Goodbye Subie

Last year, Subie took us around the country, did all we asked from tackling washout dirt roads to cruising the asphalt, a fantastic automobile! Yesterday we said goodbye and Subie's last gift to us was the $2500.00 trade in that was still less than the cost to pass inspection. Rust in peace.

Day 64: Toronto ON to Newport VT

Friday, June 19
Toronto ON to Newport VT
Odometer begin: 118,822
Miles traveled: 451
Wx: overcast, foggy, rain, high 60s F
States traveled: ON, VT

The last long stretch today. We landed at my Mom’s house at 4:30 pm.

Some final numbers

Totaled Miles traveled with Subie: 11,473

Gallons of gasoline purchased: 381.8 (30 MPG)
Most expensive gas: $4.11 Ontario
Least expensive gas: $1.89 Virginia

Unusual (for us) Animals sighted: Pika, Elk, blonde and brown Black Bears, Grizzly, Alligator, Prong Horn, Big Horn Sheep, Mountain Goat, Mule Deer, Black Tailed Deer, Marmot, Bison, Armadillo, Golden Eagle, California Condor, other birds not identified and various lizards.

States and Provinces traveled: NH, VT, NY, NJ, PA, MD, WV, VA, TN, GA, FL, AL, MS, LA, TX, NM, AZ, UT, NV, CA, OR, WA, BC, ID, MT, WY, SD, MN, WI, IL, IN, MI, ON, QB


Thank Yous: To our families for supporting our decision to go on this journey
Joan and Fran and Kim for watching Apollo (and Sue and Lori for offering to watch him). Rick and Jay for the Vegas advice. Mary for the America The Beautiful Pass. Jen, Corey, Laurie, Sid, Sue, John, Scott, Karen, Pat, Melissa, Sam B, Leslie, Matt, Sam M, Christy, Stephen, Kim, Dave, Moriah and Patric for putting us up for a night or two so we didn’t have to sleep on the ground the whole time! Thank you to all who offered advice on where to go and what to see and do. And for all followers and commenters on the blog, thanks for making it fun to write.

Day 63: Toronto ON

Thursday, June 18
Toronto ON
Other: We could finally see the whole CN Tower at 5:oo pm when the clouds rose.
Wx: overcast, foggy, rain, high 60s F
States traveled: ON

We walked around the Toronto today, checking out what the city had to offer. If you want to see art or history in this town, it appears that you have to be willing to part with quite a few Yul Brynners. We did catch The Second City: Chicago, Toronto, traveling to your town, you’ve got to see these guys. The Toronto show currently running is 0% Down, 100% Screwed, it was great!
As today is our last real day of the trip, tomorrow we are back into familiar territory and staying with my Mom for a few days, we came up with the following,

You know when you’ve been on the road when:

Someone walks into your locked room at 2:30 in the morning, you say “ah” and you can go back to sleep, waking up in the morning and you either think it was a dream or you don’t really care. With only a 10th of a millimeter of nylon between you and the worst animals in the US and Canada for the past two months, one drunk Canadian doesn’t seem such a threat, eh?

Housekeeping stops by your room while you are taking a nap but you tell them they can come in anyway. Did I mention that Brian sleeps and naps in the nude?

When you take four showers a day just for the hot water…

Ramen, black beans and cheese sticks is a balanced meal, with all two color groups.

You’ll turn over your pepper spray but not your blackened banana to customs. You may never know when that extra potassium may come in handy.

You spray your T-shirt with Fabreeze, let it flap around in the wind in the back of your car for a while before you wear it for the 10th day, just so that it is clean again.

Day 62: Kalamazoo MI to Toronto ON

Wednesday, June 17
Kalamazoo MI to Toronto ON
Odometer Begin: 118,439
Miles traveled: 443
Time spent traveling: 7.5 hours
Other: 1 hour in Toronto traffic…fun.
Wx: overcast, foggy, rain, high 60s F
States traveled: MI, ON

We made the trek today with 2 stops for espresso, (chai and then a latte for me). It was all highway travel in heavy rain at times. We crossed the border at Port Huron. There is a seven lane customs there! Quite impressive and a lot of cars. Our border agent was very friendly and asked us for the umpteenth time how we can afford to travel for two months. He actually asked if we were independently wealthy.
I can’t believe how many people ask this question. If I met people who were traveling (before this trip), I would have thought it, but never asked! I’m not offended just surprised. We explained that Brian telecommutes and that we live frugally. Camping and making all our meals really cuts down on the cost of things. We are not fussy so that helps.
We are in Toronto for two nights, cities always cost more, but we are staying at a hostel, (the Clarence Castle) again private rooms cost more but MUCH less than a hotel. So we’ll probably see a show while we are here and get some dinner out but you budget for those city side trips.

Days 60 &61: Madison WI to Kalamazoo MI

Monday, June 15
Lakefield MN to Madison WI
Odometer Begin: 117,735
Miles traveled: 404
Time spent traveling: 6.5 hours
Other: We went and saw Wolverine finally!
Wx: mostly sunny, high 70s F
States traveled: MN, WI

Not a lot happening these days. Just driving, it is kind of boring. You know those days where you have no plans and there is not much to do so you just lay on the couch and you would be eating Ben & Jerry’s but you just can’t move yourself from the couch to the freezer? It is kind of like that. We are on interstates now and driving through miles of farm country.

Tuesday, June 16
Madison WI to Kalamazoo MI
Odometer Begin: 118, 139
Miles traveled: 300
Time spent traveling: 5 hours
Other: Paid in tolls; $5.85
Wx: cloudy, high 70s F
States traveled: WI, IL, IN, MI

We are truly back in the east. The tolls have started up again and we are back in the Eastern time zone. Also for no apparent reason Garmina took us off I-90 into a eastern Chicago neighborhood for some sight seeing, it was great… We are ending the day’s travels in Kalamazoo (say that 3 times fast).

Day 59: Badlands National Park SD to Lakefield MN

Sunday, June 14
Badlands National Park SD to Lakefield MN
Odometer Begin: 117,355
Miles traveled: 380
Time spent traveling: 6 hours
Other: There is a Chamberlain MN!
Wx: mostly cloudy , rain then sun high 70s F
States traveled: SD, MN

We continue east; crossing into the Central time zone and Minnesota. We chose Kilen Woods State Park for the place to set up camp for the night. I got in a quick trail run before dinner which felt great to stretch the legs. One thing I remember about the last time I was in MN is that it is BUGGY! It didn’t disappoint my expectations. Dinner was linguini and Italian sausage, which will also be lunch tomorrow!

Day 58: Riverton WY to Badlands National Park SD

Saturday, June 13
Riverton WY to Badlands National Park
Odometer Begin: 116, 880
Miles traveled: 475
Time spent traveling: 8.5 hours
Other: Cost of entry to Mt. Rushmore we didn’t pay: $10. You can get the same view from outside of the park.
Wx: mostly sunny high 70 F, thunder storms at night
States traveled: WY, SD

We drove across the plains today past Mount Rushmore, ending out drive at Badlands National Park. Badlands is a very unique area of small canyons and sharp rock peaks. We camped at Cedar Pass Campground. Our friend Dave had told us about Sage Creek area to camp in and I was really looking forward to that but it turns out they close the road after heavy rain storms and June is the rainiest month here.

S Dakota