Goodbye Gemini, Hello Hubba Hubba

And so we returned back home. Or at least home for me. The sister and I have been away for the past couple weeks and it feels like a lifetime has been and gone since I last set foot in my home. She's been visiting from Canada. For Christmas. 5.5 weeks of awesomeness.

Our last two weeks was planned as an adventure exploring the famous Abel Tasman and surrounding area. Ferry booked, rental car organised and two packs crammed full of camping gear - we were set. I just didn't expect my tent to fall to pieces in the process.

Camping in daisy fields - British Columbia

I knew my tent was on it's last legs when I pulled it out to make sure it was ready to go for our holiday. It was the tent I had gotten years ago in Canada when I first starting doing backcountry camping. My first tent. It had all my first memories of heading off to the bush with nothing but the gear on my back. It got me across British Columbia - 7 weeks of just me and the Canadian wilderness as I walked from Banff to Vancouver.

When I knew I was to walk New Zealand, I had that tent shipped to Australia. I used it there while I lived at a local campground in Broome, WA. It was home for 2 months while I did final preparation work for Te Araroa Trail. And then I brought it to New Zealand.

The first major rain storm in New Zealand left me with the realization that my MEC Gemini 3-season tent had started to reach the end of it's life. It had lost all of it's waterproofing function and much like a bad rainjacket is useless in the wet, waking up in a puddle from water seeping up from the ground was even more annoying. At the time Alex and I were forced to fork over a few hundred to get a new tent for our adventure.

Since then my Canadian tent has sat waiting in storage. Waiting for the day that I would finally take it out again and invest a bit of time and money into re-waterproofing its fabric. A couple weeks ago that day finally arrived. I set it up during one of Wellington's glorious sunny days and got about spraying my tent with waterproofer. When it had fully dried, I took off the fly only to find that the velcro strips that had attached the fly to the tent poles had worn out their glue and popped off, falling to the ground like a tree loses its leaves. I tried to ignore the fact that my tent was literally starting to fall apart.

On it's last legs - note the tarp through the "window"

It was at our first campsite on route to Nelson that I began to accept that maybe my tent wouldn't last the next couple weeks, let alone another season of camping. As the sister and I set it up, I noticed that one of the windows had started to come away from the fly. It was just a simple piece of plastic glued to the fly of the tent in a triangle shape that allowed more light into the tent and the ability for me to spy on everything from the inside - but they had hung on for years. Until now. The gap between the piece of plastic and the fly mocked me as though the tent was daring me to try and fix it. We gave it our best shot - sort of.

A few minutes later and a lot of bandaides, plastic bags and sports tape later, we had resealed the window. Just as we posed for a photo to show our accomplishment for the day, the tape started to peel away. All we could do was compensate by adding a tarp to the mix and cross our fingers that if rain came that we wouldn't be washed away with the mess of it all.

By the time we got to the next campsite, both windows literally fell out of their holes. We attached the tarp under the fly, but each time the wind got strong, a corner would blow off its peg and flap against the tent.

I had no choice but to fork over the money for a new tent.

The new tent in all its glory

My purchase of the MSR Hubba Hubba tent has been something I have dreamed about for years. It has been a tent I have lusted after for as long as I can remember and I was finally in a position to not just need it, but also have the money to get it. And yet my excitement was tainted by the fact that my getting a new tent was because the old one had finished its days of providing me shelter while in the great outdoors.

Everything about my old tent is ingrained in my memory. It was one of the few possessions in my life that I truly feel sentimental about. Much like people feel about getting rid of their first car, first apartment, first love - I have felt that way about my blue and yellow tent. The nights I have spent sleeping there, hiding out from the rain or simply living my life because I was too cheap to get more structured accommodation are more than I can count.

The memories I have had in there - it was the tent that gave me the freedom to explore the backcountry. It was the tent that made me feel safe when it was dark, cold or the threat of wild animals was near. It was the tent that inspired me to take on the challenge of Te Araroa Trail. It featured in many of my travel photos and even in the promotional video done for walking New Zealand. It was the tent I carried on my back for weeks on end. It was my sanctuary. And now it is gone.

