Almost home!

So! After an adventure of getting the jeep repaired, a sketch sleepless night - we followed that up with an 11 hour drive. Cause that's how we roll!

We arrived at Elliot Lake at a decent hour 7pm or so - only to learn that our camp "down the road" - a mere 53k. Was actually 130k . The nice paved road, turned into a less nice paved road - and that turned into a pavement, rocky, omg needs repair road - with a touch of sand here and there. We feared we may not have enough gas to get back into town.

But once we found the park office. Met a chick that looked JUST like Garth from Waynes world - we set up camp.

Best tarp coverage ever! ( Good thing too, it rained a little.)

We had a tasty dinner of grilled veggies and potatoes, but at this point it was totally dark, so we used are awesome head gear with flashlight (thanks!!!!) Ate our dinner while getting eaten by bugs. this is when the quiet really set in, and all the animals in the forest starting walking around.

We could hear them, and we were in THEIR house, and once we went to bed we could hear wildlife defiantly strolling around. I wasn't concerned when we were in Jasper, or 'bear country' at Glacier ntl Park. But we felt it here!!!

Made it through the night ... I sort of put our tent on what looked like a flat area. But after a few hours of sleeping I learned that - yup - I put our bed on a slope. I told Michael that he was tired, and that his feet were not actually falling asleep while all the blood rushed to his head when he lied down. Whoops! Sorry :D my bad.

We have now had our last Tim Hortons breakfast (best gift card ever - lasted us until today with a few $$$ left still on it!) And just passing Parry Sound just in time for a little rush hour Toronto traffic in the rain.

I'll have Michael put in a beautiful entry once we arrive home and he is ready to sit down again :) as he's driven this entire 17 day trip by himself (minus that hour I drove)

ALL our photos will be up by tuesday at the latest!

Love and rockets

Team AWESOME (we did it!)
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Its all good

Heyhey

We're in the sault! A couple hours to mississagi and we're at our last camp. Not too sure if we've out drove the storm!!! Only time will tell!!!

Night all!
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What was that John Cusak movie called?

You know, the movie where he was in some sketchy motel room, that had odd secret hidden doors , a weird downstairs\a room in the "basement".

Why do I ask this question? Because, a mere 35k - literally the turn off from the highway to sleeping giant - our breaks failed - we were going down hill.

I called CAA - only to learn that the gas station we managed to get to, happened to be where they would tow us. Okay, good to know - so they give me his "24 hour number" (the same number on the giant sign that says Garage)
We heard the phone ring inside from where we were standing. Funny - not funny ha ha at that very moment in time though!!!

After much discussion of sleeping in the jeep - I said we'll just stay at this sketchy motel instead.

No clock.
No phone.

We locked the windows, the doors - if it could be locked we did.

Then we played yatzee for most of the night, and slept in a bed - well... It was no fairmont bed! I can assure you that!

The jeep is getting fixed by Jimmy 'the mechanic' for Pass Lake. Once its all done, we'll resume to our last camp and then home on thursday if all goes well.

We're thankful that if anything 'bad' (this really isn't That bad, all things considered) was going to happen, at least it was here in ontario!!!

Do my best to keep you posted when we're off to Mississagi Park!
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Left a little late today!

We woke up super late!!! (it was great - we had a late night of playing almost every board game we brought) We are now leaving Falcon Beach in Manitoba and headed for Sleeping Giant in ONTARIO!!!

Yesterday we had our dinner at the Salsbury House in wpeg and had Nips - they're now 33% bigger - they were HUGE! Michaels was three hand made burgers held together by a knife - a tooth pick wouldn't cut it my friends! Known as 'big earl'. AND they had a veggie Nip! And sweet potato fries - it was delish!

Then we drove another 2 hours and got to camp - set up, took a walk on the beach - did not swim because apparently most of Manitoba lakes can give you "lake rash" - ew. So we hung out on a giant floating dock for boats.

It seems that we're running away from a massive rain storm - tonight will be nice but tomorrow - full on insane rain storm. Good thing we have our pink $5 rain coats from the stampede!

Alright kids!
We're off to enjoy the beautiful scenery that is Ontario - we have it all! Lakes, wildlife, trees, a wonderful rocky landscape! Ontario - we've missed you!
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Moose Jaw

Hellllo!

We're now on our way to - get ready for it! -Falcon Beach!!! Who remembers that show??

We stayed in Moose jaw last night at the Wakamow heights bed and breakfast - www.wakaowheights.com
We stayed in the "pent house" - it was beautiful. The whole property inside and out, and ate just possibly the best omelet ever made just for us. The rest of the guests had pancakes :p

We went to Hopkins last night - and had the best potato skins and garlic bread ever.

