Day 9 - The Last Day

After a yummy cooked breakfast, we packed the van, for the last time. We packed the children in, for the last time. We handed over Gravol pills, for the last time and we hit the long, long road, for the last time.

Today was a big one. 

GO HARD OR GO HOME!

Funny! We were doing both today. That statement describes our attitude as well as the roads ahead - the Coquihalla! What goes up...must come down...and whoever said coming down a "hill" is easier than going up, is giving Pinnochio a run for his money!

My mantra, inside my head, as I was being brave mummy today, was nothing short of the Little Engine who Could. I think I can, I think I can... and I never said, I know I could...until I was on the ferry going over to the Island. 

Our poor Dodge Caravan got a work out...bumpy brakes... dreaded downhills...followed by a wee climb only to go downhill again...then into a thrilling tunnel (hold your breath)...around a curvy bend...down  few more "hills" ....through more tunnels...more curves...gearing down to 30 to make it safely...and... we were on flat ground. 

Joyous at the sight of the highway...traffic didn't bother me as we were all on a level playing field, and I mean LEVEL!

We made it to the Ferry Terminal and waited in line...we had all our fingers and toes crossed that we would make it onto the next crossing or it meant a 4 hour wait...I don't think there are enough Skittles and chocolate for that...these kids wanted out...they needed out! We needed them out! haha!

Our line began to move and we excitedly stop-started our way...closer to the front...with each car that made it on...was another chance we wouldn't, until...we were at the front of the line. This was it. Will we make it? He starts with lane 1 - we were at the front of Lane 5. One by one he let the fist car in each lane on...stopping just enough between each car to keep us all guessing. Lane 4...they got on and the girls in that car all whooped with joy! Our turn. There was a pause, that seemed eternal, and then the wave you hope for...proceed! I almost floored it...just in case he changed his mind...and with one last bump...we were on the ferry, heading back to Comox. Almost home.

The 2 big kids walked around the ferry...the freedom to be moving forward and being able to move at the same time...what a wonderful invention! They were so pleased to not be in the van! The ferry ride was smooth, sunny and had just enough movement to relax  me - to ready me for our last jaunt in the van. 

I felt like the meanest mother ever putting those kids back in the van. It was only a 90 minute drive...but they just wanted it over.

We were pros now. I could do this drive with my eyes closed! We were halfway home when we noticed other cars diverting and driving over the grassy median - even though there are signs clearly stating the opposite! What could it mean? One person driving over the median means they made a mistake...2...well it's conceivable...but this many...accident. And...it was. A big one. Luckily we could see nothing as we waited for our legal turn to cross over the highway...go back about 2 kilometres to the next off ramp, and take the old highway. At least there was an old high way! 

We headed home, once again. We turned the corner to cross the bridge into Comox. 

Driving along the Dyke road felt familiar and it was all I could do to not speed...but, as you could tell from my earlier statement, I am a law abiding citizen, so I stuck to the speed limit despite the lead, weighing my foot down onto the accelerator. 

5 minutes and we would be there. Gramma and Bunka would be there. Our toys would be there. Our own beds would be there. We would no longer be, on the road. We would be still. 

We turned down Cooke Ave and we saw balloons. Lots of balloons, welcoming us back! Then the excited faces of grandparents and I swear Cohen was out of the van before it stopped! Theo and Madeline peeled out next and then the parents. As Cohen said..." hugs, kisses, cuddles, toys then sleep." And it happened in that order. Except we snuck in some home cooking in there.

And that, my friends and family, is our Fale Family Road Trip, in a word or two! 

It was an experience. It was a trip of a lifetime. It was amazing.

Still Driving....

Day 5-6 was another border crossing day! We were heading out of Manitoba and into Alberta. We had planned a 2 day stay in Drumheller - The Badlands of Alberta...with it's magnificiently wierd land formations and dinosaur bones, who wouldn't want to stay? Our drive was another easy one. I love these straight roads! What a concept! We veered off the Trans Canada to head into Drumheller. We drove by odd shaped hills and browned and blackened earth. It was driving onto a movie set. We had booked an inn which was a nice change from the chain hotels. We felt like we were staying with our grandparents as the hosts were lovely! We set out to see the World's Largest Dinosaur but as we lined up, the skies blackened and filled with flashes of light! Forked lightening streaked across the skies as a major storm rolled in. As the dinosaur is made of steel, it was closed down for the night! Ah well. We headed to a fmily restaraunt for dinner and set our itinerary for the next day. Our stay in Drumheller was filled with dinosaurs, reptiles, fossils, rocks and canyons. What an awesome adventure.

