"Going Boldly" (apologies to James T. Kirk)

July 29, 2010

So the big adventure begins – or at least the driving / moving part of it. Getting ready to be on the road for nearly three months required a lot of thought and planning. I've got a small trailer (13 feet long); and a 4 cylinder SUV to pull the trailer with. Space is limited.

First issue is what do I need in the way of clothes – 2 seasons; 'construction'-type work; camping; touristing, northern Michigan and Minnesota AND New Mexico. . .

Second issue is what gear do I need – cooking on a Coleman stove; no electricity, no running water for at least 10 days of the trip – cooking equipment; dish washing; clothes washing; me-washing . . What tools do I have to have, and should I buy the 'speed square' Habitat requires in Canada, or wait till I get to the U.S? And, what is a speed square anyway? I'll let you know when I find out..

Weight is the third issue. Can I really take 2 iron fry pans (one a grill, one a flat bottom), as well as toaster oven, crockpot, and pressure cooker (for when there's no electricity)? Will my 4 cylinder Mazda Tribute be able to pull it all?? Will it increase my fuel consumption?

Personal safety is another issue – I'm right to be a bit apprehensive I think, but planning ahead and being prudent, will lessen the anxiousness. Have gotten a personal alarm (actually, the same one I used in Paris in 1997); am looking for a touch-sensitive one to hang on the trailer door. And, am always very careful where I park the trailer.

Why all this planning? What an adventure I'm on. – I will be away until late October, working for 2 weeks each on 3 separate Habitat for Humanity 'builds' – 2 in upper Michigan, 1 in Minnesota. Am part of one of Habitat's volunteer groups called RV Care-a-vanners. We're individuals/ families who sign up to work on Habitat builds across North America, where needed. We bring our Rvs / trailers, whatever skills we have, a hammer, 'speed square', good boots, lots of willingness, and work for 2 weeks to help local volunteers build or renovate houses. http://www.habitat.org/rv/about_cav.aspx

I also hope to visit some new-found relatives in Northern Minnesota – it was so great to meet them last year, and I'm looking forward to getting better acquainted.

And then, after Minnesota and Habitat, I'm off to Albuquerque, New Mexico for 10 days of the International Balloon Fiesta – what an event – picture this – every morning for 10 days, between 500 and 700 balloons lift off, all at once! Wow! And that's just the beginning – but I'll get to that when I get there around October 1.

For now, I'm in North Bay, Ontario, parking overnight at the Wal-mart, right between two other fibreglass trailers. It will be fun to see how many are here when I wake up. No cost to park here, but no facilities – ah well, I'll spend the money elsewhere.

The drive was fine – about 4 hours, with some construction, but not much traffic. The headwind slowed me down a bit, but the scenery along the Ottawa River is just gorgeous – across the River is Quebec, with nothing in sight but trees and more trees. This is along the river route that Champlain took 400 years ago, I think, to explore the new land. Would he believe that we can drive it in four hours?? Likely not. I'm going to go now and imagine a conversation with him, to tell him about the trip. :)