Catch-up.

Ok, ok, it's been a while. But internet has been scarce! Here's a quick catchup on the Wonderlust adventure:

Calgary: What a place, what a party. We checked everything off of our Alberta stereotypes list--

1) See Stephen Harper and cause a scene about it: check.
2) Hang out with cowboys and dance the two-step: check.
3) Ride in a Hummer: check.
4) Eat steak: check.
5) Hang out with Mantracker: check.
6) Shoot guns: check.

Am I missing anything?

We also checked out the dinosaurs in Drumheller and went loopy at the Hoodoos. We all agreed that Alberta is GREAT, and admitted we were wrong in our former Torontonian scoffery.

I'm warning you, the next part of the trip was so very exciting that even reading about it may be too much for you to handle. Let me sum it up--

Saskatoon to Ottawa:

Average temperature: EXCRUCIATINGLY HOT.
Air conditioning: none.
Shower opportunities: none.
Daily routine: Drive, go see movie to escape the van (aka den of perspiration) and soak up some AC, sleep in Walmart parking lot, wake up in Walmart parking lot, repeat.

We did stay at a lovely campsite in Algonquin Provincial Park, but it was so obscenely priced (ahem, government of Canada take note) that we were forced to go crawling back to Walmart after only one night of tent-sleeping bliss.

Now that the central-Canada stretch is over, I am happy to report that we are pleased as punch to be staying at a lovely hotel (thanks to Jonna's wonderful father for such a smart birthday gift!) in Ottawa. We are positively luxuriating in taking advantage of such high-brow amenities as showers and electricity.

I have so many photos I am dying to post, and I promise I will get them here soon! (Technology on the road can be a pain!)

Keep smiling,
Smelly.

Mantracker vs. Stephen Harper

It's not cheating it's stampeding... too bad none of us can put that catch phrase to the test (insert sad violin).  Welcome to the infamous Calgary Stampede, in all its glory.  Three days in and I can honestly say that this place is living up to all my lofty expectations.  No word of a lie, we've met the one and only Mantracker and caught a glimpse of Stevie Boy making an appearance at Spruce Meadows.  We feel like we're on safari, seeing cowboys and conservatives in their natural habitat.

MANTRACKER

Yeah that's Stephen Harper's shoulder no big deal

Hitting up the stampede grounds later for some bull riding and deep fried fair ground treats.  Dear Calgary, don't break my heart 'cause you've definitely stolen it.

VAN CITY!

We really should stay here another couple days and do a van tour of this city because there are some rockin' shaggin wagons kicking it about this city and more than one person has mentioned how they lived in their van in Vancouver when they first got here.

Luckily though we have some hosts who have provided us with free parking, cupcakes and a local tour of East Van and Commmercial Drive.

Canada Day in Vancouver....

Or should I say Cannabis Day? I couldn't tell from the crowd gathered in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery.

Oh yeah.

Spoon giving us the tour of his East Van.



Our rooftop view from East Van.



Danielle capturing the Van skyline, the Canada Day firewords and someone's hand simultaneously.



It is a beautiful city with mountains and the ocean, but walking down East Hastings yesterday was a reminder that it is a city like any other, filled with people, many of whom have problems. As a born and raised Vancouverite described to me last night, it is a good city for you if you are bipolar because when its good its really good here and then another day comes and it is really bad. It's said that with great beauty comes great responsibility, and that seems to apply to Vancouver....meaning you can't seem to have all this surrounding beauty without all these crazy crackheads and weirdos in the city.

Tomorrow we leave for the island and check the surf at Tofino.