Touching a real footprint of a T-Rex!

Looking out the mouth of the World's Largest Dinosuar!

Day 7 meant one more long drive to get us closer to the border. It was another grey day. Heavy clouds hun overhead which made the mountains seem ominous, rather than welcoming and grandiose! We popped into Banff one last time and got some gas and made our way to our rest stop of Revelstoke. The name has a western town feel to it and I imagined cowboys and tumbleweeds! The day got increasingly grey and rainy which dampens the mood of travellers. The roads are tricky enough...add rain and it makes it an adventure...but at this stage of the holiday, my adventure tank was on low. Who am I kidding, It was empty. Tapped out ages ago. I was faking it for a long time! LOL! After a long stop at the scene of a car accident...not unnerving AT ALL...where we watched a car being towed up the side of the cliff...more fun...we headed into Revelstoke. The entrance into Revelstoke is cool. I will give it that. Big stone pillars with grizzle bears on them. Yes! It was cool. Revelstoke was grey. I think I need a new word...ashy. Revelstoke was definitely ashy. The weather didn't help, but as we walked the streets, in search of food, I couldn't help but think, "who actually lives here? Like, who made the conscious decision that this was their home and why?" It wasn't horrible, but besides skiing, which doesn't happen in the summer or Fall, what do people do here? Again...maybe I was overly influenced by the disgusting weather which turned the skies the colour of a lead pencil tip, smudged against the white of a well worn notebook, and made the mountains look like jagged lumps of coal, jutting out from the ashen, green grass. Yes. I think the weather ruined Revelstoke for me. Sorry Revelstoke. I am sure you're not half bad...on a good day!









Day 8 and we were heading for our last Canadian border crossing! British Columbia, here we come! I had this funny feeling that the moment we saw the border, we'd almost be there! Well...not so! This was the drive I was dreading I think I may have said this a few times now. Don't misunderstand me. I love that we drove this amazing distance and country, but it's ok to dislike things during the process of doing them. If not, then it's not real life and it's some cheesy soap on American Tv where collagen filled lips smile the fake smile that let's everyone now everything's ok and if it's not it doesn't matter because there can always be a re-write later! Today's destination was Kelowna. Mum and Dad shouted us a fancy, smancy hotel where there were the choice of pools and fun for the kids and time for us parents to sit and relax and NOT DRIVE! The Manateo Resort was fun and relaxing and worth it. It was the prefect last stay in a hotel room as it was POSH and clean and resorty...if I can say that! haha! We had the famous Okanagan fruit - blueberries that tasted like lollies and juicy apples! We had the best rest and were ready for our last drive. Our last day of packing lunches for the road. Our last day of avoiding that question, which, luckily alluded us...."How much longer?" Well I can answer that question - 1 MORE DAY!!!!

The Long Drive Back

Our time in Ontario had come to an end so it was time to "hot the road!" We had planned our trip back and planned on 8 days to drive the 4568 kilometres. Our stops were going to be pretty similar to our stops heading East with a few exceptions. Day one was Toronto to Sault Ste Marie. We entrusted our trip to our TomTom. He decided to take us on a tiki tour around Lake Simcoe. This added another 2 hours of scenic, small town scenes to our journey. Lucky it was Day 1 or the scenic little town would have felt our wrath! After 5 hours of drivng, our first stop was in CopperCliffe to see our first house we lived in when my family immigrated to Canada 44 years ago.

After that short reminice we headed to The Soo, as they call it. It was a long day and we knew the windy, Northern Ontario roads were still ahead so after a feed and a splash in the pool, we headed to bed. Day 2 was from Sault Ste Marie to Thunder Bay. The roads were slick black and the skies were grey. Just as I remembered it from the last trip. There was quite a lot of road construction which added to our time but all was good. On our entry into Thunder Bay we stopped at the Terry Fox Monument. This was one of the most important roadside stops of our trip. My kiwi kids heard about Terry Fox in passing and had been training for the run but had no real idea of who he was and why. When we got to the monument we were in awe of how beautiful it is. It had a real presence about it. We met an older couple who had actually met Terry on his run and they had shaken is hand. They were so proud to have met some kids from New Zealand and that my kids now knew about "their" hero. As we walked away we could hear the older man say, "Wow. All the way from New Zealand!" What a day.

