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“Emily” by N&J.
Vancouver, BC (Nov 29/13) – It is incredible to think of the endless possibilities of chance that dot our lives along the ‘road of life’. During their 15,000 km journey N&J amazingly had ‘lady luck’ or ‘good karma’ following wherever they went. Yes, a few mechanical problems cropped up from time to time, nothing insurmountable, never jeopardizing our safety & security. Always careful when on the road, both keeping watch for hazards or errant drivers. Yesterday ‘life’ was altered, never to be the same. Traveling eastbound on Hwy 10 in Delta, British Columbia while enroute to a family event in Surrey a wall of brown steel suddenly appeared coming from…
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“See Cruise” by N&J.
Vancouver, BC (Nov 21/13) – Itchy feet, ants in their pants… call it what you like, but N&J really needed to get away from the big city (yeah have only been back a couple weeks). So pack up Emily (N’s mom’s dog), revved up the newly rejuvenated Gizmo and took a ferry for Vancouver Island to visit N’s aunts. The Giz, after doing 15,000 km needed some extra care & attention; seems like a rock smashed the fuel expansion tank located in the passenger wheel well allowing water & debris to pollute the tank and clog the gas filter. Problem resolved, Gizmo has lots of get up and go now!!!…
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“Dog Daze” by N&J w/Emily (guest canine blog poster).
Vancouver, BC (Nov 10/13) – No sooner are N&J back in Vancouver, helping people move, providing Gizmo a day at the spa, visiting friends & family, opening mail (a LOT of mail!!!), renting out condos, answering emails, paying bills, laundry, house sitting… dog sitting. Here is what Emily says about N&J: “The doggie treats abound and the food flying through the air…. my servants sit patiently waiting on the couch yearning for the slightest bit of attention. I throw out small glimpses of hope and I see the glee in their eyes and at just the right moment I perform an abrupt about face putting my ‘royal rump’ towards them.…
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“On the Way Back Home” by N&J.
Vancouver, BC (Oct 28/13) – The wheels pointing west and sights set on getting closer to home, through Idaho and Washington States, eventually crossing the border into Canada at Nelway (north of Spokane, Wa) into the Kootenays. With tempered smirks upon their faces, anticipating the challenge facing us at the border, we gleefully reply to the border agents inquisition. The windows of Gizmo covered with ‘hippy’ writings of “Peace, Love, Burner Van” and a set of elk antlers on the top of the roof… what a sight! click on pic to enlarge – right/left arrow to scroll thru the gallery Needless to say N&J were completely searched (well maybe NOT…
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“Yellowstone” by N&J.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming (Oct 23/13) – The drive to Yellowstone National Park is filled with anticipation of what to expect, the vast array of natural wonders, nature’s history in full display… whereas Canada has many wonderful national parks, Yellowstone is the world’s first national park created in 1872. click on pic to enlarge – right/left arrow to scroll thru the gallery What captured the eye most of all, was the devastation from two decades of wild fires that have destroyed 75% of the parks 2.1 million acres of forest. It is overwhelming in the least. Although nature is quickly replacing the void with new growth… the emptiness is startling.…
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“Happen Chance” by N&J.
West of Cody, Wyoming (Oct 22/13) – Having learned along the way that the best maps and source of info is at the State Information Centre, N&J make sure to stop everytime they cross a state line. Eager to learn about the vastness and uniquenes of Wyoming they are told not to miss Thermopolis. A unique town centered around a natural hot spring, being the largest in North America, it is truly stunning. Located within Native Land, a treaty was signed entrusting that the Hot Springs would be free to everyone… and it still is. N&J were thrilled!!! After a hot soak, completely relaxed and clean they continued on to…
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“…Dancing Through our Heads” by N&J.
The Black Hills of South Dakota (Oct 21/13) – While cruising down the highway at Gizmo speed, N&J were afforded the opportunity to read countless (seemed like thousands) of billboards expounding the virtues of WALL DRUG. “Coffee 5 cents – 120 miles to Wall Drug”, “Free Ice Cold Water – Only 78 miles to Wall Drug”. What the heck is Wall Drug??? click on pic to enlarge – right/left arrow to scroll thru the gallery Well, after arriving in the town of Wall, South Dakota (just outside the Badlands), N&J finally discovered what all the hoopla was about. This small, quaint town of a few hundred has it’s own historic…
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“We Got the Cookie Monster Blues !!!” by N&J.
Badlands National Park in Wyoming (Oct 20/13) – N&J certainly didn’t waste anytime getting themselves back into the ‘on the road’ routine after the Habitat gig. Since leaving Fort Thompson they have already clocked quite a few kilometres on Gizmo. The first stop was Badlands National Park located in the south-west corner of South Dakota…. in fact just outside the eastern park gate where they stopped for the evening after driving across the state. A great place to sleep, very quiet except for the nearby dairy farm and the faint ‘mooing’ heard all night (HEY!!! Who is milking the cows tonight???). click on pic to enlarge – right/left arrow to…
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“Eyes Wide Open” by N&J.
Crow Creek Indian Reserve, Fort Thompson, South Dakota (Oct 19/13) – What are N&J feeling?… Sad to leave??… Ecstatic ??? … A bit of both. Certainly bittersweet. One thing is for sure, they have met some amazing & interesting people in the month and a half stay… some who were surprisingly different from the expectations. click on pic to enlarge – right/left arrow to scroll thru the gallery N&J’s neighbours, the ‘park’ residents have definitely taught a few things about ‘Life on the Res’. Not always what it appears on the surface; it can be very disturbing, but also very heartening. Thomas (a native elder in his 70’s who prefers to…
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“Last Day at Habitat!!!” by N&J.
Fort Thompson, SD (Oct 18/13) – It has been 6 weeks that ‘Team NJ’ has been at Habitat for Humanity on the Crow Creek Indian Reserve. This is N&J’s last full day working as volunteers on the project. A lot has transpired since their arrival. They have managed to complete the work on the inner workings (framing, plumbing, electrical, etc) to the point that installing the drywall has begun and there is about 20% left to go. It was their initial wish that they would have had all the drywall board installed before leaving… much has been accomplished. With lots of cheekiness, having dress up days, and hiding stuff in…