Peterborough ‘Greens Up’
We were flagged down by Chris Gooderham, our Peterborough Host, Erin, Sarah, and a local superhero ‘Cool Captain Climate’, directing our way into Peterborough’s award winning Ecology Park.
Yes folks, we’d been lost and late again, much to Vanessa’s distress. And now, we’d been found.
With quick ‘hello’s’ all round, Cool Captain Climate (AKA Glen Caradus), Erin, with Chris in the lead on his bike, we ran through Ecology Park’s native plant nursery, along the Trans-Canada trail, up the beautifully scenic canal at Lock 20, then up the canal to the highest hydraulic lift-locks in the world, Lock 21, Parks Canada National Historic Site, with Sarah snapping shots from the RV all the while. We then ran up the highest drumlin in town, Armour Hill, to enjoy the view of this great city at the gateway to the Kawarthas, then coasted into our downtown core event.
BUT as we ran into downtown, we had a SERENDIPIDOUS reunion from the gang from YLCC! Hugs, kisses and loud screams all around, then we were off again with Cool Captain Climate to be welcomed in at our media event, hosted at the Peterborough Green Up Headquarters (www.greenup.on.ca). We were even greeted by family, John, Ursula, Caroline, and Tayah, who’d made the trek out to see us.
Local fare was the theme of the eats, plus some hot coffee, just in time for another Ontario summer thunder storm, which this time of year has come more than once every day. As the event drew to a close, we headed back to Chris’ house for some more home-made cuisine where we shared road stories with others who had made the cross-Canada trek by bike (suddenly we didn’t feel so crazy…).
One of the most amazing parts of this journey is meeting truly exceptional human beings who welcome us into their towns, business, homes, and hearts, eager to support us in all we seek to do out here. We will always cherish memories like when Chris and Erin met up with us while running out of Peterborough the next day to specially deliver some home brewed coffee they’d forgotten to leave us with!
One of the hardest parts is saying our good-byes.
Peterborough was no exception to this, as Chris + co welcomed us into their lives with as much energy and enthusiasm as if we’d been lifelong friends. Chris especially, thank you for everything you poured into our time in Peterborough. It was exceptional.