New Brunswick (so far)

Well, the sign says welcome to Quebec, but we actually pulled a 'u'ey (how do you spell that one!?!) on the highway to snap this photo and bid farewell to Quebec. It was, however, welcome to New Brunswick where our first stop was at the home of Stephen, Becky and Kallie Page. Stephen as an adventure student at Briercrest for 2 years and is currently the year round Program/Maintenance Director at Shiketehawk Bible Camp. What a treat to have lunch with them and their new little girl. On the way to Fredericton, we of course drove the world's longest covered bridge over the Saint John River at Hartland - and yes, we held our breath, so we are expecting our wishes to come true! :D

Quebec

The first photo is Leslie on the steps of our great place of rest in Montreal - Will's home! From there, we drove to Quebec City. The second photo is an overview from Old Quebec City and then of us there! We will remember the city for the steps! Finally, we drove a bridge over the St. Lawerence to Cabano, our home for the night.

The Fam

Carrie's brother in law, George, sister Maggie, and their dog, Gema.

Rhoda Wailin's

Well, it’s been 2559 miles since our beginnings in Caronport, SK almost three weeks ago now. We are currently in Fredericton, New Brunswick with Elsbeth, (Carrie’s Canada World Youth host 11 years ago). It is a beautiful clear and crisp fall morning full of hope for this new day! It is so nice to have time and space along our journey to stop in a place for more than one night! The events, views, and experiences of the past few days are enough for one to stop and reflect on for weeks.

While in Montreal we had the opportunity to go to see The Wailin’ Jennys show (check out www.thewailinjennys.com - if you are near a show - GO!). Here’s a window into my journaling from that evening: “Tonight we soaked our entire beings – mind, body, and soul – in the melodic harmonies of The Wailin’ Jennys. A three-woman band with a plethora of instruments: an acoustic guitar each, a mandolin, a fiddle, banjo, ukulele, accordion, harmonica, stand-up bass, bodhran drum and more! The whole experience felt as though we had stumbled upon a treasure at the end of some community rainbow and were invited to share in the riches… reaping the harvest of what others had long sowed… We stood at that bar tonight while our depths were ministered to… embraced by something beautiful… a love between strangers shared and understood for its largeness, intensity, potential, and its ungraspable nature. I know that I can’t handle such love… wrap my fingers around it… fully understand it or view its many dimensions… I know that I will not yet be able to fully express or experience it… but I am so thankful for moments like these where I am allowed to be encompassed by it, unafraid to embrace it, that we may dance together with such ease and freedom. – Good night and thank you my Love”

From Montreal we drove along the St. Lawrence River into Quebec City and practiced some French on the local little old ladies for directions to Old Town Quebec… after some confusion and lots of laughs we found our way to the cobblestone streets, cathedrals of block and stained glass, and those old copper roofs of green! After Quebec City we headed further east to our destination for the night on the banks of Cabano. Our travels have been full of spectacular views of multi-coloured forest, and large bodies of water. Coming into Cabano and leaving yesterday, the dangers we faced were not moose lurking in the woods, rather it was in the food that we ate… Carrie and I snacked on some wasabi peas driving into Cabano and nearly drove off the road due to the intense shock waves the wasabi was shooting to our brains and eyes which were weeping profusely. Yesterday morning I experienced the rare taste of laundry detergent in my oatmeal! It’s kind of a long story, but let’s just say that the white powder in the nalgene wasn’t milk! Thankfully we made it through these two food adventures and were able to enjoy the delicious cooking of friends, Steve, Becky, and baby Kallie, in Florencville, NB, and Elsbeth in Fredricton, NB. So we will rest here at Elsbeth’s today and head over to the Bay of Fundy tomorrow. By the end of the week our stomachs will probably be full of lobster and our horizon views of the Atlantic!

