Monday, August 12, 2013

Last Day (This Portion)

 

I took the hwy 1A, the backway into Canmore, about 20 kms. I had an opportunity to check out some of the damage done by the floods earlier in the summer. The province has done an amazing job of opening up washed out bridges and cleaning up trees that had swept down. 

With the sole intention of getting home asap, one again I was forced to take the TCH.  What a nightmare.  Lines of cars as far as you can see.  What is it with drivers who do under the speed limit on a 2 lane stretch only to come across a passing lane then speed up to 140!  That pisses me off to no end!!  The drive was frustrating, annoying and aggravating albeit the most scenic.  I rolled into Vernon around 2, very hot and tired.  Good to be home.

Unfortunately, I really haven't completed the point of the trip, that is to go from coast to coast.  Although I had enough time to make it to Tofino, I needed to spend some of my remaining days off doing much needed chores around the house and more importantly, spend time with Tina.  The "bee-sting" in my neck was also getting worse and worse.  The motorcycle was up to its old tricks again by not starting.  I'm thinking its got something to do with the hot temperatures as it started not starting again as soon as I hit the hot temps in the Okanagan. 

I will, early in the 2014 riding season, complete my trip and head west to catch a sunset in Tofino. 

Corner Gas

 
Corner Gas ran on CTV between 2004-2009 but still remains one of my favorite shows.  The show was filmed entirely in Saskatchewan with the interior scenes shot in Regina and all the outdoor shots filmed on location in Rouleau, Sask.  As luck would have it, Rouleau was a short ride up Hwy 39 from Weyburn.  The gas station and the "Ruby" was just a set and after the filming had stopped, quickly fell into disrepair.  It was bought privately and somewhat restored.  The gas station is now a souvenir shop but the interior of the Ruby seems to be a work in progress.  It never was a functioning restaurant so to feed the tourists, a food truck now sits out front.  I knew all that ahead of time but I was still very excited to see it. 
Waiting for service (the pumps don't really work)

The grain elevator was re-painted to Dog River and the Hotel hasn't changed but other than that, the Rouleau is back to normal.  I'm not sure if the Hotel is either a hotel or bar today.

Exterior shots of the DRPD
Original DRPD police cruiser.
Only one criticism about my visit.  I realize that working in the gift shop is just a part time, possible a summer job, but get someone in there with a little personality! 
 
After that, I set out to Cypress Hills Provincial Park, Alberta side.  Unfortunately, Rouleau is situated fairly close to the Trans Canada Highway (TCH) so I couldn't really avoid it.  The day was cool and clear and surprisingly calm, a great day to cruise.  I stopped for quick lunch in Swift Current and hit the road again. 
 
Health wise, I had been feeling pretty good but was starting to feel a bit beat up and the constant "bee sting" in my neck and shoulder area was taking its toll.  I made it to the turn-off the Cypress Hills fairly early in the afternoon (cruising at an ave. of 120 kph) so I had a decision to make.  Spend an extra day there, or start hammering it back home.  If I get to at least Calgary, I would get home the next day.  I kept hammering.
I was getting tired so I needed a few extra breaks, one of which was Medicine Hat, home of the worlds largest tee-pee.
Tee-Pee in Medicine Hat
I thought about hoteling it in Calgary so I stayed on the TCH through town.  Big mistake.  The traffic was insane later to find out there was a Stampeder's football game happening that night and I had to ride right by the stadium. I checked out one hotel that I've stayed at before for Ringette tournaments but they wanted $168.  Screw that!  Away I went.  The next trick was finding a camping spot before I got to Banff. (didn't want to pay the park fees)  Based on the volume of traffic and the speed of people pulling all sorts of campers, I was starting to get worried that I won't find a campground.  I did, at Bow Valley Provincial Park. 

Thursday, August 08, 2013

Zipping Across the Prairies




Today was the longest ride I've ever done on a motorcycle.  I started out in Kenora, Ontario and ended up in Weyburn, Saskatchewan.  According to Google Maps, that's 713 km's. In order to stay off of the Trans Canada as much as possible, I had to stay on it as far as Winnipeg, no other option.  From there I branched south and took highway 2 across Manitoba.  The speed limit was the same as the TCH but virtually no traffic and more to see.  Hwy 2 is, nevertheless, very flat and very straight.  I stopped at a small town, the name escapes me, to get gas and snacks. Their sign claims the coldest beer on Hwy 2. 
 
How could they possibly make that claim.  You just don't kid about something like that! When I confronted the gas station attendant, he confidently said that it is in fact, true.  The real truth is that they're the only place where you can buy beer on Hwy 2.  There are a few places off the main road but not on it.  Truth in advertising. 

A bit later on, I stopped at another small town, Souris Manitoba, for gas and lunch.  The Subway lady there asked if I've checked out their new suspension bridge which she claimed is the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the world.  I have my doubts about that claim, possibly the longest one in Manitoba.  There just isn't that many places that need spanning in that province.
 

