late October/11

It was suggested today that Jack and I should start keeping a blog of our trip west.  We did it last time, and agreed it is the best way to keep in touch, so here we go again.  Ten days from today we will be loading up the last few things and heading west.  In spite of the fact that this is probably totally insane to be going away for almost 6 months as the economy borders on recession, when we are both hurtin’ from various aches and pains, and to be driving across North America as winter sets in; we are looking forward to the adventure, and to spending time in (or near) Vancouver.

Big draw of course, is the fact that our kids John and Chrissy live there and it will be great to spend some time with them.  Then there is the milder winter, the new places to explore, old friends and family to see and the break from the daily grind.

Its been a tough go getting this far.  I’ve been working my behind off doing two books for Frommers, one a travel guide for our region of Canada, Frommer’s Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, and the other a beautiful book, Far and Wide - a Weely Guide to Canada's Best Travel Experiences.

I am so happy to be part of these quality publications.

Both books required quite a bit of travel and research, so it was a busy time.  One is in print now, the other in final editing.  I will have to take it with me to do finish on the road, but that should not be a problem for me.  We don’t plan to drive after dark, so will have long evenings to fill.  Getting the contracts for these books was great for me, as the money made it possible for us to go away this winter.

Jack has had an interesting summer.  For starters he obtained a new-to-him motorcycle.  He gave up his bike years ago when his eyes got so bad and he lost his drivers license.  Thankfully things have improved a lot and been quite stable so he decided to get a less expensive, easier bike to ride than the BMW and has been loving it.  He reconnected with an old riding friend and they have been getting out a couple of times a week all summer.  Linda’s husband, Ben, was in the hospital getting a hip replacement at the same time as my knee replacement, is a fellow writer and a from across the pond. Jack and Linda are already making plans for next summer’s rides.  For now, he has just a few days before the bike and car go into storage.  

Jack has been golfing a bit this summer, had his weeks golfing with his buddies from Ontario and managed to get out 2-3 times a week Between rain and problems with his back/hip, he’s been hurting, but keeping going.  He has also managed to do some work to the RV to get it ready for this trip.  Since we will be living in it for almost six months, through the winter, he insulated the floor, had a skirt made, purchased a used add-a-room and got it in good shape mechanically. He is now engrossed in building some additional storage.

Well,  back at it.  I promise to post periodically through the summer