Leg 1 - Victoria to the Okanagan - May 25 to 30

Leg 1 - May 25th to 30th
Distance: 548.8 km (short of my expected average, but hey, just starting out and we're in the mountains!).  Now it's time to take a couple of days off to visit with my Dad and Mabel in Armstrong and rest up the old body for the next leg.

A note to all our friends who have been in contact with so many positive messages - I'm having problems with my sympatico e-mail account.  For some reason it is blocked and we're working with the Bell people to sort things out.  In the meantime, please know that your wonderful messages and FB comments have been received and are very much appreciated. They are making this journey all the more happy and fun.

May 30th - Day 6

Route: Kelowna to Armstrong, BC on 97 and 97A

Distance and time: 75.7km at 3:21

Leaving the RV with Bob and Susan we made our way together back to the 97 and continued north to Vernon.  It was nice to have my cycling buddy with me. The day was a beauty - sunny and warm with no humidity and a nice breeze behind us.  The traffic was quite heavy, and with construction and a few km of zero shoulder space, some parts were challenging.  Overall, though, it was a lovely cycle with gorgeous scenery, and not too challenging compared to previous days.

Kalamalka Lake
(in memory of my Mom - we scattered her ashes on this lake)

We meandered through Vernon on Pleasant Valley Rd to avoid the 97 through town - thanks to local advice at the Visitor's Centre - and pulled into my Dad's place early in the afternoon.  We locked the bikes, grabbed his car keys and headed back to Kelowna to pick up the RV, arriving just as Bob was preparing another great supper :).

I had a strong motive for getting to the Okanagan and the internet today.  One of my book clubs back home met tonight and luckily for me, Bob and Susan have Skype capability and I was able to join the meeting.  It was hilarious chatting with the ladies.  I would ask a question about the book and they would answer with a question about the trip.  We finally got around to discussing the book, An Audience of Chairs, which was a fabulous read, by the way.  Thanks to you all for capping off my first week in grand fashion.

A huge thanks, also, to Bob and Susan.  They pampered us to no end in Kelowna and we came away with bag fulls of consumable homemade goodies.  We will enjoy!

Bob and Susan with Wayne and 'Syd'

May 29th - Day 5

Route: Intersection of 97C and 5A near Aspen Grove to Kelowna

Distance and time: 114.8km at 5:38

starting out

The day started out nice and sunny but as we climbed it became cloudy and cold.  After another 8 km hill and more ascent to about the 50 km mark, the wicked downhill began.  I managed to keep the 25 km straight descent under control between 30 and 40 km/hr by gripping the brakes, but I was shaking with cold.  When a slight incline appeared on the horizon it was like a long awaited gift, and when the air warmed and I spotted Okanagan Lake and civilization once again, it was a piece of heaven indeed!  The highway traffic was sparse along 97C and the shoulders were good.

at the top with a view to the mountains east of the Okanagan

Wayne drove ahead a couple of times and cycled to meet me and enjoy some of the hills and descents too.  I meandered through Kelowna on quiet streets with a bike lane and ended up with another flat about 200m short of meeting up with Wayne and the RV (what luck, eh?).  We drove up to Bob and Susan Zacharuk's place high in the hills overlooking a golf course (of course) and the city.  Enjoyed a wonderful evening catching up on each other...more to follow.

May 28th - Day 4

Route: Coquihalla to Merritt, then 23km on 97C towards Kelowna. Stopped on the roadside of junction with 5A

Distance and time: 101.9km at 4:59

Climbed an 8km hill coming out of Merritt to rival Kelly's mountain in Cape Breton. Cold and windy for the last hour.

Starting Out

Our night was OK despite a parade of tractor trailers throughout the wee hours. I guess we were tired. The morning started out in a desultory fashion - misty, cold and wet. We drove back to my end point yesterday and I started a long climb on rough shoulders with lots of high speed traffic. In my first hour my chain came off, plus I had a fall and a flat tire (again). Then, when waiting at a rest stop for Wayne to help with the flat, I met Dennis and Paul and things improved dramatically! It must have been their enthusiasm and good cheer, because once the tire was fixed the sun peeked out, the downhill grade started and the shoulders got remarkably smoother (so I could actually cycle on them and not worry about being blown away by traffic). Thanks guys, for the weather and road info and your good wishes.

