Meaford resident Chuck Gouett has completed his ‘bucket list journey’ from St. John’s, Nfld. to Victoria, BC, and down through the United States. Gouett’s journey began in early June, and ended after 46 days on the road, and 19,000 kilometres travelled.
“I travelled through nine provinces and 13 states, saw both the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans, countless deer, moose, and buffalo. I ate every conceivable kind of fish on the East Coast, steak and smoked brisket on the Prairies, and Cajun food in the South. Flew on an airplane and took three different ferries and a one time rickshaw ride. Experienced torrential rain (briefly), a wind storm in Texas and 119F in Phoenix,” Gouett told The Independent. “I was checked by ICE twice in Texas and had dinner with a police chief.”
The 86-year-old was a former member of the RCMP, and he visited some of his retired colleagues along the way as he crossed Canada.
“I got to visit with six of my old RCMP friends and talked to another three,” Gouett said. “I spent 19 nights with friends and 27 on the road.”
Gouett also had a unique cooking experience during his journey.
“I got to spend hours in the kitchen of one of the most famous Cajun restaurants in New Iberia, Louisiana. Cooked my own Cajun meal and returned to do the morning prep for the next day. Much more hands on than Cooking School.”
Now that his bucket list journey is complete, Gouett is home in Meaford.
“Would I do it again? Yes. What will I do next? To be continued,” said Gouett.
