Map Link:
http://maps.google.ca/maps?saddr=Sault+Ste.+Marie,+ON&daddr=44.51006,-79.09555+to:West+Hill,+Toronto,+Ontario&hl=en&ll=44.6413,-80.293579&spn=2.247305,3.532104&sll=45.135555,-81.782227&sspn=4.456018,7.064209&geocode=FdUKxgId0Ov4-il7jIEIFTE2TTHNIdsTtQ5bxQ%3BFWwrpwIdAhlJ-ynN-D5ngkzVTDG4PMxFa3N-Dw%3BFQ3YmwId-F9H-ymJfPMxUNrUiTFMZ-fgGkTIvA&mra=dpe&mrsp=1&sz=7&via=1&z=8
This is the part of the journey were Peter & I go separate ways. He is going around Georgian Bay to Toronto, while Ken & I are going across it on the Chi Cheemaun ferry to Tobermory. My trip is much shorter, only 600kms.
By the time I wake up Peter is long gone (7 AM). Later, I learned that he had lunch with his friends in Bala as planned and was still home by 4 PM. Wow! He also mentioned that it was funny riding alone. He kept looking in his mirror to see me; much the same as he had done the whole trip. "Where is the heck is Armstrong anyway?" However, this time he didn't have to turn around and go back looking for me.
Ken and I wasted no time in getting to Southmouth Bay to catch the 1:30 ferry. We arrived better than a half an hour early, expecting that we would have time to kill. Not true. We were quickly ushered into the nearly full parking lot with the other motorcycles. Shortly after that the Chi Cheemaun came around the corner and docked. We were the last bikes to board the ferry. Some of Peter's good luck must have rubbed off on me. One of the staff members said it was the busiest day that seen since the beginning of the summer. It wasn't even a holiday weekend. We had a nice sunny crossing to Tobermory and headed home with quite a few "butt stops." Maybe it knew the trip was coming to an end and it wanted to make the most of it as well.
I think that Peter's comments about our "Living The Dream" Trip are correct. Peter said, " It felt good to be home. The Dream is over, but like the dream catchers I bought in Vancouver the memories will exist forever. We travelled 23,300 kms over the last 48 days, averaging 500 kms per day. The sites we saw surpassed our wildest expectations. The trip would not have been the same if we done is solo. Riding with a person who became your friend and riding buddy made the trip what it was. The memories will last forever.
This completes the "Living The Dream Trip." Join us next year, when the 3 Amigos head through Eastern Canada.
Thanks for joining our adventure.
Peter, Doug & Dave
Tuesday, 2 August 2011
Day 47 Friday July 15th: Nipigon to Sault Ste Marie; Hwy 17 600 kms
Map Link:
http://maps.google.ca/maps?saddr=Nipigon,+Ontario&daddr=Sault+Ste.+Marie,+ON&hl=en&ll=47.776252,-86.275635&spn=4.245197,7.064209&sll=49.1553,-91.372305&sspn=4.131674,7.064209&geocode=FTj26wIdfFK9-ikd5658nhVcTTFLSxtMdyER2w%3BFdUKxgId0Ov4-il7jIEIFTE2TTHNIdsTtQ5bxQ&mra=ls&z=7
While we are finishing our oatmeal breakfast in Timmies a Ford Focus that looks like one of my neighbours pulls into the lot. Shortly after another neighbour comes through the door looking for us. He says, " I can smell your bike up on the hill from here!" Ray & his wife Penny join us for a few minutes. They are headed out west with Gordie (the Focus owner). This is absolutely amazing. There is no way we could have planned this. It just happened. Serendipity strikes again.
The ride along the North Channel is outstanding; rugged shoreline and water looks so inviting. I know I have said this before, but we actually do have some very nice scenery in Ontario. You just have to drive to the top half of the map to see it. The weather continues to cooperate with sunshine & mid twenty temperatures. We arrive at the Super 8 in Sault Ste Marie at 5 PM. While contemplating getting off the bikes, Ken Wolfe my other riding buddy arrives and beeps his horn to wake us up. Ken has ridden from Mitchell to join us for the trip home. Perfect timing. Wow!
