Clear across to Clarenville - crazy!!

SNM Tour Day #75

What a pot-pourri of weather today! The run and the cycle were much the same - a mix of almost everything. 

If you wanted sun - you got it

If you didn't want rain - you got it

Spectactular sun showers - but of course 

Nasty black clouds - oh yeah

Wind from either side, back or front - all there today

Snow storm? - no, that's one thing that for some reason didn't happen today (why not? - what gives....)

This day is probably best described by photos, so I will throw in quite a few today as the skies really said it all today.

Our plan was to get at least to Port Blanford.  As the legs felt good despite the abundance of decent hills, we were able to get in some extra mileage, make it a 145 km day and officially get to Clarenville (home of Don Cherry's bar and restaurant if anyone wants to know).  We are now less than 200 km from St. John's and putting the plan in place for a bit of "a show" (more about this is the blogs to come in the next few days).  I did a little live radio talk show with VOCM and Bill Rowe (whose show seems to be listened to by all the islanders) who was knowledgeable and a great interviewer.

Tour Day Sponsor is Robert Hobbs once again. Thanks.

Random Quotes of the Day about Weather

Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather.  

John Ruskin

Let the rain kiss you.  Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops.  Let the rain sing you a lullaby.  

Langston Hughes

Anyone who says sunshine brings happiness has never danced in the rain.  

Author Unknown

Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine.  

Anthony J. D'Angelo

Bad weather always looks worse through a window. 
Author Unknown

Only those in tune with nature seem to pick up on the energy in wind.  All sorts of things get swept off in the breeze - ghosts, pieces of soul, voices unsung, thoughts repressed, love uncherished, and a thousands galore of spiritual ether.  Wind is an emotional rush because emotions are rushing by. 
Terri Guillemets

I am sure it is a great mistake always to know enough to go in when it rains.  One may keep snug and dry by such knowledge, but one misses a world of loveliness.  
Adeline Knapp

Gander is great, Twilled to see Twillingate

SNM Tour Day #74

Day off roadwork, so blog will be short.  Today was a day for a rest, a presentation (to a small but very mighty group in Gander) and a time to play tourist with Marc and Colette. 

It is fascinating to learn about an area by asking the locals what the "sights to see" are.  The people of Gander are exceedingly humble and recommendations were understated and almost apologetic.  We drove around and saw the "Silent Witness Memorial" to the Arrow Airplane Crash of 1985 - the largest airplane crash on Canadian soil.

Thereafter we went to check out the famous Gander airport, which almost all the locals said "why? it's only a big old airport...." Gander airport has runways that are large enough and long enough to land any plane that exists on this planet, including the space shuttle.  This was the destination of many of the landmark Trans Atlantic flights and used to be a re-fueling destination for commercial trans Atlantic flights, many of which had movie stars, celebrities and famous and infamous politicians and heads of states.   We looked at all the interesting displays and were ready to leave when Monique went to talk to Wendy at the information counter and we were given a private tour of the "International section" of the original airport which still houses the original furnishings from the 50's. This part is not normally seen or open to "the public" so this was a great treat and Wendy had many a story to tell!!

Not that anyone is playing along and doing the quizzes that I painstakingly research and devise - but the person who identifies the most people on this poster which shows a few of the celebrities that have been in the GANDER airport will WINWINWIN a Gander airport pin personally given to me by our tour guide Wendy (ie I will forgo this immensely special and invaluable gift to use as a prize)

Thereafter we drove up North and through a number of smaller communities along the Ocean and unfortunately eventually ran out of time and daylight and drove back in the dark (hoping that we wouldn't come across any errant moose)

Tour Day Sponsor is Robert Hobbs - thanks so very much for all the support once again

Random Celebrity Quotes of the Day

Listen, everyone is entitled to my opinion

Madonna 

A celebrity is a person who works hard all his life to become well known, then wears dark glasses to avoid being recognized

Fred Allen

The nice thing about being a celebrity is that when you bore people, they think it's their fault

Henry Kissinger

Taking a Gander in Gander

SNM Tour Day #73

Why is Gander ranked one of the top ten places to live in Canada? It was a MoneySense magazine article that is quoted on the town signs proclaiming this honour. Maybe there is hidden fortune here, maybe it isn't even hidden. We're here to investigate and find out! What gives in Gander?!

Had a CBC radio interview this morning and then a presentation in Grand Falls-Windsor. So quite a late start for the roadwork.  The run was warm and sunny for the first half, clouding over for the last half.  A quick lunch and then cycled to Gander under cloudy skies, it rained very briefly in the last ten kilometers. Once again we flirted with the weather systems and beat the odds, essentially picking the "sweet spot" for the roadwork portion of the day.

