Trip blog of my drive westward &
Memorable moments only,
or the ones that I can remember
Note that referred
to pubs can be reached at : My Nanaimo Pubs page
**************************
Monday
- June 21, 2004
Arrive
Ripped
off at BP/Amoco sell intermediate cheaper than regular $1.89 vs $1.94
Crossing
border - only 1 lane but only about a 10 min wait
Toll
for Bluewater bridge is $2 cdn
Toll
on I 80 Chicago is .30
Trip rather uneventful - with the exception of the
normal construction and slowness around
Having a
Leaving
****************
Tuesday
- June 22, 2004
Arrived in
Speed
limit in
Turned
off exit 362 to get gas and look for hotel - gas ok but only a HI; went into
center of Cheyenne but nothing there so went back to I80 west and hoped that
next exit would have a choice - I 25 north & first cut off has all the
choices, don't go south as there's squawt. Chose
Wingate, which looks brand new and has Internet access and breakfast but no bar or restaurant.
Went
to the Cheyenne Cattle Company which is up the road
and part of the Best Western complex, which has bars, restaurant & free
wireless Internet. Steaks look good; buffalo ribeye for $26 and glass of
Merlot. Meat beautiful and tasty and tender,
especially with horseradish sauce.
Leaving Iowa
City
Typical Iowa countryside
Just leaving
Iowa
Coming to
In the middle of
********************
Wednesday
- June 23, 2004
A
very uneventful day, originally planned for layover in Salt Lake City but would
have got there by noon so decided to press on to Boise. Speed probably averaged
at about 135 km where the posted was 75 mph; a good number of construction
zones where speed reduced to 65 mph, 75 actual; another 1,200 ks in 11 hours.
Got
there at 4:45, gassed up and started to look for an Internet hotel; first 3
were all sold out but last suggested Comfort Suites down the road on Vista Ave.
Got lucky! Last room! $81, not bad.
Eating
at Quinns, down the road, a run of the mill diner
with bar and supposedly known for its prime rib. Had the 12 oz job; not bad! The horseradish cream sauce must be a tasty
Western specialty; got to learn its recipe. Rolling Rock
draft not bad. Service so so.
On I
80, west of
On
an overall note for the last 2 days; the scenery & vistas are absolutely spectacular; I just love the west for its
grandeur, vastness and starkness; from the colourful desert like conditions to
the vast irrigated green areas; vast herds of beef, antelopes intertwined.
Reds, greens, greys and rock and sand!
Great
temperature change today, started at 46F in
***********
Thursday
- June 24, 2004
Quite uneventful, just easy driving and beautiful
scenery.
Notes
for
Exit
as that's where all hotels & bars are. Best
Western has highspeed Internet.
Crossing
border was uneventful, 18 minutes, and caught the 5:45 Duke Point ferry. Arrived at 780
*************************
Friday
to Wednesday - June 25 - 30
Recent
pubs:
Timberline
Pub - Cranberry/Cedar
Muddy
Waters - Stewart St/Departure Bay -
Not
much done, just getting settled and re-acclimatized to
environment.
Gert's garden is awesome as usual, raspberries and snow peas
in massive quantities - stuff myself every time.
Have moved out of Gert's place
to a little nice motel, Breakwater Motel, while I try to find a furnished unit
for the next 2 months or so. A few chances but always too late!
Internet is through a dial-up connection; the type which I haven't used in
years, always wondered why I've kept that Internet Direct connection for the
last 15 years!
Weather's been in the mid 20's and sunny; only the very occasional
cloud but no rain. Been so tinder dry that fireworks have been cancelled and you're not allowed to smoke in the parks. God's
country.
Saw
a good looking place in Cedar, fantastic clear view of
mountains in west, 5 acres, lots of buildings, wanted $290,000. Interesting! Lots of room to grow stuff
& build.
Election results interesting, but not worthy of comment
or editorializing here. As a member of the Green Party, we don't
comment on the results but we'll accept the $1.75/vote taxpayer's $!