That night we enjoy a steak dinner to celebrate on our last ride of the trip together. It is hard to believe that "Peter and Doug's Excellent Adventure" is coming to an end. It really has been a fantastic trip. At least as we come back to reality we have some really good memories and stories to tell.
http://maps.google.ca/maps?saddr=Nipigon,+Ontario&daddr=Sault+Ste.+Marie,+ON&hl=en&ll=47.776252,-86.275635&spn=4.245197,7.064209&sll=49.1553,-91.372305&sspn=4.131674,7.064209&geocode=FTj26wIdfFK9-ikd5658nhVcTTFLSxtMdyER2w%3BFdUKxgId0Ov4-il7jIEIFTE2TTHNIdsTtQ5bxQ&mra=ls&z=7
While we are finishing our oatmeal breakfast in Timmies a Ford Focus that looks like one of my neighbours pulls into the lot. Shortly after another neighbour comes through the door looking for us. He says, " I can smell your bike up on the hill from here!" Ray & his wife Penny join us for a few minutes. They are headed out west with Gordie (the Focus owner). This is absolutely amazing. There is no way we could have planned this. It just happened. Serendipity strikes again.
The ride along the North Channel is outstanding; rugged shoreline and water looks so inviting. I know I have said this before, but we actually do have some very nice scenery in Ontario. You just have to drive to the top half of the map to see it. The weather continues to cooperate with sunshine & mid twenty temperatures. We arrive at the Super 8 in Sault Ste Marie at 5 PM. While contemplating getting off the bikes, Ken Wolfe my other riding buddy arrives and beeps his horn to wake us up. Ken has ridden from Mitchell to join us for the trip home. Perfect timing. Wow!
That night we enjoy a steak dinner to celebrate on our last ride of the trip together. It is hard to believe that "Peter and Doug's Excellent Adventure" is coming to an end. It really has been a fantastic trip. At least as we come back to reality we have some really good memories and stories to tell.
Day 46 Thurs July 14th: Kenora to Nipigon ON; TC Hwy 700 kms
Map Link:
http://maps.google.ca/maps?saddr=Kenora,+Ontario&daddr=Nipigon,+Ontario&hl=en&sll=50.078295,-99.536133&sspn=8.1096,14.128418&geocode=FevH9wIdi49e-ilbN6giDOu9UjEsleT6uHelCg%3BFTj26wIdfFK9-ikd5658nhVcTTFLSxtMdyER2w&mra=ls&z=7
Before we begin to ride we apply our sunscreen. Peter has more to area cover than me. Today is the first day that Peter can ride in a T-shirt & jeans. Freedom at last. He has a large grin on his face as the sun beats down on him and he listens to the tunes coming from his satellite radio. Oh yes! We are roughing it! Arriving at Thunder Bay by 5 PM, we decide to do another 100 kms to Kenora to cut a 100 kms from tomorrow's ride. Now we are in the same time zone as Toronto. This makes it easy to catch up with our families on Skype.
http://maps.google.ca/maps?saddr=Kenora,+Ontario&daddr=Nipigon,+Ontario&hl=en&sll=50.078295,-99.536133&sspn=8.1096,14.128418&geocode=FevH9wIdi49e-ilbN6giDOu9UjEsleT6uHelCg%3BFTj26wIdfFK9-ikd5658nhVcTTFLSxtMdyER2w&mra=ls&z=7
Before we begin to ride we apply our sunscreen. Peter has more to area cover than me. Today is the first day that Peter can ride in a T-shirt & jeans. Freedom at last. He has a large grin on his face as the sun beats down on him and he listens to the tunes coming from his satellite radio. Oh yes! We are roughing it! Arriving at Thunder Bay by 5 PM, we decide to do another 100 kms to Kenora to cut a 100 kms from tomorrow's ride. Now we are in the same time zone as Toronto. This makes it easy to catch up with our families on Skype.
Day 45 Wed July 13th: Regina SK to Kenora ON; 800 kms!
