After a bit of a backtrack we visited mile marker zero of the Trans Canada Highway. The first night was spent in a campsite with a lots of mosquitoes and few fellow campers telling us that “it’s camping, computers are banned up here”, if she only knew, or even had a clue… how do you think I am going to update this website or create my personal log without turning on the computer… sheesh
From the GPS data we drove 323km with a moving average speed of 66.9km per hour. This of course does not count the ferry from the mainland to Vancouver Island.

Last night the family and I had Chinese food this was in my fortune from the fortune cookie.

The plan was to get out of British Columbia fairly quickly. Our second night was spent east of Kamloops, an uneventful night camping. So much so I don’t even remember where we actually stopped.

Crossed into Alberta, when we came across the Welcome to Alberta sign, there were three cyclists the they were having some troubles taking their picture with their camera propped on on rock so I kindly offered to take their picture. Even they stated that it was much better than they had managed to accomplish. I had my camera in my hand somewhat waiting for him to do the same, he moved his bicycle out of the way, commented on my mini tri-pod and … rode off. I managed to get a decent picture anyway. Stopped in Banff Albert for the night, nice federal campsite a very short drive from the city center. Banff is a fantastic little town, amazing scenery, many little touristy shops, and a few great bars and restaurants to have a nice relaxed dinner in. We had amazing service considering the place was very full. The food was very good and Guinness was equally as impressive.

Wednesday July 9th 2008,
So far the highlight of the trip has the been the Royal Tyrell Museum. The learning experience, the private campground, the lightning storm that is happening right now outside is amazing. Decided to come in under cover to keep dry and am still watching the light show as I type this little daily update up. The day did not involve a lot of miles with just under 400KM traveled today. The truck odometer rolled past 100,000 KM about 70KM before Drumheller, nothing but fields around.

Long day of driving, only real stop was in “Dog River” Saskatchewan otherwise known as Rouleau Saskatchewan. Pretty cool, to see the set for Corner Gas. Even though the shooting for the season is over they still have the gas station and diner “stocked”. We then drove into town and had a beer in the Dog River (Rouleau) hotel. They were sold out of souvenir shot glasses so I had to settle for a Dog River beer mug instead. Shot glasses have been hard to find just about everywhere, doesn’t anyone drink anymore or at least collect shot glasses from their travels anymore?

We came to rest at a very nice, crowded but fine private campsite just outside of Regina called Kings Acres. Free wireless internet connection is a very nice bonus, thus made this post and a few corrections and updates to previous possible.

So far the weather has been cooperating with the exception of last nights 5hr thunder storm. Sean’s tent kept him dry from the rain but the puddles that formed from below managed to soak some gear, looks like no permanant damage done but a few hours of drying out the camera, Playstation Portable, PDA  and others on the truck dash were enough to say keep the electronics in the locked truck at night..

Wow, what a day, we wanted to put some miles behind us, I think we succeeded. Traveled about 935KM today and stopped in Dryden Ontario. That’s almost two time zones and two Provinces for those that are paying attention. The Prairies are .. well flat and pretty darn boring…

Hope to update more tonight, going to get some much needed rest right now.

The weather has not been the best, we slept through a few fantastic lightning storms with heavy rain, and we drove through an amazing heavy rain yesterday. We stopped in Dryden Ontario and checked into the Quality Inn, no camping this night. Slept in real bed, with a warm shower and bathroom only a couple meters away. TV was here but it did not even get turned on.

This morning, Sean was looking out the window.

Dave: “hows the weather out there?”
Sean: “the usual, dark and dreary.”
Dave: “that’s OK, we will make our own sunshine!”

Even I am not sure what that means, but I going to stay positive, sure would be nice if the weather would see my point of view and at least stop raining for a few days.

Just outside Thunder Bay, Ontario, the memorial for Terry Stands tall. We started this trip honoring the young man that decided to raise awareness and money for the disease that took his leg and his life. He ran a full Marathon (26 miles) every day until he got to this spot, half way across Canada. Here, on September 1st, 1980 it was discovered that he had Cancer in his lungs, and this stopped his epic run across Canada. Having driven this far, it’s amazing that this young man only 21 years old at the time had the courage to run this distance. The young man may have passed away 17 years ago, but his legacy still goes on stong today. I have the honor of living very close to where he grew up in Port Coquitlam BC. Seeing this memorial and having the local citizen practice his bagpipes playing near by when we were there filled me with pride of just living in the same country as this heroic Canadian.

Most of the yesterday was dry and the sun decided to poke out a few times. After a nice campfire beside Lake Superior, we retired for the tent and back of the truck to get some sleep at 1am, just as the rain started to fall, it rained for most of the night.. again… this time it was darn cold as well.

After the rainy night, a soaked tent and a damp morning we decided to have another long driving day. We wanted to get close to Ottawa so we would spend a day just touring the city and some sights. We managed just under 1000KM today and stopped in North Bay, Ontario for the night. Pretty neet little town with a population of just over 50,000. Going to try to see a little more of it in the morning.

With all the rain and driving there has not been a lot of pictures. A few were taken when we stopped at the Terry Fox Memorial in Thunder Bay. A local bagpipe player was practicing nearby, it seemed very appropriate. May do a post on this stop when my mind a body are better in tune to do so. Just a little tired a road weary at the moment, the time changes and road blur have worn me down. Nothing a good night sleep won’t fix I am sure.