Whew! Returned home to 4 gigs in a row and a ton of catching up to do! Here's the story and pics on the final bit of the tour as we returned to Ontario.
We took 15 days to make our way out to New Westminster B.C. and only 3 days to return to Thunder Bay, Ontario. A big thank you goes out to Brian for volunteering to do so much of the driving. We enjoyed more mountain scenery before arriving back at the rolling prairie region towards Lethbridge, Alberta. The southern section of B.C. had some beautiful valleys that were quite a contrast to the mountains surrounding them. We also passed through a more arid, desert like region of mountains.
We traveled to Medicine Hat, AB the first night .. only to find that most of the hotels and inns were full (many tournaments and activities that weekend). Fortunately one desk clerk took pity on me and called around for openings! Luckily there was room at the Inn (one of them) for us - we were definitely ready to relax and rest up after the long road trip (around 10 hours or so in the van that day). The only downside is we only had old modem style internet available - but hey it still worked (amazing how spoiled one gets with high speed).
The next day was a long drive from Medicine Hat to Winnipeg. One thing that was very cool about the tour is that all of us were great travelers - everyone made the best of the ride (we once again watched for Prairie Dogs, had a Moose/Deer watch and commented on towns and scenery. Ryan and Talia brought along many movies, some sketch books (courtesy of Grandma Mabel) and some card games that were very entertaining!
More prairie landscape!
Definitely a kaleidoscope of colour in the prairie between the canola, wheat and flax crops that spread out like a patchwork quilt as far as the eye could see!
We found a hotel just on the outskirts of Winnipeg that evening and were off early the next day to Thunder Bay (another long drive!). Rog did catch sight of a moose this time and Ryan (but the rest of us missed it!).
We quickly found a hotel in Thunder Bay and settled in for some rest for our performance the next day for Community Living Thunder Bay.
Our performance was scheduled for lunch time on July 22nd and we were up, prepped and off to Monty Parks Garden to set up. Our contact Patrizia was awesome and the gardens were gorgeous (a lot of volunteers maintain this project). We set up in the Garden Gazebo for our performance.
Sara found a cool bench swing to relax on! I joined her there for awhile!
Talia was all geared up and ready to go in a flash! Plus she had cool shades!
Rog in action
Brian keeping the beat (with Talia's help of course!)
Ryan was our photographer that day! Great pics!
Over the course of the tour (I'm still amazed we made it out West and back in 23 days!) we noticed that our performances just got better and better! It was a great combination - which Sara and I really appreciated.
Thanks to Patrizia, Community Living Thunder Bay volunteers and workers who helped us with our information table, set up and gave us a terrific gift basket which included some of their specialty dog treats (a very successful business initiative they are running in Thunder Bay).
Next stop - Sault Ste. Marie... which we would have to drive the same evening as this concert. Our Sudbury concert was the next day at 12:15 p.m.!
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