DAY 47 - TRURO TO HALIFAX - HOME SWEET HOME

Dad had a great ride into Truro with Gary Burns.  They arrived shortly after noon.  A BIG THANK YOU to Barb and Gordie Miller for hosting dad last evening.  So much generosity, warmth and hospitality.

Dad met with Wayne Smith at the Trees of Life in Truro.  Wayne Smith is the sculptor of the Trees of Life, which is three trees, each with 12 rings representing each month of the year and the 12 days of Christmas. Each tree has a butterfly on top symbolic of the cancer society and a ring on top, which is reflective of an angel's halo.

The sculpture also boasts of a poem, created by Smith. It's called the Tree of Life 2008 and states: Like the tree of life the memories still keep on growing. As we all grow older we have to share the time with others because we all need each other to grow together and be stronger.

 

The trees of life is in down town Truro off Young and Prince Street.

We were in Truro bright and early this morning. Brian and George Clark, another cyclist, joined up with dad in Truro to cycle into Halifax. Let's hope there will be others along the pick up spots. Katherine Guinan, a thyroid cancer survivor showed up at the Community Centre in Truro to wish dad well and to let him know what an inspiration he is. As I was leaving Truro, I saw three cyclists in Tim Hortons. They did not get far maybe 2 km up the road before having a break. I guess it is true, a trucker and a police officer cannot pass a Tim's.
 
Today dad is cycling from Truro to Halifax arriving in Halifax at Point Pleasant Park Black Rock Beach at 3pm to dip his wheel in the ocean. Please see the route below and please join in to cycle with him. If not cycling, be there to greet him on his arrival with some huge cheers! Let's make this as big a celebration as it should be. Hope to see you all there!!

BBQ at the Trinity United Church in Timberlea at 5:30 pm this evening to celebrate and share dad's stories of his journey.  Please come and enjoy!

DAY 46 - PICTOU TO TRURO

Good morning everyone, yesterday was a very rainy day for dad.  However he was on the 2:45 pm ferry from Wood Islands into Nova Scotia and this was his goal.  He was greeted at the ferry by Mayor Joe Hawes as well as the Warden of Pictou Co in the pouring rain.  FANTASTIC!  He was escorted by the RCMP into Pictou - THANK YOU MATT!  He is now in Nova Scotia - all provinces are now behind him!!

He had another cyclist join him from the ferry to Pictou, Susan Jones' brother Ken Hetherington - THANK YOU!

A BIG THANK YOU to his hosts Patti MacKenzie's parents.  Patti is an employee of Russel Metal Halifax.  She and Tim (also an employee of Russel Metals Halifax) and their two boys Keegan and Hayden were on hand to greet dad went he got off the ferry.  THANK YOU!  They had fireworks last night after the rain stopped.

Dad started his day at 7:30 am this morning at Tim Hortons where he met up with Gary Burns - Rev. Helene's husband.  He is joining dad today and they are cycling to Truro.

Tomorrow dad is arriving in Halifax at Point Pleasant Park Black Rock Beach at 3pm to dip his wheel in the ocean.  Please see the route below for his day tomorrow and try and join in to cycle with him.  If not cycling, please try and be there to greet him on his arrival with some huge cheers!  Let's make this as big a celebration as it should be.  Hope to see you all there!!

DAY 45 - BORDEN TO PICTOU

Yesterday dad arrived in PEI and was greeted by Harvey Stewart and his wife.  They were waiting for him when he arrived on the Island.  They went to Tim Hortons for a coffee and a few stories were shared I am sure.

He arrived at his host's place around 9 pm.  THANK YOU to Gloria Churchill who hosted dad last evening.  The chocolate with a butterfly attached was on dad's pillow.

Today dad is on his way to Pictou.  He has approximately 118 km to cross the Island to catch the ferry.  When dad was trucking the Island he waited for the ferry constantly - this time dad is considered a "walk-on" and should have no problem getting on the ferry when he gets there.  Hopefully no waiting today!

RIDE WITH GARY - ROUTE FROM TRURO TO HALIFAX (1k to 100 km)

You are invited to ride with Gary on the last day of his journey.  You can ride 100km from Truro's Community College or as little as 1km from Point Pleasant Park's Upper Parking Lot to Lower Parking Lot.  There are 5 pick up spots to join in the ride with Gary.  Bring your helmet and enjoy the ride.

