tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67426161154248612272024-02-07T02:33:53.341-08:00 ADVJOE-What I've Learned Along The Way-
Writings, ramblings and reasons for not going back.solidsober1http://www.blogger.com/profile/12904894518767041242noreply@blogger.comBlogger84125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6742616115424861227.post-60880691957287572102017-05-03T06:21:00.000-07:002017-05-03T06:22:44.861-07:00And The Cat Came Back, . . .<br />
Well, that didn't take long.<br />
<br />
Exactly 7 days was all my sister could manage.<br />
<br />
It seems Aya did not take well to her new owner, or at least not as well as we had hoped that she would, and so Aya is comfortably and happily back home with me.<br />
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My sister will look after Aya for the 6 or 7 weeks that I am away, and I am quite certain that will be chock full of interesting tales, but I am also pretty happy with that.<br />
<br />
It was only a week, but I missed the little bug.<br />
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Come next March-April I am going to have to revisit the whole new-home-for-Aya thing if I follow through with my travel plans, but until then we are both much happier with Aya being right here at home with me.<br />
I know it's not completely uncommon, but the silly little critter loves playing fetch with me, constantly bringing me something to throw - when she's in the mood, of course.<br />
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<br />
So, life here at casa-Enberg is back as it should be, and all is once again right in my world.<br />
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Let me mention Friday - my retire-from-work day.<br />
<br />
It started at St. Pius X High School where I was once again invited to speak to a class of grade 11 Law students. The announced reason for my being a guest speaker has always been the same over the past 8 years: "Joe is going to share with you his experiences with the legal system."<br />
<br />
I have never failed to be unexpected. To give the kids more.<br />
<br />
This time though, it was off the charts. I don't know if I went in with a different mind-set due to it being an already significant day in my life, or if it was simply the way it was supposed to be, but the engagement with those kids was so close, so life-to-life that it left me a little awestruck. And very, very grateful.<br />
<br />
I spent most of my allotted speaking time encouraging this class of bright young future leaders to find someone to talk to.<br />
<br />
About the dark places in their lives.<br />
About the stuff they are not talking to anyone about.<br />
<br />
And I used my past as the backdrop.<br />
Alcoholism. Drug addiction. Criminal activity. Jails. Homelessness.<br />
<br />
Heavy prices to pay for keeping the dark stuff a secret.<br />
For being scared to name the monster - whatever it may look like.<br />
<br />
I wish that I could somehow impart to you as you read this the feelings that I experienced as I saw that glimmer in her eye, or that pique of interest in his face as we engaged in a back and forth of question and answer.<br />
<br />
I think I have found something that I am every bit as passionate about as I am about adventure motorcycle riding.<br />
<br />
Sharing my story with our youth.<br />
<br />
It was such an incredible way to start my last day of work, and I thank God for the continued opportunities.<br />
<br />
I left St. Pius X at noon, feeling full and empty at the same time. Both invigorated and exhausted.<br />
<br />
I drove to Shepherds, parked my car and knew as I was walking through the parking lot that it was going to be a short and emotional visit.<br />
<br />
I spent the next hour making the rounds and saying so-long to the myriad people who have touched and impacted my life in that environment of mixed feelings and conflicting personas.<br />
<br />
I will remember my days spent at the Shepherds of Good Hope for the rest of my life. Most of them, quite fondly.<br />
<br />
I don't think you can ask for more than that.<br />
<br />
<br />
Now, a final piece of housekeeping. I am going to be traveling a lot this summer and with my travels come all of the expected - and many unexpected experiences. Which, of course, I will be writing and blogging about.<br />
<br />
The problem is, I am currently trying to keep two blogs current! And as you have noted over the years - I suck at it.<br />
<br />
So - if I may ask - please make a note of my other blog on the ADVJOE website:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://advjoe.ca/blog/" target="_blank">http://advjoe.ca/blog/</a><br />
<br />
I will be keeping that one up-to-date on a regular basis as I travel, and I will be treating it as my blog, not just advjoe's blog. The type of stuff that I write here, I will be writing there. So if you are, for some unknown reason still following me here (and I really hope that you are, my faithful few), well, now you have somewhere else to follow me.<br />
<br />
This is starting to sound like a Genesis song. . .(or the best Cineplex ad they have ever come up with - remember the one with the young girl, the snow man and the freezer?)<br />
<br />
Ok. It is now the first Wednesday - I can no longer call it hump day - of the season of my contentment. I think that means I have to shower today,. . .or shave, . . or something . . .<br />
<br />
Later folks,<br />
<br />
<br />solidsober1http://www.blogger.com/profile/12904894518767041242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6742616115424861227.post-13521906273063887672017-04-28T05:20:00.001-07:002017-04-28T14:28:21.198-07:00Love, Life and a Tortoise Shell Cat<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 5.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt;">Wow,
as has almost become the norm, I have once again been away for quit a while,
only turning up when something of significance has occurred in my life. . .<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt;">See
how I cast that hook there?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt;">Actually
– a few significant things have happened since I last sat at these keys.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt;">.
. . a little more bait. . .<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt;">Ok,
ok – I don’t want you to leave and go watch cute kitty videos, or run off to
grab a unicorn-something-or-other-latte at Starbucks, so let’s get to it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
have been in recovery from years of drug and alcohol abuse since 2006.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
have been working within the ‘helping’ sector since 2009, first with the John
Howard Society, and then with the Shepherds of Good Hope.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt;">But
you know this already.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt;">Since
2011, I have been immersing myself in the world of motorcycles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt;">You
know this too, however, this is germane to the story at hand, so bear with me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
am, after all, writing a post about life, and love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt;">This
part is about my love of motorcycle riding. Which is a huge part of my life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt;">From
the big, low-slung cruiser that I started out on, to Big Ethel, the bike that I
purchased after my wreck, and then with the addition of Betty, my more
dirt-and-off-road oriented DR650, my life has become very moto-centric.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
cover an average of 30,000 kilometers per season on my bikes, and I love
long-distance motorcycle travel, solo or as a part of a small group.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt;">In
2012 I took off alone from Ottawa and headed out to the Rockies and Vancouver,
a journey of self discovery and personal fulfillment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt;">In
2013 and 2014 I crossed most of Ontario several times, never tiring of the
beauty and the roads right here in my back yard.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">2014
was a season cut short with 2 broken ankles, but a season of re-connection as
well. I got to spend 90 days living with my mom, after all.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Photo Credit: Don Barrett </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt;">In
2015, I joined 2 buddies for the Epic East Coast and Trans Lab Adventure, where
I finally visited my mom’s home of Corner Brook, NFLD and I absolutely fell in
love with Canada’s eastern coast. Later that same year I purchased the DR650
and entered the Fundy Adventure Rally for the first time – an awesome
experience that really highlights the camaraderie that exists anytime you bring
together a large group of like-minded people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt;">In
2016 I flew to Ecuador with 5 other riders and took part in a 6 day adventure
tour through the Andes mountains with Ecuador Freedom Bike Rentals. I managed
to break 2 ribs in an ‘off’ and it was still the most incredible adventure I
had been on to date.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUtjxEl67reMS0eAyn9ugH4B7HJUZzXFhV-mEK3ML6vG7BG8pxr2jgMKHoNtmuxROdq3ArQpG2BGPDdggKFOuWvG-csj7lOQD1ilLkN3MCjGGVJA3MdDaGZYmBhGynlQX0moviQL5yV8OK/s1600/DSC01095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUtjxEl67reMS0eAyn9ugH4B7HJUZzXFhV-mEK3ML6vG7BG8pxr2jgMKHoNtmuxROdq3ArQpG2BGPDdggKFOuWvG-csj7lOQD1ilLkN3MCjGGVJA3MdDaGZYmBhGynlQX0moviQL5yV8OK/s320/DSC01095.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt;">Then
in mid-2016 the Trans-Taiga, a very remote hydro road in far north-eastern
Quebec beckoned to my friend and fellow rider, Ryan and off we went.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt;">Later
that same year I once again took part in the Fundy Adventure Rally, breaking
yet another rib and having the time of my life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
have delved into the world of planning themed group rides, organizing the
inaugural Abandoned Ontario Ride on 2015, and the much better attended and
highly successful follow-up ride in 2016.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt;">And
of course I have joined Horizons Unlimited and attended two of their Travellers
Meetings in Ontario – 2015 and 2016.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt;">For
the uninitiated, Horizons Unlimited is a website started years ago by a couple
of Canadian motorcycle travelers, Grant and Susan Johnson. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt;">This
adventurous couple rode a BMW motorcycle around the world way back in 1987 – before
‘adventure motorcycle riding’ was even a ‘thing’.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt;">They
wanted to share their travels, their experiences and their passion for
discovering the world upon a motorcycle and now, many years later, what Grant
and Susan built has become the go-to resource for adventure travelers of every
sort from across the planet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
Horizons Unlimited Travelers Meetings are held all over the world, in Europe,
Africa, North America, South America, Asia and Australia. Hundreds of adventure
travelers come together and share their own experiences with each other,
telling colourful tales about all that they have seen and what they hope to see
yet.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirbR78_jlfOjQoIbVJLargLmFN4BNuU5DiuTn6u7dPZbMoSII70wIEETb8iYtyz3NwMCCLb0OKSOnaxzTyo7l2MR8RzWmjK0Jimd4njHjFyhZHJ-nrMWhIMA-X_OZTi5JS_Swo5bfmLYgD/s1600/DSC00272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirbR78_jlfOjQoIbVJLargLmFN4BNuU5DiuTn6u7dPZbMoSII70wIEETb8iYtyz3NwMCCLb0OKSOnaxzTyo7l2MR8RzWmjK0Jimd4njHjFyhZHJ-nrMWhIMA-X_OZTi5JS_Swo5bfmLYgD/s320/DSC00272.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt;">You
go to a Horizons Unlimited meeting once, out of curiosity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt;">You
go twice because you have been bitten. Bitten by a bug that can only be
satiated in one manner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt;">You
just have to get out there and do it. And what I mean by that is, you find a
way to face your fears, move past your reservations and take the plunge – heading
out there into the world to travel to areas outside of your comfort zone with a
sense of confidence that belies your inner insecurities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt;">Are
you sensing a theme here?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt;">Yes,
I have taken the plunge – I quit my job in order to ride my motorcycle more,
and farther.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
rest of 2017 will see me visiting the 3 Canadian coasts: The Arctic Ocean at
Tuktoyaktuk in June, followed by the Pacific in British Columbia in July and
the Atlantic when I revisit Newfoundland and Labrador in August.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
cannot begin to describe the myriad of feelings and emotions that I have been
experiencing since coming to the decision to take an early retirement. Suffice
to say that I have been virtually bubbling over with excitement. I am breathing
so easily, and I am so excited by what is to come that I feel like a teenager
all over again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
have quit my job – a job that, for the most part, I have really enjoyed over
the last almost 8 years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt;">Shepherds
of Good Hope is Ottawa’s largest homeless shelter for men and women and some
really amazing things happen there. I feel quite privileged to have been a part
of the organization for most of my life-in-recovery. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
have learned a great deal, and I have had many opportunities to teach and share
some of my experiences as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt;">In
many ways, Shepherds has been much more than a job for me. It has come to be a
very large extended family.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12.0pt;">And
I am going to miss that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: inherit;">I have quit my job. And am about to join the ranks of the unemployed once
again. Only this time, it is with a plan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: inherit;">A plan to enrich my bank account of life and life experiences. Of places
traveled and people met. Challenges faced and joys expressed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: inherit;">And tears shed too...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: inherit;">Yes, we have gotten to the cat part.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: inherit;">Aya came into my live 18 months ago. She is an amazing little furball
companion, and I love her dearly. Yet that will not keep her happy, nor cared
for while I am traveling. And I plan on traveling quite a lot. To the tune of
up to 24 months abroad starting in 2018.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: inherit;">So I have had to accept the painful reality that Aya will need a new home.