Map Link:
http://maps.google.ca/maps?saddr=Regina,+Saskatchewan&daddr=Kenora,+Ontario&hl=en&ll=50.078295,-99.536133&spn=8.1096,14.128418&sll=50.5021,-109.331875&sspn=8.038372,14.128418&geocode=FcLgAQMdNdTD-SnrPaX7QB4cUzGxVHu3ljJKNQ%3BFevH9wIdi49e-ilbN6giDOu9UjEsleT6uHelCg&mra=ls&z=6
Heavy head winds again, all day, but no rain & reasonable temperature of 20 degrees. We decide to take advantage of the good weather and do an extra 200 kms to reach Kenora ON. Now we are only one hour different than Toronto. Quite a change from the 4 hour difference in Alaska. We arrive at 7 PM after a long 800 km day. Both our butts are begging for mercy. Only 3 more days to home.
http://maps.google.ca/maps?saddr=Regina,+Saskatchewan&daddr=Kenora,+Ontario&hl=en&ll=50.078295,-99.536133&spn=8.1096,14.128418&sll=50.5021,-109.331875&sspn=8.038372,14.128418&geocode=FcLgAQMdNdTD-SnrPaX7QB4cUzGxVHu3ljJKNQ%3BFevH9wIdi49e-ilbN6giDOu9UjEsleT6uHelCg&mra=ls&z=6
Heavy head winds again, all day, but no rain & reasonable temperature of 20 degrees. We decide to take advantage of the good weather and do an extra 200 kms to reach Kenora ON. Now we are only one hour different than Toronto. Quite a change from the 4 hour difference in Alaska. We arrive at 7 PM after a long 800 km day. Both our butts are begging for mercy. Only 3 more days to home.
Day 44 Tues July 12 th: Calgary to Regina SK; 700 kms
Map Link:
http://maps.google.ca/maps?saddr=Calgary,+AB&daddr=Regina,+Saskatchewan&hl=en&sll=49.891235,-97.15369&sspn=32.685451,56.513672&geocode=FYjiCgMd-p8z-SnVP4SfA3BxUzE6tlK2sTttJg%3BFcLgAQMdNdTD-SnrPaX7QB4cUzGxVHu3ljJKNQ&mra=ls&z=6
Bruce dropped by to see us off at 8 AM. When he pounded on the door I was so startled that I just about jumped out of my riding pants. We leave Calgary under heavy rain with continues to Medicine Hat about 200 kms away. It was kind of funny to look in the rear view mirror to see blue skies & sun shine while we were riding in a downpour. Where was that nice weather when we were riding through there?
I expected the prairies to be completely flat, but in Alberta & mid way through Saskatchewan there were gentle rolling hills. The flooding we had seen in North Dakota & Montana was evident in Saskatchewan. Giant lakes came right up to the TransCanada Hwy. At first I thought they were lakes, but then I realized most lakes don't have trees and fences in them! The strong crosswinds & headwinds we experienced in the States buffeted us most of the day, forcing us to fill up every 250 kms instead of 350 kms.
Eventually, we arrived in Regina. Then the fun began. I guess there is a lot more happening in Regina than one would expect. We finally found a room on our 3rd attempt. We waited patiently in line at the check in desk while visiting Englishman told his dietary requirements to the desk clerk. When we got our chance to speak with her, we explained that she didn't have to worry about us, "We're carnivorous & we don't want no stinking vegetables!"
http://maps.google.ca/maps?saddr=Calgary,+AB&daddr=Regina,+Saskatchewan&hl=en&sll=49.891235,-97.15369&sspn=32.685451,56.513672&geocode=FYjiCgMd-p8z-SnVP4SfA3BxUzE6tlK2sTttJg%3BFcLgAQMdNdTD-SnrPaX7QB4cUzGxVHu3ljJKNQ&mra=ls&z=6
Bruce dropped by to see us off at 8 AM. When he pounded on the door I was so startled that I just about jumped out of my riding pants. We leave Calgary under heavy rain with continues to Medicine Hat about 200 kms away. It was kind of funny to look in the rear view mirror to see blue skies & sun shine while we were riding in a downpour. Where was that nice weather when we were riding through there?
I expected the prairies to be completely flat, but in Alberta & mid way through Saskatchewan there were gentle rolling hills. The flooding we had seen in North Dakota & Montana was evident in Saskatchewan. Giant lakes came right up to the TransCanada Hwy. At first I thought they were lakes, but then I realized most lakes don't have trees and fences in them! The strong crosswinds & headwinds we experienced in the States buffeted us most of the day, forcing us to fill up every 250 kms instead of 350 kms.
