I Will Drive 503.6 Miles (or 809km)

Actually, Daniel drove most of it.

At the end of November, we decided to move back to Waterloo, date dependent on when we found someone to take over our lease.  We had a pretty casual attitude about it, we'd find someone sometime between January and July. A week later, much to our surprise we found someone to take over at the first of January. At the beginning of December, Daniel went to Waterloo to find us a new apartment, and a week after that, we had signed a lease and had a moving van booked. 

Since then, things have been a bit of an exciting blur.  We went from being perfectly settled in NJ and leisurely making plans for a Christmas trip to Colorado, to: "We-Are-Moving-Back-To-Canada-In-A-Month-Time-To-Wrap-Up-Everything-Now".  Every night after work, I would take boxes home from work and pack up a few things. First some books, then the games, then some clothes. It was genuinely satisfying to see things tucked away in cardboard.

We had family visitors in mid-December who helped with a bit of packing and made sure we were fed and watered after work every night (and fed and watered well!). We had the first of many mini-Christmas-celebrations with them then.  There were holiday Christmas parties with work, goodbye visits and parties, and as much socializing as could be fit in with the general make-up of our days that were primarily: Work, Pack, Sleep, Repeat. The entirety of December buzzed by.

One of the highlights of December was getting something checked off my New Jersey Bucket List: Seeing a New Jersey Devils game.  It was a last minute invite by some awesome friends.  We got to visit with them and see a super exciting game.  It was a win-win scenario for us.

It was Habs vs. Devils.  It went into overtime and was super exciting.

And then, all of a sudden it was moving day. We had decided to do it all ourselves.  One truck. 2 people. A lot of elbow grease.  It was weird to simultaneously feel like we don't have many belongings (Oh wow!  all of our stuff fits into the back of a truck!) to having too many belongings (oh. wow. Our stuff fills a truck).

Daniel tetris'd all of our stuff perfectly into the back of a truck.

The last night in our empty apartment we were wiped out, asleep by 9:30, sleeping on the floor, just like when we first arrived... Well, not just like - this time we slept on a proper mattress, not camping pads. 

The last few things to get packed up are always so odd.

The next morning, the weather was perfect, and we were off! The border crossing was quick and simple, and it was heartwarming to have the officials welcome us home. As soon as we crossed into Canada, it had started to snow.  It was a perfect welcome home gift... well, until it turned into a proper storm, and we couldn't see the road and realized that u-hauls aren't equipped with snow tires.  Fortunately Dan is a winter driving super hero, and delivered us safely to our overnight spot with Sean and Nicole, just in time for dinner (and it was delicious!)

The next morning, Sean, Dan and I unloaded the truck into our new place, and once again we were struck with how much stuff we have. 

Unpacking is one of my favourite things.

At this point, 95% of the unpacking is done. My goal is to have it done by the time of my next post - that way it will be apartment tour time again!

Princeton was an awesome adventure full of good things and excellent people. It was time for a new adventure. We're happy to be back - it feels like home. 

"The freshness, the freedom, the farness"

7 years ago, it seemed like everyone in my life was moving away and on to new and exciting things. My university town had been a safe little nest, and having stayed in that nest longer than most, it was time to break out. My little world had been so small for so long, and then all of a sudden, friends and acquaintances who had always been just steps away, were now scattered all over the country, and the world (myself included).  It's been amazing to see where people's lives have taken them, and getting to visit them - that's my favourite part.

I have been promising to visit my friend Rian since she moved to the Yukon.   A promise that has been unfulfilled for longer than I'd like to admit.  This February the wistful hopes and dreams of going to visit became a reality when a friend texted me: "I was just looking at the mileage I have earned and I have enough to fly to the Yukon for free!!" I replied soon after: "I have enough too! Let's do this!". 

And with that, a plan was made. Tickets were booked. We packed our bags. On September 16th, we were on our way.

Of course, travel selfies were a must.