The landscape changed as we moved more inland, many more marshy areas.  Lots of brooks and creeks with very large rocks.  As the days are ending, the temperatures are distinctly dropping - it is definitely fall.  There is now less than 400 kms to St John's and less than a week left before we arrive at the most Easternly destination point of this tour.  As we see more and more signs for St John's we are repeatedly reminded that the end is definitely in sight.  The weather forecasts are predicting much colder temperatures in the next week.
This coupled with the much shorter daylight hours - make it a good thing that the mileage in the last few days of official running and cycling will be on the shorter side.

Tour Day Sponsor is Boehringer-Ingelheim Canada, thanks again for the support.

Random Quotes of the Day (while in Gander....)

Let me close as I did in Gander on September 11, 2002 when I went to that community to thank the people of Gander and the people of Canada for the overwhelming support and help that was given to us in the wake of those attacks on September 11, 2001.

Paul Cellucci


What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.

Marcus Terentius Varro 

Gander – "The World’s Biggest Airport"

Flight is the only truly new sensation than men have achieved in modern history.

James Dickey

More than anything else the sensation of flying is one of perfect peace mingled with an excitement that strains every nerve to the utmost, if you can conceive of such a combination.   

Wilbur Wright
 

Bicycling is the nearest approximation I know to the flight of birds.  The airplane simply carries a man on its back like an obedient Pegasus; it gives him no wings of his own.  

Louis J. Helle, Jr.

If God had really intended men to fly, he'd make it easier to get to the airport. 

George Winters

Tomorrow I have a presentation and hopefully we can get some more media.  We'll be checking out the sights and the very famous airport - if the Beatles can hang out in Gander on there first trip to North America, I think it's definitely good enough for "dr j and his entourage". Speaking of our current road crew, Marc and Colette have been absolutely fantastic.  Marc has been a great driver and RV whisperer. Colette has been a great aid to Monique and is always there to help out, no questions asked.  

The wind didn't make me sore and I didn't fall today, that's grand - we're thankful we're in Grand Falls-Windsor

SNM Tour Day #72

Happy Thanksgiving Day to all!

There is so much to be thankful for! When you are on the road for any length of time, you appreciate so many little things that might otherwise go unnoticed.  A short list of what I have really been thankful for in the last few weeks:

1. A hot shower (even a warm shower)

2. A cloudy day where rain threatens but never comes

3. A nice wide, clean shoulder (without major cracks or potholes an extra bonus)

4. A tail wind (or even a relatively windless day)

5. Sunshine (any time, anywhere, for any duration)

6. An encouraging barp (?burmp) (not sure how to spell what Melissa calls it) aka a beep, or car/truck horn from a friendly motorist

7. All the comments, and especially answers to the quiz (wink, wink...nudge, nudge) in the comment section of the blog

8. All the great people who have billeted us - many of which we did not know prior to the tour

9. All our great friends and family who have joined the tour and driven with us in the Sunshine Beast.

10.  Newfoundlanders' friendliness, hospitality and amazing openness to complete strangers

(Today we had a full Thanksgiving dinner hand delivered to our RV by Melissa from her friend Sarah and the wonderful Kelly family- this was beyond "nice", this was bordering on unbelievably great and a wonderful way for our little crew to celebrate this holiday in style).  We finished off the day, full and content and very, very THANKFUL!)

We got in a quick dry run and cycle today.  Felt good and we are right on schedule! I have a radio interview and a talk tomorrow here in GF-W which will mean a later start than usual (and our dry-luck streak will likely end if the forecast is correct).

Tour Sponsor of the Day is Evelyn Raham...thanks so much for your encouragement and support.

In keeping with the theme of generous hospitality, the entire extended Raham family has been very, very supportive of the tour.  Thanks to all of you.  Shell Raham's necklaces and zip-its have been a smashing success and everyone who gets one has been very grateful and surprised at the quality of the products - if you have children, grandchildren, or if you have ever even seen a kid (even just in pictures) you must check out www.bubblefriendsforever.com.  In addition,  custom work can be done for corporations, small businesses, parties, special events, birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, etc, etc.

 A nice hike on the Corduroy Brook Trail this afternoon led us to this swing which we couldn't resist.

Not so Random Quotes of this Day of Giving and Thanks!!

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.  

J.F. Kennedy

Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving.  

W.T. Purkiser 
 

I would thank you from the bottom of my heart, but for you my heart has no bottom.  

