July 2008
18 posts
DAY 73 - Life in the Bay
Saturday, July 26th, 2008
Soule Creek Lodge is an amazing experience. We slept last night in Tanglewood Cabin, a quaint cedar cabin with a National Geographic view of the San Juan Bay. Every morning we are treated to a delicious breakfast courtesy of the two world-renowned chefs/ brothers/lodge-owners/operators in the main lodge. The place has such a positive and holistic feeling—the...
DAY 72 - Another Legislature
Friday, July 25th, 2008
This afternoon we visit Victoria’s stunning legislative buildings and are part of an excellent tour. Last night we made the decision to book a cabin in Port Renfrew for three nights. Our mixed reasoning roughly follows these strands of rationale:
We’re getting just a little weary of camping. Funny how 72 days on the road, setting up a big ol’ tent so...
DAY 71 - Onto the Island
Thursday, July 24th, 2008
It’s time to complete the final lap… we’ve realized today how Vancouver Island is perhaps our most favourite spot on earth. We catch a ferry to Victoria and try to find downtown parking in the midst of tourist traffic. Jennifer isn’t feeling well, so after a not so memorable meal at The Spaghetti Factory, we set up for the night in an...
DAY 70 - In Vancouver With Friends
Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008
Daytona took the day off today so we could all hangout in Vancouver together. Maia and Kristi made us a very special breakfast. Rufus (the cat) purred for attention and Kenobi (the other cat) kept away from us strangers. We ended up at a not-so-great “Music of Disney” exhibit at the Telus World of Science, before hitting the busy street shops of...
DAY 69 - Pacific Sights and Late Nights
Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008
Today we slowly made our way into Cloverdale (just outside of Langley) to visit our close friends Daytona and Kristi Swarbrick. We took a road trip together to see their newly-purchased condo in White Rock and take in some ice-cream on the windy west coast. It’s pretty amazing to think we’ve now made the trip from coast to coast. The evening eventually...
DAY 68 - The Coast Is Cooler
Monday, July 21st, 2008
After spending some more time this morning/afternoon with my brother’s family (Derek, Sarah & Haye) at their home in Kelowna and a local spray park, we determined it was time to escape the heat wave and make for the coast. Tonight we’ll camp amidst giant ferns and Douglas Firs at Golden Ears Provincial Park, just outside of Langley.
DAY 67 - OH THE HEAT!
Sunday, July 20th, 2008
Today is the first day I really missed not having A/C in the van. Coming out the cool mountains and down into the Okanogan, the temperature seemed to soar out of control. We stopped at The Enchanted Forest near Revelstoke, B.C. which (some tourist-tackiness aside) turned out to be a welcome reprieve from the sun and a real highlight for Maia.
Later in the day, we met...
DAY 66 - SMALL TOWN MEMORIES
Saturday, July 19th, 2008
Today we spent a few hours in Three Hills, Alberta, the small town that was home to me as a child. Going back in time, so to speak, is quite surreal. It’s amazing the memories and emotions that are attached to “place” in our lives. Of course a lot of things have changed-but surprisingly a lot is still the same, such as Prairie Elementary School,...
DAY 65 - Slow Escape From The City
Friday, July 18th, 2008
It should not be surprise to anyone who truly knows us that today was a slow escape from the city. In one sense we were reluctant to hit the road once more—however once we left the city, it felt kinda normal and good. Maia has racked up an interesting playlist of rock and roll travel songs that we rotate through regularly—a good ol’ family sing along...
DAYS 56 THROUGH 64 - Time In Edmonton
Thursday, July 10th through Thursday, July 17th, 2008
Yes, we spent about nine days in Edmonton, mostly enjoying being stationary for more than a few days. Of course we spent a significant amount of time with Jen’s family as well as some friends—a number of late game evenings at our host’s home, lots of coffee shop visits, a stop-in at Bethel, a short visit with Clint’s...
DAY 55 -- Intermission In Edmonton
Wednesday, July 9th
For those of you following this in Edmonton, we’re back here for a few days on a trip intermission before spending 3 plus weeks out and about in B.C. We’re staying with a friend and it’s certainly nice to have a place to crash and catch up with friends and family. Besides taking care of some personal business, we’re also looking for a place to rent...
DAYS 43 THROUGH 54 - Heading Home
Friday, June 27th through Tuesday, July 8th
I am very aware of being behind on blog posts. However, since I’m on vacation from guilt and despair, I won’t succumb to it. Here are some travel-lights from the past 12 days:
June 27th — Nova Scotia & New Brunswick.
