I moved into my Condo in Yaletown Vancouver on November 1st. I spent some time learning downtown Vancouver and then had to fly out to Malaysia on November 11th (11,11,11) as I had a week long contract with Taylors to work on the October ONSIS submission. I also used the evening to pack up all the belonging in my apartment (4 large suitcases) and then I flew to Bangkok where I will spend the next 4 weeks working with the American School of Bangkok, training teachers in the use of technology with their students.

I the fly back to Malaysia on December 16th, pick up 2 suitcases, close out the apartment (store 2 suitcases in Taylors) and then fly back to Vancouver. I will then fly to Ottawa to spend Christmas with my Mom, my 2 sisters, and possibly Jordan. Jaime will be in Sweden with Shelley.

So I continue to travel the world and my butt complains from time to time, but for the most part I am happy and I enjoy life.

TTYL,

Jim

Cathedral Grove and Vancouver

I was up and out of Victoria early on on Hallowe'en. I traveled up the eastern cloast of Vancouver Island to Nanaimo and Parksville, and both those towns had grown up. I did travel a bit down the Port Alberni hwy to Cathedral Grove where some 800 year old trees still survive inall their splendor, some reaching almost the length of a football field.

I spent the night in Nanaimo and was up early the next morning to catch the ferry from Departure Bay in Nanaimo to Horshoe Bay in Vancouver. I then picked up the keys to my condo for the next 4 months and I am in the process of unpacking.

TTYL,

Jim

400th Post

It is fitting that my drive from Ottawa to Victoria end with my 400th post since I started this blog. The blog has been quite a journey as well over the past 2.5 years.

The day started out sunny in Kamloops, which is actually located in a desert but most of the 4 hour trip into Vancouver was driven in heavy rain. As I approached Vancouver, the rain let up and disappeared by the time I approached the ferries to the island. I lucked in and hit the ferry 15 mins before sailing time.  The ferry was also much improved since I last took it 20 years or so ago. 

I arrived on the island and I am now in Victoria typing out this entry. I am quite tired and will be asleep by 10 pm.

TTYL,

Jim

Calgary to Banff

I decided to travel to Banff the next morning and then on to Lake Louise. Starbucks has discovered Banff and Banff has grown up over the past 15 years since my last visit. Ditto for Canmore which is now much larger and way more commercialized now. Lake Louise was no different and I decided to push onwards to the Columbia Ice Field and Jaspar until I hit the roadside update sign that announced that the road conditions were poor up ahead and travel was not recommended without tire chains, so I decided to head to Kamloops.

The drive to Kamloops from lake Louise was awesome and when I arrived in Kamloops I discovered it too had grown in size since my last visit. I spend the night and was up early to head to Vancouver and eventually the ferries to Victoria. What the heck, I figured I might as well go as far west as I could on this drive.

TTYL,

Jim

Booted from Brandon to Calgary

Apart from some oil pumps plugging away in Saskatchewan and Alberta, there was not much to see in the 1200 kilometres between those two cities. However, the 110 km/hr speed limit was appreciated as I dialed in 123 kms and cruised all the way, stopping only for coffee and gas as required.

I spend the night in a Quality Inn and was up early and hit the treadmill in the gym. Ouch, had not run for a month and it hurt. As soon as I get to B.C. I have to get into my routine again. I was afraid to get on the scales and rightly so, as I had crept back over 190 pounds. At least my breakfast was free - no cost, included in my lodging, and I burned 425 calories, so no cost to my weight :-)

Today I plan to visit Banf, Lake Louise, the Columbia Ice Fields, and Jaspar. Not sure where I will spend the night, but Kamloops is calling my name, and I love the desert.

TTYL,

Jim

Spending the Night in Brandon

I had originally planned to spend the night in Winnipeg but I gained an hour on the time change and decided to press on to Brandon, 2.5 hours down the road. I managed to get the last room at the Motel 6 for a decent price but the internet here is slow. Must be the 4 basketball or hockey teams (girls) that checked in. They are all probably on the net downloading the latest 'Glee' show :-)

I will be up early and plan to scoot across Saskatchewan (with a quick stop in Regina) and head into Alberta and spend the night somewhere there, depending how far I get. The driving is certainly easier on the prairies as you just point the vehicle in one direction and drive straight until you need gas.

Manitobans pay about 15 cents less per litre for gas. I assume that is because of fewer provincial taxes on gas. Their roads are as nice as ours so I wonder what gives?

TTYL,

Jim

At the Lake Head

I am now in Thunderbay. If you have never driven around the top of lake Superior I strongly suggest you do it. It is a very scenic drive and is not busy in October and the colours are beautiful.

I found another Mom and Pop motel and they all seem to have very fast internet that works - and is free unlike the more expesive hotels which seem to want to charge for it. Go figure!

Tomorrow I head out to Winnipeg and my first visit is to Bulk Barn because Jaime has placed an order for some 'Fruit Salad' candy. I also need to pickup gravol and advil to bring to Malaysia for her.

I will head out tomorrow about 7 am dependent on when Starbucks open up.

TTYL,

Jim