I have just finished driving from Ontario to British Columbia in six days with my 19 year old son, Brock. We arrived still speaking to one another, our friendship improved by our common experience. Once again, I was in awe at the geographic diversity of this continent. While I have done this drive before, this time winter weather certainly made this trip interesting. Planning, intuition and of course watching the Weather Channel kept us on a safe course.
It took us two days to get out of Ontario. The weather went from +5 to -23 degrees Celsius and from rain to snow. We ignored a weather advisory and decided to beat some major snow squalls. We were generally successful but it was a tough drive around that big Lake Superior. When I could enjoy it, the scenery was remote, rugged and dangerously beautiful.
Outside of Winnipeg, we ran into a road closure and ended up detouring through endless farm fields. Thank goodness for navigators who know how to work new navigation systems! I must admit that I really enjoyed driving through the prairies because it was so quiet and peaceful. With occasional patches of ice fog, the ethereal landscape reminded me of calm white snow oceans.
And then there was the utter majesty of the Rocky Mountains. High mountain passes and sections of icy road provided challenging moments. We stopped at dusk partially from exhaustion and quite sensibly from the fear of big critters wandering onto the road at night. The Okanagan Valley and Coastal Mountains provided a friendlier landscape and the drive into Vancouver was uneventful.
Saying goodbye to my son at the airport, I headed north into the Chilkotin Mountains, the final push toward my new home. This was by far the most difficult and treacherous driving of the whole trip. I managed to keep the car on the road, but did skid a number of times descending some pretty steeps grades with 270 degree switchbacks corners.
Having successfully arrived at my new domain, I really don’t think I will be leaving the lodge very often. This is what I came for – to get away from easy living in the city. The stress of the six day driving adventure behind me now, I am ready to journey towards my new work and life.
I am happy that I had the courage to grab this opportunity, to risk the drive and to plunge into this next chapter. I think, though, that I will rest for a day or two before tackling any mountains.
March 6, 2011
You never back down from a challenge! How nice to start your new life travelling with Brock!
March 6, 2011
Rosemary – thanks for being a great role model for me!
March 6, 2011
Happy to hear you made it. Sorry I wasn’t around when you stopped in to say goodbye. I wish you all the best and look forward to reading about your adventures.
March 6, 2011
Carol- glad to hear you are there safe and sound. What a wonderful experience and trip to be able to share with your son! Something you will both always remember!
March 7, 2011
So glad you made it safe and sound!! Being in the mountains, you may want to trade of off your car for a 4×4? I was concerned when told you were driving all that way , especially this time of year, when the weather can be so unpredictable. But I have never known you to back away from a challenge; in fact I believe you thrive in it! It was like a gauntlet to your new life.
It sounds like a fantastic trip overall and a beautiful metamorphosis into a new and exciting adventure.
March 7, 2011
Carol – always on an adventure and it sounds like you had one. Your photography is absolutely amazing…are you up to visitors yet? 🙂
March 7, 2011
Glad to hear you made it safe and sound. I know you will succeed in your new career.
I will miss you. Keep happy. Any landing strips nearby? Always up for a flying excuse.
March 8, 2011
It sounds as though you have made a major change in your life. Glad that your trip was made without incident and that you arrived safely. Hope to see you again on a dive trip. We are going to the Maldives next year. Thanks for keeping me up with your new email address and what is new in your life.