Day 3, Sunshine Valley (May 28)

After gentle wild rabbits and noisy trains during the night at Agassiz we discovered that our power source for the RV was not working. We did not panic....it was our problem, not just Dave's. So after a diligent search Dave went in the RV with Brenda to find help. Meanwhile, in gorgeous and in gorgeous scenery we cycled through the valley to Hope. On the way we heard the great news from Dave that he had connected with a mechanic from Hope who met them, led them to his house (on his day off!) where they started to go through a check list. Meanwhile our intrepid Brenda began to think some more and said "Has anyone checked the master switch?" Needless to say the power was back on and lucky Dave was able to cycle from Hope with us. After coffee at Rolly's Restaurant (a hunk for a waiter!)we started out towards Highway 3. Now we were in the mountains and the timing for 16 kms was way off! We did well, considering...had a wind behind our backs to aid us and to cool us off. Jim and Ute saw a black bear by the road (Ute makes a good lookout)that the rest of us with our heads down didn't see. We arrived in Sunshine Valley mid-afternoon. Four of us are staying at Mountain View B & B (Tony and Joyce are our wonderful hosts...they remembered Carol from her trip 5 years ago). The rest of the gang cycled up, up the mountain to the Billabong Lodge. We socialized in the lodge, revisiting the day's events and finding out that we had climbed about 690 meters. Dinner of pork chops amd scalloped potatoes prepared by Horst and Patricia was well-received....great to have an oven. Tony and Joyce have allowed us to do a wash and use the computer for this update. On another note I did get my latest granddaughter; read an email from my son Rob that baby Samantha was born at 6:59 pm on Monday and mom and baby are doing well. Now I only have the cycling to worry about. We are heading to bed early, feeling satisfied with our day. Probably won't be a posting for a few days as we will be at Mule Deer campsite im Manning Park tomorrow.
hello from Yvonne
p.s. (Want to add a thank you to Patti and Hugh who also came out to Swartz Bay to see us off on Monday.

27 May 2008: Day Two

Most of us had very little sleep last night, mainly because of the the trains that passed close to our campsite at regular intervals during the night making horrendous noises! We will all have to wear earplugs in future, I suppose -- lots of trains around, it seems. The campsite was very comfortable, so no complaints there. After a huge breakfast together we set off again today in beautiful sunny weather, even hotter than yesterday. We arrived around lunchtime at our next campground in Agassiz, a ride of about 70 km from Fort Langley. The site is in a beautiful setting, but has rather sparse amenities, only two showers for the whole group to share, together with all the other registered campers! After setting up camp, some of use cycled into the town of Agassiz to find computers so that we could check our emails and add information to the blog. I have written up days One and Two, but this may be the last word from us for a while. Connections to the internet are hard to find in rural BC (and also in rural Alberta, Sask, Manitoba, and most of rural Canada, it seems!) I will connect again when possible. Know that we are all well and happy -- no worries!

Pat K

26 May 2008: Day One of our Bike Trip across Canada!

Hi to everyone! All 10 cyclists met at the Swartz Bay ferry terminal at 8.30 am and caught the 9.00 am ferry to Tsawwassen on the BC mainland. Brenda, our driver, was also there in the RV that will serve as the support vehicle for the trip. Several friends were there to see us off including Les, Ron, Jocelyn and Roger. The weather was lovely -- sunshine and warm temperatures -- a perfect start to our tour. Jim lead the group through the greater Vancouver area -- Ladner, Delta, North Delta, Surrey, and after a couple of stops to eat (one of our favourite pastimes, second only to cycling!)we arrived at the Brae Island campground in Fort Langley -- 95 kms by road from Mile O in Victoria! To accompany our first evening meal together, and also at the meeting that followed, we celebrated with champagne donated to the cause by Rolf and Sharlane. We also opened the first bottles of wine that had been donated by Sandy and Glenda Kirk. Thanks to all of them for all their support--we drink to your health!

Pat K

Ready to go but not quite

This is Saturday before the big day. I have been waiting weeks for my latest granddaughter to be born but she's not here yet. I am having difficulty with leaving on Monday not having seen her, so Tammy, hurry up! Tomorrow is my son Brian's birthday...he will be 44. When he was just 18 he and a friend cycled across Canada to St. John's averaging 100 miles per cycling day and they didn't have many days off! We are planning to cycle 100 km with a day off each week....quite a difference,.....but then we are older. I am hoping that Brian's boys or daughter will carry on the family tradition when they get to be of the age to attempt this. I feel good about our trip....the group is all capable, responsible and caring of each other. Back to my packing and repacking...we load the RV in the morning. Yvonne

Sea to Sea Dedication

You have heard that Pat and I are realizing a life-long dream of cycling across Canada from sea to sea. It is with great joy that Pat and I dedicate this endeavor to my parents, Bob and Cecile, in honour of their 60th wedding anniversary this coming June. Over the years, they have shown loyalty, determination, generosity and love towards each other and others. But most of all, they have exhibited courage in face of their health concerns and surgeries.
The adventurous spirit of our deceased grandparents who travelled thousands of miles to settle and farm in the lone prairie of Central and Southern Sask in the early 1900's has inspired us to set out on our own great adventure."LIFE IS A HIGHWAY...!!" Pat and Adele

One of eleven for the crossing

There's very little time left now - for training or getting "things in order" and are we ready? As much as we can be. (I shouldn't talk in the plural and admit: " I'm not ready" -- yet -- ! ) Horst

Group Members

Here are photos of members of the group