.....take three

Suffice to say we have made it to Kelowna....a few days ago.  As we prepare to start the third leg of our journey, I remembered that I have not blogged in those few days.  I also have some picture updates that I must complete, which I will do.

We had a huge breakfast, packed up our stuff and out of the condo by 10:45 a.m.  Quick stop for gas and we were off...Tofino is just one way in and one way out so we got to enjoy the ride a second time all the way back to Parksville then we went south towards Victoria.  There is always something to be said travelling roads in both directions...what you see travelling the same road in another direction is another perspective! As we rode through Cathedral Grove we did not stop this time to walk through. This time we rode through and I was overcome by the feeling of riding through a natural tunnel mixed with little trickles of sunshine...the trees are tall but close, the freshness of the air can not be ignored....it was an unexpected pleasure.

We encountered a bit of road traffic again as we approached Victoria.  We did find a road that allowed us to bi-pass Victoria and made our way to Saanichton.  We stayed at the "Super 8" in Saanichton, which was again, not so super. 

We walked across the street to the Waddling Dog Pub at the Quality Inn which so happened to be the place we stayed at when we arrived by plane in Victoria only 10 years earlier for our first trip to Tofino.  The really cool thing about this place is that they have a basset hound as their mascot and he actually lives there.  The dog's name is John...this particular John is John VI.  He had already retired for the night so we didn't get to see him but John V was available 10 years ago when we stayed there and thoroughly enjoyed the attention of all the guests.  I would assume the same would be said of this generation of John.

We got up early, gave wake up calls to all our friends and then walked over to McD's to get some coffee.  There should be some reward for an early morning call and I can't imagine that Super 8 coffee would be that.  We managed to pack up the bikes, ride down to the ferry and catch the 8 a.m. crossing with minutes to spare...not very many minutes but minutes none the less.

The boat cruise through the islands in the morning was again beautiful...the water was calm and blue, the sky was blue, the sun was bright and warm.  Patti and I went down and picked up some coffee and bagels for the boys.

We disembarked and headed for Hope...we stopped in Fort Langley for a quick bite and coffee. Fort Langley is this great little historic village which I think is part of Langley. Lots of trees line the streets, with quaint little coffee shops and retail shops. 

Our intention was to ride to the other side of Fort Langley to take a side road that would get us around the highway.  Unfortunately this road ran through a reservation which had barricaded the road and was not allowing through traffic, so back to the highway...contrary to the song title of Tom Cochrane and Red Rider, life is not a highway, at least not on the way through Chilliwack!   More traffic stops in really hot sun does not equate to happy riders!  The upside is that at some point when you get off the highway you are rewarded with great roads...Hope....springs eternal and so does her roads.  From Hope we took Highway 3 through EC Manning Provincial Park and up to Princeton.  YES! I have gone to Princeton...and stayed in Princeton.

After a hot day on the highway, it was nice to jump into the outdoor pool and cool off before we headed over to a little Irish Pub...or at least a bar with an Irish Pub name. Princeton is a very small town.  We came back to the motel after a few drinks and another meal and met up with some of our "neighbours" who happen to be working on the pass we had travelled on earlier in the day.  Great guys and turned out one was from Newfoundland (we had a chat) and the other was best friends with a girl that Pat used to babysit.....small world.

Next morning we take off with a quick ride around a loop that was...you know, I don't know how often that I can say WOW or breathtaking before it becomes cliche but...WOW..great roads along a beautiful river with lots of beach stone and rapids.  Back out on the main road for a short while then onto another back road.  As we moved along the sweeping turns, a black bear popped out and across the road.  That is as close as I have ever been to a black bear in the wild...it was cool to watch him run from one side to the other.  We encountered another further down the road but I did not see that one as he was coming out of the ditch from the opposite side and the on-coming traffic had to swerve to avoid...which is probably why I didn't see the bear when all I could see was the car.

We came out in Penticton and stopped to see Heather who lost her husband earlier this year.  It was a bit of a surprise visit as we didn't know when or if we would be in this area.  She was happy to see us and I was happy to see her....it is hard when you know friends are suffering or sad and they live so far away. It doesn't matter how many times you type the words you want them to hear, hoping that the sentiment in which they are intended are also conveyed, it only matters that you can hold them..words are not needed.

We stopped for a quick lunch and then arrived back in Kelowna by mid afternoon in the middle of a REALLY hot day.  First thing we all did was strip off our motorcycle equipment, right in the middle of the floor. Later we all piled into the car to stop over to see Tom and Kathy at the pub, have a quick bite and then home. 

The next morning we all had breakfast together before we had to bid farewell to our new and good friend Brad.  He was heading back to Calgary.  Brad lost his Dad a couple of weeks ago at the young age of 93.  The thing about riding a motorcycle through mountains, valleys, over to oceans with friends is that it has a way of healing.  Be it your mind, your heart or your soul...those hard to reach places....it soothes and heals without you even knowing that you are in the process.  We have a new and dear friend and I know that we will get together again very soon.

In the afternoon we visited with our good friends (family) Doug and Jane, spending the afternoon catching up and cooling off in their pool.  We always enjoy our time with Doug and Jane...when they get together with Larry, I always love to sit and listen to their stories of days gone by.  I don't mean days gone by in the traditional sense because there was nothing traditional in what they did.  They were all a bunch of hooligans...harmless hooligans with heart!  Pat and Buddy joined us later and the stories continued.

Yesterday we picked up our bikes, changed and headed out to Quail's Gate to look for a wine that I had tried the last time I was here.  I found it...and then some.  A quick snack at another winery and we headed back to the Cole house for an afternoon siesta.  We had an invite to Tom and Kathy Keyser's for supper and we were excited to spend some time with them as well as Kathy's sister and her husband, Joyce and Doug, who were visiting.  We had a absolutely wonderful time and the meal was amazing....mussels, chicken, ribs, corn on the cob, baked potato with sour cream and chives...all flavoured by herbs from Kathy's garden or Joyce's garden. Everything was delicious, including the conversation and company.

This morning we prepare to leave for the third leg of our journey...the one that will take us across Canada.  My heart hurts....I have been looking for ways we could stay longer, come back and do this leg of the journey at another time but the issue is not with leaving today, it is with leaving.  This part is inevitable unfortunately.  Even my new furry friend Tucker knows that we are leaving today.  I will miss my little friend a well.

Today we will ride to Calgary to visit more friends....Rick and Linda.  I always remember telling my girls, you can never have too much family.  You know, you can never have too many friends either.

I will remember every bit of this trip including the welcoming face of Bud when we met up with him just outside of Kelowna for the drive in.  That is the face I look forward to, the happy one when we arrived...not the sad one that I will be wearing as we leave.

Thank you friends, for all the new and wonderful memories.  I will carry them home with me.

...and yes I still have pictures to post.