After 20 hours of travel, my first thoughts I had as we exited the airport were not positive: "Oh my gosh cold."  "Is it snowing?"  "Why am I wearing sandals?"  Thankfully it wasn't snowing, and I had proper footwear packed away for later.  But as the shock of "we're-really-not-in-New-Jersey-anymore" faded, all I could think of was the air.  It smelled good.  It tasted good.  I found myself gulping it back like water.  

That night we stayed in the coziest little AirBnB, a tiny cabin called The Bunkie just outside of Whitehorse.  It was just perfect. There was a 3-legged dog named Dr. Pepper and an outhouse where you put your TP in a paper bag for burning. We learned later that you can extend the life of an outhouse by not putting toilet paper in it.  Now you know too. 

The drive from Whitehorse to Dawson City was a long and beautiful one (hence the video I previously posted) and was a pretty fun part of the trip.  We had a budget and didn't want to pay insurance for an extra driver, so Meaghan (my hero!) drove all 533 km.  I did my best to be a good co-pilot.  Feeding her snacks, opening her lip balm, and singing the entirety of  Taylor Swift's newest album.  At one point we passed by a sign that said "You are Now Leaving the 911 Service Zone"  We still don't really know what that means, but we're glad we didn't have to find out.

We stopped at almost all of the marked scenic lookouts.  One of the best was at Five Finger Rapids.

It was actually this beautiful everywhere.

It was here we met some others who were having their lunch at the sole picnic table.  They asked us to join them, and in only a few minutes of chatting we realized they knew who we were going to visit. They were so friendly, and they gave us some great advice on what to do. My favourite comment from one of them was: "Lots of people live off grid, but Rian and Chris take it to a whole new level."  In a few hours we would find out for ourselves what that meant.

To get to their house, you drive 20 minutes out of town, park, walk for a few minutes, and then canoe across a pretty fast-moving river. I've always been impressed by my friend Rian, but seeing her maneuver canoes full of dogs, gear, some city-slickers (us) and a baby all while laughing is awe-inspiring.

Best and most "Canadian" commute ever.

After being shown the ropes of the Johnson-Lougheed-Smith homestead (Don't wash the dishes with drinking water, don't let the fire go out on a cold night, decaf coffee is in the redbag and shouldn't be brewed in the milk frother, and most important - sing on your way to the outhouse if you want to scare off bears) we felt right at home thanks to our hosts and never wanted to leave.  I'd give up indoor plumbing in a heartbeat to stay there forever.

The next few days were just the best.  We got to meet Rian's awesome partner,  her kick-ass kid and her dogs. 

We knit and read books. 

Rian read "The Gruffalo" many times to a captive audience... And Maggie.

 We drank coffee and picked berries. 

Picking lingonberries. We put them in a pie.

We drank whisky by candle-light.  We taught Maggie to high-five. 

High Five!

We explored an abandoned gold camp.  

In November 1966 the price of gold dropped and production ground to a halt.  People were told to stop work and everyone put down their tools and walked out.  The whole compound is a huge time capsule.

 We were toured around town.  We drove up to the top of the Dome and were snowed on.

Our last night in Dawson City we saw a beautiful display of Northern Lights.  It was a perfect way to say goodbye.

Aurora Borealis.  I was agog.

There seems to be a joke that people who visit Dawson City either never leave, or if they do - they spend the rest of their lives plotting  how to get back.  I can't put my finger on what made such a strong impression on me.  I was only there for a week. Only a taste of what it means to be there.  The best description I have seen is this: The freshness, the freedom, the farness." It's from The Spell of The Yukon by Robert Service (full disclosure, I found that featured on the Yukon Tourism website) and who better to describe the indescribable than a poet.
 

One Year

It's Autumn. My favourite season.

It feels like moments ago that I was hiding under the broadest brimmed hat I could find, coating myself in sunscreen and dodging from shade spot to shade spot during the hot summer days here.  Now all of a sudden the weather has made a turn toward the bearable.  Temperatures are in the 14-20 degree range (celsius) during the day, the pervasive muggy sticky feeling in the air has abated. Being out of  doors is enjoyable again.

