17000km and we're home

Final show of the tour last night at Le Club. Great venue that is danger of being closed. Go see shows there! Homemade Rappie Pie at Chez Christophe for dinner...
We opened a bootle of Cook's champagne after the show, and now the fat lady has sung.
Thanks for reading.
Over and out.

16700km to Berwick

Fredericton's F Studio - check. Here was the quietest room of the tour, with the request for an encore coming in a whisper.
Next it was Moncton. Two shows in one evening, ending with a jam at Plan B consisting of band members from the following: The Divorcees, Grass Mountain Hobos, Haunted Hearts, and Ryan Cook and friends.
Now we're in Berwick, Nova Scotia after a rainy drive from Moncton. Great crowd last night at the Union Street cafe, except for the guy with all the questions. He meant well I guess... Everyone check out Union Street Cafe! Amazing food and staff. One of a kind, that place is.
One show left.

15500km in Quebec

3 days after leaving Atikokan, we played in Quebec last night and boy was it nice to be out of the van. The fellas in the Texas Redmecs put on a great show,with pyrotechnics and everything. Toyo!
So we're back in the van...
Fredericton tonight. Back on Atlantic time.
16200km in NB.

13300 in Atikokan

We left Winnipeg nice abd early to make it to Atikokan, Ontario with time to spare. Well we would have had time to spare if our gps hadn't tricked us into going through the good ole USA. On paper, it is much quicker actually, but when you have a van full of gear combined with a 'random' search at the border, it's not so quick. 2 hours later, we entered the US, then crossed back to Canadia and made it to the arts center 30 min before show time.
Now that that's over with, and we're all rested up, we're off on our trek across Ontario to Quebec City one more time.
Mmmmm, creton. Fancy.

Happy Anniversary to us!

12700km driven, and as of today we have been on the road for one month. Special.
To recap the last couple days, Early Stage Saloon in Stony Plain was enjoyable until we were packing up and some guy turned on the jukebox that must have been built by Boeing judging by the volume. Of course it was right next to and pointing at the stage. Wonderful. I didn't need those eardrums anyway.
Next, we had thr drive to Calgary, where we started seeing the first 6 or 7 (more to come) cars off the road from wind and snowy patches of an an otherwise clear highway. The crowd at Mikey's was fired up, and after some extreme 'death lazer' fiddle ('less fiddle!', she hollers...) courtesy of the soundman, we settled in and had a good show with lots of familiar faces who threatened to 'mooooo' us off stage if we didn't bring it. We brought it. Calgary hospitality at its best.
Next, we followed the cold weather east, and saw another 10 or so cars off the road on the way to Regina, (continued below)

part 2

but slow and steady wins the race. More -20 weather in Regina, where apparently all the trees were planted at some point, and not native to the area. (Factual tidbit) It was Ryan Cook and friends, and friend at The Goat as my old cruise ship cabin mate Sam sat in for our second set, and hosted us at his house for the night.
Winnipeg was only 6 hours away, and Finns pub was a good old time. A mixed crowd, but all nice folks.
Goodbye western Canada. See you when its warmer!

Edmonton at 10300km

We left Ontario at 7am and drove for 14 hours until we got to Saskatoon. Then Edmonton was an easy 5 hour trip yesterday. That was a nice drive actually, complimented by ketchup chips for lunch on the road.
Apparently yesterday was the coldest day of the season (-21 C) so those who made it out to our show were definitely 'the coolest'. One more Brad at the show too, bringing the tally of Brads on the tour to 4. Not too Brad!
On the agenda for today: brunch, CKUA radio, West Ed Mall, Early Stage Saloon.