Tuesday 31 July 2012

Sainte Anne de la Perade

Beautiful ride today as we hopped over to Hull and mostly followed the river valley. Il fait chaud. About 33 degrees and a lot hotter with all our gear. Practicing our French is challenging but it is coming and everyone has been extremely gracious mostly switching to English whenever we get into real trouble (almost immediately).... In less than 10 km at Oka we spotted at least 60 cigarette stands; they even had drive throughs. Found an excellent 4 course lunch at St. Andre D'Argentevil for $8.95. Not going to lose any weight at this rate. Motorcycles for sale everywhere along the side of the road. Que. has tripled the insurance rates. Don't need a motorcycle license to ride a Spyder here and roads are teeming with them. Found a quaint little inn built in 1886 at Sainte Anne. Erik says it is more like a museum. It is the most reasonable rate since we began and one of the nicest places. Sainte Anne claims to be the ice fishing capital of the world, situated on the St. Lawrence River and has catacombe tours. So far j'adore Quebec! So does Erik.

Monday 30 July 2012

Ottawa day 2

Fate ruled this day. On our way to the National Gallery we happened to be in front of the PM's office when he pulled up with security. So we were only feet away from Harper and Peter MacKay. That was too cool although we missed the photo op. Across the street on Parliament Hill was The Changing of the Guard in full dress uniform. The guide told us they are not usually in full regalia so we were lucky with this too. Erik thought there were too many paintings in the National Gallery but I found it an amazing, awe inspiring experience to be able to see so much work from the Group of Seven, such history of Canada captured in art, as well as masters like Rembrandt, Degas and Renoir....... Across the street at Notre Dame there was a State funeral we are guessing for a fireman, with the 1905 engine out front. Then we arrived in time for Mass, an ethereal experience. Byward Market was buzzing and we stopped there for fish and chips. War Museum was almost overwhelming. Exhibition on War of 1812 excellent. Tonight we are off to Mosaika, a historical light show on Parliament Hill. Full day. Sore feet. Marriott was a great break.

Sunday 29 July 2012

Ottawa

Beautiful ride through the Ottawa Valley. Rolled into Ottawa well before lunch and Marriott was gracious to let us check in early. I am showing Erik my favorite Canadian city. We are a block from the Supreme Court and within walking distance of most of the sights. The grounds of Parliament are impressive and breathe history. We did the tour taking in the statues of all the famous politicians and the Cat House (not what you think - it is the shelter for all the stray cats that inhabited the Hill. Fabulous views of the river, the canal with its working locks, and Hull. Best view was from the Peace Tower. In the room of Remembrance the guard pulled my Dad's page from the Book of Service. They will send me a copy. Every day they turn a page in each of the books honoring those who died in the service of Canada. They will turn the page for Cecil James Day on Feb.14. It is on my bucket list to be here for that some time...... Took some photos inside the Supreme Court, and looked at all the Karsh photos in the Chateau Laurier. Walked around the War Memorial, down to the National Gallery, American Embassy, Peacekeeping Park and the Cathedral Notre Dame. Tired but it was nice to substitute a day of riding with walking.

Friday 27 July 2012

Sudbury

Wonderful ride today. Stopped at Magpie Falls, the furthest west point mapped by Champlain in the 1600's. Then on to Old Woman Bay, a pristine sandy beach at the north end of Lake Superior. This is the one place Bri recommended we see and she was right. The whole provincial park was virtually deserted, and there were only 4 people on the entire beach. Motels and restaurants are abandoned and boarded up along the entire trans Canada here, a sign of not so prosperous times in Ont. Checked out St. Joseph's Island as recommended by Lucas. This place was breathtaking. We can see why his family keeps returning to this summer spot. Lucas was not home, but we found the rest of his family and Jessica and Rob who's wedding is tomorrow. Met a couple of really nice bikers from Que at a few stops today and they helped us plan our trip through that region. Pulled in late to Sudbury, definitely a mining town, and we are staying close to the copper mine. Today we learned the Internet is not entirely reliable and truthful when booking hotels. Tomorrow we just think we will ride, pull in early and take our chances on finding just the right place. Pics to follow tomorrow

Thursday 26 July 2012

Thunderbay then Wawa

Had a great day to travel on Wed. Found amazing pie and shake for Erik at the Esso restaurant at Ignace. The people we have met along this trip so far have all been hospitable and friendly. They have many questions about the bikes and the trip we are taking.
We met a German biker, Michael, who is riding a Yamaha BW125 from Vancouver to Cape Breton. He is a baker and loves Canada. Every year he comes back and adds a little more to his place in NS. He is slow but determined and for the past two days we have crossed paths at least 5 times.
Tonight we are in Wawa and spent a little less time in the saddle today. Stopped at the Terry Fox Memorial, the Goose (which is Wawa translated from local First Nation language) go figure. What we learned: put your rain pants on before the rain, heated grips are invaluable, and the communication system should really be named "the Scallanagger" according to Erik.

