The Summer Seemed to Last Forever

Hi Team!

Second last day at work today.... I'm almost ready to go! Bought myself a new camera! It's pretty fantastic.
I've have some more email responses too! Some people....mainly my sister.... are mad that I haven't said who the responses are from so I won't cut any names out this time.
I hope you're enjoying this beauty weather!

1.
Dear Ms. Cheatley,
We hope you have a fabulous time on your trip. We ran a summer travel guide earlier this year, which can be found online here:
http://www2.macleans.ca/2010/06/11/summer-getaways-no-passport-required-great-travel-destinations-in-canada/
Cheers,
Maclean’s

2.
Dear Ms. Cheatley,
On behalf of Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, I am responding to your e-mail below.
For information on events and festivals happening across Canada, you may wish to visit Canada’s official tourism Web site, Canada Keep Exploring, at http://caen.canada.travel/ConsumerWeb/Home.page.
I wish you the very best in your travels this summer. Thank you for writing.

3.

Kate,

Thank you for your email.

Mr. Hill sent along some thoughtful suggestions and answers to your questions about travelling this summer.

Here are a few of his favourites across Canada: The Beanz Café in Charlottetown, The McNally Robinson bookstore in Winnipeg, Whale watching on Grand Manan Island, The Montreal Museum of Fine Art on Sherbrooke St in West Montreal, The Forks District and the Fort Garry Hotel in Winnipeg, and lastly, running, walking or biking around the seawall in Stanley Park in Vancouver.

He also thought you may be interested in reading a novel he wrote called Some Great Thing, which is a celebration of Winnipeg.

Finally, there are two lovely literary festivals taking place this summer, where Mr. Hill will be giving talks and readings. The Sunshine Coast Festival in Sechelt runs from August 12-15. The Woody Point Festival in Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland takes place from August 18-24.

All the best to you this summer.


11 days!

Have a great day!
Kate

Takin' Care of Business and Workin' Over Time

Hi Team,

So I've asked a lot of people for suggestions on things to do. This list includes a lot of Canadian celebs. Yes, some might think it's lame but who better to ask then people who live and grew up across the country! And it's really fun when "Romeo Dallaire" shows up in your inbox.

I've received some responses so far not many... but I'll update as they come. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to post things like that...?
But here's what I've received back so far, I won't include names though. I might tell you if you ask though.

1.
-don't rush through the prairies, they are spectacular, in their own way, and the people are the best
-the area around Drumheller in Alberta is pretty amazing. she should rent a car and just drive around there...it isn't too far from Edmonton (where she'll stop on the train) and it is pretty cool. The earth looks like it has been scarred.
-she should try to get up to the north...we've been all over Canada and nothing has felt as different or special to me as our time up in Tuktoyaktuk and Inuvik the same can be said for rural Quebec. It is like being in a different country
-the train ride from Winnipeg to Vancouver is spectacular, but so is the ride through Northern Ontario - you see places on the train you don't see from the road. There are even houses and small outposts that are, seemingly, in the middle of nowhere - no road access
-the Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia
-I love the small towns in the prairies - Maple Creek is one of my favourites.
-she should get off in Winnipeg - it is a great Canadian city and easy to get around on foot.

2.
Keep safe and enjoy!

3.
I'm very sorry, but ---- is not able to give you travel advise or destination suggestions. ---- has a very busy schedule and is currently out of the country working on a project.
Have an absolutely amazing trip across our beautiful country. I'm sure you'll discover a lot of incredible things to do and places to see!
safe travels!

I'll update as more come in.

Surprise! Jian on Q did a whole thing about travelling across Canada on Friday but it was apparently cut from the CBC Podcast...I hope you heard it though!

I'm going to add a Song of the Day... it won't always be Canadian or new and hip but hopefully fun.
Reid Jamieson - Trying to Get to You - Presley Sessions
Shakira - Waka Waka (Time for Africa)


Have a great day!
Kate

O, Land of Blue Unending Skies - Itinerary and Suggestions!

Hey Team!

Here's my itinerary:

Aug 2 : Fly to St John's NFLD
Aug 5: Meet Jocelyn and Emily in Halifax
Aug 8 - 9: Cape Breton
Aug 10-12 : PEI
Aug 13-15: New Brunswick (Saint John [Bay of Fundy], Moncton, Fredricton)
Aug 16: Grand Manan
Aug 17 - MTL through Maine
Aug 18 - Toronto

Aug 24: Fly to Winnipeg
Aug 26: Hop on the train to Saskatoon
Aug 28: Train to Edmonton
Aug 31: Train to Jasper
Sept 5: Train to Van City
Sept 10/ 11: Tofino
Sept 14- Victoria
Sept 18 - Fly Home

SO, if you have any suggestions about things to do, see, eat, read, listen too in any of these places, (on the plane and train as well) let me know!

Have a great day!
Kate

Welcome!

Hey Team!

How are ya?!

So I've started this because apparently more people want updates on my trip besides my Mum and Dad! Seeing as I don't add parents to Facebook, and I'm not into Twitter, this seemed to fit!

Here's what I'm hoping to do:
Write an entry for each city
Post some pictures

Some challenges I'm sure to face:
I don't understand blog culture
I haven't figured out how to do it from my phone yet
I have a limited data plan

Have a great day!
Kate