Ok, so this is just a short commentary on moving across the North American continent hauling a U-Haul that was a teensy bit too heavy for the vehicle hauling it. (Or maybe a bit more than teensy...) Once again, thank goodness for Kyle and his knowledge about large mechanical things! Who knew there was such a thing as a "transmission cooler" that prevented your transmission from overheating and killing the car while hauling heavy loads? (I think we all know the answer to that question - obviously not me!)
We left Saint John on Thursday, August 14th in the afternoon - only 36 hours later than we'd hoped to leave and arrived in Scandia, Alberta sometime between midnight and 2 am early on Tuesday, August 20th. (It's all a bit blurry to me). We did not take 1 single picture. Mostly because we spent the entire time chugging along the US interstates at a top speed of 62 miles/hour (100 km/hour) - and often considerably less than that. My bad eye gets quite tired driving (and we've since discovered that my depth perception is terrible), so Kyle did most of the driving. Thanks love!
Here's a brief summary of the trip:
New Brunswick - farewell! We'll miss New Brunswickers but not the rain!
Maine - If I never have to drive the "Airline Road" between Calais and Bangor again, it will be too soon. Little scary winding roads through the woods will forever remind me of you. Particularly scary hauling a large trailer.
New Hampshire - "Live Free or Die" (the state motto). Except not, since we only nip through the corner of the state and still have to pay $2.50 toll. No sales tax however so make sure to fill up!
Massachusetts - Happy memories of year in Boston. But very unhappy when get to some construction in the middle of the night and have to go 5 miles/hour for 3 miles because of heavy traffic. (Kyle, who was taking a short nap break, wakes up to Joanne muttering imprecations under her breath).
Connecticut - Don't remember much as I slept through most of it. Stopped at a lovely hotel right before New York border. Thanks to night clerk who gave us great rate and free breakfast!
New York - Sadly since we were so far behind we didn't stop to see brother and family in Brooklyn but went right on through. Somehow manage to not pay any toll at all.
Pennsylvania - Lots and lots and lots of hills with wind gusts. Nerve wracking for people driving with large trailers (at this point decision made to base road decisions on flattest route - Google maps now has topographical information, very useful)
Ohio - Lovely interstate but WOW, you pay for it ($30.75 in tolls!!!) Kyle messes with the minds of little blond Ohio farm girls: The girl at the toll booth is impressed that we've made it so far in so little time and makes a comment about speeding and the Speed limit being 70 mph (which obviously we haven't been doing). Kyle responds that we're from Canada so we operate in Km/h. She is shocked and looks at the speedometer in awe.
Indiana - Sorry to say, crossed in the dark so saw absolutely nothing except tool booths ($12.80)
Illinois - Pulled into Brother and Sister-in-law's house just west of Chicago at around 12:45 and snuck into bed. We felt bad that we'd timed it poorly as other relative there at the same time. Had a fun breakfast and morning then on our way again. Again, what's with the toll booths! ($18.70)
Iowa - Rainy and miserable, nothing to see. Felt bad for the Mormon Pioneers and started to understand why it took months to cross Iowa on foot.
Nebraska - decided to stop in Omaha for an early night to be ready for church in morning. Super friendly ward - Kyle is jealous of their Young Men Group as apparently they had enough for 12 to pass the sacrament and 2 to bless. Headed out on the road again, this time due North.
South Dakota - Did not like the crosswinds so elected to turn West again. Wow, there's really nothing in South Dakota but grass, wind and lots of homemade billboard signs. Arrive in Rapid City and decide to spend the night before heading into Black Hills. We are sort of jealous that we can't go see Mt Rushmore but feel like it might kill the car. Next morning head North again trying to skirt any hills/mountains.
Wyoming - only in the very Northeastern tip for about 15 miles - dry grass all around.
Montana - Winding our way through Montana on roads I'd never been on in order to avoid mountains. Only one tense moment on the Cheyenne Reservation where we went 40 km/h (25 mph) up a very long steep hill and I prayed the whole way up. Finally made it to the boarder around midnight and had no issues.
Alberta - Yay, decided to just make for Kyle's parents so finally arrived and fell into bed!!
The rest of the week was taken up with putting stuff in storage, running around visiting people and doing other errands. We were able to attend Kyle's brother's wedding in Duchess, Alberta on the weekend which was lovely. I really enjoyed getting to know many of the relatives he has talked about but hadn't yet been able to sort out. I still can't figure out all his cousins but I think I have most of the aunts and uncles all straight! We were also able to visit our Grandparents: his Grandma Link and my Grandpa and Grandma Salmon. We are blessed to have them still living and able to see us.
