I received my diploma today from VCC, just in time for the trip. I submitted my practicum back in Dec and was hoping to find out one way or the other before we left so the timing is perfect. I now have the BC Provincial Instructors Diploma (honours) and I'm qualified to teach in any community college in BC.
Now the hard part - I've worked for this for close to four years but now that I have it what do I do with it? My dream has been to retire early from banking and try to start a new part-time teaching and training consulting business. But........with the economy in absolute meltdown, is now the time? On the other hand, with layoff's and corporate downsizing, there may be excellent opportunities in adult education as people look to increase their education and/or need retraining in new fields. Hmmmmmm......lots to think about as we're eating up the miles on the trip.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Only a few more sleeps
Well, there are only a few more sleeps until we hit the road to Mexico.
Two, if you only count here at home.
Three, if you include Spokane before we fly out on Sunday to Phoenix
Four, if you count Sunday night at Dad's before we head to Mexico - but it's unlikely I'll sleep much that night so it hardly counts.
There's very little to do now except wait. I've gone over all the gear lists ad infinitum, and anything that can be done, has been done. Poor Dad and Carol. Every time I tell them that the last shipment is on it's way I have to call back and beg them to accept something else. Ah, the joys of obsession. So far they've taken receipt of tools, extra levers, a jacket, and now gloves. And the only reason I know for sure there won't be anything else is because there's no longer time for anything to arrive before leave. Hmmmmm...... I wonder if there's time for expedited overnight shipping? Dale! Let it go!
So, all the insurance, registration and temporary import doc's are copied and put away. I have two international drivers licences just in case one is confiscated at a checkpoint or bogus road block and our Mexican insurance is bought and paid for.
The only thing to do now is check the weather and road report for Spokane and cross our fingers that it's better than when I drove down last year.
Cheers
Two, if you only count here at home.
Three, if you include Spokane before we fly out on Sunday to Phoenix
Four, if you count Sunday night at Dad's before we head to Mexico - but it's unlikely I'll sleep much that night so it hardly counts.
There's very little to do now except wait. I've gone over all the gear lists ad infinitum, and anything that can be done, has been done. Poor Dad and Carol. Every time I tell them that the last shipment is on it's way I have to call back and beg them to accept something else. Ah, the joys of obsession. So far they've taken receipt of tools, extra levers, a jacket, and now gloves. And the only reason I know for sure there won't be anything else is because there's no longer time for anything to arrive before leave. Hmmmmm...... I wonder if there's time for expedited overnight shipping? Dale! Let it go!
So, all the insurance, registration and temporary import doc's are copied and put away. I have two international drivers licences just in case one is confiscated at a checkpoint or bogus road block and our Mexican insurance is bought and paid for.
The only thing to do now is check the weather and road report for Spokane and cross our fingers that it's better than when I drove down last year.
Cheers
Not to be outdone.
I couldn't allow Rosi to be the only one with new gloves that match her riding gear. It's only fair that I look just as cool - or like a dork, depending on your
perspective
These two pairs of gloves should be delivered to Phoenix right about the time we arrive.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Rosi's new gear
A while back we bought Rosi a complete set of Firstgear mesh gear for summer along with Firstgear all season pants for spring and fall. A the same time I ordered a Firstgear Kilimanjaro waterproof touring jacket for cold weather riding but since then we had to cancel. Our order was placed right as the 08's were being sold out and the 09's coming out and we couldn't get her size colour combo anywhere. She wanted red and I just couldn't convince her that dayglow Hi-Vis yellow matched her eyes. But....today we lucked out and I found a sell-off with one jacket in her size left. It's not red, but it's not Hi-Vis either. And, at more than $250 less than this years model it's a steal.
So, thanks to Dad and Carol allowing me to have things shipped to their place, her new jacket should be waiting for us in AJ when we arrive. We won't take it with us though. It would be OK for the first three days but after that it's just too heavy for hot weather riding. For this trip we'll stick to mesh hot-weather gear, even if it'll be a little cool for the first day or two. And speaking of mesh gear, I also bought her matching Joe Rocket red mesh gloves to match her jacket. She's going to be soooooo styling when we hit the road!
I just pray to the motorcycle gods she doesn't hate it or I've spent waaaaay to much money. Oh well, she still looks hot in the new gear! Grrrrr!
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Safe and Sound
My bike arrived safe and sound in Apache Junction after a very fast two and a half day drive from Osoyoos to Arizona. Thanks again Ward and Bonnie.
