What Direction To Head - You Would Think We Were On Our Bicycles

Saturday, November 29, 2014

We found out this morning that Highway 3 east of us had been closed due to the heavy snowfall and winds. It was still not open at 6:00 am. So the head scratching began. Do we hunker down and stay tucked away in our cozy motel room...do we head south across the border in search of less snowy conditions as was suggested to us on more than one occasion (FYI: That route had just as ugly of weather as we were having in British Columbia)...do we wait and see what happens with the closure at the Crowsnest Pass? By 9:00 and after 'exhaustively' researching different options, we decided to at least move the 200 kilometers to Fernie and see what the conditions were like by then. The strange part was that there was no snow in Creston and the temperature was a 'balmy 1 degrees. That changed. Within 100 kilometers the temperature had plummeted to minus 18 degrees. The roads were snow covered but not that bad. The real issue was all the truck traffic that we suspect was a result of a backup from the road closure overnight.

In Fernie we decided to 'keep on truckin' as the highway had re-opened. The Crowsnest Pass area certainly had lots of snow probably 3 feet of new stuff and it appeared around Sparwood that lots of vehicles had been in the ditch including a snowplow that was still off of the road and a transport flipped onto it's side.

By the time we were into Alberta and into the Pincher Creek area there was little snow and the road was dry...convenient since that is when I was willing to relinquish control for Sue to drive (as everyone knows that is tough for me).

We are staying in Taber tonight a place that we have travelled through two times before. On both occasions and particularly on our bicycles the memories are less than spectacular. It was pouring rain both times. For once it is not...but, but, but...it is minus 23 and dropping. Ouch!!!

Snow Near Sparwood...Where The Highway Had Been Closed

Back Tracking To Avoid Weather Problems...We Hope

Friday, November 28, 2014

While enjoying our coffee this morning we decided to substantially alter our planned route for the day. Instead of heading north onto the Trans Canada we decided to back track south to Highway 3. There was a heavy snowfall advisory and travel warning for the Lake Loiuse, Banff, and Calgary areas today. The southern route, Highway 3, had an okay forecast and since our routes are never 'written in stone', we headed in that direction. Although it rained heavily most of the day, the driving was okay. It gave us a chance to continue to 're-trace' our 2010 cycling route. Again we 'marvelled' at the climbing that we had done on our bicycles...in fact at times we were 'dismayed' by some of the extended climbs. We are not sure if we would have the abilities to do such climbs today...but then again, we have 'no' intentions of a 'Cross Canada repeat performance'.

We are staying in Creston tonight at the Creston Valley Motel. It is a really nice little place that I would recommend to anyone passing through the area.

PS. It was impossible to take any pictures today since the rain was to say the least never ending!

Enjoying The Okanagan

Thursday, November 27, 2014

It was kind of a sad beginning to the day as we had to say our goodbyes to our good friends Nancy and Gashaw. Thanks guys for going out of your way to look after us.

We were on the road by 7:50 and it was raining...imagine that...raining in the Vancouver area! It was fun to be able to retrace part of our cycling route from 2010. As we headed up into the mountains out of Hope, we soon realized why we had struggled so badly that first day in the mountains. We had climbed about 4400 feet...makes the west coast climbing 'pale' in comparison. But this time we were in an automobile, the more 'sane' way of travelling through the mountains.

A couple of days ago 2 to 3 feet of snow had fallen in the mountain passes but the roads had been cleared and our travels were good. Even the Osoyoos area had snow, a rare occurrence for the only desert area of Canada. We stopped at a couple of Wineries and enjoyed a couple of tastings. Yes Jan, can you imagine, we even bought some to bring home! We continued on to Vernon, our destination for the night. We have family in Vernon so we were able to have a visit with Neil and Jenna and the kids, Emily, Avery, and Isaac. Thanks guys, it was great to see you.

Tomorrow it appears like the weather could begin to present a 'new' challenge for us...we will see...but like the rest of our adventure, we will take it one day at a time on the journey home.

