My Current Diary Page - August 1999

I DIPPED MY TIRES IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN AND, IN EXACTLY THREE MONTHS, HOPE TO DO THE SAME IN THE ATLANTIC OCEAN. KEVIN QUINN AND I GIVING THE BIG HIGH FIVE AS WE BEGAN DAY 1 OF OUR CROSS CANADA TOUR

Scroll down to share in my adventure!

July 27 (Tuesday) Day 69

Cycled 117 km. I talked to lots of people today.
Cycled to Sussex where my host Elizabeth picked me up at the train station. I am staying tonight as a guest at the Starks Hillside Bed & Breakfast "Inn Style". It is a really nice place. Met some people from British Columbia who are staying at the B & B.
My sister Bridgett will be meeting me in Moncton on Thursday!!

July 28 (Wednesday) Day 70

Left the B & B. My host Elizabeth made me a great breakfast then drove me to the highway. Thank you!
Got caught in a major downpour today. Cycled over 100 km. Arrived in Moncton around 3:30. Made great time. Feeling pretty good today.
When I arrived at the Downtown Bed and Breakfast, there were 2 golden retrievers greeting me at the door! Stepping inside the B & B, I noticed written on a sign board, "Way to go Darcee on your amazing tour!" That was pretty special! My hosts John & Jocelyne had my web site up on their computer monitor.
Judy Snow from the City of Moncton came to greet me at the B & B. She presented me with a book and pictures about Moncton. Thank you! Eric Gingles from CBC (CBA) Radio met me at the B & B where we did an interview.
Phoned mom and she told me my tour made the front page tonight in the Trail Daily Times. I have met so many wonderful people on my tour. I am so looking forward to seeing Bridgett tomorrow night!!! I am tired. Day off tomorrow!.

Bridgett

July 29 (Thursday) Day 71

DAY OFF. Sunny today. Did an interview with Angela Nickerson CKCW/CFQM Radio. Carolyn (Eric - CBC Radio) Gingles & daughter Catherine picked me up today and drove me around Moncton. Then we went back to Carolyn's home where she barbecued chicken. The lunch was delicious.
John, my host, lent me his cell phone today. He later drove me to the bus depot tonight where I met my sister Bridgett. Seeing each other was very emotional for both of us. I can't believe she is here and we will be cycling together into St. John's, Newfoundland!!
Our hosts, John & Jocelyne Harrison, of the Downtown B & B are treating us very well. The people in Moncton have been very hospitable. Also thank you Judy Snow.
Bridgett & I will find it hard to sleep tonight! Good night everyone!

July 30  Friday (Day 72)

Our hosts made us a wonderful breakfast before leaving Moncton. We were filmed by CTV Television and the reporter from The Times-Transcript came to the B & B for the interview. The people have been wonderful!
We cycled through the world's lobster capital. Took pictures of the largest metal replica of a lobster in the world. The Atlantic provinces are beautiful, just like I had hoped!
Because of the CBC radio interview people know who we are. We are given words of encouragment as we cycle. Great to have my sister with me. Bridgett is doing well.
We are guests tonight of Petra & Klaus Sudbrack of the Little Shemogue-County Inn in Port Elgin. Thank you. It is an unbelievable place!

July 31 Saturday (Day 73)

CROSSED INTO PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

Our hosts made us a delicious German breakfast before leaving Port Elgin. Thank you!
We were stopped by a police officer today. He motioned for us to pull over to the side of the road. He had seen the CTV interview and gave us words of support for my cause and shook our hands! He also gave Bridgett & I a pin. His words meant a lot.
The scenery is beautiful (lots of hills though)! Bridgett is doing just great. Arrived in Charlottetown at the home of Peter Morris & Barbara Nymark. Peter is the executive director of the Canadian Paraplegic Association in PEI. Barbara is the executive producer for CBC Radio. Thank you for taking us into your home.
I want to thank Ann Johnstone of Trail, BC, for being so supportive of me. Thanks Ann! Met and talked to so many people today. Thanks for your support, all of you.

August 1 (Sunday) Day 74

Was raining most of the day today. Our hosts Peter and Barbara were wonderful as they drove us all over PEI. We saw lighthouses, gift shops, historic sites, beautiful restaurants - all aspects of PEI. What fun visiting Anne of Green Gables' house.
Peter is amazing, he's the best Lobster Smasher Man! The lobster was delicious!! Bridgett and I strolled along the boardwalk in the evening. PEI is breathtaking.
Barbara grew up in Trail, BC right around the corner from where my mom and dad live! Small world. Thank you Peter and Barbara, but I think we wore them out. We had such an amazing day. It was fun to play for a change!

