Thanks for listening

I'm writing this last entry having arrived back home. Some of the statistics regarding the journey are as follows:

• the entire trip lasted 68 days, 2 days short of 10 weeks.
• I traveled over 16, 600 kms through 9 provinces
  
• I met all but 2 individuals I had hoped to see.
  
• I was delayed only 1 day due to rain
• I ate no steaks in July
• And the Glide ran, oh she ran well.

At one point, I found myself comparing my trip with the 70's movie, "Easy Rider". The parallels between my journey and the film are obvious in many ways, but there are some key differences. For one, at the end of the movie Wyatt says to Billy, "... we blew it...". Well, nothing could be further from the truth in my case. Another obvious difference is the ending of the film (and I don't think I'm giving anything away here) in which they were both blown away. So, they didn't have to ride back! And they didn't have to go through N.Dakota! (just kidding all you ND's reading this). And no, I didn't run into any Venusians.

This was about the trip that Candace and I had talked about doing and it validated why we wanted to do it: riding across the country to check out sights and roads we always wanted to see, meeting up with family, see longtime friends, and making new ones.

A sincere thank you to all of you for welcoming me along the road, listening to my stories, and being part of Sky To Sea.

And in the end...

On Monday, August 16, I came up from the US and into BC. I slid past Alberta purposefully so I could close out the Sky To Sea journey by visiting Candace's resting site in the Kootenays. It seemed to be the only fitting end to this undertaking.

I'm comforted knowing she was happy with her life and she's happy where she rests today. That was evident throughout my STS journey. As you can see in the photos, it was a beautiful day in the Kootenays and we always said, "it's tough to beat the Kootenays on a sunny day."

The Sky To Sea journey ends, as it should.

US #2

Thought I'd share a quick word on US #2 Highway. I joined onto #2 at the west end of the Michigan peninsula and stayed with it throughout the northern states. It's got a few things going for it, particularly it's relatively quiet, in good condition and generally has a 120 kph speed limit. I've been on this highway twice before but that was in another lifetime it seems so this was a re-discovery. I'd recommend it as an alternate way to get out west if you're traveling through Southern Ontario. Gas is 10% cheaper right now and hotels are about 20% cheaper than in Canada.

The only issue is North Dakota. How do you spell b-o-r-i-n-g? It's like a Wednesday, you know, the hump of the week only there's no hump in N.Dakota. A better description would be the armpit of the week, but that would be unfair to armpits. Good to get through it in a day, which is exactly what I did: Grand Forks, ND to Glasgow, Mt. I'm being a little harsh on N. Dakota but unless you live there, there's no reason to dwell, if you know what I mean.

Montana on the other hand is a beautiful example of the transition that US#2 goes through, from prairie to range land to foothills to the Rockies. Riding south of Glacier National Park on #2 is special. I stayed on this highway to Bonner's Ferry in Idaho, until it was time to go north.

Oh yeah, one thing about getting to #2 from Ontario. If you're crossing into the States at the Soo, try doing it at night. I spent 1 hour on the bridge due solely to volume. Thank goodness it was a nice day and not too windy.

Flat Lander Blues

I must be back in the west. Lots of activity out this way, particularly in the great plains with tornadic events, cooler temperatures, strong winds, and gray skies. I was grabbing for more layers today as I ran N.Dakota on my way to Montana. The Glide has her own way of reminding me that this just ain't her cup 'o tea. "How about squeezing that throttle just a bit more there Bob, that is if you want any more juice outa this old lemon". Reminds me of that Willy Dixon tune covered by Led Zep. Yes, gas is an expendable commodity when you're in oil country and the norwester's blowing. Where I would have had 1/3 of a tank full left earlier in my travels, I was on fumes landing in some towns.

Montana's big and I'm intending on going south of Glacier Nat. Park and coming up through Idaho and into Creston, BC. There's no way I can do that tomorrow so it looks like I'll be a foreigner for at least one more night, eh?. By the way, on the subject of nationalism, I was reminded by a billboard today that while we as Canucks feel pretty smug about our health insurance and such, the Americans have Busch Lite on sale, 24 cans for $14.95. And, while in no way associated with that, the next billboard was a pathetic plea for dietary discipline by parents and their family members. Capitalism nevers ceases to amaze.

So, if all goes according to plan, I'll be closing the Sky To Sea voyage by paying a visit to the East Kootenays in 3 days or so. Then it'll be on to home, sweet home. But for now, this is far from over.