Day 3 saw us heading out of Ontario and ending up in Winnipeg. This was the leg of the trip I was dreading. These turns and rocky ridges were the things of nightmares...especially in the rain. We started off, in the rain, and were well on our way. The traffic was heavy coming in the opposite direction. Long, speedy logging trucks barrelled down the hills past us while I silently prayed for the driver to maintain full control of his truck at all times. I knew these guys knew the roads, but they sure looked like they were going a wee bit too fast for my liking! We crossed the Ontario border and I felt a pang of sadness...perhaps realising that this was probably one of the last times I will be in Ontario, but definitley the last time I will ever drive the length on Ontario! HAHA!

Day 4 took us from Winnipeg to Moose Jaw. We didn't want to revisit Regina so we thought we'd give Moose Jaw a try. Who knew that it would be slim pickings for a hotel in Moose Jaw...I mean...why were there all these people here? Filo drove today as it was nice and straight and I could be a non-carsick passenger. The yellow canola fields and the green fields juxtaposed with one another were beautiful and I was so thankful to be able to take it all in. A lot of people pitied us for having to drive through the Prairies as they're boring and the roads go on forever...well the Prairies are beautiful and the only road that doesn't go on forever is a dead end one! I loved the poetry of the long road ahead and how you could see your journey ahead of you as opposed to the windy, North Ontario road, or the mountain roads, where every corner holds a surprise...not bad, just different! We spent the night in our budget hotel but at least our room had a door that led directly to the pool. We had lots of suggestions of what to do and see in Moose Jaw but when put to a vote, the kids just wanted to get home. We had hit the halfway mark and just wanted to make the last leg home a fast one.

Niagara Falls

Growing up in Sarnia, whenever anyone came over from Ireland, we would make the trek to The Falls. It was an obligatory Canadian trip. Back then all I could remember was the drive and then the Falls. Lots of water - A wishing fountain and more water. Well it was my duty to allow my children that same memory... oh, and Christopher as well. My little brother needed to experience this with his niece and nephews! It was a sunny day and we headed off. The drive wasn't too bad once we got out of Toronto traffic. Entering Niagara Falls it felt somewhat larger and more colourful. I remember a few malls along the way with some funky, cheap souvenir shops...now there are hundreds of shops which means hundreds, upon hundreds of shoppers. The water seemed almost secondary. 

After fuelling up at The IHOP(International House of Pancakes) we headed to the water. Hearing that sound made my tummy felt full of butterflies. I remembered that too. The sound of the water. It was all rushing back...(water metaphor omitted) LOL . Once we saw the water, the kids were amazed. 
"Where did it all start? Why is there a rainbow? I want to get wet. "

Desperate hunts for a loonie to look through the special binoculars ensued!

We headed to several spots in order to garner the best view. We finally got to the top end of the Falls and were able to get to the guardrail to see the water barrelling over the edge. It was mesmerising. Cohen was especially mesmerised! We all got sprayed by the mist and had our photos taken - did heaps of selfies and we quickly did a lap of the souvenir shop where I had to repeatedly say, "what does a stuffed purple snake have the do with Niagara Falls?" 

We could not find the wishing fountain...I guess there is not enough business in wishes. A bit of the magic had gone but we still left feeling like we saw something super special! 

 We did not go into any of the "attractions" that, again, have nothing to do with The Falls. I don't think the kids missed out by not going on a ride, buying a bubble blower or walk through a laser strike course! I just didn't want their memory of Niagara Falls to be one filled with arcade colours and sounds! It was about the water, after all.

