Trip Stats

Provincial Stats

British Columbia: 949.64 km
Alberta: 572.26 km
Saskachewan: 568.1 km
Manitoba: 528.9 km
Ontario: 1,893.4 km
Quebec: 759.8 km (1 km ferry across the St. Laurent river)
New Brunswick: 563 km (13 km on Confederation bridge)
PEI: 109 km (22 km ferry to Nova Scotia)
Nova Scotia: 162.3 km (547 km ferry to Newfoundland)
Newfoundland: 125.74 km
Total: 6,232.14 km biked



Total km: 6,815.14 km 
(thank goodness I took the Argentia ferry! Or I'd be adding 770 km extra!)



- 2 new tires

- 8 flat tires
  -1 in Alberta
  -3 in Manitoba
  -1 in Ontario
  -3 in Quebec


Lessons
- it doesn't matter where you are, it matters who you are with. This trip was incredible when I had people there to share it with me.
- remember your goals, as well as your motivation
- enjoy the journey


Highlights
- biking with dad
- finishing my first pass (the Coquihalla) and realizing that this trip is doable
- Seeing Kayla in Calgary
- Saskatoon!!! Thank you everyone!
- Kenora, Ontario
- Dad coming out to drive with me
- Mom meeting me in the diner in Metawawa and staying with me and spoiling me
- Montreal
- Tois Rivière
- Moncton
- PEI and all the lovely people in Charlottetown!
- being with mom on the ferry
- pulling into the Tim Hortons in St. John's
- dipping my tire in with such amazing people in my life
- Medel, Mom and El being there with me for the finish
- getting screeched!

Day 74: St. John's, Newfoundland

July 19, 2012

St John's

Today was my first full day alone. I was still working to be on Cranbrook time, so I woke up by 10:30am, and then got ready. Lori and I decided to drive down to Ferryland, which was one of the original settlements in Newfoundland, and therefore North America.

Before Lori was ready I decided to go and get oatmeal for breakfast. Because yesterday's wasn't exactly right. They put way too much sugar in it when I asked for sugar on the side! It still satisfied though, but I wanted more. So I went to Tims #1. No oatmeal. Then I drove to Tims #2. No oatmeal. Then I went across town to Tim's #3. No oatmeal. By this time I was ready to give up and go to the Tims that I had gone to before but all the previous times before, they did something wrong. So, I stayed with my stubborn ways and found one more Tim Hortons. Tim's #4 had a rude lady taking orders. The poor older guy in front of me kind of got a lecture. So when I went up, I was not going to take anything! I just wanted porridge. So I asked, and guess what? She says, "We stop serving porridge at noon... Can I help who's next?!" Um no, that won't fly. So, I looked at her and asked for a croissant and chocolate milk instead. She was obviously annoyed that I was still standing there, but she got it for me anyway. I kind of enjoyed her annoyance. What a rude lady. Her dog must have died that morning or something!

After my failed hunt for oatmeal, I went to pick Lori up for our road trip. We drove down to Ferryland, went by the lighthouse, took pictures and had a little picnic. 

After that, I had a very relaxed evening packing and cleaning the car for my trip home tomorrow. I am so excited to go home! Yet a little nervous. This trip has become my comfort zone, and as much as I miss home, it will be so strange to go back! But it is so welcomed! It will be very fun!! July fest, then back home to Saskatoon to pick up my little puppy Ryder! (that's the name I'm going with at the moment... We will see) There were so many moments where I thought this trip would never end, and there were days I had to call mom or dad, or anyone just to give me motivation to keep going, but I got there. I made it, and I am so happy I did. What a life changing trip.

Day 73: St. John's, Newfoundland

July 18, 2012

St. John's

Today it was Elma's turn to fly home. It was so sad to see her go. As she went up the escalator to security she shouted at me, "Be safe!.... And drive safe!!!... And look out for bad boys!!!..." and then she faded away, but I could still hear she was yelling random things. Older sisters, I tell you.

