. Don't be afraid to do this, just learn the basic bear precautions and go for it. All gravel roads will have plenty of gravel yards used by the highway department; these would make excellent spots. Dempster Highway: There are lots of good places along the road to pitch a tent, especially in the southern half. The campgrounds are nearly all in the northern section, and are likely to be mosquito-infested (specifically Rock River is) since they are located by rivers. In the northern part, I'd camp by the Arctic Circle or NWT border signs, on the gravel, or in one of the many highway maintenance gravel yards. Just find somewhere that's open with a bit of a breeze. McCarthy/Kennicott: Camp on the river (free) just east of Chitina. After that, it's wooded and buggy until McCarthy, where you could camp on the river for $15. In the national park, you can camp for free and there is a GREAT spot about halfway up the trail to the Bonanza Mine, just above the treeline. Dalton Highway: Just south of the Yukon River there's a clearing on the west side of the road that should be OK, and after that there are plenty of gravel yards. Just south of where the pavement starts (between Yukon Crossing and the Arctic Circle) there's one high on a hill to the west that would have a FANTASTIC morning view. Once you get within 80 miles of Deadhorse it will be buggy everywhere, but the area around Attigun Pass should be good. The southern part of the highway runs along a river, with numerous opportunities to pull off. If a side road is posted or gated by Alyeska, DON'T camp there. There are an incredible number of Alyeska security patrols everywhere on the Dalton. Contrary to the Milepost, you CAN camp in Deadhorse (find a corner of a parking lot somewhere). Campbell Highway: definitely stay at Taro, if possible. $2 tent sites, free showers. There are probably decent spots to the east, but the road is usually pretty low and probably buggy. To the west, you should have no problem finding a good spot. Camping at Radium Hot Springs (and maybe everywhere else in Banff) is $22!!! (I stayed in the parking lot of the Husky station for free). Provincial parks throughout Canada are $8 to $12, and firewood is usually provided free. Mike Dwyer reports a free municipal campground at Burns Lake.

I haven't camped in Canada for a long time-sometimes my husband and I camp overnight in Algonquin Provincial Park in Ontario, but I don't think they accomodate campers. Anyway good luck and tell us all about your trip. Where in Canada are you going and when? We are staying near Barry's Bay, On. this September. Lisa

We have a 30' class A RV. With your space constrictions (we used to tent camp with everything in totes and coolers), I would say 1 skillet, 1 sauce pan, and a dutch oven with a lid. Lids for them all if possible. 1 flipper, 1 spatula/scraper, 1 slotted spoon, 1 solid bowl spoon. Collapsable bowls and collander. Pot holders/mits. Matches. Salt, pepper, paprika, italian seasoning, chili powder, what ever seasonings you would usually use at home. Tones makes tiny containers with a large selection of spices/seasonings for around $1, that are about the size of Annie's film cans. Portable gas grill. Dish soap, dish towels, paper towels. A friend gave me the idea of using a paper towel holder bungie corded to the awning post to have them handy outside when cooking/eating. Table ware can be stored in small plastic totes. Dish pan. That tiny sink will be a pain in the you know what to do dishes in, so take a dish pan and do them outside when possible. As to packaged food. Check the book sites for a book called Make-A-Mix. There is a volume two, I think. I have the first one. That is my where my sloppy joe recipe came from. Tastes pretty much like manwich. I leave out the green peppers and garlic, but I don't like green peppers and am allergic to the garlic. Still really good. I thing Grainlady mentioned the make a mix books in another thread. Many good recipes for mixes in there. You can use very small plastic zip bags that I find in the jewelry dept of the craft stores to store the seasoning mixes like the sloppy joe mixes in, writing the date made and any needed instructions in marker on the bag. Store a bunch of the small bags in a larger one. Tea bags, coffee, hot chocolate mixes (can find one in the make a mix book, but I have a better one. If you want it, I'll look it up and post it). A camp coffee pot works for boiling water for tea, hot chocolate, coffee, and heating water for dishes. The camp percolater, figure out how many cups it makes, add the amt of coffee you like for that amount of water, and after it starts to perk, time it for 8 minutes. If you want it stronger, go 9, no more than 10 minutes or it gets bitter. And it takes up less space than a counter top coffee maker. We use more paper plates and plastic silver ware than use regular, but your choice. Cereal bowls. Sugar, flour, cornmeal, all in small amts, in airtight containers. If it's airtight, you can leave it there all season, same with the spices. I don't even take the jars of flour and stuff like that out in the winter. Instant rice. dcarch, we have the E2000 generator, and it weighs lots more than the one you have listed. It is very quiet, tho. It would store great on the grate in the hitch, too! So would a portable gas grill. If you want the hot chocolate recipe, and don't get a reply here in this post, email me thru my page, incase I forget to check the thread! I'm getting forgetful! Tami