Around The Lake.... Plus

Our (9'er and I) 1500km around Lake Ontario (plus) trip all started quietly and early....left Trenton @ 5am for a 6am departure from Timmies in Belleville. We started the trip by going with other Juno members on the Quaker Steak and Lube - Round 2 Ride.

We met up with members from Vimy and crossed over to the states and then Mike (Juno's SAA) brought us to our final pre-ride rendezvous.

There we met up with more CAV members from other units and Popeye (Cambrai's President) introduced us to our American guide Chriswig (I hope the spelling is correct)who was going to take us through some twisting back roads on our way to Syracuse and our restaurant destination.

After several hours of awesome riding, beautiful countryside and prepaying for our gas we finally reached our goal.

Inside there was a lot to see and the most choices of sauces I have ever seen. There were also a variety of drinks....

Yes your eyes do not deceive you I have a real manly drink

After our meal (and buyer beware they charge 18% gratuity) we said our good-byes (more pics can be found on the 1 CAV sight) to our fellow CAV members as we headed West towards Buffalo. After a total of 800km and a very long day we made our way through the border and talked to the customs guard. He had quite the surprised look on his face when he asked why we were in the States and we told him we went for lunch and we lived in Trenton. Luckily we only had 15 minutes of riding left because we were staying in Fort Erie at my sister-in laws (Debbie and her husband Gregg).

After a night of wobbly pops and a much deserved rest we were taken on a beautiful trip (they have a bike too) to Port Dover following Lake Erie and all the cow paths they could find. I know it won't look like this when I return for the Friday the 13th trip.....

The weather, food and scenery was great and the company, awesome, what a day trip that was !!!.

That being said the next day WOW.....they took us through/along the Niagara Peninsula. Along the river (huge beautiful homes) through Niagara Falls up to
Niagara on the Lake. The km just seem to disappear as we saw one magnificent sight after another.

Seen below is the Prince of Wales Hotel

On Tuesday we started our final leg through Toronto (I don't like the QEW when its busy) to have a quick visit with my mom. Did some chores (that's what good sons do) and had a nice BBQ. After catching up and meeting "Jon" we timed our departure to ensure we left after the well known Toronto rush hour. The last hour on the road was just the way I like it for the end of a long trip...quiet, cool and non-eventful.

Overall a totally awesome trip and would recommend some or all the routes we experienced. Until next time......

Tony Stacey Centre Ride to Remember (Vija's Pics)

Not a born Blogger

I need to go buy a box of "Round-To-Its" and use them to update this Blog more often.
Since my last post there have been several repats all of them with good turnouts. There isn't a lot things people agree on nowadays but one constant seems to be, to show support for the soldiers and their families. I hope we never have another repat but hope the support will continue.

Ride, work, ride, holidays, ride, fundraising, ride and raise money.....there seems to be 1 recurring theme RIDING. There has been a lot of riding this year and a lot of fundraising to go with it. Ride for Sight, John Flagg and Tony Stacey Centre Ride to Remember to mention but a few.

I would write more but guess what.....I'm going riding. Check out the web page and calendar for upcoming rides and keep looking at the Albums, a lot great pics there.

So much in such a short time

There has been so much going on and so many things happened since my last post. It is unfortunate it took a repat and the passing of an Honorable man to make time to write.

As strange as it may seem, in all the years that I have been attending the repats this was the first time it rained. It came down hard and NO ONE complained. Sgt Martin Goudreault came home today and was honored as a true hero. It's too bad it takes bad things to bring people together but it would seem repats bring out the true strength in ourselves. R.I.P. Sgt Goudreault, thank-you for your ultimate sacrifice.

It is with equal sorrow to find out on the same day that another Hero (WWII Vet), fellow CAV member and a Great Man passed away last night. DR, the same person mentioned in an earlier post left us physically but will remain in our hearts and memories. There are always people that come and go but occasionally someone comes along that leaves a life long impression, DR was that man. One can try and list all the things that made a person great or memorable but to me saying he was a genuine "Good Person" sums it up. It may be he was from a different era, but it didn't matter who or what you were, you felt his warmth. I will post more for his memorial.
For now R.I.P. buddy.

Several other rides have also taken place since that last post. The biggest were the Highway of Hero's Salute Ride, Ride for Dad in Kingston and the CAV D Day Invasion. All the rides have pics on the 1 CAV website and the Juno website. The most memorable was visiting the war museum in Ottawa. It is very humbling to see what was done in the past to ensure our freedoms we enjoy today. I also thought is was cool that Wayne Rostat (Rafters) The CAV Honorary Rider in Chief to Veteran Supporters said he liked my bike. He was standing out front talking with Trapper and I was sitting on my bike. He turned and said nice bike....I turned around to see who he was talking to and no one was around so I said thanks.

Until next time.....

Repat of Trooper Larry Rudd

The latest Canadian hero was repatriated today. On the tarmac to meet the plane was a high number of his family and friends. A lot of them drove through Repat Row with their personal vehicles and their emotions were easy to see. It is one thing to stand at attention holding the Canadian flag looking at smoke windows, but to look at the pain felt by his family and friends pulls the emotional strings that much more.

I was proud to be 1 of many that stood and showed his family that their loved one is a true Canadian Hero. R.I.P. Trooper Rudd.

Repat of Colonel Geoff Parker

Canada's highest ranking Hero to be killed was repatriated on Friday, regardless of the rank the family feels the same pain. The CAV, Legion, Blue Knights and many other groups were at repat row to show respect and support for the family. It is always emotional when holding the Canadian Flag when the procession goes by and the bagpipes are playing. As is always the case saying thank-you for your ultimate sacrifice never seems enough. All we can hope is that, he is not only the highest rank but the LAST to be honoured in this way.

Colonel RIP and to your family may you find solace that a great many people appreciate his/your sacrifice.

http://picasaweb.google.ca/1cav.webmaster/RepatriationForColGeoffParker#

DR's new vest

With a busy month of saying goodbye to Canadian fallen hero's it was a nice change to say Thank-you and present D.R. with his new vest.

To see more pictures of a very enjoyable and emotional presentation click on the link.

http://picasaweb.google.com/Juno.CAV/May18RideToDRS#