Then, I was alone. Which was sad. But I took full advantage. I bought some breakfast and went back to my room. It's been so amazing to be able to go to the same place every night for the last little bit! I've loved it! I ate my porridge and went back to bed. I was awake, but I forced myself to sleep because I'm going to get myself back into Kimberley's time zone in the next two days so that I am ready for July fest!!!!

I slept until noon, and then watched a movie, and then read my book, and then fell asleep until 5pm. This was the day that I have been waiting for. I was so happy!!!!!! I didn't hear mosquitos buzzing as I slept. I could get up and go to the washroom with ease! I had a big bed, and clothes in the same area! It was so great!!!

At 5:30pm I slowly started getting ready. I decided to meet Lori at the museum for a bit. I changed into new clothes (YAYYY!) and went up to the museum. I didn't find Lori right away but I was satisfied looking at things there at my own pace. It was an incredible museum. It had a giant (dead) squid! I guess the largest have been found around Newfoundland! They had all types of animals, and even native artifacts! They had an exhibit on the Beothuk, a native trip that has become extinct, and drawings from the last known Beothuk who lived with someone in St. Johns! They also had an exhibit on the titanic, and a lot of art.

They had a really nice restaurant. That's where Lori and I met. I had a delicious pasta appie, and then I ran to Sobey's while Lori finished in the museum. Then Lori and I drove around town for a good hour trying to find one of Canada's oldest cemeteries!! We failed.

 

Our view from dinner at the museum

After about an hour of driving Lori and I went to this little pub that had a local band playing. It was so good! All older people there with very strong accents. The singer had an accent too. It was very newfoundlandish. Very good music with an accordian, banjo, and drum. I loved it! What a fun, calm, settling day. 

Day 72: St. John's, Newfoundland

July 17, 2012

St John's

Today it was moms turn to go to the airport. It was so sad to see her leave. She was with me so much during this trip and ABSOLUTELY spoiled me. I am the luckiest person alive to have her as a mom.

El and I got a lot done in the day. We went for breakfast at Cora's, we shipped my bike home, we found a bag for my stuff! We shopped for everything, and we got my hair done! Very productive day. And so much fun! I miss living with my little big sister when I'm in BC. We giggle the whole time. And when we were getting my hair done, we saw the Mclean's magazine that had the article with my bike trip in it! Too cool!

We went to the Yellow Belly Pub for dinner, and we ordered a bunch of appetizers. Turns out each appetizer was a meal! We had SO much food in front of us! Including a bucket sized bowl of mussels, a large salad, calamari, clams and clam chowder! And each was so big! We did pretty good though, everyone we chatted with was impressed. We also met the pilot and flight attendant of El's flight! It was great to talk to them!

 

El's photo collage of our day

Then, we bought El a piece of cake, and went back to watch a movie. We watched Dear John (dreamy!) and went to bed. Such a good all day date with my sister! 

Day 71

July 16, 2012

St. John's 

Today was so much fun!!! We woke up and took Medel to the airport. It was sad to see him go, but I'll see them all again soon! Then Mom and I went to Tim's and then went to wake Elle up with coffee. It didn't work. Our 7 am plan turned to 9:30 am. 

We ended up going to Cape Spear at around 10 am, and we brought Anthony and Lori with us. Anthony had lost his wallet there, so he had hoped to find it. We searched high and low for it, but couldn't find it. So we went to deal with that. We drove up to where google maps said the RCMP was, but it was a post office. They sent us to the other side of town, and we found the RCMP, but that ended up being the headquarters. They sent us downtown, back to where we started, and Anthony got a piece of paper saying he was him... We went to Sobey's, got lunch, and sat in a park eating lunch and drinking wine! It was fun! Then we went to the Quidi vidi brewery, and got some little souvenirs. 

 Most eastern place in north america

 

  

I found a lighthouse!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We started driving downtown and we really wanted to shop. So we stopped and let Anthony and Lori off for their own things and we went shopping. It was fun, but we tired ourselves out!

After El and mom snoozed, and I repacked, we went out for a lobster dinner at the Keg. El got us a discount and it was so good! We sat there for hours, laughing and taking pictures. It was so much fun! Then we went back to the hostel and looked at the pictures and laughed for so long!!! What a good day!