Thanks to all of you who share these adventures and stories with us… it means so much to feel your presence going with us in spirit. Also, a big thanks to all of you who have given of your homes, food, and good company to us, you are in our hearts and prayers!
Until next time, peace and adventure to you all,
For the Rhodatrippers,
Leslie

Technology

Leslie and I are at a cafe downtown Montreal - we came here hoping for internet connection. At first, no-go - because I couldn't get my computer to co-operate. Thankfully, Leslie has a new grace upon her now that she is travelling with me (Ok, please know this is said in sarcasm, but nonetheless, is a direct quote from her) and she has become ultra technologically savvy. She got the connection here working - not only that, but when we stayed with Maggie and George (my sister and brother-in-law), Leslie got their printer hooked up and working, fixed Maggie's DVD player and George's surround sound system. That's right, my family (myself included) may be building a shrine to remember Leslie's feats of wonder in our lives!

We are happily staying in the home of Will Trower - a friend whom I met when he and his sister and father came on a Nahanni trip last summer. He's away til this evening, and having him trust us and leave a key has been a blessing to us. We've gotten work done, baked apple berry crisp, watched a movie, done laundry and slept over ten hours last night. How sweet it is! His return will be sweet as well, as we join him and his friend, Cat, for a concert this evening by the Wailin' Jenny's.

The work I refered to (besides finishing my syllabi for next semester and doing some marking) is revisiting my PhD research proposal, in order that I may communicate with the profs I hope to visit in the upcoming weeks. At one point today, in exasperation, I told Leslie my proposal was grumpy. She was quick to point out (maybe it was just with a look) that the proposal likely wasn't the one grumpy. She was right! I am having a hard time - wrestling with words - which normally come easy to me. I find it a challenge to articulate what my 'telos' (the end at which I aim) is with my PhD studies - I know the big picture of what I want to learn - the integration of faith and knowledge, love in academia, epistemology in the face of knowing God - but how do I summarize that in a way that will help me find the prof to learn under?!? Well, we got out of the house, and the proposal is less grumpy.... :D Carrie

Big Conversations in Small Moments

I'm learning that time passes quickly even when the only demands we have on our time are those we choose and what we share with those we love - maybe because of this it passes even more quickly! That said, there is a lot to catch up on in terms of telling you about our journey - hopefully the pictures we posted are worth thousands of words. It was a treat to have lunch with Mary, Jen & their little ones and to spend time with Amanda and her family in their new home.

Some of my favourite moments in this journey come in the small moments. While sharing rice crackers and artichoke dip on shore during sea kayaking on the Bay, Leslie and I talked about 'resilience' - relational resilience - what time adds to the relationships around us - what it means to know someone years, or even all our years - the importance of time, because duration gives opportunity to know the good, bad and ugly and to be loved and to love through it all. Driving around Welland looking for the public library brought about a conversation on when we're leading and hurting (physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually) and what it means to share (or not share) that with those we lead.

Today the woman in Tim Horton's, who happily gave us hot water, thought our travel mugs with lids attached with P-cord were really something. That, and many other short interactions, bring smiles to our faces!

And with that, I'll sign off with another smile...Carrie

Orillia, Welland & Niagra Falls

The first photo is Mary and I (Mary is a Bendall Babe from university), and then I'm reading to her son Elias and his friend Jasmine (daughter of friends Rob and Jen Mansfield). Leslie and I went and saw Niagra Falls - that's us with all the other tourists. The last two pictures are my family in Napanee - neice Amanda with Mark and me with great-nephew Riley.

Us & Dogs

The larger dogs are Wendy Grater's dogs Yukon (the biggest) and Tikka - the little mutt that loves Leslie's lap is my Annie.

Pictures from Sea Kayaking on Georgian Bay

Pictures of the drive from SK to Ontario

The first picture is of sunrise near Kenora. The Wawa goose is for Dad, and the picutre of us is at Wawa as well. Finally, that's the moon over Old Woman Bay on Lake Superior where we camped.

