Blogs from Princeton, British Columbia, Canada, North America

When I planned the stage after Princeton I thought it would be okay to make it a bit longer (117 km) as the elevation changes reported in Google maps were more down than up (908 m down, 559 m up). Of course, 559 metres up is still a substantial climb if it is done all at once. In an ideal world, little bits of that elevation change would be added in convenient places just to break up the coasting downhill. I asked the waitress at the restaurant in Princeton what the hills were like on the highway to Osoyoos. She said it was pretty much flat the whole way. But then she hesitated and said, “Oh yeah, I forgot, there’s that really long hill after Keremeos.” Next morning, the ride down the Similkameen valley was simply ... read more

Hello Folks, Sorry it's been a while, but somehow things always seem to conspire against me getting internet access. Anyway, I'm solo again. Chrostoph and Iris wanted to spend more time hiking around Waterton, I wanted to get to the coast, also Christoph had a cracked rim and was waiting for a replacement. The Rockies have been incredible, beautiful scenery, long long climbs (20K to 25K) @ 6% to 8% grades, and mixed weather. Of course my 1st pass was the highest, Kootenay pass out of Creston, at 1774M. And naturally full on conditions; started to rain about 5K into the climb, hail for a bit and then lightening and thunder as the grade kicked up to 8% at about the 20K point. At the summit it was snow mixed with rain and wind. A very ... read more

Well, 10 months ago I booked my 4 week tour to Thailand, which has mushroomed into a two month trip to Borneo, Thailand, and Cambodia, and there is only 3 weeks until I leave! And, after having not at all much help from my travel agent, I am proud to say I did it all on my own. It all seems so surreal now. Sometimes I don't think it has sunk in. I am just now finishing up all the last minute details, and although I thought I had been working on these all along, it seems that there are hundreds more things to think about. I keep reminding myself that it's okay if I forget something, but still can't help stressing a little bit. Good stress though! (If my memory of high school biology is ... read more

This is my first blog entry. I am planning a 7 week trip to Thailand and Cambodia in November. I'm so excited I could almost puke. Five months seems so far away!! Although I am sure the time will fly. In the mean time I have a short trip to Tofino coming up soon, so I will use that as my practice blogging. Hope all my friends, family and any strangers who happen across this enjoy my trips as much as I will. Talk to you all soon!... read more