Home sweet home

After fueling up with cheap Alberta gas, we hit the road at 830am. From Cochrane we took Highway 1A for about 30kms a most scenic drive through the foothills towards the Rockies. We saw incredible beauty across the country but this morning we unanimously agreed there is nothing more beautiful than British Columbia (okay…and a little part of Alberta for the Rockies).

The GPS lady predicted it would take us 8 hours and 49 minutes to return home. This was almost an hour longer than Google and Apple maps. You’d think the GPS lady would be able to adjust to my driving habits by now. We made it to our home in 8 hours and found all was well. I didn’t expect to see the front yard grass so green and healthy. It seems summer in the Okanagan has been cooler and wetter than normal.

Taking 4 weeks off work to make a trip like ours doesn’t happen without the support of others. Thanks to Matthew our neighbour for checking in on the house 3 times each week, watering Connie’s house plants, picking up the mail and collecting the newspapers (even though we cancelled the subscription). Thanks to my friend Doug for cutting the grass – the place looks terrific. Thanks to my sister Karlene for occasionally dropping by to see that all was well. Thanks also to my team at work for taking care of things while I was away, and a special thanks to Catherine who acted in my place. You are all very much appreciated.

Most importantly, I give my love and thanks to Connie and Zach for being such great travel partners. Connie planned the entire trip and did an absolutely fantastic job. While some days were long, every drive and stop was interesting and memorable. We laughed, we cried (mostly because of the laughter), we listened to each other, we debated with each other and best of all we learned from each other.

Finally, I have to say it isn’t always easy putting up with me and my shortcomings (which are many) but Connie and Zach while frequently exasperated, were mostly patient and always kind. I love each of them so very much. This truly was a bucket list trip and I am so very grateful…and as the shirt says “lucky”.

When we left West Kelowna 30 days ago, I took a photo of the odometer, which read 23,813kms. When we arrived home today, I took another, which reads 38,675kms. We travelled 14,862 kilometres in 30 days!

PS…since I love driving so much, at 5pm I drove Zach and Jessica, a friend from high school, to Mackenzie Lake (just north of Princeton), so they could participate in what is turning into an annual get together at Cole’s cabin. I dropped them off at the dock and they rode by boat to the cabin, which has even less amenities than our trailer. Oh to be young again!