What a delight to be asked back by Via Rail Canada. An iconic Canadian experience, riding the rails across this beautiful land, singing of history, characters and landscapes.
Author Archives: Willy Blizzard
Rockin’ It Up at Historic Hollyburn Lodge
Yes, a Canadian band called Willy Blizzard actually had to snowshoe into a gig on top of a mountain. How iconic is that? Seeing so many people dancing gives a band so much energy, and it was indeed gratifying to know that our show was sold out. Looking out the window directly across from the stage, we could see couples literally dancing in the snow. What a great end to a BC winter.
Home For The Holidays

What a long strange trip it’s been.
We are thankful for the adventure that took us over 26,000 km. in our 32 year old truck. No air conditioning. No cruise control.
From Vancouver to Cape Spear, Nfld., from Maine to Memphis, the Deep South, the Delta and the Coast we saw so many sights, met awesome people, stayed healthy, and explored the extremes of living small for six months (two people in a 19 foot truck). Yowsa.
Thank you to all our friends who sent us encouraging messages on the road.
Merry Christmas to all our friends from Willy Blizzard.
Rockabilly, Gospel & The Delta Blues : Willy at The Crossroads
Indulged in authentic pit-cooked southern BBQ at the Crossroads in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Located at the crossroads of Highways 61 and 49, it witnessed the birth of the Delta Blues. Legend has it that Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil here, paving the way for Muddy Waters, BB King, John Lee Hooker etc.
Along the way we also paid a visit to the birthplace of Elvis himself, the town of Tupelo. The humble origins of the King of rock’n’roll are a reminder that new ideas come out of the old and the authentic.
Gospel, Country, The Blues and BBQ.
What’s not to love?
St. Pierre et Miquelon? Incroyable!
Leaving behind the tour van at the very bottom of the Burin Peninsula, we walked on a ferry and ended up . . . in France! After 8,000 km, what a treat to ride our own Vancouver bicycles on the small French islands of St. Pierre et Miquelon, off the south coast of Newfoundland. So awesome to experience an authentic blend of French culture, complete with wine and baguettes, in a Terre Neuve setting. C’etait magnifique!