Posts for June, 2009

We spent much of the morning and early afternoon exploring downtown Edmonton. Certainly not enough time for what appeared to be a wonderfully positioned city on the high northern banks of the Saskatchewan River. We did get a chance to walk along the river through Victoria Park. A lot of people were out walking, jogging and cycling. I guess the local citizens like to enjoy the limited sunny, warm weather when ever they can.

Another beautiful sunny day awaited us and we were away early, at least compared to our usual relaxed starts. After a brief stop in Jasper to make a few phone calls we found our way to the Jasper Tramway which lifted us up the side of Whistlers Mountain for a panoramic view of Jasper and its surrounds. From the upper station a trail continues a couple of kms and several hundred feet farther up the ridge to the summit of Whistlers. We spent an enjoyable hour hiking up the trail, admiring the scenery and soaking in the atmosphere. We had visited this region in 1976 and had a few adventures on the lower slopes of a couple of the local peaks, so we did more than a little reminiscing also.

After a leisurely start to the day we drove back into Jasper and spent some time in an internet cafe catching up on emails, our journal and various researches. Jasper was picturesque, with another bright sunny day really showing the mountains and the town at its best. It was with more than a little regret that we headed south down the Icefield Hwy out of Jasper. A little way south we stopped at a hiking trail around the five lakes and spent a couple of hours strolling through the pine forests and admiring the lakes; what a wonderful setting for some well needed exercise.

Our goal for today was to get to Calgary for a visit with Nina's cousin, so we got an uncharacteristically early start.

We spent the today in and around Calgary with Nina's cousin Yvonne. It could have been a rest day with time to do washing, catch up on emails, catch up on family doings and relax; but for Nina and Yvonne it wasn't. There was a FedEx parcel from Richard for us and it had to be cleared through Canadian customs; a task that proved surprisingly difficult and complex.

A light dusting of fresh snow greeted us this morning and although we did not know it when we woke this would be a very appropriate farewell from Canada nicely bookending our time in Canada and the north; snow when we arrived - snow when we departed.

Today was one of contrast, this morning driving through Helena, MT there was fresh snow on the ground and occasional flurries and by the afternoon at Lake Yuba the temperature was nudging 90°F, people were boating and swimming and we were worrying about how to stay cool.

We planned on getting to Phoenix today, a drive of something like 600 miles, but Nina could not resist the temptation of Zion National Park and we had to see some of it on our way.

We have had a hectic week in Phoenix, catching up on family matters, maintenance on the Tiger and emails/phone contact with Norm so that he could arrange insurance and shipping for the trip into central and south america.

We are back on the road after some last minute chores and goodbyes. We are following Highway 10 so that means out of Phoenix we headed south and then eventually east.

We woke this morning to find that the rest area was next to a prison and that the truck engines had not become any quieter during the night.

We lingered at the camping ground this morning sheltering from the strong morning sun under the shade of the trees and enjoying the Texas country side.

We were quite excited on this day as we were finally going to arrive in Pharr, meet the trip organize Norm and start the final preparation for the Central and South America legs.

There is not much to say about today. Last minute shopping.

At one level today was a lot of miles, that started very early and drove without many stops for 450 miles. But on the other hand it was a day of sudden and complete emersion.

I forgot to mention in yesterdays journal that mid afternoon we crossed the Tropic of Cancer at latitude 33°N. The only marker or monument was a forlorn yellow ball, a photo of which is included in yesterdays entry. This event got Nina and I thinking and we were a little amazed to realize that from the Arctic Circle to the yellow ball we have travelled across 33° of latitude, and we have a like distance to go before we get to the Equator at Quito Ecuador, the same distance again to the tropic of Capricorn in Chile and yet more distance before we turn north again from Patagonia. I think this is the first time we have really appreciated how far we have planned to travel.

We were underway by 6:00 am this morning, todays leg is long.

Norm's ford had a flat battery this morning, and it took a little while to charge it using the Tiger and our jump leads. However, even with that hiccup we were on the road by 6:30 am.

We had a surprisingly comfortable night at the border. The weather was pleasant and not too hot, our parking place was almost flat, and the noise was not too bad. Fortunately Nina did not hear the nine gun shots in the middle of the night. Norm later heard that the police shot a local gang member - Nina Says Sorry no photos.

We spent today in the area around our Water Park Automorisco.

This morning we set out at 8:00 for a visit to the city of Antigua in Norm's vehicle accompanied by the two children from the water park and the hair dresser lady mentioned in the previous entry.

This day was a complete right-off for me. During the night I started getting stomach cramps with the usual consequences of such feelings. With some foul tasting medications to punctuate the day I did my best to sleep for 24 hours.

I was pleased to awake feeling a lot better this morning. Which meant that we would be moving on. The plan was to cross into El Salvador and drive to a government Work Center near La Libertad. These centers are provided as vacation destinations for locals and visitors alike.