This summer has gone by like a whirlwind, and when I look back on it, it isn't hard to see how.

What I thought would be a quiet, long and hot summer quickly transformed into a busy, short (but still hot) one. We had visitors come to us in June, July and August.  A long drive up the East Coast to and from a lovely New Brunswick wedding with stops in Maine, Massachussets, and Nova Scotia to visit friends and family.

There was a whirlwind weekend trip to Calgary to attend and photograph a wedding.  

I had so much fun photographing this wedding!  I only got misty-eyed 100 times.

A trip to NS to celebrate a large family wedding and visit even more friends happened over Labour Day weekend.  

Group shot of the eve of Sean and Nicole's beautiful wedding.
Thanks for reminding me to take the picture Nicole!

My final trip  of the year just ended with an epic adventure to the Yukon (which I will share more about soon, promise). Dan just got back from a conference in Seattle.  We have both spent a lot of time in airports.

And this was just the summer.  Spring went by quickly. Winter was a bit of a blur, and before winter there was autumn. Last Autumn we had just arrived in Princeton.  The whole year has zipped by. It was our Princetanniversary October 1st.  One year.  It has gone by fast thanks to interesting and flexible employment, all of our many amazing trips, new friends, and every wonderful visitor. While adjusting to all of the "new" in our lives, every piece of mail, every text, every email and phone call from family and friends has made this move not only doable, but enjoyable.  

October 8th 2015 - Photo #4 in our Yearly Photo Project

So, here's to another year!  More adventures, travel and fun (Only 300 or so days until the next wedding I get to attend)  In the short term though, I think I'll stay put for a few months and enjoy the cooler breezes of fall.

Let's Drive to Dawson City

Last week, one of my best pals and I packed our bags and made the long trek to Dawson City.  It was a long overdue trip to visit a friend from MtA, and I now understand a little bit about what draws people there every summer, or compels others to make their lives there. It isn't for everyone - but I sure wish it was for me.  I will continue to live vicariously through my friend, and visit much more frequently (which shouldn't be a problem, just more than once every six years).

I'm not sure what I want to say about the trip and the visit yet - but I know I will sort it out.  In the meantime, let me share this rag-tag video compiled of clips of the drive.  Meaghan rented the car and I wasn't insured to drive it, so I took 1,000 pictures and more video than I knew what to do with.  I tried my hand at video editing, and this is the result.

Independence Day

Today is the 4th of July.

I'm familiar with the holiday, and its origins - but whenever someone says "Independence Day" I can't help but picture the 1996 movie that we rented more than once, and saw at least as many times again when it played on TV.  Aliens, weddings, moving speeches, a crop-dusting hero, and Jeff Goldblum - the movie wants for nothing, and I may have to watch it tonight.

Fortunately our Fourth of July celebrations had no space alien invasions.  Unfortunately, Jeff Goldblum didn't play a role either. We both had the day off and decided to explore the neighbouring areas outside of Princeton.  With tea, an audiobook and the GPS packed, we were off.

 Our first stop was Pine Creek Mini Golf.  The consensus that it was the most beautiful mini-golf course we have been to, and also the hardest course we have ever played. No windmills or plastic pink flamingos (though, they have their place in my heart).  It was a big beautiful garden that was filled with birds and an abundance of plant life. There was a lovely pond and a stream that I managed to putt my little pink golf ball into more than I would like to admit. 

 Emotions ran high, and the scores were all over the place.  Dan was eventually crowned the winner (due both to his skill, and my repeated visits to the water hazard) and I graciously conceded.

A fair warning, anyone who comes to visit, you will have no choice but to come mini golfing with us.  I was so keen, I asked for a club card and they gave me a mitt full of coupons.

Next stop, the town of Lambertville.  Since moving to NJ, I've been told by loads of people that I'd love Lambertville, NJ and New Hope, PA.  They are across the Delaware river from each other and are both charming.  We stayed on the NJ side of the river this time, but we'll go again and check out New Hope next time.

