Click HERE to donate to Kids with Cancer--we LOVE the support!
Click HERE to follow our GPS tracker--the ride has begun!
First time in Canada--can you believe that? I don't know what took so long but man I am happy for the visit. Let me back up just a little though...
We left the house at 4:30 this morning with our boxed bikes and panniers. Yep, you heard me correctly--panniers. We made an 11th hour decision to ditch the trailer and go with bags. I guess the fear of climbing with the trailer was too much to bear--either that or I wanted Katelyn to have to share a bit of the load. Either way, we both have racks on the bikes and plenty of gear to put in them.
First stop on our journey was Victoria and the home of an old friend Kirsten Schafer and her family. Quick side note--for those of you that didn't know, I spent 3 1/2 years growing up on a sailboat with my family in Mexico and the South Pacific. My mom dreamed of sailing around the world. Kirsten also spent years growing up on a boat. She was one of 7 kids sailing with her family. We met them in Tahiti and eventually ended up both attending high school in American Samoa. Since we were kids, I had not seen her, and yet she and her husband Norm put us up in their sweet VRBO cottage, took us down to Victoria sight seeing and then took us out to dinner. They are a FANTASTIC family and Katelyn especially enjoyed hanging out with their kids playing games and trying to catch butterflies. A couple years ago, Kirsten and Norm themselves bought another sailboat and took a year off work to sail with their 7 kids in the South Pacific. Seven must be the lucky number. They own a travel company and their stories are incredible if you want to check them out HERE
After we arrived at the Shafer home, I started the task of putting the bikes together. That was all going smooth until I found out that World of Wheels bike shop failed to put the front skewer for Katelyn's wheel in the box. That was not the scare that I needed to start a trip. Luckily, we found a bike shop that had what we needed and we have both bikes up and ready to load up with weight.
A couple thoughts about Canada: first, it is beautiful, clean and very bicycle friendly. Actually, it isn't only bike friendly, it is just overall friendly, period. Second, I don't know if it is an American thing (or a me thing), but I would always playfully rib at Canada and their culture--you know, the maple syrup and the Mounties and the inability to properly say the word "out." But in being here, I am going to have to suck up my American pride and say that Canada has made a believer out of me!
Well, we begin riding today. In a couple hours, we will ride to the ferry dock and cruise over to Anacortes, WA. From there we have 40 miles to get to Port Townsend, WA. See you back stateside!
 |
| Notice that Canada/USA line? We are north of it! |
 |
| Fun seeing the maple leaf flying high over the buildings! |
 |
| Do you see them? Mama and baby jumping in Victoria |
 |
| Saw this sign at the end of a pier. #truth |
 |
| With the Shafers at Fishman's Wharf, Victoria |
 |
| Katelyn made some new friends--a favorite part of the trip so far |
 |
| Canada-not the dark dreary northwest that I was expecting! |
 |
| Got the passport stamp! 2 stamps to go... |
 |
| First time on a prop plane for this kiddo |
Excellent. Can't hate a country with people who celebrate pancakes.
ReplyDelete