Niagara Falls on PhotoPeach

The ROM

Museums are boring! Well that's what I used to think...but the ROM is amazing. It has space to move around in...kid friendly exhibits and signs that kids can, and want to read. It has also remained true to what it is..a museum. So many times on this trip we have gone to something, like the Zoo..and there is also a waterpark and games...as if kids need all that to be constantly enthralled in their environment. Don't get me wrong. My kids love their devices and the words, "there is no wifi" sends their little hearts into a panic, but luckily enough, they also have brains and were able to use them during the museum trip. They read signs...asked questions, wondered, shared, with Museum staff, their own facts about animals and Egypt and the learned...and they did all this without the aid of any gimmick... unless you call bumble bee wings a gimmick! The dinosaur exhibition was amazing and the sheer size of these beasts was mind boggling. The kids loved talking with museum staff about the animals of Canada and hearing their facts about them and sharing their own stories of what they had seen so far on their trip. The ROM itself is beautiful. The building and the totem poles are beautiful. I was so glad to have my opinion of museums changed and to see that the kids could enjoy it as well - you know - old fashioned family fun! The music is Night at The Museum Theme Song. Enjoy! What do you mean we're going to a Museum??? on PhotoPeach

Rock and Roll and Science?

We headed to The Ontario Science Centre to relive yet another one of my childhood memories, and on the recommendation of one of my former students, Emily. The Science Centre had grown since my childhood. It was an amazing place where chaos rules and kids can touch things and there is fun. What a concept. Adults telling kids - "hey go ahead...touch it! Want to do a puzzle? Want to see how this works?" No more rushed parental conversation where a quick explanation is given in order to move along quickly. We actually took our time. We could have spent all day there...easily. Cohen loved opening and closing the "sneeze" machine...surprising passing guests! Madeline attempted to make shoes out of recycled materials while Theo perfected his paper aeroplane skills! 3 kids, 3 adults...we could do this! My favourite exhibit was the moon chair - watching the kids try to navigate a chair around and find obstacles - making them feel like they are in space - walking and working. You had to do opposite of your natural tendencies. To go right you turned left and to go forward you steered backwards. The kids found this concept quit easy - I think the gaming industry has something to do with this. Their fearless use of a remote control and having an innate sense of how to problem solve. I would have become totally frustrated that I could not, logically, get this chair to move. I stood in awe of their natural knowledge! There aren't tonnes of photos as I was busy actually doing stuff! Cool , eh! The song is Weird Science by Oingo Boingo! Enjoy! Weird Science on PhotoPeach

CN Tower and Bacon

This was a big day! The kids first streetcar and subway ride, a super high elevator ride to the top of the tower and then lunch at St Lawrence Market for the famous peameal bacon sandwich! Cohen loved the streetcar and took to it like a seasoned commuter. He asked for a newspaper so he could read on his "commute" and when I wouldn't give it to him, he went to sleep...as business do on their way to work! The subway was also a fun ride. The kids spent their time trying to stand without holding on to the rails! The subways today aren't like the ones I rode when I visited my Aunts in my youth. The lights do not go out when we go through tunnels. The subway cars area all one long car now too. Very cool and clean! The CN Tower was so much fun. Our Toronto CIty Pass helped us bypass all the queues and lines. There is a new addition since my last trip up the tower - the mechanical dog sniffers! You have to walk through these gates and then stop in the middle while strong puffs of air are blown onto your body and electronic sniffers and sensors suss you out for bombs. It went up 2 months after 9/11. The CN Tower attendant was happily explaining this to us...meanwhile in my head I am now adding terrorist plot to my list of things to be worried about while up a tower 126 or so stories high! Thanks Mr Friendly CN Tower Guy! Then my adult brain kicked in and I knew it made our trip safer...now just to worry about the normal stuff...like the elevator getting stuck! LOL! The kids loved the towers and immediately ran over to the windows to look down! We played a game of I spy that really battled my eye sight and their attention to details! LOL! We went up another level and walked on the glass floor. Again - the kids were fearless, as was Filo. I nervously stepped onto the floor with the help of Theo holding my hand. I can't say it changed my life but I've done it. This poster about the weight it can hold did little to appease my maths brain...how do I know that ll these people currently on the floor do NOT add up to 25,0000 blur jays? haha! We had a long walk to the St Lawrence Market for the famous bacon on a bun - peameal bacon! Yum! It was a long, busy and hot day but what a great addition to our holiday in Toronto! CN Tower and Bacon on PhotoPeach