Canada Cross Country Road Trip

Each time we, Catherine and Katie talked about this cross-Canada road trip, we started imagining something like that Ewan McGregor’s Motorcycle Diaries, only with bloggers driving a car across Canada instead of Ewan and his crew zipping around the world on motorbike. Also, with kids. And it's when we started to think about the “with kids” part that flashes of National Lampoon’s Vacation start to intrude. We've tried to prevent those Griswold moments from interrupting dreams of this awesome trip but that's proved difficult since we're being outsmarted and outrun by three year olds on an hourly basis. 

Anyhow, that thing called “reality” keeps messing with any idea of an adventure-filled road trip cross country for two friends -- plus their kids.  

But then we tell ourselves that driving across the second largest nation in the world with two three year olds and a super-strong one year old basically guarantees that we will experience enough insanity to fill many, many blog posts, and possibly a therapist's notepad. Because when everything is going insane around a blogger, the silver lining is always “this will make a great blog post.” And insanity and adventure are interchangeable words if you don’t think to hard about it.  

So here's the plan: We cover Eastern Canada first. We will fly to Moncton and grab the GM Traverse and head to Halifax. From Halifax, we head up through Nova Scotia and New Brunswick and into Quebec. We'll take a breather in Quebec City, maybe stop for a smoked meat sandwich in Montreal, and then head to Ottawa. From Ottawa, we fly to Edmonton (we know, we're skipping a huge chunk of Central Canada. But we've only got so much time, and in any case, we'll be back in central Canada before long!) We hang in Alberta for a bit, and then head into British Columbia through Jasper National Park (a must-stop for a group with a baby named Jasper). We then drive south, stopping in Kamloops and Penticton before landing in Vancouver, where we'll celebrate our survival (we hope.) Then back to Toronto, where we may need to celebrate again. Again, that is, assuming that we do survive.

So how do we plan on taking this adventure-filled cross-Canada road trip?   You will just need to check back from June 29, 2009 through July 12, 2009.... as we, Catherine and Katie journey across Canada.

Comments

[Angella Dykstra]

Awwww, yeah...

I. Cannot. Wait.

[Andrea_R]

Awesome! Where are you stopping in NB? If you're driving up the TCH you'll be 15 mintues from my place. ;)

You know, if you need to stop for a pee break...

[Kyla]

Man, this is so my plan one of these days. Blogging through Canada.

[Assertagirl]

Wow, this is so exciting! You guys are going to have such a great time.

[Momo Fali]

If you pick up Brad Pitt, could you swing down to Ohio?

Now don't go killing anyone, ya hear?

[MommaSunshine]

Would love to know when you're in Halifax! I'm sure my two little 'uns would love new chitlens to terrorize, if even only for an afternoon.

heh.

[Emily]

Wooohooo! Look forward to your Vancouver arrival - I'm sure we'll be able to toast you properly!

[Emma]

Cool! Can't wait to hear about your adventures. Hope to toast your return to Toronto/GTA. Also, you are BRAVE women. But I already knew that :-)

[Lee]

Well, if you're exhausted and just West of TO, let me know, I have two babysitters here ready to help out :)

[Gwen]

Emily and I can make sure we have a fun get together in Vancouver. Will Her Bad Grandmother head down to Vancouver as well? I would love to meet her too.

[Yetta]

let me know when you are in Ottawa!! There's a great mom scene here

[Michelle]

Oh how long are you in Vancouver? & When ????Happy trails to you.

[Tea]

How long are you in Edmonton for? I'm moving an hour and a half north of there, but only passing through on June 29th. And it looks like you'll be passing through my hometown in the Okanagan after we've left it!

[Rhia]

Another HerBadMother reader in Halifax who'd love a chance to say hello!

[Her Bad Mother]

Hey all - we'll post a more detailed itinerary by end of the weekend - we do hope to see all of you!

[Theresa]

Have fun! My late grandfather's family lives in Quebec!

[Clare]

Why go all the way to Vancouver and not take the 1.5 hour ferry ride to beautiful Victoria? Seriously, Vancouver has NOTHING on Victoria!

[Bee]

Oh! What fun trip! I'm disappointed that it sounds like you'll be missing beautiful Cranbrook, BC. Would have loved to say hello : )

[annie]

When are you in Edmonton? I live just to the east a bit.

[mo-wo]

Right cc will probably have the baby right then. I will try to put together a beach party, keep me in the loop as you loom.

And of course you know my rumpus room is all yours, but truly praying hotel luxury will be with you by then!