I threw my old one in the trash the day before we came back to Wellington and it was bittersweet. It was sad. And yet I felt a new thrill of hope and wonder for what will be with my new tent. At the very least I can rest assured that wherever it takes me I will stay dry without fear of any windows falling out.

Around the World and Back Again

I find it difficult to believe that it's already been over a week since I have been back in New Zealand. The last few weeks have literally been a whirlwind of craziness that has left my head screaming for everything to just stop so I can catch up. The last week in Canada was no exception.

After spending a bit of time in Invermere to do the Jumbo Pass trail with my dad, we headed back to the city only for me to continue my onslaught of scheduled activities with various people around the city. There was the dinner night with my Grandma to which we made our own mango chicken dish and then proceeded to watch a marathon of Mantracker shows before calling it a night.

My grandma, Danielle, me & Mom

The following day I had lunch with an old friend and then due to another friend cancelling our evening plans, I managed to have a bit of a breather before the next day loomed ahead. Meeting another friend for lunch, I proceeded to meet up with my mom where we caught up on the going ons of our week before heading off to get photos done with my sister and Grandma. It was a blast to just be hanging out and giggling the afternoon away while a photographer captured the moment. Something I am sure we will all treasure for the rest of our lives.

That night my sister and I slept over at my mom's house as the following morning we had plans to be at C.O.P. We had scheduled ourselves in for their summer package deal - Ziplining and Bobsledding for a mere $99 each. Perfect. An air of excitement hung around us as we waited for things to get going. And then while we strapped ourselves in our harnesses and helmets. And then while we drove to the top of C.O.P. before piling in the elevator that took us to the top of the massive ski jump used in the '89 Winter Olympics. As the ski jump is no longer in use, C.O.P. has used the opportunity to modify the jump into an incredible ziplining course.

I was stoked.

The instructors took a few minutes to explain the basics and then asked who wanted to go first - Danielle and I jumped at the opportunity and confidently clambered down the see-through stairs to where we would get harnessed to the zipline rope. Though I've ziplined before, there was something still so exhilarating about the knowledge that I would be hurtling down a rope hung high above the world below before coming to a stop at the bottom, all the while hoping like mad that nothing incredibly horrific would happen. It didn't. Danielle and I flew do the bottom with smiles plastered on our faces before disembarking and waiting for our mom.

Then came the bobsled. This was something I had always wanted to try since I knew you could and upon talking to my aunt about it, apparently so did my Great Grandmother. Due to the age of my Great Grandmother at the time, C.O.P. refused her to be allowed to try the adrenaline sport and so she passed away without getting to cross it off her bucket list. I figured perhaps my run of the bobsled could be part tribute to my Great Grandmother.

As nice as that sounds, the actual ride of the bobsled was entirely different from anything I really had expected. As we were going during the summer, there was no ice on the route and so we were riding in a sled with wheels. And because we were all amateurs, we were told to sit in the sled while the "driver" would give us a push before jumping in to steer the course in order to hopefully eliminate the chance of us flying around the corner and off the entire run itself.

We were told to hold onto the bars by our sides, lock our elbows and shrug our shoulders to support our heads and prevent them from being knocked about inside the vessel. Right. Once we picked up speed, there was no stopping me from being a manic bobble-head once sees strapped to the dashboard of a vehicle. Beings that I was a the front, I was hoping I'd get a chance to see what was coming for us, but I ended up being too busy just trying to keep my head from falling off.

By the end of our run (1min, 19sec) - my head, neck and shoulders hurt. But it was awesome. I haven't a clue how they call bobsledding a sport and probably won't ever volunteer to do it again - but it was well worth it.

Janelle & me

From C.O.P. it was a mad dash to Invermere where I met up with some girls for Janelle's Bachelorette party. After a couple days of shopping, spa-going, penis games and dancing, it was time to come back. But not before meeting up with Trevor and co. in Banff for a little outdoor concert. It was perfect. Particularly when I got word from my dad that my books had arrived. I was ecstatic.

