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A North American Journey
  • Gustav Vermaas
  • Gustav Vermaas

A North American Journey

“Not all those who wander are lost” 
A 200 day American adventure across Canada and the US Read more
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  • Trip start
    July 25, 2022
  • Gustav VermaasA North American JourneyTraveler

    Doha

    July 25, 2022 in Qatar ⋅ ⛅ 34 °C

    Our plan to stay in a hotel backfired completely....

    Doha needs a PCR test - 14 hour layover.

    OK plan B.

    Let's drink. R600 for a beer and glass of wine....

    OK plan C 🤷

  • Gustav VermaasA North American JourneyTraveler
    1

    Montreal

    July 27, 2022 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    After dropping Roga on Sunday morning at the pre flight kennel we all finally arrived in Montreal Wednesday afternoon.
    Then travelled during the night 700km's to Toronto for 4 days of regrouping and getting ready for the Canadian TraverseRead more

  • Gustav VermaasA North American JourneyTraveler
    Our AirbnbThe Canadian Tranverse Supermobile

    Regroup in Toronto

    July 28, 2022 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    It's been a busy two days.

    Had to buy the bits and pieces for the upcoming trip and learn to navigate Toronto in a different way.

    Visited the beach today but Roga is struggling to fit into the new Canadian cycle.
    Left the house at 0700.
    40min walk to the station
    45min ride in the train
    In the car 32min to the beach
    Beach ⛱️ - One fight on the beach
    Lunch
    Car 46min to station
    20min wait
    45min ride on train
    40min walk back to house

    All of this a new experience with smells and noises.

    Even poor Teddy the cutest of them all even got a nib.

    Roga is done... tired and stressed out 🤕    Read more

  • Gustav VermaasA North American JourneyTraveler
    1

    Blue Mountain Village

    August 1, 2022 in Canada ⋅ 🌙 20 °C

    The drive to Blue Mountain started shaky this morning.
    First road trip on the right side of the road..🤦‍♂️

    But all is well if it ends well.

    Close to 200km to Blue Mountain and had a great pizza at the Firehall Pizza Co

    Then a swim with Roga at Wassaga beach to break the day.    Read more

  • Gustav VermaasA North American JourneyTraveler

    Georgian Bay

    August 1, 2022 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    A 100km dash to Waubaushene and we ended the day with a relaxed picnic dinner at Georgia Bay. There is still light at 2030.

    Roga had a great day. Slowly settling in and we also made some adjustment to reduce his stress.

    Sounds simple but leave him in the car until we are unpacked and the new apartment has our familiar smells.

    Hunting foxes in the morning and trying to catch a Canadian goose on water also helps 🤣

    Toronto has stacks green belts. See the satellite photo of the Airbnb we rented. The rabbit and the foxes live in the Toronto suburb among the houses. Dogs are on leashes and the foxes casually observe the city dogs.

    The three Roga pointed (on leash) must have been close to their den.    Read more

  • Gustav VermaasA North American JourneyTraveler

    Sault Ste Marie

    August 2, 2022 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    Did the 545km drive in a flash.

    Picnic lunch at a little creek but Roga was not allowed in. Parked the car at the fence.

    Nice walk on the Sault Ste Marie boardwalk and a dinner with Sue

  • Gustav VermaasA North American JourneyTraveler
    2

    The Road to Thunder Bay

    August 3, 2022 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    Did the 700km trip to Thunder bay.

    Had an unexpected surprise.

    White River is the birthplace of Winnie-the-Pooh. The original bear that inspired the story

    "You can't stay in your corner of the forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes."


    "On August 24, 1914 Lieutenant Harry Colebourn, V.S.,of the Fort Garry Horse and Canadian Army Veterinary Corps, purchased a black bear cub at WHITE RIVER, Ontario, while enroute overseas. He named her WINNIE after his hometown, Winnipeg. WINNIE became the soldier's mascot, and was left in the care of the London Zoo on December 9th, 1914, while Lieutenant Coleburn served in France. In 1919, he gave her to the zoo for permanent keeping where she was watched and loved by many, including author A.A. Milne and his son Christopher.
    In 1926, A.A. Milne and illustrator E.H. Shepard gave the fictional character WINNIE-THE-POOH to Christopher and the world for posterity. WINNIE entertained visitors to the London Zoo for almost 20 years, and lives on in the hearts of children of all ages."

    How inspiring and how sad – Winnie inspired A.A. Milne and he created a character who inspired generations. But Winnie never saw its home town of White River again.  

    Thank you Winnie for not staying in your corner of the Forest…..

    Then had a pinic lunch at one of the Ontario lakes.

    Long day started ay 0800 done driving by 1830    Read more

  • Gustav VermaasA North American JourneyTraveler
    2111

    Conquer the Sleeping Gaint

    August 4, 2022 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    What a day - our first mini adventure in Canada.

    What started as a 10km test hike ended in a 31km marathon for Sue and I .... and 41km for Roga. 8 hours on our feet.

    I hope the Sleeping Gaint sleeps well tonight while we struggle with the cramps.

    "When you see someone putting on his Big Boots, you can be pretty sure that an Adventure is going to happen" Winnie-the-Pooh

    The Salomon boots are just in a class of their own. Bought them online, had them delivered, walked 31km - no blister, no problem 💕

    Roga was my biggest worry. At 22km we had to climb almost a km of rocks and I could see him solving the problems one at a time. Clever boy🙌

    Mission accomplished - Our equipment worked and we are ready for the Rockies🤠🐕    Read more

  • Gustav VermaasA North American JourneyTraveler
    11

    Winniepeg

    August 5, 2022 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    The 707km drive took us from Thunderbay to Winniepeg.