And I am not ashamed to say that this thought breaks my heart a little.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: inherit;">My sister has offered to adopt Aya and we are hopeful that this arrangement
will work. Kim already has a cat – Scooter – and we are hopeful that the two
will get along.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: inherit;"> And that I can have visitation. . .<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: inherit;">There is so much more to say. But your eyes are sore, and there are things to do.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: inherit;">Lets chat again soon...Monday is a day off for me, after all.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">Joe</span></div>
solidsober1http://www.blogger.com/profile/12904894518767041242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6742616115424861227.post-64961840566993903752017-01-17T14:35:00.000-08:002017-01-17T14:40:16.393-08:00There was Darkness. . .Something happened in the fall of 2015 that I never considered possible.<br />
<br />
Something so completely out of my left field that had you told me in August that it was coming, I would have laughed out loud.<br />
<br />
It is pretty apparent, I believe, that I am a generally happy guy.<br />
<br />
Gregarious, some may say.<br />
<br />
And why not? I have a lot to be happy about - and grateful for, after all.<br />
<br />
Early one morning in late September of 2015, I noticed it was gone.<br />
<br />
The happy, easy-to-get-along-with Joe was nowhere to be found.<br />
<br />
I was spending way more time than usual 'taking naps'<br />
<br />
My bikes sat in the garage through the entirety of the week, and sometimes all weekend long as well.<br />
<br />
The things in my life that used to bring me joy, weren't.<br />
<br />
Whaddafuk?<br />
<br />
It all came to a glaring point for me at 0635 one morning as I was pulling into the parking lot at work and verbally snapped at a client who was not following my direction.<br />
<br />
Like I am some kind of authority or some shit.<br />
<br />
15 minutes later I was in the HR office asking for the contact information for our EAP, or Employee Assistance Program.<br />
<br />
By the end of the day I had an appointment set up.<br />
<br />
By the end of the next day I had been diagnosed as suffering from depression.<br />
<br />
I'm sorry, what?<br />
<br />
Me? Depression? Not friggen' likely. No way. Uhn uh.<br />
<br />
That mysterious ailment afflicts other people. People less happy than I am. But not me.<br />
<br />
No way it had hit me.<br />
<br />
Boy, had it ever hit me.<br />
<br />
And everything that I had ever heard about depression proved true: you do not see it coming, you do not acknowledge that it is here and you do not have the energy to do a fucking thing about it on your own.<br />
<br />
At least, those were all true for me.<br />
<br />
Thank God that I just followed my gut and contacted EAP that morning.<br />
<br />
I ended up having to take some time off work, and I attended therapy regularly and followed all of the suggestions given me by my therapist.<br />
<br />
And not too much later I was able to return to work.<br />
<br />
What a strange, heavy dark cloud it was that had settled over me for a time.<br />
<br />
It seems that I had some unresolved issues surrounding grief.<br />
<br />
Feelings that I neglected to talk about or share with the people that I love and trust.<br />
<br />
Feelings that I had just tried to stuff, or ignore.<br />
<br />
Man, you would think that a guy with my past, with my fairly deep understanding of the benefits of talking about what is going in in my life would have done just that.<br />
<br />
It is the centre-point of recovery for gods sake!<br />
<br />
But I hadn't. Or at least, not enough.<br />
<br />
So the message for me - and maybe for you as well - is that I really do need to talk about the things that are going on in my life. Not just the good stuff, or the exciting stuff.<br />
<br />
But the shitty stuff too.<br />
<br />
The things that pain my heart deserve to be spoken, and I deserve to heal.<br />
<br />
I am one of the truly lucky ones. I mean that. I am really, really fortunate.<br />
<br />
My dark cloud lifted, and it did so very quickly. If I had to guess, I would say that I truly suffered for no more than 8 weeks.<br />
<br />
I came away from the experience with a deeper understanding of depression, and a much greater understanding of how debilitating it is.<br />
<br />
I also came away from the experience reminded of something: it is vital, for my well being, that I try to remain grateful every day of my life. And when I feel like things are going shitty, if I simply remember how grateful I am that I did not have to use today, the shittyness seems less significant.<br />
<br />
If you, or someone you love suffers from depression please reach out and speak to someone. As the saying goes, the life you save just may be your own.<br />
<br />
Peace,solidsober1http://www.blogger.com/profile/12904894518767041242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6742616115424861227.post-84103637929703791472017-01-15T13:03:00.000-08:002017-01-15T13:04:33.883-08:00From There to Here<div class="MsoNormal">
As I mentioned in the previous post, 2016 brought with it a
really good riding season for me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I explored a lot of familiar territory in Frontenac, Lanark
and Renfrew counties and I also explored some new areas in western Quebec.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5CQV0ZTcZrmnwhJDlFyaQZhRCBTMQsCPBnVsFbNpWZOTyX2FDHMDN-ae3r1IEe7unpEkAPQXCA0U7R7gAJx-S0haGoAuxOvhGeILa4UxSX-CerP9HfoyOlAcMM1eqGcycrN3abBGLHrOE/s1600/DSC_0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5CQV0ZTcZrmnwhJDlFyaQZhRCBTMQsCPBnVsFbNpWZOTyX2FDHMDN-ae3r1IEe7unpEkAPQXCA0U7R7gAJx-S0haGoAuxOvhGeILa4UxSX-CerP9HfoyOlAcMM1eqGcycrN3abBGLHrOE/s320/DSC_0008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I even took it a step further and explored the most remote
regions of an entirely different country. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On an entirely different continent.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I suffered the usual mishaps: lots of low-to-no speed ‘offs’
(this is what we like to call it when we drop our bikes while moving at less
than 10 kilometers an hour.) </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The most impressive of those was an evening ice-cream stop
in the Byward Market with Ryan. We decided to hooligan-park up on the sidewalk
beside the Beavertail shack and I promptly dropped Betty to the sidewalk while
hopping the curb. My pride wasn’t too sorely injured though – there were only
about a hundred onlookers, hahahaha...</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of course the most dramatic of my mishaps occurred on the
above-referenced out-of-country adventure.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Myself and 5 other riders met in Quito, Ecuador to take part
in one of the incredible adventure-riding packages offered by <a href="http://www.freedombikerental.com/" target="_blank">Ecuador Freedombike rentals</a>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On day 3 of a 6 day ride I sent my DR650 into a low-side
slide at approximately 50 or 60 km/h, which ended in a spectacular high-side
and me flying through the Ecuadorian rain forest like a howler monkey.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The bike took a bit of damage. I took a bit of damage. The
adventure continued.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You can read all about that trip, and see some pretty great
photos <a href="http://advjoe.ca/category/ecuador/" target="_blank">here</a> if you wish.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I took part in the Fundy Adventure Rally for the second year
in a row. (and broke my 3<sup>rd</sup> rib of the season)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I went to the Horizons Unlimited Ontario event and was given
the opportunity to present on my Trans-Lab adventure of the year before.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCP7IAEl2E2QIvrYkekX4zOmtNVEckRnDNsYSiEyKzHaero3-chCPamExIOB90u0NsJJGMLEwky13hor6hwq_QylVro6WgdvV8-sCOpZC9dHJFjRoQ8vJea_cLhK-BgeHb4uMVTYlS4bzZ/s1600/DSC00213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCP7IAEl2E2QIvrYkekX4zOmtNVEckRnDNsYSiEyKzHaero3-chCPamExIOB90u0NsJJGMLEwky13hor6hwq_QylVro6WgdvV8-sCOpZC9dHJFjRoQ8vJea_cLhK-BgeHb4uMVTYlS4bzZ/s320/DSC00213.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGdOiU_YGdp343Kpr2CscOqTno5GN-Wp2tkFkP_E1STJdMDb_Hl1NDMNRSkAIYl_5_Hmb9mI-MDEE-1gKC23XZWUB7z-cAAPZ9D-L-oQB0fVJ1EV6M3iAfwY-m9Kv20tDZB1Hv-LaJAxj/s1600/DSC00272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGdOiU_YGdp343Kpr2CscOqTno5GN-Wp2tkFkP_E1STJdMDb_Hl1NDMNRSkAIYl_5_Hmb9mI-MDEE-1gKC23XZWUB7z-cAAPZ9D-L-oQB0fVJ1EV6M3iAfwY-m9Kv20tDZB1Hv-LaJAxj/s320/DSC00272.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I traveled to the most remote regions of northern and
eastern Quebec, completing one of the most iconic motorcycle adventure rides on
the North American continent – the Trans Taiga.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwX0J-CZFZEwsYRRjcLvQqmEr6pDHqFnnblGvbCdg09jg196CbmNSr60GiSFDJH077XaU0tGURkwWo98iKB-_J91jb41v1WRwaL7Rz0UFx1BSpKU8ki1nbgFpQ0bNCcHrxnMpSyISo-aIi/s1600/DSC00381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwX0J-CZFZEwsYRRjcLvQqmEr6pDHqFnnblGvbCdg09jg196CbmNSr60GiSFDJH077XaU0tGURkwWo98iKB-_J91jb41v1WRwaL7Rz0UFx1BSpKU8ki1nbgFpQ0bNCcHrxnMpSyISo-aIi/s320/DSC00381.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I dipped Big Ethel into the frigid waters of James Bay.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyn5uDalUB6DbGhWp94_M_stsgUMa-nDUgyhm4JSyYzLdszqGpYDJ97JBrbzYIyIeSRLShFq_0Jysb4OHi3ytpJhI2-Mc7uokpuzTs7KdSPYsHWJRSLKwZIxH5Cwmk7Gq8l3erCM5K4hHX/s1600/Big+Ethel+in+James+Bay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyn5uDalUB6DbGhWp94_M_stsgUMa-nDUgyhm4JSyYzLdszqGpYDJ97JBrbzYIyIeSRLShFq_0Jysb4OHi3ytpJhI2-Mc7uokpuzTs7KdSPYsHWJRSLKwZIxH5Cwmk7Gq8l3erCM5K4hHX/s320/Big+Ethel+in+James+Bay.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I mean, it was a really great season.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I intend to highlight some of last season’s adventures over
the next few posts, but I also want to highlight some of the other bits of life
that have happened since August of 2015.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After all, it isn’t all rainbows and puppy dogs. Or
motorcycles and good times.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For now, know that I am happy here, behind the keys, sharing
some of my life with you. I am learning more and more that it is not what we
have, but what we give away – or share – that matters most.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You have the luxury of deciding to stop reading whenever the
thought occurs.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have the luxury of having lived, and enjoying the
catharsis of writing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have had a wonderful day today, and my hope is that you
have as well.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Peace.</div>
solidsober1http://www.blogger.com/profile/12904894518767041242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6742616115424861227.post-4106513537351164012017-01-14T16:51:00.001-08:002017-01-14T16:54:53.037-08:00Here I go again on my own . . .Man, time sure does fly. . .<br />
<br />
It has been a really long time since I last posted to this
blog.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not because I have had nothing to say. In truth I have said
quite a lot.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But I was saying it <a href="http://advjoe.ca/" target="_blank">here</a>, on my other blog. A blog that my
friend James and I started in late 2015 as an experiment, or maybe a project is
a better term for it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
James was looking to expand his skill set at the time, and
website design was something that he thought might be fun.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When asked if I would like to have a website created and
maintained, basically for free – his guinea pig, if you will – I readily
accepted. I mean, let’s be honest, even
if it didn’t work, I’d lose nothing, and stood to gain, well, a really nice
website.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And a really nice website is exactly what James created. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A place to host a new blog, write product and equipment
reviews, host a photo and video gallery and so much more.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We had about 10 followers that first week – some of you
among them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By the time we go around to posting the blog and video’s of
my Ecuador Adventure, we were up to over a thousand.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
James created a truly great site for the
adventure-interested motorcycle rider, and also for the aficionado of the Dakar
rally.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
His in depth background, and personable coverage of the 2016
Dakar is, I dare say, amongst the best to be found on the entirety if the
world-wide web.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And then, we went quiet.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The 2016 riding season unveiled itself from beneath the
receding snow of a winter that came in softly and gently, and became truly
brutal in its longevity.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By late April I was itching to ride, and riding is exactly
what I did. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIwzN9cvpAAR9JvS9rFK0Sqfzyp2-i3EJWuZVkquBlqMjPA-rll5RcMqHjgZ8qgBDW1Kjwyh-NOxftZJa1XrJdLn7c-76kOGSAtc5J1e8PusSlGlWJ8-cqq4CtjIcWZ2W5Wdi5od6lHsUu/s1600/IMG_2882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIwzN9cvpAAR9JvS9rFK0Sqfzyp2-i3EJWuZVkquBlqMjPA-rll5RcMqHjgZ8qgBDW1Kjwyh-NOxftZJa1XrJdLn7c-76kOGSAtc5J1e8PusSlGlWJ8-cqq4CtjIcWZ2W5Wdi5od6lHsUu/s320/IMG_2882.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Some 30,000 kilometers rolled beneath my tires before Mother Nature
once again forced my hand, and demanded that my bikes be stored yet again while
she threw us into another long, cold season of discontent. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was another great season of riding for me, and it was a
great summer for adventure of a different kind for James.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You see he likes Zodiacs in much the same way as I like
bikes. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Which is to say that during the warm-weather months James
lives on the water.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And so it was that we let the ADVJOE website gather dust. We
were both just having way too much fun pursuing our passions to stop and hunker
down over the keyboard.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And now, here I am. Back where I started, and in some ways,
back where I belong.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You see, I thought, for a while at least, that it would be really
cool to have a world class adventure motorcycling website – and in truth it was.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But it takes a lot of work. I mean, it really, really takes
a lot of work. And you kinda need to know something about building, designing, promoting,
supporting and maintaining a website.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of which I know very, very little.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So the ADVJOE website will continue to gather a little dust.
Not entirely ignored, mind you. I just have to decide what to do with it. I may
pare it way down, and simply use it as my motorcycle adventure-related blog site.
I just don’t know yet.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I do not have the skills to maintain the website as it is, with all of it's various plug-ins and radio buttons and grapple grommets and filbert flanges.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But I do know how to write. I can put together a fairly
interesting blog post, add some interesting pictures, and in doing so satisfy
my need to share some facet of my life and my adventure with the world on a very
small scale. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And just maybe, satisfy the craving of the odd reader or two
for inspiration. Wanderlust. Adventure. Introspection.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A hell of a lot has happened since I last tapped these keys.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Over the coming weeks, and months I intend to share a lot of
those happenings with you.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It feels good to be back.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joe</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
solidsober1http://www.blogger.com/profile/12904894518767041242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6742616115424861227.post-26865399643780442752015-08-15T05:00:00.000-07:002015-08-16T05:16:30.810-07:00Happy Birthday Mom...<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There was a lot going on for me today. A myriad of thoughts,
and emotions running through my brain and my heart. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today is my mom’s birthday. And I really miss her. She
headed off on the next stage of her adventure – whatever that may be - a little
less than a year ago.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And I have found myself missing her every day since. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzvglr6KRslIwu95QcEZpmVKUwQmVHwkXZhAUxbcNUcXJ4Qt4Yi9K-EQwxuT-6Rctrm-KS-SkDN1KsIEEl1L6FYEBGe-qo9y3cGpbX07lAHOEbUmeVicH745eMpj93C4k-_izzanEtMh_q/s1600/Mom+and+I.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzvglr6KRslIwu95QcEZpmVKUwQmVHwkXZhAUxbcNUcXJ4Qt4Yi9K-EQwxuT-6Rctrm-KS-SkDN1KsIEEl1L6FYEBGe-qo9y3cGpbX07lAHOEbUmeVicH745eMpj93C4k-_izzanEtMh_q/s320/Mom+and+I.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
See, I am not entirely clear, even in my own thoughts, about
what I believe happens after we leave this earthly existence. I just know that
I do not believe it’s over. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And with that belief, I am able to feel mom close to me
whenever I need her. And that suits me just fine.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So happy birthday mom. Whatever you did today, I hope that
you enjoyed it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But truth be told, my mom was not the only woman on my mind today.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No, this morning and early afternoon was reserved entirely
for the new lady in my life, named Suzi (yes, as a tribute to my dear friend,
Susie)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqoLiqo1V_EdXQ-auncu35VWq1m0_RuI7Hg9mS0g68FM-Hxqk_BrEmpEtmLMEtU99dnCM4laEIvrqDu-CAx-NgyV-epqBxptyfVV_voRhMSTKWmZGqO1FYAT9Dhf08UPvUP9sTHOKGzTZq/s1600/Suzuki+DR650+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqoLiqo1V_EdXQ-auncu35VWq1m0_RuI7Hg9mS0g68FM-Hxqk_BrEmpEtmLMEtU99dnCM4laEIvrqDu-CAx-NgyV-epqBxptyfVV_voRhMSTKWmZGqO1FYAT9Dhf08UPvUP9sTHOKGzTZq/s320/Suzuki+DR650+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I picked her up from the dealership where I get all of my
maintenance and repair work done – <a href="http://motorsportsworld.com/">Motor
Sports World</a> – yesterday evening. The mechanics had completed her safety
check, installed new rubber, chain and sprockets, and given her a clean bill of
health.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And today was the day where we got to know each other a
little better.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I spent a few minutes bolting on her Ontario licence plate,
as well as an aluminum skid-plate, at 0730 this morning, and by 0815 we were
gallivanting down River Road towards the Tim Horton’s in Manotick where I was
to meet up with my buddy Jason.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqfzV9yMvRDvwrKLs1m4YlfrIojchxztTJ0VS-upGZzzXhVnjoyTENmlH17GzjApE8z04xh7x1rWwTMveU_IpnFqMq7UsvDnu2ansIOXJBKdAV1jFd7jyaMOpif7EW2K2KdYd75D8NdwVD/s1600/DSC00527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqfzV9yMvRDvwrKLs1m4YlfrIojchxztTJ0VS-upGZzzXhVnjoyTENmlH17GzjApE8z04xh7x1rWwTMveU_IpnFqMq7UsvDnu2ansIOXJBKdAV1jFd7jyaMOpif7EW2K2KdYd75D8NdwVD/s320/DSC00527.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We were going to go out and spend the day in the Limerick
Forest, a favorite riding area of mine. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You may recall reading that Big Ethel and I have spent quite
a lot of time riding in the Limerick – there are even a couple of videos out
there in YouTube land I believe, but in truth they are pretty boring.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today, however, was anything but.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now, understand that Jason is a friend of mine. We have
ridden together on a several occasions and I have always enjoyed it. Jason is a
good rider, but he is not a dangerous rider, so I felt very secure in having
him lead the way while my new mount, Suzi and I, followed his track.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ya, my opinion of Jason began to change rather quickly. I
guess he decided that trial-by-fire was the only way to go, because less than
100 meters after entering the Limerick forest on a two-track, atv-type trail
Jason had veered off into the woods on a single track rut through trees barely
wide enough to allow my handle bars to clear.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Muttering under my breath while doing my best not to lag too
far behind, I finally decided to just relax and let Suzi do her thing. She is,
after all, a much more nimble – and svelte – machine than Big Ethel is. Almost
200lbs lighter, with an off-road setup and almost 11 inches of ground
clearance, Suzi is able to do a whole lot of things that Ethel just can’t. But
then, that is why I got her, after all.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvb-f6ExR4_ufWyo1iE3v9BPH7u7dMKcUqEZX0EWNDADpPhEIJiJu1yGkxQKpgXQn66GXJk2OLTdhEsOYDfQBb2WoNRlS3eF1qLAyPV525MApiHDBd9QopLyzcMRcLSJ6DBh3ZWqaNIWh8/s1600/Suzuki+DR650++Limerick+Forest+Trail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvb-f6ExR4_ufWyo1iE3v9BPH7u7dMKcUqEZX0EWNDADpPhEIJiJu1yGkxQKpgXQn66GXJk2OLTdhEsOYDfQBb2WoNRlS3eF1qLAyPV525MApiHDBd9QopLyzcMRcLSJ6DBh3ZWqaNIWh8/s320/Suzuki+DR650++Limerick+Forest+Trail.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I began to get comfortable with the terrain – and Suzi –
quite quickly, and before we had completed a second circuit through the bush
loop I was able to keep up with Jason quite well. I stopped calling him very
rude names under my breath, and began really paying attention to his line and
riding style, deciding that the old axiom rings true. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well, approximately 4 hours later, I was done. Wiped. Spent.