Tuesday 24 July 2012

Pat's best kept secret

Left Regina with Karen feeling sympathy for us as we pulled away in the rain but it was all a ploy since 10 minutes later we hit sunshine and it stayed with us the rest of the day. Lessons we learned today: never believe Erik' time and distance calculations, yes, Manitoba is an hour ahead, no, Telus does not have a tower near Caddy Lake. The best riding was the little road in to the lake, now that we have hit the Canadian Shield. Eventually got to Pat Archer's and Cheryl's cabin on the lake and Pat came by boat and ferried his foot passengers back for a delicious BBQ. I am thinking that at this rate we better start building in an excercize program so that Jenny Craig is still my friend when I return to Calgary. What a serene and breathtaking spot. They were great hosts so we recommend their bed and breakfast to all cross Canadian travellers. Just book through Blackfootonline.com. Right now, Pat and Cheryl are taking Erik back across the lake on a midnight boat ride to get his gps that he forgot on the bike in the parking lot. We are trusting it is still there. Erik was really impressed with the Triumph today. As bugs as big as birds were splatting on my helmet he had none; the bike aerodynamically deflected them. But because of the headset system, he could vicariously know each time they hit me.Good day, but a long one. Pictures to come tomorrow in the daylight.Oh, I almost forgot, encountered another moose, Mooseamin, Saskatchewan, we stopped there at the DQ for coffee.

Monday 23 July 2012

Arrived in Regina safe, sound and tired. We powered through the day which began with showers but soon turned to 35 degrees with extreme winds. Learned some lessons: found the vents on my new jacket, found out how far my tank runs after the Reserve light comes on, and found out how much earlier that light comes on with extreme crosswinds. Erik is loving the new Triumph, but he will detail that when he makes his entry. Karen and Mark and the entire family put on a fabulous BBQ and we enjoyed the visit emmencely. The grand kids are brimming with energy and there is no question how much they are loved! Even had a chance to chat with Tommy. Saskatchewan is doing so well that there is no restaurant open in between Medicine Hat and Swift Current. The lady in the little general store resolved it is because no one will work the restaurant shifts when there is so much money to be made in other areas of the economy.
Everyone warned us to watch out for moose on this trip.......... This is the first one we encountered.

Thursday 19 July 2012

A reason to smile

Pre-Vacation Photo of Erik with his 2012 Triumph Explorer, in front of Blackfoot Motosports. What a happy guy!

Friday 13 July 2012

A few plans

We have booked the ferries to and from Nfld and now this trip is becoming real. Our neighbor Joe gave us great details for Nova Scotia and the Cabot Trail and some other tips for our trip. My high school friend, Christina, may be in St. John's when we are so we might catch her and Phred. Michelle has a cottage in PEI and we are headed her way. We also booked a great deal "Get to know your Canada pkg" 2 nights at the Marriott by Sparks St Mall across from Parliament, tickets to The National Gallery and the War Museum all for $275! It is through Ottawa Tourism: ottawagetaways@capitaltickets.ca
Let you know how it works out when we get there! - Debbie

Thursday 12 July 2012

Trying to teach an old dog new tricks

Went to visit apple store to get help and figure out what I am doing wrong. This technology is tough on an old Luddite. Photo is Lisa and Luna (new furchild)

Monday 2 July 2012

the bikes

Here is what we are both riding: Explorer 1200 from Triumph and Can-am Spyder.

Erik with Mac

With 4 parrots to leave behind for 6 weeks we are grateful that Kyle has agreed to house-sit. It is not easy finding someone to watch these messy, noisy "feather children".

Beginning the trip

We plan to leave July 23 from Calgary. Erik is riding a Tiger Explorer 1200, a demo from Triumph, which he is extremely excited to have for this journey. I will be on my Spyder. Just got it geared up with a new trunk and heated grips. We are both mapping out what we want to see and where we might stop. Not sure how much we will agree, but I guess this is part of the adventure. Museums vs. Winding roads....