And I had a few fresh strawberry daquiries... YUM

Tonight to home there is very little cell reception - I may get a tiny update in here and there.
But tonight Falcon Beach in manitoba (maybe stopping for burgers in w-peg, thanks mom)
Then tomorrow Sleeping Giant, and then wednesday Mississagi which is also in ontario.
And then we should be home thursday night!

Love and rockets!
Team big red jeep!!!
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Banff and Calgary

We ventured to banff - and took a wonderful gondola ride!!! Then we walked around the fairmont there in banff (michael says we have to stay in this one next time - sweet!) We looked at the beautiful waterfall , saw ppl horse back riding on the grounds and drove around for the amazing gold course. Saw a few deer - creating a tiny golf course road traffic jam :) we took pictures!

Then we rocked downtown banff - fell in love with helly hanson clothing and this other super cute clothing company called david and goliath - adorable T-shirts!!!

And then we headed for Meghan and Geoffs house in Calgary, went to the chuck wagon racing - which is VERY similar rules to roller derby. Had a lot of mini donuts, beer, popcorn, beer, lemon aide, beer and peanuts - and beer :) watched the grandstand show - flying drummers, canadian idol winner, amazing motor cyclists who flew thru the air - it was a "world party" (there was A LOT of jazz hands)

And on saturday we went to the best little breakfast diner, then off to the rodeo, a little rainy but it was still the coolest thing I've ever seen! The bull riding was amazing - and we took lots of video to show you all the awesomeness!!!!
Michael and I also got some authentic cowboy hats. To my surprise I didn't get the tall white hat I thought I wanted - its brown with flowers, and michaels is a leather aussie hat - its perfect for him!!!!

Then last night we took our hosts out to the Salt lick on Stephen Ave which wrapped up the weekend well!

We're now on our way to Moose Jaw!

Hope you had a great weekend too!
Love and rockets
Xox
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The view from our room!!!

We decided to leave vancouver after morning rush hour - so we left at 9.30. Got my STARBUCKS - (finally a stop so I can get a soy chai latte!!!) And then off we went - went to the cutest Winery, did some local wine tasting, bought some local gouda (it was sooo gooda!)

And then on our way thru the Shuswap just past Salmon Arm (our fav place on the trip so far btw) we came to a dead stop on the high way near Sicamous - a tractor trailor flipped - it looked it then hit another truck and well , it wasn't pretty. It was backed up for miles, people were out of their cars walking around because no lane could get thru either way. And this was during rush hour - well - about 11pm mountain time we arrived at the Fairmont lake louise - had dinner at the saloon , a delish beer and pizza for me the best burger of Michaels life and then off to bed for the best sleep of our lives. I wanted to steal the pillow, the mattress - the whole king size bed. SO COMFORTABLE!!!

Then an epic breakfast - some super touristy photos and now we en route to calgary after a little stop in Banff!!!!

Tonight staying with friends in Calgary and going to the stampede! Big white cowboy hats here we come!

Oh and steak for Michael :)

Love and rockets!
Team awesome!

Ps - don't you love that view???
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We made it.

The dream has come to life. Finally sitting on the beach in the glow of the sunset in Vancouver. Living the dream isn't so bad...
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Amazing

No cell reception! Bear country! In Revelstoke right now, the cutest town ever!
The view from our camp site last night!
Going to van tonight!

Byyyeeee!
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The Prairies are beautiful!

Who ever said there isn't much to see here are sooo wrong, rolling hills, green green grass, Canola oil fields of yellow(thanks for the email dad), and beautiful blue skies! We Love it

During our travels Michael is always pointing out fellow Jeeps, we have noticed that ever expanding culture that is "the jeep wave".
In ontario it was a raise of the left hand from the steering wheel. From thunder bay thru manitoba we noticed a peace would be presented out the window (but just the hand). In saskatchewan with their divided - but dramatically flat - highway lanes the wave is given high above the jeep so to be scene from a distance.(Think long distance high five) we're looking forward to the waves of the coast. (No pun intended!!! Hah)
- this entry was a collaboration of Elizabeth and Michael (hehe - can you tell?)

The drama of an rv site! the Gordon Howe camp-rv site could be the next MTV reality show - hah

This pic of the sunset was happening while we were setting up camp last night.

We also thought we had passed all the rain while driving in.

We were wrong - but with Michaels mad skillz in tarping. We came out dry in the morning sans a few wet spots here and there.

We are now driving to edmonton to see Papa Jackson!! (See you soon!!!!!)

Love and rockets
Elizabeth and Michael
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We visited Brandon Manitoba!

To their located Midus mechanics - after and hour or so after my driving lesson - michael noticed the engine light on - a quick call to CAA and some direction we met Murray the owner who helped us out. Apparently my driving lesson and the engine light don't have anything to do with each other (but some, like myself, beg to differ!)

We are now on our merry way to saskatoon, driving by some might interesting storm clouds - and some very bright yellow fields.

Anyone know what they're are growing? Mustard? Wheat? Bueller? Anyone?

xox
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There is no road to happiness, happiness is being on the road.

