A journalist and author is making a cross-Canada road trip. The Canadian Automobile Association is the lead sponsor of Mark Richardson's two month oddessey. He writes for McLean's Magazine, and left St. John's, Newfoundland, June 4th, arriving in Halifax over the weekend for a brief stay before heading to New Brunswick and beyond.
Another of Mark's sponsors ... GM ... has provided a new Chevy Camaro for the journey. Its commemorating two significant anniversaries this year .... 50 years since the Trans Canada Highway was completed ...and 100 years since the first cross Canada road trip. Mark tells us, he doesn't know what to expect on the journey.
Mark expects to arrive in Victoria on August 8th. He plans to write a book about his trip, experiences and people he meets along the way.
CAA clubs across the country are supporting him for the duration of the trip, organizing local events to commemorate the journey. Richardson will celebrate his 50th birthday on July 30th during their stay in Revelstoke, BC. Ironically, Mark was born July 30, 1962 - the same day, and even at the same hour, that the Trans-Canada Highway was first opened, near Revelstoke, to cross-country traffic.
His daily reports about his adventure will be tracked online at macleans.ca, or by following @WheelsMark or @CAA_Atlantic on Twitter. His weekly video blogs can also be viewed on CAA.Atlantic on YouTube.----------------------------------------------------------------
Here is Mark's schedule:
Monday, June 4: Official start to journey. Dip wheels in Atlantic at St. John’s.
Friday, June 8: Arrive Port Aux Basques
Saturday, June 9: Ferry to Nova Scotia, stay in Cape Breton
Monday, June 11: Ferry to PEI
Thursday, June 14: Cross Confederation bridge to New Brunswick, head back east to Halifax
Tuesday, June 19: Dip Wheels in Atlantic at Halifax, stay night at Amherst
Wednesday, June 20: Stay night at Moncton
Thursday, June 21: Stay night at St. John
Friday, June 22: Stay night at Fredericton
Saturday, June 23: Stay night at Grand Falls
Sunday, June 24: Enter Quebec, stay night at Riviere du Loup
Monday, June 25: Stay night at Quebec City
Wednesday, June 27: Stay night at Montreal
Thursday, June 28: Stay night at Ottawa
Friday, June 29: Home to Cobourg
Tuesday, July 3: Drive up Hwy. 7 to Ottawa, stay night at Ottawa
Wednesday, July 4: Head north on Hwy. 17, stay night at Rapides des Joachims
Thursday, July 5: Stay night at Sudbury
Friday, July 6: Return south to Cobourg
Tuesday, July 10: Drive north, now with 12-year-old son. Stay night in Sudbury
Thursday, July 12: Stay night at Sault Ste. Marie
Friday, July 13: Stay night at Wawa
Saturday, July 14: Stay night at Marathon
Sunday, July 15: Stay night at Thunder Bay
Monday, July 16: Stay night at Dryden
Tuesday, July 17: Stay night at Kenora
Wednesday, July 18: Stay night at Winnipeg
Friday, July 20: Stay night at Brandon
Saturday, July 21: Stay night at Regina
Sunday, July 22: Stay night at Moose Jaw
Monday, July 23: Stay night at Swift Current
Tuesday, July 24: Stay night at Medicine Hat
Wednesday, July 25: Stay night at Calgary
Saturday, July 28: Stay night at Banff
Sunday, July 29: Stay night at Golden
Monday, July 30: Birthday! At the Rogers’ Pass. Stay night at Revelstoke
Friday, Aug. 3: Arrive in Vancouver, dip wheels in Pacific
Sunday, Aug. 5: Ferry to Nanaimo
Monday, Aug. 6: Stay night in Port Alberni
Wednesday, Aug. 8 Arrive in Victoria, dip wheels in Pacific again