CROSSED INTO NOVA SCOTIA

August 2 (Monday) Day 75

Warm today. Left our hosts this morning and headed for the ferry to Nova Scotia. Cycled over 100 km today. Many thanks to the North Umberland Ferry.
When Bridgett and I got off the ferry, we saw support signs for us. Pat & Brett Carrigan & their son Steven were there holding the signs. I was so surprised and happy. It gave me such a nice feeling, Thank you!
I do not feel well this evening, I hope I feel better in the morning.
We stopped in at the Magic Fingers Craft Shop and they made a donation to the BCPF. Thank you.
It has been necessary to change our itinerary. We will be cycling into St. John's on August 10th.
It was a good day today. Scenery is beautiful. We are guests tonight at the Wynward Inn B & B. It is a beautiful old place. Thank you.

August 3 (Tuesday) Day 76

Before leaving New Glasgow today, Pat and Brett Carrigan and their son Steven made a presentation to me for the BCPF from the local 4H Club. That was wonderful.
Allison MacLennan from the New Glasgow Evening News did the interview. There were other people there also taking pictures. Pat has been great keeping in touch with mom by email over these last few months. Special thank you Pat. We were also filmed by ATV out on the road.
I was given the neatest thing today. I have a lobster trap strapped to the back of my bike! It has a lobster in it!! A plastic one. It's going back to BC with me! Thank you Wayne and also thank you for donating to the BCPF! I was also given other donations today for the BCPF. Thank you.
I am feeling a little better today but I am finding my knees are really quite sore. There are a lot of hills. I am very tired and exhausted.
We arrived late tonight at our host's home, Alicia Vink in Havre Bouche. Thank you.

We're not in Kansas anymore...!!

Photo by "Klaus Sudbrack" Port Elgin, NB.

August 4 (Wednesday) Day 77

Sunny. Perfect day today. Had blueberry pancakes for breakfast. Thanks Alicia for the breakfast and the great lunch you packed for us and your donation to the BCPF. Also, thank you Alicia's mum and dad for their donation to the BCPF.
I am not able to cycle as fast as before because my knees are very painful and giving me a lot of trouble. It is very hilly.
Bridgett had a flat tire today! It is so nice having my sister with me. It will be extremely hard to say goodbye to her. I can't even think about that now!
Had a great seafood dinner tonight at a restaurant overlooking Kelly's Mountain. I learned a new phrase today, "green apple 2 step".
Arrived at the Timber Country B & B in Baddeck. A beautiful place. Albert who was staying at the B & B made a donation to the BCPF. Thank you!

August 5 (Thursday) Day 78

Sunny day today. Left our host Tom MacDonald at the Timber Country Bed & Breakfast, a beautiful place! Tom was very helpful as he tried to find accomodations in North Sydney for us. Tom has been just great!
Received more donations today for the BCPF from people staying at the B&B. I am feeling very emotional about my tour winding down as Bridgett and I cycle into St. John's on the 10th in the afternoon and the following day, the 11th, will dip our tires in the Atlantic Ocean.
We are camping tonight as other accomodations could not be found. People are very friendly here. People are wonderful here.

August 6 (Friday) Day 79

Left the Arm of Gold campground this morning. Did laundry and a general clean up of the bikes. Did an interview with Julie Collins of the Cape Breton Post before leaving for the ferry.
Thank you to Marine Atlantic Inc. for the ride from North Sydney to Argentia, NF. It's a long ferry ride - 14 hours. It is somewhat rocky, but beautiful scenery. There was entertainment on the ferry. We were asked to dance, it was fun. We are quite tired and appreciate having a bunk to sleep in tonight.

CROSSED INTO NEWFOUNDLAND

August 7 (Saturday) Day 80

Arrived in Argentia at 7 AM. It was sunny and warm. We walked along the beach, stepping on beautiful coloured stones. We had breakfast at the Truden Hospitality House B & B - thank you Geraldine.
We visited a fish hatchery in Rocky River. I enjoyed the tour very much. We have been told we are doing the "Irish Loop" into St. John's. More donations today for the BCPF! Thank you!
We are staying tonight at the Trelawney B&B in Colinet as a guest of Rev. Short. Rev. Short cooked us a wonderful dinner tonight. Thank you.