Exhausted. Wore-the-fuck-out. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiouAhqF92OQv-BWeeAMFX3eT69umsL61aenEcOShNeOH5v89lLK5d-DHWsGFSlGJ3j7lsGyoSVSHdvcDkVriAvjXKG-WANE_X_u4ehIhtC_Tfz1p9DwXYvpugRnOBZpM2me6r1AH-wirve/s1600/Suzuki+DR650++Limerick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiouAhqF92OQv-BWeeAMFX3eT69umsL61aenEcOShNeOH5v89lLK5d-DHWsGFSlGJ3j7lsGyoSVSHdvcDkVriAvjXKG-WANE_X_u4ehIhtC_Tfz1p9DwXYvpugRnOBZpM2me6r1AH-wirve/s320/Suzuki+DR650++Limerick.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had discovered on a couple of different occasions just how
much easier Suzi is to pick up than Big Ethel, and found myself very happy with
her mannerisms and capabilities – though let’s be honest, it is my capabilities
that need work – I cannot even approach all of the things that Suzi is very
capable of doing. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yet.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today’s ride was an amazing introduction into the world of
true dual-sport riding for me. And I have to say, I absolutely loved it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am going to practice as much as I can over the next few
weeks, and then Suzi and I are off to the <a href="http://fundyadventurerally.com/2015-event/details">Fundy Adventure Rally</a>
where I will attempt to really stretch her legs, and see what she’s got.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Big Ethel, I mean no disrespect. You are still my #1 dance
partner – Suzi will never compare to your moves in the twisties.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And mom, I miss you daily, and love you with all of my
heart.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Happy Birthday.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
solidsober1http://www.blogger.com/profile/12904894518767041242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6742616115424861227.post-26569509805548570492015-08-12T16:33:00.000-07:002015-08-12T16:35:01.995-07:00There have been some changes...<br />
I must apologize for neglecting this blog, and my faithful readers.<br />
<br />
I have been focused on a new project - one more centered on the main passions in my life - adventure motorcycle riding and travel.<br />
<br />
My friend James decided, about a month ago, to learn a new skill-set. He decided that he wanted to become well versed in the art of website design and development, and subsequently asked if he could use me, and my adventures, as his first project.<br />
<br />
Well, I can tell you that the results are nothing short of amazing.<br />
<br />
James has created a website for me, <a href="http://advjoe.ca/" target="_blank">http://advjoe.ca/</a> that is so much more than just a place for me to host my blog.<br />
<br />
With James' know-how (and very quickly broadening skill-set) and my passion for writing, this new website is growing into a wonderful new project write before my eyes. (did you catch that- pretty smooth, huh?)<br />
<br />
There are product reviews, posts about my adventures, photos, links to adventure-motorcycle related media and events, and much, much more is yet to come.<br />
<br />
But where does that leave my first born, this blog that allowed me - no, invited me, to delve into the arena of writing for readership?<br />
<br />
Not to worry. <a href="http://what-i-have-learned-along-the-way.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">What I've Learned Along The Way</a> will continue to be the place where I post from my heart.<br />
<br />
My more personal, close-to-home-and-heart writings about my life, my love's and my continued rambunctious journey through this wonderful second-chance-at-life will be hosted right here, right where they belong.<br />
<br />
<br />
I will get back to writing more about addiction, and the recovery there-from, and the beauty that resides in an awakening.<br />
<br />
My motorcycle-related writings, however, will live in a larger, more welcoming new home that has been designed and built around them, and for them.<br />
<br />
I hope that you find something of interest in both places, and will do my best to give you just that.<br />
<br />
So thank you, for your continued patience. I invite you now to come along, join me in this adventure that is life. . .solidsober1http://www.blogger.com/profile/12904894518767041242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6742616115424861227.post-34624399266777123302015-07-13T16:31:00.000-07:002015-08-03T16:36:56.132-07:00Oil Changes, Having a Gander, and Run, Dildo Run...<br />
I awoke to the smell of coffee and Dave saying <i>"I make it but I don't serve it. Find a mug, pour a coffee, breakfast will be ready shortly"</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
I enjoyed <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Touton" target="_blank">touton</a> for the first time (delicious) and after breakfast we began to get our gear organized for the next stage of the adventure.<br />
<br />
In typical Murph fashion Dave asked if there was any maintenance needed on any of our 3 bikes. Knowing that I was due for an oil change, I mentioned as much, and a few minutes later found myself riding to the local Suzuki dealership about 10 minutes away. A light rain began to fall as I walked into the motorcycle shop, and it quickly turned into what looked to be an all day kind of downpour.<br />
<br />
I tossed 6 litres of oil and 2 filters into my SHAD waterproof luggage and returned to Murph's so that Mike and I could each complete an oil change on our V Stroms.<br />
<br />
We left Murph's at around 11:00 am after completing the two oil changes.Again, I consider this to be a testament to Murph and the openness and willingness to help that is just a part of the way of life on the island.<br />
<br />
As was pointed out several times, <i>'it can be rough life and we looks after our own.' </i><br />
<br />
As someone from away I get the feeling that once welcomed on the island, you become<i> 'one of our own' </i>for the duration of your stay.<br />
<br />
The overcast skies began to drop some rain on us as soon as we got on the highway, and threatened more the further we traveled. In short time we stopped for lunch at a highway gas station / restaurant where we met another adventure rider seeking solace from the elements.<br />
<br />
Max was 110 days into a 'round-the-world adventure (RTW) He had ridden his Suzuki DR650 from Atlanta to California to Alaska to the Yukon, across Canada to the Trans-Lab highway to Labrador to Western Newfoundland to Saint John's and was now heading to Nova Scotia.<br />
<br />
Max intended to head south from there, to home in Atlanta for a week or a month before continuing on, either to south-east Asia or South America - at that point he had not yet made up his mind.<br />
<br />
If you would like to read more of Max and his adventures, you can follow him <a href="http://advrider.com/index.php?threads/400-days-in-the-wind.1057747/" target="_blank">here on ADV Rider</a><br />
<br />
We had a great meal and conversation with one another and then carried on, heading toward Gander.<br />
<br />
We got underway in heavy overcast skies and before even hitting the Trans Canada Highway the rain began to fall, and boy oh boy did it fall. We rode in a veritable deluge for 2 hours plus, and once it stopped we found ourselves in some of the densest fog I have seen since my childhood, sailing through the north Atlantic on a schooner.<br />
<br />
We quickly lost sight of each other - visibility was 20 to 30 feet at best.<br />
<br />
This lasted another 45 minutes or so and then, glory be upon us, the sun broke through!<br />
<br />
We rode in glorious sunshine for the duration of the afternoon, eventually arriving at the aviation museum in Gander where we stopped to snap a few photos.<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
After a short break we headed north on highway 330 to 331 and then on to highway 340 towards the Twillingate area. We decided to stop for the night at <a href="https://www.google.ca/maps/place/Gander,+NL/@49.5287312,-54.7497793,13z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x4b76f2f3b657f0b9:0xa1489058bc89ec6" target="_blank">Dildo Run Provincial</a> Park which is actually a great little spot with showers, beautiful, well groomed campsites and wonder-of-wonders, WIFI, all for $18.00 a night.<br />
<br />
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<br />
Interestingly, Dildo Run Provincial Park is located in the small community of Virgin Arm.<br />
<br />
Go ahead and try to tell me that there is not a story behind that!<br />
<br />
All in all, it was a really full, and long day. I found myself setting up my tent, spreading my sleeping bag out, thinking <i>'man, touton sure would go well in the morning'</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<br />
<i>Up next - </i>Lloyd Colbourne, Splitting up and Topsailsolidsober1http://www.blogger.com/profile/12904894518767041242noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6742616115424861227.post-37876275948215356292015-07-12T12:41:00.000-07:002015-08-01T12:45:24.790-07:00Living with a Local...I got up early Sunday morning, had a wonderfully hot shower and some breakfast, and then sent a text to Jeff to let him know that I was on my way over to Murph's house (or damurph, as he is known on ADV Rider)<br />
<br />
Upon arriving I found myself thinking <i>"I shoulda just stayed last night..." </i>damurph is one of those characters that you immediately feel that you have known for years.<br />
<br />
His first words to me - before we had even properly met - as I knocked on his door were <i>"we don't knock ona doors 'round here. Only bill collectors are knockin' ona doors, an' we don't wanna talk to 'em, so don't knock ona door - just come on in bye"</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
I liked this guy right from the get-go!<br />
<br />
Dave, as I came to find out, is a bit of a local personality and somewhat of an ambassador to motorcycle adventure travelers.<br />
<br />
He opens his house, and his province to motorcycle riders who have made St. John's, Newfoundland, one of the stops on their adventure.<br />
<br />
Dave likely knows more about Newfoundland and it's history than any other islander. I can only hope that the teachers in Newfoundlands public school system know a portion of what Dave knows. It is a province full to overflowing with incredible history and lore, pain and hardship, joy and life, and I would like to think that the stories that we heard will continue to be told for many generations yet to come...<br />
<br />
Dave has an ability to tell you a tale that is packed with information and engagingly humorous enough to keep you wanting to hear more.<br />
<br />
From the resettlement of dozens of communities during the 1950's and 1960's, such as Long Beach, La Manche, Spout Cove and Deep Harbor, where entire fishing villages were either moved or abandoned when the government decided that services would no longer be provided to these 'outposts' - to the idea of community and togetherness that is so prevalent here (and so often lacking elsewhere in Canada, now that I have seen firsthand what community really means) - Dave filled us with the history of the province that he so clearly loves.<br />
<br />
He also took us on a tour of the Avalon Peninsula, giving us a true taste of east coast life, and livelihood that we would likely never have experienced on our own.<br />
<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The lighthouse at Fort Amherst</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Battery at Signal Hill</span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">St. John's harbor from Signal Hill</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Iceberg!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> A rugged coastline</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> damurph with Jeff and Michael on the East Coast Trail</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Yours truly at Cape Spear</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Petty Harbor</span><br />
<br />
Each stop at a cove or a harbor or a bight found us learning about the history of a particular community - and believe me, there is a history to each of them.<br />
<br />
Dave's knowledge of local lore may be exceeded only by his kind heart, but this subject has been covered by many an adventure rider before me. Damurph has been opening his home up to travelers for years and years, so I will not go on and on - but I will say this:<br />
<br />
It is people like Dave that keep people like me and my riding companions seeking out new adventures. Our tour today brought an awareness - and will provide memories - that I will cherish for the rest of my days.<br />
<br />
Maybe, if I am lucky I will be able to fashion some of what I learned into my own life, and way of living. That would be a wonderful thing, in my opinion.<br />
<br />
Thank you Dave. I will be back, my good man.<br />
<br />
Up next - Oil changes, Gander and Dildo Runsolidsober1http://www.blogger.com/profile/12904894518767041242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6742616115424861227.post-41104997522823422792015-07-11T09:23:00.000-07:002015-07-26T09:24:46.145-07:00Off the Beaten Path...Stephenville was an interesting stop along our journey - due to both the physical landscape of the area as well as our first real clash of personalities.<br />
<br />
Michael and I had a minor row, pissed each other off, and that was pretty much that.<br />
<br />
In the morning, we quickly touched back on the subject, agreed to try not to actively push each others buttons, and packed up our gear with a hand shake and a pat on the back.<br />
<br />
For our first night camping, I have to say that it was somewhat less than ideal. I mean, we were camping in a parking lot, with no camp fire, and little to shield us from the 30-40 kmh winds blowing in off of the Gulf of St. Lawrence.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Parking lot camping in Stephenville</span> <br />
<br />
The morning's ride would bring smiles to all of our faces.<br />
<br />
We left Stephenville and rode highway 480 - the Caribou Trail - east for about 49 kilometers before leaving the asphalt for a gravel forest road.<br />
<br />
This was the kind of riding that we had come to the island to do, and Big Ethel was just raring to go. I stayed with Mike and Jeff for about the first 15 kilometers, but the 45 kmh pace that they were setting just wasn't doing it for me, so I gave my right grip a twist and flew off down the trail, stopping whenever I lost sight of them in order to let them make up some ground. Big Ethel actually becomes more manageable in the bumpy, loose stuff when she is moving at speed - many riding companions have repeatedly drilled it into me that inertia is my friend in many off road situations, and this basically straight gravel and dirt forest trail was one of them.<br />
<br />
Another benefit to my picking up the pace and racing ahead was that it allowed me the opportunity to get some candid shots of the lads.<br />
<br />
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<br />
I had an absolutely great time blasting down the trail, and by the time that we came to the end of the road, just past Red Indian Lake, we were getting ready to find something to eat. We followed Buchan's highway to Badger and stopped at a small mom and pop diner known as Helen's Restaurant and Motel. It was here that Mike decided to really become adventurous as he ordered the deep fried cod tongues for lunch.<br />
<br />
Yes, you read that correctly.<br />
<br />
Apparently no part of the fish is wasted here in Newfoundland, lol. They cut the rather large tongue right out of the cod fish and serve it up, pan fried, deep fried, broiled, baked...you name it, they have a way to serve it.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Michael enjoying deep fried cod tongue</span><br />
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After lunch we headed back out on the TCH heading for St. John's.<br />
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It only got gloomier and colder the further east that we rode, and by the time that we were at Terra Nova we pulled over to put on another layer of gear.<br />
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I took this opportunity to put on my BMW Motorrad 1 piece rain gear for the first time...<br />
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...and discovered that it provides a wonderfully warm layer to my riding gear. I have not yet tested this banana suit out in the rain - that will likely come on Wednesday as the forecast is calling for rain right across the island.<br />
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After a long 455 kilometers of riding the slab, we finally arrived in St. John's at about 7:30 in the evening on Saturday night. Cold to the bone and every joint stiff, I was not feeling 100% up to par, and although we had lodgings provided to us by another ADV Rider member known as damurph (Dave) - I was not prepared to spent yet another night around a bunch of alcohol - I needed a break from having it right in front of me every night - I opted to grab a hotel room downtown.<br />
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A night at the Delta Hotel, with a hot tub, a sauna and a swimming pool was exactly what I needed to get back in the groove.<br />
I took a stroll down by the harbor, looking at all of the fishing vessels and enjoying the smells of the sea, as well as some of the liveliness of Water Street, before returning to the hotel and getting a wonderfully good night's sleep.<br />
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It felt good to be in St. John's - and I was really looking forward to tomorrow...<br />
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Up next - Living with a Local...solidsober1http://www.blogger.com/profile/12904894518767041242noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6742616115424861227.post-75233349877554441282015-07-10T07:18:00.000-07:002015-07-25T07:21:38.813-07:00Coming Home for the First Time Friday, July 10 - Day 7<br />