When I got back to Calgary, I ripped open the box of books only to be in awe at the fact that they were real. I had never quite registered what it would mean to hold a book in my hand that I had written myself and it was a bit surreal. But I didn't have much time to dwell on that as it was time for bed. The next two days would need all my energy.

That following day I spent madly running around town (thanks to my mom being my chauffeur) delivering my freshly printed books. I had to sell as many as possible before I left because there was no way I'd be able to ship them back to NZ without an exorbitant charge and I also needed the money to fund what I did want to post back to NZ. And so sell them I did. By the end of the day I literally had sold about 90 of the books and only had a handful left to take back to NZ. Perfect.

By the time I packed everything and stored everything and paid for post boxes and had my haircut and opened a savings account at the bank and had a quick dinner, it was time to get to the airport. I had a similar feeling to when being blindfolded and spun around and then expected to walk in a straight line afterwards. My mind was a blur and I only hoped I would stay awake long enough to board the correct plane.

Trevor, Mom, Lori, me & Danielle in Banff

After a layover and plane switch in Vancouver and 15.5hrs later, I had made it to Sydney. But with a 10hr layover there, it would be a while until I'd get to Christchurch and eventually Hanmer Springs. With the spare time, I picked up the very popular Fifty Shades of Grey book from the bookstore and read it start to finish right there in the airport. I was not impressed. I haven't a clue why everyone is so excited about the book and definitely do not recommend it to anyone. It in no way got my "blood pumping." Instead, I had trouble staying awake to finish it. Bummer.

Eventually I found my way to a bed in Christchurch and then met up with Kelly the next morning to do some much-needed grocery shopping before heading back to Hanmer Springs. It felt good to be back.

And now that it's been over a week, it is as though not much has changed. I am still waiting for my post boxes from Canada in the mail, though I have managed to hang a few photos on my sparse walls. It has been both difficult and easy to get back into the swing of things and it really does feel like home.

Take Various Vitamins

Take various vitamins. You never know what small mineral can eliminate the bottleneck to everlasting health.

~ Lululemon

There is something that is so sweet and pure about being able to shut out the world and seek comfort within one's one bubble of existence. Only thing is - I have forgotten how hard it is to do such a task when within a city of over a million people. So many sounds. So many smells. So many people - everywhere I go. Everything feels crowded and closing in. Covered in cement, this concrete city overwhelms me at every point I turn. And there is no escape - no quick getaway. 

Danielle and I in a photobooth

I did get away a few days ago - to head to Invermere with my Dad. It was absolutely brilliant to be amongst the mountains again - breathe the fresh air. But even Invermere was busy for a Sunday night. People had flocked there from Fairmont after the recent mudslide incident. Golfers checking into the hotel with dried mud on their pant legs. Everyone buzzy with excitement over their experience and near-miss in the nearby mountain village. Perfect.

It was perfect when we got to the base of Jumbo Pass for our hike the next day. Not a soul to be seen except for each other. This pass was something I had envisioned taking my dad on since I walked across BC three years ago and sat atop of the world overlooking the wilderness all around. And now it was time. Coming full circle, I was able to show my dad a bit of what it was that I did those years ago when I solo-hiked my way to Vancouver. Up the steep switchbacks. Over rocks and under fallen trees - we inched our way up the mountainside. I even managed to find a tree I had previously tied a piece of surveyor's tape to to help others find the trail as I had found myself in knee-deep snow with no sign of any other life at that point. This year it was dry, but the piece of tape still wriggled in the breeze. 

By the time we walked our way over stretches of snow that threatened to engulf us in order to reach Jumbo Hut at the top of the pass, things were looking pretty great. With a 360 degree view of all the glacier-covered mountains around, I immediately felt at home. There is something to be said about the mountains. The rich ruggedness that touches my soul in the deepest places and makes everything seem okay. But before I knew it, I had eaten my lunch and it was time for us to head back down. Down to civilization again. Down to "reality," as most would say. 