North Bay

After leaving Petawawa, I figured I'd spend an evening with Patsy & Denis then hit the high plains in an effort to get home around the 15th. Yeah right. There was a few things I hadn't planned on that influenced me to move that date out a bit. I showed up at Denis' home in early afternoon and was quickly awed by what I saw. Their property is right on Trout Lake and 5 years ago, they lost their home to an all-consuming fire (wiring issues). Well, call me a graying ember and douse me with some water because out of that mess rose the Phoenix that I was to enjoy over the next couple of nights. Wow. Home & Garden should be called in to document this property. The house truly is a home run. There are guest rooms in the world, then there is "the" guest room. As in mine, fitted with a picture window overlooking the lake, with a sunset of course. So that probably gives you a sense of the accomodations I was provided with but that was just a start.

Denis & Patsy had invited a few folks over that night to celebrate, folks that Candace & I had known throughout high school and had partied with during those years. Before we got into supper, Denis took me out on his harley, a boat that he uses like we would use a vehicle to go to the store. You see, it's parked right outside his deck. We went across the lake over to Dale's place so I could meet with Dale (after 35 years or so). We headed back to Phoenix to get ready for the festivities. Adele & Dennis, Dale & Paula, Cathy & Andy all showed up for a pot luck supper of ribs, corn, chicken drumsticks, salads. Dee-li-shus. So now, I've been there for about 4 hours... I'll compress things at this point and say that the evening was wonderful, the weather cooperated and the fire by the lake was like icing on a cake.

The next morning, I was already commited to accompany Denis. He has this habit of filling his thermos full of coffee and going out for a slow cruise on the lake for his morning cup-o-joe. I enjoyed the ritual and think I would fall into the same routine if I lived on a lake. Somehow, going out for a coffee on the farmer's field just doesn't quite cut it. Anyhow, I didn't leave that day. Not hard to reason why. For the remainder of the day, a good walk and lounging around rounded off the visit, not to mention Dale & Paula dropping by.

Patsy & Denis, a big thank you for your hospitality, taking some time off, and setting up that great get-together. I appreciate your efforts.

I left Thursday morning and headed out towards the Michigan peninsula. After a couple of days of pushing the Glide in some hard riding, tonight I'm dipping my toe in Grand Forks, North Dakota grass. The Glide's still running great and seems to be hitting her stride on this trip so I should be in Montana tomorrow evening. There's been a lot of tornado activity today in Minnesota and North Dakota so I'm hoping that it's over for a while.

Petawawa

I had a short ride along the Ottawa River to get to Petawawa to meet up with my nephew Jeffery along with his wife, Natasha and their 2 sons, Darcy & Aidan. I had not seen Jeff for quite some time and it was my first time meeting Natasha and their sons. Natasha put together a great supper and then Jeff took the boys and me out to his the Armed Forces base in Petawawa, where he's been over the past few years for a tour of the facilities (which incidently is home to over 7000 personnel). We finished off the evening with a fire in their backyard looking at photos and getting to know one another. It was nice to finally put some faces to names.

If Jeff is my nephew, that must make Darcy & Aidan my grand-nephews, or my second nephews, or maybe it's my nephews once-removed. I don't know what the label is but I can tell you that I'm very happy to have them related to me in whatever way it's called. These two boys had me with their personalities, their warmth, their sense of humour, their wit, ... and on and on. Jeff and Natasha obviously have a good recipe going.

A Capital Friendship

I'll be leaving the Ottawa - Gatineau area today after arriving on Friday. I've had a very nice time visiting and staying with Therese & Denis along with their grown children Joêlle and Daniel. Denis is a long-time dear friend from deep in my past and I had never met his family so this was a special visit. We talked a lot, naturally, played some golf we don't talk about, naturally, played some good old 60's music on his guitars that would require some serious practice, naturally, and visited that "area" where all my tax dollars seem to vaporize... naturally.

Therese and Denis are getting to that point in their lives when the children are moving out (& in, & out & ...) so I expect all of us may be seeing a bit more of them as they increase the perimeter and scope of their holiday time in the next few years. Stay tuned.

I also had occasion to meet with another old friend, Hubert who now lives in the area along with his wife Louise (and their grand-daughter) whom again, I'd never met. They invited all of us over for a delicious BBQ (yes, it was steak) and we got acquainted over the evening. They've got a great place and a successful business happening so no changes are forthcoming any time soon in their lives. Hope it's not another +20 years until we all get to see each other once more.

From a biking perspective, this area of the country has much to offer. Because of the river networks, hills, and mature development, there's no shortage of roads to explore. Be forewarned though, this is Canada's political hub and as a result the population density in the area is very high. Many of the drivers are part of the machine responsible for all the "stuff" that consumes your tax dollars so you need to be extra defensive while riding your 2-wheeler anywhere near these high-functioning bureaucrats.

It's been fabulous being here if only for such a short time after so many years of separation. Though it seemed forever in the making, the visit flies by and it's that time again. Thanks Thérèse and Denis for your warm reception, and Joêlle, pour ta lesson de piano.

I'm off to Petawawa to meet with my nephew Jeff, his wife Natasha and their 2 boys. I'll be meeting his family for the first time, again...