Watch out Canada… ready or not, here we come!

Harvey here. I have seen the route. I have studied the maps, both the paper ones the Dutchman keeps and the digital ones the Skipper has on her phone. I have opinions. Mostly I am ready. Possibly I am nervous about the ferry. Just a little.

So, here’s the plan. We pull out of the driveway on June 1st and turn right. First stop is Wells Gray Park, because if you’re going to drive through British Columbia you may as well start with a waterfall, am I right? Then the Rockies, which I have been instructed to absorb slowly. The Dutchman insists I take it slowly because of physics. Skipper says to take it slowly because of photo ops. I’m inclined to agree with both of them.

Then the Prairies, where the sky does most of the work and I’ll get to stretch my legs in a straight line for a few days. Maybe I’ll even hit stretches at 100 km/h! Honestly, after the mountains, I think we’ll all appreciate the breathing room.

Late June we hit Ontario. A Blue Jays game in Toronto with family, because the First Mate needs to see a major league ballpark at least once before he’s nine. Then Niagara Falls, of course. How do you drive past Niagara Falls? Then up to cottage country, where family have a place on the water and there is apparently a dock involved. Harvey will not be going on the dock.

July is the big one.

We catch the ferry from North Sydney to Newfoundland, and I cannot tell you how long I have wanted to do this. Skipper’s grandfather was from the Rock. Some beloved in-laws too. The Dutchman has only ever seen St. John’s. None of us have really felt it, the island, the people, the particular kind of stubborn beautiful place it is. We are going to feel it this time. Eight days on the island.

The First Mate has been promised puffins. We are managing expectations about penguins.

From there, the Maritimes. The lobster is rumoured to be excellent and the roads are, I am told, a genuine test of Harvey’s suspension. New Brunswick to spend time with little one’s school buddy, Nova Scotia to catch up with my childhood friend and dear cousins. We can’t wait to experience Anne of Green Gables on PEI. Then west into Québec, La Belle Province, family again.

And then Winnipeg. The Dutchman’s hometown. His family, his siblings, his people. Our people. Cousins the First Mate’s age who he can’t wait to see. There is something so special to spend time with their beloved grandchildren and the whole crew. Yes! There will be a full on pool-side family reunion. This just feels like the right way to end a summer. And we still have the prairies summer sunsets to embrace before we see the mountains again and get home to BC.

Just in time for school and the rest of real life. Sigh.

In between all of that, there is approximately one entire country to embrace. The First Mate has already promised to spot every waterfall before anyone else does. I guess that makes sense as we will start out journey at Wells Gray park for more famous waterfalls.

He probably will.

Alright. I’ve heard the plan. I have no notes. Let’s go.

Love, Harvey