Before I set out on this adventure, there were some places that I had to visit:
  • Cape Spear in Newfoundland. 
  • L'Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland
  • The Cabot Trail
  • Confederation Bridge linking New Brunswick and PEI.
  • St Lambert, Quebec.  The town where I grew up.
  • The Terry Fox Memorial in Thunder Bay
  • Camping in Cypress Hills Provincial Park (long story)
  • And, the most important of the all, Rouleau Sask.  What's in Rouleau you ask?  Only the small town where Corner Gas was filmed.  Hello! Dog River!

Wednesday, August 07, 2013

The Long Haul Across Ontario, continues.



Ontario is a very wide province.  Very wide.  The weather certainly has been a challenge.  I set out from Wawa on Tuesday morning in very damp conditions so I put on all my rain gear and prepared for the worst.  To my surprise, the morning part of the ride wasn't half bad, until I got close to Lake Superior.  Then the fog rolled in.  I thought Halifax was bad, this was worse.  I knew I was getting close to the lakeside town of Marathon where I'd planned to wait until the fog lifted.  The only problem was, I missed the whole town.  I literally didn't see it and when I'd realized I missed the town I decided to keep going.  The fog cleared somewhat, just long enough to stop to take this picture.

Aguasabon River Gorge

Just past Nipigon the skies got very dark then opened up, a lot.  It poured all the way to Thunder Bay.  I made it into Thunder Bay around 4:30 and headed straight to a Honda dealer to do a quick oil change.  Then, still pissing out, I headed to yet another motel for a pizza and beer night. 
 
The morning brought clear skies but chilly temperatures.  Yesterday coming into Thunder Bay, I had stopped at the Terry Fox Monument but it was raining so hard I couldn't take a picture.  So, in the morning, I doubled back (about 10 k) to visit the memorial again.  The whole park is very impressive with an equally impressive tribute to Terry Fox.

Lou Grandell had suggested that I check out Kakabeka Falls, just west of Thunder Bay.  Great suggestion! 
Kakabeka Falls
I tossed a coin and decided to take Highway 11 through Atikokan to Fort Frances.  Very quiet highway but not a lot to look at apart from trees and more trees. 
There, I would have to make another route decision; skootch through the northern part of Minnesota to Manitoba or head up to Kenora along side of Lake of the Woods.  I choose Kenora.  My plan was to camp at Rushing River Provincial Park but.......it started raining out, again!  I'm now camping at the Super 8 in Kenora.  I'm going to have to do a lot of camping from here on.  Tomorrow, Manitoba! 
 

Monday, August 05, 2013

Lake Superior

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Todays ride took me from Manitoulin Island, past Sault Ste. Marie to Wawa, home of many of the worlds largest geese, for some reason which I haven't yet discovered. There was no way I was going to make it to Thunder Bay.  It's a bloody long ways!  Wawa is only half way from Manitoulin Island.

 
The morning ride to The Soo was pretty boring skirting along Lake Huron with only a few glimpses.  It was in the afternoon when the scenery picked up. The highway took a turn north along the eastern shores of Lake Superior.  Every time I say "Lake Superior" it puts me in mind of a great Gordon Lightfoot song.  Hopefully tomorrows ride will give me lots of vistas of "Gitchi Gummi".
 

Sunday, August 04, 2013

The Long Haul Across Ontario

Saturday I said goodbye to Tina in Montreal after a week in Quebec.  I dropped off the rental car and picked up the bike from the Avis compound and it was then that I realized I'd left my motorcycle seat cover in the Delta Hotel in Montreal.  Sooo, back I went hopefully to retrieve it.  This time I was successful.  They had it and also had put the charger for my tablet in the same bag.  So now I have two. 

I've chosen what I think is a fairly direct route across Ontario while trying to avoid the major highways.  So far my route has be through Ottawa, Algonquin Provincial Park, Huntsville (the Muskoka's), Parry Sound (home of Bobby Orr), Sudbury (home of the world's largest nickel) and now to Manitoulin Island where I'm camping at Batman's Family Campground.  This being the August long weekend, camping spots are in short supply but they did manage to squeeze me in.  I've set up camp on the kids playground; not close by, but on it!  Hopefully it will quiet down later on.


I'm using a weak wifi signal here at the campground which doesn't allow me to download pictures.  Hopefully tomorrow I'll find a café and get some pictures happening. 

I feel that my adventure is over and now it's just a question on hoofing it across country.  I haven't taken many pictures in the last couple of days and I have to change that.  I get in these grooves that I get focused on reaching a destination that I don't stop and smell the roses.  Tomorrow I hope to make it to Thunder Bay and do an oil change on the bike.

Saturday, August 03, 2013

Quebec City

It's been a struggle at times to keep up this blog.  I have to rely on internet connections which are sometimes questionable.  It also doesn't help when I lose the charger somewhere between Montreal and Quebec City.  I thought I'd had left it in the hotel in Montreal but when we returned there today, they didn't have it.  A trip to Future Shop and $45 later I'm back in business, sort of.  I'm now dealing with the slowest connection so far. 

We booked our hotel in Quebec City (QC) through Hotwire.com. When you book through them, the actual hotel isn't revealed to you until you pay.  The location was close to lots of restaurants and other amenities but it was a serious hike up to Old Quebec.  Since I'm travelling with limited space, I did not bring really good walking shoes.  As a result, I got a serious blister on the bottom of my foot so hoofing it back and forth was a challenge.   Enough wining. 