Throat singing and Hip Hop

Last night I had my first night out since hanging with the folks... Carrie's back and the sun came out and it was time to cut loose!
Anyway, we enjoyed an introduction to some new styles of the arts by Robert Wilson, Kinnie Starr, and Tanya Taqag performing at the Stockey Centre here in Parry Sound. Robert mellowed us out with some acustic folk tunes... Kinnie pumped us full of passionate, poetic lyrics, and Tanya dazzled us with her exotic throat singing of the Inuit tradition... it was a cultural experience to say the least and we enjoyed it thoroughly.
Today we hiked along the rugged trail along the shores of Parry Sound, still enjoying the sunshine and looking forward to the prospects of some sea kayaking tomorrow!
Thanks for joining us on our adventures... we're looking forward to starting up again soon!
Leslie

Chaos

While Leslie was enjoying the McGown homestead, this McGown was at the Harris Farm an hour and a half into Quebec trying to introduce 33 Child and Youth Worker students from Algonquin College to the outdoors. The meeting was in a most gorgeous setting with rock bluffs, caves and camping. The crew were loud, proud and hilarious - I've never shared so many looks of understanding and astonishment as I did with my co-guide Nigel during this short course. A sense of humour is always important, and great when it is shared! Thanks Nigel for sharing in the chaos with me and imparting a bit of paddling and love for the outdoors with this crew!

The Itinerary ... so far

Sept. 16 Parry Sound, Ontario
Sept. 17 Parry Sound, Ontario
Sept. 18 Parry Sound, Ontario
Sept. 19 Welland, Ontario (home of Carrie's neice Amanda, Riley & Mark)
Sept. 20 Welland, Ontario
Sept. 21 Napanee, Ontario (home of Carrie's sister Maggie, George & Eric)
Sept. 22 Napanee, Ontario
Sept. 23 Montreal, Quebec
Sept. 24 Quebec City, Quebec
Sept. 25 Cabano, Quebec
Sept. 26 Fredericton, New Brunswick (home of Elsbeth - CWY host mom & Al, Stephen, Becky, Jon, Alicia, Afton - Briercrest alumni)
Sept. 27 Fredericton, New Brunswick
Sept. 28 Fundy National Park (Alma, New Brunswick)
Sept. 29 Acadia National Park (Bar Harbor, Maine)
Sept. 30 Acadia National Park
Oct. 1 Unity, Maine (home of Unity College)
Oct. 2 Durham, New Hampshire (home of University of New Hampshire & Amy L.)
Oct. 3 Durham, New Hampshire
Oct. 4 Durham, New Hampshire
Oct. 5 Lancaster, Pennsylvania (Dustin's parents)
Oct. 6 Harrisburg (ish), PA (Corinna's parents)
Oct. 7 Harrisburg, PA
Oct. 8 Montreat, North Carolina (Montreat College)
Oct. 9 Brevard, North Carolina (Brevard College)
Oct. 10 Brevard, North Carolina
Oct. 11 buffer day (read, in case Rhoada or us needs a break)
Oct. 12 buffer day
Oct. 13 Harrisonburg, Virginia (home of Corinna's sister Hannah & the EMU Mennonite Folk Festival - where Over the Rhine is playing)
Oct. 14 Harrisonburg, Virginia
Oct. 15 Chicago, IL (home of Kelly and family)
Oct. 16 Madison, Wisconsin (home of Parker Palmer - whom we're stalking!)
Oct. 17 Mankato, Minnesota (Minnesota State University)
Oct. 18 Mankato, Minnesota (& the cities for University of Minnesota)
Oct. 19 Mankato, Minnesota
Oct. 20 Caronport, SK
Oct. 23-27 teaching Recreation Leadership at Briercrest College
for the rest of the schedule, check out the Dixie Chicks tour schedule - which we're following right to Austin (want to go with me Gracie!?!). Ok, but really, we're excited to have a frame for this far - the rest is yet to come.

The Road Trip

At The McGown Homestead...

