June 21 Marcedes:
  Today was an exciting day for me for two reasons: Heidi came back from her home after 7 days (3 at home and 4 traveling!!). I met her on the route after my bike ride and it was so nice to see her again, totally wet and dirty. WELCOME Hei!!! The second reason was because we didn't have rain, even more we had a sunny day, after so many rainy days, today was wonderful. Finally, after two days on the route, we left behind the last view of the Great Lake Superior, a huge and incredible lake with amazing mountains around it: Mount McKay and The Sleeping Giant, with its magnificent chimney especially for climbing lovers. The question that kept racing in my mind was wondering if I would ever see this place again. No answer came - but the melancholy took over as I realized how many more beautiful places I have yet to discover.

June 22 Heidi:. 
The windy, hilly back-road was surrounded by lush green forests; leaves dripping with the falling rain. I was lucky enough to cycle through the prettiest section today. The soft pitter-patter of the raindrops put me in a quiet, appreciative mood. I felt a sense of peacefulness despite my soaking clothes. I have learned to appreciate each type of weather for what it brings to me. A maroon pick up stopped on the road in front of me as I cycled. A man got out and asked me if I needed a ride because it was raining so hard. He gestured to the trunk as if to suggest that my bicycle could go there and nodded encouragingly. He is yet another example of the kindness I have experienced here. I cannot count how many people have stopped, turned around and asked me if everything was all right, if I needed a ride, something to drink or if they could do "anything at all." My faith in humanity and the fundamental goodness of people has been continually restored. Another example of a person who radiates goodness and kindness is Emily Schindler. We finished our day in Toronto and Emily was sweet enough to offer us accommodations for our stay here. We hadn't seen her since the Arctic and it was wonderful to see her again. She had a surprise for us as well and we all jumped up and down to see Laurie, our North Pole Guide. Ahh, the memories and laughs! Lastly, but definitely not least, it was my mom's birthday today. I thought about her all day, and several times found myself wishing that I could be home, just to hug her and tell her how much I love and appreciate her. But I realized that she knows all I could ever tell her and she's proud of me being here, and that's enough for me.
 

June 23 Jessica:
I was in so much pain at night. My shoulders and chest and tummy were red as a chili pepper and were extremely sensitive, almost blistered. As I woke up to the rays of sun on my face and looked outside I was in awe of the transformation in weather from one day to the next. There was not a cloud in the royal blue sky and the sun was shining almost as brightly as it did at the Pole. Well, maybe that's what it seemed like since we've been drowned in rain for the past week or two. So, being from Arizona, and growing up with an intense, beautiful sun all the time, I was absolutely delighted to see the sun again. I decided to take advantage of what seemed to be very rare lately, and go out for a swim and write in my journal under the brilliant warmth it provided. Well, I kinda got carried away and stayed out for too long without turning over. On top of that, since I don't ever burn I didn't bother putting sun block on (bad!). Gosh, let me tell you, I learned my lesson the hard way. D'oh! Later that day we were fortunate enough to meet with one of our major sponsors, Lowe Pro / Lowe Alpine. We went to the office and were able to share our experience thus far and what we (both individually and as a group) have learned in our journey. It was awesome for us to meet the generous people who have given us so much, not only in product, but also in encouragement.

June 24 Jay:
We had a team meeting this morning with Martyn Williams. He arrived yesterday night. He came because we are going to have a lot of meetings with other environmental groups, and also we are planning to have a media contact later on. So now we better make clear our answers to many people. Then we can answer the same to all of the people we meet, and to make them understand and to eventually inspire them. But still, a long way to go!!

