Day 129, Flashback to the very beginning.

So, going back to July, when I was originally hired on with the Rick Hansen 25th anniversary relay. One of my first jobs was to move around the vehicles needed for the relay. My first stop was at Ampco, a graphics company specializing in vehicle wraps. The first thing I noticed was some promotional posters they had from the 2010 winter Olympics featuring the motorhome I drove for the Olympic torch relay.

Next stop was the Rick Hansen foundation head office in Richmond, B.C. There was a lot of memorabilia on the walls from his original journey 25 years ago.

My first view of the Rick Hansen medal, commissioned by the Royal Canadian Mint.

One of the Acura media/pilot vehicles

Pat and Don, checking out one of the Honda Odyssey vehicles that were specially designed for wheelchair accessability

Tight quarters in the Ampco shop

Who's smilin now? (he has no idea what he has gotten himself into)

from one man in motion to many in motion

The events team combination Honda ridgeline and trailer. After  2 months, it was decided the trailer was not working for the relay needs, so it was shelved (sold) and "little bird" , the 3 ton truck was brought in  as a replacement.

Omg, purple, what was I thinking!

Dawn is here to move one of the Honda pilots

Pre-relay orientation was held in Richmond, we stayed in a hotel close to the office that offered this view.

My roomie Nish, is taking the relay model thing a little too seriously.

The vehicles parked at the hotel parking lot, ready for our training session.

We re-created one of the relay days on the lower mainland from White Rock to Richmond. Here we have volunteers to play the part of medal bearers. These people are employees at the Rick Hansen foundation, and their friends and family.

We all had a lot of fun on the training event.

Josh is quick to become on of the ambassadors for the relay.

A mock up of a community stop.

Jordan practicing his schtick

Our first end of day celebration, even if it was just a practice. We will be following this day for real in May of 2012

Practice, practice, practice. C'mon, we only have 272 days to get this right!

Jake practicing his singing of " O Canada". He has had the chance to perform it numerous times along the relay so far.

Pat and Kayla getting some much coveted bike escort time.

Thanks Kayla, I will be there in a minute! (the entrance to headquarters)

Now what?

A side mirror shot, you can kinda see the rest of the fleet . After our training week-end, we had to take the vehicles to C.N. Rail in West Vancouver, where they were shipped to Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Crossing the Burrard Street bridge in Vancouver

Say good-bye for approx. 1 month.

Okay, back to now. A beautiful December day in Summerland. Taylor spent the night, and now I am kicking his butt to work so I can get on with my important job of blogging.

Actually I went to Powell Beach in Trout Creek to check out the scenery.

What a day. plus 8 is not normal for this time of year.

I have covered half of Canada already on the relay, but there is something special about the Okanagan and Okanagan Lake, but may I am biased because I grew up here.

Busy, busy, busy, time to go uptown Summerland to the gym.

OMG, they already have a poster up for the relay arrival on May 2nd. I had goosebumps!

One of the hazards of life on the road is losing clothing, or leaving it behind. I am sure I left my gym shorts at the laundromat in Sault Ste. Marie, but alas, I had to go to Sport Chek in Penticton and by another pair.

Back to Summerland, only one more chore today.

Check my mail! Looks like bills, hark, I hear a relay calling!