June 28th — Somewhere In Ontario. Survived an impressive overnight thunderstorm.
June 29th — Still Somewhere...
June 2008
71 posts
DAY 42 - Twenty Hours On The Open Sea
Thursday, June 26th
We got up around 3:30 am this morning to pack up our campsite and haul it to the ferry terminal about an hour away for a 7 o’clock boarding. Departing Newfoundland from the northern tip of the island is definitely more involved than our entrance a few days ago. Firstly, we’re looking at a 15-17 hour ferry ride. Secondly, we must pass through a federal decontamination...
DAY 41 - A Regular Day
Wednesday, June 25th
We spent today kicking around our campsite, continuing to be plagued by incredibly persistent noseeums. We had a nice family hike along the windy shores of the lake here, climbing the large boulders along the shoreline and taking in the rugged landscape. It’s with mixed feelings that we ponder our departure tomorrow…
DAY 40 - Reaching A Milestone
Tuesday, June 24th
Today we made it to our most easterly destination on this adventure: St. John’s, Newfoundland. We’ve travelled almost 10,000 kilometers and really do feel a long way from home. On the other hand, Newfoundland is a beautiful province. If it wasn’t for the insufferable noseeums (black flies) and the dire employment market we could probably take up residence here quite...
DAY 39 - Nearing The Eastern Edge
Monday, June 23rd
Pulled into a campsite just past midnight last night after arriving under the light of a full moon over the ocean. We slept in a little before driving a full day through rain and fog. Pulled into our campsite very late and very road weary.
DAY 38 - And We Almost Missed The Boat
Sunday, June 22nd
We crawled out of bed really early. We tore down the tent. We packed up the campsite. We arrived an hour early as recommended by the brochure. Only to find that our pre-booked 9:00 am ferry crossing to Newfoundland was to be delayed until 5:30 pm. Arrgh. Change of plans.
Breakfast in North Sydney, a stroll along the historical harbour boardwalk, laundry at the local...
DAY 37 - Fortress of Louisberg
Saturday, June 21st
Today we popped into the Fortress of Louisburg which is just a short drive from out campsite (Google it—crazy cool). A portion of the famous French fortress (like that alliteration?) has been dug up and reconstructed according to how it looked in the early 1700’s before it was obliterated by the British then left uninhabited and undeveloped for over two centuries. ...
DAY 36 - A Breather
Friday, June 20th
We’re camping a few nights at Mira River Provincial Park near Sydney, Nova Scotia. Today we’re just bumming about the campgrounds, taking some slowed down family time, a breather from all traveling and touristy things.
DAY 35 - Halifax, Nova Scotia
Thursday, June 19th
I’m aware that this blog may be getting boring—sorry. When you hit day 35 things and places and events all tend to begin running together. Maybe I’m just tired. What did we do in Halifax, Nova Scotia? Breakfast at a harbour coffee shop, some wandering about the docks and shops, topped off with a tour to the legislature grounds. One of the most memorable things about...
DAY 34 - Province Hopping
Wednesday, June 18th
It’s been a gloomy day and we’ve been reluctant to set up camp in the drizzle, so we travel. We pay our dues to once again cross over the Confederation bridge (over 40 bucks!)—unsuccessfully trying to outrun the rain by province hopping (PEI, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia). We finally admit defeat in Halifax by checking into a dorm room at Dalhousie University. Thanks...
DAY 33 - P.E.I. & Real News
Tuesday, June 17th
We’re camped on the east coast of P.E.I. for a couple of nights, just a few minutes from the tourist trap of Cavendish, home to everything Lucy Maud Montgomery and setting to her world famous Anne of Green Gables books. This town has over 250,000 tourists pass through each year—almost twice the population of the entire province! Maia and I spent some quality...
DAY 32 - Like A Roller-Coaster for Cars
Monday, June 16th
Today we crossed the big Confederation bridge (13 kilometers) onto Prince Edward Island. The $40 toll fee was almost as intimidating as the bridge—it’s like a roller coaster for cars. P.E.I. (similar to New Brunswick) has a lot of real estate for sale—this combined with the sound of the sea, the colorful buildings, red fields and rolling green hills reinforces a...
DAY 31 - Bay of Fundy
Sunday, June 15th
The campsite and park here are first class—a definite destination stop-over. Spent most of the day bumming about the park and taking in the beautiful red beach. At low tide, the area of bare ocean floor left behind is stunning. You can literally walk for 1000’s of meters exploring the tide pools.