Eventually, we arrived in Regina. Then the fun began. I guess there is a lot more happening in Regina than one would expect. We finally found a room on our 3rd attempt. We waited patiently in line at the check in desk while visiting Englishman told his dietary requirements to the desk clerk. When we got our chance to speak with her, we explained that she didn't have to worry about us, "We're carnivorous & we don't want no stinking vegetables!"
Wednesday, 27 July 2011
Day 43 Monday July 11th: The Calgary Stampede
While I updated the blog, Peter figured out a way for us to take our cowboy hats back with us. Jackie very generously offered us them last night on our way to the show. Yeehaw! Who are those handsome dudes?
Today we are off to explore the stampede, but first I set up a meeting with my cousin who lives in Calgary. We take the C-Train downtown. We have lunch with Brian and catch up on things. Ironically, he went out west after completing is law degree in the eighties. At that time there wasn't a demand for lawyers in Ontario. My, how times change.
Next, it was on the C-Train back to the Stampede. Wow, we are becoming regulars on this thing. It is ever convenient to use.
The Stampede midway is much like the one in Toronto. I feel right at home. Later we watch the "Human Cannon Ball"
We decide to give our feet a rest so we went into the Saddledome to watch some of the events. Man, did we luck out. The "Cowboy Up" event was about to start. This event required the rider & horse to complete typical activities a cowhand and horse could encounter during a working day. There were about 13 different activities; everything from a simulated snow storm to picking up a rider & dropping them off at a different location. The most challenging part involved the rider carrying a bucket of water while traversing a moving bridge, then a pile of logs on the ground, then a stationary platform, finishing by placing the bucket on a barrel. All this is done while riding the horse bareback! One rider fell during this segment & was taken to hospital. Each rider was timed & bonus points were awarded for ingenuity & style. Excellent!
The next event was "Penning". Thirty cows were held in a group by two riders. When the bell sounded, 3 other riders had to cut 3 cows with the same number out of the herd & chase them into a pen. If a cow with a different number than the one called ended up in the pen they team was disqualified. It was funny how some cow groups cooperated, while others were extremely difficult to get penned. Excellent horse skills were required to get the job done as quickly as possible. One team was disqualified for taking more than a minute to pen the 3 cows. The winning team consisted of a family. The father, the daughter and grand daughter. Cool!
We had to miss the sheep dogs & sheep event. The "Chucks" were about to start. We had standing room only tickets but the action was still great. The idea of the race is that the outriders must load a cook stove & tent into the back of the wagon. Then they mount up and follow the wagon as it does a figure 8 around some barrels before heading out onto the race track for a lap of the track. PLEASE WATCH THESE VIDEOS IN FULL SCREEN to capture the feeling.
I was a little disappointed with the chuck wagon races. I liked the wagon part of the race, but the outriders were kind of Mickey Mouse. In the old days the riders were cowboys. Now the cowboys are dressed like jockeys with helmets & no leather chaps. Bummer! Crap! They didn't look like they belonged at all. What a stupid idea. They could at lease glue cowboy hats over the helmets & wear chaps. When my Dad & I watched the chucks in the old days, they were real cowboys & real working horses. Now they us retired thoroughbred horses to pull the wagons & as outrider mounts. That's okay I suppose. At least they save the horses from the glue factory. You can also bet on the outcome of the race. There probably was some betting in the past, but now it just sounded like going to the races at Mohawk. Not what I expected at all. Mind you the wagons sliding on the mud looked spectacular. Hey, they got 4 wheels & they are racing. What can I say?
Next, it was on the C-Train back to the Stampede. Wow, we are becoming regulars on this thing. It is ever convenient to use.
The Stampede midway is much like the one in Toronto. I feel right at home. Later we watch the "Human Cannon Ball" |
| No, he didn't fall short of the net. |
There is an agricultural section just like the Royal Winter Fall. I try my hand at some of the activities...
