Happy Anniversary!!!
One month ago today I packed my car, kissed my cat “Lipps” on her little head and told her I would see her soon...(cried) said goodbye to my friends...(cried again) hugged my mom in a Tim Horton’s parking lot...(and of course, cried yet again) got in my car, asked Pepper if he was ready to go then hit the road for Medicine Hat. Note to self and anyone else ever planning an adventure such as this...Wait until you are no longer PMSing to leave. It is hard enough on your system without all the hormones lol
My first stop was Medicine Hat to pick up my friend and travel companion to Thunder Bay Ontario, Paula. The trip was new and exciting and the weather could not have been any better. We made it to Regina Saskatchewan for the first night and had to share the tv as there was a hockey game and Gray’s Anatomy on at the same time. The flames didn’t even show up for that game so I wasn’t too worried about catching the third period. No red blooded flames fan ever wants to watch them lose to the dreaded Edmonton Oilers ;-)
After discovering a band aid (or something close to that) in the jar of 2004 homemade jam my grandma had given me, Paula and I decided to take a closer look at what exactly was in my little and when I little I mean giant care package. The contents were a bit...well, I guess ( interesting) would be a good word choice for this one. A package of gluten free pancake mix, a package of gluten free muffin mix, 16 jars of jam packaged no later than 2006 a cantaloupe so rotten it was talking back to us as we tried moving it out of the cooler, a small collection of men’s tube socks (size 10) and finally... The kicker, the be all end all of everything necessary in a travel pack for a trip across the country.....a turnip!!! Love ya Grandma
Regina Saskatchewan was for the most part friendly and courteous. We were not there long but you don’t have to spend a ton of time somewhere to get a general idea of how the people are. The drivers would let you into traffic if you happen to make an accidental lane change, the service people were exceptional...well the ones I dealt with anyway. The sky was blue and the air was warm so I was a happy camper all around. I do however want to know what hotels pay for property tax and utilities. I am so not convinced that one night in a hotel/motel at 100.00 or more is really a fair price for the weary traveller. There really has to be a way those prices can be lowered.
From Regina we made our way to Portage La Prairie Manitoba. Cute town, but like I said before...thou shall not have a sushi or any other kind of ethnic food craving; Unless your version of ethnic food is charbroiled, dipped in grease and served to you by a guy wearing a paper hat. There was an area there with a river running through it which was quite a site to see. The mass quantities of Canadian Geese were actually quite breath taking. I wish the lighting was a little better so I could have taken some photos of them. Of course if they are anything like the geese in Calgary, they would have chased me down the street and taken chunks out of my jeans on the way. Now that I think about it, it was probably a good thing the lighting was so bad.
Portage to Thunder Bay Ontario was a long drive. When all was said and done we were probably driving for over 10 hours. We were definitely ready for a break after that one. The Kent family was amazing!!! And I do mean AMAZING!!!! They are dealing with more health issues right now than any one should ever have to deal with in their entire lives and yet they are still so giving of themselves. They treated me better than I could have ever even imagined. Thanksgiving with Paula and her parents Cheryl and Dave was the best way one could have ever spent a holiday like that. I truly felt like a kid again and that is something that comes about maybe once or twice in an adult’s lifetime. I am so grateful for that and I will cherish it always. Paula’s grandmother, Gramma Cora Oitzl is a story within a story. She is such a vibrant and crazy woman with more energy than I would know what do with. I felt a connection with her immediately and the stories she would tell of her past had us all in stitches and encouraging her to tell more. I will miss them all very much as I continue on this venture but I will hold them in my heart and my thoughts as I move on.
After leaving Thunder Bay I traveled to a little town called Wawa Ontario. If you think it sounds funny when you say it you should hear it come from Betty Lou LOL the town was full of charter busses from Florida and unfortunately the only place for me to stay was a tiny little run down motel on the outskirts. Now, I am not what anyone would consider a snob or someone who expects the very best or nothing at all. However, I am someone who is not a fan of sleeping with about 14 wood tics crawling all over my pillow and sheets. Yes that’s right you read me correctly....wood tics walking all over me, my pillow and my bed. I for one feel that $70.00 a night should in fact get you an infestation free room but maybe things are done a little differently in the east lol I did get moved up to a new room but I was still so grossed out that I stripped all the sheets off of the new bed, laid in the middle of the mattress fully clothed and tucked my arms inside my t-shirt for warmth. I would have had a shower but the tub was brown and not from paint; and the traditionally white towels were equally as discoloured. Not sure yet, but I don’t think I will be staying there again.
From Wawa to Sault Ste Marie Ontario .... Yes, Ontario is huge. I spent the day stopping at various lookout points and taking some amazing shots of the beaches and scenery along the way. I highly recommend travelling through Ottawa in the fall for two reasons. One, the colors are incredible the views are spectacular and if you do it during the week there is absolutely no one on the road. Ok, that was three but it makes it even better. Sault Ste Marie was nice. Well my hotel room was nice. I learnt a few things in the short amount of time I was there. One, gas stations charge for air...hmmm who knew that was something that was even legal? Two, Murphy’s Law is alive and well. When one needs to wash the bug carnage from Saskatchewan off of their car; all car washes in the cities where they stop shall either be under construction, inaccessible due to road construction or just simply closed for no reason at all. And finally, old men don’t like young women asking them if they would like some help raking up the leaves on their lawn. He looked at me as though I was asking him to hand over his penis. I guess some people will forever be stuck in the good ol days where women are barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen and not out raking up leaves for really... really old men.
To be continued...