June 26 Renaud:
Out in Toronto for the day, and we are welcomed by Festive Earth, a local non-profit organization. Toronto is the biggest city in Canada, and it first seemed to me concrete with the skydome and the CN Tower au bord du lac Ontario. But they showed us a watershed called the Don where we've been walking along and planting wetplants. A beautiful sunny day! But my memories would rather go to what I learnt today. First from the Festive Earth brochures that we read in the morning welcome meeting, where I found small steps and also understood a few issues better. And then, in the evening, a scientist and co-founder of Festive Earth shared with us a few points and some hope for the future: 40 years ago people were just building things with just the need for it to work. Then around the 70's and 80's, safety became the main issue and now-a-days no one would design a non-safe product or process. And the next step? Producing only sustainable products and a process to prevent the environment from getting worse. The conclusion to this is to be careful about the solutions each of us takes; it might take more energy to re-treat glass than to just trash it. Studies are on; let's believe in human potential and get a way out of the vicious circle we're turning around.

June 27 Dylan:
  Today's travels take us around the downtown quarter of Toronto and directly out front of the UN trade tower and the concrete and steel crowded shores of Lake Ontario. Our destination, the good food bank, a non profit organization specializing in delivering fresh fruits and vegetables direct from farmers to customers. Many of their fruits and vegetables come from Hamish and Mennonite farms on the outskirts of Toronto. It was a striking rarity for me to witness people committed to developing a more local market for local produce. In a world of mass shipping and packaging it was very refreshing to see some people committed to bringing some sense of community reliance, where people are sharing their needs within a small area and working together.

June 28 Devlin:
Today we waved goodbye to our close friends, the Schindlers. Their hospitality will stay with us for many years to come. We had to make it to Ottawa by mid-afternoon in order to attend the opening ceremonies of Future Trek 2000, a Millenium event to bring youth from across Canada together. The communication of the route was a problem, which resulted in us arriving late and losing Naoki along the way. I hope he knows the way to Ottawa ...
 

June 29 Mercedes:
After our first night at Future Trek 2000 that involved good food, blasting music and 400 young and enthusiastic people all around Canada, we spent the morning around the Parliament - an antique and unique building in the middle of Ottawa, near the calm and wide Ottawa River. In a couple days it will be Canada Day and the city is preparing for the special occasion. The city is covered with flowered flags, multicolor bandanas and exciting people. In the afternoon we had an interesting meeting at C.L.C (CANADIAN LABOUR CONGRESS). One of the main issues that the group is working on is the involvement of human exploitation in sweat-shop labor. We learnt that some of the Central American countries we will be traveling through are improving their standards as a result of pressure from concerned consumers in North America on multinational clothing manufacturers, such as GAP, Nike and Benetton. Inspired by both of these humanitarian projects and the powerful young people of Future Trek . . . we had another incredible experience to share and remember!!

June 30 Heidi:
Today is Naoki's birthday!!!! We made sure to tickle him and poke him all day because we know he loves it so much (yeah, right!). I find myself, each day, thanking someone "up there" for bringing together such a special group of people with which I will share my Pole to Pole 2000 experience. So Naoki, HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Actually, we spent a large portion of the day with the Future Trek youth at the Chateau Laurier in Ottawa. They discussed the issues that youth face today and how they can become more informed and powerful in today's society. It was very, very inspiring to see all the youth together, enthusiastic and sincere in their goal to make a difference. Hopefully, this enthusiasm will spread like wildfire. In the afternoon we were free to explore Ottawa as we wished. It is a beautiful city and many flags and decorations have been put up for Canada Day - tomorrow. We are very lucky to be in the nation's capital for such an important day, and I'm looking forward to it anxiously!

July 1, Ottawa Jessica:
  Happy Canada Day everyone!!! The team started out the day by kayaking on a nearby river and playing in the waterfalls. It had been a while since we've been able to kayak so we were all really stoked to be able to paddle, especially on such an awesome day.

 

Vancouver to Thunder Bay - pictures & reports.

100 Mile House to Vancouver - pictures & reports.

Inuvik to 100 Mile House - pictures & reports.

North Pole to Resolute Bay - pictures & reports.

Training Camp - pictures & reports