Got a
Sitting
here at the Muddy Waters - marine pub & liquor store, Big Rock in hand,
Charlene, and a cool scene, on a
beautiful Wednesday afternoon, looking over the boats in the harbour and
enjoying the light freshet off Departure Bay, what can one say but that life's
good. Sure wish there were more people here to share it with!
Late note - can't believe it, but people actually
drink "Calgary Red Eye" here! Much, much later somehow got home
safely!
Tomorrow,
Canada Day stuff downtown & harbour front, all day. Markets, events, beer
tents & entertainment; should be cool.
Had great fish n chips for lunch at Trollers
on the water.
Looked
at a 1 bdr fully furnished
unit in a house. Looks interesting but someone else ahead for a longer term rental. Kind of funny being
asked for references!
*************************
Friday
July 2
Actually had a badly needed rain overnight and in the
morning.
Finally got the car washed and rid of the bug roadkill from driving; dumb
seagull splats on my windshield after! As they say, "shit happens".
Recent
pubs: Longwood Brew Pub, Janet,
Good
beers, best for me is Longwood Ale.
Soup for lunch, double beet puree, awesome presentation
and taste.
Looks like a great place to eat.
Appears
to be lots of entertainment in pubs here; tonight going to the Queens for Terry
Puckett Rock n
Roll show (www.queensitslive.com www.go-nanaimo.com)
Terry
Puckett, born
*************************
Saturday
July 3
Did
laundry then Win drove to the top of Mt Arrowsmith, which is above
I definitely will have to buy a 4x4 truck so that I can access all these treasures from the lumber roads.
*************************
Sunday
July 4
Decided
to look at some real estate and look at interesting areas. Had a selection of
about 10 places spread throughout the city.
Uplands,
1490
Bush - interesting, needs work to get it into top shape, tenants in for last 4
years, vynalize? Has downstairs suite. View of
The Wakesiah and
The
First & Second sts,
Acacia, Ashler & Doric have a lot of potential as
they could have both sea & Benson view but are in a mid-lower class area.
Lunch
or rest at the Jingle Pot pub to see the final 20 minutes of the UEFA Cup;
great game and the smartest tem won (Peter at the Fossil must have been
ecstatic). Good & reasonable food menu.
*************************
Monday
July 5
Drove
to
********************
Tuesday
July 6
Making arrangements for when Caroll is here. B&B
for July 13 to 16 then to Parksville to stay at the
Island Hall Beach Resort until the 23rd and off to
Looking
for a B&B on Furlinger dr,
there were a couple of deer right in the middle of
street and house, note that this is a well developed residential area.
Lunch at the Shady Rest pub in Qualicum,
Kristin, - terrific view, great food & beer. Sitting here watching the tide
recede, Texada and the coastal ranges being framed by
a freshet of clouds on an azure sky; one
knows that life is good her.
********************
Wednesday
July 7
Easy day, some shopping and stopped at the Royal Lepage counter in Woodgrove Mall. Talked to
She
suggested the Black Bear pub out in
Overheard,
next table conversation, Bill, either mayor or councilor (later, neither but
one may have been councilor Krall), talking about
general real estate with 2 guys from Coast & ??.
They feel prices are extended and there should be some
retrenching. Interesting people to know!! Talked about a whole bunch of other interesting stuff! They're background appears to come from
Side
note - tried a whole bunch of B&Bs for next week but appears to be nothing;
amazing how ignorant these people are, left messages for 5 and never received
response from any!
********************
Thursday
July 8
Final bookings for next week at the Best Western - Nortgate - has highspeed Internet.
Landlubber
Pub (Carrie, Theresa) - Northfield & Bowen, looks like a good one. 6oz
Observation, in pubs, people are big players of Pull Tab (a
More
interest, Pull Tab gets filled about every 2 or 3
days, bar knows what's been paid out and that information can be passed to
customer; since overall odds are fixed, then individual pull's odds can be
improved with this knowledge, max between $100 - $500.