Dad & I at the top of Jumbo Pass

I had a great time climbing that pass and it only served to remind of all that Calgary is not. Yes - it is a great city. Yes - it does have a lot of parks to enjoy and things to do. And yes - it is relatively close to the mountains. But when I need to escape from it all, I find there is no where to really and truly breathe. It is concrete and people all around. I smell the car fumes. The fast food. The intensity of it all. 

For the second time since arriving in Calgary, I was able to scrounge a few hours of peace and quiet to myself and I found myself to completely enjoy every second of it. I shut the doors, turned off the phone and spent a few hours doing only what I wanted to do. Because I wanted to do it. 

And yet, I still felt trapped. Wanting to break free. Wanting to get away from it all. Physically. Emotionally. Mentally. This life is not for me and I have to continue to remind myself that it is no longer my life - my life has moved on and Calgary is just simply a temporary stopover. A stopover of visits into my past of who I used to be compared to who I am now. 

I have changed since being away - but not really. At the heart of who I am, I think I am still me. I have spent many years feeling as though I haven't quite fit in - that I haven't found my place in the world yet. It hasn't been until coming back to Calgary that I truly realized that this is no longer true. I have found a place I fit - it is just unfortunate that the place I have found is so far away from those I have loved for so much of my life. And yet I am still the happiest and most content that I have ever been. And that trumps all. Even vitamins.

Grandma & I enjoying our home cooked dinner

After being away for so many years, I have noticed a drastic harshness to North American culture that I always knew was there, but never really fully understood it until now. There is this constant need to feed off the greed integrated in society that even captures those who struggle to break free. Everywhere I go there are messages being thrown at me to tell me to buy things, try things, sell things, have things, trade things and everything in between. There are only about a million different ways to get healthy and yet few of them actually understand what health means. If one eats a balanced diet - vitamins are very rarely actually needed. Those that stock up on massive quantities of vitamins in order to "get healthy" are simply spending an exorbitant amount of money on their pee. 

I went to the Calgary Stampede a while back only to run across a man selling machines one stands on and straps a thick rubber band around their waist and then turns the machine on in order to have it vibrate around their body. This is meant to make one "get into shape." Apparently there is a market for it as there was a huge number of people lined up to try it out - I'm just not sure what happened to walking the dog. 

No one has time any more. Everyone is in a rush - even my vacation has become something of a stressful schedule as everyone has been vying for a spot within my schedule - something of which I have been keeping to with military precision. I have received a few terse messages from certain people who haven't been able to get a hold of me immediately on my temporary cell phone on the occasions that I have turned it off for a bit of peace and quiet or happen to be busy doing something else. Meeting someone else. 

It's all go, go, go with no break or relief from the intensity that city life brings. Even a casual drive around the city has brought upon exasperated comments from those driving with me towards the people in front of us, behind us or even beside us that aren't manoeuvring their vehicles up to the driver's standard. I have been constantly bombarded with the frustrated voices of those appalled at the new distracted driver's law. People here are no longer allowed to use their cell phone while driving - apparently some people find this to be annoying. I'd rather not die at the hand of someone texting while driving. 

City life is different and yet so much the same as what I remember. And it leaves me wanting to get away. There is so much that I have done while being here - so much I will do prior to leaving on my plane back to New Zealand - that I am grateful I had the opportunity to come. I have had a brilliant time catching up with so many people I have only been able to Skype for the past few years. But I also know that soon I will be back to my little place in the world and that thought sounds pretty good to me. 

