Oh Boy

Mont Tremblant

Well hello again, blog.  I know, I know, it's been a while.  The truth is I've been wanting to write, but have been avoiding the online documentation of the trip until I knew what was actually happening with the trip.  You see, brace yourselves because I'm going to come right out and say it, our beloved '95 Corolla - faithful chariot, loyal compadre - has died; she died a sad, violent death in Barrie, Ontario.  I'd be lying if I said I didn't cry in the tow truck on our way to the car recycler (which sounds nicer than "junk yard", right?), that was tow truck #2 on this trip by the way.  But wait, let me go back...    

A casual hike with Max and Mylene...

...and Sierra and Milli

  

After our time in Tremblant with Max and Mylene (whose level of fitness shamed Duncan and I on what they described as an "easy hike"), we spent two blissful days with Nick, Kaley, and Chris Boyle at (Nick's dad) Steve's house in Baie d'Urfe, just west of Montreal on the island.  This place is heaven on Earth.  My average day at the Aikins' household consisted of: laying by the pool, dipping in and out, devouring Nick's culinary creations, laying by the pool again, more food, wake-boarding (well, occasionally getting up and slamming back into the water immediately, while being thoroughly shown up by Kaley and Nick in all of their athletic glory), sailing, eating again, wine, hot tub, wine, night swim, hot tub, more wine, sleep.  Oh yah!  Steve and Leslie: if you're ever in need of a live-in nanny, housekeeper, personal assistant, general slave labourer…call me; I can see your basement becoming my permanent home!  I had intended to spend some time wandering around good old Montreal-proper, but could never bring myself to change out of my bathing suit and get my ass into the city; Baie d'Urfe country life is the life for me.  It was tough to say goodbye to such a hospitable home and a family that I always have a GREAT time hanging out with, but somehow we managed to move on and bid Nick, Brooke, Scott, Leslie, and Steve farewell.

Hey Baie d'Urfe!

An offering for Leslie.  

After Baie d'Urfe we headed to Ottawa, which I hadn't visited since grade 8 on my graduation field trip (whatever, shut up).  Ottawa is even more beautiful than I remembered and surprisingly quiet.  Walking around downtown on a Thursday night we felt almost lonely on the empty sidewalks and our leisurely stroll beside the canal was almost eerily hushed, only to be interrupted occasionally by a biker speeding by.  On that note, nice bike representation, Ottawa!  I was totally impressed with the number of bikes steadily making their way through traffic, which really made me miss my Kona; dear, sweet Kona which is right now hanging in the MacVicar's basement, stagnant (sigh).  Ottawa has more to offer than we had time to really appreciate with such a strict timeline; another visit is definitely in order.  I loved the Glebe, where we met my old buddy Tyler, fresh off a plane from Salt Spring Island where he was working at a seal sanctuary for the last few months (Tyler, I love you).  Our time together was limited, but I think we fell in love all over again.  His 'hood also offered us THE MOST AMAZING INDIAN FOOD at Light of India (http://www.lightofindia.ca/) on Bank St.  I'm talking papadam, biryani, paneer, a huge naan, and tons of leftovers for under $30!  This place is genuine - go there.  Down on Elgin St. I finally got to meet Duncan's old roommate Josh, and the two of them even let me listen in on an impromptu jam session, during which I think I felt their bro-love rekindle.  We also got to explore the most amazing collection of Aboriginal art at the Museum of Civilization.  We were only there for a couple of hours and I know I've been there before, but I have a new appreciation for the contents of this museum.  The vibrant imagery in these pieces was breathtaking; I had too many favourites to show them all.    

The Birth of Good and Evil

The Creation of Eve

The Indian in Transition

We stayed with Kaley's family out in Russel, which I had been dying to visit since my first year of university when Kaley and I (by some magical universal force) were matched up in residence.  I love the Cochrane family, and finally visiting Russel was the icing on the cake for my friendship with Kaley.  It was just as I had always imagined, but with more soy fields and less cows.  It had been one whole year since I had last seen Kaley, and it was great to have one of those experiences with a friend where it feels like you haven't spent a day apart even though you know it's been a long time.  As we speak, Kaley and Teri (another old Halifax roommate and a Russel native) are biking Alaska; no worries, they biked Canada - NF to BC - last summer, no big deal.  After too short a visit, we had to press south west to Toronto - my sister's bachelorette was looming.  So, we packed up and drove on, but we didn't quite make it.  Around Trenton the engine overheated after a leaky hose expelled all of our coolant (I knew something smelled weird), and we had to be towed the 150km into Toronto city centre in order for me to make an appearance at the girly night shindig.  Well, we got that hose fixed, hung out in T.O. with Trev (holla!), did some vintage shopping and lots of wandering on Queen West, spent too much money, saw more friends, and moved on up to Barrie to help Kim with some last minute wedding preparations (or at least that was what I said I'd do, it all changed when I found out how to work NetFlix on demand).  While puttering around Barrie, Duncan noticed the car making a really funny sound and some shaking coming from under the hood, so we decided to be safe and leave the car at a garage in Barrie for the wedding weekend and hitch a ride into town for the Big Day with Kim and Colin (bride and groom).  

Tow #1: Trenton - Toronto

The Wedding

I'll just say this: I have never seen a more beautifully romantic, sophisticated, and swaaaaaaanky evening turn into such a rowdy par-tay!  I don't know how many shots the bridal party did, but there were a lot.  I don't know how my aunties started sandwich humping Duncan on the dance floor, but it happened.  I don't know why my Dad was egging me on to jump off the stage into my sister's arms…oh wait, yah I do, that song from Dirty Dancing was on.  And I don't know who called security to the after party, but they did…twice.  It was a hell of a night.

The last tow.

So, wedding over and three day bender with my extended family complete, we headed back up to Barrie only to find out that the repairs on our old girl were going to be around $1000.  Well, we love you darling Carolla, but not $1000 worth.  We had our baby towed, once again, and this time we were given $125 to leave her in the recycler's hands.  With no car and uncertainty surrounding our bodies, minds, and spirits, we hitched a ride with my brother back down to Tecumseh (my hometown), to figure stuff out…and to lay on my Mom's beach.  Now here we are, one week later, on the eve of September 1st (WHOA).  The new plan?  We're taking my parent's old van (anyone who's experienced this van knows the one I'm talking about), 388,117 km and all for a northern Ontario camping adventure.  If she feels good, we might just take her all the way across the country.  If she feels unsure of herself, we might stick to Ontario, get in as much northern camping as we can, call it quits and fly back to the East coast for a whirlwind tour of Newfoundland before heading to South Korea.  The long term plans are a little up in the air right now, but two things are for certain: we are getting in the car tomorrow and we are driving.  Our first stop is scheduled to be Algonquin Park.  Here's hoping for sunshine and smooth driving.