We decide to give our feet a rest so we went into the Saddledome to watch some of the events. Man, did we luck out. The "Cowboy Up" event was about to start. This event required the rider & horse to complete typical activities a cowhand and horse could encounter during a working day. There were about 13 different activities; everything from a simulated snow storm to picking up a rider & dropping them off at a different location. The most challenging part involved the rider carrying a bucket of water while traversing a moving bridge, then a pile of logs on the ground, then a stationary platform, finishing by placing the bucket on a barrel. All this is done while riding the horse bareback! One rider fell during this segment & was taken to hospital. Each rider was timed & bonus points were awarded for ingenuity & style. Excellent!
The next event was "Penning". Thirty cows were held in a group by two riders. When the bell sounded, 3 other riders had to cut 3 cows with the same number out of the herd & chase them into a pen. If a cow with a different number than the one called ended up in the pen they team was disqualified. It was funny how some cow groups cooperated, while others were extremely difficult to get penned. Excellent horse skills were required to get the job done as quickly as possible. One team was disqualified for taking more than a minute to pen the 3 cows. The winning team consisted of a family. The father, the daughter and grand daughter. Cool!
I was a little disappointed with the chuck wagon races. I liked the wagon part of the race, but the outriders were kind of Mickey Mouse. In the old days the riders were cowboys. Now the cowboys are dressed like jockeys with helmets & no leather chaps. Bummer! Crap! They didn't look like they belonged at all. What a stupid idea. They could at lease glue cowboy hats over the helmets & wear chaps. When my Dad & I watched the chucks in the old days, they were real cowboys & real working horses. Now they us retired thoroughbred horses to pull the wagons & as outrider mounts. That's okay I suppose. At least they save the horses from the glue factory. You can also bet on the outcome of the race. There probably was some betting in the past, but now it just sounded like going to the races at Mohawk. Not what I expected at all. Mind you the wagons sliding on the mud looked spectacular. Hey, they got 4 wheels & they are racing. What can I say?
In this video watch the screen in the scene first.
Tuesday, 26 July 2011
Day 42 Sun July 10th:Cranbrook BC to Calgary AB; Hwy 22, 400 kms
Map Link:
http://maps.google.ca/maps?saddr=Cranbrook,+BC&daddr=Calgary,+AB&hl=en&sll=49.339441,-117.575684&sspn=4.116113,7.064209&geocode=FTZ38wIdnZQZ-SlDQKUGM99kUzGASu_aoxzXkg%3BFYjiCgMd-p8z-SnVP4SfA3BxUzE6tlK2sTttJg&mra=ls&z=8
Today is the end of the mountains for us. It is sad in a way. They have been such a fun part of our trip in spite of the rain that usually accompanied crossing them. I have come to accept that has the price to pay for fantastic scenery & twisty roads.
We take hwy 22 up to the South end of Calgary. The foothills are off in the distance on the left, clouds hiding the top of the Rockies in a blue haze. Wow! I could look at them for hours. I remembered how much I enjoyed them 10 years ago when I took the Rocky Mountaineer trip. I kept wondering how on earth my Dad could leave this part of Alberta. However, it was long before the oil boom. Things were pretty dead in Alberta, so he had to go to Ontario to find work to support his family. What a shame. I could have been a cowboy too!
Some of the biggest ranches in Canada line both sides of the windy highway. Suddenly something catches my eye. One of the ranches has baseball caps on the top of each fence post. It really looks funny to see them atop of post after post. For several minutes the baseball caps keep an eye on us as we pass. I guess that is one way to identify your ranch from the rest of them. The ranches did all look the same. On the way, I saw a sign to Nanton my Dad's birthplace. I really am in my Dad's back yard now. It was a very pleasant trip; sun shining, curvy roads, warm weather and beautiful scenery. More motorcycle Nirvana. It's a tough job, but we can do it.
We check into the Super 8 @ 2 PM & do the baggage cart thing with our stuff. Then Bruce MacPherson picks us up and we go to his place for a steak BBQ with his wife Jackie. As we sit on the deck enjoying a beverage, I can't help but think "this is what summer is all about. Good weather and good times with friends." It is really nice to socialize and have a home cooked meal once again.