Absolutely
fascinating to see older couples, 65+, coming to all pubs I've been in; at
certain times, they're the majority!! Most play Keno
& Pull.
********************
Friday
July 9
A
rainy day, heavy at times, but stopped by 1PM. Got my dashboard setup for the iPAQ GPS working so that it's more visible whilst driving.
Some wood, some velcro!!
Windward Pub, Dufferin &
Boundary Cres., nothing special! Food higher priced, daily
specials very limited, clam chowder not bad!!! Service
pedestrian, won't be back!
********************
Saturday
July 10
Went
to Parksville to look at a 1992 Chevrolet Scottsdale
2500 4x4
3/4
ton, 6.5 L turbo diesel, auto, $9,997, note that sticker was $10,997, at
Bluenose Motors, www.bluenosemoto.com ( mine's on the
top), Al Cameron - 250-951-9957, had 250k km on it but appeared to look ok.
That diesel sure makes a loud sound!
Tom Harris next, a 1997? Turquoise, Ford 150 4x4 off
road with a 6 & about 150k for $16,000 - will get to me if others come in.
(later note - dipshit has never called - poor
salesman!)
Foundry
Pub, on Comox across from arena downtown, - food appears ok and breakfast
specials look good. Nice, airy & friendly looking place.
********************
Sunday
July 11
Investigated
1992 Chevrolet 2500
Today
was visiting “open house” day. Had 4 on the list:
1. 70 Giggleswick
Pl , don't giggle but that's the street name, $163,000, looked ok, had large back
yard backing onto E&N, not bad but could use some work
2.
3.
As
it was, the Harewood Arms Pub, Gina, was just a block
away, so we definitely had to stop in to partake of the atmosphere. Nice &
friendly neighbourhood pup!!! Some
ladies were setting up for a fundraising event, BC Breast Cancer, with silent
auction, etc; since I wouldn't be there for the fun, gave them a donation
(later side note - they haven't cashed the cheque and I have no ways of
contacting them; was eventually cashed); they were most grateful and thought
that that would be the largest contribution of the evening. Hey, its
Sunday, time for a good deed!!
********************
Monday
July 12
Spectacularly
busy day for a bright sunny one.
Checked out ICBC Autoplan rates with Zorkin &
BCAA, for the extra coverage, BCAA was the highest by a good 16%! The basic
requirement for ICBC was fixed at $853 which really is
only basic liability coverage. With 8 year accident clean proof it wil
be reduced by 40%. This also applies to the extra collision &
comprehensive. Roughly, with deductions and $1,000 deductible, the coverage for
the truck will be about $1,150.
Made an easy
deal for cheap future financing with Carolyn, my bank manager, of Scotiabank. 3.35%!!
At 1.00PM saw Al at Bluenose
Motors about the '92
At same time, Sandra from Pine
Ridge apartments phoned to say a unit available; looked at it, looks good and
made a deal to the end of August.
Hadn't stopped, so finally needed a
beer, went to the Landlubber.
********************
Tuesday
July 13 - Friday July 16
Went
back to mainland to pickup Caroll from airport;
beautiful day except for 1 ½ hour delay on H 17 at Ladner
for overturned semi. Got Caroll all OK and made it back to
Introduced
self to Scotiabank Manager - Lynda Kazanowski, had a
good discussion about the local economy and where its
going.
We
went Parksville to pickup the truck and do the
registration thing. All went well - insurance is about $1,400 but will be reduced by 40% when proof of good conduct sent.
Truck in great shape, can't wait to use it on the
backroads.
Lunch at Black Bear
********************
Saturday
July 17
Busy
day!!
First a trip up to Mt Arrowsmith
with the truck, about 2 hours from
Back
down and get supplies for party tonight. Dungeness crabs ($4) and whole wild
sockeye salmon ($9.90/kg) actually cheaper at Save On than at harbourside
fishmonger or the one in Ladysmith harbour!!
