Medicine Hat to Nelson then home

We had a really nice stop over in Medicine hat and were well rested for the long drive in front of us.  We were hoping to meet up with my wife, Shauna, who was in Nelson giving a seminar.  To do that, we were looking at about a nine hour driving day.  Not too bad if the weather held out.

Spring was coming earlier to the  western provinces than it was to the eastern provinces.  We left Muncton in several feet of snow, holed up in Winnipeg because of a snow storm, and practically skated to Regina. After Medicine Hat the snow became scarce, replaced with flooding.  In the eastern provinces, the threat of flooding once the snow starts to melt is high.  Essential services such as hospitals are making plans as to how to handle things if and when this occurs. In Vancouver all we have to worry about is a potential radiation cloud.

The drive proved to be very pleasant. A little overcast but no percipitation and the roads, with the execption of the occasional flooded spot, were bare and dry.  I was struck by how the mountains just rose up from the praries.  Your driving along this flat, flat road for a few days and then all of a sudden, their they are. Huge and snow covered.  Ok, we had been through lots snow and ice up to this point, but now we have some mountains thrown in. The truck downshifted as we started to climb into the pass.

Within 15 minutes we were deep in snow country again.  The snow at the side of the road was often higher than the van (which is 6ft 6in high).  In another 10 minutes, it started to snow.  We got through it without incident.  As we descended down the moutain into Nelson the snow stopped coming down and the snow on the ground return to normal levels. We got to the hotel in Nelson and met up with Shauna.  A really nice dinner, a good nights sleep and it was off to Vancouver.

We arrived home at 6:15pm.  Our epic journey complete.

Winnipeg to Regina to Medicine Hat

The stop over in Winnipeg gave us an opportunity to visit with relatives. It was unexpected, unplanned, and lots of fun. It's always great to catch up with folks that are very close to you but you never are able to spend time with them. We also got a solid workout  in at the Winter Club and attended a guitar/recording workshop lead by Murry Pulver, a studio guitarist who had just returned to Winnipeg after working in Doc Walker and touring with the Crash Test Dummies. All in all, a great stop over.

The storm passed through Winnipeg and the highway opened on Sunday morning so we decided it was time to hit the road - in spite of the warning of slippery roads. Just outside of Winnipeg we stopped for gas. We where the only ones filling up a automobile, everyone else was filling up a snow mobile. This should have been a warning. Stay another day. But with a full tank of gas we headed out for the open road.

The drive started out fine.  The roads were clearish and traction as not a problem.  The sky was blue and the forecast showed no signs of further precipitation.  We drove for a while - until I saw a great opportunity for an image.  We pulled down a side road and parked at the edge of the road.  Unfortunately, the edged of the road was a ditch filled with snow and our right front tire slipped in.  We dug and we pulled and we pulled and we dug but could not move the truck.  Next thing we know a red 4x4 pulls up and hooks on to the back of the truck with a special towing strap.  Another vehicle pulls up and 2 more folks jump out and start pushing.  In no time theses friendly prairie folks have us out of the ditch and we are ready to be on are way, but first, I have to take that shot.  I grab my trusty Canon, loaded with a 75-200mm lens, and head towards the shot.  Stepping in the ditch filled with snow I find myself up to my knees in snow - and sinking.  I don't care anymore. I'm going to get my shot, and get it I did.

With the shot in the can we pointed the van west and were on our way. What a beautiful day.  The sun was shinning, the roads were clear and the winds were blowing lightly, at first.  It wasn't long before the wind picked up and started really blowing.  We found out later this is considered to be one of the most dangerous stretches of road in Canada.  With miles of flat land on either side of the highway the wind is able to blow at very high speeds making the steering of vehicles tricky.  It also makes the already cold temperature much much colder.  The the wind blows the snow across the highway creating a sheet of ice underneath it and turns the road into a skating rink.  No wonder the guys at the gas station looked at us like we were, well, from Vancouver.  This part of the ride was total white knuckle. The van slipped from time to time as we crossed the ice patches. We passed 4 cars that had left the road and one 18 wheeler that had done a 180 degree spin on the ice.  We made it through without incident thanks to Joel's driving skills. We got to our hotel room later than planned but in on piece. Played guitars for a while then went to sleep.

The next morning it was off to Medicine Hat.  A short driving day - that's all we had the energy for.  The wind had died down and the drive was easy.  We checked into a hotel called the Medicine Hat Lodge.  What a great find out there in the middle of the prairies.  Nice room with a balcony overlooking the indoor pool, hot tube and water slide. Two restaurants, shops and a casino.  It was a good night that left us ready for the long drive to Nelson BC. the next day.

Winnipeg here we come

Cell tower access as been unavailable for the most recent leg of our journey so I have not been able to make my blog entries. Here is the catch up.

The drive to Thunder Bay was very scenic. We drove up the shore of Lake Superior from Sault St. Marie enjoying some very nice weather and some beautiful scenery. I was surprised at how little there was in terms of towns and rest stops along the way.  Everything we came across was closed for the season - "see you in May".  Did find this 2 story with basement fixer upper though.