August 8 (Sunday) Day 81

Rev. Short cooked us a really good breakfast and on the road we went. Sunny & very windy today. The winds are as powerful as those I encountered on the Prairies. It is quite barren and wide open here, but beautiful just the same. There are lots of hills and I am finding my knees are painful.
Bridgett and I met Gerard and Mary Walsh today. We had taken a wrong turn, we saw a man in his yard and asked him where the closest restaurant was. He told us there wasn't one near by. He then went into his house and his wife, Mary, came out and asked us in for coffee. She then served us a big lunch, including slices of blueberry loaf! Mrs. Walsh packed us a lunch, including yogurt and 2 silver spoons to take with us! What a nice momento for Bridgett and I to keep. Thank you so much!
Also met Frank and Clara Bishop. Thank you for helping us out today! I'll send that Christmas card you asked for! We've met so many wonderful people.
As we were cycling into Trepassey tonight in the dark, a stream of cars with their head lights on followed us into town illuminating the road ahead. We pulled into the Trepassey Hotel parking lot and the cars pulled in behind us. They had heard about us at church today. These people are wonderful and I was overwhelmed with emotions. How fun that was talking to everyone.
We met the former mayor, Rita Pennell, who is now president of the Trepassey Lions Club. She presented me with a cheque from the Trepassey Lions Club to the BCPF. Many others also made donations to the BCPF. Thank you everyone!
We are the guests tonight of the Trepassey Hotel. Thank you. I phoned Mom very late tonight. Mom says what a wonderful support Ann continues to be for both mom and me. We thank you Ann J.
I'm hoping anyone who would like to cycle with Bridgett and I will do so. We will be cycling from Trepassey to Ferryland on the 9th. We will be staying at the Dawn's Inn in Ferryland. We'll then cycle on the 10th from Ferryland into St. John's. Please join us! Bridgett and I would love the company. We will be staying as guests of the Newfoundland Hotel in St. John's on the 10th and 11th - please come over and say "HI".

If the place names are getting a little unfamiliar (for all you westerners), perhaps this will help. I'm on my way to St. John's, NFLD

August 9 (Monday) Day 82

We received a complimentary breakfast this morning before we left the Trepassey Hotel. Thank you so much!
It started out warm and cloudy, then we were caught in a terrible rain storm. Lots of hills! We saw some caribou last night. That was great! We met so many people today. All day donations were made to the BCPF as we cycled along. We were both so moved when a girl in a wheelchair along with her father were waiting by the side of the road to meet us. What a wonderful gesture on their part. The daughter made a donation to the BCPF. Thank you so much for your support and caring to have waited by the side of the road to meet Bridgett and I. My mom says it's a "Tour of the Heart".
Bridgett and I are amazed by the generosity of the Newfoundland people and we are ever so grateful. We are enjoying the food immensely. We love the PEI potatoes! Special thank you to Lorraine Coombs for your help and donating to the BCPF and for the great warm cup of soup each. We sure needed that, we felt chilled.
We were greeted, at the O'Briens Food Land Store by a sign outside the store saying, "Welcome Darcee O'Hearn!" That was so special! Thank you for the drink and the Ferryland pins.
We arrived at the Dawn's Inn B & B where we had sandwiches and coffee. A beautiful place overlooking the bay. We met a lot of nice people there. We met Ferryland mayor, Leo Moriarity. Thank you for your donation and the pins for Bridgett and I. We met people from the Arts Council. Mayor Moriarity and Patricia O'Brien took us on a tour around town. We visited the Avalon Colony and a museum, which they opened just for us. The towns are so family oriented.
Patricia and husband Junior drove us out to see a lighthouse which was barely visible in the distance, across from the B & B. The drive out there was a bit scary. Then Patricia and her mum took us out for dinner! Thank you.
St. John's tomorrow! I am so exhausted and my emotions are all over the place - excited, sad... I am not even sure what I am feeling. Bridgett and I think we will cry tomorrow when we get to St. John's. For sure when we dip our tires in the ocean the following day! Thank you so much everyone for your generosity and kindness. We have met so many wonderful people!

August 10 ( Tuesday)  Day 83

I DID IT - WE DID IT!

