Farewell Daisy Juke

Alas, Daisy Juke is officially gone - unfortunately, our friendly neighbourhood deer did more damage than it first appeared. Of course, we knew at her age and mileage, it wouldn't take a lot of damage to exceed her perceived value......but still, very sad to see her go. Best Car Ever and a ton of memories.

She was branded as "salvage" to the MTO and buyback was not an option. It was likely good that the decision was taken out of our hands, since we may have responded with emotion rather than logic. They gave us a fair settlement for her, which we could put towards the new (used) and larger vehicle we had already been planning to buy as we age.....once COVID was over, and then once interest rates returned to decent levels.

We bought her new in 2013, after trading in her 2011 brown predecessor. They had to go all the way to Quebec to find her in the right colour and transmission that we wanted. She was an absolute BLAST to drive with the turbo and 6-speed manual coupled with precision handling, and she took us far and wide across North America for just under 300,000 km in ten years.

We travelled extensively through Ontario, but also out West to Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and BC, and further North to the Yukon and Alaska. She crossed Southern borders and visited Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota and North Dakota, east to New York State, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine, and further South to Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama and Florida.

Our yearly adventures Out East took her to Quebec, New Brunswick, PEI, Nova Scotia and Cape Breton, and most recently to Newfoundland. She travelled down highways, gravel roads, and a few sketchy dirt ones. She crossed bodies of water on bridges, and ferries ranging from very large vessels to very small barges with salt water lapping her tires.

Thank you for all 278,457 km of treasured memories.

October 2013 - our first meeting!

At home in winter

Degelis, Quebec

Waiting in North Sydney to board the ferry to Newfoundland

Down in the bowels of the MV Atlantic Vision

Camping in Gros Morne National Park in Newfoundland

Travelling to the Magdalen Islands

Prince Edward Island and the Confederation Bridge

Visiting the bison in Montague, PEI

Shacking up in Shediac, New Brunswick

AirBNB on the Magdalen Islands

Magdalen meanderings

Motel in PEI

Chilling at the Cabin

On the way to Saguenay in Quebec

Waiting to cross the St. Lawrence River

Camping in PEI

Going up to Boston......to board a cruise to Bermuda

Ferry to Grand Manan Island in the Bay of Fundy

Crossing from New Brunswick to Maine

Returning to Canada at Buffalo/Fort Erie

Camping in Icelandic State Park, North Dakota

Visiting the Prairie Dogs in Grasslands National Park in Saskatchewan

Rocky Mountains near Crowsnest

Camping in Yoho National Park near the Alberta/BC border

Resting up in Grande Prairie, Alberta

Scenic stop at Toad River in Northern BC

Yukon Gold!

Beautiful scenery between Carcross, Yukon and Skagway, Alaska

Well-earned break in Kluane National Park in western Yukon

Parked for the night in Dawson City, Yukon

Crossing the Yukon River

Cautiously approaching the wood bison in Northern BC

Taking a breather in Yorkton, Saskatchewan

Visiting with Kay and Geoff in PEI

St. Anns Overlook in Cape Breton

Camping in Cape Breton

Pleasant Bay scenery in northern Cape Breton

The Cabot Trail

Dawn in Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Daisy Juke had the Great Smoky Mountains all to herself!

A sketchy run across Plaster Rock Road in New Brunswick

Home Sweet Home after another great trip

Salty Season

We hosted some Coxes for a summer Saturday in the rain to catch up on some overdue family business - partly overdue Father's Day, and partly a celebration of life for Anne marking two years. We rigged up an extra tent on the porch to try to keep us dry, and for the most part it worked out pretty good! 

The original plan had been to pick up Dave mid-week, and then John and Julie would visit and take him back to London with them. Unfortunately, the whole Juke mishap called for a change of plans - they brought him instead, and we would take him home a few days later in the rental car we now had.

We had our traditional Father's Day fish fry, and watched the Jays game on the back deck while enjoying the gentle rain and verdant surroundings. The visitors also got to enjoy their special Quidi Vidi iceberg beers in blue bottles that we had brought back for them from The Rock.

We also held the 2nd Annual Salt-and-Vinegar Chip Off, an homage to Anne's freakish ability to always bring the most potent bag of Lay's S&V chips to family gatherings. Jane even thought she had an advantage because of some super strong bags we had recently in Newfoundland - we made a special stop on the way back to the ferry just to buy a few more bags for home and the contest.

The wet weather likely dampened the flavours a bit, as each round we eliminated the weakest bag by group consensus. In the end it came down to two worthy contenders, and a new Champion was crowned....but not before Julie reminded us one more time that she was currently the reigning Champion. Winner declared, Julie revealed the owners of each bag, and John had narrowly edged out Dave in the final round.

It just goes to show - my bag was dead last, and Dave came in second.....and they were from the same store and same BB date. Ilderton took home the title for the second year running, meaning either they get better chips than the rest of the province (or country!), or.....OR......maybe we need to stop letting Julie keep track of the "secret" bag selection.

Dave stuck around for a few more days of Jays games, home cooked meals, and binging Seinfeld and Carol Burnett while getting in a good visit.

The weather was two....in-tents....

Dave straight chillin'

Smart Smanchie!

Bonk decides to make a bold move!

 

Local fish, wings, and homemade fries and coleslaw

Let the Chip-Off begin!

Running the Gauntlet

The secrets are revealed!

They win again!

The Burger King