You Can Be a Follower, But Who is Your Leader?

september 10/09

i am now on the move again and this time its back to vancouver. yeah, yeah - i know - i was just there. but ill just be passing through today. i swear.

ive started to come down with a bad case of backpackers budgeting (aka: going to any means possible of trying to save a buck). hense why i woke up this morning at 4 a.m. to catch the ferry. hense why im choosing to travel for 15 hours today. hense why im going back to vancouver. its cheaper.

in my last few days of researching for the best route to take to get to LA - i discovered something. ferries arent always a nice and convenient way of travelling. but, when they are - theyre freaking fabulous! i have learned that ferries are ridiculously expensive under 2 specific conditions - a) when travelling via car on the ferry and b) when being a passenger on a ferry that does not carry cars. the latter is the type of ferry that transports people directly between victoria and seattle. in order to ride the "clipper" i have been quoted prices anywhere from $69 to $85 USD. and thats just one-way.

so when i looked into my other options i found that i could get to vancouver for $9 CAD (its $13.50 on weekends), take the bust to the train station ($5 CAD), then take the trian to portland for $49 CAD. thats only a total of $63 CAD and id be further along my route than if i took the clipper to seattle. the downside is that, yes, i had to catch the 7 a.m. ferry, roll out of bed at 4 a.m. and i probably wont be to portland untill 9 pm tonight. to me its worth it because it adds a little extra adventure to my trip.

as it stands, today has been fairly uneventful so far, save for the fact that both the bus and ferry have chosen to blast the air conditioning as though its 30 degrees outside. i stubbornly refuse to cave to my desire of buying a cozy hoodie - hot chocolate is cheaper.

yesterday i spent the day hanging out with a friend i havent seen for years. shemine and i explored the shores of victoria, checked out the bunny infestation at the university (they are overcome with over 1000 bunnies all because someone had decided it would be a good idea to leave a box of their unwanted ones on the property some time ago... they have since multiplied) and hung out - catching up on all our stories. it was nice to see a familiar face again and it was sad we only had a few hours together.

the rest of the afternoon i went running around downtown like a mad woman - trying to find a sleep mask (the brilliant yet dorky things that cover your eyes to block out light as you sleep) for less than $5, sold my books at a bookstore and explored chinatown. by 9 p.m. i was in bed and almost was able to fall asleep right away. that was untill one of my new roomies had the fabulous idea of blowdrying her hair in our room at 10 p.m. geez.

anyway - the ferry is almost at vancouver here. i should start attempted to figure out what bus will actually get me to the train station.

****

i cant stand to touch anything at this hotel. i think thats a first for me. im just thankful i wont have to worry about being cold tonight now that ive thrown all the bedding on the floor. its a hot one tonight in portland.

the train made it in right on schedule and once i got off, it took me a bit to find someone who could tell me when the bus leaves for bend tomorrow. i figured if it was super early in the a.m. id just catch my shut-eye at the train station rather than find a place to sleep for the night. i was told that the bus would not leave untill 1:30 pm the following day. i was astounded to find out that the bus also would cost me $46-49 USD for a one-way trip from portland to bend. thats MORE than what the train cost from vancouver to portland. sheesh.

anyway - i requested directions to the nearest hostel and was sent walking 20 blocks away to find it. eventually i made it there and asked if they had a room for the night. they didnt. the lady at the desk gave me the phone number for the other hostel in portland and i went to use the phone, but another lady got there first. she apparently had decided that NOW (at 9:45 pm) would be a good time to call some place for an eco-tour she wanted to go on the following day. the clincher? as she stood there rambling on forever into the hostel phone, she was holding onto a cellphone. sheesh.

eventually i was able to use the phone and called the other hostel. they informed me that, yes, they had room but that they were closing down shop in 10 minutes. there was no way i could make it across downtown in 10 minutes - even by bus. i reluctantly hung up the phone and was struck by the curious thought of why a hostel would be CLOSING up at 10 pm on a thursday night. wierd.

so i thought that maybe i would just walk around downtown and see if i could come up with any other brilliant ideas. i knew that if worst came to worse i could always go back to the train station and crash there. so i walked. and walked. and walked. as i was taking in the buildings of downtown portland, i saw movement out of the corner of my eye. i looked down to the sidewalk and there was this big rat staring back of me not more than 2 feet away. i had never seen a rat before and all i could think about was that show called fear factory that occassionally challenges people to sit in a box and see how long they can stand a bunch of rats running over their body. seeing this rat up close and personal - i dont think i could do something like that. fortunately the rat decided to squirm its way down through the grate that was on the side of the sidewalk. i continued on my way.