Wednesday, June 30th starting at 7 am from the Community College in Truro located at 36 Arthur Street.
Left onto Willow Street - Hwy #2 Truro, NS
Follow the #2 Hwy to Waverley travelling through Stewiacke, Shuberacadie, Lantz, Elmsdale, Enfield, Fall River
PICK UP SPOT - Petro Canada in Waverley (25km to Point Pleasant Park)

Switch to Waverley Road - Hwy #318
Follow Hwy #318 (Waverley Rd/Braemar Dr) travelling through Port Wallace and Westphal
PICK UP SPOT - Grahams Grove Park on Lake Banook (across from Superstore) 10km to Point Pleasant Park

Down Prince Albert Drive around Sullivan's Pond to the Angus MacDonald Bridge
Up North Street, Left on Agricola Street past Commons onto Ahern Avenue
PICK UP SPOT - Citadel High on Ahern Avenue (3.5km to Point Pleasant Park)

Down Bell Road onto South Park Street, continue down South Park Street where it changes to Young Avenue; at the end of Young Avenue right onto Point Pleasant Drive
PICK UP SPOT - Point Pleasant Park Upper Parking Lot (end of Tower Rd and Point Pleasant Drive) 1km

Down Point Pleasant Drive into lower parking lot onto Black Rock Beach arriving at 3 pm.

DAY 44 - REXTON TO BORDEN

Brian and dad cycled to Rexton yesterday in sudden bursts of downpours.  The skies would just open up and the rain would beat off the pavement for 20 to 30 minutes, then it would be beautiful blue skies for a few hours.  At least it was warm.  The roads are under construction in quite a few places and the ride was bumpy.

I received an email a few days ago from Natasha, Russel Metals Halifax, advising that she would be on holidays and driving to Quebec and wondering where and what route dad would be cycling.  I passed the info along and sure enough, Natasha and Sean found dad cycling, stopped and provided him with some power bars and a drink.  THANK YOU FOR THE BOOST!

Dad and Brian arrived in Rexton in the sunshine.  I met up with them at Tim Hortons and from there we went to Rev. Galen Smith's place who hosted dad last evening.  She and her husband Richard had a beautiful meal prepared for all of us.  THANK YOU Galen and Richard for your hospitality and wonderful company.

Dad is off to Borden, PEI today.  Another province will soon be behind him and tomorrow he will be in Nova Scotia.  Four days until he is home.

DAY 43 - BATHURST TO REXTON

The arrival into Bathurst was absolutely amazing.  Dad was greeted with a police escort from the Big Stop to First United Church on St. Patricks Street.  Connor and I were there holding a welcome sign.  Dad was so blown away that he did not even realize that Connor and I were there.  He thought we looked familiar, but he did not fully put it all together.  The Mayor as well as a representative from the Cancer Society were on hand to greet dad.  Last evening we had an unbelievable meal with so many wonderful people.  There were luminary bags for all the thyroid cancer survivors lit along the fireplace that were in attendance.

A HUGE THANK YOU TO HELEN KNOWLES AND SANDRA PENTLAND  for arranging the welcome reception and their wonderful warmth and hospitality.  The place was decorated with butterfly coasters, butterflies on the napkins, and there were butterflies on the luminary bags as well - absolutely amazing.

THANK YOU TO SANDRA AND ED who hosted all of us last evening.  To everyone in Bathurst THANK YOU - WORDS ARE NOT ENOUGH!

Today Brian is cycling with dad to Rexton.  Connor and I will be there to greet them.

DAY 42 - CAMPBELLTON TO BATHURST

Received a phone call from dad around 2pm yesterday and he was still in Robinsonville.  He was getting ready to head out to Campbellton.  Yesterday was a relative short day compared to what he is used to.  He cycled approximately 40km.  Dad called mom when he arrived in Campbellton around 4:30pm.  It was raining the whole time, but he was not in the rain for a long time.  Dad was at Tim Hortons waiting to be picked up by his host who was taking him to Tidehead for supper.

THANK YOU to Jane and John who hosted dad in Campbellton.  Jane was up bright and early this morning and had breakfast ready for dad and Brian for 5:30am.  Yes, Brian is cycling with dad today from Campbellton to Bathurst.  THANK YOU for welcoming Brian so early and sharing breakfast with him.