Sunday, November 27, 2011

Day 92 and 93 Windsor to Chatham to Sarnia, Ontario

Day 92, this is one big province! We spend almost 3 months here, seemingly going in big circles. Especially in the southern region.
Last day in Windsor

Back with Jake, our first meeting point was in Tecumseh, a town of 24,000 on Lake St. Clair. Medal bearers warming up ,with the inevitable Xmas decoration startin to pop up.

Outside the arena, Jordan shows some school kids the medal.

While Jamie, our relay director, does another interview.

Sunny and 12, some winter.

A lot of students were bussed in for the occasion.

Luc doing a bang up job on traffic control

David awaits his turn. Here is his story:

I am a medical discharged member of the R.C.M.P. after 29 years of service due to un-operable spinal cord injury. I met Rick outside Sarnia

Ont on his cross country tour 25 years ago. Before that I met Terry Fox and Gave Him his first R.C.M.P. escort into Corner Brook NL in 1980 in

his" Marithon of Hope" cross Canada run. I an the 'honourary starter" for the past few years for the yearly Terry Fox run in Tecumseh On. It

would be a honour and privilege to walk in the great event for Rick Hansen. I am able to walk the distance with a cane or walking crutch. I

want to show people that there is life after a spinel cord injury and anything is possible as Rick has shown and proved. It was Rick and Terry

that gave me strenghth to go forward and live a good life. Anything is possible with dedication and faith. Terry and Rick did it for the country

and the world.

.

Support is building

On the way on to our next meeting point in Chatham, the pilot vehichle attempts to pass me, the race is on!
Luc and Ross looking confident

Of course they won, that new Acura certainly outpowers my shuttle bus.

I saw literally hundreds of these wind turbines on the way to Chatham

Ahhhhh, the wide open spaces.

We had our meeting point at our hotel in Chatham, which is now referred to Chatham-Kent

There was this cool little waterfall in the lobby, someone let me in!
Our meeting room was cramped, I actually stood outside.

So we took the warm-up dance out into the parking lot.

The pre-relay group shot.

Chatham war memorial cenotaph

Cruisin down main street Chatham

Scotiabank came out to cheer on the medal bearers!
Stef with some of the kids she coaches.

End of Day celebration in Chatham featured this girl's prescision horse team that escorted the final medal bearer.

Another surprise, Monica had come to join us for a few days. She was with me on the Olympic Torch Relay. Her and I passed the torch to each other when we ran with it in Timmins, Ontario

The highlight (beside the dance), of the end of day celebration is a group shot of all the medal bearers of the day. Ashley (in front on the right) is a sledge hockey player. She was the final medal bearer of the day, and wheeled 2.5 kilometers for her segment.

Some interesting entertainment.
These special needs people serenaded us with Christmas carols,

The next morning, Jake and I were off to our first meeting point. It was a little foggy today, but the traffic was light (non-existant)


First stop, the high school in Wallaceburg, Ontario, a small town of about 11,000

Thumbs up! Ready to go

Lot.s of police support again today. I used to worry when I saw flashing lights in my mirror!
Our next meeting point and hotel was in Sarnia. I was amazed at all the chemical plants and refineries that were in the town. I hate to say, but I did not find this a very appealing place to stay.



Things once again will be great when we are downtown (Sarnia)

The Blue Water bridge from Sarnia to Port Huron, Michigan Sarnia is the largest city on Lake Huron.

Port Huron

The last group of the day.

Luc was one of the escorts today, here he talks with Cam while they wait for the relay to arrive.

Testing out my zoom on my camera, here is a shot of the pilot vehicle map-point computer program
School support is a big part of the relay.

End of day at city hall in Sarnia, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.....................

We were treated to a special dinner tonight. Billy (events) and his wife Anna invited us into their home in Bright's Grove, Ontario.

Billy modelling a shirt that a friend of his has created as a fundraiser.

Nice to be in a home again.
Hangin with my on the road family.
The boys had to get their football fix!

Jamie was reminded of his home when this stray cat showed up on the doorstep. He has two himself. Many thanks to Billy and Anna for making us feel at home!

No comments:

Post a Comment