a few blocks later a guy approached me and asked, "whats the best nation in the world?" i told him i had no idea, figuring he must be some drunk guy all happy on USA love. he answered, "its a donation!" i was so confused as to where this conversation was going. he then handed me a card and asked if i ever eat at soup kitchens. i told him no, and he said that the card would get me a free meal at one - right. i walked away and wondered if he was handing out cards to everyone or if i had started to take on the look of a homeless person in need of a hot meal on a late thursday night. who knows.

after a while i made it to the kent hotel. as advertised, they had both hostel dorm rooms available and super cheap single rooms. they only had the single rooms available so i booked one for the night. as i climbed the stairs to my room i began to have second thoughts. i had seen a sign posted near the prices that stated the hotel required an ID from all persons booking rooms and that they were willing to take prison IDs. perfect. i also reflected on how the hotel was directly beside a local club and decided that it would be best to quickly find my room and lock the door for the night.

by the time i got to my room i was exhausted, but felt on high alert. the shared bathroom i passed on the way up had a large stain in the middle of the floor and someone had casually tossed an used diaper near the toilet. the floors and walls were built on odd angles and everything felt as though it was going to cave in at any moment. i opened the door to my room and was immediately faced with the smell of stale smoke. i gingerly set my bag down in the cleanest corner i could find and was careful not to touch anything.

the floor was sticky, there was stains on all layers of the bedding, the TV unit had some sticky goop on it and there was some type of dry animal food scattered in along the floorboards. i stripped the bed and layed out my sleep sheet as there was no way i was going to sleep on what they had provided me with. i carefully made sure that nothing of mine touched any questionable areas of the room and reminded myself that i would only use the common washroom for emergency-related purposes. fortunately i managed to fall asleep rather quickly.


september 11/09

today is the anniversary of september 11 and as i have spent time walking around portland here - its all ive heard about on the news and radio. i havent quite figured out what i think of portland and that might simply be because i have spent a majority of my time here either attempting (and finally succeeding) to get a place to stay at last night or waiting for my bus to arrive today.

the types of people i have seen around give portland (or at least the downtown of portland) a very eccletic feel to it. homeless people distribute themselves among the streets, claiming their piece of concrete in anyway they can. as this goes on, people all dressed up bustle down the streets on the way to their jobs - all the while cyclists and drivers zip down the streets.

during my wanderings around downtown as i waited for my bus, i met katie who happened to have stayed in the kent hotel last night as well. i asked her how her experience was and she told me that she had been asked twice, by 2 separate men if they could pay her for sex. she had later been asked by another man if he could pay her to let him sleep in her room (no sex) -- she declined all the offers and was thouroughly creeped out. i dont blame her. we spent the next hour or so chatting it up about our experiences of portland and surrounding areas untill we decided to part ways. i decided to check out a second hand clothing store to which i could only wish that i had more money and room in my bag as it was the first time i have ever found a second hand clothing store where i could find some good stuff. instead i walked away emptihanded and returned to the train station to wait for my bus.

****

well - i have made it to bend and it was a rather uneventful ride over here. since then i have just spent time catching up with my extended family and i am ready for bed.


september 12/09

today was a blast. me, tim and shelley (my aunt and uncle) went out for a mountain bike ride. i havent gone to do that in so long so i was both stoked and a little nervous. we ended up going on a path that was rather dusty, so we ended the ride with the 3 of us wiping dirt off of our teeth. regardless, it was a ton of fun to be able to get out there and be in the fresh air - especially when we ended the ride by going to visit mackenzie (my cousin) at her work at the local smoothie shop to get a refreshing drink.

the rest of the day i just lazed around a read a book - catching in some of the afternoon rays.


september 13/09

today we all piled into the car and drove out to OSU (oregon state university) to help chelsey move into her dorm. it was crazy to be back at an university and it brought back so many memories of when i went to UofA. we then went out to lunch and then piled back into the car for the slightly long ride back to bend.



