Arrived in Ottawa, Cananda!!!!!

Stand by for wrap up over the weekend....
at Marriot 613-231-2020 rm 1412
going to bed :)

Sarah Palin

Republican vice presidential candidate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, addresses a campaign rally in Erie, Pa. Thursday, Oct. 30, 2008. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

??? What is this all about.....

So I experience a true day in the life of a republican. The morning begins with coffee than outide to shoot a variety of my friends guns which ranged from hand guns (dirty harry's 44magnum) to an AK 47.

Then off to go flying in a small single prop airplane all over the county. As it happens Palin was in Erie and I was taken to my first U.S. election campaign rally. It was only a 40 minute drive from Meadville but we chose to fly in and cab t0 the convention center which was situated right on Lake Erie. It was quite a show. I was in the heart of republican country in a vital swing state five days before the election so you can imagine the emotion. Great experience...great day. Though I forgot my camera so you will just have to take my word for it :)

Up early today and headed to Ottawa.

Scoop

Chicago to Pennsylvania

Greetings, I made it too Pennsylvania but it was a tough day driving. Passing through Chicago was a treat as it took over an hour to get through the city. I delayed my departure to be after rush hour but it was still very congested.



I just got clear of the city and passing into and through Indiana I ran into an unusual delay. If you look closely in this next picture you will see the light bar of an Indiana State Trooper vehicle!! Get this, I am on toll highways. The previous one excepted my credit card at the toll booth. So leaving Indiana I hit obviously another toll booth. They tell me they only take American cash. I see a credit card machine but it has an inoperative sign on it. They will not take Canadian cash. They call the State Troopers. I have to wait for the police to arrive. Believe it or not the State of Indiana passed a law that it is illegal to travel on toll highways without US cash. I think the trooper is as disgusted as I am as he gives me a warning and sends me on my way. He hands me the toll receipt and asks me to mail the funds to the address on the toll receipt. Right! I will get right on that. Jeesh...only in the U.S.! Bye the way, at the very next toll in Ohio...they took credit cards!! :)



Finally on my way I make my way through Ohio and see my first snow of the season. I thought this picture came out pretty well considering it was a moving shot through my passenger side window.



I should have realized this was a sign of things to come as the weather progressively got worse as did the lighting conditions. I ended up getting lost outside of Cleveland but my GPS got me back on track. Though I had to short cut through an angry looking suburb. I stopped to get gas and thankfully, at the same time, as did a Cleveland police officer. I have to say he was a rough looking as the locals!! :) I paid in cash and quickly got the hell out of there! :)

I soon crossed the state line into Pennsylvania and as Fred lived in as small town I found myself on rural roads for the first time in many years. I could not believe how dark and disorienting the driving became but at the same time there was something very familiar and thus comforting about it as it reminded me much of time long since passed in rural Nova Scotia. The stormy weather, the leaves from late fall, the wind...it was the perfect set up for a horror movie just waiting to happen :) The GPS sure comes in handy when your tired, feeling lost and in the middle of nowhere. You just put your faith in that little electronic device and it brings ya home! Made it to Fred's after about 10hours of traveling where I warmly greeted by he and his wife, two dogs and two cats. The ominous thoughts driven by a pending Halloween were for not as the dark spirits were averted...at least for the moment :)

The next morning I woke up to more snow and found poor Casper in the following condition...



All is well. Casper continues to be a warrior! I am taking a few days off here in the north east part of rural Pennsylvania in Meadville. Along my journey I have had the opportunity to hear from the Democrats and now my friend the Republican and member of the National Rifle Association (NRA) one of the most powerful associations in the U.S. driven by the right to bear arms. I have had many political discussions on this journey all driven by the build up to the Presidential election come Nov 4th. It has been truly insightful to hear about the views from the people living and working with the issues every day and coming to realize how distorted the messages are by the time they make their way through mainstream media and into Canada. This has been a real opportunity to re-connect with old friends, share political ideologies and together bash the media whose bias is at unprecedented levels. We'll...we do talk about lighter subjects as well...like the similiarities and differences between Americans and Canadians and I always asure them we are much cooler in every regard! :)

More to follow...

Scoop

Chicago, Illinois

I am here in Illinois approximately 40 minutes north of Chicago on Lake Michigan which is one of the great lakes. The town I am in is called Lake Bluff and it is the quintessential wealthy American neighborhood with it's large brick homes and seasonally styled decorum. Fall is brilliant here.

This has been about visiting with an old friend and getting some rest. I was able to do a wash, re-stock Casper and get some much needed rest before the trek to Pennsylvania.

