By the time this article comes out, Patrick and Jan Dion will have started their journey across Canada.
By now the couple will be in Victoria, where they will remain for about six weeks to be with Jan’s sister, who is in the process of getting ready for her wedding. Jan will be maid of honour, while Patrick is the wedding’s master of ceremonies.
The two have been planning the trip for at least two months. Along with making sure their vehicle is in fine working condition, they had to make sure everything here in Nakusp was taken care of, including making sure their home was rented.
One reason they’re doing this now is because Jan recently retired after working for 30 years. Another reason for making the journey is simple.
“Jan’s never seen the east coast in the fall,” said Patrick. “We figured we’d better do it before we’re too old to do it, so this is the early retirement plan.”
Though they’ve been preparing for this trip for two months, more work still needs to be done. While in Victoria they’ll be staying with Jan’s sister while Patrick continues to work on the motorhome they’re travelling in.
After the wedding they’ll be travelling across the province visiting with various grandchildren before trekking out across the rest of the country.
Their plan is to make it to Montreal by October to celebrate Thanksgiving with some of Patrick’s family, and to celebrate his birthday there, something that hasn’t happened in over 40 years.
While seeing the east coast in the fall is something Jan is really looking forward to, something else she’s excited about is helping out people in other communities.
“Pat’s bringing his tools and I’m bringing my tools, and we’re hoping that we can do something like what’s happening here with Better At Home,” she said.
This isn’t the first time the Dions have travelled. They lived in China for several months, and have made the trip across Canada numerous times over the years, though this is the first time they’ve done the trip in an RV.
For some, the journey would be somewhat daunting, but not for Patrick and Jan.
“We’re in God’s hands,” Jan said. “It feels like we’re doing another chapter. Pat and I are both well-travelled, so I think that sort of allows us that luxury of not feeling really nervous and just enjoying the trip.”