Nov 07, 2014
Dreading the trip North!!
I have to be at the airport at 5:00AM sharp to catch my plane to Edmonton. It is time to leave my cozy home and deal with what living in the North entails.
Way way North. Of course the plane takes a different route but I wanted you to see how much further North Edmonton is.
This is the local forecast for Kelowna. Lucky Colin, he still has some jobs to do.
Yikes...this is where I am headed in the morning. Do you see those -20C and -18C temps and that is without the winds or windchill factor.
Translation for my American readers. Still looks bad doesn't it?
I am certain that it has been between 20 – 25 years since I have driven in the snow. Actually I have no recollection of driving in the snow 😥 I do remember standing at the bus stop freezing despite 3 layers of gloves and mitts and 2 pairs of socks and good quality boots and 2 scarves wrapped around my face. Maybe I never did the actual driving but was driven. Well guess what? I just might have to learn. Carumba!!!! Yes that deserves 4 exclamation points.
I asked a few people when is the time to start plugging in the vehicle. My sister said not until -30C, others said not to bother. My online research came up with plugging in from -10C to -20C. What to do? Again I ask for your input. I must preface that by explaining that Dad’s van in parked in an underground heated enclosed parking area. Cripes, just driving the van sets my nerves on edge. I actually was lucky these past few months and never even encountered rain but now with snow in the forecast not to mention accumulated snow on the ground, gives me the willies. To drive that huge vehicle in the snow….yikes. I never saw a snow brush. Carumba! Just called my sister, she said to use my sleeve!! I wonder if I should bring my boots, purchased 10 years ago but never worn. Hey at least I have rubber soled closed toe shoes! Where is the Isla when I need it?
You might want to read this short article sent to me today by my reader Rocmoc. It affects not just us Canucks but also those of you south of the border. I also read online in the Mazatlan Messenger that there is the possibility of yet another tropical storm descending on the Mazatlan area, check that article here.
I admit to being 48 hours behind and had expected to be better organized but it did not happen. My Dad has been foremost in my mind while I have been home. Calls from Edmonton, talking to a lawyer, stock people, the bank, etc. All very time consuming. In my mind I know that this needs to be done so that we can at least leave and spend a few months on the Isla but yet, it is preventing me from preparing for the Isla. I do have our business caught up, well I would if Colin would just stop working. Nothing I can do but take it one day at a time. Once I get to Edmonton my mind is totally focussed on Dad and I will forget all about Mexico and getting ready. That job will fall to Colin this year, well and me when I get back. Worse case scenario, we will just leave later than the 27th.
Dad is not doing so great. They drained his lung again yesterday and it created a huge amount of pain. Apparently Dad says that he wanted to die, it was so bad. So at 11PM I am calling the hospital insisting that they call the MD for an order of morphine to ease his pain. They did and it was ordered. but why do I have to do these things from here? Another chest x-ray today….not so good. My timing is perfect for heading North. The snow not so perfect but it is what it is.
Well it is 6:40PM PST and I have to pack, make dinner and hit the sack. 8:00AM is mere hours away. Meanwhile I am hanging onto every word and photo that Rae is posting about the Isla. My inspiration to keep on putting one foot in front of the other.
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How far is his condo from the hospital? Is he on a bus route? Sometimes that can work for the drive to the hospital in the daylight hours and then just taxi it home in the evening maybe. Beats driving in the snow if you are very nervous. We lived in Calgary and Edmonton (Sherwood Park) MANY years ago but I can tell you one thing…sleeves will not work for clearing snow off cars! 🙂
Take care. Mazatlan will just be all that much better when you do arrive.
Thoughts and prayers to your Dad, you and your family. Hope things go alright.
Soon you will be on your way to the Isla..
In Edmonton most people only plug their car in overnight when it reaches -15 degrees and most of the time when it gets past -20 degrees. I spent far too many winters there – so happy I no longer have to deal with it.
Look at it as an adventure. It is a day in your life and you should get the most out of it. One more time to see your dad and that’s a good thing. Listen to some good music or CBC radio while on the road, it keeps your mind busy. You’re not alone here.
Remember, it’s a ‘dry’ cold. Yeah, that never worked for me either when we lived in Edmonton. Enjoy your time with your Dad though.