Snow As We Drove Through Manning Park

Descending Into Osoyoos

Bambi

Getting Ready For The Final Leg Of Our Adventure

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

We have had a liesurely day today. Gashaw again made us breakfast with his 'oh so good' coffee while Nancy went off to work.

The rest of the day has been spent getting our gear ready and the truck ready for the drive home. It seemed like a good idea to drive to Vancouver in mid September but I might not have 'thought through' the return part of the trip real well. Driving across Canada in the early December might be a challenge...but then again, this whole journey has been a series of challenges.

So tomorrow we say our goodbyes to our 'special' friends Nancy and Gashaw. We really appreciate your support and enduring friendship.

The 'final leg' of our adventure is about to begin.

A Major Hic-Up

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

We have encountered a 'major hic-up'. Our bicycles are still in The San Diego Bike Shop. The cost to get them home seems to have increased. Being the 'trustworthy' person that I am, I always think that people should be as good as their word. I might just have to 'adjust' that belief! Once again business ethics seem to have been replaced by greed! Let me explain. When we dropped them off a week ago Monday we were told that there was no problem, "we do this all the time". The first indication that something might 'screw up' was that they had not been shipped when we stopped in on Thursday. We were reassured that they would go out that afternoon. Today, and now that we are back in Canada, we find out that they will be more expensive than they had first indicated. Angry with the bike shop, disgusted with 'sleazy' business practices, not pleased with human nature, and very angry with myself are only a few of the emotions that consumed me most of the day today. To make things even more complicated it is now the American Thanksgiving...a major holiday.

In the end I suppose it will work out, at least I hope so. The new plan is that they will be shipped all the way home to Ontario. I am really 'pissed' off!!!

Back To Canada

Sunday, November 23, 2014

Sleeping on the train was a bit 'iffy' at least for me. I was awake early (no surprise) and watching the lights go by as we left Northern California behind. After a good breakfast we enjoyed the views from our room. We had left the coast behind yesterday so were able to enjoy some of the mountain scenery of Oregon. We were 15 minutes early to get into Seattle, our destination for the night. A short taxi ride and we were to our hotel for the night, The Belltown Inn. It is an old hotel that has been refurbished. It is quite nice but like lots of places should be a little bit more honest about their Wi fi abilities or outright lack of a useable service. Enough said everyone gets the picture...Wi fi is a 'spotty' service at best.

Monday, November 24, 2014

We were back on the train and heading for Vancouver by 7:30. It was a short 4 hour ride mostly along the water (Puget Sound). We were back in Vancouver by noon. After quickly clearing Canadian Customs we were met by our good friend Gashaw who whisked us back to Maple Ridge. It is nice to be back in Canada and amongst old friends.

Dusting Of Snow in Southern Oregon

The Train Ride

Saturday, November 22, 2014

Morning came early today...4:00 am...even for a 'morning' person!!! We dragged our baggage to the train station and jumped aboard 'The Surfliner' for the beginning of the next stage of our journey. After 3 hours we were in Los Angles after enjoying seeing some of the roads we had ridden and some of the campgrounds that we had stayed in. In Los Angles we changed trains to our sleeper accommodation. We were a little startled at the size of our room...or should I say the 'lack' of size of our room. Compared to our Cross Canada train accommodation this room is truly tiny...but it is private with great views of the countryside.

We spent some time in the 'Parlor Car' enjoying the 'panoramic views' of the Ocean...but only at times. Calling this train the 'Coast Starlight' is a bit misleading. We are not on the actual coast very much but it is great to see some of Southern California somewhat inland...or as much as you can see from a train window!

While sitting in the Parlor Car, we met a couple from Los Angles. We had a great conversation while enjoying the 'wine tasting' and joined them for dinner. Thanks Marc and Cindy for the 'openness' of your conversations and your genuine interest in our adventure.

Speaking of meals, the food is quite good just like it was on the train across Canada. And yes the wine is not 'too bad' either!

California Angels Stadium In Anaheim