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Even at 48 years of age I get a childish sense of glee from my equally childish sense of humor.<br />
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I cannot say the word "swewfie" without smiling.<br />
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Ok, so, maybe it's not really a word. I may have made it up.<br />
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It stands for my cultural background.<br />
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My father's parents emigrated to Canada from Sweden in the early 1900's.<br />
My mom was born and raised in Newfoundland.<br />
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I am, therefore, a Swedish Newfie. Or a Swewfie.<br />
<br />
Makes sense now, huh? See, there is always a logic - twisted and convoluted though it may be...<br />
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A big part of this whole adventure, for me, has been the idea of visiting the area of Cornerbrook that my mom was from. A sort of searching out of my roots.<br />
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A homecoming. For the first time.<br />
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We pulled into the dock at Port aux Basques early Friday morning - I wanna say around 0700 - and we were all quite bagged.<br />
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A lousy 4 hour sleep and a coffee do not necessarily add up to <i>'bye I am so excited to ride today. And 7 degrees, whoo hoo, couldn't ask for better 'n that, bye' - </i>however, as is most always the case, once we were rolling we were happy to be rolling.<br />
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We had been told that once off the ferry, if the big trucks got off first just avoid the highway altogether as it will be nothing but slow moving, backed-up traffic for the next couple of hours. Likewise, if the Tim Horton's parking lot and surrounding lots are full of trucks, avoid the highway. That means that the winds at Wreckhouse are up and the big rig operators are waiting for them to die down. And when I say up, the winds at Wreckhouse have been known to hit over 200 kmh - them's hurricane winds, bye.<br />
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<a href="http://encounternewfoundland.com/where-the-wind-blows-wreckhouse-and-the-human-wind-gauge/" target="_blank">Wreckhouse Winds</a><br />
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So, rather than add the frustration of traffic to our already less than jovial mindsets, we opted to ride highway 470 - an older highway that hugs the coast eastward from Port aux Basques to Rose Blanche - as a distraction for an hour or two.<br />
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And what a distraction it was.<br />
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Newfoundlands landscape is at once barren and rocky and lush and full and wild and foreboding and welcoming and all things in between. The moment that you have formed a concise thought about how to describe what you see before you, a new and different scene unveils itself.<br />
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Riding from the harbor we saw what we expected; coastline, bushes and evergreen trees.<br />
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Before too long though, the trees were shrinking, and then all but disappearing, leaving a rolling green landscape of tundra and lichen-covered granite. This scene has an austere beauty about it that is almost unnerving as you ride through it for the first time.<br />
I had a myriad of thoughts flowing through my still sleep-deprived mind about Hobbit-holes, Greenland and early explorers, also pondering why more movies are not filmed here. The natural set is perfect for everything from Vikings to Rings to Thrones to Potters to everything in between...<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The lookout near Rose Blanche Harbor</span><br />
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A very short distance along our foray into Newfoundland we came across a scene that, for me, completely and succinctly set the tone, and understanding, of where we were.<br />
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We rolled up on a hillside Anglican Cemetery, a very common site along the east coast and one that would not normally cause my heart to skip for a second, nor a lump to rise immediately in my throat nor tears to well in my eyes.<br />
But what I saw here completely took me aback. I felt a sense of love and caring and compassion and longing that no single moment or scene has ever instilled in me before, and while it may not come across in my photos, I can assure you that I was moved by what I saw in a way that will be with me for the rest of my life.<br />
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This cemetery is not out of the ordinary, here in Newfoundland. It is actually of the norm. The locals do not see what I - a person from away - see when I gaze upon it even now, here at home on my monitor.<br />
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I see a testament to the love of family; I see dearly departed who are consciously missed daily; I see cherished memories revisited regularly; I see the connection need not be lost in death. To coin a phrase, I see love, actually.<br />
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The locals see that this is exactly as it should be.<br />
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"<i>Gettin' an idea for where yer at, bye?"</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
They don't understand us mainlanders. Quite honestly, neither do I.<br />
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Virtually every grave is visited regularly. Evidenced by the fact that nearly every grave is adorned with flowers. Fresh, brilliant, beautiful flowers.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">St. James Anglican Cemetery, Barachois Hill, Port Aux Basques</span><br />
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After coming out of my reverie I rode to catch up to the guys, and continued to be awestruck bythe beauty that I was travelling through.<br />
Almost forgotten towns with names like Ilse Aux Morts, Burnt Islands, Diamond Cove and Rose Blanche.<br />
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We stopped for a break at Rose Blanche, site of one of the most unique lighthouses that I have ever seen. It actually resembles a house, rather than the tall red and white structures that we are so used to seeing. There is a pay-to-enter walking tour that leads you out on the 25 minute walk to the lighthouse, but we opted to freshen up in the washroom and have a light snack instead.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The lighthouse at Rose Blanche</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Rose Blanche-Harbor Le Cou</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> My riding partners discussing the merits of a good nights sleep</span><br />
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Feeling somewhat refreshed, we headed back to Port Aux Basques in order to get on the Trans Canada Highway and make our way towards our next destination, Stephenville.<br />
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On the way my low-beam burned out, so the Canadian Tire in Port Aux Basques became an impromptu waypoint.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">We also passed this pretty waterfall along the way</span><br />
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It was in the parking lot, changing my bulb that I realized that one of the design engineers who worked on the Kawasaki KLR must have moved over to Suzuki to work on the design of the new V Strom 1000.<br />
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One should not have to remove the entire dash to change a light bulb....<br />
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An hour later, job done and Tim Horton's coffee down the hatch, we headed out, riding through Wreckhouse - where it was certainly very windy, but not hurricane force, thank goodness - and Twin Hills and eventually arriving at our destination where we had a bite at McDonalds and discovered that wifi on the island was going to be spotty at best.<br />
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We made our way to a local rough-camping spot between the airport and the beach and set ourselves up for the night, tents pitched on tarmac.<br />
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Stephenville was at one time a US airbase - now long closed - and has some pretty interesting and unique features.<br />
If you are ever on the island, Stephenville should be on your list of places to stop over, and the Port au Port tour (which we did not do) is apparently well worth the time.<br />
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Our first day on the island was one of many new sights, and a myriad of emotions.<br />
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It was most definitely good to be home, for the first time.<br />
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Up next - Off the Beaten Path...solidsober1http://www.blogger.com/profile/12904894518767041242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6742616115424861227.post-69843991200267081662015-07-09T18:05:00.000-07:002015-07-16T18:07:50.692-07:00From Cheticamp to The Rock (Day 6)<p> </p> <p>I got up a little later this morning – around 0700 – and took it slow and easy.<br></p> <p>Several riders from the CMC 011 joined us at the motel on Tuesday night – Brian, Joe, Mike and Dave – and we all went to Restaurant Evangeline for breakfast and we then said our goodbyes as they were off in one direction, while we would be off to ride the Cabot Trail and then carry on towards North Sydney to catch the ferry to Port aux Basques.<br></p> <p>We eventually had our gear packed, our bikes loaded and said our goodbyes to Greg and Cathy around 11:00 and headed directly for an off road trail that Greg’s handyman, Paul, told us about.</p> <p><br>A 2 meter wide double track of crushed rock and pit run, this was just as technical as the Meat Cove Trail that I went up the day before, only this time it was Big Ethel’s turn to take a nap.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXhCQSozW0fP5j6YgjMiP_LDFIJ2ElwyL2GBmi9g0REPzFaHvL5n1RjMbPXgsc5xFKSQpp1IZpbXH3ibTaoYaHeP3bxqW6zbCdrYlwyfbZiFImf0-I6MYYNc-FdJzxwPt27WOjQtZOWYXo/s1600-h/IMG_0792%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0792" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0792" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-67kmKx9v13Q/VahVE1lPugI/AAAAAAAABH4/s2SyQpsbDCk/IMG_0792_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p> I think she was startled by the young cow moose that was startled along the way only moments before.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rBnp8z6bwTs/VahVGojf66I/AAAAAAAABIA/bJEJk11eBSI/s1600-h/DSC00230%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC00230" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00230" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zxpOKqhqGAg/VahVHQjlzFI/AAAAAAAABII/wAaTPnacrCg/DSC00230_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </p> <p>Likely a yearling foaled last year, she was quite panicked by our 3 large bikes, and although we tried to give her lots of room she remained about 100 meters ahead of us all the way back to the highway. Thankfully she did not run onto the road. </p> <p>Such an amazing creature, she stood close to 5 feet tall at the haunches – imposing, to say the least.</p> <p>We made our way back onto the road and retraced out track from the day before, riding the Cabot Trail from Cheticamp to Meat Cove for a second time and continuing on to Ingonish where we took a break at a beach and I walked knee-deep into the icy water. It felt great on the ankles, I have to admit.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ-ll0MHHJuIFxVa2Klw5l_tb8GWlH7uBeVbGZuHg9ytfQZF4yN9pAj1LMjzImdoztXvHH8j2y_k0BGEHZg7oh1hJ6VPVbgSkWx6QpKiIjtP_-tlh7hA_ghIqLTUOPTfwIEi2Hl9QKIOSx/s1600-h/IMG_0823%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0823" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0823" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yG6JoxZt1-A/VahVJKhjaGI/AAAAAAAABIU/XgElH8LzH1M/IMG_0823_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>After our short break we headed back out on the road with North Sydney in our sights.</p> <p>Some of the scenes along the way:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zhW4bEI_mNY/VahVKxaV23I/AAAAAAAABIg/v6ZsHxDwAgw/s1600-h/IMG_0800%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0800" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0800" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SPv2t1tbsZQ/VahVLc9dh3I/AAAAAAAABIo/efk2m1YxKtI/IMG_0800_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>Harley taking a nap in a gorgeous setting;</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xX5EcIDjcq8/VahVNEGRlqI/AAAAAAAABIw/_Gojr2lXl7k/s1600-h/DSC00241%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC00241" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiSH-NEjL8pfzDtAQIzCrUQrHTerW-p5w2aOmLJNcKfRNt99kUe-1Z9Pb-hl3L8OcXy9HAk__JQ1Ibi0WCHxCWo72fMV2dwZegOu3Z_3geUZFIjYmMHCiicS_oIvMnjVFCzM5BAUjN1Oms/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>A helping hand;</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-R_guqCCJmXg/VahVPdS_cQI/AAAAAAAABJA/hn7R2U8q73M/s1600-h/DSC00247%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC00247" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi8TBkFmcgWz-U8w8QZ8mz8hoaElbRweXOj2ACjsuzzqeaiEuc1xX6OIs-WMCCWZgibH_SzlGLeWgCA4Unst2uMeCxCFw-0AST7Z2BTQj_QaK0geSVI3qaSZxtHYCiMqRApMjp16UIzEzd/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>Our fearless leader;</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QPF6LRUX7iI/VahVRHChSGI/AAAAAAAABJQ/kqu5LyF9sdU/s1600-h/IMG_0811%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0811" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0811" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx151Ah0gvPHW0hD39cXvKVzU7rU1FzkOmWm6PZdfs17L3LF9ijVsl2Qfivb4AAQZfprkqc2cwq-ikzHK6nk71rnqomSjn-UYOYeMbNgF3PEboqsze5Oxl0b1Z9T1T5fbSQkPdZE-JnHRG/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>The road, and the scenery, continued to take my breath away. I could not possibly describe the pristine beauty that is the east coast of Canada and hope to convey it to you in any accurate measure,</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbXSNKNRrRCH_yoEm59j9Y9By7QcMvX3KRIJpiNUEwP3tRE4FJAFYuktMHgV5IVscyCokWtM1plM5sLM_mbkP0zaFDKcEtEfBo-HqCxI3Se05_rrJnS3iB4HGs6GT_KNxAkovLz4B_V-D/s1600-h/DSC00236%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC00236" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00236" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1sFmPP0HxE4/VahVUVKCMlI/AAAAAAAABJo/SVWdnCne2Cg/DSC00236_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p> but as an example:</p> <p>at one point while descending on a very curvy, very steep stretch of the Cabot Trail we came around a super-tight hairpin, our bikes revving 4500rpm in 3rd gear, engine braking and foot pegs scraping, and then crested a small hill.</p> <p>Before me was an image of such raw beauty that I found myself thanking God as my eyes filled with tears.</p> <p>The beauty that was laid out before me simply overwhelmed me and my heart, and my soul just filled with joy, and with love and gratitude.</p> <p>This little slice of heaven is called Neil’s Harbour, and it is just outside of New Haven.</p> <p>It will take your breath away.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVgjKd8Sf7EJVrtM2PkIj-N0X9W3alen6omQ61_h46B3UfBZCgarBiJYN_4KR99uNRmVA9DhOsK9Y7AiJQfVQP9VcRvKU9ACL0_Eo5KHSgaYjpJ0xt7hF2pH_qar2Uw96AJadJqaxb5a4s/s1600-h/DSC00252%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC00252" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAk3x_AQVm_US97qTCO9kBN8tmB_hsW6OUMVn1HKpYpRPL5KO-A8XL85x5AnavXUZIXOk3tkh3es0LU2xD7hHSXgI1YujC6Su91oOcE0ZkOw6CYS2liaYhROOvUl5YIq1e37MB1Fun45g6/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>Neil’s Harbour</p> <p>After an ice cream stop and a quick rest – and a chat with an adventure couple from Fort McMurray on a pair of BMW’s who were basically doing the same trip as we are – (without the Trans-Labrador Highway portion) – we got back underway to the previously mentioned beach at Ingonish.</p> <p>We arrived in N. Sydney around 7:00pm – picked up some supplies at Walmart – had a bite to eat at McDonalds - and headed to the ferry.</p> <p>We boarded as soon as we arrived at 9:30pm and once again ran into the couple from Fort McMurray.</p> <p>Sleep, unfortunately, did not come easy. The ferry sailed at 11:30pm and we were seated in what amounted to movie theatre seats – great for a 2 hour flick, not so great for a 7 hour sea ferry ride.</p> <p>2 cups of coffee and a quick bacon-and-egg breakfast got us enough energy to hop astride our steeds and disembark the ferry, but none of us was feeling what you would call fresh…</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aN3MnprXRog/VahVYQvjLjI/AAAAAAAABKA/0xEqbnLuuiM/s1600-h/IMG_0834%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0834" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0834" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JWDdEL4WIyg/VahVY6ROH5I/AAAAAAAABKI/boyqYlsVHpM/IMG_0834_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>The view as we pulled into Port aux Basques dock on the ferry</p> <p>Up next – Coming home for the first time</p> solidsober1http://www.blogger.com/profile/12904894518767041242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6742616115424861227.post-6055287937882060072015-07-09T16:47:00.000-07:002015-07-16T16:49:20.865-07:00Riding the Cabot Trail<p>Our first full day of riding on the Cabot Trail was nothing short of spectacular. I am not really going to be able to do the experience any justice by trying to describe it, so I will let some pictures do that job.