Elwood Blues

Today was the day. I would get to drive something which was a culmination of over 50 years of automotive engineering and progress. And no, it was not the Corolla we rented. We were headed out to “Exotics Racing” out near the Las Vegas Speedway where I would be driving not a Lamborghini, not a Ferrari, not even a Mercedes. I would be driving a Ford. This wasn’t just any Ford. When we arrived I could see it sitting amongst a row of Huracans and Avenators; a red Mustang GT500. Since being resurrected in 2007, the GT500 has been Ford’s top Mustang trim and up until this year the philosophy has been just add more horsepower. First 500, then 540, then 660 as the model years went on. 2020 was no different. The snarling 5.2L V8 ... read more

I managed to convince Aly that I need to leave this country every year in February; because by that point of winter I’m usually ready to renounce my Canadian citizenship and move somewhere less slushy. Being the raucous party animals that we are, we picked Las Vegas. As some of you know, airports, airlines, and the overall being on a plane experience is challenging for me and initially amusing but over time irritating for those around me. According to Aly I become quite cross and sarcastic or “airporty” as we’ve decided to call it. For this post you may be relieved to know that there will be practically no airporty-ness. We arrived a little early and there were no lines for baggage, security, or customs, Figuring we were on vacation, we downed an entire bottle of ... read more

Hello friends! Even though I just got back from New Zealand, I’m already off on another life journey to an exotic location, beautiful Grande Prairie, Alberta! And work is paying for it, hooray! Now, there are flights to Grand Prairie from Calgary, but to truly get the full experience you need to drive. Only then can you appreciate what this province is all about. And what better vehicle to take than the quintessential Alberta highway king, a Ford F-150. Mine is a quad cab, 2.7L Ecoboost in stunning government fleet white with grey cloth interior. His name is Hank. Hank and I left Calgary heading north on the Queen Elizabeth Highway or QE2. I’m sure ol’ Lizzy was flattered to have such a road named after her. It’s not like it goes through the mountains or ... read more

It was another long drive back from Milford Sound. I bounced around in the back of the bus, slowly getting some writing done. I’ve sat here pretty much every day, for no particular reason. It’s not like there were assigned seats. The back seats were rough riding and often uncomfortably warm. They didn’t recline and you were always the last person off the bus. But you could say hi to people coming back to charge their phone and you could watch who was asleep and about to fall out of their chair on the next bend. These seats were charming in their own way. Though Mike might disagree as I’ve just accidently elbowed him in the ribs for the 3rdtime. There were a bunch of options for dinner, most of them busy, expensive or both. We ... read more

Neither Mike nor I had activities planned for the morning so we had a much needed sleep in. Dave on the other hand just HAD to get up and have some amazing life experiences on the glacier. We’ve learned that like most in their late teens, he’s not much of morning person. “Good morning Dave!” we’d say. “Mrrhrrhrrhrr” Dave would reply, sounding like Sideshow Bob after stepping on a rake. While he was up on the glacier, I finished writing my last entry on the pub balcony. Mike and I were then joined by Helen, Georgie, Izzy, and Lara for morning coffee and a walk down the glow worm path. The safety conga line was not necessary this time; it was a perfect day outside. The sky was completely clear and the mountain air was warm ... read more