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Published: April 25th 2007
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Lake Superior
It was hard to believe that this isn't the ocean! But it provided a magnificent backdrop to driving through Ontario. Cross Canada Trip
Mark Jones After 22 days, approximately 5000km, 2 car problems, 4 dodgey hotel rooms, 5 provinces (aka states) and 10,000 pictures later we arrive in Vancouver! We have made it across Canada! But let us fill you in on the trip that was……!
It took us 3 days to get out of Ontario itself! However the drive around Lake Superior, which is absolutely giant and forms a boarder between Canada and the US for a large part of Ontario, was spectacular. It is hard to believe it is a lake, as when you look out you cannot see the end in sight. We wanted to do some walks around the area, but being silly Australians we didn’t realize that most of them were closed off, due to that mysterious thing called snow! Before leaving Ontario we stopped at Kakabeka Falls and witnessed a half frozen waterfall, it was not only amazing but beautiful as well!
The next province- Manitoba gave Mark a terrible introduction to staying in hostels! Our room was small, on a lean, very hot and had creaky bunk beds! We definitely didn’t get a good sleep that night! We did manage to get some culture however, visiting
Kakabeka Falls
Ontario saved the best til last! the “WAG”- Winnipeg Art Gallery, before moving on to the next province of Saskatchewan.
We stayed one night in Regina (he he, what a funny name!), and then the plan was to stay the next night in Saskatoon, however this was not to be. Luckily we had the local radio station on, which explained all the activity, limousines, and flags we came across in town. It turned out that the “Juno’s” were on in Saskatoon the next night- a music awards night, probably the equivalent to our ARIA awards. They were to be hosted Nelly Furtado and there were even rumors that Justin Timberlake was in town and was going to sing a duet with Nelly- but this did not eventuate. Anyway the town was so busy and packed that we could not find a cheap motel room anywhere, so we had no choice but to drive onwards, and try and find something out of town.
By this time we are in the absolute middle of the prairies. Nothing but flat wheat fields either side of us! We managed to find a more appropriately priced motel in a little town called Rose Town. We even had a beverage
Lunch friend!
A cheeky little squirrel joined us for lunch and helped us eat our crusts! in “Rowdy’s Tavern & Bar” which was connected to the motel. You never told us you had a bar Rowdy!
From Saskatchewan we head toward the province of Alberta, home of the Rockies, which we will spend some time in. From the prairies the landscape changes again, almost instantly and we find ourselves in a little town called Drumheller, home of dinosaurs and canyons- where did they spring from? They have a massive 92m dinosaur outside their tourist info centre, which can be climbed. And when in Rome…. The dinosaurs mouth provided us with a great view of the town! From here we took 2 driving routes around the area. The canyons blew us away (almost literally too, it was very windy!) and we climbed a track down a little way. It was just amazing. Not only did Drumheller have canyons to offer for visual stimulation but things called “Hoodoo’s” also. They are sculptures created over time by wind and other elements. They have little “hats” on the top of them that protect them from withering away, which they will eventually in time. That is why Mark and I both felt compelled to yell at a bunch of kids
Anyone for tea?
We found this giant teapot at our stop off for lunch outside Saskatoon. who were completely disregarding the signs that instructed visitors to stick to the path and not touch the magnificent sculptures. Eventually we scared them off completely and when they left in their car, they gave us the finger! Really, the youth of today…!
We made it to snowing Calgary in time for dinner, but minus half our exhaust pipe! It had been rattling for a few days and we intended to get it fixed in Calgary, but apparently it could not wait and fell off just outside the city! We set up camp for 2 nights in a room fully of 5 smelly boys! Thanks must go to living Sam, Hicks and Flan for making me able to withstand the fumes! After our exhaust pipe was returned to its former glory, we went to check out Canada Olympic Park, home of the 1988 Winter Olympics and the filming of “Cool Runnings”. We toured through the ice house (where athletes can practice their starts for bobsled and luge most of the year) the bobsled starting lines and the 90metre ski jump. We even got to see the bobsled they used for the movie!
As we left Calgary the landscape
Prairies
Welcome to the land of wheat! was to miraculously change again. From either side of the car The Rockies began to loom over us. We were like stupid tourists, oohhing and ahhing as we turned each corner. We spent an amazing week in the Banff and Jasper National parks, skiing, walking and constantly admiring the scenery around us. In Banff we took the gondola up Sulphur mountain. Not only did we have a fabulous view surrounding us, but there was an extensive boardwalk to explore. From Banff we went to beautiful Lake Louise. Just as everyone had said it was picture postcard perfect. We skied the amazing mountain for 2 days and Easter Sunday found us walking across the completely frozen lake in our t-shirt’s as the Spring sun shone upon us. It was quite surreal. We also spent 2 nights in Jasper, north of Banff and Lake Louise. The drive from Lake Louise on the Icefields Parkway is unbelievable. We made 6 stops along the 230km, high altitude stretch. There are glaciers, ice fields, canyons and waterfalls to see. As you can imagine, we were sad when our week here was up, but excited as well, because we were one step closer to Whistler!
Is someone watching us?
We had lunch under this auspicious looking dinosaur, before climbing him! I think we will have to leave it there for the moment, as this entry is getting ridiculously large! If you have read up to this point congratulations! We will write again soon and give you a guided tour through Whistler, Vancouver, Vancouver Island and then our trip home through the states.
We are glad to hear of all the good reports of Sally and Trav's wedding- Sal you looked beautiful! Hope everyone is well and had a great ANZAC Day.
Until next time,
Susie & Mark xoxox
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Kirsti
non-member comment
Hi
Hey guys, good luck with the rest of your trip. I'm down in melb now (cheltenham) so we have to catch up when you get back. Meaning to catch up with Leanne soon, but haven;t talked to anyone else.