Here comes the snow!

Well I've been back 1 day and overnight this happened. Yes my truck looks pretty dirty now but also there is a good sprinkling of snow everywhere- I drove around on it to test my drivimg skills in the snow and ice, Slaloming around the parking lot and slamming my brakes on. Pretty pleased with this truck so far!

Of course before I came up I prepared myself for winter and a trip to Canadian Tire to kit my car out with emergency tools such as:-
Booster cables
Tow rope
Shovel
Flashlight
1st Aid kit
Air compressor
Slime for fixing flats
Coolant for -46 degrees C
Windshield washer for -46 degrees C
Fleece blanket
Scraper and brush
Webbing cinch straps

plus now I always carry me sleeping bag and some food and drink with me.

So I hope I'm prepared for any eventuality up here- as there is no cell service so if you have an issue on the roads around here you are on your own so you have to be self sufficient!

Remembrance Day

So today I wore a Canadian poppy and remembered my Grandfather who fought in WW1 on the Western Front and was mustard gased to such an extent that he suffered for the rest of his life. I wish I had met him.

And I remember out of respect for my Dad who was in the RAFVR in Africa throughout WW2, and proudly wears his campaign medals today!

The Canadians have a day off for remembrance day unlike the British and it was wonderful for me to see as I drove through North Vancouver after observing the 11am 2 minute silence that so many people were attending the laying of the wreaths in the remembrance parades here. Incredible and long may it last!

After that I drove my first long road trip in my new truck- up to Tyax some 400km and 6hrs of driving from Vancouver to Lillooet over the Duffey road which was quite a winter wonderland as I climbed over the pass, with people up there going tobogganing and skiing already!

I gassed up in Lillooet and headed along Road 40 in a hurry to get to Tyax before it was dark- days are short now. As dusk fell and I could just about see the way along this narrow, potholed, exposed forestry road and climb up to Tyax Resort.

At Tyax all the staff were having a get together and a drink in the bar so I immediatley joined them. What a great welcome!

New Truck!

No this is no Tonka toy - it's the real thing! And its all mine!

No sooner had they granted my work permit than I was off to shop for trucks and this is my new beauty. A 2003 Ford F150 Supercrew Lariat 4.6L 4WD gas guzzler!

Yes it looks like overkill in Vancouver but just wait til I get this baby into the backcountry roads and the deep deep snow! Even I can't imagine needing so much vehicle but I'm sure this winter will teach me otherwise.

I was so excited to collect it today, its such fun to drive, you feel so high up and so solid but it handles really well. Tomorrow I get some Winter tires/tyres for it so it'll grip the road solidly when it gets icy and into the many minus degrees!!

Back to Running

I've been here for a few days and need some exercise. No bike with me so I need to run again but....

Well I may be fit for cycling and my heart and lungs are in pretty good condition, my legs are certainly strong but running? Uh nah! My legs did not like that at all!

Apparently I have not run since Jan 27th according to my Nike Plus record. Then I started riding my bike and I've pretty much ridden 6 days out of 7 since then with a couple of weeks where I've had a few more days rest than that due to travels or other adventures over here.

I ran fairly slow and gently along the flat beach front but the eccentric contraction of my quads as I pounded the pavement was really hurting. I realise in cycling you never really get that braking force of running- yes it really really hurt and I walked around like an old lady for the next 2 days- having to hold the bannister to walk downstairs or push up on armrests to get up from sitting- anything that involved my legs being bent more than 45 degrees hurts!

I took a gentle run the following day at Crescent beach which was so scenic. And then after a rest day I did a 30min shuffle run today. My CV system is not being taxed but my legs are still suffering. Perhaps a little less today but hopefully that will soon subside and I'll be back on form for regular runs or snow shoeing sessions!

Flagpoling

Today I went to the US/Canadian border to "Flagpole" and get my work permit for the next 12 months.

I drove down to Peace Arch on highway 99 parked my car at the Canadian office and walked across to the US border. After a short wait in the queue the officer there gave me a form that said I was flagpoling and I walked back over to the Canadian office to apply for my permit.

All my paperwork was in order and I paid my fees in cash and waited 20mins while they reviewed my application then with a sigh of huge relief I received my permit neatly stapled into my passport. Yeehaaa! I now have work, food and accomodation for another 12 months here.

I'm looking forward to my next adventures. Now I have a huge list of things to do in the city before I return to the backcountry remoteness once more!

Wings- mmmmm!

Met up with cowboy Brennan today to do some Truck test drives and take a walk on the beach- we had lunch at my favorite kinda restaurant. MMMMM! Chicken Wings! And they were awesome! Sitting out on the patio next to the beach looking up to the mountains and eating honey garlic wings and yam fries- what more could I ask for? (Well lots actually biut this'll do for the moment!)

White Rock

Yes it literally is a White Rock! This is the beach where Dennis and Marion live. We went running along the front it's so beautiful to be by the sea despite the hordes of people on a glorious November Sunday. Aparently they painted the rock white to show boats where the shore was when navigating at night and the town became known as White Rock. So there you go- lots of stuff makes sense here!