Route to and through Canada

[TeamFoxy]

We will be in the Chicago area mid-August and plan to be on Cape Cod for the labor day weekend. With several weeks in between we thought we might head into Canada through Sault Ste Marie and across to Montreal before heading south through VT/NH to get there.

That leaves us the option of going west of lake Michigan through WI to northern MI, or through IA and up central MI. As we have never been either way, are there any suggestions as to which route might be more interesting?

After entering Canada, we thought we might try going across 17 through North Bay and Ottawa. We have driven along Lake Ontario through Toronto and Kingston in the past and would like something different.

Suggestions for places to stop and things to see on the way are welcome. We also understand that we need our passports, proof of ownership for the vehicles, rabies vaccination certificates for the cats, and it is probably better to buy meats and some other food items in Canada rather than try to bring them in the RV. Also that coming back is worse in that regard.

Thanks in advance for thoughtful advice.

 

[Roadwarrior56]

The drive down the Ottawa Valley is really nice. Lots of small towns and great scenery. Check out Ottawa River Rafting for a fun day if you're a bit adventurous!!

 

[RoscoW]

We really enjoy the West side of Mi along the lake. Lots of beautiful towns up the whole coast and some really nice State parks to visit.

Ross..

 

[TeamFoxy]

Thanks for the comments.

 

[SkyBound]

If you cross at Sault Ste Marie, if you have a bit of time I would highly recommend heading north for a couple hours and doing the drive between "The Soo" as well call it and Wawa. It is some of the most scenic driving I have ever done in Ontario. There is a spot called Old Woman Bay that is just spectacular - honestly looks like the BC coast. It's up near Wawa. If you're looking for a nice place to camp up that way for a couple nights, we have enjoyed Pancake Bay Provincial Park, located on Batchawana Bay. We are planning a stay up that way later in August.

Edit: I would recommend parking the trailer at a campground such as Pancake first and then driving north as a day trip without the trailer. Very hilly terrain with lots of tight cornering!

 

[TeamFoxy]

Skybound,
Very good suggestion. We do have plenty of time so stops with day trips would work out well. We usually like to stop and spend a few days along the way when we travel.

 

[TeamFoxy]

We took Skybound's advice and parked the RV in Sault Ste. Marie and drove north along Rt. 17 to Wawa. It is indeed a very pretty drive with hiking trails and canoe launches along the way. Lake Superior is a beautiful deep blue and very clear. Today we plan to look at the Locks and some walking around the town.

I would disagree about having the RV along as we passed many along the way. If you have ever driven in the Smoky Mountains of NC or TN, this road is easy in comparison. Sometime I would love to do the circle around Superior, but we don't have time this trip. We are heading East towards Ottawa tomorrow and on to Montreal later in the week.