it was a wonderful drive

I was really very lucky ... the weather in this part of Canada in winter can be pretty harsh, but I happened to take my trip at a good time. The roads were clear and dry, the days were sunny ... it was a nice journey.

Yesterday's drive was sweet. I was on the road at 9:00 am and loved the scenery. Around 11:00 am I pulled off the trans - Canada at a small community called Coniston for breakfast. There were two large tables of locals debating current issues over coffee at this older coffee shop ... it's nice to get a taste of the real community.

At about 3:00 pm, at Deep River, my radio started picking up Ottawa FM stations ... I knew that I was not far away. Just before 5:00 I found the traffic getting thicker, and before long I was in downtown Ottawa. I knocked on the door of my baby's hotel room ... when she opened the door I proclaimed "Honey - I'm home!" and enjoyed a hug and a kiss.

I love driving across this beautiful country. I am proud to live among the beauty and warmth of Canada. When I say warmth, I'm talking about the people ...

Janice and I will be here for about another week ... the movers should arrive with our belongings around the 2nd or so.

I look forward to living here. It's a beautiful city, and it is so nice to be with Janice live and in person ... Over the past few months she has been in Ottawa, and I have been in Winnipeg, and we have used the webcam to stay in touch ... Now we can move in to our house and begin a new wonderful chapter in our lives together ...

the last leg of my journey to Ottawa

Monday, January 26th
Segment: Auberge Eldo Inn, Blind River, Ontario to Ottawa, Ontario
Distance: 659.0km (409.5 miles)

I'll be staying with Janice at her downtown hotel for a few days
until we get possession of our house and the movers bring our stuff.

northern Ontario

Driving through the Canadian Shield makes this trip a real joy. The rugged beauty can take your breath away.


On this second day of my journey I found myself taking so many pictures that I probably arrived at my motel ninety minutes later than I intended. I couldn't help it ... I found myself going "wow" and just had to share some of the beauty through pictures.

I took almost 200 pictures today ...
here are ones I thought were worth sharing

day two

Sunday, January 25th

Segment: Nipigon, Ontario to Auberge Eldo Inn, Blind River, Ontario
Distance: 730.6km (454.0 miles)

I'll be staying at The Auberge Eldo Inn

day one of my three day drive

I was on the road before 8 am this morning ... it was sunny and cold ... my breakfast was eaten, and my 3rd cup of coffee was with me in the car. I was driving into the rising sun, and as I left town and headed east down the number one, I could help but think about how many times I'd come down this highway.

I have come this way many times ... to dropping papers for The Winnipeg Sun, to head out to The Whiteshell; to go for a trip to Kenora or camping ... but this time was different. This time I am not just going somewhere for a recreational visit ... I am driving to my new home.


Driving through the Canadian Sheild is so beautiful. The rocky pertrusions jutting out toward the sky ... curvy, hillier roads carved through the rocky land ... I love travelling by car - to see our beautiful Canada close up ... there is nothing like it.

I crossed into Ontario
just before 10 am;
and just past Upsala
2:34 pm became 3:34 pm.

By 6pm I had arrived at my motel ... one day down, and two to go ...

on my way East

January 24th, 25th, 26th

Winnipeg to Ottawa - Estimated Time: 30 hrs., 54mins.
Total Distance: 2200.2km (1367.2 miles)

____________________________________________________

Saturday, January 24rth

Segment: Winnipeg, Manitoba to Nipigon, Ontario
Distance: 810.6km (503.7 miles)

I'll be spending the night at The Beaver Motor Motel in Nipigon

good bye Winnipeg

It's been my home for many years. Anywhere I go in this town, I have memories of events and people. It's been a wonderful place to live and I've been lucky enough to forge some wonderful friendships here.

Tonight my brother and a few friends came out to say good bye, and it was real nice. We shared some memories and smiled about times past ... there is nothing like old friends to remind you about who you are, where you've been and why life is worth living.

I enjoyed a few Fort Garry Darks as we had a some laughs and reminisced ... I'll have to research the watering holes out there to try and find a worthy replacement.

On my way to the gathering, I couldn't help but drive by my high school and through the neighbourhood where many of my fondest memories come from.

I leave behind a wonderful place, but take with me a Winnipeg Warmth, and know that I have people here who I share memories with. They call it Friendly Manitoba for a reason ...


I look forward to making many new memories in Ottawa with Janice, and we will be back in the 'peg from time to time for visits ...

yes I can

It had been a very long day. The movers come tomorrow to cart everything in my apartment away. I am exhausted, but there are still a few loose ends to take care of. I looked at the mop, bucket vacuum cleaner and attachments ... I had to take them down the stairs to my car. A little voice in my head told me that I'd never be able to make it downstairs with all that stuff in one trip. My voice of strength piped up and said

Yes I can.

This voice is not some random being within me ... it is a voice I have trained. Years ago I started to counter insecurities and negative thinking with an opposite, positive voice. This is an affirmation of all that is achievable. Can I change my negative thoughts to positive ones?

Yes I can.

We often predetermine the outcome of challenges before us (big and small). We decide ahead of time if we can or can't. We envision our success or failure. It is a very powerful thing. Harnessing energies within us like this has the potential to overcome that voice of doubt that sometimes pops up in our minds. Can I control my destiny?

