My Diary Page - May 1999

I DIPPED MY TIRES IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN AND, IN EXACTLY THREE MONTHS, HOPE TO DO THE SAME IN THE ATLANTIC OCEAN. KEVIN QUINN AND I GIVING THE BIG HIGH FIVE AS WE BEGAN DAY 1 OF OUR CROSS CANADA TOUR

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Left BC Place at noon. BCTV & CTV cameras were there. It was very exciting to dip the wheel in the Pacific Ocean and to finally after all my hard work trying to put it all together. My dream has begun! Made it to Chilliwack our first day. Stayed overnight.

Day 2 (Friday)

The Holiday Inn in Chilliwack gave us a send off with a luncheon. That was so much appreciated. We got a late start in the afternoon. Made it to Hope/Princeton Slide area where we camped on a logging road. The cell phone works! Sunny. Gruelling.

Day 3 (Sat)

Trying to phone headquarters on my cell phone.. Really bad connection. Gruelling ride. Hot. Made it to just outside Princeton.

Day 4 (Sun)

Did my first interview with Pat Lynch with The Similkameen Spotlight newspaper. Gruelling. The body really hurts. Made it to Keremeos where we spent the night at a bed & breakfast. Many thanks to Login Bed & Breakfast in Keremeos. Hot and gruelling.

Day 5 (Monday)

Left Keremeos, it is sunny and warm. My friend and partner, Doug, went back to Chilliwack today. He accompanied us for 2 days because of the long weekend. It was hard saying goodbye I will miss him. Behind schedule somewhat, will try and make it up. Gruelling mountains. The team is tired and sore. Including myself. Sunny & hot. Made it to Osoyoos today. I had an interview over the phone with Dean at CJOR radio. Dad told me that Al Sweeny from CTV phoned to ask about me. Need to keep it in the public eye. I so want the donations to come into the BCPF.

Day 6 (Tuesday)

Made it Rock Creek where we spent the night. Looking forward to getting to my home town of Trail. The Anarchist Mountain outside of Osoyoos was unbelievable. I injured my achilles tendons as I climbed the hill. Didn't have my seat or toe straps adjusted properly.

Day 7 (Wed.)

Made it to Grand Forks for an interview with Grand Forks Gazette & Boundary Bulletin & pictures. Almost home. We stayed overnight in Christina Lake at Chuck and Dorothy Salisburys' home which is right on the lake. They fed us and showed us wonderful support for what we had accomplished. Thank you Chuck and Dorothy. I can see why my mom is best friends with Dorothy, she is very special to me and my mom.
Headed out to Trail my home town. We conquered the Blueberry/Paulson. We did it! Left Christina Lake at 10 AM and arrived in Castlegar at 4:30. My achilles tendons are extremely painful. We were escorted into Trail from Castlegar by police escort. That was fun. Created some interest in my cause. There were signs of support on the outskirts of town. That was heart warming for me, also the fellows enjoyed them also. Was wonderful to see the stacks of Cominco, my home town. My mom and dad and a neighbour Brenda were there by the roadside cheering us on.

Home how wonderful. Mom and dad had a barbeque for us. We were all so tired, sore and hungry. The shower felt so good. I slept well in a bed in my mom and dad's house. Guys slept in their tents in the back yard. Good to be home for some TLC from my mom. Front page in the Trail Daily Times!

Day 8 (Thurs)

Day off, my achilles tendons are bad. Doctor told me to take a break. We stayed an extra day. I walked around town, guys did their thing. Neighbours were very supportive. Nice having the day off. Had things to do with my mom about the trip.

Day 9 (Friday)

I did an interview with Drew Wilson at KBS Radio here in Trail. It was live, about 10 minutes. He has been great! Wonderful support. Was wonderful talking about my cause which is very important to me. Did telephone interview with Erica at BK Radio in Castlegar. A reporter from the Trail Daily Times came to the house to take pictures and do an interview. Great telling my story and what I want to accomplish this summer.

Day 10 (Sat)

Time to move on. That was very hard to do to say goodbye to my mom and dad. Mum and I always cry when we say goodbye to each other. I felt good. It was great having a couple days off after we accomplished the mountains. One more to go. The Salmo/ Creston. We left Trail at 9:30 am. I was at the Summit in 5 3/4 hours. That was so good considering my tendon in my heels were so sore. I did it! Stayed in Creston in a campground that night.

Day 11 (Sunday)

Left Creston. Try to talk to people as much as I can when I see them to tell them what this is all about. Didn't do any interviews in Creston. Think the weather is changing.

Day 12 (Monday)

My team and I are having difficulties. We are all so different, think the agendas are not the same. Stayed in a B&B in Cranbrook, Singing Pines Bed and Breakfast - thank you Sandra & Robert Dirom. Weather not as nice. Tired and sore. In contact with mom just about every day. Mom said we made front page on the Trail Times. Great! We need to get those donations in to the BCPF. Did an interview in Cranbrook paper Cranbrook Daily Townsman. Got to keep the cause out there. Did an interview at the Radio Station CKEK Radio. People need to know.

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