Love From Coast To Coast

 

- Denise Dow, Saint John, N.B.

I recall being in high school in the mid-’70s and thinking how cool it would be to drive across Canada by motorcycle after graduation. At the time, my sister and I both had dirt bikes, so we enjoyed the freedom of riding around the countryside where we lived on the Bay of Fundy coastline in New Brunswick. A coast-to-coast trip seemed like a great goal, certain to be filled with adventure.

Fast-forward to midlife, when I realized there were a couple items left on my bucket list—and the Canada coast-to-coast trip was definitely on the top. Around that same time, I also decided it was time to follow my dream of creating a symbol for proud Canadians, and the “Strong & Free Emblem” was born. My goal was to provide quality, made-in-Canada products that make a passionate statement about what it feels like to be Canadian. With the Vancouver Olympics coming in mid-February 2010, I now had two really good reasons to make the cross-Canada trip a reality.

 

In 2009, I purchased a motorhome, removed the manufacturer’s decals and replaced them with a huge Strong & Free Emblem. The Strong & Free RV was born, and it was ready for its epic journey cheering for Canada. On January 22, 2010, my partner and co-pilot Patricia and I left Saint John, N.B., on our coast-to-coast tour. The 2010 Vancouver Olympics were an all-time high for every Canadian. None of us will forget where we were when hockey star Sidney Crosby scored for Canadian gold. In March, we returned home with a newfound appreciation for the diverse beauty and immensity of this amazing country.