</p> <p>Suffice to say that this is probably the most incredible motorcycle riding – as far as being picturesque, technical, and jaw-dropping that I have ever done.</p> <p>Don’t get me wrong – I loved the Rockies and Canada’s west coast – I plan on returning there next season – but this is a whole other level of incredible. The vistas, the twisties, the whoops and hills and sweepers – and the people – all combine to make Cape Breton a motorcycle nirvana.</p> <p>We rode the Cabot Trail clockwise as far as Meat Cove – a must see location for motorcyclists and adventurists alike – and even attempted a really gnarly atv trail that leads all the way up to the top where an old light house used to stand.</p> <p>Well, one bike went down, and the lighthouse is no longer there, so after riding part way up on Big Ethel simply as a point of ‘it’s there, I gotta’, I turned around and we headed back to the Trail to continue with our day. We ended up turning back towards the Cornerstone Motel as the skies were getting pretty dark and ominous looking, and twisted the throttles a little wider for the return trip to the motel.</p> <p>Some pics from the day below:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0EA73OEmOGgNTn-WbVfYZg_nbNiiJMC9SZL2OovPK6b5KL7fmD8BmqF1Flv2i9GmmOXplWTpepGyDkxw9HofPR9UBUMMrcLgCgIe8dGlkbNAX5vJjPp7hPpSQjF9-iW657FHeUFQqT9F2/s1600-h/IMG_0778%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0778" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0778" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GP3PlAllWao/VahCxrGBLUI/AAAAAAAABFg/PzxNzr6oe7Y/IMG_0778_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p>Mike’s bike, Harley, taking a nap on the Meat Cove Trail</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJCQl6P1o95WcqE43cr-5UsjYyZQ0B7JYX3c4qstyGx3Jsoh6-kPxfY40rI77gPccJtexligqG7KHy4yVaGdtAxEZjjjuzQ6xKusShbuON2Sw3_WGlkdkbVJIcQVSpjdwt3h2hq06Dyo3C/s1600-h/IMG_0780%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0780" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0780" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8k1zPB_J7rA/VahCzTaROmI/AAAAAAAABFw/iVu4zHzmWQY/IMG_0780_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>The view at Meat Cove</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7xPl_caMWKU/VahC0jI2uzI/AAAAAAAABF4/ZZRiIBpceRE/s1600-h/IMG_0782%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0782" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0782" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX5_hYZvz5PI8fv5zHT2IbPZZw44g6brimxhsCtyW6rdLoYbCxwxv3RZXlBo6-tGEG3jHPUCTPXa3nzoDaAVBXiyPmUwOpSW0YSvNr2xGasXnt-1X-d2rJmrdOwa_oAdhLxxKsi2UINYun/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Rdfq_xVSFIA/VahC1rt79jI/AAAAAAAABGI/QQb_E_inC0g/s1600-h/DSC00141%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC00141" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00141" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-V8k6fVQtbdw/VahC2Go3-nI/AAAAAAAABGM/0amdY1ujJe8/DSC00141_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>Sunset in Cheticamp</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-20X16DemSSA/VahC37GhFEI/AAAAAAAABGY/bakPnPlBb84/s1600-h/DSC00151%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC00151" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhe1w-sE7L-gbZ4KZ0UV86G3kMUihHwbv6hSXagWnfI5z6wN0cCZteC532bxmTxWgn52eGOKlw3_e6GXdckmzwNvoTW7iMqJ1htk8AIVI8cLeucRb3lUQrMBhCYnwg3PpkLQKa0OK2SIn9/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aDDxmGEOjIA/VahC5PfBcnI/AAAAAAAABGo/egH8u90xGWg/s1600-h/DSC00156%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC00156" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00156" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vFXNVfBSsLA/VahC5iZ3d9I/AAAAAAAABGw/cUwv0IVKBqs/DSC00156_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v_921ZCOOZI/VahC7Nprf7I/AAAAAAAABG4/qH9OZvpqr6w/s1600-h/DSC00193%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC00193" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwWtw2knddKHVvmO3yHkhNFoENxzJyvy2jjyBW2CLQaGwjxo_RGh1h7s9gYFR5Mv0h4Q1UAJMKmyOpZjrMmI7xaygWLSjrPD0rZsCxka_T71VBf2H8PoJw6Lk9Cd2FoA_x44FVpQVgSzZC/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>Mike and Jeff on the Cabot Trail</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SKMOLK-Hah0/VahC9UOosgI/AAAAAAAABHI/AajbhGVI6GI/s1600-h/DSC00190%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC00190" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00190" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8W8VDhrhLpY/VahC9xDSt5I/AAAAAAAABHQ/20TPuePK08E/DSC00190_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18p5t6BbPxi619zW-ocHkd9ZA2ppYJsxMq39GJ31HG6sF4cgFSb2w7KK-xqpskzo8_tfrqwi7CsxT3W60xaSRCuEC71LgEsDjTXnZNzVirTCcRzkl6kcuKZQcKe5xmBlVgE72uu_wqsgH/s1600-h/DSC00211%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC00211" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDOYDj8hOXXQSy4TKtuV-qKkLOtpZlVTx5oeHEQpbde6YiLMTg4NYtajewFNnDbdH5pxRfHH_DCgH9mTTkCwfPVWNV63J29zMlSM-B1AMK-JcGHL9RVJ92sbu0ktVbfxBTNsC39BNjMzlS/?imgmax=800" width="152" height="244"></a></p> <p>The Cabot Trail</p> <p> </p> <p>Up next…From Cheticamp to the Rock</p> solidsober1http://www.blogger.com/profile/12904894518767041242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6742616115424861227.post-48081094366008882512015-07-09T14:46:00.000-07:002015-07-16T14:59:04.863-07:00Hello, are we reaching?…Have I mentioned that wifi is spotty? That in general, the internet service east of Quebec kinda sucks?<br />
<br />
Ya, well…it does.<br />
<br />
So I have been keeping a hand written journal. And I am now almost 60 pages in…<br />
<br />
So, let’s catch up a little, shall we?<br />
<br />
When last we spoke, I had just arrived in Cheticamp at The Cornerstone Motel owned by my friends Greg and Cathy. I will continue from there - adjusting the post dates to reflect when these should have gone up...<br />
<br />
Greg and Cathy bought the property in Cheticamp 2 years ago after basically selling everything they owned and leaving Ottawa in a leap of faith to pursue their dream.<br />
<br />
The motel, and the home that also sits on the property, were run down and in disrepair. Both were in need of some love and attention.<br />
<br />
And from what I saw over the 2 days while I was there, Tripper ‘n Tomboy are exactly the right couple for the job.<br />
<br />
Part of the Canadian Motorcycle Cruisers, or CMC, riding family, Greg (Tripper) and Cathy (Tomboy) had a dream of opening a motorcycle-friendly motel somewhere scenic and where the niche existed to be filled.<br />
They looked throughout Ontario and found nothing that made them feel home, or that did not require a minimum half-million dollar investment.<br />
<br />
So they thought outside the box.Or at least, outside of Ontario...<br />
<br />
If you want to own and operate a niche-market enterprise like a motorcycle-friendly motel, why not look to motorcycle-traveller hotspots?<br />
<br />
The Cabot Trail is as hot a motorcycle-traveller location as you are likely to find in Canada, and the Cornerstone Motel was just sitting there, waiting to be found.<br />
<br />
The new owners of this beautiful little piece of Cape Breton Island are bikers. Both share a passion for experiencing the open road on 2 wheels, and they will, therefor, no doubt be successful in their endeavour.<br />
<br />
As a matter of fact, though not yet ready to operate at the full capacity of 17 rooms, the 11 rooms that are ready were all sold out both Thursday and Friday nights.<br />
<br />
Greg and Cathy both had a smile, and I am sure they shared a moment in private – the realization of a dream – as they hung the No Vacancy sign.<br />
<br />
Well done my friends. You deserve the best, and your hard work is bringing it to you.<br />
<br />
<br />
I encourage you, my few faithful readers, to please stop in at the Cornerstone Motel in Cheticamp should you ever find yourself there. And if you know anyone who is planning on riding the Cabot Trail, there is no better staging location. The motel sits literally 500 meters from the entrance to the park.<br />
<a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WH-YvteSHa0/Vagm1dQhU2I/AAAAAAAABEQ/c7g1XVfCXN8/s1600-h/DSC00174%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC00174" border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HOq15AjIXvk/Vagm2PfTwHI/AAAAAAAABEY/ZmpFbGlJ4jM/DSC00174_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="184" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC00174" width="244" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivYgCWwefuO_OsLvk_AZ8Eao5nNix3WjuVEzDxb7xTZPurZov9vDWo28bLrKGOINfNB7q8-IMgG0WuMf1kDCyDNkw0u_di7Ij3zmKf2bMO2NHd9viTFkJiJJqv5x-69w09eTjHV2_ZoZOC/s1600-h/DSC00163%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC00163" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMVCOQulTLU3unQCAt0iqHNOHXY5z10J006wMYwYWQ4L4zWd51fLIit3SR2MNT3sEBkBgAfQCkhZHRzxaiA8IkWtDU2tokEnqA-h-wzJ2rgXWnkTPz6nKdZS6BHmtZaoKpvlfVR78bn7bZ/?imgmax=800" height="184" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC00163" width="244" /></a><br />
And two of the view just as you enter the park, less than 3 minutes from the motel…<br />
<a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jIY6LEg-ROo/Vagm6Cj200I/AAAAAAAABEw/Sw0cfbAIAVY/s1600-h/DSC00180%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC00180" border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8ZMmca-sFxI/Vagm6gv74YI/AAAAAAAABE4/WzeQnFZOeho/DSC00180_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="184" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC00180" width="244" /></a><br />
Next up…riding the Cabot Trail…<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9rOizsjLINNNC_I7F0CaY1SQMA4OiV-dDl7h3E2WJWjPvEMwSImABXwuY_FdfO0F_bZzXwV87jndwuZ3SIFwWo9H84RTluc5TnK18DQAuWX-uKvw7EEVS1mtDWSYVwpdVLLHT-pxEeRO5/s1600-h/DSC00185%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC00185" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUf5TIfgDUBx4L2H8C_1gTDH_lPpOg7pbvXMsISyDp0CDInAp2iXtEFJnmerpkVVfQCFdpx93twXPaVGpJ9rLn81pjdvNK9eoHpPmodKtENkTMw5F6J6clpqxC3mD8SZu_49r5d3RwA_Dt/?imgmax=800" height="184" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC00185" width="244" /></a>solidsober1http://www.blogger.com/profile/12904894518767041242noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6742616115424861227.post-66797494748287618212015-07-08T03:02:00.000-07:002015-07-08T03:03:02.228-07:00Nice trail you made there, John Cabot…<p>Well, we arrived in Cheticamp last evening and my motorcycle tires have rolled over the first few kilometers of the Cabot Trail. I have seen only the beginning, yet I already find myself stunned by the beauty of Cape Breton.</p> <p>We took an early morning ferry from PEI – the Wood Islands / Caribou crossing to Pictou, Nova Scotia. And as it happens, so did 4 other riding buddies from Ottawa. Brian, Joe, Mike and Dave, all members of the CMC 011, are on an East Coast Adventure of their own and like us are headed to the Cornerstone Motel in Cheticamp. These 4 cruiser-riders opted not to follow us from the ferry for some reason though…which is probably a good thing, since we rode about 40 kilometers of off-road trail to get here <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Smile" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Xd4BYI5zHmM/VZz1PVvorII/AAAAAAAABDM/xieGgy_RS5A/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800"></p> <p>Our first dirt of the adventure – yee hawww!!!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3OW_4CauIII/VZz1SA-5x0I/AAAAAAAABDU/DMH3lc7mPGs/s1600-h/DSC00128%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC00128" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAjvOEh0MzVKyui_LX4N2lzJKATPXKly-20P5bLedHWvyezdmUZMSmuMHAPjN34FfzXZ9n92qyagnIvGm5wbv9k0_oer_8IOKT2zfl0QieemR5tlffZkh0yb64Yetc_hQ5q9I2-b9g6dFW/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>I don’t think that I have mentioned this yet, but there appears to be more off-road – atv type trail on the east coast than there is asphalt. It’s absolutely a dual-sport dream! Every highway seems to have a twin-track running parallel to it, veering off through the forests and splashing through water crossings – just awesome. If I needed any excuse to come beck east, riding this network of trails would do it.</p> <p>The Cornerstone is a motel that was purchased and reopened by an amazing couple – also CMC 011 members – 2 years ago. </p> <p>Greg and Cathy took a real leap of faith and sold everything that they owned and left Ottawa to realize their dream. Now, 2 years later, Greg sounds like he has been born and raised on the east coast and the motel is turning out as they hoped. A wonderful, motorcycle-friendly spot right on the Cabot Trail, I highly recommend that you use this as a staging area should you ever decide on an East Coast Adventure of your own.</p> <p>Well, I just woke up from yet another great night’s sleep – Big Ethel has been stripped of all her gear and is ready to sashay through some sweet little dance steps – so I think it’s time to turn this up a notch and see just how far my jaw can drop.</p> <p>Here is one shot to give you a taste, this of last evenings sunset</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsfGK5-vOLGUJn3SVtOgD5xHdQoz01rjxL2m2wAQiwaGDzPeHZZmk71Z3ydf9ErQAIf90-AGkPnLddZchXJ4SyPHCl-eF4dbrTeDQCZuJalU2ruDJRO9xWpGDGW77Y15w2NUcf-TP3Ay_O/s1600-h/DSC00135%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC00135" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC00135" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ueWJgO0IeAU/VZz1U8ae3FI/AAAAAAAABDs/L8U8rvvg3AI/DSC00135_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>John Cabot – thanks dude.</p> <p>Today is the only day that really matters. Here’s hoping that yours is beautiful.</p> <p>Joe</p> solidsober1http://www.blogger.com/profile/12904894518767041242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6742616115424861227.post-1710976259827152202015-07-06T17:08:00.000-07:002015-07-07T09:22:19.242-07:00Playing in the mud, and finding serenity…We awoke to a gorgeous morning, the sun burning off the haze and the air already warming at 0700. <br />
After a quick breakfast of bacon and eggs we hit the road towards our first destination of the day – Hopewell Rocks at the Bay of Fundy.<br />
Having never been there before, I was eager to see this natural wonder, and I can assure you that I was not disappointed.<br />
We walked down to sea level and spent some time gazing at the rock formations before I went right down to the water and stood in 6” of Fundy mud. I just can’t seem to stay out of the stuff…if I see mud, I gotta get in it, lol.<br />
Being as small a world as it is, it was not overly surprising that we should run into some friends from Ottawa.<br />
It seems that the 75th anniversary Motor Maids Convention is happening in Moncton this week, and a couple of ladies from the CMC 011 were also traipsing through the mud at Hopewell Rocks. As it turns out, there were probably in the neighbourhood of 50 Meter Maids there, which was actually really cool to see.<br />
We eventually left Hopewell and headed towards Port Elgin where we got on a little 2 lane following the shoreline, shortly arriving at the base of the Confederation Bridge where we turned on our action cams and filmed the crossing.<br />
It is a really long, and fairly high bridge, and it is interesting to cross, but as I said to the guys it would be more interesting if it had a steel-grid deck, lol.<br />
Arriving on PEI, Michael had a plan in mind and opted to take the lead. A short, but beautiful ride later saw us in the small seaside village of North Rustico, and Michael led us to his destination – some seaside rental cabins complete with 3 beds, a deck and a BBQ.<br />
It took all of 3 minutes for us to decide to head into town in search of a grocery store, and in very short order the grill was sizzling and smoking with the wonderful smells of barbequed steak.<br />
We all ate well, and now, at 2100, find ourselves in our own, individual places of contentment and serenity.<br />
I can tell you, finding yourself in a seaside fishing / tourist town on Prince Edward Island means serenity is at your doorstep. I am very, very happy at this moment…<br />
Some pics from today:<br />
Hopewell Rocks<br />
<a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2TPPMlMlobM/VZsZFEhSCwI/AAAAAAAABBw/7kmpDMhj1VM/s1600-h/DSC00037%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC00037" border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qeTySebPkjw/VZsZKJ9YnnI/AAAAAAAABB4/6R1FwI1o5Zw/DSC00037_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="184" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC00037" width="244" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ZtrvKaw_2bNFsEbQrRXGPNKOzsIU5YHkqw80irL8T42gYhvU9PUXLTpsa2wlEf61N-1sSiWwdBPTyBFcYU6meE6_MmAVCONL8Z5sbMAkSAljEIKZhVAs67AsrO0vwAEGR3dntYVoP92k/s1600-h/DSC00038%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC00038" border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QvNJT2TiGEY/VZsZSCv5StI/AAAAAAAABCI/iT9WfIeQHCI/DSC00038_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="184" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC00038" width="244" /></a><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ncNqYnToSo4/VZsZUyuyd8I/AAAAAAAABCQ/bvrK0Ne-COc/s1600-h/DSC00046%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC00046" border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gRjBTN12HJw/VZsZWkzB-II/AAAAAAAABCY/_NfAHidyOvE/DSC00046_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="184" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC00046" width="244" /></a><br />
Playing in the mud…<br />
<a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-S-nrzszoBSY/VZsZYqaBAAI/AAAAAAAABCg/PX7L86Fem9E/s1600-h/DSC00068%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC00068" border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YaDP0XwAQFg/VZsZaBW04oI/AAAAAAAABCo/gNp5Ylaqdko/DSC00068_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="244" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC00068" width="184" /></a><br />
