CORNER The windshield wiper tour
You may recall me complaining about having to leave the comfort of our cabin in paradise on Liars Mountain to travel with my beautiful bride to Vancouver Island. I was a little uneasy about our trip, but not about getting to hang out with Mrs. B which is always cool and I overcame my fears and actually had a good time. Our sons and their families were keen on looking after our pets and enjoying the mountain experience so we were just the cutest couple.
My first worry was just an hour from home as we were challenged on a high mountain pass that folks around here call the KoKaKalla. With dangerous hard packed ice and snow I suddenly realized I had become the driver I used to rage at… the overly cautious senior driver.
We were quite content to follow in the pack with other likeminded drivers as we travelled at a safe and comfortable speed with the mission to make it over the pass and not be worried about making good time or the snow. I must give kudos to the snowplow operators, and the fact that it was a very heavy and constant snow did not prevent them from having two cleared lanes (of three) allowing the “Fast Freddies” to pass us timid drivers.
I can’t believe I used to be the impatient-pass-at-all-costs-driver. And to be honest when we saw the first car in the ditch I hoped that it was one of the gofastspeedyguys and then I hoped everyone was all right. I hope it wasn’t the power of my mind that put buddy in the ditch.
My next fear-conquering moment came when this good looking prairie boy had to leave the security of the North American Continent and drive his Toyota onto a big ferry boat for a trip across about 60 miles of ocean to the Island. Visions of the Titanic sinking gave me the courage to go on the observation deck for a whiff of sea air and to be near the life rafts… just in case. The snow we experienced in the mountains followed us and turned to rain as we got to sea level which meant that we could only see outlines of the smaller islands and the distant mountains. I was impressed with the size of the boat that could carry a few hundred cars and trucks and not tip over…whew! This trip was to be a surprise visit for folks that Mrs. B has lovingly called her second parents for ever, and 41 years ago when I travelled to Ontario to “meet the folks” this couple was on the list of folks because they were Mrs. B’s best friend’s parents. Our schedule and house-sitters allowed for a four day trip, two of which was for travel, so we had enough time to visit and enjoy a beautiful seasonal dinner with her elderly “Parents” and her BFF, Kim. After that brief but entertaining “social obligation” we found ourselves in Victoria with a few hours to kill before our next visit with an old band mate and as had been the case for the whole trip so far…it was raining.
We decided to “windshield” tour the city meaning an aimless drive staying in the dry comfort of our small car for a few hours. We saw all the tourist sights and I can now honestly say I’ve been there, but we watched while our windshield wipers did their best to keep up with the relentless rain.
It rained our entire trip, but we were relieved to make it home without incident and we did see all the required cool touristy stuff…between windshield wiper wipes.