Great
party at Joe & Eileen's; probably had a couple too
many, but who's counting, and anyways, we're staying over. Learned how to cook
crabs properly, basically rip off the legs and cook
them; salmon was done in foil over the bbq.
Everything tasted terrific.
********************
Sunday
July 18 & Monday 19
Recuperation
and recovery days - didn't rain the way it was supposed to on Monday
Went
to
********************
Tuesday
July 20
Drove
up to Mt
Back
home and lunch at Piper's pub - nice place but food is pedestrian.
********************
Wednesday
July 21
Gonna be a long day!! Up Island
whale watching at Telegraph Cove; 375km or about 3½ hrs on 4 lane
to
Got back around 8:00PM and had a terrific dinner at the Longwood Brew Pub & Restaurant.
********************
Thursday July 22
Not much doing today, just looked at various
areas for possible house locations. Interesting house in
Chase.
Beautiful warm, 32
degrees, but not humid and very pleasant when sitting outside at the Crow &
Gate Pub, sipping on a Pipers and eating a Stilton Ploughman's lunch whilst
looking at a beautiful garden and the Mt Benson range in the background.
********************
Friday July 23
Back to
We had a great dinner at the upscale Kettle of Fish on Pacific & Burrard.
********************
Saturday July 24
Decided to leave early to get Caroll to her
9:00AM flight. Dropped off and went to Tsawassan
ferry terminal for the 10:15 to Duke Point; made it there by 7:15 with no
problems. Got real lucky and was the 2nd last car on
for the 7:45 ferry.
********************
Sunday July 25
Rest day, just house work, etc
********************
Monday July 26
Time to clean the insides of the truck; spent all morning prettying it
up.
Went to the Quarterway Pub on Bowen. Terrific friendly
place, Janel, good atmosphere; great food, would you
believe caesar salad, 6 shrimp & a 5oz steak for
$7.95!!! I'll be back often.
********************
Tuesday July 27
At 7:45AM, got the first slot to change the fluids
on the truck at Mr. Lube. Did oil & transmission, they said
others didn't require changing.
To the Landlubber Pub, Aileen, for lunch and their famous $5.99 6oz steak
sandwich, along with a couple of Big Rock Traditional & Black Bear Ale.
********************
Wednesday July 28
Drove up to Courtenay to meet with Bill
& Fran Rauenbusch. Had coffee downtown and then decided to go up to Mt
Bill &
Fran
Mini JP reunion, Win on camera, Fran talking to
Steve,
Bill & self
********************
Thursday / Friday - July 29, 30
On west coast pace. Biggest thing was
getting truck bed liner & stepups put on on Friday .
********************
Saturday July 31
Got a large truck tote box and spent the morning fixing it to the bed. Later, shopped for all the survival gear and truck emergencies to
fit into the box, $340. Now fully ready to meet
challenges of off-roading! Long tough day, so
had to go to the Black Bear for a couple, great friendly server, Anne-Marie,
(menu is good and food is quality, but obviously a fantastic view of Mt Benson
& Divers Lake from the outside patio) (Billy, you'd love this place, for
all the right reasons). Just another typical hot sunny day on
the
Standard Canadian shit on draft + Sleemans & Spring Pale Ale
At the point of repeating myself, it's
incredible how many of my pub compatriots are couples, generally in their late
60s +! Don't see that in TO!!! Not saying that there's other young 'ns!
********************
Sunday August 1
A Swiss national holiday! Gathering at Jocelyn & Joseph Zurmuhler's place on Cilair Dr. Good to make connection with some of the old Swiss community. Made a hit!!
********************
Monday August 2
Looked at a number of real estate location. Eagle Ridge development,
Landlubber's for steak &
beer lunch.
********************
Tuesday August 3
Looked at
Quarterway Pub, Sherri - Mon - Steak & Prawns $7.95, Fri - Steak
sandwich $6.95, Tues - 2pc fish n chips $6.95. Interestingly, the majority of
the afternoon customers were male, seniors!
