On the water!

We are leaving our internet and phone access Thur May 28, and will be on the water from May 29 to July 10. We will update our blog when we are back in town.

Queen Charlotte, here we are!

Last minute call, Patti and I decided to take the Monday night ferry accross to the Queen Charlotte's Islands instead the one we have booked for Thursday. So we arrived this morning at 5:30 am and kind of visited a ghost town before it wakes up. After a visit at Parks Canada office, we are having our orientation session at 1:00 pm. GREAT! we are 2 days ahead of what was planned so we might get on the water earlier than planned.

May 23rd 2009 - What a day!

Today, we got a flat tire. Of course we had a spare, Patti and I changed it at the Balmoral gas station near Salmon Arm where we visited friends.

We went to the Canadian Tire in Kamloops to get it fixed and the guy said it couldn't be repaired. They contacted the Canadian Tire in Prince Albert where we bought the tires, and apparently we had a replacement warranty. Two weren't looking too good, one was questionable and the 4th was fine. But since we said we would be travelling for the next 4 months, they went ahead and replaced all 4 tires under warranty. We had to wait a while for fax confirmations, and to get the tires balanced and installed. So we didn't get out of Kamloops until 2:30 pm, but we left with 4 brand new tires for $120!

Now we get to Williams Lake at 5:55 and there is a Staples open till 6:00 pm. We went in just to look at our options for replacing our lap top monitor, and left with a new little lap top.

The monitor failed on our "old" laptop. Now, we are in Quesnel at the Sandman Inn where Yves is installing the applications to make sure it is compatible with our existing software and will meet our needs for the next year. We have to do this before catching our ferry just in case we have to take it back (which we can do tomorrow in Prince George if necessary).

Anyway, that's our first update within 12 hours

Vancouver get together

It was great to see you guys. After leaving Victoria, it was the perfect wind down (or wind up) to start our trip.

Cleaning up before the big trip

This is it! Final cleaning of the apartment and we are gone by tomorrow. Patti is working on the food which is a lot, three full big size rubbermate totes...!

As for me, I am cleaning, washing and scrubbing the whole unit. I learned the a little bit of pinesol and a cap of Murphy oil do a great job on wood floor...try it!

The "Camper van" is ready

Thanks to Werner Faust for spicing up our Dodge Grand Caravan. It will be our home for a whole year. Having a bed is great.Thanks Werner.

Getting ready for this summer kayak trip

Patti and I are taking a year off to play! We will begin by spending approx 5 months kayaking in Northern BC in the areas of Haida Gwaii, Prince Rupert and Kitimat.

Cheers!

Patti et moi prenons une année de congé pour voyager. Nous allons passer les 5 premiers mois à pagayer les Iles de la Reine Charlotte ainsi que la côte Nord de la Colombie-Britannique (Prince Rupert et Kitimat).

À bientôt!

Yves and Patti