Jul 2007

When I was a child, you could get a matchbox Greyhound bus. It was shiny, and looked like the ultimate in travel. Another childhood illusion shattered. The 2000 odd miles from Winnipeg to Whitehorse passed slowly and uncomfortably. Upon arrival, it really didn't seem worth it. It was 4:30am and the place was deserted, and frankly a bit dull looking. I had expected a sort of wild west frontier town with saloons, instead I got an average Canadian town with a Walmart and two Tim Hortons. Thankfully the surrounding countryside and the people at the hostel made up for my initial disappointment. I arrived in the buildup to the Yukon Quest canoe and kayak race, and the hostel was filled with a strange collection of long distance canoeists. Didn't get to see any bears in the woods, but I nearly got to see The White Stripes play in the park. Which is the same as not seeing any bears or the White Stripes I suppose. They were both there, I saw neither. To compensate I did get to see the world's longest fish ladder, and not many people can say that. It was the wrong time of year for Northern Lights, so instead we had the midnight sun. It is really strange walking through the deserted town in the middle of the night, and it being as light as day.
On my last morning there I got to see the start of the canoe race. It starts in the middle of town, and all the competitors have to run to their boats. It was quite a spectacle, and then it was time for another 48 hours in a bus.

Had a great time in Chicago, staying with an old friend and his family. I got to stay in a real home, was fed in style, and entertained for the whole weekend.
Didn't get off to a great start, as I had put his old address in my address book. I felt a sense of accomplishment when I managed to make my way from the bus station to his apartment unaided, which was shattered when the security guy said no one of that name lived there. The rest of the weekend went much better, probably because I wasn't in charge. All too soon it was back on the Greyhound.