Day 1 Get up and Go!

Thanks to an EDO (Earned Day off), we were able to get an head start on Tuesday, May 30.  We headed out of Outlook at 4 pm arriving in Canmore at midnight. With the RV, we can park almost anywhere, including at the Lutheran church that the LCBI Alpine Trip participants know well.
The next morning, we were on our way to Hope at 5:30 with gas in the RV and Tim Hortons in us. Once in Hope, Bryan determined to cycle to Boston Bar, 68.8 km along the route. After so many hours of driving, he was glad to stretch out his legs, biking from 4 to 7:15 pm. Some challenging 6% grades gave him that workout but he arrived at the Canyon Alpine RV Park hungry and none the worse for wear.
At the start of this trip, we are thankful for so much already, like….
*A great partnership.  A husband who shares his dreams/goals and isn’t too critical of my driving. A wife willing to stretch her comfort zone and keep me well fed.

*Good roads for clear sailing including construction that repairs avalanche and rock slide damage. Light early season traffic, yet we still enjoy the passing lanes and divided Coquihalla highway. The fun of 7 tunnels that remind me of childhood trips when we yelled out open windows. Abundant gas stations to keep the beast fuelled for all the climbs. Wide shoulders for cycling.

*Air, fresh mountain air scented with pine and flavoured with water falling down rock faces.
*Sights and sounds that never get old, especially from the seat of the bike. Turbulent waters crashing far below the roadway. Purple alpine lupins spashed freely, blooms clinging to rock faces. Rocks bare or covered with pillows of moss. Towering pines dwarfed by grand mountains still heavy with high snow.

*Support in so many forms. Prayers and good wishes from friends and family even before we started out. The Milepost book with detailed, accurate information.  Encouragement and suggestions from those we meet along the way. Tea and coffee with our campground hosts tonight for starters and the connections we know will happen as we continue.
Day one of cycling, Bryan is tired but has a contented smile because he has started the journey at last. Not knowing exactly what tomorrow has for us is perhaps just as well but is also part of the adventure. Knowing that the Lord is with us always makes it possible to go ahead one day at a time.







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