Packing Up and Hitting the Road: The Blue Gnu’s Grand European Prelude

Our latest adventure saw us packing up the beloved Blue Gnu for its most ambitious mission yet—a cross-country trek to Toronto, right through the heart of a polar vortex, in hopes of shipping it to Europe for more adventures (fingers crossed). The initial photos capture the car fully packed, revealing the intriguing setup beneath our bed, followed by a snapshot of the car's impressive mileage.

The journey started smoothly, but just 400 kilometers in, near Kamloops, we hit a snag: the loss of our 5th gear. This hiccup sparked a debate between Judi, who wanted to turn back for repairs, and Cotty, who was determined to keep to our schedule. Opting to press on, we soon faced daunting temperatures outside Regina and decided to hunker down in a hotel with underground parking, shielding the Gnu and ourselves from the fierce windchill.

Our second night was disrupted by a fire alarm that rang from 2:20 to 3:15 AM, culminating in a loud announcement that it was a false alarm. Nevertheless, we set out again the next morning in slightly warmer conditions, managing a brief family visit and a humorous encounter at the North Dakota border, where we drove into a hangar-style enclosure to chat with a seemingly bored border guard.

Our journey continued with a late-night arrival to meet new friends in South Dakota. After a restful night, we braved long hours of driving through challenging weather and slippery roads to finally reach Hamilton, and then Toronto, to scout out the shipping location. We spent a few days visiting friends and making final adjustments to the Gnu before dropping it off at the shipper and catching a Lyft to the airport. Our journey back home via Vancouver included a well-deserved pause in the airport lounge, for Cotty.

It was a journey filled with trials, laughter, and unforgettable moments, perfectly setting the stage for the Blue Gnu’s next chapter in Europe.