And Dad and Carol, thanks very much for storing her for the few weeks until we get there, and for making sure she's covered and locked up.
When I see the bright blue sky and sunny weather in your pictures I can't wait to get started. This morning it was minus 18 here with another four inches of snow in the last few days.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
The Route
Well, we've decided on a route.
We looked at a lot of options and weighed the variables. First and foremost, we want a trip that will be enjoyable for Rosi on her first major multi-day ride. We considered heading inland because I'd like to see Lake Chapala and we both would like to visit Uruapan but we don't think this is the trip to do it. The roads inland are much busier and it can be cold this time of year due to the elevation. We also thought of a circle route taking us down the coast and back through Guadalajara, but again, we ruled it out for the same reasons.
What we've settled on is the simplest and easiest - a straight run down the Pacific Coast as far as Zihuatanejo, and back. The roads are excellent, there isn't any complicated navigation and it'll range from warm to hot for most of the trip.
When we leave Apache Junction it's a long cold three-day run to Mazatlan. From there we plan to hop-scotch down the coast: Rincon, Barra, Playa Azul and Zihuatanejo. Coming back it'll be close to the reverse, with one change because we hope to hook up with Atillio in PV: Zihuatanejo, Barra, PV, Mazatlan and then the three-day run to home. Total mileage is estimated at 5,400 klm (plus side trips) over 13 days, which allows for 10 days downtime and side trips. Our average mileage will be 413 klm, with the longest day being 553 klm and the shortest day being 125 klm.
The bike and our gear is on it's way and everything else is falling into place. It's still more than four weeks away but it'll come quick and then we'll know for sure if it's Rosi's cup of tea. If not, at least we'll be in Mexico and if it means staying in Mazatlan for the whole three weeks we'll just have to suffer through! Awwww.....
:-)
We looked at a lot of options and weighed the variables. First and foremost, we want a trip that will be enjoyable for Rosi on her first major multi-day ride. We considered heading inland because I'd like to see Lake Chapala and we both would like to visit Uruapan but we don't think this is the trip to do it. The roads inland are much busier and it can be cold this time of year due to the elevation. We also thought of a circle route taking us down the coast and back through Guadalajara, but again, we ruled it out for the same reasons.
What we've settled on is the simplest and easiest - a straight run down the Pacific Coast as far as Zihuatanejo, and back. The roads are excellent, there isn't any complicated navigation and it'll range from warm to hot for most of the trip.
When we leave Apache Junction it's a long cold three-day run to Mazatlan. From there we plan to hop-scotch down the coast: Rincon, Barra, Playa Azul and Zihuatanejo. Coming back it'll be close to the reverse, with one change because we hope to hook up with Atillio in PV: Zihuatanejo, Barra, PV, Mazatlan and then the three-day run to home. Total mileage is estimated at 5,400 klm (plus side trips) over 13 days, which allows for 10 days downtime and side trips. Our average mileage will be 413 klm, with the longest day being 553 klm and the shortest day being 125 klm.
The bike and our gear is on it's way and everything else is falling into place. It's still more than four weeks away but it'll come quick and then we'll know for sure if it's Rosi's cup of tea. If not, at least we'll be in Mexico and if it means staying in Mazatlan for the whole three weeks we'll just have to suffer through! Awwww.....
:-)
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Flurry II heads south
Today I met Bonnie and Ward at their house in Osoyoos and loaded my bike into the U-Haul trailer they rented just for this purpose. Two months ago Ward graciously agreed to trailer my bike down to Phoenix for me when he and Bonnie head down to their second home in Mesa. They've been away in Alberta but now that Christmas is over they're packed up and heading south - with Flurry II firmly ensconced in the back.
Bonnie, Ward; thanks VERY much. Without your help with this part of the logistics we wouldn't be able to make the trip.
Rosi and I will fly down on January 24th and my bike will be there already waiting for us. I'll have a day to prep the bike and iron out any wrinkles and, if all goes according to plan, we hope to hit the raod by 7:00am on the 25th.
WooHoo - only 28 more sleeps!
On a different note - this time around we'll be able to maintain the blog a little more consistently and downloading pictures shouldn't be a problem either. I just came home from Staples, the proud owner of a new Acer Aspire One netbook, a really small laptop specially designed for travellers. I also bought a new, much smaller, Canon digital camera. When we're on the road Rosi will be in charge of stills and I'll handle the video camera ( as best I can ) and we'll try to keep friends and family current on where we are in the journey.
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