Shew fly don't bother me!

Ohmy the flies in swampy caddy lake Manitoba! And if it wasn't flies the mosquitoes. But the lake of "Caddy Lake" was cold and welcoming after a long hot day of driving!

But we had a full camp, nice neighbours. A little campsite sandwiched inbetween two families, but we rocked the big tarp in fear of rain that never came. (But used our tarp poles to the best of their ability! )

We made baked potatoes for dinner, but apparently I need to put a lot more tin foil on so they don't burn to a black crisp - meh, the inside was good! A little sour cream, marg and pan fried veggies and it was dee-lish!

We are on our way to winnipeg (the w-peg ;) then regina, then finally saskatoon to the Gordie howe campground.
It does look like rain coming, here's hoping all will be good rain or shine!

The wildlife list so far!
Coyote
Black bear
Moose
Deer
Blad eagle (yeah, that's right, that just happened!)

This is sooooo awesome!

Here's the view from the road right now, and if weather is nice, ill be doing some of the driving in the jeep today - yesterday, I drove to get water for dishes - after the 10th time - I got it up the tiniest hill ever - this is why ill get the prairies!

Love ya!

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Manitoba here we come

It seems we were spoiled at Lake Superior - as camping right on the lake and in the sand was truly superior :)

Kakabeka falls though was just possibly one of the most beautiful falls I've ever seen. We have breath taking photos and I can't wait to show you all.

We've got a good routine happening - drive all day, and do our best to take advantage of touristy towns, get to camp, set up, go for a hike, come back - rock dinner, michael then makes and epic fire while I eat vegan marshmellows. Drown out fire with our dishes water and then have the best sleep ever.

Its working out well so far!

Campfire talk- discussing the 7 wonders of the world, can you name them all with out using google?

I hope everyone had an amazing canada day!!!!

We are now on day 3, and have 2 more weeks to go!!!

Oh oh oh, something we noticed at this campsite - NO ONE said hello, it felt so wrong, we'd say hello and the people just looked at us funny .... So odd! Normally everyone says hi, waves from afar or the car.

Perhaps Caddy lake in Whiteshell provincial park will be friendlier!

Ill let you know.
Until tomorrow, happy friday!

Love and rockets
xox the big red jeep crew xox

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Agawa bay sunset

We'll I have had phone reception since we passed that black bear on the highway yesterday afternoon! But I'm sure at some point this will go through before we arrive at Kakabeka Falls, probably in Thunder Bay.

We just stopped at a tourist photo opp - and locked our doors... Wait wait , it gets better, the keys in the ignition!!! Since I didn't have my phone there will be pics on our camera once we get back to Oakville of Michael climbing in the jeep to unlock the doors. My cheeks hurt from laughing :)

Agawa bay was amazing! The beach was right at our campsite, it was like we had the whole lake to ourselves.... Oh and no bugs! Awesome.

Also, Michael took a little swim this morning - a bit cold, but something he said he must do!

hope all is well at home "down south"

Next stop , falls that have been compared to niagara falls.... We'll see!
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On the road!

Tim's by 5.15am (thanks for the gift card!)
And on the 400 by sunrise, we're just passing pentangusiean? (We drove by the exit and I cannot spell it at all!!! Nor is it on my map)

Mt st louis Moonstone looks very different with out snow!

I'm really excited that we're on the road, and the trip has finally began, after talking about this for almost a year its so wonderful that we're starting our adventure across canada!

Love and rockets,
Team awesome
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8am vs. 5am

Hi all,

so, it's the day before Michael and I leave and we're so pumped and ready to go!!!

There's still a bit to do, and while Michael is at his last day at school, I will be doing what I can today to make packing tonight as easy as possible.

CAA

WAL-MART

Beer Store (this is the key to ending a 10 hour drive! thx Sue!)

Costco

tonight we'll say goodbye to some family here in Burlington, and then we'll be packing up the jeep, ready to head out at 5am.

Tomorrow we start the drive to Lake Superior at Agawa Bay Provincal Park, I hope to see things like this...

www.hickerphoto.com



Love and Rockets,
team amazing roadtrip

To-do list!

The things we still need to pack...

And I just told Michael I created a blog for the trip :)
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this time tomorrow, I may be freakin' out

so, two more sleeps until the big trip. We've been talking about it for almost a year now, and it's finally happening in less thank 48 hours, we'll be at our first camp site!

I just learned way too much about bear bags, and I'm very thankful that I did.

My plan is to take pics with my blackberry along the way and upload the pics from my camera when we get home in a few weeks.

I will write in my journal - and hopefully take the entries and put them on this blog for all to see!

I'm off to do some packing, make my list for Costco tomorrow and then try and figure out just how exactly you do get photos to upload on here.

We are pretty awesome, I'm sure we'll figure it out in no time!