Heh, I've flown to both Calgary and Edmonton for reef meetings/frags. I remember flying back from Calgary with a bangaii cardinalfish named Bug from EmilyB. Going through security I was nervous that they'd rat me out for taking water on the plane. Two security guards were yacking about their friday nights and the other just wanted to see the little guy, she sai he was "cute" before she waved me through. Its really too bad they have that no liquids on the plane rule (although I have a feeling they probably had one before for large amounts of saltwater but I just never got caught
).
I've driven to both Calgary and Edmonton as well, under the guise of visiting family. I have all the fish stores googlemapped from their houses. I've driven to Red Deer for a tank (which I don't think my husband will EVER let go
) that has been and will live in storage for the next 6 months but it was too good a deal to pass up (ok even I will admit that was one of my crazier moves).
I've done the ferry and out to well, the whole of the lower mainland I think, for frags/fish. I have a softsided cooler that I have overfilled several times and almost given myself a hernia hauling back on the ferry (I always forget how much water weighs when you have 25 small bags of it with frags in them).
I remember the drive to Mission for a tailspot wrasse. It felt like I was just driving and driving and driving and I remember thinking "who would want to live way the hell out here?". It seemed like a long drive at the time but thats mostly because I had no idea where I was going (I've been back since, and its not *that* far). The drive back seemed much quicker. I did say "man the things I do for this hobby" several times during the drive though (although I've said that often over the years
).
I've taken the float plane back from Vancouver and had a major leak in my "luggage" (those rolly carry on luggages are awesome for fish/coral transport, you can really stuff them full, and they're expandable!!). I couldn't get off the plane fast enough when I saw the telltale water stain on the outside. I left a trail all the way across the dock and up the ramp only to greet my husband with a "we've gotta get home quick, a bag broke!" instead of a kiss
I had to hose down the bag when I got home so it didn't rust. I think its transported more frags and fish than normal luggage items (like clothes!)
I've also done a goodly portion of the island as well, Victoria, Cobble Hill, Campbell River, Port Alberni etc.
I'm thinking about bugging Marie to have a little reef meeting now that theres lots of Powell River reefers. The road trip would be fun and I've never been to Powell River. I hear they have not one but TWO great thai restaurants
Good grief, reading this over you'd almost think I need an intervention or something eh?