Off on another trans-continental trip. Not in my trusty Toyota Tundra, but in Sheldon’s newly purchased Ford Transit van. After catching the WfFlu from my sister during a family visit in late April and testing positive twice for CoV 19, I finally tested negative on a Friday and left for British Columbia the next Tuesday. I also waited for last minute arrival of UPS/FedEx packages for the van’s build-out into a camper.
The trip west was unique. I wanted to travel a different route if possible, and my only overlap was the lovely ‘Land Between the Lakes’ recreational area of western Kentucky, a ferry crossing on the Ohio River, and the arch of St. Louis (I have hit St. Louis on all three trips coming or going.) More unusual was that the trip was a bad episode of ‘American Picker’! I was led by Sheldon’s purchases for the van as I traveled. I loaded materials in the following places: NC/Tennessee border (solar panels); Huntsville, Ala (refrigerator); Denver (solar panels); Moab, Utah (solar batteries); Salt Lake City (refrigerator); Boise, Idaho (window); western Washington (mountain bike; refrigerator). Maybe something else, but suffice to say that the van was loaded. I slept at rest stops or on side roads in the driver’s seat…no room to lay out the mattress!
The drive was pleasant and uneventful. Highlights were lovely Utah, cleanliness of Salt Lake City, beauty of Huntsville, friendliness of family in Boise, beautiful Snake River canyon, not-so-lovely Denver (construction); western Colorado (lovely but touristy!).
I also had a CoV test at Walgreens in Grand Junction, Colorado, due to needing a negative read within 3 days of reaching the border. After the test, I kept trucking on, and reached the Peace Arch on Sunday, only hours after getting the results. At the border, I was (again) the lonely vehicle, with a written manifest of items, and speech prepared for the border officer. Truth is that he only glanced at the load in the van; he was more interested in my precautions for CoV. Fortunately he had my online submission to ‘ArriveCan’ which showed when I was arriving, my precautions for travel, and quarantine plans in Canada.
Soon after, I cleared the border, but not until visiting a CoV tent, having my 5th Q-tip up my nose as a test at the Peace Arch, along with a kit and instructions for another test 10 days into the quarantine. Finally I was on my way, safely in Canada. After dropping off a couple of items for my daughter Rachel’s dog agility friend near the border, I drove up the beautiful Frazer Canyon highway to Lytton, where my son, Sheldon, is based with his wildfire crew.
Arrived Lytton late afternoon. Soooo good to visit with him, see his girlfriend Charlie, drop the van, pick up the Ford Focus, and head to the ferry. I was so tired that I slept on the boat. Into Victoria to drop a few items for Rachel (but didn’t visit with her). Immediately up island to Comox and my designated quarantine location at my ex’s downstairs apartment – where I had agreed to renovate a room or two for the next 14 days. I also was able to catch up on sleep, look thru boxes, build rabbit pens, and make arrangements for post-quarantine. Noteworthy was a daily online ‘check-in’ with ArriveCan, two phone calls from Health officials, a video call on Day 10 for my 6th ….count them – 6th! …CoV test, Purolator pickup of the vile for the lab, and final release from ‘jail’ on Day 14. I immediately drove to Victoria to visit with Rachel and reconnect with friends.
Meanwhile I had contacted Camp Quanoes, a faith based summer camp supported by our church, re volunteering for a week or so (I had helped before). It is in a lovely seaside location near Crofton, BC. Rob and his wife Laura readily welcomed me, along with lodging at the camp’s lovely Guest House and meals at the Dining Lodge with staff. Quanoes management is understandably strict with mandatory masking, even outside on the dining ledge. Fortunately most of my ‘maintenance’ involved grounds keeping and tree limbing so I ditched the mask when outdoors and alone! My nearest helper was a deer. A fun week, and I am surprised I was the only volunteer, esp. during the busy pre-camper preparation weeks.
Great to be back in Canada — near my son and daughter, old friends, and the lovely surroundings of Vancouver Island. These weeks were only a precursor to an eventful Canadian summer.
Thanks for reading.
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