Our Blog for JuSi Adventures is now at:
Notre blogue pour JuSi Adventures est maintenant a:
http://www.jusiadventures.ca/
http://www.jusiadventures.ca/jusiadventurestctblog
The Big Adventure www.JUSIAdventures.ca
Julie and Simon decided to jump off the treadmill and take a few adventures. We hope to document many aspects of these adventures... Cheers, Simon/Julie PS - all this took was a decision!
Saturday, September 1, 2018
Monday, February 26, 2018
Tuesday, August 30, 2016
The End of 'The Big Adventure'
The Back of Simon's Helmet We've Been All Over!! |
Our last week on the road went by quickly. We had a fun lunch
in Spokane with Amy (a colleague from a past life) and rode north into Canada.
As soon as we crossed the border, we knew we were home. We both felt it, that
visceral feeling of recognition, likely both geography and culture. We rode
through the beautiful landscape of BC heading toward Castelgar where our nephew,
Guillaume, lives. We rode some of the very best roads in North America but
Simon loves the roads of BC’s southeast. They have to rate at the top of any
list.
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Alone on the road near Cache Creek |
It was good to touch base with Guillaume, we felt the need to spend more
time in that area of the province and with family. It has been a hard summer
for everyone but in particular Guillaume. He, like us, left Ontario to explore
the west many years ago; he created a life on his own terms. We are kindred
spirits.
As usual we wished for more time to spend together, but the end
of our year off is approaching fast and we have a few more stops to do. Diner
with two more nephews Jozhel and Adrian in Kelowna was also great. We had lost
touch many years ago and it was important to reconnect. Jozhel - now married with two children, and
Adrian -expecting his first child. They are grown men looking to their future
with enthusiasm. It was so lovely to see.
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The family in Kelowna |
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Tim and Karen |
We returned home, grabbed our condo keys and started moving
into our new condo. Simon will return to work – starting September 1st
(ouch), and Julie will figure out what’s next for her in the next few weeks –
part time work, volunteering, etc. It will take a while for this year’s
challenges to sink in. What will remain? What have we learned?
Julie found strength she never knew was there. She can face her
fears, and push further than she thought possible. We both had opportunities to
support each other (even when Julie got grumpy). Our union is the stronger for
it.
We both realized how much we love and enjoy each other’s
company. It’s hard to quantify. We spent a year together; walking side by side,
sleeping under the stars, glued together riding a motorcycle and it just felt
right.
We have many amazing friends in our lives. People who’ve influenced us - we send each and every one of you a hug. You welcomed us into your homes and your lives as though we had seen you yesterday – we totally felt at home. We hope to see you soon. Thanks for following us through this journey.
For those in Victoria, our presentation of the AZT (Arizona National
Scenic Trail) will be held October 12th at 7pm at Robinson’s Outdoor
store. Tickets will likely be available at the store prior to the event, we
will post the details as they are released.
Now it’s your turn. Where will YOU go?
Monday, August 15, 2016
Plains and Mountains
Last we blogged, we were in Nashville. Since then we crossed more states: Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming and are now in Montana. Julie felt a bit homesick as we left the hubub of Nashville.
The excitement of this town full of music and friendly people was a high point and the lonely road following felt long. It felt like a job to ride our distance every day. We got to our hotels road weary. As we crossed over to Colorado something changed. The terrain opened up and we were presented with rolling plains, rocky cliffs, and ranch-land dotted with antelope herds.
In Douglas (WY), home of the Jackelope, we saw many of the little critters. Since we had some day light when we arrived we looked for the local museum. It was humble small town and we visited the local museum with all sorts of local history/stuff. Military garments, guns, farming implements, furniture, clothing, and even a great collection of saddles were on display. They also had a room with cool Native American artifacts. We lucked out as well, for the country fair was setting up and we got to see some calf roping and examples of rancher coaches.
Next day found us in Cody (WY), home of Buffalo Bill. At the doorstep of Yellowstone N.P., it is a tourist town for sure, with the western history romanticized in novels and movies. Bill Cody was quite the entrepreneur, he was a cattle rustler, rode for the pony express, guided military through Indian country, guided royalty on hunting trips, created the most traveled circus, and founded his own town (Cody). The museum devoted to him was quite something. Loved by all to this day, he was a rich man in experience but died nearly penniless at his ranch along the Shoshone river.
We left early to spend some time in Yellowstone NP. What a place! The road followed rivers in winding valleys, climbed up to high passes and crossed the continental divide. Simon was in heaven. The park was spectacular. We definitely promised ourselves to come back and spend some time exploring this area more. Stretching our legs, we walked around and explored many giesers. We were treated to Old Faithful showing off her power.
Two more days of ridding finds us here in Missoula Montana. It was a short ride today and we plan on scoping the town out this afternoon. We have about one week of travelling before we get home. We are focusing on these last days, the people we're scheduled to meet and continuing to enjoy this trip to the last drop.
