Saturday, July 28^th, 2007

I recently went on quite the journey. I enjoy road trips; but this was a whole different level of road tripping. The entire trip was 19 days and over 10000 kilometers; so I've decided to break down the trip into days & highlights instead of 1 giant, ridiculous update.

Day 1: Belle River, Ontario to Manistique, Michigan (Map); 651 km.
This day was an uneventful day of travel and getting my shit together.
(3 pictures, 161 words)

Day 2: Manistique, Michigan to Baxter, Minnesota (Map); 726 km.
A cold July day in the Upper Peninsula. I checked out two places and took a quick stroll to the Manistique lighthouse in the morning.
(45 pictures, 1606 words)

	Fayette, Michigan - A restored company town from 1891. Fayette sits on a beautiful footprint of land that extends out into Lake Michigan.
	The Holy Family Orphanage - An abandoned orphanage located in Marquette, Michigan. A funny experience with tweenyboppers and also a rad balcony and chapel.

Day 3: Baxter, Minnesota to Estevan, Saskatchewan (Map); 904 km.
The worlds largest turkey and my favorite skatepark; located in Fargo, North Dakota.
(6 pictures, 1 video, 666 words)

Day 4: Estevan, Saskatchewan to Strathmore, Alberta (Map); 993 km.
I drive on a road consisting of broken pavement that is completely out of my way to visit a ghost town with a curling rink.
(35 pictures, 1 video, 1400 words)

Orkney, Saskatchewan - A ghost town located far off the beaten path in Southern Saskatchewan. Plenty of abandoned homes and other unique buildings left to rot in the prairie sun.

Day 5: Strathmore to Edmonton, Alberta (!) (Map); 339 km.
Kayla works all day, so I need to kill time by riding the Millennium Park in Calgary and by photographing sub par graffiti near her house in Edmonton.
(9 pictures, 195 words)

Day 6: Rowley & Dorothy, Alberta (Map); 674km.
After driving for 5 days, I decided to take a day trip to a couple of ghost towns near Edmonton. I find it funny that a trip that would be equivalent to traveling to Toronto & back becomes not only feasible, but not that big of deal.
(20 pictures, 566 words)

	Dorothy, Alberta - A hamlet that some would consider a ghost town. Dorothy has two abandoned churches and a few other abandonments.
	Rowley, Alberta - A partly restored ghost town that still has an abandoned train caboose.

Days 6 through 11 were spent in Edmonton. Day 6 was simply a day of rest & day 7 was the one with Rowley & Dorothy, Alberta.

Days 8 through 11: Edmonton, AB.
Some biking, dining, Edmonton sightseeing & one abandonment.
(28 pictures, 720 words)

The Good Samaritan Nursing Home - I refused to leave empty handed from Edmonton & found this abandoned nursing home just in time.

Day 12: Edmonton, Alberta to Kamloops, British Columbia (Map); 808 km.
The most scenic day of travel in my 23 years.
(10 pictures, 309 words)

Day 13: Kamloops to Whistler, British Columbia (Map); 298 km.
If day 12 was the most scenic day of travel in my 23 years; then this day doesn't rank far behind.
(10 pictures, 309 words)

Days 14-16: Whistler, British Columbia (Map).
Dylan and I ride a couple of skateparks, lounge at the beach and punish our livers.
(11 pictures, 518 words)

Day 17: Whistler, British Columbia to Ellensburg, Washington (Map); 527 km.
I see the first fjords of my life & travel to Safeco Field.
(18 pictures, 749 words)

Day 18: Ellensburg, Washington to Bozeman, Montana (Map); 920 km.
I begin the trek home - plenty of travel & a stop in Spokane, Washington.
(24 pictures, 881 words)

Day 19: Bozeman, Montana to Perham, Minnesota (Map); 1313 km.
A giant day of travel; the highlight being a decision in Montana.
(4 pictures, 176 words)

Days 20-21: Perham, Minnesota to Belle River, Ontario (Map); 1568 km.
Isaac Brock may have missed the boat, but I sure didn't. The highlight of the trip occurs on the last day.
(24 pictures, 560 words)

Quincy Dredge 2 - The highlight of the trip. A shipwreck with no diving experience required.