North Rustico<br />
<a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Cyu5ndNOfAM/VZsZcgNXHqI/AAAAAAAABCw/49rS-fYTuyM/s1600-h/DSC00093%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DSC00093" border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-k-t9-lSKIaY/VZsZdkMhB4I/AAAAAAAABC4/iFALqdokcao/DSC00093_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="184" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DSC00093" width="244" /></a><br />
Tomorrow we head to Cape Breton Island along the coastal route of Nova Scotia.<br />
Ok, my belly is full,…it’s time for a walk. <br />
Hope you are enjoying the journey so far…<br />
<br />
Joesolidsober1http://www.blogger.com/profile/12904894518767041242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6742616115424861227.post-89877147114004638902015-07-05T17:11:00.000-07:002015-07-05T20:04:20.822-07:00There may be some rain…Day 2<br />
The morning started off as well as the evening ended yesterday.<br />
A hot shower followed by homemade waffles with fresh strawberries, some orange juice and nice strong coffee was the way today started.<br />
Have I mentioned that our hosts for night #1 were amazing <img alt="Smile" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWm8DXj3AvLUkdXYQ3UII49SrWBaEXdUjt-7S2rSsfZQZ6Xnn7T3Xb4MMmPAVYhwdSZCaA7RlMTpdcu-aLnzIMesxibcvdOJm5deQw_0LLoY0iMngvB6wwRVwP1S_bXQWkR3utn_fRCjjp/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none;" /><br />
<br />
The fact that a steady rain was falling by 0800 was almost insignificant.<br />
<br />
We got underway at 0915, and Claude-Olivier decided to hop on his VFR and ride with us for the first hour or so. He led us along highway 289 through Pohenegamook to Riviere Blue – and at one point we were less than a stones-throw from being in the USA. Highway 289 runs right on top of the border for a few hundred meters….I made a mental note of that for future reference, lol.<br />
<br />
By the time that we got to Edmunston, NB the rain had stopped, and within 20 minutes the warm air had all but dried us out completely.<br />
<br />
We stopped at the Tourist information centre just inside the New Brunswick line and I picked up my first Provincial sticker to place on my Pelican Case. Ya, I know…technically I should have picked up a Quebec Provincial sticker, but really – I am in Quebec all the time, so it just didn’t seem to count.<br />
<br />
We stopped in Grand Falls New Brunswick to get gas, have a coffee and visit – yes – the Falls.<br />
<br />
Actually a very scenic spot, we snapped a couple of pics and then got back underway. We got on highway 108 and proceeded to make our way clear across the province to Shediac. Some incredible scenery and a couple of deer were the highlights of the journey – that is, until the skies opened up on us. We rode through an absolute torrential downpour for 15 minutes or so, just long enough to get soaked again, before the sun came back out and proceeded to dry us off. Well, almost, anyway.<br />
<br />
When we were an hour or so out of Shediac the skies dropped on us once again, and this time there was no quarter given by Mother Nature. The water fell in sheets and collected on the highway in what felt like 2” deep puddles, washing up over our boots and soaking our feet in a near constant assault. At one point we pulled over under an overpass, hoping to wait it out, only to discover that we were travelling in the same direction as the rain. There was nothing to do but grin and bare it, so that is exactly what we did. <br />
<br />
How did my $100.00 one-piece BMWMotorrad rain suit fare in the onslaught, you ask?<br />
I cannot say. Because I did not put it on in time to try it out. By the time that we stopped under the overpass to take a minute to gear up we were already so soaked that it would have been nearly impossible to get into my new rain gear.<br />
<br />
Oh well,…I will try to be better prepared for the next downpour.<br />
<br />
One would think that the rain would have been the low-point of the day, but no,…not today. We arrived at the address of our host for the evening only to discover that ‘Bob’ was not home. Soaking wet, camping was, for me at least, out of the question. There will be ample opportunity to camp in the wet and the rain while on the Tran-Labrador highway, I am sure – so while the option to sleep in warm dry bed exists, I am going to take advantage of it. As an aside, my travelling partners did not loudly object to staying in a motel, and that is where we sit now, chowing on pizza, chatting about the day, and planning for tomorrow.<br />
<br />
Here are a couple of pictures from today – one of the first ‘Fail’ of the adventure – Michael lost one of his auxiliary driving lamps on a really bumpy stretch of road.<br />
The other is self-explanatory – trying to wait out the rain, unsuccessfully of course…<br />
<a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6Yu7ZczXvmA/VZnIHQbgC7I/AAAAAAAABBE/VG__tIUJ56Y/s1600-h/Accessories%252520Fail%252520%2525231%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Accessories Fail #1" border="0" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-H41n3ux8apM/VZnIHyCVuPI/AAAAAAAABBM/e39yeLETjh8/Accessories%252520Fail%252520%2525231_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="148" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Accessories Fail #1" width="244" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg55GD0N5ggE7FHJWqnwNNSHczzdBiKoag54-OPqJQ89WFtqO3jYXzpaPML5jDHt6IWDD3807ldXrAfPZYNnD7YAiELfgYrmRH3mMZ2xkQhS4hXL-p8b8V6THa8pkN2i4cZCw_LkZOOKt6a/s1600-h/In%252520a%252520deluge%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="In a deluge" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2AeA7qKUOlLiiuJ8MG_UziWRmJPt7gkQVEBg_cwlTEgqeEQ7Mvnq6dFLfu0n41FKKCulU-i3IaAUOMOayGqAU0_dsCj0Zmy-O1kXSUrANlT-8MDvbJEsf34shMBkdYQBZP8noLU9_9fvB/?imgmax=800" height="244" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="In a deluge" width="148" /></a><br />
Tomorrow is a bit of a ‘FREE-DAY’ and we plan on heading down to the Bay of Fundy to check out the tides. Other than that, well, I guess we will find out tomorrow.<br />
I hope that you are enjoying the adventure so far…God knows we are <img alt="Smile" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWm8DXj3AvLUkdXYQ3UII49SrWBaEXdUjt-7S2rSsfZQZ6Xnn7T3Xb4MMmPAVYhwdSZCaA7RlMTpdcu-aLnzIMesxibcvdOJm5deQw_0LLoY0iMngvB6wwRVwP1S_bXQWkR3utn_fRCjjp/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none;" /><br />
Joe solidsober1http://www.blogger.com/profile/12904894518767041242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6742616115424861227.post-12193597338970969512015-07-04T20:27:00.001-07:002015-07-04T20:47:27.722-07:00A Bitter Sweet Symphony, this Life…Quebec <br />
I don”t know if epic adventures always start this way, but it seems that for me the opening couple of hours set the tone for the entire trip.<br />
And what an opening it was.<br />
I left Ottawa at 0715 in crisp 12 degree temperatures with a bright sun shining and promising to warm the day.<br />
I rode the 417 east, planning to get off at highway 138 and head towards Cornwall where I would grab the 401 to Lancaster. Because that was the route that I often travelled when trying to make Lancaster quickly.<br />
This morning, however, I kept on riding right past the exit for Cornwall and instead got off at the McCrimmon road / highway 34 exit, journeying back some 32 years as I headed south through Alexandria, passing my old high school – Glengarry District – and thinking that it used to be so much bigger.<br />
The smell of fresh cut hay made me nostalgic – thinking of boyhood adventures on local farms with childhood friends – but only for a moment.<br />
The perfect beauty of the moment was too much for old memories to stand against, and they were quickly returned to their rightful place, certain to return again whenever I need them.<br />
I arrived in Lancaster at 0830, parking at the Tim Horton’s to await the arrival of my travelling companions – Michael Fritz and Jeff Luttmer.<br />
As far as starts go, this one was perfect.<br />
The 3 of us hit the 401 around 0930 and made our way towards Montreal, taking the new toll highway 30 that brings you around Montreal without needing to fight with the sometimes god-awful traffic.<br />
Even so we still managed to pull somewhere in the neighbourhood of 6 U-Turns. Let’s face it – travelling across Quebec can be challenging at the best of times, and if you are at all familiar with Quebec construction you know that the best of times was in the early ‘70’s. Since then, the construction has been pretty unbelievable.<br />
Lady Garmin got so tired of trying to re-calculate that I am sure I heard her say something like ‘screw this, you’re on your own’, lol.<br />
Navigational errors aside, it was a great day of riding. We stopped when necessary – lunch in St. Hyacinthe, a couple of gas stops, and by 1735 we were pulling into ADV Flagman’s driveway where we were to be put up for our first night on the road.<br />
As good as the day – and the ride – had been, I was not prepared for the reception that awaited us.<br />
Flagman – known to the rest of the world as Claude-Olivier, and his wife Annie met us in the yard as we pulled in and directed us to park our bikes in a garage that is easily big enough to turn into 3 apartments.<br />
Annie cooked up an incredible supper of chicken brochette, rice and broccolli, and we found ourselves thinking that it might be better to stay for 2 – or even 3 days…this was much more luxurious than we expected our Trans-Lab highway adventure to be…Annie suggested that if the deck got built at the back of the house, we were more than welcome to stay – and Claude-Olivier even mentioned how close the nearest lumber store was, hahaha.<br />
Claude-Olivier and his family could not have been more generous hosts. I am typing this at an impromptu work station set up for me by Annie, with the help of their 2 adorable kids. I find myself feeling like I have a debt on the books – and should Flagman and his family ever find themselves in the Ottawa area and in any need, that debt shall be paid.<br />
I should mention that this guy is a little bit of a motorsports fanatic. He is currently designing / building a trials-bike course, has held enduro races on his personally laid-out enduro course, and has plans to build a motorcross track in the back field.<br />
Flagman Motorsports Park may not be far down the road…<br />
My words have not done justice to the friendship and hospitality shown to us by this incredible family, and this has been a completely new experience for me. Hundreds of ADV members have likely had similar experiences, and that is a testament to who we are, we band of inmates who find our peace and purpose all really only making sense when we are on 2 wheels, flying through the gravel – over the sand – in the mud – through the twisties – on our motorcycles. Our home-away-from-home 2 wheeled tickets to adventure. And to life.<br />
What an amazing, amazing day #1.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtMu-CTXvf2z1L3aMmvTr81EuuTTpJqubUBjjNBQys9N7udIU8tJC22UtugJ4u5KVb0uFrsszqFbGXYn-haNTVHv0J-xUiWfrTI5llyxoyqdURzMdmDaPX7vePlZOKHpN-lKkXO5XW5Pvg/s1600-h/GOPR0007%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="GOPR0007" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbly7Jwx2clb6kZHhOsZUw_Q54K3HxGfVCLQv3P9GYJ-OYQIdvaeGURLLpveUig_1WeKUz2ERjxrRr5MaLx6W3cWzryLISVBaaNEgjAErtrelrjffB9RXdzFrpVoUohQ7dMBIq46QFBH0w/?imgmax=800" height="184" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="GOPR0007" width="244" /></a><br />
I hopelthat this too-late-and-too-tired-to-post entry a least conveyed a little of what today was like.<br />
Did I mention that it was amazing?….<br />
<br />
Joesolidsober1http://www.blogger.com/profile/12904894518767041242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6742616115424861227.post-29730471773193258882015-07-01T12:43:00.001-07:002015-07-01T12:43:51.125-07:00The Trip; The Weather; Fucking Cancer<p>Often times – maybe even most – I have a clear idea of what my posts are going to be about.</p> <p>Other times it is the act of blogging that helps to clear my head. And sometimes, my heart as well.</p> <p>Today is July 1st.</p> <p>Canada Day. </p> <p>A day of celebration across this great country of ours.</p> <p>Here in Ottawa, it is pouring rain. Kinda putting a damper on things, figuratively and literally.</p> <p>And I have spent the day – or most of it , at least, sick in bed. Nausea, headache, upset stomach, diarrhea,…the works.</p> <p>Which really sucks, as I should have spent the day making sure that I had all of the little details hammered out and straightened away for my upcoming trip, which begins Saturday morning.</p> <p>As it is, I managed to get my clothing and my camping kit all organized and packed. And yesterday evening Ryan gave me a hand changing the front brake pads on Big Ethel. I planned on pulling her fuel tank and changing the air filter today, but I just don’t have it in me.</p> <p>None of this though, is what’s really on my mind.</p> <p>What’s really on my mind is Susie.</p> <p>You remember Susie, I hope. My best friend, and unrequited love. </p> <p>Susie found out in May that her cancer had returned. After a full year of being cancer free and enjoying a new, shiny lease on life, fucking cancer has come back to snatch away the happiness and darken the bright light that Susie had once again become.</p> <p>As you may recall, Susie has stage 4 colon cancer. </p> <p>It is now in both lungs.</p> <p>The surgeons operated last Friday. A sizeable portion of her left lung was removed. And the very next day, Susie was sitting up in her hospital bed, laughing and shining like the bright light that she is.</p> <p>I cannot fathom the strength that this woman has. I stand in utter amazement at her ability to bounce back. And to smile. And to laugh.</p> <p>We are all scared, her family, her boyfriend, me, her long list of other close friends.</p> <p>Susie is scared too.</p> <p>But she rarely shows it. Another testament to her fortitude I guess…</p> <p>Because I am home and under the weather, I cannot even go visit Susie today. The risk of infection is one that cannot be ignored, nor taken lightly.</p> <p>We will FaceTime this evening. And in a really fucked up way, the smile of a beautiful woman battling cancer from a hospital bed is going to make me feel better. Not sure what to make of that…</p> <p>Here are the first 4 pictures added to my Epic East Coast and Trans-Lab Highway Adventure:</p> <p>Clothing</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMTH_7ArzyLv7pxw_2-PZ9me7S4lWK8AcUL5Wawc6p9CkCpM1W7TjTfWU_BZqn2vZQB2pYXNyEKScn6dFAfT3z4K5-cSUGmSZusxgVLCVd94tcrdNyu38rD6BMhA55At5SloNr8iuIDaK/s1600-h/Clothes%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Clothes" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Clothes" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3btjorxvcSo/VZRC5nExMxI/AAAAAAAAA_c/XlkUwi396yM/Clothes_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p>Clothes Packed</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNKQryKwLbZIIPcCOhgwWiNMKHrKaFiuOz4nzjBe266f4WuG21Kwepd00_CSb1U85myF-hQX6Wgy6z-qL-zZInLS5Af-6gCJIHY1sNKeVTho8fgPkIw29jLYkoc21HHxkSTXINe3JbWvxr/s1600-h/Clothes%252520Pack%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Clothes Pack" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Clothes Pack" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WZSqdBCEJRQ/VZRC7Vi-VhI/AAAAAAAAA_o/CNo3HjK5AAA/Clothes%252520Pack_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p>Camp Kit</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PkxLOHFBMgQ/VZRC7rZdauI/AAAAAAAAA_0/SBHm6_TLdGQ/s1600-h/Kit%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Kit" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Kit" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghwWRCezPnvV0rkqRYjrSwzfYwB9YXLYEYTJp850DlgocH-iEICRJDemfJv5qRKwC23KbPSaGwUzHafrwb0IkKGXUoZKexsNuJGlnIiLmeDd4urlt647-f_5B3CYoOng6JVT0yu_p34Y1n/?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p>Camp Kit packed</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv46hHQpNBLjPO9O-4CRLph34uYWQh_ylfv-HIJr1aqE6RlxHCBjDtO7jzgn5-kSPslGxBrk8dFZlSkiqh-5ybAt0d_ee9NqL8puXCyVmVeHDkywYr7o8Q50LXqFcQou8zBi-On8IX17DB/s1600-h/Kit%252520Pack%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Kit Pack" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Kit Pack" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q0EcLzRB5xI/VZRC9eaEPBI/AAAAAAAABAI/8tnIE6bpDYA/Kit%252520Pack_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p>The rain has stopped. The sky is brightening. I will try to see Susie at least one more time before I leave on Saturday.</p> <p>And the trip, well, it’s going to be one hell of an adventure. That much I can assure you.</p> <p>So come along for the ride. We’ll have a time…</p> <p>Oh, and hey….Happy Canada Day everyone.</p> <p>Joe</p> solidsober1http://www.blogger.com/profile/12904894518767041242noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6742616115424861227.post-76675894697628034212015-06-21T17:27:00.000-07:002015-06-21T17:27:23.593-07:00I'm getting a little excited...<div class="MsoNormal">
The Epic East Coast and Trans-Lab Adventure is now less than
2 weeks away.</div>
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<br /></div>
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To say that I am getting excited is an understatement.</div>
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I have outfitted Big Ethel, my 2014 V Strom 1000, with some
new gear – including the Shad ZuluPack waterproof soft-luggage and a Rotopax 1
gallon fuel can – and she is ready to go.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I will be writing an in-depth review of the Shad luggage as
the 8,000 kilometer adventure progresses, and I just put it to use on a much
smaller adventure this past weekend.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I attended the Horizons Unlimited Ontario 2015 Overland