Casper, he is doing great. He could have kept going I am the one that couldn't handle the pace. I hit the road tomorrow (Tuesday) and will be at Fred's by night time. From Pennsylvania it is only about 8 hours north to Ottawa.

Take care...another Scoop moment comes to an end!

South Dakota to Wisconsin

Just completed an approximately 26 hour journey across Montana into South Dakota. Then carried on through Minnesota, Wisconsin and down into Illinois. About 2000km. Casper held up pretty good, better than me as it was exhausting. As you can see the exciting lay of the land in South Dakota! was of little help as far as distraction. The only things I found worthwhile to photograph was the GPS and my rear view mirror...I think you go a little crazy after awhile. As I drove into the night I saw many deer and elk. I had to be very sharp as tumble weeds would blow across the highway and after too many driving hours they would look like animals. The startle responses did help keep me awake :) One stunning sight was, just off the road, a full size dead white tail deer with an eagle resting on top of it looking very triumphant. It appeared to be basking in the glory of a kill. But I could tell he knew I knew :) that a tractor trailer had taken down the deer..quite symbolic never-the-less. Speaking of tractor trailers...as I traveled along at the speed limit of 75 mile and hour I would be passed easily by tractor trailers loaded with live cattle....terrifying if you think too much about the "what ifs" out here on the open road. Another way I found it useful to stay alert was to finish an audio book I had been saving for such a trip. It was so bad it was quite effective. It was called NetForce by Tom Clancy. It was so full of stereotypical American ego I felt ill at times. One character I can take...but all of them!!! lol...thankfully my American friends share similar views regarding both American and Canadian stereotypes.

Just after crossing the Mississippi River in Wisconsin I pulled over for a few hours rest in a Rest Area. As long as there were other cars I felt okay, though as I closed my eyes all I could vision was a serial killer making the rounds. Then the light from a flash light filled the car interior. Casper was on the job...ready to attack...it was just the good old State Police on the job. Relieved and too tired to care I ignored them, let them do their license plate checks, pulled my sleeping bag over my head and drifted off to sleep for a very restful five hours...Casper stayed awake keeping watch.

Scoop out.

Billings, Montana

Greetings,
I am now leaving for the Chicago run. I spent an extra day in Billings, Montana due to great hospitality and the need a little extra rest. Al lives on a bluff over looking the entire valley and he and his wife and three kids made me feel quite at home. The history here is abundant as I feel every western cowboy movie I ever saw as a child was filmed here. And the parks...Yellowstone National Park, Bear Claw and Crazy Mountain...Big Horn Park...have to come back here camping.
Sooo...Casper had a rest, some food and we are Eastern bound!

Scoop

Vancouver puts on here best for my last day.....

Of course! my last day in Kitsilano was beautiful. The air was warm and the water calm. I wanted it cold and stormy....thus dreary... the proper form I suggest to you for any goodbye! But inconsideration was the result...a stunning day showing me her best. The gesture was almost rude with it's cocky overstatement of it's supernatural beauty. I may never forgive her especially as I wait for the bus in Ottawa in a four foot snow bank...at least the driver will see the top of my head.

I was successful in limiting my goodbyes to very few...all too uncomfortable if you ask me. Sending Lia to Russia for her big trip home to visit her family was a smart move...though that is not a goodbye...just some separation :)...made the last few days cope-able?? :):)...never-the-less it was all too hectic for me with wrapping up work...packing...prepping my place for the tenant…last minute issues with the car and gas fireplace...saying goodbyes arrg...all to overwhelming...but necessary...the emotion thing...guess I can not avoid it forever :).

But I am now on my way!! Casper (the name of my car-not too macho, kinda off-white and tame looking?? kinda cute!) is doing great...thus far!

I spent my first night in Missoula, Montana. Stayed in a "Hotel 6" as it was $20 bucks cheaper than the "Hotel 8" chain…I am serious - too funny. I expect to be in Billings, Montana for tonight meeting up with an old friend. Then on to Chicago for a couple of days, into Pennsylvania for another visit and then up to Ottawa.

My thoughts (if you are wondering) are full of optimism and content. Regardless of what the future brings this move is the right decision. It is interesting how some confuse passion with discontent. I am too appreciative for my health, the people in my life and all my experiences to date to be anything but grateful and content. I am full of passion...and now I feel I am able to better channel it. I will leave you with that for now.

I am back to my blog so stay tuned for what I a sure to be an eventful journey...

Scoop



Stay tuned…Scoop