Cruised into Corbeil, Nestled past North Bay - we get the STAMP of approval!!

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SNM Tour day #41


Bob and Ted's excellent adventure starts today (maybe in a theatre near you........ some day).


So we picked up Bob this am and got started on the road toward Ottawa. Bob is an excellent triathlete who, like most triathletes, has this unusual sense of being humble when it comes to his skills.  He was worried about his cycling pace as he had not been cycling as much as usual.  When he completed our day's ride conversing the entire time, without breathing heavy or sweating, I assured him that if anyone should be worried about the next few days of riding - it should be me. He keeps a beautiful clock work pace and I'm looking forward to the next few days on the road with him.

Cloudy day turned to a beautifully sunny day which led to an absolutely beautiful relaxed ride into North Bay arriving just before noon and allowing us the rest of the day to enjoy North Bay waterfront area.  We met up with Dave and Lucy and spent the rest of the sunny afternoon at their home in Corbeil.  Dave is a head honcho of a national mood disorder society (OK, his formal title is Dave Gallson, Associate National Executive Director of Mood Disorders Society of Canada) who tracked down the tour and wanted to meet for coffee and a blueberry pie which has turned out to be a hot shower, home-made tarts and pie, a gourmet dinner etc.  It isn't hard to surmise that Lucy and Dave are very friendly, generous folks who took us in with open arms today and made today just a whole lot nicer. It was great spending time with them and swapping stories. (Maybe it's having Bob along - who knows, we'll see what happens tomorrow...)

Today was a special day with a very special twist.  As many of you know, I am a "face" for the MIAW (Mental Illness Awareness Week) 2010 campaign which occurs in the  week of October 3rd.  What was announced yesterday was a new Canada Post stamp for Mental Health awareness, and my profile picture and story is being used to promote this announcement.  I was fully unaware that this would be part of the National campaign. The twist to this story is that my father (Ted Sr.) was a letter carrier for most of his working career and retired from the "Post Office" after many, many years of service.  He was a friendly, well-liked carrier who wore his uniform with pride and dedication even through the many miserably cold Winnipeg winters. He fought with his demons and overcame many later in life and I believe he would be very proud of the SAD no more tour and this recent connection with Canada Post.  See www.canadapost.ca/foundation to see the home page of this campaign and the very artistic design of this stamp.  I am honoured and humbled to be part of this and the MIAW campaign. It has changed my life already and the "official week" is yet to come. I have stated it before and will reiterate, if I can be even a minute positive force to decrease mental illness stigma in Canada, I will know I am moving in the right direction.    


Tour Day Sponsors are Jackie and Greg Gacek, thanks so much. The support of family is so very important, thanks so much for this!!


Random quote of the day
I get mail, therefore I am.
Scott Adams