********************
Wednesday August 4
Took car in to CAA examinations on 10 Haliburton
- Moto-Tech - in at 9:00AM out at 6:45PM - Hal &
Sue my new best buddy. According to Hal, truck is in
great shape; indicated work that had to be done; I said go ahead - ~$3,000.
Walked all the way there from the apartment, after having walked up about
4k, about 10k, and killed some time at Pipers Pub. OK, but
nothing special.
Treated myself and went to GLOW's, Luke is the
chef & new server is Donnya. Had the 5 course
chef's tasting menul $48 + the 5 course wine flight $25. 1st course -
fried goat cheese salad with Mt Boucherie late
harvest Okanagan; 2nd shrimp + Pennfolds Koonunga 2002 Chardonnay; 3rd Raspberry sorbet & a VI
heavy sweet red; 4th Hardy's Notage
Hill shiraz & sirloin steak & scallop; 5th Stag's Hollow late harvest
Okanagan great raspberry cheesecake. To finish had a coffee and a
********************
Thursday August 5 - Saturday Aug 7
Recuperation!
Saw Sherri Brown, Re/Max, re properties. Gave me a list and looked at
them in the days. Three areas now look good, NE of Nanaimo GC, Brechin,
5527
the front yard could be cut down and
improved the Winchelsea view greatly.
Pubs - Quarterway & Jingle Pot
********************
Sunday August 8
Went to see 5320 Glenayr,
the Zurmuhle's old home. View of
Walked up Mt Sugar Loaf, el 75m, for a
panoramic view of
Pub - Muddy Waters - great for this beautiful, sunny, 25 degree day and on the waterfront deck.
********************
Monday August 9
Slow leak on lr tire fixed on truck
Pub - Quarterway - Janel, probably the best waitress I've had in
********************
Tuesday August 10
Re-looked at Country Club, Glen Eagle,
Went to Scotiabank and talked funds with Lynda K; 1 yr back down to 4.25%
(gross, net then 3.25%)
Made appointment to see
Went to the Well Pub which I had spotted earlier; bad move!, absolutely shitty service so I walked out after a long
beer and went to Pipers. Food, halibut special, was good this time, service
great (Sheri). 80% of people were elderly couples and
appeared to be known.
Saw the Groveland place at 2:30, great view, only a 2 bdr rancher, but sure looks good to me in the
interim.
********************
Wednesday August 11
Spectacular day! Saw the 5527
Had a long great lunch at the Longbow with
Win & Kevin.
BTW, actually used BC public transit today;
great clean, new buses and the routes take you from one end to the other for a
toonie. Great deal when you consider that on the morning run, the 75c daily
newspaper is provided free.
Super obviously had to be at Glow's, Donnya & Luke
Lagavulin - a Gewurtztraminer with a light green salad, Alderlea, in Cowichan
Valley, Angeliue
2002 VI & coconut shrimp with coconut sauce, Alderlea
Hearth port with Raspberry sorbet, Cowichan duck confit &
Shiraz, crème brule & Taylor's Fladgate 10, had
usual coffee with a Fladgate 10. Life is good, then you're dead.
Big debate now is whether I go home now and come back for the 29th
closing or stay here 'til then?. Odds on right now are
I'll drive back and fly back then.
********************
Thursday August 12
A hectic day I've to arrange a number of things
re purchase. First and foremost, get the mortgage
money! As usual had all the necessary paperwork organized and a clear
spreadsheet of all the financial matters. As usual
vowed Sharon Nesvog and the amount requested was
going to pass at their best rate, 3.45%. Obviously I'd
made an impression on the Manager, Lynda, earlier as
Next to get a lawyer sorted out, went to the bank's recommended one and
he was going to take me on. Things are done differently here vis a vis
real estate & mortgage transaction.
Next to BCAA to get home insurance sorted out.
Had a good time with Jennifer & her boss whilest
we sorted out and got the coverage done.
