The time had come for another 3,100 km drive out to the West Coast and back. Not sure why, but these trips almost always seem to start out with a bit of snow.
Not much to tell. After working for 3 companies over 43+ years (38 years 7 months with my last company), I finally got that promotion I had waited my entire career for……retirement.
I have been exploring this new career for the past 7+ years and while it is not always exciting, the chance to do what I want for myself and my family instead of what my company wants has been very fulfilling. Early on, there was a long list of projects in my “to-do” hopper and I attacked these projects with a vengeance for the first 9 months of retirement. Eventually, my brain told me that this was not what retirement was about, so it took me another 5 months before my industriousness again took over and I attacked another line of projects, this time somewhat shorter and less complicated, as well as many new projects related to the family weddings in 2016. After going hard for 6 weeks and 3 weddings, my body was telling me to relax, then the flu bug hit and as soon as that was done with me, my sciatic acted up. No rest for the wicked. In 2020 and 2021, the Covid 19 pandemic changed the whole retirement gig. I was lucky to not be still working, for sure.
I enjoy photography, gardening, working with my hands, walking, cycling, skiing, travelling, reading and creating special photo and video productions obtained in my first pastime. I may never become wealthy in any of these pursuits, but I already feel I am rich in life experiences far beyond any expectation.
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16 thoughts on “Westward Ho Once More”
So strange seeing so much snow in May. But at least the drive is pretty and there’s lots to see. Pizza is the perfect roadtrip dinner 🙂
The spring temps have been cool this year and the snow melt has barely begun setting up the potential for dangerous flooding on both sides of the Rockies. Pizza Now is a unique concept in Kamloops. A huge store that turns out pies for takeout or delivery, but has no dine in. Fresh pizza right out of the oven can not be beaten, even if we dined in our car. Thanks for reading Lyssy. Allan
If we could only control nature, right? We are getting huge rainfall in Southern Alberta right now similar to what happened in 2013, bringing flooding to Calgary and areas South. Fingers crossed history does not repeat itself. Our rainfall should start shortly and go on for the next 2 days. Feast or famine.
Unusual to still have snow as late as May but it must have added to the scenic beauty of your now familiar drive. Do you prefer to drive than travel by plane and then rent a car at the other end. I suppose it means you can take more things with you.and you get to enjoy the ever changing scenery.
This has been a weird weather year. I can understand snow in the mountains, but why at home? We are still not travelling by plane yet, especially as we were to be staying with family and then staying with an aging parent. Keeping Covid at bay is a plus in this regard. You are also right that we had a full car and even fuller when we took B & K and Benji to Vancouver Island. Thanks for reading Marion. Allan
Hey (Westward) Ho! Enjoyed taking this road trip with you. Moose Lake looks spectacular, and made me smile as it is one of the most Canadian sounding things I’ve ever heard. The groaning barn is a joy too. There’s definitely something comforting about a familiar road trip. You get to know it, like a friend, but in this case not someone you meet so often that it feels like a chore 😉
Hi Leighton. Glad I was not in a covered wagon for the Westward Ho trip. Imagine how long that would take. Every time we come to Moose River and Moose Lake, we keep hoping to see moose, but never see any. I am sure we will be this way again (and again). Thanks for reading and commenting. Allan
Makes me happy that my regular road trip for the last 40 years is only 3 and a 1/2 hours long. You do get to know the sites and can tell when something is new or changed. Patty did a fabulous job of all those photos and love the one of the barn.
Thanks Bernie. Good hearing from you. Since Covid, we find ourselves looking forward to road trips, until we are 9 hours in. Sigh. Patty is getting some pretty good shots and that old barn on the river bank certainly adds character. Thanks for reading. Allan
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So strange seeing so much snow in May. But at least the drive is pretty and there’s lots to see. Pizza is the perfect roadtrip dinner 🙂
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The spring temps have been cool this year and the snow melt has barely begun setting up the potential for dangerous flooding on both sides of the Rockies. Pizza Now is a unique concept in Kamloops. A huge store that turns out pies for takeout or delivery, but has no dine in. Fresh pizza right out of the oven can not be beaten, even if we dined in our car. Thanks for reading Lyssy. Allan
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If only someone could figure out how to easily send all that snow to places in the southwest US experiencing those awful droughts.
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If we could only control nature, right? We are getting huge rainfall in Southern Alberta right now similar to what happened in 2013, bringing flooding to Calgary and areas South. Fingers crossed history does not repeat itself. Our rainfall should start shortly and go on for the next 2 days. Feast or famine.
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Yikes!! I’ll cross my fingers and toes for you guys!
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Unusual to still have snow as late as May but it must have added to the scenic beauty of your now familiar drive. Do you prefer to drive than travel by plane and then rent a car at the other end. I suppose it means you can take more things with you.and you get to enjoy the ever changing scenery.
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This has been a weird weather year. I can understand snow in the mountains, but why at home? We are still not travelling by plane yet, especially as we were to be staying with family and then staying with an aging parent. Keeping Covid at bay is a plus in this regard. You are also right that we had a full car and even fuller when we took B & K and Benji to Vancouver Island. Thanks for reading Marion. Allan
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Your part of the world is beautiful at any time of the year and the drive out West is certainly a very scenic one 🙂 Aiva
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We were happy to be travelling somewhere again. Family time is a good draw. Thanks for reading Aiva. Allan
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Hey (Westward) Ho! Enjoyed taking this road trip with you. Moose Lake looks spectacular, and made me smile as it is one of the most Canadian sounding things I’ve ever heard. The groaning barn is a joy too. There’s definitely something comforting about a familiar road trip. You get to know it, like a friend, but in this case not someone you meet so often that it feels like a chore 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Leighton. Glad I was not in a covered wagon for the Westward Ho trip. Imagine how long that would take. Every time we come to Moose River and Moose Lake, we keep hoping to see moose, but never see any. I am sure we will be this way again (and again). Thanks for reading and commenting. Allan
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Makes me happy that my regular road trip for the last 40 years is only 3 and a 1/2 hours long. You do get to know the sites and can tell when something is new or changed. Patty did a fabulous job of all those photos and love the one of the barn.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Bernie. Good hearing from you. Since Covid, we find ourselves looking forward to road trips, until we are 9 hours in. Sigh. Patty is getting some pretty good shots and that old barn on the river bank certainly adds character. Thanks for reading. Allan
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Ugh. 9 hours… my body hates long trips. I love Fernie but the trip there does me k !
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There is the full weight of history on this barn!
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Some days, I feel like that old barn. But, like it, I am still standing. Thanks for reading. Allan
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