Week 3 Sept 23 - 30

Sept 23, 2019

Wookie and I left the farm in northern Alberta early this morning, and took our time to get to Sylvan Lake.  We made a number of rest stops just cause....Wookie loves being in the van and she loves smelling new areas.  Stopped in White Court for lunch and to get some gas. Wookie had to flirt with the gas attendant.  Made it to Sylvan Lake without a hitch, we drove through the Dreden Valley so I wouldn't have to drive through Edmonton during rush hour.  It was very pleasant - even if it rained a bit.  Met  up with my friend Debbie at the Centennial Park while I was walking Wookie around.  We have had a very nice visit. Staying overnight and then tomorrow I will head to Lethbridge to visit with another friend who is my RV guru!

Wookie's Chair-iot and Birdie in the background.

Sept 24, 2019

Wookie and I drove from Sylvan Lake to Lethbridge. We drove a couple of different highways and managed to get on a by-pass and went around Calgary, as it was quite busy when we arrived. It was a good trip. Found my friend in Lethbridge who is a full timer RVer and is parked at the casino along with several others who are waiting to head south of the border in a couple of days. 

Our dogs were introduced and Wookie wasn't too keen on visiting with her dogs.  My dog is turning out to be a bit of a snob. Oh well. I took a bit of time to myself and had an hour long phone conversation with my therapist.  Who says you don't have to check in while on the road?  We both acknowledged that I have been able to roll with the curve balls thrown my way over the passed couple of weeks.

My friend Sharon, an Alberta based 60s Scoop Survivor activist, happened to be in Lethbridge with her work crew. We got together for supper and had a great visit.  Sharon and her colleagues came to check out "Wookie's Chair-iot."  That is the name for the cube van.....I have an image of a dog sled  being pulled by me and Wookie sitting the basket all relaxed with sunglasses and a Daiquiri in her paw.

Wookie, Shaun and Sharon in Lethbridge.

Sept 25, 2019

I went to bed rather early, woke up early this morning. I was quite warm under my covers, but once I was up - it was kinda cool in the box. I am feeling a pressing need to keep going and get to Montreal where I will continue working on the insulation and general build of the living space.  But on the other hand, I think Wookie needs a day off, and I want to visit with my friend for a bit longer and pick her brain about how to do a few things - like my electrical and solar energy set up.

Sept 26, 2019

Got up early, waited to see if my pay cheque was deposited. I got restless and decided to head towards Regina, maybe my cheque would be available once I arrived.  I had just enough cash to fill up my tank and grab a bite to eat. I rolled into Regina just before dusk, I went to a Walmart to see if I could park there. "No, sorry we don't do that  here."  I found a Husky Truck Stop nearby, pulled in on the side next to a couple of trucks, crawled into the back, got Wooks some food and water. She was quite comfortable and didn't want to go for a walk. Once she was settled, I hooked up my propane heater and got some warm air circulating through the box, as  I checked in on Facebook and started to read a new book I picked up at a thrift store.  It was going to be a bit of a long night listening to the diesel engines purring, and the air brakes releasing pressure. Overall it was an okay place to camp for one night.

Sept 27, 2019

Woke up early, checked the bank account and my pension was in. I took Wooks for a quick walk and then we filled up with gas, I bought an orange juice and down the highway we went.  It was an easy drive into Winnipeg, I arrived mid afternoon and found a major shopping area. Wooks and I went for a walk around the big box stores, and while we waited for my friend to finish work I was able to get some new socks and a new pair of shoes. 

Once we found Connie, we visited and went to Red Lobster for supper...hmmmm lobster. It was a good way to end the day.  I decided to stay one extra day to help Connie with packing.

Sept 28, 2019

Got up early and took Wooks for a long walk around the neighbourhood. Then went back to bed for a bit more of a rest. When we finally started the day, we went to get some boxes for packing and I happened to find a Fabricland. It's fall time, so it's okay to buy fabric again!

First fabric purchase for the 2019-2020 sewing season!

Sept 29, 2019

I decided to set an alarm - the first on this trip. I was up at 6 and out the door by 6:30AM. Wooks and I left Winnipeg by following the gps, which wanted us to drive down a road that hadn't been finished yet, but I managed to find a small detour and get onto the Trans Canada Highway.  We stopped in Kenora, Dryden, Upsala and finally in Thunder Bay. It was a 702 kilometer trip and we are both exhausted.  I found a cheap hotel and took Wooks for a long walk before settling in. Why a hotel?  With the two extra long days of driving I decided to treat myself to hot showers, order in food and tv.  After tomorrow night I will go back to sleeping in the van. I am chalking it up to self care.

Realized that I have been on the road for 20 days now.  It's been a hell of a trip so far.

Sept 30, 2019

Again, up with an alarm and down the highway. It was a rather rough drive - road construction, rough roads, severe down pours of rain, and nasty crosswinds.  But Wooks and I made it to Sault Ste. Marie safely. I managed to find a decent motel and connected with my therapist. I was starving, but I needed to take Wooks for a long walk.  Once settled, I discovered that there had been a glitch with my insurance.  Several rushed and urgent phones and emails - things still aren't resolved.  I will be getting a late start tomorrow.  Legally I can't go anywhere until I get this fixed.  Geesh - bureaucratic nonsense upon more nonsense. The gist of the issue - my cube truck is too long to be insured as a private vehicle unless the DMV registers it as a camperized van or motorhome.

This road trip is full of potholes and unexpected curve balls!