Adventure - St. Francis Xavier KOA Winnipeg West RV Campground

Last night the sky flared with lightning. I remember timing the thunder as children here watching the storm march across the prairies.  Madigan didn’t like the thunder but the lightning was spectacular.  I remember as children watching skies far more than I do today.  Prairie sky is the best for watching.  Now today it’s raining and slightly chilly. I checked and I have one and a half tanks of propane.  I’ve the electric heater but also the propane heater. It’s cozy in my Camper.  

I enjoyed working yesterday. Virtual doctoring. Serving to complete and sigh forms for patients to obtain insurance and credits they are entitled to as a result of their disabilities.  It’s often just ‘smart’ ‘clever’ business delaying tactic.  Patients are injured and legal settlements dccide what they deserve but often they need doctors like me to regularly confirm their disability which rarely changes. Yet the shortages of doctors results in major delays to people who are usually poor getting the much needed funding. I’m glad to help.  I just hear so often how thankful people are that they have found me, I’m still working, that their insurance company demands a specialist and yet seeing a specialist may take a year or more. So many of my patients haven’t a family physician who is often the one who is supposed to complete the forms.  Walk in doctors rarely will do it.  So I’m glad to help and have a purpose.  A cog in the wheel.

I hear the same with controlled substances.  Dozens of my patients require controlled substances and thanks to years of advanced training since I was a family physician I am the one who monitors and provides the prescriptions for these meds which have major risks, though life saving they can be dangerous, have potential for abuse and also divergence. Then there’s the very complicated patintns are are most of my seriously ill patient who depend on polypharmacy to manage a day.  Yet any change in medication can affect the dosage of the other medications which are commonly at maximum therapeutic dosage already.  These chronic patients also are sensitive to any change in medication and resist change. In the past we would admit them overnight to hospital but today there are no beds. 

I object to the incompetence of management which brought in a million people last year many of who had health care needs in their families.  There were not even sufficient housing for them but as important y no needed expansion in infrastructure like hospitals , labs, doctors nurses. I’m irritated that we are waiting 6 months for a test that normally I’d get in a couple of weeks and my patients is facing another 6 months of anxiety concerned that these investigations will be concerning.  I’m wisely and reasonably doing the correct investigation in stages but it’s truly a nightmare to wait so long because the last PM was a selfish party boy insensitive to the needs of the mentally ill and elderly.  Increasingly I feel the community grow callous but I just know it’s my fear talking.

There is hope. The tyrant is gone and while the election rewarded his cronies there’s hope that the new leader experienced intelligent isn’t a party boy but a serious adult. I would have liked the conservatives to have won because western Canada is treated like a colony by Montreal and Toronto but I really am hopeful and must resist what the young call ‘doom zooming’.

I think I have flower DNA in addition to the homo sapien and Neanderthal DNA.  It’s rainy and gloomy now and my mood is lower while when the sun is out I’m uplifted.  It’s telling to be so reactive to weather.

This is my last day here. Tomorrow morning I head out taking the direct fought to Kenora. I’ve 23 hours or 2100 KM to go and with Gods’ blessing may get to an RV camp in or near Ottawa Monday which Belinda at the Royal Columbia Clinci told me is a holiday.  

Thank you God for family and friends. Thank you God for Madigan. Thank you God for the mild weather, green trees and grass. Thank you for the wonderful smells of the prairies. Thank you for air. Thank you for rain. Thank you for sky and earth. Thank you for patients and my ability to help them. Thank you for pharmaceuticals and science. Thank you for my teachers.  Thank you for research. Thank you for University of Manitoba and UBC. Thank you for Canada.  Thank you for Laura. Thank you for Adell, the nephews their wives and the great nephews. Thank you for this camper and truck and this adventure. Thank you Jesus.  

Adventure - Winnipeg

It’s chilly this morning.  I walked Madigan and despite the sweater it was brisk.  In the dog park he was overwhelmed in the dog park by a puppy twice his size so we didn’t stay. He didn’t look like it was much fun. I reminded him of when he was exuberant.  Given his size though he could only be that way with a chihuahua. Pretty and pleasant young east European accent woman. I wondered if she might be Ukrainian. A couple of young me were getting their rental units ready to leave.  A handsome couple in midlife were completing their morning walk returning to their van. I see him now stowing gear to leave. Madigan pooped. 

