It's a nice morning to be on the road. Tim's as usual for an extra large coffee, last night's cash into the gas tank, and I'm on my way. Woodstock is a pretty nice looking town. Close to the international border, close to Fredericton. Not too sleepy, but still has that small town feel. Big old trees, big old frame houses. I like these rambling frame structures. You see them all across the Maritime region, and also into Maine, Vermont, upstate New York.

Back on the TransCanada Highway. Northbound now, taking my time to save gas. I've got the cruise on and I'm moving into the New Brunswick highlands. Lots of trees and rocks here. It's mills and mining and big, open spaces. There's been less snow here, but sections of road are still covered, and the sky is now hinting at another drop. I'm warm. The motor is humming quietly. Life could be better, but it's not bad. I'm wondering how Big Dave is doing out in Winnipeg. I'm still thinking about how bad the returns were on Atlantic Canada this year. I'm thinking about next year's National Steel Tour with Morgan Davis. I'm pretty much committed to being out here, but I don't know if this Tour can support two artists with the economy being as it is. I've got to raise revenues and cut expenses if this is to work...

The phone rings. It's Big Dave! We have a chat and catch up on our travels and concerns. Where am I? Hey, I'm crossing into Quebec now! Does that mean I pay more, or less for gas? I pass by the big, Irving gas station at the border. Why? I don't know. I just can't be bothered to stop. I want to make Quebec City before dark. Time change. That should help. I like going west...

Snow behind me now, I roll into eastern Quebec. Lumpy little Laurentian wannabe hills, the St. Laurence river on my right. Narrow, little farm fields left over from the original land grants here. Everybody got a piece of the river, I guess. Soon it is getting dark. The lights of Quebec City twinkle across the river. I wonder if I could still get a ferry across from Levis? I'm tired. I'm driving. I keep going to the Big Pont, across, and into the twisted streets of the Old City.

Road to Prince George

Morning looks like this out the window of my room at the Inn, British Columbia's oldest hotel. The fishing for steelhead is legendary here, so rich and famous come from around the world and hide out in this funky hotel. But today we own the place, so it's downstairs for coffee. I can hear Dave telling jokes in the distance, so I just follow the sound.

We drink coffee on the porch and look at the eagles hunting the river below. On one side of the river Canadian Pacific runs its trains, on the opposite side, Canadian National. At night they come screaming through this tight little valley, wheels gnashing, horns blaring. You can see them coming for some distance- huge golden eyes glimmering in the blackness. And then the town seems to shake while they pass by, moaning and bashing until they fade into the distance.

Breakfast companion. The guard dog of the Inn.

Good morning, Dave!

Looking out across the valley; high dessert hills.

The Inn was fun, but breakfast at the Packinghouse is on our minds. Time to load the Lincoln.

First we stop at the old, cowboy cemetery on the edge of town.

Outside the Cafe we notice this modified bike. It carries a large axe rather nicely. Inside we meet the owner, who tells us the axe is to protect himself from bears on his long rides into town. I tell him I'd probably just pedal fast in the other direction!

Wifi is on, so it's another working breakfast! Emails, press releases, and the Blog. This stuff never goes away.

Soon enough we're on the 97 Highway, headed north. We give Ramblin' Dan a spin. Dylan. JB Lenoir, John Lee Hooker, Stormriders, James McMurtry, Memphis Jug Band...

In just a few hours the landscape changes considerably. It is a little colder, fall in the air, flashes of colour in the trees.

As we drive the shadow of the mighty speaker horn keeps pace with us, pointing the way of adventures to come.

Dovey snapped this picture of us upon our arrival to Prince George, British Columbia. I hope this town is ready! Hey! The Blues is Back in Town!

Spence's Bridge: Sold Out!

Repairs and Slack Time in Vancouver

Mobile!

Fluffy skies north of Toronto. A late start, but with no show tonight I've got nothing to do but drive. The Lincoln is humming nicely. Now, north of Barrie, northern Ontario starts to take shape. I've got the windows open. I'm sipping on a giant coffee. Albert King's "Crosscut Saw." Set the cruise control. Relax. Oh, yeah!! Man, it is so good to get this whole thing on the highway!! Mobile, under fluffy skies.

The Canadian Shield rears its edges. Trees and rock. There's a whole lot of trees and rock in some parts of Canada. I know I'll be rolling through this kind of picture for a few more days.

Looks like the weather is gonna turn, but that's OK. This road belongs to me.

Smoke stacks of Sudbury. It's still a hard rock town. I remember blowing into the old hotel- was it the Colson? We'd play six nights- plus a Saturday afternoon show with the strippers. Big room with miners, bikers, railway men, and the self-described, First Nations, FBI. You could take your date out for a romantic ride to watch the slag being poured off in the dark. You could buy popcorn from Gus. But not tonight. I'm alone, and I'm going to ride the Dark Road for a few more hours. A couple more coffees and I'll be in Sault St. Marie. That'll be my stop tonight. I hate to bypass Sudbury, and the Bluenose Barber, but maybe we'll see you next time.

2012 Tour Preview: Morgan Davis! Prescription for a Great Tour

It's Official. The 2012 National Steel Tour will feature the very, very special guest star, Morgan Davis. Details will be announced over the next few months. Suffice to say that this will be an amazing adventure. Morgan developed the art of touring the blues in Canada and made a career of it. He has been an inspiration to a generation of musicians, many of whom have tried to follow his example. I firmly believe that he is one of the finest blues roots entertainers in the world. As a singer, guitarist, composer, bandleader, storyteller and personality he is compelling and has a universal appeal. I am sometimes taken aback that a man of this enormous talent makes his home in a small corner of Canada instead of Chicago or Los Angeles, or New Orleans. But I shouldn't be. It's a great country we have here, and riding these blue highways is a pretty good life. Morgan and I have known each other for perhaps thirty years, and it's still a thrill to hear him play– every time. This is going to be a big, big, tour with new cds, new songs, old songs, and lots of stories from two big talkers. We will answer the Blues Emergency in your Town. Now accepting expressions of interest...