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Long Straight Roads of the Prairies |
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The Julie and the Jackelope |
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(Buffalo) Bill Cody |
We left early to spend some time in Yellowstone NP. What a place! The road followed rivers in winding valleys, climbed up to high passes and crossed the continental divide. Simon was in heaven. The park was spectacular. We definitely promised ourselves to come back and spend some time exploring this area more. Stretching our legs, we walked around and explored many giesers. We were treated to Old Faithful showing off her power.
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Yellowstone at it's best!! |
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Julie and Simon Happy! |
Tuesday, August 9, 2016
Another Cousin!
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Beautiful Twistees in North Carolina |
Two days of riding through the hills and visiting another friend took us to Julie's cousin Dee and family.
Knocker Ball Soccer |
Rob, Julie, Dee, Simon ... and Max |
From Dee's place we headed north to Nashville for a day of R&R and more visits. What a great city with nice people. We did put on hold our good eating habits to indulge in the recommendation (from Dee and Rob's daughter Carly) to eat at Biscuit Love - a famous local southern breakfast and brunch eatery.
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Food, Music, Art... Nashville! |
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St Louis from I64 |
The buns are not really getting used to this, for those who are wondering. The stops are required every 60 to 90 minutes (otherwise I get a head butt). But the routine is good.
As much as this trip seems to be about riding a motorcycle - it isn't. It's all about the visits with friends, the conversations with strangers and the incredible connections that we are making along the way.
Friday, August 5, 2016
My American Cousin
My beautiful sister-in-law convinced us to return to Ottawa after the stop in Montreal. "It's only 2 hours away...", she said. We enjoyed a day with Martine and Pierre. A lunch with Mrs. Lanoix. Simon being his cute self, surprised her at her home. Luckily she has a strong heart. Sunday we had a family dinner with Matt and my father. Needless to say it was a good idea to drop back home for the week-end.
We then headed south to Vermont. First a lunch with Noah, a fellow AZT hiker. We had a secret delivery for him. During our lunch together, he stepped away from the table so I placed this small plastic camel on his plate. This little fellow had been changing hands between Noah and another hiker, which we met at the end of the AZT. Hearing we were planning on seeing Noah later in the summer, she asked us to give it to him. Ha! The look on his face. Set and match to you Little Dipper!
A good day of ridding found us in New York State, at one of my American cousin's door step. My uncle Chuck lives with Santia, when he answered the door he was somewhat taken aback. I look a lot like my mom apparently. The last time we met I was a teen. Their family would drive up to our cottage for some of their summer holidays. We had such fun then, but needless to say, it's been a while. We were made to feel at home by Santia and her husband Bruce. They have a comfortable home and a great garden. we ate some of the best ribs ever and talked into the late evening. It was as if we had seen each other a few days ago. I hope it won't be another 30 + years before we hug again.
Next was an old work mate of Simon and myself. We all worked together in Edmonton in the mid 80's. Dave and Barb now live in Virginia. They had not changed a bit. It was hard to get back on the road after another great visits. But our schedule demands continuous and forward movement, otherwise we won't get back home.
Noah (notice the camel) |
Bruce and Santia |
Dave and Barb |
Next was an old work mate of Simon and myself. We all worked together in Edmonton in the mid 80's. Dave and Barb now live in Virginia. They had not changed a bit. It was hard to get back on the road after another great visits. But our schedule demands continuous and forward movement, otherwise we won't get back home.
Wilderness of Spotsylvania |
A fun discovery for us is the incredible amount of
American history. We spent a bit of time driving secondary highways and visiting many battle fields such as the infamous Wilderness Battlefield. On May 5, 1864, the Union Army of the Potomac locked horns with the Army of Northern Virginia in the dense thickets known as
the Wilderness of Spotsylvania. Over the course of two days, the two armies
fought to a bloody stalemate. We also saw many grand plantation homes.
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Lush vegetation along the roads in S.C. |
In the last day or two, the southern accent has definitely become very predominant, it is music
to our ears. The heat/humidity combination is incredible and although the storms are many in the area we seem to be missing most of the big ones, getting some rain but mostly variable skies. The bike is doing well in the heat and the roads are beautiful to ride!
We continue our visit with another cousin just north of Atlanta.
Saturday, July 30, 2016
Small Detour...
On the CAT |
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perfect riding roads |
We pulled into Montreal and had a few nice visits. We dropped off the bike at the shop early morning and we're given a loaner - a 600cc Sport Scooter (much appreciated). It took no time at all to get to Julie's aunt Michelle where we had a fabulous visit - including seeing cousin Michel and friends. Super nice visit and discussions...
We heard Simon's phone ring a couple of times during the morning and through lunch but didn't want to answer it - until an hour or two later (at 2:30pm) when Simon thought; "what if it's BMW trying to reach me". IT WAS and they had been trying for three hours to reach me.
$90 plastic part - 25 cm x 5 cm |
300+ round trip a 600cc BMW Scooter is not that comfortable |
Our decision to come back to Montreal for a visit with Michelle and getting the bike serviced made us rethink our plan and we decided to drive two hours back to Ottawa for a quick two day re-visit. Surprising Simon's mother and sister as well as Julie's dad and brother. We're off to Ottawa... We'll continue our journey back, heading south into the USA Monday, first stops Burlington,Vermont and Fishkill, NY.
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