The shoreline of Lake Superior reminded me very much of the drive down the pacific coast.  Very rocky with a few small beaches, at least I assume them to be beaches and not just piles of ice and snow.  There are also many small islands rock outcrops  just a little ways of shore.

We were excited to get to Thunder Bay because a friend of Joel's was in a play at the Magnus Theater.  The play was called Hanna's Suitcase and is an interesting story about a Japanese historical Museum tracing the story of a 13 year old girl who was killed in the Holocaust. The show was very well written and performed excellently, receiving a standing ovation at the end of the performance.  After the show we went out with the cast to the Mad House and visited - a very nice evening.

Tim Horton's are everywhere in Ontario.  Which is good because I enjoy their coffee and who can resist their donuts.  However, at the recommendation of the cast members we checked out this restaurant located in the basement of the Finish community hall (Thunder Bay has a very large Finish community) called the Hoito Restaurant. Nothing fancy here. Basically a room with tables and chairs, fluorescent light, and a kitchen. But the food was amazing, and very, very reasonable.  If this place franchises, look out Tim's, McDonald's, Robins Doughnuts, and anyplace else that wants to compete for the breakfast market.

We left Thunder Bay in the morning and headed for Winnipeg.  It was another long travel day because there is really no place to stay in between.  The weather was still good but there had been a storm chasing us for the last couple of days.  We have been lucky enough to stay in front of it but the long term weather forecast is not in our favour.  I have found it interesting that during the stretch from Sault St. Marie and Winnipeg, cell reception  has been poor.

The road to Winnipeg was fairly uneventful.  We listened to podcasts and played guitar while we made our way along the highway.  The damage from this winter is evident in the number of collapsed buildings we saw. They collapsed from the weight of the snow on their roofs.  We have also been tracking a storm that is supposed to happen on Friday.  Winnipeg as warmed up to 0 degrees.  The expectation is that starting Friday afternoon it will start to snow - up to 30cm.  If it warms up a little more, the snow will turn to rain. On Saturday the temperature is expected to drop to -12 degrees which will make this place a giant skating rink, and most likely covered in snow.  This means that the Trans Canada Highway will be closed so we have decided to play it safe a stay in Winnipeg for at least one day while the storm passes.

Well that's it for today.

Kingston to Sudbury

The leg from Kingston to Sudbury was beautiful. The poor weather went away and the sun shone all day. Originally, our plan was to stop in North Bay but it was such a nice day that we decided to travel a little longer and made it to Sudbury.

About an hour into the ride, the GPS took us off the main highway and took us north west on a secondary highway. We passed by many beautiful farms which I had to stop and photograph. Saw the usual, cow staring over the fence as you drive by, horses huddled under a leafless tree trying to stay warm. What I wasn't expecting to see was a herd of Buffalo and a pen filled with Llama.

Farther down the road we stopped in a small town called Eganville. Had a wonderful Schnitzel sandwich. Could go for one of those right now - so good.

Beginning to think that we are in the bible belt of Canada. No matter how small the town, we just went through one with a population of 600, there is always a church, usually very nice. In Eganville, we lost count, but there was lots of them. And they where all very beautiful. After lunch we took some time to photograph them.

Eventually we got back to a main highway and made our way to North Bay. Sudbury was calling so we continued drive. Researching hotels from the van with the IPad, we found one with a gym, pool and Italian restaurant.

Perfect.

Quebec to Kingston

Yesterday we made our way to Kingston.  Wonderful place.  The drive there was off and on snow but we made it without incident.  I'm getting really good at framing quickly as we drive by at 100km/hr.  You have to think way ahead and forget about using live view.  Essentially, if you see the shot in your viewfinder, you have missed it.

Lone tree in blizzard outside of Quebec

Government building in Kingston



Ice breaking ferry in Kingston Harbour

Oh yeh, Last night we went and saw comedian Norm MacDonald.  Great show.

The Journey

The journey has begun. Actually, it began two days ago when I flew from Vancouver BC to Moncton New Brunswick. The goal being to drive across Canada, taking photographs along the way - from a moving vehicle.



House outside of Moncton


Spent the first night in Moncton. Lots of snow there. The next day we drove to Quebec city. Spent the night in an amazing 200 year old hotel and Feasted On one of the best beef tenderloins I have ever experienced while my road trip buddy Joel enjoyed an outstanding rack of Lamb. I must return here when I can spend a week and truly enjoy all that this historic city has to offer.


The weather was very odd yesterday. We left Moncton in a snow storm. Near Quebec it started to rain. No problems driving until we got to our hotel. The parking lot was a sheet of ice and the the sidewalks were treacherous. It stared snowing again overnight and it is still snowing as we make our way to Kingston, no not Jamaica, Ontario.

Just looked up from my IPad to see the run off from the windshield is freezing on my passenger window. Oh, and there is a truck in the ditch.

This is so cool!





Snow drifts in park in Quebec





200 year old hotel we stayed at. Very cool.



Car went off roading



Ice forming on passanger window