Travellers Meeting just outside of Orillia on Friday and Saturday. There were
dozens of like-minded adventure riders in attendance, and we were able to sit
and listen to – and learn from – some amazing individuals who have blazed new
trails and shared their experiences with us. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2cx-KUNwVlFpdIhZ3yGVslUkuaik-eOijDUPafR-hCf_5naxoChgkczAAUX4bCfgrI60fMHxYVFlegR2We0hHk56lU90vpmWH121-xwP1GqU_TLBLOvWiCudo7ROVGGXW91NEN0RmZlBj/s1600/IMG_0647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2cx-KUNwVlFpdIhZ3yGVslUkuaik-eOijDUPafR-hCf_5naxoChgkczAAUX4bCfgrI60fMHxYVFlegR2We0hHk56lU90vpmWH121-xwP1GqU_TLBLOvWiCudo7ROVGGXW91NEN0RmZlBj/s320/IMG_0647.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtVmtC7cn8UXAucaCj9-lZN1zePRYKl04t3g0V8L6aps8iMR-ARdpfw_7vmvZFVrCPfhNVLjjdZHvnKHRjudagNjc6PR1UOalu4CBh31l5qPFhp_07dVjzsnGMN1ONmI9ddIcFT1U0jNmw/s1600/IMG_0686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtVmtC7cn8UXAucaCj9-lZN1zePRYKl04t3g0V8L6aps8iMR-ARdpfw_7vmvZFVrCPfhNVLjjdZHvnKHRjudagNjc6PR1UOalu4CBh31l5qPFhp_07dVjzsnGMN1ONmI9ddIcFT1U0jNmw/s320/IMG_0686.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Chantal Cornoyer and Patrick
Trahan are two incredible adventure seekers from Quebec who have been living
their dreams to the fullest – and inspiring people like me – for years.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Qw6T-C8xvspXzIpgrZgHhUwGuGcFvY3aVlG8zgsrE8vVIJo9T_V9Oi_2m-kpU9IWZ4AP7as_prihd62dCONKqws1B6jyqnQpjFhEjSX2MKpLjuKorsMtgDWBg2RdfuCsW0V53R03z67z/s1600/IMG_0662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Qw6T-C8xvspXzIpgrZgHhUwGuGcFvY3aVlG8zgsrE8vVIJo9T_V9Oi_2m-kpU9IWZ4AP7as_prihd62dCONKqws1B6jyqnQpjFhEjSX2MKpLjuKorsMtgDWBg2RdfuCsW0V53R03z67z/s320/IMG_0662.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Suffice to say that this past weekend has watered some of
the seeds that were planted in my brain when I began to research adventure
travel on a motorcycle. Europe, Africa and South America will roll out beneath
my tires one day...</div>
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<br /></div>
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But first – it will be Quebec, the Gaspe region, New
Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, the Cabot Trail, Newfoundland,
Gros Morne, L’Anse aux Meadow, Labrador, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, and so many
places along the way....</div>
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I will do my very best to portray all that I see and
experience – of that you can be sure. </div>
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I do hope that you come along for the ride...</div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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Joe</div>
solidsober1http://www.blogger.com/profile/12904894518767041242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6742616115424861227.post-84450958014502280032015-06-18T16:22:00.000-07:002015-06-21T16:25:13.788-07:00Dressing Big Ethel...<div class="MsoNormal">
Well, I have made a few more alterations to Big Ethel in
preparation for the upcoming trip. </div>
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<br /></div>
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The Pelican top-case is proving to be very functional – I
think I may like it even more than I do the SW Motech Trax top case – but I
still switch back and forth. I find the Trax case better for long distance
asphalt and light gravel duty, and the Pelican better for the rougher, more
off-road and trail riding stuff. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The main reason is because the Trax box is so
much larger, I tend to load more in it, which adds up to more weight and that
translates to a greater risk of breaking a bolt or mount while hitting the
trail hard. This has happened once already during a spirited ride down the
K&P Trail, so I am cautious of which case I mount to the bike before I head
out.</div>
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I am still unsure as to which I will use on the Epic East
Coast and Trans Lab Highway Adventure...time , and advice from my riding
partners will likely answer that question.</div>
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Another new piece of equipment is the 1 gallon Rotopax fuel
can. Currently bolted to the top of my Pelican case, it will be a simple
re-and-re to install it on the Trax box if I decide that it is the right box
for the trip.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPEmXWekhCgrWodkS8KYUwJr1T1jHCXAvhaALbAdA7Ud1_xuzSKuuwbliz5isfBZvz0XUiyuO0dnmEK-ZsBUdCg2e_vooDrSGKAbLp8fFDsQJuoI_cOgFFfuBMMFyKFlR-uxpETBv2VnDB/s1600/Blog+Pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPEmXWekhCgrWodkS8KYUwJr1T1jHCXAvhaALbAdA7Ud1_xuzSKuuwbliz5isfBZvz0XUiyuO0dnmEK-ZsBUdCg2e_vooDrSGKAbLp8fFDsQJuoI_cOgFFfuBMMFyKFlR-uxpETBv2VnDB/s320/Blog+Pic.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I also made a couple of comfort and ergonomics adjustments
recently. 2 weeks ago I bolted on a set of foot peg lowering plates from
Adventure Tech LLC and my knees are much happier. I purchased these used, from
a friend of mine who decided to go with a different set up.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I also installed a
Givi AirFlow wind screen in place of my original. It mounts on the stock
hardware so I still have the ratcheting 3 position adjustment, and I now have
almost 8” of height adjustment as well. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What a difference this new wind screen
makes. All of the buffeting that I was experiencing on the peak / visor of my
Arai XD4 helmet is now completely gone, and I am now able to hear my music at
less than half volume while riding at highway speeds. Very, very impressed.</div>
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Finally, I managed to get my Adventure Tech LLCsoft luggage guards mounted to
the bike last night, and then strapped my Shad ZuluPack luggage on to Big Ethel
for the first time. </div>
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I think that I am really going to like this set up, and
will be putting it to an initial road-test this weekend as I ride out to the
Horizon’s Unlimited Ontario 2015 Overland Travellers Meeting at Lake
Couchiching in Rama, Ontario.</div>
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The big trip is fast approaching!.....I cannot wait to hit the
road...</div>
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I hope that you will come along for the ride, </div>
solidsober1http://www.blogger.com/profile/12904894518767041242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6742616115424861227.post-37734525575899666932015-06-02T19:21:00.000-07:002015-06-02T19:21:02.679-07:00The Epic East Coast and Trans-Lab Highway Adventure<div class="MsoNormal">
Well, the season is in full swing. </div>
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By and large mother
nature has been cooperative and I have managed to cover almost 9,000 kilometers
since the beginning of April. </div>
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It has been a wonderful season thus far.</div>
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But we are about to turn it up. Way up.</div>
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A little more than 30 days from now, on July 4<sup>th</sup>
or 5<sup>th</sup>, myself and two riding buddies are embarking on an adventure.</div>
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The Epic East Coast and Trans-Lab Highway Adventure.</div>
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21 days. Over 8,000 kilometers. As much gravel as we can
find. Up to 6 provinces.</div>
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An adventure that is sure to test our personal limits, and
those of our machines as well as our equipment.</div>
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We plan on riding from Ontario into the Gaspe region, down
to Cape Breton, over to Newfoundland, and finally up into Labrador.</div>
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<br /></div>
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One of the pieces of equipment that I hope to be testing is
a new UCLEAR Digital communications device.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I will also be putting my new Shad ZuluPack waterproof
luggage through the paces.</div>
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You can expect in depth reviews of both.</div>
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<br /></div>
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We are entering into the final planning stages. I am getting
my gear organized. Preparing myself as best I can. </div>
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More to come folks... the excitement – for me at least – is building.</div>
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I will have a lot to tell you, and hope that you will come along
for the read. And the ride.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Joe</div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
solidsober1http://www.blogger.com/profile/12904894518767041242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6742616115424861227.post-1995858174798363012015-05-25T18:26:00.001-07:002015-05-25T18:26:47.126-07:00Abandoned, Lost, and Found…<p>In early April I posted a ride on several forums advertising my wish to find, and explore some of Ontario’s abandoned places. I planned the ride for the May long weekend.</p> <p>There was quite a lot of feedback, commentary and expression of interest, but in the end it was myself and one other rider who made the trip, and experienced the adventure. Thank you Michael Fritz, for coming along and making the adventure even better.</p> <p>I left Ottawa early on Friday morning and headed to our rendezvous point – yes, we are a predictable lot – a Tim Horton’s in Kemptville. I arrived at about 0830, and Mike was there ahead of me, enjoying a coffee. </p> <p>We chatted about the trip in general, and quickly agreed that we preferred to leave the adventure as wide open as possible, adhering to no set schedule and making adjustments on the fly.</p> <p>Our first abandoned destination was an old GW Martin lumber mill near Harcourt, just at the southern edge of Algonquin Park. I had posted that we would stop for lunch at the South Algonquin Restaurant on the off-chance that any riders from the GTA, or from the Sudbury / North Bay area, chose to join in at the last minute, so we made that our first rest stop.</p> <p>We rode highway 43 through Smiths Falls to Perth and then took highway 7 to highway 62 and headed north to highway 28 at Bancroft, where we turned west, making our way to highway 118 and eventually to highway 648 and into Harcourt.</p> <p>I had never been on the 118 before. It is a really nice riding road, with some nice hills and a lot of really nice gentle, sweeping curves bringing you through some gorgeous scenery. We arrived at the restaurant and stopped for lunch, enjoying a couple of mugs of coffee and the typical riding-lunch fare: a burger for Mike, and a club sandwich for yours truly.</p> <p>Leaving the restaurant we headed off in the general direction of where I believed the lumber mill to be, and on the way I was introduced to another amazing little piece of asphalt.</p> <p>I have read ride reports from others about Elephant Lake Road, and it always kind of intrigued me, but I was not prepared for just how fun that little road can be. Reminiscent of the 511 / 508 / Centennial Lake roads closer to home, I found myself thinking that even if we did not find the lumber mill, elephant Lake Road was worth the trip!</p> <p>A few minutes later, we found this:</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzrQKssbaBz8ur704JdgmbFNgIE4fvooEnyTz7Oh9zb8pU5bUo-K_YqcBxrj7X57dcQivJJKAZMmUT9nP_QaYMh6GhZl3kZSrh0DHEcHl7Awgfi_e9vCyzLfiXUf46Gvlgu4_GxLdlZzX4/s1600-h/P51558673.jpg"><img title="P5155867" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P5155867" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg1ll7VyXQISzb9KNX7Baa9mlSH4i5Pkqe9dI5Y280lEDf0kiS_GIGGuPu3c4prQdvCX9GB3F0dwj9KQdB2805sRR_RE7eddvLcXWOEhyYfnPENFJ84YfJ5eZLLgyVsi0uZfHeXtVi1RoO/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2DvNzF2BOOgzcYJwU4DpGLjqTOZaP0OzouWmn23npjCxSxP1aGBqK0NT2F3f28HFmHi_J51QQKGnsq5VQH3f_TnAgPD1oqiD_gjNiTNeyI1Hz-PmunTeEEMBnnTbyWsoYhj-m_XxnI5_d/s1600-h/P5155836-23.jpg"><img title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzz25a9MW-jvYAP72AqJJpD8PVCkwkYJ7M3LXnzoBF-mz0Dp9Hd_ePEyiJrInTfO8YzV-94tZb7NaJvgwh-y2QrnXHBDkcKI_53tMvCrKdUENJycqc77PTH2LR_9pBAP-fIXeK-f5jlvf0/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyX_N5vWTkRnOR6hySpWBli5dFIx-9LDScLceeZ8AxC-OqhBO6BpKvakUgx41bC5m4MPtSrGjQblPHZ2LG3efKxME0QRssgdlC8nillLHOk96yFiLnzlh2_Jo9f8yWabYplN9W9qU9pktn/s1600-h/P51558983.jpg"><img title="P5155898" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="P5155898" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7ONR7wIWlH4/VWPLoamMnMI/AAAAAAAAA4o/ATZa6IrWbEI/P5155898_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_mJzs7lbs4_pf0WWyzNhCtk1ESRUbpi28y-UGGpLAudAYfZkdiRZRODAPoksd6LUyKrO6u2hMUtktkM1RHz_RYORXMtyKKwSvqpjkgp7dtDNXpBs22wM-oux2BtMlX5buSeQQyXcB_3FQ/s1600-h/valve2.jpg"><img title="valve" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="valve" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8lOuu60DfbQ/VWPLpGr4aOI/AAAAAAAAA44/6w6z0f1TyF8/valve_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244"></a></p> <p>I had seen some pictures of this old abandoned mill online, and they really piqued my interest, which led to my coming up with the idea for this 4 day long weekend ride. The pictures – both mine, and the ones I found online – do no justice to the actual mill. I swear you can almost hear the ghost-like sounds of the machinery and smell the heat from the dehydrators as you walk in the footsteps of the men who toiled their lives away there from the early 1900’s up until as recently as 2004. There must be so many stories captured within the rusting metal and crumbling brick-work…</p> <p>We spent a little over an hour and a half exploring the old mill, and still did not see all of it – but enough to have realized the we were well into a true adventure, and then we decided to carry on and try to make it to our next destination in time to set up camp before dark.</p> <p>Mother nature, however, had other plans for us, and 3 hours of dropping temperatures and cold rain later we arrived in Bracebridge and decided that a comfortable motel room was in order. I revelled in the pleasure of a steaming hot shower before eating supper in the dining room of the Muskoka Riverside Inn, and we then went across the street where I enjoyed a bowl of Dutch apple pie ice cream – a new favourite of mine, unfortunately (or fortunately, come to think of it) it is not easily found in grocery stores. I guess it may just be one more reason to come back to this beautiful part of Ontario more often. That, and the painfully cute ice-cream girls,…but I digress…</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-JWSxu3xdEvQ3_YczxII5O98i2mSPs2lB5H2gxqZXF9OPuXKn8btnVx3K_30okq9gsSWC-TvP_dWadauh7OEFUKCIo8hl5BhcG61EhZiweygMNMSyTGKn9HcT1CwjIfl6dTvr9JFR1Ag0/s1600-h/11205597_10153868663934517_478689616%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="11205597_10153868663934517_478689616143090919_n" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="11205597_10153868663934517_478689616143090919_n" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gWcJ4RGoHCE/VWPLp6Sy95I/AAAAAAAAA5I/hvVBRXp8kF0/11205597_10153868663934517_478689616%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244"></a></p> <p>After heading back to my room for the night I decided to revisit that hot water and soaked in a steaming hot bath for 25 minutes before crawling into bed and falling almost immediately asleep.</p> <p>Awaking in the morning, I did not regret the decision to stay in a motel one bit. I love camping, but setting up in the rain, when you are already cold and soaked, is no fun at all. Period.</p> <p>We had a quick continental breakfast, loaded the bikes and got back on the road. We stopped in Parry Sound for a coffee and more food, and then headed to Burwash, Ontario – the site of our prized abandoned destination – the Burwash Camp Bison Correctional Centre.</p> <p>Opened in 1914 and mothballed in 1975, Camp Bison not only housed as many as 800 prisoners, it also gave rise to the town of Burwash, populated by up to 1000 residents, most of whom either worked at the correctional centre or were married to someone who did. The town literally came into being to house the guards and correctional services employees who worked there. And when the work camp was closed, the town closed down as well.</p> <p>The entire town was bulldozed in 1994, and all that remains now is the Camp Bison jail facility.</p> <p>Once again, I had learned of this place and found photographs online. This was going to be the highlight of the trip – no question about it. There were even stories circulating that it was, in fact, haunted…</p> <p>Michael and I made plans to spend the night camping there before we even left Ottawa and we were stoked to get there and set up camp.</p> <p>We followed the highway towards Sudbury, aiming for Burwash on the map, even though technically it no longer exists. </p> <p>Along the way, we came across this motel, with vacancies…</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2Jm6sQlyDCY/VWPLqWd0ngI/AAAAAAAAA5U/P3LpglER7P0/s1600-h/P5165910%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="P5165910" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P5165910" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfBCsGcjDMpRJEEVJaG_xbxRHwj0ityrnak1nCXtm6JQc_MZ0asEIuv8FRCs83i2LPudd2pybZ7nE1Z71UCwvqWbOUeEx9eJjtybeWJbcOk20q0I53oSsGKgvpRubKQrecx3YKF7fYA9Te/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vf2Cc-DTMPY/VWPLrH4qitI/AAAAAAAAA5k/Jct7scqYIyA/s1600-h/P5165938%252520%2525282%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Xe09Zcb4Mng/VWPLrkFRM2I/AAAAAAAAA5o/24tLOEb-qkc/P5165938%252520%2525282%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="181"></a></p> <p>But we chose not to stay, and continued down the highway until we saw the exit that we were looking for.