Now I’m boiling eggs for the next few days.  I’ve had a yoghurt drink but must stock up on that and coffee. I’ve finished the last of my supply

It’s 8 am.  Using the map search engine I found a Walmart nearby.  It opens at 8 am.  I’ll take the Vespa.  Coffee, honey, ice cream, tuna, wet ones, dental floss, a couple of new towels..  Because of the 2 hour time delay my work schedule starts at 11 am and finshises at 7 pm.  After breakfast will be the best time to go. 

I’ve been thinking about Winnipeg. When I drove round my Fort Garry neighborhood the night I arrived I was reminded of the Hobbit shorpshire. It was all so pleasant and safe and middle class with such fond memories of childhood.  I lived in this little world of home, school, church, community club, hockey rink and baseball field.  It was a huge space as a child but now as an adult I drove around this “world’ in less than an hour.  Elementary school and high school were world’s and then the sports fields.  This was mom and the children’s world.  Dad was away from home working and on weekends we’d venture off to go camping and fishing.  Exotic places. Long car rides.

I’ve not spent time in St. Francis Xavier, this suburb by Headley. I remember visiting Headley but not here.  The city has grown up since I was here but even though I continued to the University of Manitoba to work and teach the city seemed ‘small’ yet from today’s vantage point I see how much more there was that I never explored. Like the few places near my childhood home later I’d have only a few places in the whole of the city that I frequented.  Stores like the Hudson Bay, Eatons or Army Navy.  There was the theatres , Manitoba Theatre Centres and the Dance halls, and concerts areas. I liked to walk around the Legislative Buildings and once wrote a paper about the architecture, history and art.  There were the coffee houses and the coffee house folk scene, the Wise Eye and winged Ox. Later I’d like to go to the Proto Starbucks on Osborne street. I loved the University of Winnipeg and the library there.  A lot of my Winnipeg was tied to love and sex.  When my marriage ended and I felt shame and trapped I escaped.

I so enjoyed ‘My Winnipeg” movie made in 2007 by Guy Maddie. He points out the talk of leaving Winnipeg but how few can as if there is some magnetism at the confluence of Red and Assiniboine Rivers.  In the end I only knew Fort Garry, Downtown, St. Boniface and St. Vital a bit. Then I was gone. There’s this whole city I’m aware of now.  

There’s the people that stayed too.  My favourites mostly left as I did. Some died here and away.  The new crowds don’t know us ancients or anything about our Winnipeg.  I’m a Stranger in a Strange Land Here.  There are people I could calls, memories and meaning but I’m just passing through .  I’m looking forward to driving above the Great Lakes. Family visit calling and then the long drive back.  Maybe I’ll take some time on the way back to the coast once the ‘mission’ to see family and Haybay and pick up my boat are completed. I’m looking forward to seeing Elliott in the flesh. Meeting his older brother a watching him play in the back yard was such a delight.  . 

The eggs have boiled  Time to finish my coffee and make a run to Walmart. Walmart didn’t exist when I was growing up here. So much is new and so much has changed.  I’d love more time to explore. I imagine some ‘leisurely’ time in some alternate future. Now I continue to work and pay the mortgage and taxes.  I’m blessed and thankful to have this truck and camper to make this trip.  It’s great to see Canada again. I’ve traveled across the country both ways several times but it’s been two or three decades since I came this way.  The last time I came in my bald tired Chevy Berretta with the Chevy cross on the back. I was doing my due dillegienee being good in face of the negligence of authority.  I risked my life for burearocrats who lived to cover their ass and lied. I was all for truth and authenticity then where as now I’m back to the greys I’d known before leaving Winnipeg. 

Now I’m blessed to know the bold colors and pastels. The time before that there had been three of us in the Vanagon and we were a force to be reckoned with.  I’d left in a beat up Volkswagen Baja Bug and returned in the Vanagon.  There were lots of flights and taxies. But these times I was independent , a man with wheels. Like now with the Ford F350, the camper and the Vespa. I have a Harley in Storage but am glad to have the Vespa which is suited to being the dinghy to this land boat.  I’ve sailed so much.  But now am enjoying the open road though staying a wake is a chore each day.  In my sailboat there was no concern with napping on the open sea.  I do get to pull over and take naps with this arrangement. Sailing I theoretically could heave too but normally slowed on autopilot and caught a few zees while the journey continued.  I really look for wards to the robot drivers already being used on the long stretches road in Australia. I could have used one crossing Saskatchewan.  

