May 2001
June 4th
Kelowna, B.C.
Home Sweet Home here at the Wiebe family residents of Arnie Kelly Aaron Kristen Rebecca and Robert
Just over two weeks and for many the holidays would just be coming to a close. For these semi retired adventure enthusiasts it's only just beginning! Have begun ironing out all the small details of how to pack, best food for the money, and of course the getting in shape bit of it. To date things have gone relatively smooth aside from an old injury Rob has reaggravated However this has allowed us to enjoy some grand fetes (hearty feasts) with great company. The Swiss girls have braved the long hot days to continue westward. A special thanks to mom (Lenora) and the homestyle cookin we enjoyed including the cheesecake I have dreamt of for so long. Poor friends were tired of listening to me rave about it but once tried, recipes were being swapped as fast as stories are exchanged at last light. The mountains are now behind us with the Okanagan Valley upon us with afternoon swims being much more pleasant than the icy cold river streams and not our proudest moments! We need no reason to party but took advantage of a great location in the Rogers Pass to celebrate Rob's birthday on the 31st of May in the comforts of our short stay in the log cabin west of the pass. Hot springs a delight! -TRENT
Completely struck with horror when I twisted my knee on a little hike Trent and I made around our evening camp, 6km over the Rogers Pass. Aside from the immense pains which were the least of my worries there were the thoughts flashing through my mind "Oh no this is the end and so soon!, My knee felt it was broken" but after lying a few minutes on my back I realized it was the same injury I had several months ago at work and a few days of rest would have me back on the road again and indeed here I am cycling again getting stronger day by day. It was our first major obstacle and I know there will be many more to come. Trent has helped me a lot taking care of me when I needed it " Thanks for the coffee mon ami" and know there will be opportunities to help him when he needs it and I will! We are a team! The adventure has begun… - ROB
June10th
Ellensburg, WA USA
After a beautiful sunny Sunday spent in Kelowna we went up to the Kettle Valley Railway. Having to climb over a steep gravel road for more than 8km made us really feel the many Sleeman's (Canadian Beer) we took the day before. Rain, silence and the tressles (wooden rail bridges) were very scenic. We entered the U.S of A at Oriville WA after a severely persistent questioning by the immigration officer. "Where are your vehicles?" "Why do you want to cycle across across the USA?"
That evening we nearly burned down the state of Washington as my stove almost exploded. The stove is OK again thanks to Bill and the very customer friendly company in Seatle. MSR. Welcome to America Rob as the " customer is always right." The Okonagan Valley offered easy riding along the many orchards and the Columbia river but difficult to find a good sleep. The first night in our new country (with both of us being foreigner's) we were scared off by locals, then came the "Killing Fields". A dry open desert offers little shelter and when your finished at night you take what you can get. Turns out we slept next to a number of remains of local wildlife and one fresh smeltering cow left us wanting to become vegetarian in a hurry…
Back into the mountains we set off to have an easy Saturday " Lets just do the Blewett pass and then stop" we said, but highway 97 direction south to Ellensburg thought otherwise. It started off at a very gradual slope but kept going on and on and eventually after some 20km going up hill , steeper and steeper it finished. All things will end and also the Blewett pass so around 5 o'clock we stood on top of it sweating, panting, hungry and turning cold. You know, temperatures go to an extreme low at these heights (4102 ft.)All turned well that evening after filling up the stomach with Trent's homemade macaroni. Try it sometime! A few burps and then rolled into the warm and a bit 'smelly' sleeping bag.
Now were breaking our heads over the oh so important weight factor. The cycling dutchman has been shedding some of the extra's with his regular weekly burnings of socks, books, and underwear. Not sure if it is a spiritual ritual or he's trying to lessen the load for OL'Gertude(Rob's bike) as Betsy(Trent's) still tips the scale a little less… Stay tuned for more
July 2001
August 2001
September 2001
October 2001
November 2001
December 2001
