We took a two-week trip to Canada to visit family and friends. We arrived at the Ottawa airport on the new 737-800 Next Generation without any issues. We were met by our friend Jim, who picked us up at the airport. On the way to Pembroke we stopped at Costco to pick up a few things. Shelley is a big fan of the store and enjoyed the opportunity to “visit” Costco.
Shelley in front of the Costco Store in Ottawa
After visiting Costco, we headed to Pembroke and arrived without any issues. Visiting family and friends is always enjoyable and warms the heart. We spent our two weeks trying to see everyone possible and to spent valuable time with each of them.
Ray and his dad on a walking trail
We even went to an iconic restaurant “Wilno Tavern. ” We enjoyed a great polish meal and spent time with some of our friends.
Shelley, Anne, Jim and Ray infront of the Wilno Tavern
The two weeks went very fast and before we knew it we were heading back to Alicante. The trip takes almost 24 hours and is very tiring. Arriving back home we were able to rest a bit before our next adventure.
We came to Canada for a visit with family and friends. During that time we were able to find time to go whitewater rafting with three of our grand children and my daughter Jennifer.
We started our day with registration and an orientation at Wilderness Tours explaining the safety requirements and equipment.
After orientation, we waited for our bus to take us to the starting point of the whitewater tour. The drive on the bus took about 20 minutes. The guides played some Abba music and sang songs. It helped everyone get into a great mood for the day.
We arrived at a beach area with a building which contained our safety equipment. Everyone was issued a life jacket, helmet, and a paddle. We then headed down to the boats to begin our adventure. Jordy, our tour guide, explained how we were to paddle and where to sit when going through the rapids.
We headed out on the water and slowly paddled towards a bend in the river. Just after the bend, we arrived at our first set of rapids and didn’t know exactly what to expect. It was an adrenaline rush and the kids thought it was “awesome”.
After surviving the first set of class 3 rapids we were completely wet. The waves crashed over the front of the boat soaking both Tyty and Ray. The water was warmer than we expected. We paddled along until the next set of rapids and would go through the process again. We stopped after one set of rapids and went to shore to have a photo opportunity. The boys took the time to look for crayfish with our guide.
Our guide Jordy with Tyty and Keenan along the rocks looking for crayfish.
We were able to stop at one set of rapids and get out of the boat and walk up the trail to do some body surfing through the rapids.
Rapids in the Ottawa River that we body surfed down
After body surfing the rapids, we stopped down stream for a BBQ along the river at the base of Garvin’s Chute, which is a 20’ waterfall. They had a cabin and benches set up with a BBQ already prepared for us. The kids had a chance to relax and take a break from all the paddling.
Tyty taking a break in the boat at lunch time.Shantaya enjoying a hot chocolate
We enjoyed hot chocolate and some tasty food before we headed back down river.
Jennifer, Tyty, and Keenan relaxing on shore after lunch
Once we were back on the water we did some floating in the current between rapids. The kids enjoyed this time to swim and splash around.
Floating in the current in the Ottawa river.
After we finished the last set of rapids we headed to shore, where they had a cold beer for the adults and juice for the kids.
Everyone having a cold drink before heading back to Wilderness tours
We enjoyed a cold drink before walking to the buses to head back to Wilderness tours. The day was very enjoyable and it was a day we will treasure forever.
We have been taking a pause from our blog in order to focus on some family health issues. We normally post about our travels, adventures and share our enjoyable times. However, this particular post will be different because we are going to discuss an issue that affects almost every family at some point. That issue is Cancer and how that terrible disease not only affects people but changes lives forever. We are in the midst of dealing with treatments for a family member who is receiving care at the Ottawa General Hospital. The hospital has been excellent and the staff has been extremely friendly, helpful and caring. It is during the hard times of dealing with cancer that the little things mean so much. A friendly smile and a helping hand make a tremendous difference in helping to cope with cancer. The simple acts of kindness may seem small but have a large impact on us and provide great comfort. There are so many people who have helped us throughout this ordeal. Some people brought baked goods or drove us to and from the airport, others have provided helping hands at the hospital almost every day. They have provided words of encouragement and support. All these simple acts of kindness have given us strength and have helped us to cope.
