July 19, 2009
The day finally arrived, July 19th we loaded up and the 5 of us (me, Ann and Vince the GPS guy, Scrunchie and Gonky). We headed to Tobermory to catch the Chi Chi Mon ferry the next morning. The feeling as we headed out was not of freedom, which often one says, but of wonder and calm. You soon realize the only thing on your mind is “what is next’. I thought the tree tops painted by the group of seven were a bit sketchy(pardon the pun), until it dawned on me “that’s what they really look like!!” Sorry Tom Thomson! Lake Superior was beautiful and of course we had to listen to Gordie and the Wreck of the Edmond Fitzgerald! We camped at Sleeping Giant outside of Thunder Bay for 3 days…bloody cold, but at least we could have fires (not in BC). The last thing we saw before leaving Ontario was a bear and her cub.Winnipeg (hey, finally warm!), prairies, yellow canola, purple-blue flax rolling fields(or could it be a shimmering lake), big and wide almost like your mind is opening up and you can breath the spaces in between the spaces.
Regina hostel was pretty cool and we can’t wait to start our “real trip”, as we are now international hostel card holding members. We met some very interesting people and we have an invitation to Auckland already !! Regina boasts the most green space of all cities in Canada, so we did lots of biking and happened upon an Ethiopian restaurant!! Hope the food is like that in Ghana!! Star 5 feeling…
Singing along to the Guess Who’s, “Runnin’ Back to Saskatoon”….catching on very quickly that this once little town has grown into a huge city!! Tim had some great stories of when he and Ted were here! We camped at Gordie Howe Park (we didn’t see him), golf, tennis, biking, university, Saskatoon berry ice cream cones. Star 4 feeling!
A short stop in Edmonton – the West Edmonton mall for 3 hours (a terrifying experience and that was before the roller coaster!) Red Deer for night and on to ….
Drumheller (the Alberta Badlands!), long straight boring road and literally as you come around curve a whole other landscape of vast desert canyon opened up before us. Tyrell Museum was definitely worth the visit.
Arrived at Calgary…just in time for dinner! Mark and Karen not only have great digs, but they do-up the hospitality package very nicely!! However the water is pricey at $2.00/bottle!! Bbq, hot tubs, beer sampling, got to see kids(Danial and his Lacy and Christina and her Ryan), and lots of kisses from Bailey (Tim’s four legged girlfriend).
Banff – you could never tire of this landscape and vista on the drive in. This was confirmed by Matt Widmer and his family who grew up there and still marvel at its beauty. Great to meet Matt’s family, good luck in Olympics Phil and Heidi.
We drove on after 5:00 from Banff to Revelstoke via Rogers Pass – stormy, dramatic drive – wind, rain, thunder, lightning, trees falling, limbs landing on roadway in front of us – apparently this is living (driving) in the moment for Tim!. It was Very Cool waking up in the morning from our bed to see the snow on the mountain tops.
Day 13 – On to Vancouver: beautiful lush green drive down Coqaholla, could see forest fire in Lillooet, stayed in Abbattsford, ate Vietnamese take out after struggling to understand menu, ended up ordering dinners “A” & “E”…wish us luck when we actually arrive in Viet Nam!!
Ferry from Twassenn to Victoria – drove right onto the 1:00 o’clock ferry, great scenery, islands, almost the feeling of resorts with the sea air. Arrived at Don & Bonnie’s beautiful house (renos, lovely gardens and a place out back (for us), green house, cats, pet raccoon and BEER!! Thank goodness Ron brought another keg!! Downtown to listen to bluegrass, went on huge bike tour!! The video of me and Bonnie will sum it up!!
Another scenic drive from Victoria to Coombs – drove through Nanaimo to Tom & Fran’s resort, complete with gormet meals and robes in the guest room! Apparently “goats on the roof” is the thing to see, but i thought the penis chair was the highlight! Cathedral Grove was amazing and we thank Suzie for scaring away the wildlife from the backyard!! 6 star feeling!
Day 20: So we catch ferry in Nanaimo and onto Horseshoe Bay (Vancouver) and then drive to Osoyoos… again breathtaking scenery we will never tire of experiencing! Hello Spirit Ridge!!…And Karen and Mark – they are staying here for 2 weeks (they are owners, as well)!! PARTY ON!!!