Homecoming

Regina was revisited in the same manner we had previously left it, through the luxurious Quality Inn on East Victoria Avenue (Trans-Canada) 20 minutes out of the downtown core.  The previous 11 hours was spent taking stock of what we had accomplished on our 3 week tour of Canada. We had done a lot in the short time that we were on the road. Almost 10,000 kilometres of prairie, boreal forest, St. Lawrence River scenery and maritime warmth all in a few short weeks with a even shorter financial supplies. Not many people have done what we had done. Sure, there have been greater adventures, longer trips under far more epic circumstances, but I would still argue our merits grand. Even greater still was our accomplishment as a band, a single entity with the sole purpose of traveling the grand nation of Canada and performing in cities at every possible opportunity. I could say I toured Canada in a band with some pretty amazing people. Not many people can claim to say the same. But my greatest feeling of accomplishment was personal, of course. I had sacrificed a lot, as much as anyone else in the band with me, and I had come back surviving the whole thing in one piece.

The Last 500 km (via qmass)

The homestretch felt undeniably timeless. The last 500 kilometres would be long. I recall a similar feeling going back to last year in August of 2008 when Endangered Ape first set out on the road. Our first tour was a 5 day stint in British Columbia and the American Northwest with Portland, Oregon being our last performance. In order to arrive back in Lethbridge in time for a performance, we had to resort to extreme measures, a nonstop, over-night cruise from Portland to Lethbridge. I had felt the same type of restless anxiety as I had been feeling on the way back from Regina. I was eager to be back on familiar soil with familiar faces to flaunt our achievements for. I could take a shower in my own home, sleep in the comforts of my own bed and not have to live out of a duffle bag. More importantly, I was keen on sharing my experiences with all my colleagues and loyal followers! I pictured a crowd welling upon us, eyes gleaming and waiting on every word as we retold the stories and mishaps of our adventure. The illustrious travellers had returned!

Mammoth Cave Festival

Our return would not be complete without a celebration. So, quite fittingly, a one-day music festival of unparalleled size was organized coinciding with our return on Victoria Day. Mammoth Cave Fest, as it would be called, showcased a bevy of musical groups from the local music scene, Alberta and beyond. Check out the link to the concert reviews, as they can do more justice for the event than I can. All in all, it was a great celebration of local music and also a reconfirming display of friendship from everyone who came out to support us. It was possibly one of the best highlights of out trip.