Thank you God for this day. Thank you Jesus. 

Adventure - Blue River to Radisson to Winnipeg

Leaving Blue River in BC I came upon the most scenic view of Mount Robson.  What a spectacular Mountain in the Rocky Mountain Range.  I drove on to Jasper.  A lovely little town for the outdoorsy sort. A bit like Whistler Blackhom but less fashion and more down to earth.   I loved Jasper and Banff in my youth.  Great hikes and good comraderie.  

Madigan enjoyed our walk by the river.  He’s glad to get back to the truck though. I think he can smell grizzly.  When I was hiking to the tops of mountains in my 20’s I didn’t even have a ‘bear banger’. I always carried a knife, usually a leather man or Swiss Army knife. Today I prefer a Bowie and a 12 guage or 30:06 in the mountains.  

Driving out of Jasper I came the road to  Miete Hot Springs.  I couldn’t resist.  What a great hot springs and spa!!! 17 km easy drive on a paved road through the woods to the spa.  There are cabins there and big pools.  Great to be in a hot springs in the sun, snow capped mountains around, blue sky, sunshine. Attractive life guards.  Young and old.  A wonderful soak.  I enjoyed the black one piece bathing suit. Madigan waited in the camper and was glad to see me on my return.

We saw deer along the road to the Hot Springs.  On the highway we came across mountain sheep with great curved antlers and mountain goats further along.  The scenery between Jasper and Edmonton was stunning.

I did my residency exams in Edmonton but didn’t stop there this time. Jazz is great there. I loved a visit there to what I thought was the greatest mall in the world and proof of concept for living on the moons or Mars. I knew a girl from Vegreville. She’d be a grandmother now but we were hippy teens back then. Children. All sorts of nostalgia is coming up on this trip. 

I drove on into the night realizing I couldn’t  read the signs and not finding a rest area bit rather enjoying the night driving.  Eventually tired I drove into Radisson and parked by the ice rink.  It was 2 in the morning and I slept till 6 am.  These little towns are all quaint and have the gas station, store, beauty parlor, hard ware and fire station. 

Once I hit the prairies I was overwhelmed by the earthy scents.  Coming home.  Prairies .  Endless big sky.  Agriculture prices on the radio.  I teared up with fond thoughts of my parents and growing up in this incredible land.

I drove through Saskatoon thinking of my friend Ron just buying a place there.  Great town. Such fond memories of visitting my dad as a teen and going horseback riding with with the cowboys and cowgirls that were his friends there. He spent the summer installing a conveyor system. I enjoyed my week with him immensely. Father son time.   Fishing in Saskatchewan is the best.

Regina was a big city.  It wasn’t when as I boy. We used to joke that you could blink and miss it. Not anymore.  A regular cosmopolitan place. 

Dad took Aunt Sally Mom and Rom and Me on a drive to the coast from Winnipeg. The family joke was Aunt Sally asking,  what is that billy . Me what. What.  There, she kept pointing.  Finally I realized she was pointing at an oncoming car.  We’d not seen one all day. That was how vast and empty the prairies were back then.

Now my gps map got be turned about and decided that it was going to take me through the states to Ottawa. I’d just plugged in Ottawa’s and next I was at the International peace station and the machine was taking me across the border. I had my passport but didn’t have Madigan’s and didn’t want to go the American route. I doubled back and took Number 2 to Winnipeg. 

Great views. Great scents. Canada Geese and mallards in marshes and ponds.  Combines. Spring.Yet the heat is more like July and August.  Bugs on the windshield. 

It was night when I arrived on Pembina Highway. .  I drove to the family Home on north drive.  Took a picture of the place that’s so big in my mind the older I get. Then I took a picture of the Fort Garry United Church where I taught Sunday School.  Mom and Dad eventually went there after Dad convinced mom to go local rather than drive to Trinity Baptist the church of our childhood.  I took a picture of Viscount Alexander School. Then I  drove past where Kirk and I set the pile of leaves on fire on the street.  Then it was on to Vincent Massey Collegiate past my childhood crush Kathy’s house.  In the Vincent Massey parking lot I phoned this Winnipeg West KOA RV park.  The man said he’d leave the gate open.  Here I am. A wonderful place, Windy but good cell reception, wi fi and Star link Access. 

