Home at last

Greetings,

I write you from the comfort of my bedroom. It took
being apart for a long time for me to realize just how
comfortable my bedroom really is. I've never felt such
a sense of relief as I did upon my return home.

I'd like to thank everyone for taking the time to read
these little notes. I hope you enjoyed reading them as
much as I enjoyed writing them.

I'd like especially to thank everyone who took the
time to write me back. I can't tell you just how much
it meant to hear from people while out on the road.

On behalf of the Heart and Stroke Foundation, thank
you to everyone who pledged support. Your moneys have
gone to a worthy cause.

I've learnt a lot in the past month and a half; about
biking, about Canada and especially about myself. I'm
glad you've all been here to share it with me. I
sincerely thank you all, just for being all of you.
:-)

Until I've sorted through 908 pictures,

-Dan

Day #A lot

Greetings everyone,

I writing, having just returned from Cape Spear; the
Easternmost point in North America. Firstly; the view
from here is incredible. Newfoundland did not
disappoint in its promise of beauty. Much like Cape
Breton Island, it's a collage of all things beautiful
in Canada. There are huge, rolling hills, shining blue
lakes, great open fields and of course, a good view of
the Atlantic.

Despite all the affirmatives, I'm left with a curious
feeling: the lack a new destination. For the past 42
days, I've always had another step to take. A new
town, new region, new province. Now, here I am at the
edge of Canada; mission accomplished.

That said; I'm sore, tired, mentally exhausted and
quite ready to rejoin my friends and family in
Toronto. So from here, I'll spend one rousing night
with friends in St. John's and by Wednesday afternoon,
I'll be hurtling towards home, not far from the speed
of sound.

It's been a wild ride.

Until next time,

-Dan

Day #How long has this been going on?

Wow!

Wow.

Thank you everyone for the support. Now let me tell you about my week. :-)

I saw the Royal Regiment of Canada (Toronto) Band play in Quebec City on Saturday afternoon. I spent the rest of the evening and the following day making my way to Degelis, PQ; about 25km from New Brunswick.

I rode persistently despite a forceful headwind into Edmunston the next morning. There, I met Ed. Ed is the organizer of an amazing a event. 165 members of the Christian Reformed Church have biked from Vancouver and are arriving in Halifax tomorrow in celebration of the church's 100th anniversary in Canada. Ed, along with several bikers I met that day, invited me to stay with them for the night. Check them out: http://www.seatosea.org

I rode through the pouring rain with 6 of them to Florenceville, NB (French Fry capital of the world) where I shared an arena floor with 150 other cyclists. I joined them for another day to Fredericton where I shared a gymnasium floor with the same group after feasting like a king. Spending two days with the group was inspiring to say the least. The camaraderie and dedication was mind-blowing.

Parting with the group thereafter, I rode through Moncton and stayed in Shediac, NB. Yesterday, I had hoped to ride from end to end of P.E.I. and land back in Nova Scotia. Unfortunately, I suffered three flat tires and missed the last ferry by 6 minutes - SIX MINUTES! With some luck, I was invited by the port groundskeeper - who happens to be a former Toronto bike courier - to stay the night at his house.

I'm writing from New Glasgow, waiting for a mechanic to replace my very recently broken chain. My hopes to make the Newfoundland ferry by 3:30pm have been dashed. The next ferry is Monday morning so I'm left with a few days to kick around in Nova Scotia. Today, the weather is beautiful; a nice change from the past four days of rain.

I've got lots of new photos to share. With any luck, I'll put some up tonight. Regardless, I'll be home in less than a week and there will be a wealth of photos for you to see.

Until next time,

-Dan