Dennis and Paul with Archie

Paul mentioned that he hosted a couple of young guys last summer on a cross-Canada canoe and portage trip. I think one of them might be my friend Virginia's nephew. Small world, eh?

I'm now in Merritt after logging 78 km so far today. Glad to be finished with the Coquihalla traffic. Along with the banana peels and bungee cords on the roadside. It's odd to see so many banana peels every couple of km. We have 120 km to go to Kelowna to visit with Bob and Susan Zacharuk. Dennis told me that 70 km of the route is uphill, so I want to get another couple of hours under my belt.

I am certainly using my full gear ratio in these hills and want to pass along a huge thanks to Mike Glew for installing the new cassette to help with the climbs. 

May 27^th – Day 3

Just a quick note today to update on the 3rd day of cycling, as we won't have internet tonight and this is coming through Sam via text message. I have cycled from Agassiz to Hope and then Hope to where I am now, at the Box Canyon chain up area on the Coquihalla Highway waiting for Wayne and the RV. I've been climbing for a while now. Distance 73.5km, time 3:50. We spent 4+ hours in Hope, mostly getting the blog sent out and getting gas, food, hardware items, and pumping out the tanks so we're set for the next few days. Challenge will be to find somewhere to park off this busy highway! There is snow in the hills just off the road and I'm cold... brrr.

Day 3 "Campsite"

May 26^th – Day 2

Route: White Rock to 0 Ave. paralleling the US border, hugging the valley side of the foothills to Chilliwack, and then north through Sardis, across the Fraser River and into Agassiz

route from White Rock to Agassiz

border marker on 0 Ave.

Distance and time: 105 km at 4:24, distance to date 182.9 km

Weather: sunny, warm (26 degrees in Chilliwack)

It was a large day, perfect for cycling - sunny but not too hot, light tail winds, mostly flat and along roads without much traffic.  Best of all, John drove support for us all day and Rosa drove out to pick him up.  We also got the scoop on why he named his boat the “Port Nut” – it has something to do with the fact that it cost him more than his right arm :)

Rosa and John with the "Port Nut"

I got away about 10:00 and promptly had a flat tire ten minutes into the day.  Wayne and John showed up with the RV to the rescue and we continued on without mishap. John took over driving about 40 km in the route so I had my better half’s company, which always makes the cycle better.

Me and my bud

The scenery was even better than yesterday, perhaps because the mountains are closer. Actually it looks like they are right in our face and I’m a little worried about starting to climb tomorrow.

We asked John to continue with us for as long as he wanted but he graciously declined, having too many responsibilities at home at the moment. However, we have room to accommodate another two adults quite comfortably, and would like to extend an invitation to anyone interested in joining us along the route to drive support and/or cycle. Just think, only 100km a day, beautiful scenery, and room and board. It could be a great little vacation! 

May 25^th – Day 1 (Happy Birthday Adrienne!)

Route: Trans-Canada mile 0 in Victoria to Shwartz Bay ferry terminal, and from the Tsawwassen ferry terminal to White Rock

Distance and time: 77.9 km at 3:51

Weather: sunny, warm, windy

Ed cycled with us to Mile 0 where we met Wyatt, another old CG College buddy who I hadn’t seen in 30 odd years, and who I swear hasn’t aged much since then.