St. Franchise Exavier near Headly.  I love this lay out. Now I have to get on the Docside site and phone patients for the day of virtual psychiatry and addiction medicine.  I’m all set up with star link and cellphone and even have the cappuccino maker on the counter.  It was quite the whirlwind getting here. Now time to work and relax before more long haul driving. 

Thank you Jesus.  

Adventure - Vancouver to Ottawa with F350, Vespa, Adventurer Camper and Madigan

Thanks to Coastal Ford the brakes were done on Friday. Kelvin’s of Travco came by to seal my bang, stupidity.  I hit the top of the camper , the doorway to the Ford service an inch too low. They have another door around the side.  Stupidity.  I was concerned the camper would leak as the seals were compromised.  Kelvin as usual came to the rescue.  

I texted Kevin at Adventure RV Centure in Chilliwack. He’d installed a new toilet removing more evidence of my stupidity.  The dark brown stain in the bowl wasn’t from a chili shit of mega proportion but rather the fault of me trying to pour boiling bacon grease down the toilet. 

Kelvin helped me load the Vespa on the front of the F350.  I can do it myself but it sure was easier with help.  Then it was the last of packing over what I’d need in the next weeks from my new Thor to the camper. I had bags of clothing and office materials and tech. I need an iPad and phone and MacBook pro to be a virtual doctor.  The plan is three days travel and tree days in the office.  I enjoy the office after 6-8 hours of driving.  

I was able to leave today May 10 at 9 am.  I’ hoped to leave at 8 so felt pretty good.  I left my one plant with Nicolina having seen her and Ernest the night before and asked if she’d nurse the poor thing.  Laura took other other but only hand hands for one.  They’re safe. The Thor is buttoned down with people and pest deterrents.  Dave is going to come by to check on it.  

With a myriad of moving parts for another expedition done I was off.

I had to fill up with gas in Langley and get another tie down from HoleSpot. The Vespa really is riding well.  I inputted the route to jasper as a stop on the way. I’d like to have the time to do the hot springs but maybe on the way back.  Once I get to Ottawa I’ll have a better idea of the time it will take. It’s 4500 km and I travel 6 hours a day.  With the later sunset I may make 8 hour.  

Today I stopped for gas a couple of times puttin in $150 each stop.  I topped it up too when I filled up the little tank to fill up the generator. I was considering boon docking.

At 5 I passed Clearwater and wanted to go in and check out the place where we’d been hunting.  Laura was there with her cousin.  I’d like to go back there perhaps this year. Again I thought I’d check it out on the way back.  Clearwater is roughly 500 km and 6 hours drive  I took longer. Jasper was 400 plus km beyond that.  I looked at the sunset time and it was 830 so I continued on.  

My rule is to begin looking at 3 to 5 but that was in winter.  I was tired at mid day and bought donuts and energy drinks in Kamloops. There was a terrible accident that held us all up an hour.  

At Blue River I saw the Blue River RV park and thought it attractive.  I pulled in.  Lovely friendly Chinese couple. I was concerned about getting an open space for Starlink and succeeded in doing that.

I unpacked and stowed a whole bunch. I’ll get it more organized as I go along.  It was a comfort to get the Starlink working, to find my passport and also my satellite phone.  

The ;last gas station the fellow sold us beef jerky and pepperoni.  Madigan loved the beef jerky. Today’s meal have been donuts and pepperoni and beef jerky with an A&W egg and sausage muffin for breakfast. Madigan had a couple fo sides of bacon and wanted more.

Now he’s sleeping on the floor. We died a walk of the lovely campground and came back to the camper to do a few hours of work.  Now I’m ready to watch some NCIS before bed. My nighttime story.  I’ll b be up early and hope to get away and make Jasper and the ice fields in the morning light. I’ll be glad to pass through the mountain pass and make Edmonton. It’s been chilly high up and I’m looking forward to the heat of the prairies.  I’ve had rain today too,  I listened to some CBC but had to turn it off whenever they propagandized politics.  

I enjoyed the oldie but Goldie music of a local station I passed through .  Blondie and AC DC.  A great Tragically Hip song too.  

Now I’m tired.  What a first day of expediation

The Vancouver to Blue River distance is 584.4 KM - 6 hour 13 by the internet.  I am pleased I did more than 6 hour but would like to make 8 hour days but we’ll see. I have to be safe first and foremost and this was a good day.

Thank you God. Thank you Jesus.