My day at the McGown homestead... accessed via McGown Rd... nestled on the shores of McGown Lake...
There's nothing like living amongst such a sense of rich history!
I woke up at 8:30am, looked outside, and thought about a dip in McGown Lake, but was scared off by the steady rain coming down... so I settled on a hot cup of coffee and some breaky instead! There's no shortage of food around this home, thanks to Mrs. McGown... don't worry Mom(s) I have been eating well and am building up my insulation for the winter!
With Annie on my lap I spent some quality time with the computer, carving away at my assignments for this fall... I guess that Annie didn't get enough of me after sleeping at my feet last night! (Oh, well... at least she doesn't shed!)
After another healthy sized lunch, Mrs. McGown drove me to where I have been working for a local guide outfitter, Black Feather, doing odd jobs of gear repairs and stuffing envelopes.
After work I took Annie and we went for a paddle around McGown Lake in the canoe... it's almost as though you can see the colours changing right on the trees... even beginning to see 3-4 different colours on one tree! ;)
Carrie's parents shared more childhood stories about her with me over supper... I look foreward to her returning and seeing the three of them interact as a family... it should be very entertaining to say the least!
Anyway, now I am at the local Parry Sound Library taking advantage of the free wireless connection.
Carrie comes to Parry Sound on Friday... and we look forward to colouring in the lines for our fall/winter adventures soon!
Until then... thanks for your prayers and support!
On behalf of the RhodaTrippers
Lots of Love
Leslie

two moose and one bear later...

After waking up with frost on our tent at Old Woman's Bay, I'm quite happy to say Leslie and I are warm and cozy tonite! Her at my parent's place in Parry Sound with some DL and Blackfeather work ahead of her, and myself at Tim & Romi's (and baby Ember's - can't wait til she wakes up so I can meet her) in Ottawa - to do 5 days of canoe instruction for Algonquin College.
What has this road trip been so far? Gifts of shared laughter. Nothing as planned, everything as it should be (so, what's our itinerary again!?! Did we ever have one? Will we?). Time and space (and 3000km of road) to share stories from our summers (Gracie, I understand Woobs and Spork now). Vivid red Lake Superior sunsets, misty pink fall sunrises, trees just starting to change, moose staying long enough for a glimpse, but short enough to cause no concern for driving. Rhoda, running well, but full of quirks - electronic and otherwise. Sweet peas and grapes and all those cookies and artichoke & asiago cheese dip...mmmm. In short, good.
Carrie

Leaving

Ok, so no cell phone - but Rhoda is packed and we are on our way! Thank you for the cookies, pictures, words and emails of encouragement!

This is the before (it's just not going to fit!), to the after and on our way!

just us

Beginnings...

September 7, 2006

Well, were still in Caronport, SK... waiting for, of all things, our cell phone to arrive so we can begin this dream we've been talking about for so long now! There is much road ahead, and Rhoda(that's the name of our car, 95' Honda Accord) is itching to take us there. She hasn't felt the weight of our load yet... hope that she doesn't change her mind about the trip. ;)
The adventures are anxiously awaiting our arrival and we theirs...
We plan to make our first stop in Winnipeg, Manitoba at Steve's folks, then steadily push east for Parry Sound (for Leslie), and Ottawa (for Carrie), with a few stops along the way to stretch our legs and enjoy a few long walks/runs.
So it's bonvoyage Caronport... and here we come to the east, where, for this westerner, is a foreign prospect and much desired for exploration!
shalom,
Leslie

There are so many endings that need to occur to make a beginning happen. To reach forward to the beginning of this journey, many endings have been going on for months now, and endings are sad. We have both said, and continue to say, many goodbyes. I can't wait for the hellos to come!
I wish you (you being all of you - our loved friends and family) could see us today - in this little office of Steve's, trying to figure out blogs, trying to figure out how to make 2-dimensional words have 3-dimensional meaning in order that though we are not connected with you in person, we are still connected. As Leslie and I begin, please begin to share in this with us!
With love and smiles, as always, Carrie