After supper with Bruce drops us off at the "C-Train" which takes us to the stampede. The C-Train is an LRT train similar to the one in Scarborough. It must have rubber tires. We are whisked silently into Calgary. Quite a difference from the Go Train.
As we enter the show tent at 7:30 there is a small crowd of all ages. The tickets said show was to start at 7 PM, but nothing is happening. Everyone is standing around drinking & talking. The stage is empty. Loud music is playing over the crowd. Dam, I forgot my ear plugs! Once our eyes become accustomed to the darkness, Peter & I are fall under the spell of a "Bud Light" girl & buy a regular can of beer for $7.50 each!
We head outside to side at a table & wait. Time passes slowly in spite of the people watching. We learn that the show isn't really going to start until 11:00 PM it was the doors that opened at 7 PM. Boy, you could get quite a drunk on waiting. Now I know why my youngest son goes to the concerts at 10:30. At 9:30 the two old farts call it a night & head back to the motel. We decide we will take an extra day in Calgary to recharge our batteries and to see the rodeo. If we do 700 kms/day we can be in Toronto in 5 days.
http://maps.google.ca/maps?saddr=Cranbrook,+BC&daddr=Calgary,+AB&hl=en&sll=49.339441,-117.575684&sspn=4.116113,7.064209&geocode=FTZ38wIdnZQZ-SlDQKUGM99kUzGASu_aoxzXkg%3BFYjiCgMd-p8z-SnVP4SfA3BxUzE6tlK2sTttJg&mra=ls&z=8
Today is the end of the mountains for us. It is sad in a way. They have been such a fun part of our trip in spite of the rain that usually accompanied crossing them. I have come to accept that has the price to pay for fantastic scenery & twisty roads.
We take hwy 22 up to the South end of Calgary. The foothills are off in the distance on the left, clouds hiding the top of the Rockies in a blue haze. Wow! I could look at them for hours. I remembered how much I enjoyed them 10 years ago when I took the Rocky Mountaineer trip. I kept wondering how on earth my Dad could leave this part of Alberta. However, it was long before the oil boom. Things were pretty dead in Alberta, so he had to go to Ontario to find work to support his family. What a shame. I could have been a cowboy too!
Some of the biggest ranches in Canada line both sides of the windy highway. Suddenly something catches my eye. One of the ranches has baseball caps on the top of each fence post. It really looks funny to see them atop of post after post. For several minutes the baseball caps keep an eye on us as we pass. I guess that is one way to identify your ranch from the rest of them. The ranches did all look the same. On the way, I saw a sign to Nanton my Dad's birthplace. I really am in my Dad's back yard now. It was a very pleasant trip; sun shining, curvy roads, warm weather and beautiful scenery. More motorcycle Nirvana. It's a tough job, but we can do it.
We check into the Super 8 @ 2 PM & do the baggage cart thing with our stuff. Then Bruce MacPherson picks us up and we go to his place for a steak BBQ with his wife Jackie. As we sit on the deck enjoying a beverage, I can't help but think "this is what summer is all about. Good weather and good times with friends." It is really nice to socialize and have a home cooked meal once again.
After supper with Bruce drops us off at the "C-Train" which takes us to the stampede. The C-Train is an LRT train similar to the one in Scarborough. It must have rubber tires. We are whisked silently into Calgary. Quite a difference from the Go Train.
As we enter the show tent at 7:30 there is a small crowd of all ages. The tickets said show was to start at 7 PM, but nothing is happening. Everyone is standing around drinking & talking. The stage is empty. Loud music is playing over the crowd. Dam, I forgot my ear plugs! Once our eyes become accustomed to the darkness, Peter & I are fall under the spell of a "Bud Light" girl & buy a regular can of beer for $7.50 each!
We head outside to side at a table & wait. Time passes slowly in spite of the people watching. We learn that the show isn't really going to start until 11:00 PM it was the doors that opened at 7 PM. Boy, you could get quite a drunk on waiting. Now I know why my youngest son goes to the concerts at 10:30. At 9:30 the two old farts call it a night & head back to the motel. We decide we will take an extra day in Calgary to recharge our batteries and to see the rodeo. If we do 700 kms/day we can be in Toronto in 5 days.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)