Smary Jones with Tornto-born jockey Stewart Elliott drives down the stretch to win last year's Kentucky Derby, at Churchill Downs. -- Photo by Daniel P. Derella, APN

Q: Could you please let me know when this year's Kentucky Derby will be taking place and where can I find more information on it? Thank you. -- E. Lepage, Scarborough

A: Louisville's big event has long been known in thoroughbred horseracing circles as the "Run for the Roses." And this year's Kentucky Derby (The 131th) is fast approaching. It will be held May 7 at Churchill Downs. For information, call 502-636-4400, or visit churchilldowns.com or kyderby.com.

Q: My husband will be retiring in three years. We have never really travelled before but we were thinking it would be nice to do that now that we will be both together. We were thinking of taking a year to just drive around Canada and maybe the United States. Do you know where we can start to do our research? I realize this is a tall order but any advice you have will be helpful. We read your column all the time and love it.

-- S. Daley, Etobicoke

A: Recreational vehicles are popular with roadtrip enthusiasts. The RV crowd has their own mantra and keep themselves informed by attending RV shows, joining associations and subscribing to RV-related publications.

Many of the converted say that "RV" is synonymous with "freedom" because they don't face the hassles normally associated with other forms of travel.

So you can hang out in the Alberta Badlands for a week, take in the gorgeous scenery around Banff or breathe in the salty sea breezes off the Bay of Fundy -- all at your own pace.

An excellent online resource is the Go RVing Canada website, gorving.ca.

It is easy to navigate and is organized according to the four "W"s (who, what, why and where).

For example, at Where, the site offers five suggestions: Join a caravan across Canada, take a weekend trip, go off the beaten path or follow your dream and drive cross Canada.

It's loaded with driving tips, RV rental suggestions, titles of RV themed magazines, and you can also request a free brochure.

Write to Go RVing Canada, 2175 Sheppard Ave. E., suite 310, Toronto, ON, M2J 1W8, call 1-888-Go RVing (416-467-8464) or visit gorving.ca.