BASECAMP 06.21.18 ... " Planning for Up North 2018 "

           I thought it might be interesting to document planning for this adventure. 

The process began in October 2017; approximately 9 months prior to our departure from Ontario, in July 2018 ...

" What is the effort required to plan for ... a 3 month trip that entails driving about 7,000 kilometres (one way) across much of Canada, involving 4 couples, using different methods, routes and schedules to rendez-vous in Whitehorse YT? All are travelling west from southern Ontario to as far north as Tuktoyaktuk on the Beaufort Sea in NWT. The trip includes a couple of different activities in fairly remote landscapes, each of those requiring as much as a 2 - 3 week commitment. "

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For this adventure, our group has chosen the name ... 

TEAM     FOUR     DEGREES

So, by way of introduction and in no particular order, WE Are ...

Katherine and Boyd - Hiking: August 2016, Salmon Glacier BC CANADA

BASECAMP 10.15.16 ... Itinerary for " Five New Countries & Two New Continents "

After much discussion, we've settled on a General Itinerary for the next adventure.

Unfortunately, we'll be short a team member this time. LOAF won't be joining us, but we will be travelling with Van Kiwi, a close cousin of his, when we're in New Zealand. We'll still be LOAFin Around though. I've created a new acronym to suit the title for our next travel map ...  

Life On A Fixed income " Around The World Part 1 "

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Helen wore her Travel Agent hat and spent many hours 'getting us the best deals in the best places ' ... she investigated countless international flight combinations and permutations, poured over maps in search of the best long and short term locations for all the activities we enjoy, scanned Google maps to verify the suitability of accommodation bookings, researched car and camper van rentals and in the end ... made all the final arrangements for us. 


Tip: ensure stressless travel arrangements ... there's that stemless wine glass again, photo lower left.

BASECAMP 05.14.16 ... " Becoming Minimalists"

ALMOST to the day we returned home from our recent Cozumel, MEXICO trip ... I began making plans for the next adventure ... focus Yukon, NWT, BC.

BUT, at that time I had no idea how busy we would get over the next couple of months. In addition to all the usual springtime property chores that needed to be attended to and preparations for our upcoming road trip ... we sold our house, YAY! Now we need to scamper, pack up and move by May 30th and still try to maintain a mid-June departure date for this road trip.  

" This is also an opportunity for us to dramatically change our lifetstyle ... "

Happy Holidays and Welcome 2016

After a record breaking Christmas Eve; a balmy 17 degrees Celsius here in southern Ontario, we awoke to a cooler 6 degrees this Christmas morning. 

Our next travel destination is San Miguel, Cozumel, Mexico where residents are also waking up to 6 Celsius (suspect the day time highs may be a 'wee' bit different though). So for today we'll pretend we are already in Mexico.

We want to wish everyone a safe, healthy and happy holiday season and a fabulous 2016.

 Thanks for following our adventures. 

Click the video ...                                                                                         

Wry & Crusty ...

BASECAMP 10.11.15 ... " Last Camp and a Big Sleep "

We've been spending a lot of time over the past few weeks, putting 'our property' to bed for this coming winter, brrr! Another work day's over. It's happiness hour and I've just made friends with a pleasant Pinot Gris in a stemless tumbler. I'm relaxing in front of a warm wood fire and I'm composting ... err, I'm composing this post (now that was confusing!). 

 CHEERS!

BASECAMP 07.28.15 ... " Living In A Truck Camper "

SERIES Truck Camper Life - PART 4: Pre-trip Preparations

Living in a truck camper can be challenging ...

Short driving trips are easy to plan and pack for but longer ones often require greater effort. We travel in a very confined space in a TC (which most of us share with another person). It is necessary to try and maintain a sense of humour, but I think the most important thing is to be comfortable at all times. This has to feel like home since for several weeks or months at a time, it is. In order to accomplish this, pre-trip preparations are an absolute necessity.

There are many ways to be comfortable; the 'truck' part of your truck camper set-up has to have the things you need. If we spend long days driving we want nice music, snacks, comfy seats, cold drinks, GPS, perhaps portable Internet. You need to know the rig is safe and you are confident in its' abilities. You want to be ready for any emergency (roadside recovery kit, spare tire, flares, fluids, communications devices ...).

BASECAMP 07.26.15 ... " From SEA to SEA to SEA "

... and all those places in between, we shamelessly promote travel and adventure in CANADA!

The Gate, South Nahanni River, NT

BASECAMP 06.26.15 ... " Pre-trip Trans-Labrador Highway "

WE'RE going for a drive to ...

We've completed some service and upgrades on the truck and camper. Helen's preparing the food supplies and packing while I'm assembling any gear we'll be taking with us this trip. We have a few responsibilities to attend to, but I expect we'll get away within the next 10 to 14 days. 

BASECAMP 06.24.15 ... " My THIRD Epiphany "

WE took occupancy of an unfinished home in August 2007 and in May 2015, after painting out the trim in the Audio Video Room, we had officially completed it ... close to  eight years later! 

BASECAMP 11.06.14 ... " We Must Be Crazy "

I've always felt the path our lives follow is defined by the decisions we take at critical junctions. 

And, we all make those same decisions. You know what I mean ... like, where would we be now if I had chosen to take that marine surveying job off Seal Island on Canada's East Coast when I was 24 ... but instead, stayed in Ottawa, didn't find work until several months later and stayed at that same job for 30 years. Where would we be if Helen's father hadn't strongly encouraged us to stay at our jobs when we talked about quitting and tried to justify leaving at age 40 or so ... not sure what our plan was in hind-sight, but I'm sure glad now that we stuck it out - Thanks! Earl. Do we take the right fork or the left fork? 

BASECAMP 04.11.14 ... " Pre-trip Southwestern USA "

DESTINATION - Southwestern USA

We left early in March and flew to Cozumel Island, MEXICO for a 2 week SCUBA and snorkelling trip. We returned March 21st and we've been busy ever since with preparations for our next LOAFing Around adventure.

The rig needed some attention after sitting since March 5 following our return from the south eastern USA. The Ford had a front hub and u-joint replaced under warranty and the transmission was reprogrammed (also under warranty) to resolve a harsh shifting problem. Additionally, an oil-filter-lube service, transmission flush and a heavy service inspection. The Lance got a front canoe bar and cab-over struts installed. The struts will dampen the tendency LOAF has of 'porpoising' when driving rough or undulating highways.

Front Canoe Bar