</p> <p>We leaned into the curve of the exit ramp, made a right hand turn onto a service road, and started tearing up the gravel, eager with anticipation. Before too long we began noticing more people – and dogs – than we expected to see. I stopped at an RV and asked the gentleman who was busily calming his dog if we had inadvertently ridden into a hunt camp…and discovered that yes, there was a bear hunt on…just one more twist of the adventure handle, lol…</p> <p>This same guy informed us the the old abandoned prison was only about 3 or 4 kilometres ‘that way’,…and pointed off in the direction that we had been heading….”but be careful though. There’s railroad tracks ahead. Not sure you’ll get those bikes across…”</p> <p>Obviously he had no idea of just how resourceful and adaptable the two V Strom riders he was chatting with really were…</p> <p>We said our thanks and headed off, carefully navigating a road that was quickly becoming a trail consisting of sand, loose gravel, sand, and sand….and within 1000 meters, we came to the end of this portion of the adventure.</p> <p>There was no way we were going to be able to get these 240 kilo bikes across the twin set of railroad tracks before us.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTIrsyO_v9khe08R6DlNfPKZBKCtHyYvu-rx99Bzhy1J2JwDSQxo5q8nYhNggkt-H-AhfqWvEUwGqJWhPXYqo5otqBgTPLBLoOMIE37dVmGbeJOycz_wgYE3WCoOJR6Y3O4NtZf_0G8Y7h/s1600-h/11230903_10153869268569517_819976840.jpg"><img title="11230903_10153869268569517_8199768409057057233_n" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="11230903_10153869268569517_8199768409057057233_n" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_lE2PJll2-I/VWPLsLWzh9I/AAAAAAAAA54/kY6NxwyPSd4/11230903_10153869268569517_819976840%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p>We searched for building materials to fashion our own crossing out of – but supplies were limited, to say the least. Combined with the fact that this was still an active rail-line – and the as-fate-would-have-it fact that there was a rail-maintenance crew less than a kilometer down the tracks, we decided to make at least one valiant effort before accepting defeat. The foolishness is evident here</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgifTMKlDMDZ1kR0fUySd2GiCL3BF0Ogu5F1A7HUqwmSMXbJcGociKuN20XYm71UrJ7uFR5A_4e14UhtqFnxtWoFY9T_BMdc-dgBma4G0kCK90VMc1NUF2dqDSxtm8hRdxEThDINrBMu9Md/s1600-h/11212638_10155432889545478_307548757%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="11212638_10155432889545478_307548757866760491_o" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="11212638_10155432889545478_307548757866760491_o" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-J5lIX-7HNdI/VWPLszM6AOI/AAAAAAAAA6I/D7NCIHBbhQw/11212638_10155432889545478_307548757.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="132"></a></p> <p>Not willing to dwell on the so-close-and-yet-so-far irony of getting into prison, we turned our bikes around and headed off towards a now wide-open adventure. Where, or where, should we head to next?….</p> <p>Well, Manitoulin Island, of course. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-W9TnByIqO_s/VWPLtMs_yPI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/nIeqlegDkbo/s1600-h/P5165956%252520%2525282%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KJ2EgSP75Tg/VWPLtoAWlaI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/NgCpZg9bcVA/P5165956%252520%2525282%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="206"></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVFARV8nGC0gcu8FUnFpFLPKcABc1kKMVHYgbU83WndG9iVErRfLkWM5EE8_yRMXaKbY9upcmNDDIxaxnnesv4P_QeJoe0ATfIvK1yOLlhUp2q5gb7eDpkXF0I_PnV3VCIDyvZbcdiA-2k/s1600-h/P5165967%252520%2525282%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZbPNsy5x-yY/VWPLuuultFI/AAAAAAAAA6o/q8opfnrO8ys/P5165967%252520%2525282%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="180"></a></p> <p>Michael had never been before, so I thought this to be the perfect opportunity to revisit one of my favourite Ontario motorcycle destinations – as well as a favourite campground. At $10.00 – and they even threw in some firewood – how could anyone say no?</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jVAMj3ZpcMQ/VWPLu3QZOtI/AAAAAAAAA6w/489ny6hygtA/s1600-h/Camp2.jpg"><img title="Camp" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Camp" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0VE2lyNIL94/VWPLvScm-zI/AAAAAAAAA64/fRCoJs50oT0/Camp_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="148"></a></p> <p>A nice Manitoulin Island backdrop…</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6gRSrN3rnxUgZWUBXeCGEfKscNr9qntGFU-G05bXc-wO22IkkBear3276Pl6YZoOT2OXTzTSEMHArf0fV3yCprKFlY-DPuEqm1CAzssD8Pu9G_26s_MChxdQg_0Ghw0Y9AXNmbtlkShlG/s1600-h/Manitoulin-Joe2.jpg"><img title="Manitoulin Joe" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Manitoulin Joe" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-m9yrrsNbZt8/VWPLwNK0wvI/AAAAAAAAA7I/43eFSmR49X4/Manitoulin-Joe_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>After packing up camp the next morning we decided to ride the Chi Cheemaun ferry to Tobermory and then ride the Bruce Peninsula. As usual, the ferry ride was spectacular – peaceful, relaxing lake breezes, a warm sun glittering off the water, gulls escorting us across Georgian Bay…as close to sublime as it gets…</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc3UU3AmzK7EbrPisMK9Lm_120h-mhqNVAmQEcwA8Rh8W0q407VeEGB960gJI1DK50glFBsdGCWPqBSXdY_qOaZfJGvNmjGnBKrvdahIbW9rqUuM2FvAhFEcYw0aJa0x6rMwphQ7eJFmLF/s1600-h/Fathom-Five-Marine-National-Park2.jpg"><img title="Fathom Five Marine National Park" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Fathom Five Marine National Park" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ay0bfZJQTzo/VWPLwyABFUI/AAAAAAAAA7Y/Iw1xU64PuJE/Fathom-Five-Marine-National-Park_thu.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sWpIUwwT0pk/VWPLxlRo58I/AAAAAAAAA7k/N1Ms_0bkRTY/s1600-h/Chi-Cheemaun2.jpg"><img title="Chi Cheemaun" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Chi Cheemaun" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtuaXENyEfPhPMALxIxz3iJYa8VnS7pY3JLlZgg6GOzL6iMaddsfLYpHs_I7zz7nXRSOzfooH5QLs3SUPURWZ6gJ4XkHpaOlsB90RI5Axo-JCzkYM5h9LE4Lzk6_PmIG_gXkno881ulR_y/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>We off-loaded in Tobermory and headed down highway 6 to Wiarton, making our way along the Bruce Road #1 from there to Owen Sound – what an amazing ride along Georgian Bay – stopping at abandoned places along the way</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pCZml_aW91o/VWPLyqqwTSI/AAAAAAAAA7w/frfhBTlvaXk/s1600-h/P5175996%252520%2525282%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBuJm0cScCrqnDz4_o_lWqXvW3ES_UNtqpz0et25Vqi-rwtA1NFQ2OUnAIJP1g4nfjirRq8bDhSSXAR0my2CrRTCkvUKnMON_zzjLbjUVksFyIjedJj3WS_GUZlFybw26OQdwgiJYgM9hD/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pyzAcsTR3II/VWPLza_LTVI/AAAAAAAAA8A/Y9tO9axJIxs/s1600-h/P5175998%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P5175998" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P5175998" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1bxaQzc-qsE/VWPLz25TAaI/AAAAAAAAA8I/17jznLIm3uI/P5175998_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7m7xBEJvjEEG5mzC_Z-jhamOAcqJx7HLVqTUe5WEUZcRgq6fPNUdN41Ka61emlG-vqomCSzpHmLdByLIN0qIHD02zL6MOahydBIXQgsyZ0sjDI_dX0_b5AVEwKfEh2S6wkmJkcMst24t5/s1600-h/P5176002%252520%2525282%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRiPP3aTHN49QQRKIRd_pqd7W3YHJ3ZZ16c-xWIqnOcBZ-xHIrs5Ttw6IJWRwmjluUp4tFvAnx6kjHwNeX1IH7zU3a16GeJc2noHcx8LFHynFE0y_vmnZLfagExjQXrwxfQqLL5jEIAp_a/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AGo4LwbPDrY/VWPL1HgujAI/AAAAAAAAA8k/8A-FGCg_hPQ/s1600-h/P5176005%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="P5176005" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="P5176005" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsiSWEjFM71ToIhSUYKu2O_6be1rAfmss4IJMRK4e2sjDnGpkVVElK_3Cd0XhcyZc6_vxpsGmlpsWBQe70WG_RjQhImX3DX0hViGCxDvuPVF3AFJBfBR3_pu6KClsUJnQROo7iVVlegioX/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>The trip was a resounding success. We saw more abandoned locations than we had expected to, and although a little disappointed that we were not able to see the prized jewel, we made a commitment to head back to Burwash on another occasion – with a couple of more inmates to lend a hand…</p> <p>Ontario is a province blessed with some of the most incredible beauty to be found anywhere – and certainly some of the best motorcycle roads in the country – if not the world. So get out there. Explore your little piece of paradise….before it too, is lost….</p> solidsober1http://www.blogger.com/profile/12904894518767041242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6742616115424861227.post-32748713590905749882015-05-09T05:12:00.002-07:002015-05-09T05:22:34.442-07:00Mitas, you make good tires<div class="MsoNormal">
I now have a little over 650 kilometers on the set of Mitas
E07 Dakar tires that I had mounted on the rims of my V Strom 1000 last
Wednesday.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Dakar version of the E07 have a 4 ply side wall as opposed
to the 3-ply of the standard version, making them substantially stiffer – and more
resistant to sidewall tears and pinch flats. This is the main reason that I
chose this particular version of the E07 tire, as I will be riding an 8000
kilometer Epic East Coast and Trans Lab Adventure in July, and the Trans Lab
can be hard on tires – or so I have heard.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Up until this week, I have been riding on the stock
Bridgestone Battlewing tires. All in all, the stock rubber are a satisfactory
road tire. They provided good grip in hard cornering, and I was never afraid to
lean the big girl over in the twisties. Wet traction was likewise satisfactory –
though not as confidence inducing as on dry asphalt. They also managed most
gravel and hard packed dirt fairly well, especially considering they are an 80
/ 20 tire. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Where the stock rubber failed, of course, was mud. Big Ethel
ended up laying on her side on several occasions after rolling around in the
mud on various local adventures, and I came to expect that if we were going to
be riding in any slick stuff, I was going to be picking her up.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For the last 2 days, I have been putting the Dakar’s through
the paces.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I spent the first 100+ kilometers riding asphalt on a warm
Thursday afternoon. The temperature was hovering around the 30 degree-celsius
mark, and I knew that 100 kilometers of super-heated asphalt would be enough to
scuff-in the new rubber.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I headed west from Ottawa on the 417 to Calabogie Road, and
it was on that fine little piece of blacktop that I first got up the nerve to
lean over on these almost-knobby tires.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So far, so good. Running at just a little over the speed
limit, and accelerating fairly hard while leaned over coming out of some of the
grin-inducing curves along the 508, I never once had a feeling of anything
other than ‘hey, I like these tires’.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After about 106 kilometers of asphalt riding, I turned south
onto highway 511 and made my way to the Barryvale road trail head of the
K&P Trail. It was time to see what these tires were like in mild-to-medium
off road conditions.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am still smiling when I think about those first
impressions.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am not one to take it easy and pussy-foot around a new
product, handling it with kid-gloves lest it disappoint too quickly. No, I like
to see how my new purchase is going to perform – whatever the item. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And in this case – boy, do they perform.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Admittedly, I only have the stock rubber as a benchmark for
a comparison. So it is no surprise that I really liked the way in which these
new 50 / 50 tires handled the K&P Trail. But let me tell you – I think that
my impressions are real-world accurate.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The K&P Trail is a re-purposed rail bed that is now a
multi-use trail. As such, it has quite a bit of everything scattered along its
length – from pretty deep water crossings to deep, loose gravel to thick mud to
sand to slick mud to shale to river stone and everything in between. And these
new tires handled all of it without so much as a single ‘holy-crap-that-was-close-butt-cheek-
clenching’ moment. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I went through the water crossings with the confidence of my
KLR riding buddies, flew through the loose gravel at the posted 50 kph speed
limit, navigated the mud-holes without once getting squirrely, and had the time
of my life.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is how riding a big adventure bike is supposed to feel!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I exited the trail on Thursday at South Lavant Road and headed
back towards Ottawa. By now I was so happy – and confident – with these new
tires that I thought it was time to really push them on the asphalt – and S.
Lavant road is just the place to do that. One of the more exhilarating stretches
of asphalt in the Lanark region, this little road has some of the tightest
hairpin-like twisties to be found, most of them starting on the uphill side of
the many, many steep hills that pepper this road like some far-fetched creation
of an old roller-coaster designer. I have no idea why S. Lavant road was
engineered and laid out the way that it was-
but I sure am happy with the result.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I pushed Big Ethel, and the Mitas E07’s, as hard as I felt
comfortable - and safe – in doing. And
just like the manner in which they left me smiling on the trail, the E07’s left
me smiling on the asphalt.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am not a track-day rider. I am not a 120 kp/h on the
off-ramps rider. But I am an enthusiast. And I do seek a thrill.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am pretty sure Big Ethel and I will be finding those
thrills on Mitas E07 Dakar’s for quite some time.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Joe Enberg</div>
solidsober1http://www.blogger.com/profile/12904894518767041242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6742616115424861227.post-42743665581912822582015-05-09T05:11:00.000-07:002015-05-09T05:11:01.091-07:00And so it begins...<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What
a long, cold, long, did I mention cold, and long winter it was. There were
moments – several in fact – during January and February where I thought it may
just be time to relocate to somewhere with a longer motorcycle riding season –
like South America!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Less than a month into the current riding
season though, and those thoughts are a fading fantasy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The 2015 riding season started on April 11<sup>th</sup>
for me. A short 400km roundtrip ride from Ottawa to Mont Tremblant for lunch
was exactly what I needed to shake off the winter blues and get my riding blood
pumping again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My friend Alex and I headed out of Ottawa on
the 417 – not necessarily my preferred route – but my 2014 V Strom 1000 is just
so comfortable in almost any environment that even riding the slab can be
enjoyable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We rode to the Highway 34 - Hawkesbury exit
and continued north to the 148, heading east on this fun little 2-lane country
road until we met the 327 – one of my favorite roads in the area. This
provincial highway has a little something to offer every style of rider, from
long, undulating climbers and sweepers to some super-tight twisties and
everything in between. If you have never ridden on highway 327, do yourself a
favor and ride it this summer. You will definitely not be disappointed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;">After lunch we decided to take a different –
but every bit as enjoyable route home. Highway 323 starts (or ends, depending
on your perspective) at Mont Tremblant as well, and it will take you all the
way back down to Montebello and highway 50, or highway 148.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We opted for the 148 – a little rough, and
sometimes congested – but still a very enjoyable road to ride – and followed it
all the way back to Gatineau, where we eventually crossed over the river into
Ottawa and made our way to our respective homes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Living in Vanier, I consider myself to be one
of the very lucky ones. I am smack dab in the middle of some of the best riding
offered in 2 provinces – and the country. I’m not kidding – check out this link
if you need another opinion:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://motorcycleroads.com/best/?c=129">http://motorcycleroads.com/best/?c=129</a></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I tend to spend 95% of my free time in the
saddle. To the tune of 3800 kilometers so far this season. Which for me has
been 22 days.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I am heading out on another fun Ontario and
Quebec ride this weekend, so I promise, there is more to come…<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Joe<o:p></o:p></span></div>
solidsober1http://www.blogger.com/profile/12904894518767041242noreply@blogger.com0