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05/31/2007: "The Fin(n) Family"

IN CALGARY

The next day, with Fin happily tucked away in underground parking, Nathan and I went on a walk.

"What are we doing today?" he asked.

"Just visiting a bookstore," I replied.

"Are you signing books again?"

"Um ... yep, sort of," I replied cagily.

Nathan stopped in his tracks. "My Red Alert Button is going beep-warning, creature."

Before he could take off, I grabbed his hand, and guided him into McNally Robinson bookstore, which was a few doors away. Rhonda, the manager, greeted us, saying, "And who's this? Nathan Blue? I've read lots about you."

Again, Nathan Red was in full form, kicking at the rug and his cheeks flushing. Rhonda looked at me. "So are you ready?" Nathan looked up at me and then her. "Ready for what?"

"To meet another author, Gregory Roberts, and his character, Brooke, from the novel, 'Chin Music'."

Nathan scrunched up his nose, "A female humanoid. No thanks."

Just then a boy twice Nathan's size with a baseball hat, and cleats on his feet, came from behind a shelf. "You must be Nathan," he said. "I'm Brooke. Want to learn how to throw a forkball?"

"Only if I can show you my Spoonish-slider, creature," Nathan said. Brook smiled, and replied, "Sure, kid."

"Be back in 10 minutes, Nathan," I said. "We've got a reading to do."

So while the boys traded baseball secrets, I caught up with Gregory Roberts, first-time author and soon-to-be doctor. Gregory has written a hilarious book about baseball for readers 11 and older.

The reading was well-attended and went off without a hitch. There was a boy in the front row that must have inhaled some giggle-gas before he came, because everything Nathan said made him fall off his seat. And then when Brooke started telling his story about his first kiss, the boy could hardly breathe he was laughing so hard.

After the reading, we said good-bye to Gregory and Brooke, and then Nathan, Fin and I visited other bookstores, including Owl's Nest Books and Monkeyshines. When we got back to the hotel, we were pooped.

"Well," I said to Nathan, "Better get some sleep. We're heading to the mountains tomorrow."

And to that Nathan said absolutely nothing.

Calgary to Kamloops, 800 kms

Nathan didn't need an attack from the Dark Soldiers of Noir to be somewhat daunted by Rockies. Even I got a little bit of a lump in my throat as we approached the foreboding peaks. (See images)

I looked down at the S.E.S. light and thought, "I hope 'soon' doesn't mean 'now'."

Everyone was silent as we drove through the towering mountains. At a certain point a couple of hours in, Fin's engine started to whine. "Uh oh!" Nathan said. "And we're going straight down hill." I looked at the SES light, which was still on. Fin's engine whined louder.

"Look," Nathan said. "It's Finn River!"

Sure enough there was sign for Finn River and a lookout area. As soon as I slowed Fin down, his engine began to quietly purr again. As we made our way to the look out, he quietly explained.

"Therrrre are all kinds of Fins in Canada," he said. "Some are cars and others rivers. Most stick to more traditional occupations like steering. The BC Fin's added the extra "n" years ago, and they are known for their oddball sense of humour."

While Fin the Car caught up with Finn the River (It turns out they have a great-great-great uncle in common) Nathan scanned the perimeter for Dark Solidiers of Noir scouts and I took some photos. Finally, Fin and Finn waved good-bye and then we got back on the mountain highway and headed toward Kamloops.