We loaded the van with three laptops, two Cobra radios, an electric guitar and amp, two cell phones, three iPods, two Gameboys, the complete Lord of the Rings extended edition movie series and the complete Star Wars saga, volume 9 of the Bone graphic novel series, 6 one-litre jugs of chocolate milk and six 1 litre bottles of pepsi, and five guys were ready for a road trip.

Steven, Matt, Caleb, Hanjin and myself loaded into our van at 4 pm Morden Standard Time on Friday and began driving. We drove into North Dakota, then into Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan. We crossed into Canada again at Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and drove through Sudbury, North Bay and past Canadian Forces Base Petawawa (go troops!) through Pembroke and into Quebec where we picked up a van and spent a couple of hours with Grammy and Grampy. We got to their place on the shore of the Ottawa River on Aloumette Island in Quebec about 27 hours after we started.

We had a great dinner of mashed potatoes, veggies and pork roast and then we bid adieu and began driving back across Ontario at about 7 pm. We drove through mostly Moose and Deer-infested territories with the aim of arriving at my sister Angel’s house in Barrie (about an hour north of Toronto). Along the way we braved the treacherous curves of Algonquin Park at night and at dangerous speeds. Thankfully nothing leapt in front of us for a while.

We were pulled over by the OPP (Ontario Provincial Police) in Barrys Bay because there are no plates on the van we picked up. A little explanation and viewing of our registration taped to the window was enough to get sent along our way.

We finally rolled into Barrie about midnight and navigated to my sister and brother-in-law’s house. Sadly along the way one skunk wandered under the wheels of the van I was driving (Steven and Hanjin were in the other one). The skunk did not make it but left it’s mark on our van. Hopefully the 25 hour drive back will wear the smell down a bit.

So we arrived and were greeted by a mix of family – my mum, my sisters Angel and Susan (wish you were here April), my brother Kevin, my nephew Hunter with mom Teresa, my brothers-in-law Kieth and Phil, as well as nieces Jocelyn and Mackenzie and nephews Jeremy and Jared. So now we get a days rest (appropriately Sunday) and hit the road again on Monday for the trip back. Another update upon return (or sooner if we find internet along the way).