NOTE: i have completely filled up my most recent photo album of "west coast adventures" and have started another one that you can check out at: WEST COAST ADVENTURES (2)

Choose to Live

september 4/09

i find it difficult to get used to this whole hostel experience thing. in theory its all good - i get a cheap room in exchange for the opportunity to meet other fellow adventure travellers such as myself. the reality is much different.

the only person i have really connected with is a woman who is on the hunt for property in the nanaimo area. a local of b.c. she was astounded to hear that i had walked across the province. we shared minor chit-chat in passing and she left this morning. i didnt even know her name.

the rest of the people here seem to keep to themselves - whether for reasons that they already came with their friends, do not wish to talk or dont speak english. my time at the hostel has been spent in a wide range of awkward attempts to interact with people that i am tired. some people dont even smile back when i show them my own pearly whites. i wish i could assume its due to broccoli in my teeth, but i havent had any of that tree-like veggie for quite some time.

that all said, it is not as thought i mind the lack of interaction too much - i just wish the option was there should i want to take it. as it stands i am tired and dont have the energy for late night shindigs. my mind is racing wiht an endless stream of thoughts that its generally difficult to just gather the willpower to say hello to my fellow roomies.

sad - so very sad. i leave nanaimo tomorrow and i only hope that victoria will bring some peace of mind - literally.


september 5/09

last night i spoke too soon of my judgements about my fellow travellers at the purple turtle. after i wrote my frustrations i went to put my journal away and thats when i met her. one of my new roomies: celia. she turned out to be just what i needed. straight from sydney, australia - celia had spent the last few months backpacking across canada. in sharing a love of travel, the great outdoors and a confused curiousity of why so many backpackers carry around so much stuff when we have plenty stuffed in our 40 litre bags - our bond was immediate.

we spent the final hours of our evening swapping travel stories and playing fuseball. i found it so refreshing to actually have someone my age to hang out with. if only it could have been longer. unfortunately our journeys led us in opposite directions and we parted ways this morning.

i checked out of my room this morning and spent hours going through all the artsy stores downtown. i wanted to buy everything i saw, but my backpack reminded me i only have so much room to carry any purchases. instead i relished being able to walk around in my flip flops and not feel my feet scream in agony over the weight of my pack. with my old bag and gear used to get across bc - that luxary would be a near impossible feat.

i made it to the train station - or whats left of it - around noon. the actual station has been closed up due to a fire, so all that remains is a small portable box of a room with a few chairs to wait on. eventually people began to arrive and play the waiting game. the train arrived at 3:14 pm and i was done 1 of my 2 books. i boarded the train and bought my ticket. i then found my seat by a window.

i have never riden on a train like this and it feels surreal as though i am in a movie. for all the people that are on board the ride maintains to be just a quiet murmur of voices lost in their private conversations. i can only speculate where each of their journeys will take them. a middle-aged man sits behind me with the munchies - stuffing his face with cheezies. the computer guys sit in front of me - too emersed with their screens to enjoy the view outside. theres the 2 asian girls, dozing in their chairs and the 5 year old boy with his grandpa. its the boys first time and i wonder if my eyes look around with as much wonder and curiousity as his.


september 6/09

its raining again. i find it so amazing how no one appears to notice around here. everyone continues on their way as though they would had the sun been out shining. it still makes me want to curl up with a book and disappear. even still - i am making the effort to ignore the weather as the locals do. yesterday i did my run in the rain. today maybe ill venture over to the blues festival.

i have decided to stay in victoria for the next few days. partly because theres so much to see and do here, but also because i have to see a doctor to get a shot (nothing serious - no worries) and i figured itd be cheaper and easier to get it done before i hit up the states. unfortunately, it wasnt untill i had paid for my 5 night stay that i noticed all the signs posted indicating that any person could help out at the hostel for a few hours to pay for their bed. shoot. next time i will know better.

