Canada

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Running for the Hills

I promised Donna and Ken a visit at the start and end of my Lethbridge winter. I can’t believe that it’s been almost five months since I last saw them! Tomorrow morning, I am heading to Fort Steele for a quick trip. I must love those guys to drive eight hours and only be with them for about that much (not counting sleep)! 😀

Today is the one-month countdown to departure! I should be at the Walmart in Moose Jaw this day next month. Crazy! Starting next week, I will be cutting down my hours at the apartment complex as my replacement gets more comfortable and I will be in full departure mode. I’ve been feeling really run down the last few weeks, but knowing that I’m heading out shortly has given me a much needed burst of energy. 🙂

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Is There a Better Ending Than a Wedding?

When I started at my apartment management job late last June, I was amused to discovered that my grumpy maintenance man is a romantic at heart and deeply in love with his Thai girlfriend here on a temporary work visa. The future was uncertain, but they were working on getting her permanent resident status (PR) and hoped to marry in a few years time.

Fast forward seven months, and they were able to get married a couple of weeks ago. They had a civil ceremony at home but planned to have a big party with all their friends and family a little while later. They had considered the summer, but wanted me to be there, so the party was held last night. What a wonderful affair! The mostly Thai food the bride cooked was delicious, the music was lively, and all my work friends past and present were there. It was so lovely to see the couple looking so happy and in love.

It’s been a very, very long time since I last went out for drinks and entertainment, so I will confess that I stayed out late, made a fool of myself on the dance floor, imbibed a little too much, and was glad that I made the decision to go to the party in a cab. 🙂

In the next few weeks, I will be helping with getting the immigration papers typed up, my wedding present to them. I am amused that part of the process is just like that in American films where folks are trying to get green cards, in that Citizenship and Immigration Canada want photos and other proof that they are a true couple and didn’t just marry so she can get her PR. All I can say is that this the real thing and makes me realise that love can be complicated and messy, but it’s worth the journey.

 

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Passport Update

Thanks to the wonders of tracking numbers, I was able to confirm that my passport application arrived safely in Gatineau on March 2nd, two business days after I sent it off, which is perfect. Had I been in Calgary, I would have expected it to be one business day, but from Lethbridge two days is okay.

I just logged into my online banking account and learned that my application fee has been processed. They do not charge the fee unless the paperwork is in order, so it looks like I will be getting my new passport in time to leave on schedule! I continue to be very pleased with the simplified passport renewal process. It’s not often that I say, “That was painless!” after going through a government process!

 

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Focus on Departure

I can now say with certainty that I will be leaving Lethbridge on or before the weekend of April 14th, which will mean a Lethbridge stopover of just over a year! Crazy! I have absolutely no regrets about my time in Lethbridge. I do have to admit that having had two separate parts to it and moving locations probably played a part in my not going road crazy. 🙂

I will continue to work full-time in March and then work part-time for two weeks in April. This will give me lots of time to get road ready while still having access to the apartment. This is going to be fantastic; I’ll still be out of the rig and will have plenty of time to wind up a few projects in it. I’ll also be able to take my time moving back in, depending on when I am able to get help to bring furniture back in.

Leaving later in April will increase my chances of leaving in clement weather. I would really like to travel through South rather than North Dakota (having been in North Dakota already) to add a state to my list and to visit Deadwood/ the Black Hills, and Mount Rushmore. There would be no chance of this with an early April departure, but it’s a possibility closer to May.

It’s great that I’m not in any rush to get going. By that, I mean that while I’m eager to start traveling again, it’s nice to have my current situation be pleasant enough that I am fine with extending it a bit longer. But the road’s siren call is getting louder and louder and I can’t wait to heed it. 😀

 

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The Coatless Winter Winds Down

March! How can it be March?!

This morning, a reminder to cancel The Apartment’s internet connection popped up on my calendar, so I promptly called Telus and did just that! This is going to be my last billing cycle on hard wired internet and I’ll be back to using my cellular modem on April 2nd. I can’t believe how quickly the last few months have passed!

An email landed in my inbox an hour ago that 100% firmed up my cross-country itinerary. I need to be in Quebec for May 18th so I will be going straight there by way of visiting a friend in Virginia, leaving exploration of the southwest to next winter.

Going to Virginia might seem like a huge detour, but it’s actually less than 1,500KM. When you’re committed to traveling 3,500KM already, what’s another 1,500KM? 🙂

I will be deviating a little from this route once I figure out the best way to by-pass Chicagoland by RV (I do hope to squeeze in a hop to one of my favourite cities by toad, however!), but for the most part this is a familiar route for me that will still allow me to add a few new states to my visited states list!

As things stand today, I don’t see myself leaving Lethbridge till mid-April, so I will have a solid month to get across the continent, which will leave me with plenty of time for sightseeing, visiting with friends, and working while traveling at a reasonable place. I’m itching to get back on the road, but am glad that I have time to finish up a few projects before I do.

(As for the title of this post, someone was shocked to see me wearing a coat during the day yesterday. That’ll give you an idea of how warm it’s been!)