Thankful Thursday, June 29

Woke up at 3:17 and only dozed off and on, so finally got up at 5:30. Tried to think of the last minute stuff. Trev called while I was in the shower so Bob had a chat with him. Joanne called and then Vicki, so it was great to hear from them with their good wishes. Chris, Claudine and Rebecca arrived and Blaine and Diane shortly after...and I wasn't quite ready and was running around like a chicken with it's head cut off. Luckily Claudine and Diane both calmed me and took over the chores that I was rushing to get done. Bev came over while we loaded the cars..it was a nice farewell and I was feeling quite emotional. The day had finally arrived!! Chris and Rebecca took the bikes and suitcases while Blaine and Di had offered to drive us, which was really nice. Got to the airport just after 9 and checked in. They had to open our well packed bike boxes to do a search with the wand. Luckily they didn't have to move or take the bikes out so it was just a quick reseal of the box lid. Bonus for us in that we were not charged for the oversized boxes. Both Iva and Marci called regarding the eye drops that I had forgotton to get from Iva. Marci offered to drive them out to the airport, but changed her tune when I told her that I was at the Moncton airport!! I will make arrangements for them to send them on the a General Delivery Post Office, perhaps in Canmore. Teary farewell to Chris....and then we were on board. I didn't realize when I booked the flight that the plane was stopping in Toronto....now that was an adventure seeing that the area was being hit with lightning strikes. The plane circled the airport for about 20 minutes and then we were cleared to come in. At times it felt like we were riding a mechanical bucking bronco, not a feeling I want to repeat. We did land safely. Then the plane was held up due to more lightning strikes as the workers are called off and have to wait a certain period before they can resume. We left almost 45 minutes late. Trip to Calgary was ok. I tried to doze, watched TV, some of the tennis and golf, and also did some reading. Flight from Calgary to Victoria was beautiful with the scenery. Still snow in the mouttains. Skies sunny and bright and arrived in Victoria to lovely sunshine and warmth. The bikes arrived along with our luggage and we met Bruce Kempt who picked us and another member, John Johnson from Barrie up. We drove out to Butchart Gardens to retrieve 6 members who had arrived the previous day. I was just about wiped,. but it was great to meet some of the members. Then it was on to Knox Presbyterian church where we would be lodging. We called and left a message with Aaron as we were trying to connect. Bob and I picked a spot in the basement and set up our quarters, on the floor. Then we went to the main room to assemble our bikes. Aaron called and we gave him directions and he joined us about 10 minutes later. He had hitched and the driver who picked him up brought him right to the door. Bonus. It was great to see him. We fiddled with the bikes, but as we were all wiped we finally went to bed. It was 10 BC time, but 2 am our time and I had been up for almost 23 hours!!

Friday

Woke up at 2 BC time and dozed off and on until we got up at 7 to glorious sunshine. We were on a bus and downtown by 9. Great city. Aaron led us to a place for breakfast and then we spent the next 6 hours wandering around, playing tourist. We went to Mountain Equipment where I purchased a pillow and sheet having forgotton mine at home. We just left Aaron at the bus station as he will take the bus to the ferry leaving from Nanaimo. He finds it easier to get to the highway from that one to hitch back to Whistler. It was wonderful to see him and spend the day together. I

I found an internet cafe to write this. PLEASE NOTE....Jean, Joyce, Diane, Christopher, Mom, Trevor, Vicki, Joanne, Wendy, that my little pocket mail device has malfunctioned and I have lost everyone's address. For those who want to correspond with me, please write to me at the pocket mail address and so I can copy down your addresses again. I am going to fiddle with the machine to see if we can send, but thus far I haven't been successful. I may have to call for assistance.
Bob is getting leary and we should get back,if we can find our way, to the church where we are staying. I am anxious to get to know the members of the team that have already arrived.
Tomorrow Bob and I want to cycle the other end of Victoria, out towards Sannich.
Hopefully I can get the pocket mail machine operating again.....