I still haven't found what I'm looking for

As you saw from the last picture, were in Manitoba. Flat can't even begin to describe what we see; even though I'm sure Sask will be even more so.

Finally saw some huge moose once the sun came up just west of T-Bay - which really emphasized why we spent so much effort to look out for them. We called our friend who is an expert at all things in the bush to ask whether or not moose sleep lying down or not - no answer yet.
(UPDATE: not sure anyone will care but according to Erik Anderson, Moose sleep on their chests with their legs tucked underneath them. Which is probably why we did not see any at night).

This country truly is amazing. As cramped as this Dodge Caravan is, just seeing the different types of terrain is amazing. Still waiting for that first glimpse of the Rockies in the distance. Much like civilization was a relief during the trip b/w the Soo and Thunder bay, some hills would be nice right now.

On the advice of fellow SPAD student Kane Mosher, we stopped for an extended lunch in Winnipeg at the 'World Famous' Juniors Restaurant for a 'Fat Boy'. Kane claimed to be the best burger he's ever had and although I still say In-and-out in the States makes the best, Juniors did not disappoint. After we mucked a few burgers, we were on the road again.

Not sure if anyone in SPAD or otherwise can verify this but on the drive into Winnipeg there is a Royal Canadian Mint building which had pictures of Gold Silver and Bronze medals painted on the windows. They looked like the 2010 medals. No pictures but we are thinking maybe they got made there?

Dana and Nicole are now driving. Just outside of Brandon Manitoba. Since we are making such good time and can't check into the hotel until Saturday at around noon we are probably going to spend the night in Calgary at Nicole's friends house.

While writing this, we got pulled over by the RCMP. Not speeding, not driving dangerously, talking on a cell phone etc. Apparently they were looking for another red Dodge mini-van. Officer was extremely friendly and made OPP seem like the KGB. He was driving crazy fast and said "Well thanks for letting me drive faster than I have in a long time." After he leaves Dana asks "Do all the fellers speak like that out here?"

The trip is going great. Every few hours somebody says something along the lines of "I can't believe were actually doing it." I'm sure it won't sink in until we get to our hotel in Richmond and we see all of the buzz in the city. There are going to be hundreds of thousands of tourists in the city.

Sometime back in October while 'studying' for a midterm a couple of us were talking to Lawren Carroll (who is flying to Vancouver with his brother) about their trip and we joked about the idea of getting in a car and driving; we quickly realized how stupid and unrealistic of an idea this was and got back to studying. All the while in the back of my head I kept thinking about it and day by day we slowly talked ourselves and others into thinking it was a good idea.

I still think all the time if were crazy for doing this and if anyone else in their right mind would do this - but I know Saturday night when were are at the biggest party in the world that it will all make sense. Its literally a once in a lifetime experience. The next time the Olympics are in Canada we will all have full time jobs (maybe with the COC???) and won't have time to do something like this.

Many times when people go "life-changing" journeys they look for something specific (like an event or time on the journey) which made their outlook on life different; often this event is not something tangible and something you may not be able to specify but its there and it has effected you in a way you can't explain or know. Like many others, I still haven't found what I'm looking for, and maybe never will.