    Straight forward - no issues, no excitement

    We also now changes provinces - from Ontario to Manitoba.

    The landscape also changed - from Forrest to flat open spaces.

    Ended the evening at a nice restaurant with a DJ on the river.

    Early bed tomorrow we have 784km...🤕    Read more

  • Gustav VermaasA North American JourneyTraveler
    1

    Saskatoon

    August 6, 2022 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    Longest drive to date - 783km into Saskatchewan and the town Saskatoon.

    Saskatchewan number plates says "Land of living skies" - a true statement and we have not even see the true extent

    Highlight of the day

    Sit in the hotel and watch the Springboks beat the All Blacks .... 8 hours after the game    Read more

  • Gustav VermaasA North American JourneyTraveler

    Edmonton

    August 7, 2022 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    Started the morning with a lovely walk in the Saskatoon dog park and then to my favourite shop - Cabelas 🤩

    The dog parks are endless and so well designed.

    Then the 523 km drive to Edmonton and we saw our 1st accident.

    We found a lovely Airbnb for the next 3 nights.

    It's going to be a bliss

    3 nights without packing and moving. 3 nights to regroup, plan and tweak our gear.

    We have now travelled 4 000km almost half of the trip. The pack (Sue, Roga and I 😉) is becoming an oiled machine. After 14 days we have sorted the logistics and have created our own habits.

    Exercise in the morning, everything in the car has a place, regular stops, walk Roga twice a day etc etc. Structure and habit gives comfort and reduces stress - especially for Roga.

     The Rockies are now so close we can almost smell it.

    From here the km's driving will be less but the serious hiking will start

    Tomorrow we will test Roga with a hike in one of the Edmonton National Parks with Bison 🦬 and Coyotes.

    The Supermobile gave me a warning.... it needs an oil change.

    Will go past Avis in the morning 🤦‍♂️    Read more

  • Gustav VermaasA North American JourneyTraveler

    Edmonton

    August 9, 2022 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    Spend the day resting and shopping

    Spend the morning in West Edmonton

    West Edmonton Mall (WEM) is a shopping mall located in Edmonton, Alberta that is owned, managed, and operated by Triple Five Group. It is the second most visited mall in Canada, 32million per year.It is currently the 2nd largest shopping mall, by square footage, in North America behind the Mall of America

    Roga's option....

    I'll 😴 and get ready for the Rockies    Read more

  • Gustav VermaasA North American JourneyTraveler

    Five Lake Trail

    August 11, 2022 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    The quick and easy 6 km hike had the most spectacular views of the 5 lakes. The colors were mesmerizing. Quick coffe in Jasper and then drive down the Icefields Parkway.

    We only did northern 100km stretch and will do the southern 100km from Banff in two weeksRead more

  • Gustav VermaasA North American JourneyTraveler
    1

    Picnic lunch and Parker ridge trail

    August 11, 2022 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    Saw our first bears next to the road and then found the most delightful spot for a picnic lunch at a little lake.

    Then a strenuous push for 7km up to Parker Ridge with a lovely view of the glacier.

    Ended the day - hiked 18km and saw some of the best Jasper had to offer.

    Sleeping in Jasper Park at Sunwapta Falls Rocky Mountain Lodge. Really nice and had Bison bolognaise for dinner.    Read more

  • Gustav VermaasA North American JourneyTraveler
    2

    Babajaga : Magical hut on Ruth Lake

    August 14, 2022 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    Live 2.0 : “I go where I’m invited but I stay where I’m welcomed”



    Day 20 of our journey. The Canadian Transverse is now a reality with 5 423km travelled. We have been to many a motel, lodge, Airbnb and cabin.

    Let’s try something different. – What about a Tiny Cabin on Ruth Lake – the Babajaga magical hut.

    Babajaga is in the middle of nature, the intro said, and you are welcome to use our rowing boat, watch the Eagles nest, the Beaver, the Loons and more. We are open the “howl” year and we are pet friendly…..

    Day one : We arrived and had to take a deep breath: an outhouse with outdoor shower, no running water in the cabin. The queen bed in the loft is accessible with a ladder and there is a covered porch with an outdoor kitchen and bbq. The hosts live a very organic lifestyle , with a light footprint on earth . Most of the materials they used for the cabin are from their land or pre used or well sourced.

    The hosts are sincerely warm and welcome us into their mythical existence. We decided to get rid off our city manners and embrace the experience.

    Day two: The cabin is practical and everything works, including preparing food in the outdoor kitchen. The sounds from the wild life is everywhere and we paddled for hours on Ruth Lake….

    And most importantly zero droning from our modern electronic existence. It’s going to be difficult to say good-bye in the morning.

    There is truly magic in everything...    Read more

  • Gustav VermaasA North American JourneyTraveler
    1

    Golden Ears Hike & Farmstay

    August 16, 2022 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    The West coast of Canada is so close we can smell it. Did a two day Farm Stay before entering Vancouver.

    A "break the morning hike" turned into an unexpected gem. The trees in Golden Ears Park made me think of Hermann Hesse words in Wandering. He so vividly captures the image of these beautiful trees.

    “For me, trees have always been the most penetrating preachers. I revere them when they live in tribes and families, in forests and groves. And even more I revere them when they stand alone.

    They are like lonely persons.

    Not like hermits, but like great, solitary men. In their highest boughs the world rustles, their roots rest in infinity; but they do not lose themselves there, they struggle with all the force of their lives for one thing only: to fulfil themselves according to their own laws, to build up their own form, to represent themselves.

    Nothing is holier, nothing is more exemplary than a beautiful, strong tree.”    Read more

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