Author Unknown

The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.  

Oscar Wilde
   

Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.  

Mark Twain

One can pay back the loan of gold, but one dies forever in debt to those who are kind.  

Malayan Proverb

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. 

Leo Buscaglia

 

Sprung without fail into Springdale after a quick look at South Brook

SNM Tour Day #71 on this TEN - TEN - TEN day
if Ten is your lucky number, this has got to be one lucky day for you. If not, I would still rate this day 10 out of 10!

How do you leave people like this? (Quickly before everyone starts crying.....)

By leaving the Dorts - the tour officially goes to the dogs - Dex (Dexter) and Trooper to be exact.

Cute-est dogs you've ever seen?  - Dave says so.  Of course since years of training have been tainted by someone's careless bacon fiasco (they should both bite Joe in the arse - dogs or owners, you can decide) they may have lost a little bit of their charm.   

We left the Dorts today and the tour continued to meander its way through Nfld.  We got up late, had a great brunch (I've heard that there are restaurants charging as much as $12.50 for the specially loaded grilled cheese sandwiches a la Joe).  As our roadwork had already been done to almost 90 km past Deer Lake, we had a nice long drive before I actually started my short day on the road.  The run was one of the quickest of the tour under beautifully sunny skies.  The cycle was likewise quick, staying dry the entire time.

We remain right on schedule, forced into doing relatively short mileage (compared to earlier in the tour) due to speaking arrangements and a decision to do this even before the tour started given the time of year and unpredictability of the weather on the rock.  So....... we've got a bit more time to enjoy this great province.  I will be chomping at the bit in the next few days as I've gotten accustomed to the early starts and long mileage, so this will be a bit of an adjustment (I'll survive).

Tour Day Sponsor is Larry Jacobson of Barjac Construction - thanks so much once again for your generous support. 

Random Quotes of the Day (a set up for the NFLD Quiz)

You have but to know an object by its proper name for it to lose its dangerous magic.  

Elias Canetti

Names are an important key to what a society values.  Anthropologists recognize naming as one of the chief methods for imposing order on perception. 

David S. Slawson
  

Words have meaning and names have power.  

Author Unknown
  

People's fates are simplified by their names.  

Elias Canetti

Newfoundland Geography Trivia Contest

TRUE or FALSE

1. These are real names of real towns in the province of Newfoundland

     Happy Adventure  T or F

     Fortune  T or F

     Heart's Desire  T or F

     Little Paradise  T or F

     Seldom  T or F

2. These are real names of real coves in the province of Newfoundland

     Nicky's Nose Cove  T or F

     Nameless Cove  T or F

     Dildo Cove  T or F

     Noggin Cove  T or F

     Bacon Cove  T or F

3.  These are real names of real bays in the province of Newfoundland

     Witless Bay  T or F

     Bay of Exploits  T or F

     Fortune Bay  T or F

     Leading Tickles  T or F

     Great Pinchgut  T or F

Past Pasadena = Pastadena - just can't leave.....

SNM Tour Day #70
I dreamed of  "Fiddler on the Roof" this morning.  Years ago, I was fortunate enough to play Tevye in this musical (probably the shortest, smallest Tevye ever cast on stage) and it was definitely one of the best roles I've ever had in my "illustrious" theatre career.  Perhaps the dream was my subconscious dealing with Eric leaving early this morning.  Where has the time gone?? "When did she grow to be a beauty, when did he get to be so tall....." I am not Jewish, but the experience of any parent seeing their kids become responsible and mature adults is universal.  Thanks again, Eric for jumping in with both feet and being an integral part of this tour.

Weather wise, we were a bit worried about what we would be getting into today given that they forecasted cool temperatures and rain showers. The good news was that we were a full day ahead of schedule and any mileage done today was a bonus.  When I started the run, there was actually a glimmer of blue sky, but at the halfway point it was raining quite hard. Despite this, I felt great as it had been a few days in a row of relatively short mileage and my legs were feeling quite fresh.  The rest of the day was similar, teasing us with short periods of sun and blue sky alternating with black skies and solid rain showers.  Joe was having trouble with a repeated slow leak on his back tire which caused a bit of grief and unfortunately a broken spoke ended his day of cycling and the end of his roadwork on the SAD no more Tour.  I finished off the day alone with a nice tail wind and it felt great to sail along on the wet highway.