Finally to Housemaster to arrange the home
inspection. Looks like Saturday at 9:00AM.
That's it done for the day, except had to
stop at the Quarterway for only 2 because I couldn't go home as the apartment
was being shown between 2 - 4PM.
Still undecided as to whether to go home now
and come back for the closing or stay and come home after. Logistically,
probably leaning towards the latter. Probably will
have to start looking for a place for September.
Later, all figured out, will stay her 'til closing + a week or so in October, go
back home and then fly out here in early January. Staying in apt 'til eom September.
********************
Friday August 13
Not much, looked at furniture, laundry, Costco.
Suggestion was Muddy Waters, as usually great on the water, Kirsten,
$7.95 Friday 8 oz steak special. What another great day, clear sunny & 31.
Went to Mad Hatter for Deborah Pitre show; we
probably represented 50% of the audience. Since we were the coolest there,
Deborah, 40 next week and good vocals, hung out with us between sets. Closed
the place and Mounties had a spotcheck on Townsite,
Win, the non-drinker, was driving so not an issue.
********************
Saturday August 14
Took the #1 bus downtown and got my LHS from Hal, Sue
at Moto-Tech and went to the Great Canadian
Clam Chowder Cook-off at
The simultaneous Artfest, original art, show
was also great and I talked to a few local artists whose work interested me.
********************
Sunday August 15
Not much, got some new hiking gear and looked at
beds & kayaks. Piper's for a late afternoon cool
down. Beer ok but service, Jen, so so.
********************
Monday August 16
Boat trip from Nanaimo Yacht Club on Jack
& Mickey Daniels' 35' boat, Vaijero. Went
all the way to Dodd's
BTW,
********************
Tuesday August 17
Normal day, warm 28 & sunny! Shopping
for potential house stuff. Problem getting twin XL bedding stuff, as
last resort have to check Sears.ca. Interesting
pieces from the Brick & Next 2 New. Actually bought a Martha Steward
patio set; looked good and price was right, perhaps a "get out of
jail" pass is included especially for me.
Muddy's, Charlene but all servers are friendly, for a late lunch; halibut for $7. What I love about out here is that halibut
has been good all over and reasonably priced.
********************
Wednesday August 18
Eliminated all the conditions for 5527
A bunch of shopping and looking at pricing for the various items; even
went to Zellers, actually not bad for what I was
looking for. Looked at Kona bikes
& other biking accoutrements.
It's Wednesday so it must be Glow's. Fennel,
beet & goat cheese with a Similkameen Sauterna Valley Riesling, scallops over spinach with garlic
& shitake mushroom & Okanagan Blasted Church white, cabernet
sauvignon?, a mango palette cleanser, salmon on leak & Crowsnest
Chardonnay, cheesecake & Saturna Late harvest.
Walked down to entertainment districts, not
much going on so went to the waterfront. Beautiful, warm, pleasant evening at
the docks, looked at many boats, both fishing & pleasure for what's most suitable. Took the #1 home.
Interesting point about the buses, all are quite new, "kneeling" type
and have retractable ramp for wheelchair access and front seats change to allow
proper wheelchair fit; drivers all appear to be courteous. On my walk up
********************
Thursday- Friday
August 19-20
Bunch of shopping, Wal*Mart, Zellers, Canadian Tire and looked at "experienced
furniture" stores, some interesting items there. Went to the Realm bike
house and got some understanding of bikes from Matt; looks like 1 g for my
level + accessories.
Downtown farmer's market and other shops for
decorating ideas. Muddy's for lunch. Looks like we're going to be overcast with rain for next few days;
actually a relief from the hot & sunny we've had.
Gotta get me more cool muscle shirts!!
********************
Saturday
August 21
Down to the Queen's for Saturday night
entertainment by Deborah Pitre and her group Iris.