Whew! Lots of writing and no pictures - I promise there will be pictures in the next one!
We left Saint John on Thursday, August 14th in the afternoon - only 36 hours later than we'd hoped to leave and arrived in Scandia, Alberta sometime between midnight and 2 am early on Tuesday, August 20th. (It's all a bit blurry to me). We did not take 1 single picture. Mostly because we spent the entire time chugging along the US interstates at a top speed of 62 miles/hour (100 km/hour) - and often considerably less than that. My bad eye gets quite tired driving (and we've since discovered that my depth perception is terrible), so Kyle did most of the driving. Thanks love!
Here's a brief summary of the trip:
New Brunswick - farewell! We'll miss New Brunswickers but not the rain!
Maine - If I never have to drive the "Airline Road" between Calais and Bangor again, it will be too soon. Little scary winding roads through the woods will forever remind me of you. Particularly scary hauling a large trailer.
New Hampshire - "Live Free or Die" (the state motto). Except not, since we only nip through the corner of the state and still have to pay $2.50 toll. No sales tax however so make sure to fill up!
Massachusetts - Happy memories of year in Boston. But very unhappy when get to some construction in the middle of the night and have to go 5 miles/hour for 3 miles because of heavy traffic. (Kyle, who was taking a short nap break, wakes up to Joanne muttering imprecations under her breath).
Connecticut - Don't remember much as I slept through most of it. Stopped at a lovely hotel right before New York border. Thanks to night clerk who gave us great rate and free breakfast!
New York - Sadly since we were so far behind we didn't stop to see brother and family in Brooklyn but went right on through. Somehow manage to not pay any toll at all.
Pennsylvania - Lots and lots and lots of hills with wind gusts. Nerve wracking for people driving with large trailers (at this point decision made to base road decisions on flattest route - Google maps now has topographical information, very useful)
Ohio - Lovely interstate but WOW, you pay for it ($30.75 in tolls!!!) Kyle messes with the minds of little blond Ohio farm girls: The girl at the toll booth is impressed that we've made it so far in so little time and makes a comment about speeding and the Speed limit being 70 mph (which obviously we haven't been doing). Kyle responds that we're from Canada so we operate in Km/h. She is shocked and looks at the speedometer in awe.
Indiana - Sorry to say, crossed in the dark so saw absolutely nothing except tool booths ($12.80)
Illinois - Pulled into Brother and Sister-in-law's house just west of Chicago at around 12:45 and snuck into bed. We felt bad that we'd timed it poorly as other relative there at the same time. Had a fun breakfast and morning then on our way again. Again, what's with the toll booths! ($18.70)
Iowa - Rainy and miserable, nothing to see. Felt bad for the Mormon Pioneers and started to understand why it took months to cross Iowa on foot.
Nebraska - decided to stop in Omaha for an early night to be ready for church in morning. Super friendly ward - Kyle is jealous of their Young Men Group as apparently they had enough for 12 to pass the sacrament and 2 to bless. Headed out on the road again, this time due North.
South Dakota - Did not like the crosswinds so elected to turn West again. Wow, there's really nothing in South Dakota but grass, wind and lots of homemade billboard signs. Arrive in Rapid City and decide to spend the night before heading into Black Hills. We are sort of jealous that we can't go see Mt Rushmore but feel like it might kill the car. Next morning head North again trying to skirt any hills/mountains.
Wyoming - only in the very Northeastern tip for about 15 miles - dry grass all around.
Montana - Winding our way through Montana on roads I'd never been on in order to avoid mountains. Only one tense moment on the Cheyenne Reservation where we went 40 km/h (25 mph) up a very long steep hill and I prayed the whole way up. Finally made it to the boarder around midnight and had no issues.
Alberta - Yay, decided to just make for Kyle's parents so finally arrived and fell into bed!!
The rest of the week was taken up with putting stuff in storage, running around visiting people and doing other errands. We were able to attend Kyle's brother's wedding in Duchess, Alberta on the weekend which was lovely. I really enjoyed getting to know many of the relatives he has talked about but hadn't yet been able to sort out. I still can't figure out all his cousins but I think I have most of the aunts and uncles all straight! We were also able to visit our Grandparents: his Grandma Link and my Grandpa and Grandma Salmon. We are blessed to have them still living and able to see us.
Whew! Lots of writing and no pictures - I promise there will be pictures in the next one!
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