Here we go, our third time driving across the country. Unfortunately this round we have to follow a path we had all-ready explored in an attempt to make the fastest route. Leaving with only 5 days to go before Christmas was not ideal, but a 7pm exam on Thursday the 19th kept us trapped on the island until the morning of the 20th.
So here we are, our first winter cross country road trip and a high hope or making a sub 5 day cross to get us home for late Xmas eve.
Day 1: December 20th - Victoria BC to Golden BC
Our day starts at a 5am depart from our downtown apartment to catch the earliest ferry off the island. The sun rose as we arrived to mainland. A typical foggy and rainy day in Vancouver, I fell asleep quickly (spoiled with my boy driving). I woke up looking out to fog covered mountains where you can just slightly pin point snowy trees just before the top disappeared. Between layers of fog you could trace the layers of hills and spot waterfalls still flowing down the ledges. I probably saw over 20 eagles between one field and a few trees.
Soon after this we were stopped on the highway out of Hope. There were pylons and workers directing people to exit back to the city. Dangerous road conditions and low visibility on both highways crossing the mountain range. We were forced to go back to the town. We sat down for lunch in a bit of a stress. Only 2 hours out of Vancouver and we were all ready hitting a major hurdle. Both highways leading East were closed. We waited an hour for the next road update, no openings. In fact the weather was getting worse.
After an hour of teetering options. Either staying in Hope, going back and staying with my cousin in Vancouver or even trying to go down south over the border (an unlikely result due to my partner bringing so many shoes bag east for the company he works for). Finally, we found a route that goes around the highest altitudes, meaning less snow, meaning no closure.
It seemed like within minutes we were in a winter wonderland. Going through tunnels through the Rocky Mountains, snow covered trees enclosed us in all directions. The conditions were better than we thought they would be, but still quite an adventure. We gapped at the beauty until nightfall which came quickly at 3pm.
We stopped in a small town a few hours later when our gps was trying to turn us around from our route due to upcoming conditions. We checked the reports and decided to go ahead further and see if they would turn us around. A slow crawl to the town of Revelstoke with low vision, slushy highways and snow pouring down.
Arriving at Revelstoke we questioned going further but it was only 6:30 still. We paused to check the road conditions only to learn the path to the town of Golden (about 2 hours east) was going to be closed from 4am to 12pm due to avalanche precaution. We decided we couldn’t afford to lose that amount of time and pressed on.
The roads were dark and the trees became coated with snow. My anxious mind couldn’t help but wonder what would happen if there was an avalanche? Would we just disappear?
Luckily, we made it safe to Golden; only to find the whole city was out of power. So we checked into our dark hotel and called it a night.
Day 2: December 21: Golden BC to Regina SA
Waking up from a deep sleep to a dark 6am in Golden... I have to mention my happiness when I discovered the Holiday Inn had porridge as part of their complimentary breakfast. Sometimes it’s the best feeling to have something completely familiar.
It was crazy to find our that the highway we had driven on last last night had gotten a metre of snow; and the snow continued as we left this morning. Slipping out of the hotel driveway, we feuled up and kept up.
Driving very slowly we watched as a winter wonderland continued for hours, trees and mountains all glistening with heavy piles of snow. We got through Banff (where I proudly got some pictures in my entirely pink travel pants, crew neck and blanket) and it almost suddenly became the flats of Alberta.
Hours on end, the roads were clear and the view even more so. We finished today two provinces over in Regina Saskatchewan.
Day 3: December 22: Regina SA to Thunder Bay, ON
We slept in slightly today to 7am. Sleepily got some complimentary breakfast and got back onto the straight prairie roads again. After some good napping, I had a very productive morning (as productive as you can be in a vehicle). Passed the halfway mark of my book, finished a long Busuu (French studying) lesson, and prepared a new instagram post. I continue listening to many podcasts (all only the Mustards and Jenna Kutcher).
Today my partner finally let me drive the car (not complaining as I do not like driving). I drove for hours and he drive for hours. Today was a plain, straight, long day. Making it all the way to Thunder Bay Ontario.
Day 4: December 23: Thunder Bay ON - Niagara Falls ON
This morning might have been the toughest early morning. I spent the first 2 hours in the car in and out of sleeping (so spoiled that my partner drives so much of this trip). I took over after that, listening to more podcasts as I watch the winding Ontario roads go by. Large icicles hung from the rocks lining the road and there was even some small icebergs on the shores. This is my second year with no winter from living out west and here I am unbelievably thinking that maybe I miss it? All though this thought goes away as soon as I am walking to the gas station washrooms shivering.
Our quickest and craziest road trip yet got us home in time for Christmas. Even though 4 days on the road followed by 4 busy days with family may have been exhausting, these are the things I am thankful for.
I hope you had some fun reading about our crazy holiday road trip and I hope you are enjoying a hot cup of tea finally relaxing for our last few days of holidays!
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