Now a bit about Joe.  I first met him when he was an ENT (Ears Nose and Throat Specialist) resident and I was a family practice resident in Winnipeg.  We both seemed to have a similar warped sense of humour and a somewhat jaded view of things so we hit it off immediately.  We both went our separate ways, but eventually we reconnected when we mutually figured out a way to get him to do a visiting specialist clinic in Fort Frances Ont. where I worked for 12 years.  Joe eventually moved to Calgary and we lost track of each other until he eventually enticed me to move to Calgary when I was looking for a change and was considering a westernly relocation. To say Joe and Les (who accompanied us earlier in the tour) are great, great friends is an understatement.  In Calgary, our kids have grown up with their kids.  We have spent many trips together and our families commonly spend  special occasions and celebratory holidays all together.  To say these gatherings are quiet, sedate affairs would be an out right lie.  They are generally boisterous, raucous "events" where PLAY is not a bad four letter word, it is the only way! 




A bit more about Joe.  He is more than a friend, he is a colleague and more importantly one of the few mentors that I have.  He is the wise older brother that I've never had.  He is honest and frank, kind and generous to a fault.  He is able to praise and encourage when it is appropriate and be brutally critical and analytical when it's needed.  I always listen to his opinions carefully as they are generally very well thought out. He is worldly, well read and loves to enjoy life.  He can also be an outright pain in the arse (we're in NFLD so this is the only way to say this right now) and can drive you crazy at times. But Joe is Joe.  Who else would get up before dawn and cycle with me knowing that he'd be subject to wind and rain for hours on end with no reward? He is the real thing, always has been and always will be.  We love Joe (but don't tell him, it'll just go to his head and feed his big ego).  He doesn't read the blog, so he won't see this himself.  

Tomorrow we leave Joe and his brother's home in Pasadena.  A huge thanks to Noreen and Dave for being absolutely amazing hosts to all of us. They have gone the "extra mile" a few times every day we've been here and we have appreciated it immensely!!

Today's Tour Day Sponsor is Robert Hobbs...Thanks so much for your support once again.

Random Quote of the Day
The best mirror is an old friend.
George Herbert 


Question of the Day
Marc literally got "brownie points for life" today for a heroic act - what did he do??
Love to hear your ideas in the comments section - correct answer or most "interesting" answer WINS
(B+B - you may have an advantage on this from an RV event in the distant past)

We've Pasadena'd through Dear Deer Lake

SNM Tour Day #69

If I'm a bit confused about where I am today it's because we've been back and forth a few times and between the road work and the talks we've done double duty twice.

We had made it to Corner Brook yesterday but we're still staying in Pasadena. We were keen to get some mileage in today (even if we were already a bit ahead of schedule) and had to get this in between a live CBC radio interview and talks in both Deer Lake and Corner Brook.  So thanks to great coordination, and a very efficient road and driving crew - we got in 60 km and are currently and officially about 10 km on the TCH past Deer Lake while getting everything else in.  The interview and talks went extremely well and all in all, we had a very great day.  We got rained on here and there, but we actually saw a little bit of sun and the wind was at our backs so Joe and I had a good ride - everything is relative isn't it!

Further to yesterday's blog "only in NFLD" also apparently includes NO SNAKES (although apparently one was found recently and no one is sure whether this was a pet snake or whether this reptile is making a new appearance in this province).

Tour Day Sponsor is Dr. Kuldip Hayer - thanks for your generous support.

Random Quotes of the Day 

The closest to being in control we will ever be is in that moment that we realize we're not

Brian Kessler

Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”

Howard Thurman 

 

It was a more than a bit embarassing to see that I only scored a lowly 2 out of 8 on Simone's  "Apple Quiz".  I will strive to do better, perhaps spending less time writing pathetic puns and more time on thinking about the Q+A of the quiz - or then again, I kinda like writing plays on words and puns.  

 

We are at Dave and Noreen's for another night - they have been tireless hosts and we feel like family.  Goodbye to their daughter Melissa, who left Pasadena late this afternoon. She is a very special woman and it was a pleasure to meet her - all the best to her! Hopefully we'll see her again very soon. 

 

So tomorrow we sadly say goodbye to Eric who flies back to Calgary.  He was an amazing help to Monique, a great driver and a lot of fun to have around, with his great sense of humour and fun and his unbridled love of music.  Thanks so much for everything! 

 

One more day cycling with Joe and then his tour of duty is complete. More about Joe on tomorrow's blog.  And very importantly Marc and Colette have arrived today from Manitoba to be with us to the end of the running and cycling part of the SAD no more Tour in St. John's.  It's their first time east of Quebec so this will hopefully be a great adventure for them - albeit in slow (30 kms or less) motion.