In the 80’s an older lady from the church gave me a book to read for Christmas. I hadn’t read many since high school. I went from always reading to rarely reading. I remember starting this book on Christmas day and finishing is that night and wanting to read more in the series to the point of speaking with the lady about more books in the series. She was planning on giving me book two for my birthday and gave it to me early and I ordered the last two in the series. The book was Janette Oke’s When Calls the Heart from the Canadian West Series. I fell back in love with reading but also in love with both Canada and Mounties. This book is what started me reading again and reading more Christian fiction and while there wasn’t as many choices around back then there were some.
This book also ignited a passion to want to go to Canada and meet a Mountie in their uniform. Going to Canada was a dream which I didn’t think would happen but in 2007 I had a chance to a retreat for an online ladies group I was part off and we stayed in Vancouver. While there I stayed near Whistler with a friend and hoped to meet a Mountie, this didn’t happen, but I did see some wonderful scenery and also some of planning for the 2010 winter Olympics.
I did get to see a couple of Mountie mascots at the shops where you can buy their merchandise. I returned to Canada the following year for a friend’s wedding and saw more of the country and love the mountains.
Reading the books about the area even if they are historical had a huge impact on this reader. I also got to do what my mother had wanted to do as she had had a teacher doing an teaching exchange from Canada when she was in Primary School. I have been reintroduced to When Calls the Heart through the DVD Series. While it is different to the books it still shows the beautiful country. As readers this is what we want a book to do, make us want to visit a place or to make us feel like we have been transported to a special place.
I loved Janette Oke's Mountie series! Like you, I'd love to visit Canada and meet a real Mountie ... but only if they live up to their fictional counterparts :)
ReplyDeleteYes, I’ve read these Janette Oke books. They probably contributed to a love for Canada first propagated by Anne of Green Gables. And my Mountie fascination was further enhanced by the 90s TV show Due South. 😍
ReplyDeleteI could never read the Anne books as when I started I was too young but loved the movies. But I first was introduced to Canada by "The Beachcombers" and my other friend lives where it was filmed. We use to get quite a few children's shows from Canada. I think I can remember a few old movies featuring Mounties, infact I can see them but not remember the names that started my fascination.
DeleteI agree. They don't where the Serge except for ceremonial occasions. I didn't meet a Mountie but I did meet a really cute Pilot. When we went to pick up one of the ladies from the airport they basically ignored me and I was chatting with a pilot who use to do the Vancouver - Sydney route and he was so cute and friendly. Also suggested a few places to visit while I was there. Canada and the Mountains are all I hoped and way more.
ReplyDeleteJenny, you are writing about my favorite author and one of my favorite series. You share the love of the mounties with my Mom. Wish you could have met one!
ReplyDeleteI am still hoping I will get back (if I could somehow earn $50,000 I would come get surgery to fix my headpain and of course I need support and would get you to come and stay with me) Then we could go to Canada to Banff where I hear you will see a Mountie. Your Mom has good taste.
ReplyDeleteI'll just have to start praying about this!
DeleteI LOVE the series and it’s definitely on my to do list - to visit Canada 🇨🇦
ReplyDeleteI love the West side, I did spend some time near Toronto but didn't like it as much. Visiting Niagara Falls was good but also disappointing as it is so built up and I am use to waterfalls in the nature more like Russell Falls in Tasmania. I would like to visit Prince Edward Island. I hope you get there one day.
DeleteGreat post, Jenny. Come visit me and you'll see dozens and dozens of Mounties. I live an hour from Regina, Saskatchewan, which is where the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Academy is located. The trainees hold drills and parade daily in the old drill hall, or outside if the weather is nice. I have the whole thing on tape as well from when I was researching for my 1880 Mountie series. The parade really is something to see, while the academy church is the oldest standing building in Regina.
ReplyDeleteAnita Mae I will remember that. I was so taken with the mountains as well. My Mum lived near mountains and I think having the Canadian teacher speaking about the beauty of the Rockies made her really want to visit. It was the one place overseas she would have liked to see and often spoke about this teacher with fondness.
DeleteWaving from Canada! So glad you got to visit twice!!! I have yet to get lost in that series :)
ReplyDeleteEva Maria does an over night trip to Victoria Island count as 3 trips. My last trip I stayed overnight in Victoria (friend lives in Washington State about and hour and a half from the ferry). Christian inspirational have changed since Jeanette Oke started writing but I think she and June Master Bacher and even Jane Peart were some of the first of the modern era of writing along with Gilbert Morris. Oh and I do have several Canadian Mountie stuffed animals.
DeleteOf course it counts! :)
DeleteJenny, fabulous post :) I’ve also enjoyed watching the When Calls the Heart series. Visiting Canada is on my travel wish list. I’ve visited the Peace Arch in WA but didn’t have the required visa to cross the border.
ReplyDeleteThanks Narelle, I accidently bought 2 copies of number 9 in the dvd series. Oh they must have changed it when I went just under 5 years ago I didn't need a visa. Is the Peace Arch where you cross into Canada. Just checked I may have seen it as we crossed the border but I was on a bus.
DeleteYes, the Peace Arch is at the border crossing into British Columbia at Surrey. It’s right next to where all the traffic banks up at the border checkpoint, and you may have seen it from the bus if you were on the main Seattle to Vancouver route.
Deletewe were in the coach line up. had to wait 2 hours to get through and then because the driver said I wouldn't need to do some of the paper work to go to the USA I almost was left behind. It was there they asked if I had food and I said what I had and mentioned vegemite and they said they hardly counts as food. Coming back to Canada it was about a 10 min wait.
DeleteI hope you get to visit the RCMP Heritage Centre in Regina someday--it's great! http://rcmphc.com/
ReplyDeleteHi Donna That would be so cool. Now I have a contact in that area will help.
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