is not actually half the fun...
The wife and I just completed the outward portion of a rather long haul... We're based in Ottawa. She has a conference in Victoria. We pulled 4500km in 7 days.
From Ottawa we drove across Ontario to Sault Ste. Marie, then crossed into Michegan. Across northern Michegan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, and then back up into Canada to visit some friends in Regina. Then through Medicine Hat and down the Crowsnest, through Cranbrook, Osoyoos, Hope and into Vancouver.
I loved the Crowsnest, but it was definitely a challenging highway. I grew up driving in the mountains, but lack experience pulling a trailer through them. It did surprise me how much the trailer slows you down on these roads. Even if your top speed matches the speed limit, all the slowing down for hills and curves, and not speeding up quickly, really cuts into your average.
I definitely want to get back to the Michegan upper peninsula when we've got more time. Looks like a lovely area.
And there's nothing in northern Minnesota worth taking a picture...
Another thing that surprised me was the effect of wind on fuel economy. Travelling 90 kph through Michegan, we got around 16l/100km. Speed up to freeway speeds and the fuel economy drops, of course. But heading west out of Regina we were into a head wind, and even doing 90kph we were seeing 21l/100km in a typical stretch. Even across the Crowsnest we say 18l/100km. Wind is evil...
Anyway, a few thoughts on the long drive... Can't say it was relaxing, but it was kinda fun.
But *now* is when the real vacation starts. I get to play lazy tourist in Victoria and relax while she attends her conference.... Then we take a relatively slow trip back, through the Canadian Rockies, Montana, a brief visit to Yellowstone, and more...
The wife and I just completed the outward portion of a rather long haul... We're based in Ottawa. She has a conference in Victoria. We pulled 4500km in 7 days.
From Ottawa we drove across Ontario to Sault Ste. Marie, then crossed into Michegan. Across northern Michegan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, and then back up into Canada to visit some friends in Regina. Then through Medicine Hat and down the Crowsnest, through Cranbrook, Osoyoos, Hope and into Vancouver.
I loved the Crowsnest, but it was definitely a challenging highway. I grew up driving in the mountains, but lack experience pulling a trailer through them. It did surprise me how much the trailer slows you down on these roads. Even if your top speed matches the speed limit, all the slowing down for hills and curves, and not speeding up quickly, really cuts into your average.
I definitely want to get back to the Michegan upper peninsula when we've got more time. Looks like a lovely area.
And there's nothing in northern Minnesota worth taking a picture...
Another thing that surprised me was the effect of wind on fuel economy. Travelling 90 kph through Michegan, we got around 16l/100km. Speed up to freeway speeds and the fuel economy drops, of course. But heading west out of Regina we were into a head wind, and even doing 90kph we were seeing 21l/100km in a typical stretch. Even across the Crowsnest we say 18l/100km. Wind is evil...
Anyway, a few thoughts on the long drive... Can't say it was relaxing, but it was kinda fun.
But *now* is when the real vacation starts. I get to play lazy tourist in Victoria and relax while she attends her conference.... Then we take a relatively slow trip back, through the Canadian Rockies, Montana, a brief visit to Yellowstone, and more...