Left Ferryland this morning, Thank you to our hosts. What a beautiful sunny day. The scenery is breathtaking. The winds were pushing us in all ways. On the straight stretches we were cycling 35 km an hour!! I had my energy back and I was anxious to cycle into St. John's!
We stopped at O'Briens Whale & Bird Tour establishment in Bay Bulls, NF, where we were treated to lunch. I was given a sweat shirt and Bridgett was given a T-shirt. Thank you! Also thank you for supporting the BCPF!
We waited for our police escort at Bay Bulls. At one point we had 3 police cars for escorts. We followed the police car to the Newfoundland Hotel where we were met by the hotel staff.
We also met Sara and Susan from the Paraplegic Association in St. John's. We found flowers and fruit in our room and faxes from friends, family and people I have met along the way. Faxes from Trail, BC mayor, Boggs and the mayor of Vancouver, Phillip Owens. Received a fax from the BCPF, Paula, Bruce and staff, along with a gift certificate each. Thank you. What a nice surprise!
Also thanks Lori for the flowers! Sara and Susan took us out for dinner and showed us around town. That was fun. Thank you.
Did a live interview over the phone with Erica Waters from BK Radio in Castlegar, BC soon after I arrived at the hotel. Also did an interview with Kate Skye from the Trail Daily Times over the telephone. Later I did an interview over the phone with KBS Radio in Trail, BC.
I have cried a lot today due to exhaustion. I am so full of emotions. What a wonderful place to end my tour here in the Atlantic Provinces. It makes it even more special because the people are so wonderful. Big day tomorrow!

August 11th (Wednesday) Day 84

Sunny day. EXCITING DAY. Bridgett and I had a late night last night. Did an interview with CBC TV at the Newfoundland Hotel before leaving for the ceremonies. Susan and Sara from the CPA met us at the hotel. Bridgett and I cycled from the hotel parking lot with Sara and Susan following behind us in their vehicle, tooting their horn; the NTV and CBC   cameras  following along side and in front of us; the police escort, horns honking, sirens going; it was quite the scene as we cycled into the Harbour.
The Sea Cadet Band was playing as we arrived. I was presented with a cheque for the BCPF from the CPA office and staff in St. John's. Thank you! A paper banner was stretched across in front of us. It read "FINISH."
I wondered what I should do - go around, go under it or through it. I went through it! I knew the paper wouldn't hurt!. THAT FELT GOOD! I loved that sign, thanks everyone!
There was lots of media present. A lot of cameras and reporters from the newspapers were there. We dipped the tires in the water. WOW, I did it! We did it! It was slippery going down the ramp into the water. Bridgett slid into me. She cut her foot! We laughed about it later.
As I was too engaged in conversation while down at the waterfront, I was not able to thank the band for their support. So I thank you now! Thank you, band!! I also never had the chance to thank the others. I thank all of you for making the "finish" special!
We spent a couple hours at the hospital getting Bridgett's foot treated. We then went back to the CPA office and to my surprise the office was decorated in balloons and signs. We had cake, sandwiches, and more. That was such a nice surprise. Thank you! That was special for sure. I enjoyed meeting everyone there at the office.
We phoned Mom and Dad back in British Columbia from the CPA office. It was nice to share in the excitement with them. We were treated to a sail around St. John's Bay and saw some hump back whales. Thank you everyone for that!
We had dinner and walked around. Susan and Sara have been wonderful hosts. Thank you so much. Bridgett and I enjoyed your company very much!
I wish I could have met Blaine Gillam from the CPA office. Blaine lives in Corner Brook. He is the Special Projects Manager for the CPA office of Labrador and Newfoundland. Mom said that he kept her well informed and spent many hours arranging the reception, contacting media, places to stay, arranging the police escorts, etc, etc. THANK YOU!
And thank you to the RNC police and the RCMP for their escort and time. Also the media people, the staff from the CPA office, the boat ride. Wow! So many people to thank. You all made Bridgett's and my time so very special.
The Newfoundland Hotel stay was fantastic! What a beautiful hotel, thank you! It was quite a day. I still have not processed yet as to the enormity of what I have accomplished the past few months. My dream is fulfilled and I have met so many wonderful, wonderful, caring people on this tour talking about SCI, a passion of mine. The people of Newfoundland have been exceptional. Thank you so much everyone!
Tomorrow morning we will catch the ferry out of Argentia for North Sydney. Good night everyone. It has been a wonderful day. Thank you!

Leaving Halifax August 16, 7:00PM; Arriving in Vancouver August 16th- 6:50PM (All local times)

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Keep checking this page and my details page for up to date news of my Cross Canada Cycle Tour.