Lambertville is filled to the brim with galleries, but my favourite was the Haas Gallery.  Many of the paintings were of scenes from around New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and he is clearly influenced by John Singer Sargent, which I think probably gets him a lot of attention.  I bought a little card, and will hopefully be back for a print some day.

There was a chocolate shop called the Chocolate Box that looked a little bit like Honeydukes from Harry Potter. We had lunch at a placed called Full Moon that only serves dinner on nights where there is a full moon.  We went into a rare book store that had cocktail recipe books for worldly gentlemen (circa 1940), as well as a strange collection of records.  

I found this Bruce Springsteen gem from 1973 in mint condition, and since there is a song called 4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy) on it I had to get it. It was meant to be.  I'm listening to it now, and it doesn't dissappoint.

All in all, a good day.  Now to go see if I can find a copy of Independence Day for evening viewing.

To Upstate!

Summer is a time for making fun stuff happen. 

A few weekends ago we made some fun stuff happen.  We drove 5 hours north, Sean and Nicole drove 5 hours south, and we met up in Lodi, New York. Lodi is a small speck of a village, surrounded by other small villages and hamlets.  Finding a grocery store was a challenge, but there were wineries every 5 miles or less.

We went to a few, but the one that we really loved was called "Silver Thread Vineyard".  It was a quick walk up the hill from our little cabin and the view was as lovely and clear as the Chardonnay (I realize this was kind of a snotty sounding sentance- but it is true, and I couldn't help it!)

The Rasmussen men using a charcoal BBQ for the first time.  It was almost a hopeless affair.

Our last dinner in our odd and lovely little cabin.

It was a relaxing few days filled with dog walks, books (I read 3 Sherlock Holmes books in quick succession), bbqing, and beer.  Many hands of Hearts were played around the little table, late into the night.

The kitchen was non-existent, but we managed to make some some pretty excellent meals all the same, thanks to some creative cooking and managing the BBQ.

Hudson, The Labradoodle.  Also known to me as Hodge Podge, Hud-Dawg and The Honourable Sir Hudage of Cambridge.  I'm pretty proud of this picture.  Black dogs are super tricky to photograph.

This beauty of a dog was kind of the highlight of the trip.  Sean and Nicole got him as a puppy 6 months ago, and he is now one large and precious puppy. He was too cool.  I liked watching him galump around with his oversized limbs, and sometimes he would listen to me when I said "sit" and "stay" - thanks to his sweet disposition and Sean and Nicole's committment to training.

It was a great little trip, and I'm so glad that I got to spend it with these folks.

Sean, Nicole & Hudson. 2015

Dan & Gill. 2015

Canal Kayaking

Keeping an ever watchful eye on the weather (ridiculous humidity or thunderstorms just wouldn't do) I've been counting down until Friday. I had the day off, and I had plans.

 Waking up this morning, everything aligned perfectly.   Sunny and bright, but not humid.  It was under 30 degrees Celsius by noon!  No thunderclouds loomed.  Perfect weather for paddling down the Delaware and Raritan Canal.

 The Canal was built in 1830 by hand (many, many hands I'm sure) to connect the Delaware and Raritan rivers.  This provided a freight route between New York and Philly.   The tow paths on either side of the canal that allowed mules to pull the cargo ships are still intact.

Now this industrial route has been transformed into a really beautiful park that stretches over 36 miles.  You can paddle down the canal, or jog or bike along either of the two tow paths.  My friend Marissa and I leisurely kayaked downstream for a few hours, stopping only for a re-apply of sunscreen and a refreshing beverage.

It never feels like summer until I've had a Shandy.

All along the shore there were wee little frogs, the odd fish, Painted Turtles, and Canadian(!) Geese.   There were other people kayaking, canoeing, running, and cycling. At one point the canal starts going alongside Carnegie lake, where the Princeton crew teams practice and race.  There was a practice going on as we passed by.  The sounds of their oars was muchmore impressive than the splish-splash of our paddles.

It was a really super way to spend a Friday afternoon.