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Monster road trip planned

Parkers leave Inuvik headed for tip of South America

Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services

Inuvik (July 27/01) - Larry and Elaine Parker aren't just seeing one big country on their current road trip, they're seeing half a planet.



Larry and Elaine Parker left Inuvik July 19 to drive all the way to the tip of South America, before re-turning to their Ont-ario home. - Malcolm Gorrill/NNSL photo


The Parkers, who have been married 33 years and are both retired, left Inuvik July 19. They plan to drive all the way to the Argentinean town of Ushuaia, the southernmost point in South America.

They hope to make it into the Guinness Book of World Records, but aren't sure if such a trip has been done before.

"We started to dream about this trip six years ago," Larry said.

Larry, who's diabetic, decided that if they were going to make such a trip, they might as well raise funds for charity, and they chose the Canadian Diabetes Association.

The Parkers left their home town of Elora, Ont., June 30. They are driving a 1990 Chevrolet Lumina APV minivan, which has about 400,000 kilometres on it.

The Parkers are fairly sure their minivan will break down at some point. They're so sure, in fact, that the Elora Optimist Club is selling 50/50 tickets based on guessing which day the vehicle will break down.

"If it breaks down to a point that we can't repair it, then we have to start the trip all over again. I doubt that," Larry said with a laugh.

Larry explained that, after some technical details are worked out within the next few weeks, those wanting to get in on the draw, make donations, or just keep track of the Parkers' progress, will be able to do so on the couple's Web site at www.parkersgreatadventure.com

The Parkers are paying for the adventure on their own, and said they're not in a big hurry to get home.

They're aiming to drive back to Elora around May 2002.

"It's not a straight trip. We're going to zigzag around, catch some sights, maybe stay in some areas for up to a week, and then move on again," Larry said.

"You get tired of travelling, just straight travelling," added Elaine.

Larry pointed out that since he's diabetic, it's better for him to just average a short distance each day of driving. "We're certainly enjoying the North," Larry said.

The Parkers had not been in the NWT before, but have travelled a great deal. They've visited England, Europe, Australia and Malaysia.