Canada information

Ferry to Prince edward Island

Having spent several days in Canada, I thought I should provide some basic information. Cape Breton is the northern portion of the Nova Scotia province. Nova Scotia is sparsley populated with about 1,000,000 with most of the people living in the southern portion and capitol city of Halifax. The roads are lightly traveled and that is a good thing, as there is no shoulder and the roads are pretty rough. There are many trees and many places to have lobster for dinner. Grades can be pretty steep and they don't use switchbacks very often. The primary industry seems to be tourism, as the mining and even fishing have dried up. This has been an area controlled by the British, Scotish, and the French at various times, so there are pockets of each country throughout the land. People have been quite friendly and helpful.
Yesterday we rode on a 75 minute ferry to reach Prince Edward Island, a very small island province. PEI is known for potatoes, red dirt, lobster, and Anne of Green Gables. The high point is 455 feet in elevation, so there won't be much climbing here. There are many harbors and mostly fishing boats in the harbors.
This group is a fun and strong group. we have people from England, Austria, Canada, and numeruous states, CO, MA, NY, KS, IL, ME, WA,and MN. We have 11 women. Many people have been on more than one Timberland, with some pushing nearly 20 trips.

Half way to the North Pole

Maragee Harbor with sunken boat
Group we picked up in Lexington,MA

We went from Belle Cote to Pleasant Bay. Lots of rolling hills and trees, with great views of the ocean. Did our first big climb, it was about 1500 ft over about 6 miles. Kind of like climbing Look Out Mtn in the Denver area. Well I guess, not really, as this went straight.....up (no switchbacks) and had the ocean on the left most of the way and there were signs for moose, but none were spotted. I felt strong and stayed in double digits for the climb, it must have been the tailwind. Oh that's right, I switched my computer from mph to kph. Darn, I thought I was getting stronger. But I will say, 11% is still pretty steep in kilometers or miles.
I couple of days a go we passed a signed that we were at the halfway point between the Equator and North Pole. Now that we have passed that sign, we must be getting closer.

Finally on a bike.

Having not ridden since last Monday when I was in Denver, it felt really good to get on the bike. I rode 50 kilometers, about 30 miles through the rolling tree-laden contry side of Cape Breton, in northwestern Nova Scotia. I am overlooking the Atlantic Ocean from the condo and I am looking west. What a sight!
Dennis

Canyonlands

My first hike was in Canyonlands and we had a great time. The attached link in a 360degree view of where we were.
Note it is not just 360 degrees, it is 360 degrees at every latitude...try going up or down! You can control how fast, by moving your mouse.
Don't get dizzy!! Best not viewed if you have a hang-over!!
You can also look straight up and down too.
Click on the pictures below and when they come up, click again and drag your mouse in any direction and the picture will give you a 360 degree view --- Amazing Photography!!! Too bad I didn't think of this.
http://www.utah3d.net/panoramas/DoubleArch1_swf.html
http://www.utah3d.net/panoramas_3/GrandView.html

New Season

New Season

Hello All,
It is a new season and I am ready to once again see parts of the US and Canada via my bicycle. After driving 4 days and 2800 miles, I am in Halifax, Nova Scotia getting ready to lead a 2 week trip in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Many of the guests are people I rode with last season, so it should be a really good time. Happy Canada Day! and Happy 4th of July!
A great website is: www.crazyguyonabike.c0m/doc/maritimes2011
This is actually my third trip. I have led hikes in Canyonlands and Grand Canyon. It is amazing to see such incredible sights and amazing scenery. What a wonderful World!
Have a great day!

Rogue River Rambler

Crater Lake, forests and shore lines of the wonderful state of Oregon.

I know it has been several weeks since I updated you on my travels. Upon leaving New England, I drove back to Denver with the van and met a different guide and we headed off to the Pacific Northwest. We started in Eugene,OR on 8/14 and led a 9-day ride in OR. It was great being in a college town again. We headed for the coast on small, seldom used back country roads from Eugene to Reedsport. I don’t know how Dick (Timberline’s owner) does it, but he oftentimes finds roads that are not traveled much at all, and he does it time after time. Going through the tall trees of Central OR are awe inspiring and majestic. It is like riding through a green canyon.
This group of 13 was a great mix. There were 6 women (5 guests and 1 guide) who love to bicycle and their husbands do not. One woman who has ridden with this group of women in the past brought her husband on this trip. We also had 3 men on this trip and 1 brought his wife, who didn’t like to ride, so she did sightseeing on her own and met us every night at the hotel and joined us for dinner. The group bonded well and was supportive and encouraging of each other and had a wonderful sense of humor. All were strong riders and handled the challenges of this tough ride well. We experienced the heat of central OR, the coolness of the coast, and the splendor of Crater Lake. Several friends had mentioned how wonderful Crater Lake was and I thought, just great could it really be? It is jaw dropping Gorgeous and maybe one of my favorite spots in the country.
A man from Switzerland came up on a spot in Canyonlands and said, "This is the picture of the year". By the time we left, I think we were up to 2042. But Peter, Crater Lake is truly one of the best spots in the US!
One of the nice fringe benefits of my travels this summer, has been the opportunity to see family and friends. I have been able to see all of the Lentini clan except fdr Duane. Uncle Tony, Aunt Maxine, Carmela and Jane and Larry met me for dinner out side of Grant's Pass. What a treat!
I also was able to make an unexpected trip to Denver, and I must admit Colorado is a good place to return home to. Cris and I worked our second trip together and had a great time and a great trip with some very special people.
I am continually amazed at the wonderful experiences I get to see and do everyday, with wonderful people in wonderful places.
I am, we are sooooo blessed!!!!

Reflections

Boys of Summer on last day of Sea to Sea

Sea to Shining Sea Reflections

It has now been three weeks since I completed what was in so many ways an incredible journey. To cross this magnificent country on a bicycle, is a trip which will be on my mind for years to come. As Louis Armstrong sings, “What a Wonderful World” we live in to be able to see so many types of geography, crops, people, architecture, living conditions, and lifestyles. We are a diverse and amazing country.
Having ridden a bicycle across the country, has given me the opportunity to experience life up close and personal. Generally, everyone we encountered was friendly, courteous, and curious about our endeavors. Many were amazed regarding the feat we were accomplishing one day at a time. Each day would bring new challenges and adventures and get us closer to the long term goal. Little by little we worked our way across the country. The big goal became clearer each day.
The trip was wonderful in many ways. There were about 40 people who actively participated in some portion of the adventure, without any major disagreements or personality conflicts. Thus, most interacted well and supported and encouraged each other in the daily struggles. What an amazing group of people who saw the best each had to offer! I believe friendships have been created which will last for many years to come.
This journey has been uplifting to me in so many ways. It has been made clear to me, that what I want, can and does come to fruition, sometimes quite easily. I have grown spiritually, physically, mentally, emotionally, and in my personal power and confidence. I have known in the past that I was strong, but now truly know I will accomplish anything I believe in and put my mind to in a focused and productive manner. This journey was just a step in the process of becoming aware of the magnificent power that I have! I am so Blessed!
Thank you to each and every person who made this trip special and supported me in the decision-making process and the implementation of this wonderful opportunity and lifelong dream. I am blessed and life is marvelous! I do wish for family and friends, both old and new, that each of you take advantage of the opportunity to dream BIG!