Thursday, February 28, 2008

We Made It!

It took 33 hours, crossing 3 provinces and six states but we made it here in one piece and with most of our sanity in tact.

We said some goodbyes on Sunday which almost ripped out my heart. We spent Saturday night at my best friend, Latila's place since everything we own was either on a truck or suitcase. We then had breakfast with her beautiful daughter. Needless to say our goodbye almost broke my heart. We both couldn't stop crying and I almost changed my mind right there. We've been through so much together and I know our friendship will continue to flourish no matter where she or I live.

We then went to brunch with with my brother and some of Shawn's family. We had a great time but there was the looming cloud of our departure over the event. When it was time to go once again I broke down and almost changed my mind. It's always difficult leaving family and friends behind.

We then started our trip with Jazz in tow. We decided to go under the Great Lakes instead of over them because this time of year the weather can be pretty bad and we didn't want to take the chance of getting stuck in the middle of nowhere. We made it to the border without any problems. Once we got to the guard though he asked us what food we had for Jazz, we told him some kibble and some soft food. He asked to see the package for her kibble and we didn't have it, we packed enough for the trip and that was it. He told us we weren't allowed to bring it in since we couldn't prove that it didn't have lamb or goat which is prohibited by US law. Thank goodness we had soft food for Jazz.

We drove through Michigan and made it into Indiana before we stopped for the night. In the morning we headed out bright and early only to get caught in Chicago rush hour. It was so cloudy and rainy we couldn't even take a picture of downtown Chicago. Things picked up after O'Hare airport. We continued driving through Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota before stopping for the night in North Dakota.

The next morning we headed off early once again and started to make our way into Canada. We crossed at one of the crossing in Saskatchewan. We started going and made our way over to Dog River, Saskatchewan, I mean, Rouleau, Saskatchewan. I was very excited to see the town where the show Corner Gas is taped. Of course with it being winter, there wasn't much going on.

We continued through Saskatchewan, did I mention how FLAT the whole province is? Well, it's really FLAT. You really can see your dog after it ran away three days ago.

Of course it wouldn't have been a road trip without getting pulled over by the police. We saw an RCMP car in the median between the two sides of the highway. Then we looked in the mirror and he was driving. I knew we were going to be pulled over and sure enough the lights come on as he pulled in right behind us. We pulled over trying to figure out why since we weren't speeding, at least not that much. The officer told us that the cover that Shawn has on his license plates are illegal in Saskatchewan. He just wanted to make sure that all our paperwork was in order. We told him that we were on our way to Alberta and he asked us why we didn't want to stay in Saskatchewan. We didn't want to offend him seeing as how he had the power to give us a ticket and he had a gun. We just laughed and he let us go.

The rest of the trip was pretty uneventful. We made it to my sister's place and basically just dropped to sleep, we were so tired.

Shawn deserves major kudos as he did all the driving on his own. Also Jazz was quite the trooper. We gave her some anti-anxiety medication before we headed out and it kept her quite calm throughout the trip. She slept at my feet when we drove in the dark, during the day she found somewhere to sleep in the sun. Even the officer that pulled us over started laughing when he saw her through the window.

So here we are, ready to start our new lives and ready for new excitement and adventures! I will post pictures as soon as I'm able to find the cables for the camera. Stay tuned.

15 comments:

Mark said...

GREAT NEWS!!!! You made it in one piece!!! When are you coming back for a visit????

Catherine said...

So glad to hear you're there safe. Thought of you yesterday and wondered where you were. Miss you already. Glad your trip was fairly uneventful. Now that's what you call a road trip!

Take care friends. Let the adventures begin!!!

Rhonda said...

It's only a few more months until June. :)

Glad you got there safe and sound...

4D said...

I am so happy to hear that your travels were relatively uneventful and smooth. Get settled in and stay in touch.

Keep smilin!

Kayce said...

Glad you made it! Welcome home!!

Tao's Mommy said...

Glad you made it to Alberta safely!! I guess I should've left a comment sooner (since I have been following, just cant keep up with the comments). You would've past right through my city (Moose Jaw)....darn we could've met. I only live 35 minutes from "Dog River". Next time!!! Or maybe we will see you in Alberta this summer. Where are you??

M and M said...

I am SO glad that you are safe and sound!

WHY did Shawn have to do all the driving???? HMMM???

Middle-Aged Moi said...

I'm so glad you're here safe and sound! I'll let you get settled in before we make plans to meet.....:-) Welcome to ALberta!!!!

Tracey and Mike said...

Glad you made it safe and sound.
Sorry you're gone though. :(
Good luck with everything in AB!

Thumbelina's Mom said...

Yay - glad you made it there safely!

"M2" said...

glad you made it safe and sound

Steffie B. said...

Glad you made it safely....can't wait to see pictures! ;)

The luckiest mommy in the world said...

Glad you made it safe - that's the most important thing.

Looking forward to the pics.

Deb

C's Mom said...

Glad you made the long journey safely. All the best in your new home.

Kristine said...

Your journey reminds me of ours out here 9 years ago!!! Ah the tears BUT now, everyone visits!!!! We had two kitties in the cab of the Uhaul but we weren't stopped by the police!!!
Glad to hear that you are safe and sound - it is a wonderful drive but LONG!!!