Travels With Kevin and Ruth

For more than a year we've been following the online blog adventures of an Ottawa couple, Kevin and Ruth. 

Kevin writes the daily post (Travel with Kevin and Ruth) and Ruth does her best to reply to all of the comments. Last summer John and I got hooked reading as they hiked and toured eastern Europe. They stopped along the way to stay in local homes via an incredible organization called Couchsurfing.

They also did some housesitting, and it was their posts that prompted John and I to venture further from just doing what we do for friends to go global as "TLC International Housesitters. We have just started another housesitting assignment in southern Ontario, but more about that tomorrow.

Seven years ago Kevin and Ruth sold their home in Ottawa and hit the road in a motorhome. Only 45 years young at the time, they admitted their first year traveling was hectic and they drove from place to place rather than stop and explore each location. Now, they take their time, and get to know an area as well as some of the locals. 

Last winter they enjoyed the warmth and sunshine of Mexico, and they also hiked to the top of a Guatemalan volcano. In April they headed north to manage a campground in Saskatchewan for the summer. While back in Canada they won a trip to Namibia and will tour that country and South Africa this winter. then it's back to Mexico and while they're not certain in all likelihood they'll return to Canada next spring.  

When they announced they planned to drive back to Ottawa to visit family in late September via Hwy. 17 I emailed and invited them to spend a night or two in Elliot Lake. We weren't exactly certain our schedules would mesh, but they did and we had a wonderful time getting to know this adventurous couple.

Naturally we had to go to Rooster Rock. The fall colours were spectacular and there wasn't a breeze which allowed us to hear the loons as they crossed Quirke Lake. After a leisurely picnic lunch at Dunlop Lake the four of us headed north to Flack Lake and Laurentian Lodge. Again, the leaves were spectacular, made all the more fun due to our guests.

Thanks, Kevin and Ruth. Listening to your stories just makes me want to sell the house and travel non-stop as well! I think John's up for it. Do you?! Btw, let's hope our paths cross again, especially as Ruth and I share a love for Chardonnay. Cheers!  ;-) 

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