We high-tailed it from mile 0 on the Goose and Lochside trails (with only a few wrong turns) to catch the noon ferry with little time to spare.  From Tsawwassen we continued onto the Dyke trail skirting Boundary Bay to King George Blvd and eventually back to White Rock and the RV.  A very special thank-you goes to John, Rosa, Emily, Paul and Elliot for opening their home to us, providing extended RV parking, RV washing service (can you believe that?), food, laundry facilities, route assistance, great conversation, etc. etc. etc.

with Wyatt and 'Buddy' at Mile 0

Observations:

It was cool to see horses on the trails, excellent cycling signage on both the trails and highways, and highway lanes independent of off ramps. We wore our Velo Cape Breton bike shirts and consequently met folks on the ferry from St. Peters, along with an invitation to stop over there in September.  The Cape Breton logo also helped with getting directions in Tsawwassen, from a fellow maritimer from PEI.  The scenery along Dyke trail was gorgeous with Mount Baker and other snow capped peaks to our right and Vancouver skyscape and coastal mountains to our left.  The Dyke trail, however, didn’t seem very high, and we couldn’t help but have tsunami thoughts.

on the Dyke Trail thinking of tsunamis

Getting Started

Introduction

As many of you know, this trip has been on the bucket list for a long time. I've always dreamed of cycling across the country in a totally self sufficient manner, carrying all my stuff and roughing it along the way.  However, after watching and talking to a few intrepid souls during the past few years who have done just that, and taking a sober look at our ages and strength we've decided to undertake the trip in a rather luxurious fashion. We have purchased an RV and taken our light road bikes instead of the more robust touring bikes.  I will be fully supported with a roof over my head every night, a comfy bed, a fridge and stove, and room to carry extra gear.  I feel like a bit of a wimp, but at the same time am satisfied and comfortable with the decision.

The route from Victoria to Main-à-Dieu is approximately 6000 km which should translate into 60-odd days of cycling.  We have four months so will be taking lots of breaks to visit friends and family along the way and do some sightseeing.  And with the RV, I will likely do very little cycling through bad weather or with a fatigued muscles.

Wayne plans to drive ahead about 50-60 km each day and then cycle back to meet me, at which point he will turn around and cycle with me towards the RV for a lunch break.  Then we'll likely repeat the process again before calling it a day somewhere near his second stop.

The blog will probably get refined as we go along and I become familiar working with it or  want to vary the format and/or add more info.  A special thanks to Sam for getting tired of waiting for it and offering to set it up for me (I took her up immediately on that).

We also like to pass on a huge thanks to all of you who have wished us well on this adventure and sent along your hopes and prayers.  We are touched and very grateful for your thoughts.

May 24^th - Getting Started

After another evening at John and Rosa’s in White Rock, where we re-organized from cruise attire to cycling gear, we abandoned the RV again and took the bikes on the Tsawwassen ferry to the island.  It was a delight to meet another old CG buddy, Elizabeth Proulx for lunch in Sidney, BC.  From there we cycled to Victoria on the Lochside trail and stayed overnight in Oak Bay with Ed and Irena Lien, and their dogs Finn and Wicklow.  Thanks so much for welcoming us into your lovely home, feeding us an awesome meal (Irena, perhaps you can send alone the wasabi pea encrusted halibut recipe) and a package of saffron from Turkey, as well as providing route assistance, a photo shoot and Facebook postings.

Elizabeth and Lori

Finn and Wicklow

Ed, Irena and I after a few bottles of wine

Leading up to mile zero....

Retirement

I had a nice send-off, thanks to some great colleagues.  It took me about two days to adjust to a more relaxed pace, the best part being that there is always time to do something on another day and to get enough sleep…every night!  I am embracing the new lifestyle of casual clothing, no make-up, and not being cognizant of the day of the week.

plaque from my Science colleagues with a piece of the "CCGS Hudson"

Tessa

The decision to put down our old girl was a tough one.  She was with me for fifteen and a half years and I loved her dearly.  We seriously considered postponing this trip but after seeking advice and direction from many trusted friends and family members, I was able to see that her condition was as difficult for her as it was for us to watch and try to care for.  On her last day she had a great afternoon outside in the bright sunshine, with a few neighbours dropping by to say good-bye to the grand old dame of the street. Adrienne and Wayne and I spent some time alone with her relaxing on the porch before her vet arrived.  She drifted off quickly and peacefully and we were able to hug and pet her while she made the transition to doggy heaven.  I am sure she is already running and jumping for balls and sniffing everything and eating whatever she can up there.  Thank you so much to the many people who passed along their condolences. It has meant a great deal to us and it’s really nice to see how she touched so many people. 