One gift in particular we received was very moving and touched our hearts. They were hoodie sweatshirts, but what was so special was the cause “Valerie’s Flutter” and the note that was included.
Hoodie from the Valerie”s Flutter Foundation
The note which had a personal message was very moving and touched our hearts deeply. The note read, in part…. ” Valerie’s dreams one of many was to travel the world”
Valerie Goneau Graduation Grade 12
Valerie was Ray’s second cousin and an amazing young woman. When Valerie graduated grade 12 she was awarded the Governor General’s medal for achieving and maintaining the highest grade point average of all her classmates from Grades 9 to 12.
She continued school and enrolled in Civil Engineering at Ottawa University and had just completed her first year when she was diagnosed with Chondroblastic Osteosarcoma cancer in June 2010.
Her story and her battle with cancer are truly inspirational. Valerie was only 19 years old at the time and she continued her schooling and kept up part-time studies while undergoing recovery from surgery and treatments.
Valerie took her situation and made a choice to focus on a purpose and goal to raise money for cancer research. She was a focused and driven person who created a team called “Valérie’s Team” which consisted of approximately 200 people.
Valerie at Terry Fox 5K Run Ottawa 2010
In September 2010 Valerie completed the Terry Fox 5K Run while on roller blades. Valerie and the team raised over $25,000 for the Terry Fox Foundation. Today there continues to be a Valerie Team competing yearly in the Terry Fox Run.
The Terry Fox Run became a catalyst that would get Valerie involved in public speaking. She became a symbol of strength, courage, and determination of purpose. She spoke at the Ottawa Kick-Off Breakfast for the Terry Fox Run on September 9th, 2010 and after that day she became a public speaker. Valerie spoke to many different groups about her battle with cancer and that “cancer is not something to be afraid of; it’s an opportunity to realize how precious life is and how we can all come together and make a positive difference in the world”.
Her story and the Valerie Flutter foundation have been a source of strength for us as we deal with our family situation. In honour of Valerie and her dream of traveling the world, we will carry her in our hearts and minds at every adventure as we travel. We will post an image of us with a Valerie Flutter Foundation logo in our travels to commemorate Valerie.
She was such a precious person and died one month after her 20th birthday on June 15, 2011.
“A dream and purpose so compelling will never allow you to give up.”-Valerie Goneau
We returned to Spain after a three-week visit to Canada. It was nice to get back to our home country and see everyone. We spent the first week of our time visiting our parents and helping out. It was wonderful seeing the parents and spending quality time with them. We also took some time to visit one of Canada’s iconic spots, “Tim Horton’s”
My first Tim Horton’s Coffee in almost a year
During our second week, we rented a cottage and our family and friends came for a visit.
The cottage we rented along the Ottawa River
It was great because we were able to spend time with most of our children and grandchildren for a few days. Our oldest daughter even drove 18 hours from New Brunswick to spend a few days with us. It was a great time and we enjoyed some canoeing, playing in the water and having bonfires. We even saw some turkeys that came through the yard for a visit.
Keenan, Tyreese and Shantaya with turkeys
It was fabulous seeing the kids and spending some quality time with them. Our friends dropped by and we were able to catch up on things and have a laugh or two. The view and time at the cottage were great.
View from the cottage deck of the Ottawa River
The last week we stayed close to home and spent more time with family and friends before heading back to Spain. Our trip back to Spain was uneventful and we have arrived home safe and sound.
We are excited to be back in Canada for three weeks to visit family and friends. It will be great to see everyone in person and get to spend quality time with them.
During this time we will not be posting anything on the blog until we get back at the end of August. We hope everyone has a great summer and we will update the blog when we get back to Spain.
“A dream and purpose so compelling will never allow you to give up.” -Valerie Goneau
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