Terrific shows, came at 8:45 to avoid cover charges
and stayed for all sets from 10:00PM to 2:00AM. No I
didn't drive home from the Queen's! This definitely is where all the action is
on Saturday night in
********************
Sunday
August 22
Recuperation
********************
Monday
August 23
Overcast, 20, for next few days. Shop/looking for
stuff. Pipers Meats for buffalo hamburger & baseball
steaks; best meat in town. Quarterway for lunch.
********************
Tuesday - Friday
August 27
Mainly overcast, rainy & about 20. Hanging out;
biggest buys for house were Costco's JVC entertainment systems and an awesome
stainless steel barbeque, sucker sure is heavy but looks terrific and is hugely
better deal than my Ducane at home; can't wait to use
it when I get house possession on September 30th.
Pubs - Longwoog & Wheatsheaf
********************
Saturday - Thursday
September 2
Weather's been generally
cool, overcast with occasional rain and the extremely unusual, for here,
thunderstorm. High, low 20s.
Miscellaneous shopping and visiting every home furnishing related outlet;
man I know shopping in this town now. Ask me anything, and I'll
probably know where to get it at the best price!
The wait 'til September 30th possession is killing me!!
Pubs - Quarterway & Muddy's
********************
Sunday - September 5
Drove up to Forbidden Plateau to see the old ski place where we used to
ski 25 years ago. Looks like it's been closed for the
last 10 years. Hiked up the lift trail and got great views of Courtenay/Comox
and the
********************
Tuesday - September 7
In to the bank to sign the mortgage papers. Here's the
process, I sign the papers here, Scotiabank sends the papers to the Pt Union
branch in Toronto, Caroll signs, papers come back, triggers a Scotia Mortgage
database & info, lawyer ( Michael Brown) gets informed, I go in and sign
more papers then papers get transferred to a Notary in Toronto for Caroll to
sign. Hopefully, all before September 29th.
Pubs - Landlubber
********************
Wednesday - Tuesday - September 8 - 14
Over to the mainland to visit with Sarah
& Vello Erics in Squamish. Weather generally
overcast with periods of showers and the occasional sun burst.
Had a terrific time, talking, reminiscing, dining, drinking Big Rock and some
great wines. First time that I've had an opportunity
to have long chats with Sarah. A fascinating person who's done her thing,
mainly all types of commercial flying and solo sailings; anybody who loves Rush
Limbaugh can't be bad, I like her and she looks on me as a kindred spirit. As
usual, Vello and I solved all of the world's problems, again.
Vel took me up
Introduced to Cathy, Mrs. C, a fascinating friend of Sarah's; does the
Chief 2x / week and in 45min up, wow!! for a 63 year old.
We all went on an extended hike to the
Pub - Tuesday only, Quarterway
Bella & Sarah The Chief
See the bear down
there
********************
Wednesday September 29
Spent entire morning packing stuff up to put in truck and keep at 780 until I get the house on Friday. Amazing what I've picked up, filled the whole truck. Figure that I'd move out most of the unnecessary stuff before moving day on Thursday.
Decided to go to Glow to celebrate.
When I went to start the LHS, deader than a doornail! Win came up to give me a boost but obviously didn't charge enough and it looks like CAA for a homecoming boost!
No Lagavulin, had to settle for Glendronach. Beet & fennel salad with stilton dressing with a Sterling Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc, scallops spinach coconut over risotto (superb taste combinations) with a Tinhorn Creek (BC) Chardonnay, local vanilla & strawberry ice cream (local hand made) & Stag's Hollow Late Harvest Vidal, pork loin with pineapple, leak & Canyon Road Merlot, chocolate terrine & Alderlea Heath (Cowichan - heart sweet red) had usual coffee with a Fladgate 10.
Donnya has Interior Designer friend who works at the Flying Fishing & still going to school; will use in January for ideas.