The RV

We bought a Forester 2451S and I am still adjusting.  Sometimes we make decisions which are a little off base.  It is rather big and doesn’t fit the bohemian lifestyle I imagined.  It is quite comfortable and very nice, but I am a little uneasy with the environmental footprint and the ease of hauling it off the beaten track and through congested areas. I guess we were thinking of having lots of guests or doubting our ability to live meagerly and simply; who knows.  Now we are now of two minds….to live with the decision and enjoy it as much as possible ….or to accept the mistake as a learning experience and try to correct it while enroute by finding something a little more compact.  Will keep you posted on this.

Transit West

We departed on Wednesday, May 9^th, mid-afternoon. I was a basket case for the first three days grieving hard for Tessa, totally unprepared for how hard it hit me.  Poor Wayne! Our route took us from Ottawa to Sault Ste. Marie and then south of the border through the US, which is slightly shorter and with cheaper gas.  Neither of us had driven the US route before. Our first overnight was in North Bay bedding down very comfortably in Marie and Brian’s driveway.  On the second night we stayed at Meshigamme Shores in Michigan, and the third night at Turtle Creek, North Dakota.   Our fourth and fifth nights were in Glasgow, and St. Regis, Montana.  The sixth night was spent on a wooded mountain sideroad about an hour east of Seattle.  Notables along the way:  Did you know that Devil’s Lake, North Dakota is the geographical centre of North America? North Dakota is booming with oil and was very busy, but otherwise we loved the prairies with the endless vistas and countless baby cows; scenic rolling hills and ranch country in Montana with many spots that looked like good buffalo jumping cliffs (kind of like mini grand canyons); Idaho was a nice surprise with the mountains and excellent bike paths in the panhandle; Washington State – wind-farms, mountains, and Starbucks! 

On Tuesday, May 15 we finally rolled in White Rock, south of Vancouver and near the BC/Washington border.  Jim and I lived here when the girls were young and it was a sleepy little beach town.  Not so now!  We parked the RV in the driveway of old friends and former neighbours - John and Rosa Verde and daughter Emily - and enjoyed their wonderful hospitality as well as meeting their cute little grandson Elliot and son-in-law Paul.  We also got to see Bill Dutrizac (an old CG buddy), his wife Charlene and son Victor who live just down the street.

Sure looking forward to seeing this big beautiful country in slow play through the mountains, and especially through the prairies with those wonderful vistas and westerly winds.  Can’t wait to be a curious tourist, discovering some nooks and crannies, meeting different people along the way.

Alaskan Cruise

We left the RV with John and Rosa from May 16^th to 23^rd while on Holland America’s Volendam with my Dad and Mabel, and my sister Teri and her husband Dan.  The Alaskan coast is pristinely beautiful, and it was nice to be on the water again and hang out with family we don’t see often.  Highlights for us were Glacier Bay, the town of Skagway where we hiked a little bit of the Chilcoot Trail (from the Yukon goldrush of 1898) and a tour of the bridge and chat with the marine pilot onboard (thanks to another old CG buddy turned pilot – Ed Lien). Although the Volendam was an exceptionally comfortable ship and Holland America’s service was outstanding, we’d love to explore the area a bit more by smaller boat and with less people.

Glacier Bay and the boat we wished we had boarded

I celebrated my birthday onboard.  I bet I’m the only 55 year old in history who received bamboo yoga pants from her Dad!  (I really like them, but just had to get that hilarious dig in).

MS Volendam

Dedication

This site is lovingly dedicated to ‘Tessa’, as dear a dog as there ever was.
We will always love you, McGoo