O Canada, we're back!!

Vancouver, B.C. to Abbotsford, B.C.

Our route and stats for today

After a hiatus in our hometown of Portland this summer, we are off to explore our northern neighbors once again, this time focusing on the western section. We began today in downtown Vancouver, British Columbia, and plan to work our way eastward across the Canadian Rockies to Calgary. Weather and time permitting, we may even continue further or circle back south into the States to return to Portland, Oregon—our home. Who knows!?

Our elevation profile

Heading to Union Station in Portland, Oregon to catch a train north!

We are excited to be back on the road again! After a dark, rainy day yesterday traveling by bus up to Vancouver from Seattle, today’s bright, warm sunshine was a pleasant and auspicious beginning. Our ride today was almost entirely through urban areas along the Fraser River valley.

We encountered a lot of construction (they're building a new air train system to Langley City), numerous traffic diversions, and plenty of traffic lights! Despite all this, we were pleased with our progress. As we neared our destination of Abbotsford, the northernmost Cascade volcano, Mt. Baker, loomed large to the south, along with the Northern Cascade range.

Here are some photos from our day heading out of Vancouver, BC:

Looking east from a bridge over the Fraser River east of Vancouver.

Mt. Baker, and the Northern Cascade range in northern Washington state.

My mother, Lori Lauck, on her 93rd birthday, two weeks ago.

At this time, I want to make a personal note. We feel very fortunate to be able to make this trip. This past summer, our world was shaken once again by the diagnosis of my 93-year-old mother, an amazing woman in her own right, with a very fast-growing rare soft tissue sarcoma. She has undergone intensive radiation therapy, and we hope that the growth of the tumor has slowed or even been completely halted. She needs to wait about 4 to 6 weeks for her skin to heal from the radiation before she can undergo surgery to remove the tumor, if it's feasible.

Andy and I decided to sneak in this bike ride while we are all waiting for the skin to heal and the energy to return to my mom. We will continue our cycling journey until either the weather turns cold and wet with the inevitable onset of the northern fall, or it is time to stand by my sweet mother's side again, as she continues her brave battle. Despite the challenges of doctor appointments, scans, and radiation sessions, there has been a gratifying outcome: my sisters, Anne and Jeannie, my mother, and I have shared wonderful times together this summer, filled with laughter and love. I am very grateful for these moments.

And so, we are off... our fourth cycling adventure... thank you, reader, for coming along for the ride!