*************************
Skipped house possession on October 1st and trip to the Rod & Gun in Parksville to see Deb Pitre & her band Iris, 'twas a good & entertaining evening
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Sunday October 10
Grabbed the 6:30 ferry to HB, only 4 minutes at the border with a cool bilingual agent who spoke to me in French; his was better than mine. Spent more time & $ at REI, therefore go some Behind. Made Butte, Montana at about 8:45 (9:45 local) and about 1300 k. Thank god it was still light while going the passes & canyons between Coeur d’Alene & Missoula. 790 miles
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Monday, October 11th
To Sioux Falls SD, 1,515 km (941 mi), leave 5:08 AM and arrived 6:40 local CTZ - 12:30 total elapsed time!
Terrific drive on I90 through 3 great states averaging about 140k in the 75 mph zones. A little slow with morning darkness & fog in the river valleys but cool sailing, started at 23F in Butte an 64F clear & sunny. Wyoming, Montana & South Dakota my 3 favourite states - their vastness, mountains, rolling hills to flat plains in all textures and colours with a rich historical past; could have lived here once.
Fascinating following the political advertisings on radio and signs; from almost 0 in Wyoming (these people must have their minds made already) to inundations on the radio with Thane & Dashle; interesting that Republicans can place counter ads immediately after Dashle's! With the exception of Wyoming, sign business gotta be great in the states when you have to cover the entire state! Just think what the Presidential sign budget must be!!
Best Western in Sioux Falls not very good, Internet down and crappy kitchen; but had a great bunch of cranberry drinks in the Mustang bar, Lil being the creator of the delectables. BTW, Amoco has same deal where the mid-range octane is cheaper than low octane $1.93 vs $1.98!
Gonna be a long day tomorrow with driving straight through
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Tuesday, October 12th
Left at 5:25AM, uneventful drive to Madison WI, then the fun started. The idea was to check with the Lake Express and see whether I could make a booking for the 3:30 sailing; after more than 15+ minutes of musak and mindless messages, the indicated to leave and they'd call back. Most absolutely stupid way to handled reservations. Made the decision to go down I90, I39 to I80 and get around Chicago. Good and bad idea! As usual, construction really fucked it up for 17 miles south of the Dells to near the Rockton toll station (.50); but it was clear sailing from there on. Even though it was 4:00PM and there was some construction on I80/I94, Borman Toll rd (.30), it was a very good clearing of Chicago and I saved $150 and got there sooner. Lesson is to avoid any Is in Wisconsin and cut down earlier at I29 in Sioux Falls
Actually had to kill 3 hours so that I would get to the border after midnight, it's the 3 day rule. Made it to the border at 12:02, only person crossing so had no wait and she cleared me through with my $500 purchases. Got home at 2:45 after a clear run with massive amounts of trucks, both ways. 401 is actually in some of the best shape.
As a recap, 5:25AM to 2:45AM next day is 22hr 20min clock time but only 21:15 seat time because of CTZ time change; total distance was about 1,900 km, with the mandatory 3hr penalty in Michigan, that works out to my average of 100 k / hr average, all inclusive. Did anybody mention the 6 doubles that Lil served me in the Mustang lounge on Monday night!
Overall summary of east bound trip. Car handled magnificently, it did the Indy 500 + the Coca Cola 600 all in one day with only fuel stops!
Clock time was leave ferry at 6:25AM Sunday and arrive home at 2:45AM Wednesday for a theoretical 68:20 hrs, but with 3 unfavourable time zone changes that becomes 65:20 and with the mandatory, it's now 62:20 of true elapsed driving time for the 4,700 km. Pretty awesome! You try that the next time
Drive Summary:
Sunday 1,242 km 15:15 drive time – Ferry & REI shopping
Monday 1,523 km 12:36 “ “ “
Tuesday 1,881 km 21:15 “ “ “ – 3hr time killer in MI
4,646 KM
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Deer roadkill count, my personal wildlife scorekeeper:
Going West:
MI - 2, IA - 3, NE - 2, UT - 1
Going East:
WY - 4, SD - 1, WI - 1
In all my times, although pronghorn antelopes are more prolific than deer, I've never seen one of them as roadkill; must be a smart one!
Usually on the run in the early mornings I see deer, live ones, somewhere.