Yes I can.

Instead of being your own worst enemy,
you can be your own super hero.

Picture your success. Focus on victory. Overcome those negative thoughts ... counter them with the positive ones. Be your own advocate; harness the strengths within you by countering the doubts and fears with that voice of strength within you. Can I become more successful more often?

Yes I can.

people who touch us

I am a very lucky man.

My life has been filled with many wonderful people. I have worked with talented, creative and caring individuals. I have been fortunate enough to get to know many warm, loving, interesting people in my life.

Others help us to grow and live a richer life. When I think back to all the wonderful things I've done and seen, it brings a smile to my face.

The friendships I've had have made my life a tapestry of beautiful places, ideas, fun times and new perspectives on the world. The shared memories of life and living connect us all to each other, and help to make us who we have become.

I look forward to the people I have yet to meet, and the places I have yet to see. I treasure the happy memories of people from the past, and relish the joy that I have been lucky enough to hold, and know that the world is filled with many more adventures to share with people I care about ...

what would make a man do such a thing?

Some people probably think I'm crazy.

I was in a very comfortable position. Jobs that were great ... as a Dee Jay with a good company, as a Teaching Assistant working with a wonderful staff at a good school with lots of seniority ... in a time that many consider financially scary ... to leave those jobs behind.

Winnipeg ... affordable living ... wonderful Grand Beach an hour away ... a very nice place to live. I know this city like the back of my hand. I have friends and family here ... dear, wonderful people that I relate to and care about. It has been home.

Why would I want to leave that behind? In many ways, I was living a very comfortable life with everything in place.

Well- two really big reasons ...

I was too comfortable. While Winnipeg is a wonderful place to live, I feel like I've seen and done pretty much everything. It's time to shake things up. A fresh start can revitalize life and renew me. Challenges can bring out the best in us ... it becomes an opportunity to grow. I want to grow and experience new discoveries. Ottawa impresses me a wonderful place to live. They take good care of this city.
Green space, bike paths ... a well maintained city with a rich variety of activity, not far from Toronto, Montreal, New York and some family (who I have not spent enough time with). I've been lucky enough to see much of Canada ... it's a wonderful country, and I've visited many places that I've enjoyed spending time in, but couldn't picture myself living there. Ottawa was different ... can see it being a wonderful place to hang my hat. Time to shake things up ...




Janice. I was lucky enough to meet Janice a year and a half ago. We randomly crossed paths, and found that we have much in common and make a great couple. She inspires me ... she is loving, warm, intelligent, fun, adventurous, attractive, caring and so much more ... I have done my fair share of dating, and know a good thing when I see one; she is a wonderful partner.

We make a great team ... we are supportive of each other, trust and respect one another, communicate well with each other, enjoy many of the same things ... I look forward to growing old with her.

hello goodbye

I saw my family doctor today for the last time. He's been my doctor for many, many years and been through a fair bit together in some ways. The doctor - patient relationship can sometimes be a funny little dance ... a mix of trust, respect, judgment, caring ... I've been lucky to have him as my doctor and hope that the new M.D. I hook up with in Ottawa will be good as well.
I told him that this would likely be the last time I'd see him, as I was moving out to Ottawa at the end of the month. We chatted a bit about how nice it was out there... he has a daughter there and has been a couple of times. He has a warm smile and shook my hand, wished me all the best and said he was a little bit jealous. He's been a very good doctor and I'll miss him.
The good- byes are now starting to get to me a little. Yesterday, I saw my boss at Roadshow for what might be the last time as well. We also talked for a while ... he smiled, and said some very nice things about me; told me to keep in touch and wished me all the best.
A couple of weeks ago I said bye to my co-workers at school, and at that time felt more excited and focused on my upcoming Caribbean Christmas trip; but I know I will miss them as well ... there were several very caring, talented people that worked there, and they will not be forgotten.
The other night at a dinner with some good friends, I realized that I really treasured time with them, and that gatherings like that would probably be less likely after that night. It's not often you can connect with many people on such a level where a shared past bonds you to such a trusting, loving level of warmth. A friendship where you all are so comfortable with each other that you know you enjoy the opportunity to spend time together, and it will always be fun and friendly.
There are others here that I will remember fondly. I am lucky enough to have many happy memories of several wonderful people that I have come to know. We cross paths with others, and sometimes we are fortunate enough to share part of the journey ... these people enrich us and become part of us ... they help to make us who we are.
I know I'll be back to visit from time to time ... Janice and I have friends and Family here, and will be returning once or twice a year to see them; but there is no denying that there are a few folks here I will miss.

a new start

Happy New Year !

It's 2009, and for me this will be an exciting year - full of new adventures, new beginnings, and new surroundings.

A couple of weeks ago, I wrapped up 18 years with a school division as a Teaching Assistant. Now I am in the market for a new job.

In a few weeks I will be moving to Ottawa to begin a new life. I have lived in Winnipeg for the last 35 years, and enjoyed it. The Peg is a great place to live ... but I've seen and done everything here, and it's time to shake things up.

A week ago I was in The Bahamas with my Caribbean Queen, but now it's time to get back to the business of packing up my stuff, sub-letting my apartment and selling a few things so I can head East.

I look forward to starting a new life in Ottawa with my wonderful partner Janice.

It will be very exciting.