Plotting and Planning

While I've got the Laundry on, I've got some time for a little planning update.

Started working on a rough itinerary. Basically I figure that I should be able to average 700km/day. That's a decent pace and as there is no Cruise Control in the Fox, my foot will need a break once in awhile.

Here's the itinerary so far:

Kamloops, BC to Calgary, AB: 620km (RON)
Calgary, AB to Rouleau, SK (Short Stop) to Regina, SK: 804km (RON)
Regina, SK to Winnipeg, MB: 572km (RON)
Winnipeg, MB to Thunder Bay, ON: 706km (RON)
Thunder Bay, ON to Sault St. Marie, ON: 704km (RON)
Sault St. Marie, ON to Midland, ON: 554km (RON)
Midland, ON to Owen Sound, ON: 143km (Short Stop)
Owen Sound, ON to London, ON: 229km (Poss RON)
London, ON to Niagara Falls, ON: 206km (Short Stop)
Niagara Falls, ON to Toronto, ON: 132km (RON or Two)
Toronto, ON to Ottawa, ON: 450km (RON)
Ottawa, ON to Montreal, QC: 194km (Short Stop or RON)
Montreal, QC to Quebec City, QC: 253km (RON)

From Quebec City to Goose Bay I am still working out the logistics for that. Highway 389 is all gravel, sparsely populated and not under cell coverage. A little more research must be done for that.

Still no confirmation on any of my friends coming with me so this trip is starting to look like I'll be going Solo.

Will be packing my Apartment tomorrow and heading up to my Grandmother's place to save on Rent and get assistance from my Uncle with final vehicle prep. Right now it looks like that I'll be departing in the first week of March.

I'm starting to get excited as everything moves forward.

The Shakedown

Well I've driven the Wagen a fair bit over the last week. Surrey to Abbotsford, around Abbotsford and to West Vancouver, West Vancouver to Surrey and a little more around the Fraser Valley. No issues... well, I stalled on Cambie and Georgia in Downtown Vancouver but that's my own fault. I let the Tank get a little too low. Oops.

After departing Vancouver to head to Kamloops for what was my first time driving the Coquilhalla Highway solo; I stopped in Hope just for a top-up of Gas because after Hope there's pretty much sweet F.A. until you get to Merritt. Everything went smoothly until about 100km South of Kamloops, my Left Front tire blew.

So I managed to get my Uncle to come out and assist me and now I'm back in Kamloops.

Assembled the shopping list of supplies and things I need to get for the Car and next week I'll get that purchased. Also pricing out some new Tires.

In addition, I've now secured an Apartment in Goose Bay so all I have to do now is pack up and ship out!

So far, my expected Co-Pilot hasn't said that he's 100% going so I'll be checking in to that.

All in all, the date of departure is getting here rather quickly.

Oh yeah! I'm trying to think of a name for the Wagen. So far I have a couple possibilities: Olga, Helga, Sybille, Freida and Hilda. Trying to stick with the Euro theme... she is a Volkswagen after all. Open to suggestions!

Chariot... Acquired!

So! I finally got the mighty Steed that will carry me to Labrador.

My 1988 Volkswagen Fox Wagon. Price: $500


It's pretty solid, starts with the first turn of the key... Lots of fire left in this one. I'm rather pleased with my purchase really. A couple of my friends have laughed, others have started mourning me pre-emptively... and others still are glad they'll be with me in Spirit.

One step closer to embarking on this Trip. I get more excited every day.

My co-pilot on this Adventure and I have to hammer out the final details. It will be here, so as soon as we leave; you will know!

Until the next update!