As you would expect, QC was full of history.  The old buildings were amazing with streets full of charm.  Being close to the August long weekend, the streets were packed.  We took one tour, a walking tour through the Citadelle.  The first walls were constructed by the French in the 17th century and later completed by the British in 1831 as a strategic fort against the Americans.  By the time it was finished, a peace treaty was signed and was never used as its intended purpose.  Today it serves as the home for the Royal 22 Regiment and an official residence of the Governor General.  (two weeks out of the year)
Guard outside the Citadelle.  2 hour shifts.


The rest of the time was spent walking, eating and drinking. 

Unfortunately, the wifi at this hotel won't let me download any more pictures.  Hopefully, I'll find a better connection today so I can post the many photos we took. 

Today, Tina heads back home and I continue on with my motorcycle journey.  But first, I have to return the rental car and based on the trouble I had finding the Avis yard the first time, it's stressing me out! 

The stairs from our hotel area to Old Quebec




A stolen gun from the Germans.  If it's painted grey then it's stolen.


Governor General's Residence

I Remember


Interesting sculpture






Stainless Steel Maserati

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

St. Lambert



Monday July 29, 2013

Today was the day we had planned to pick up a rental car, check out of the hotel, then go to Ottawa.  We were enjoying Montreal so much, we had to stay another day.  Still had to pick up the previously booked rental so off I went to the airport on my motorcycle.  A word about Montreal drivers.  The people we met and talked to were all so friendly and accommodating, but, put them behind the wheel of a car and look out!!  I was only doing 90 in a 70 kph zone and apparently not going fast enough.  Some asshole cut me off, missed me by inches then sped off only to be seen again in a minute stuck in traffic.  I voiced my displeasure. 
I got hopelessly lost looking for the Avis head office in Dorval, where my sister-in-law Sandra so graciously set up the rental, that I had to call the manager where he arranged one of his employees to come and get me.  With rental car and trusty GPS in hand we set off to St. Lambert, where I grew up.  Although I'd checked out my old house on Google Street-view, I hadn't been back in 44 years.  St. Lambert is situated right across the St. Lawrence River from Montreal, about 15 minutes away.  Crossing a bridge to get there, you go over the old site of Expo 67 where many of the pavilions still stand. 
 
For some reason I was very nervous about going back.  I have these memories of my old neighborhood that I wanted to keep intact.  I was under the impression, back then, that St. Lambert was a neighborhood for lower income families.  If it was then, it's certainly not now.  This was an amazing, beautiful area of mature trees, wonderfully restored brick homes and quiet streets; an oasis of calm surrounded by a bustling metropolis.  Tina was blown away.  We walked into the town center greeted by quiet streets with quaint cafe's and independent shops. I'm so glad I went back.
 
 
My old house, 289 Stanley. 



Large balconies and lots of trees
After wandering around showing Tina what little I could remember, we set off to our next destination; Olympic Parc.  The Olympics were a huge financial disaster for Montreal and nothing exemplifies that more than the Olympic Stadium, coined "The Big Owe"  Since the Expo's left town and the Alouettes play at McGill Stadium, this big white elephant sits empty most of the time and is in badly need of repair.  

Even the Olympic swimming pool isn't used.

 
We left the park moments before a huge rainstorm hit, sat in a traffic jam for an hour, parked the car back at the hotel and wandered back to St. Catherines. 
 
Thoughts about Montreal:  Amazing vibrant city full of history and culture.  Except for the traffic, I loved it.  Bicycles were everywhere.  There were racks all over the place where you could deposit some money a take a bike and leave it where there's another rack. Old Montreal was wonderful.  Very little traffic was allowed with many streets closed off to any traffic.  The shops were all boutiques with no chain stores allowed.  Art galleries and restaurants were everywhere.  I'd go back. 
 

The Charm of Old Montreal

Sunday July 28, 2013



Tina and I started yesterday scouting out the old part of the city.  Our hotel was situated only a block away.  Very handy to come and go.  The best way we figured to see the city was to take one of those open top double-decker buses.  The tour lasted a couple of hours and went around old Montreal, downtown and up to Mount Royal.  Good choice. 

Oratoire Saint-Joseph du Mont-Royal


An exhibit by Chihuly.
 Alice, do you remember this same Seattle Artist when you and Tina were in London?
The "Big Owe" from Mount Royal



Tina trying to get into a building full of naked men, apparently.

 
After the tour, we wandered up to St.Catherines, the shopping hub.  Miles and miles of shops and restaurants.  We had dinner in a very popular brew pub called "Les 3 Brasseurs".  Good beer and good food.
 

 
Quite the healthy meal of Poutine and homemade Flammekueches washed down with a raspberry ale.  (Andy's rolling his eyes right now)

 
There's always a festival happening here.  Unfortunately, we just missed the "Just for Laughs" week-long festival.  They were just tearing down all the sets when we came across it.  The current festival was  celebrating "Gay Pride".  We gave it a miss.