Jingle, scratch, run…
I’m starting to realize dangers and intensity of being out here. Only took me 2000 miles, but…
On Canada Day, we received the news about the “Ride of a Lifetime” cycling tour across Canada, where a family of four cyclists was hit by a Honda Civic, killing two of them instantly. They were about a week behind us, traveling the exact same route we did just weeks earlier. We probably would have met them, like all the other cyclists traveling across Canada, had they been able to continue their journey.
It really gets me because Honda Civics pale in comparison to the size of the semis, especially the ‘wide loads’, that pass us, sometimes no more than an arm’s length away, every day. You can only run so far to the right side of the highway’s shoulder before you’re totally in the bush, or tripping over the median. Vanessa and I had to actually climb over the median today due to a wide load that took over the whole shoulder. Good thing we heard it coming on time. There’s not much we can do to increase our support out here; running the RV right behind us for safety would blow the motor.
Then yesterday, out of the middle of nowhere, a large black bear crossed Matt’s path no more than 100 feet away. He was out there all by himself, the RV waiting for him a few kilometers up the way. Later, Vanessa and Matt crossed paths with a wolf. When I got out there, I ran with bear bells all day, looking every which way for what might be coming out of the forest.
Dogs are attracted to the ringing of bear bells. Few of them are tied up in the countryside, nor do they apparently like strangers running by their property. A few days ago, I had two dogs chase me up this long hill. I don’t even want to repeat what I yelled when I totally unloaded on them. At least it shocked them enough to finally stop chasing me.
And then there’s the bugs. Dad told me to watch out for the black flies in Ontario. Said they took chunks out of him back in his youth. I didn’t believe him, until they started taking chunks out of me, while running. The last three nights have been totally restless, as we stayed up round the clock, battling the mosquitoes that sneak through openings in the window screens. In the Ontario summer heat, closing all the windows would turn the RV into a moving sauna.
And let me tell you, they don’t call them noseums for nothing – you “no-see-em”… but they sure see you! My legs, arms, back, neck, feet, hands, ears… yes, every inch of my body is riddled with hundreds of tiny, itchy bites from these bugs that are so small they can walk right through the window screens.
So here I am on Day 61…Jingle, scratch, run. Jingle, scratch, run. Jingle, scratch, run.
Hey Guys,
Get bear mace for the dogs and the bears. It’s what I carry here if in need and apparently (very similar to people pepper spray) while legal (we just bought it in Duncan) it will alter their personality, it is so powerful.
Kind of like a kick in the junk w/out getting too close 🙂
Love You
Me
Comment by Ashleigh, Ben, Noah & Tait — Thursday, July 3, 2008 @ 5:30 pm
Well I am glad those bear bells are coming in handy. If only they worked on the mosquitoes and black flies you would have it made. Poor V seems to be getting the worst of it. Keeping you guys in our thoughts each and every day. Please be safe out there!
Andy
Comment by Andy Evans — Thursday, July 3, 2008 @ 9:09 pm