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Thursday, July 9th, 2015

 

 
Every hope and dream I had yesterday about today being cooler was shot down with a fiery fury when I awoke to nearly 30 degree temperature…  It only went up from there.
 

 

The shows today all went smoothly, even with audience numbers dwindling throughout the day due to the heat.  I also kept very busy in between shows using the fairground wifi (and A/C) to complete a lab, a discussion post, and a quiz in my recently started online psychology course. 

As some people may know, after intially planning on doing a major in marine biology, and having a rough first year (I’m looking at you chemistry and calculus) I decided to change my focus.  My current goal is for [thisbis a mouthful] a “bachelor of science majoring in psychology with a certificate in animal behaviour and a minor in earth science”!  One of the conditions for going after this new degree was catching up on psych credits, which is why I am taking a class this summer.  
I’m interested in working in the field of ecology, with focus on animal behaviour, which makes me think.. What better a summer job could I have?
Logan

 

Wednesday, July 8th, 2015

This morning I was awoken quite early by what sounded like a stampede of hooves, vehicles, rowdy children and other noisy miscellaneous sounds… What could this unseemly parade of volume be?
A parade. 

 
It seemed that to kick of the fair festivities here in Lloyminster they need a celebratory parade, it’s route of course nearly intersecting our menagerie.  Upon further inspection, it was actually a very nice parade, with floats you wouldn’t imagine (and some other interesting members). 

The days shows went off without a hitch, and without the lion in to do photos, I got to help load the camel rides, which aside from sweaty kid armpits, is a fun job!  

I’m hoping tomorrow cools down a bit…

 

Tuesday, July 7th, 2015

We arrived here in Lloydminster at 5am, and even under the shroud of streetlights, I could tell this was no ordinary city… 

 

 
 
What makes Lloydminster so unique is its distinction of the only city in canada that borders two provinces, but only has one government and jurisdiction for both.  By the way, the two provinces it straddles are Alberta & Saskatchewan.   

 

 
 Today was a busy day of work, setting up everything for our string of shows.  What makes these shows different then all that we’ve done so far, is that for the first time we are performing outside.  The weather so far has been HOT,  reaching well into the 30s, making keeping the animals cool (and ourselves cool) a challenge.  Luckily we’ve it lots of tarps for shade, and a big reservoir of water to keep everyone hydrated and happy under the summer sun.

I’m excited to get back into the swing of doing shows again tomorrow..!  Hopefully the heat doesn’t deter fair visitors!

 

 
Logan

Sunday, July 5th, 2015
Today was a real roller coaster.  Filled with thrilling highs and devastating (maybe I’m being dramatic) lows.  The greatest and most significant high was definitely the fact that the owner of the Husky in Thunder Bay remembered us from our precious stops, and gave us a free breakfast at the restaraunt!  Getting some real, hot, and delicious food into you is a feeling unlike anything else.  The low of the day came shortly after, when before even leaving, we discovered [yet another] truck problem.  Luckily our lovely Husky lady knew just the guy to call!

  

With our tire troubles over, it was time to drive!  Destination: Brandon, Manitoba.
Today we also passed the official longitudinal centre of canada… Nifty!

Logan

Saturday, July 4th, 2015

After a late drive into New Liskeard, Ontario, we stopped the night and got some much needed rest.  The next morning we started driving across northern Ontario again towards Thunder Bay.   

 
I’ve said it before, but I will say it again; northern ontarion is one of the most beautiful drives I have ever done, even rivalling the majestic Pacific Coast Highway in California: 

 
One of my favourite things about driving out here is the wildlife!  Just today McKenzie and I saw TWO wild moose!  Luckily they were on the side of the road, and not on it.

I have also had some fun being a DJ for our drives, with my free trial of Apple Music coming in handy.
We parked in Oliver Paipoonge, and went to sleep to rest up for our trans-provincial drive tomorrow!

Logan

Friday, June 26th-Saturday, July 4th, 2015

 

Finally, at long last, I was home.  After my fun surprises for my family yesterday, and my amazing surprise dinner with Sabrina, it was finally Friday, an entire day I could spend relaxing…  Sound to good to be true?  It was.  Not long after waking up I was asked to come into the zoo to work and help with shows because they were low on people.  I am a sucker for helping people.   

 
After a day back at the zoo visiting my animal friends, it was VACATION TIME!

 
Saturday morning we drove up to my cottage on Balsam Lake, where I got to have a ridiculously fun remainder of my week.  I got to spend time with my family, some of my best friends, and the kayak.  

  

After driving home Thursday evening, I got to spend one more relaxing night with Sabrina, enjoying some of the comforts of home, such as:  vegetables, wi-fi, and smells other than animal.  Yesterday we had a full day back at the zoo packing up and getting ready to go, making a few changes to our animal roster.  As well as sadly leaving our lion cub back at the zoo with her siblibgs, we also switched out Ace the baboon with Sammy.  By last night around 8 we were on the road, driving all the way back west, for more adventures, more fun, and also an online psychology course I just started… I’ll be busy for sure! 
I  already missing everyone, but august will be here soon enough!
Logan

  

Thursday, June 25th, 2015
After a late (Or is it early?) arrival back to bowmanville at 4am, I finally got to come home..!  My dad was in the the surprise, but the rest of my family was shocked the next morning to find me fast asleep in my bed.  
After a quick shop at the Oshawa Center, it was time for my most important surprise yet..   My girlfriend, Sabrina.  I had spoken to Sabrina’s mother to plan out a surprise dinner date, and it went off perfectly!   

 

It was beyond exciting to get to see my lovely other-half, and between the sushi and Jurassic World it was an incredibly fun evening!   

Finally I’ve got a week of vacation, and I am so excited!  I have lots planned, with friends, family, and hopefully some time at the cottage.  
I will post an update blog post in a week to update on my vacation!  Until then, I’m having a (nice smelling) break!
Logan  

Wednesday, June 24th, 2015

  It is sometimes difficult to keep blog posts up to date for the days we drive, because one starts to lose track of time, and days, I wasn’t even sure it was still June..!

Today was a long day of driving, but it was exciting all the same, because I knew that tomorrow morning id be waking up in my own bed at home, one of the most pleasurable feelings in the world!
We also passed the 100th lake today.. Give or take a few, something canada is truly jam-packed with!
I have lots of surprising people tomorrow, because, I don’t know if I mentioned it, but nobody knows I’m coming home..!

Logan 

Tuesday, June 23rd, 2015
 

 Northern Ontario is a beautiful place.  Vast expanses of forest, stunning lakes, and the gosh darn cutest little towns you’ve ever seen!  A personal favourite is Kenora, which though I’ve only seen it at night, looked like a gorgeous place.  There’s not an awful lot to write about in driving days like today, but I hope you enjoy this video update with McKenzie!!!

Logan