Happy Earth Day!

Well....time to see what this bike-tripping thing is all about.  We can't think of a better way to celebrate Earth Day then to head north for the weekend and have a trial run with our tuned up bikes,panniers and gear loaded up for the first time ever.  We'll be riding the gravel rail trail in Haliburton. We really have no clue what we're doing, but we figure we'll learn pretty fast.  We're hoping to cover as many kilometres as possible and test out our food rations and see what adjustments need to be made.  Oh, and it's supposed to rain.  A LOT.  We'll have to remember our water wings!  2 nights in the tent should tide us over on this last sprint to the finish line of city living.  Time to pack!

R.I.P little food dehydrator

Signs point to it being time to start packing the food and mailing it to Labrador......because the dehydrator simply can't make any more food.  The lid has melted and the trays are all breaking down.  Only 2 of the 5 original trays remain in almost passable condition.  We certainly got our $40.00 out of the little guy!!  We spent almost $300 at COSTCO this weekend buying kilos of instant potatoes, rice, pasta, instant soups, nuts, hundereds of granola bars, etc.  Our calculations put us at about 8 dollars a day to feed both of us.  Over 3 months, with no rent or bills....that's a pretty appealing cost of living!  There may be lots of cold fingers, ferocious bugs and sore behinds, but have 3 kilos of chocolate...will travel.

Radio Tidbit on The Grand River, Labrador

CBC.ca The Story from Here April 13, 2011 Greetings All! For a preview of the political fire that surrounds the Grand River in Labrador, please listen to the powerful clip that starts off Part 1. Just click the link above and it will redirect you to the correct page. The Story from Here is a great Newfoundland/Labrador-based show on CBC radio that talks about all things in the "outskirts" of this wonderful country. Interestingly enough, this was aired today, 6 weeks before we begin the first leg of our trip. Much of our motivation to paddle the Grand River stems from this debate over the potential damming of Muskrat Falls. We know there will be many differing opinions along the way to, through and from Labrador about the hydroelectric project...this may be a good taste of what's to come. We have already spoken with Elizabeth and Roberta, both the women interviewed, months ago. Their passion and distress over this river is no less on the phone than on national air. It's difficult not to side with them, as you will hear for yourself.