Day 37. Joy!

Truro to Pictou, Nova Scotia

9/23/23. 41 mi. AIS: 3:35. 11.5mph. Elev. 1627 ft.

To quote my sister Margie “ You have to know miserable, before you can experience joy”.

Boy, howdy… I had a pretty low low this week which was made up for today in multiple ways! If you’ve been following you know that I didn’t have a very good day 2 days ago. It was a hard day riding physically and emotionally I wasn’t loving it.

Two things I didn’t tell you about that day: No. 1….When we got to town after those hard climbs Jim pulled over at some business to stop and figure out where we were going to eat. I pulled up near him and when I tried to dismount I didn’t swing my leg high enough to clear not only the saddle but also the two big panniers. Needless to say, I fell over and the whole bike falls on top of me. It didn’t really hurt too much but it just kind of summed up how exhausted I was.

No 2…After we set up camp, I typically grab my change of clothes and head to the shower. It’s the reward for riding that day! So I’ve got my toiletries bag and open it up for the shampoo. The inside of my bag is covered in light blue powder! Yikes! I take a thyroid medication. The cap came off the pill bottle and all the pills in the bottle had literally disintegrated inside the bag. Not good… this medication is not optional for me. A few days up to a week is doable but two weeks plus could pose a big problem. I had an autoimmune disease called Graves Disease about 25 years ago. I do not have a thyroid anymore.. so one little pill keeps me motoring so to speak. So I did what came to mind first and contacted a medical provider in Billings to send a prescription to a nearby pharmacy. Not so fast… she looked into it and let me know that Canada does not accept USA prescriptions… Dr or NP! The Canadian pharmacy said I would have to go to a walk-in clinic. Okay… simple enough right? No! There are only about 4 walk-in clinics in half this province! One was in the town we were headed to next. The clinic hours are 5-7pm… that’s it! We get to town early enough, I shower and jump on my bike for the 3mi ride to the clinic. Arrive at 5pm…there are already at least 25 people in there… some very sick people, crying kids… you get the picture right? I spent like 2 minutes in line and decided that staying there for 2 hours was a hard NO!

Back on my bike for a quick ride back to camp. I tried to find some other Canadian connections that didn’t work out. Made a new plan to try another walk-in next Tuesday in Antigonish. Their hours are lovely as well…6-9pm (after riding all day). Ugh. Then last night it dawned on me that I know one other person that lives in Canada. She’s been in this country most of her life (except for when I knew her in Billings)… she might know a Doctor who could help me get a prescription. Tele-health right!! It worked.. happy dance… joy! We had a messenger call while I was riding this afternoon. The ever so helpful Doctor, who happens to be named Cindy, sent a scrip to a pharmacy in Whitehorse, NWT. From there I went to the pharmacy today when we arrived in Pictou and by fax and telephone, I now have “life” in a blue pill in my hot possession!! By the way… all my favorite doctors are named Cindy!! (You Cindy’s know who I’m talking about).

Ta da! Thank you from the bottom of my ❤️ to all the health professionals and friends in Billings, Quebec City and Whitehorse for making this happen. Answering my questions, making suggestions and honestly trying to help me out in a foreign country.

My current most favorite Pharmacy in Nova Scotia

So that was a very joyful thing that happened today. But that’s not all… now there’s

THE RIDE!

We stopped for breakfast this morning at the British Cafe. Good breakfast and I think Jim had the best pancakes I’ve ever tasted! So we were off to a good start.

Jim had our first “close call” of the whole trip as we were almost out of town. It was a typical busy road with strip businesses on both sides of the road. I was behind Jim and we were just rolling down the street holding a nice line. Suddenly this little black car goes by me and whips a right turn right in front of Jim.. headed to a fast food drive up window for breakfast! It was really close..Jim hit his brakes fast!

Once we were out of town we were following the Nova Scotia Blue Bicycle Route. The highway surfaces were really nice. Not always a shoulder but also very light traffic. And… the best tailwind for all 42 miles. Joy!

We had a few climbs to make for the first 30 miles but with the tailwind assist we were getting uphill pretty easily. We were in some pretty high hills with no homes. I’m guessing it was all Natural Resource land of some nature. The trees at the higher elevations are beginning to show changes in color. Quite beautiful to ride and enjoy the countryside with next to no traffic for 42 miles!! I was thinking today must be what it’s like to ride an e-bike all the time. Sweet, sweet day. And on the last 12 miles the whole doctor visit situation came through too 😊

A screenshot from Jim’s computer partway through our ride. Check out how we finished with the huge downhill to the bay

We are in Pictou on the bay. Found a nice hotel on a hill overlooking the bay. Laundry is done, we are fed and ready to really relax tomorrow. Oh! And the sun was shining all day today. Joy!