next time i hope i will be able to stay with a local. couch surf as it is. cheaper. quieter. better access to get insight into wherever i stay - it kind of becomes a no brainer.

last night i spent some time with 1 of my 3 roommates chatting it up. i foudn out that corrina spends most of her travels hiking through the mountains much like i was doing a few weeks ago. as we swapped sore feet stories i found myself missing the adventure of being in the wild. missing the fresh air. the peace and quiet. missing my tent.

but i dont miss the weight of my pack or only being able to wear "functional" clothes. i dont miss being dirty, sweat and stinky and unable to have showers on a regular basis. and i most definitely do not miss the blisters.

on a more random note, yesterday when i was walking to the hostel, some guy in his vehicle opened his window and shouted out to me "hey you - get a job!" i found this to be the most baffling of statements. it wasnt as though i looked like a bum. it wasnt as though i was paying him any attention. it wasnt as though i was asking for money. it wasnt as though anything was going on. his comment directed at me came from nowhere. all i could think was that i WISH "this" was my job. i wish i could get paid to explore places and write about them. i wish that i didnt have the constant thought in the back of my head that one day i WILL have to stop. fortunately that day is too far ahead to really have to worry about it now.

****

it has continued to rain and i have continued to press on. the hostel (ocean island - backpackers inn) has me changing rooms for tonight so i had to check out this morning, put my gear in storage and scram untill i can check into my new room at 3 pm. its only 1:50 pm.

due to my innate internal alarm clock i was up bright and early despite the bleary weather conditions. i figured id head on out to explore victoria, but i forgot its sunday today. nothing, not even chapters, was scheduled to open untill 11 am. i wandered tthe rainy streets for a couple hours, peering in shop windows and traying to figure out what to do for today.

i ended up checking out the classic boat festival. by "checking out" i mean i stood on the boardwalk with the pay phone receiver pressed to my ear as i talked to my dad, overlooking the festival boats from afar. there was also the blues bash festival. i peeked in a few of the craft tents and then was on my way. i continued on, checking out local stores, looking for earplugs (i forgot mine at the last hostel) and a belt (my jeans are constantly trying to fall off from being so worn and stretched out). i didnt find either. i did, however, stop in at the local lulu lemon store to find out that they have a free yoga session tonight. just what i needed. i cant wait.

but i have to wait so i sit here in a chapters (the library isnt open today) and i spend time readin and trying to keep my eyes open. it is not as though i am having horrible sleeps - i have just not given myself the opportunity to do absolutely nothing. even as i sit here in my plush coffee house chair, my mind is still running wild. should i let myself stop, i will fall asleep. i can feel it deep inside - but i cant let it get to me. tomorrow will be my "nothing" day. tomorrow, irronically enough, will also be known as labour day.

as i sit here in my bubble of ipod melodies, i scan the other people around me. enjoying their coffees. enjoying their books. enjoying the company of others. as i sit here i make up stories in my head of who these people are. what theyre about. what theyre doing here. i wonder if i have ever passed them on the streets before or if i ever will in the future. either way, as time passes on - i share this moment with them.

my thoughts drift to my own life. of who i am. who i was. who i will be. i think of all ive done. all im doing and that of which i only dream to do. as i child i would have never imagined i would be where i am today and yet i know within the deepest parts of my soul, i am doing what i was mean to do. i am at peace. i may be tired as hell and unknowning of what the future holds, but my sould is quiet of frustrations. i can only dream of what tomorrow holds. of where this path will take me.

****

i find there is something relatively mystical about sitting in a chapters starbucks. there is something about sitting with others who, quite simply, in one way or another are using their brains. its a feeling full of possibilities. a sense that anything is possible. a place where dreams are born. or at least it is that way for me.

it reminds me that no matter where we are in life - no matter how good or bad life can get - there is always so much more. so much more to experience. to make us grow. to inspire change. to give us strength. there is never a point where life is done. it is in a constant state of ripples. every day is anew with possibilities. everyday is its own journey. a fresh start.

never give up. never let go of your dreams. never stop learning. changing. growing. its never too late for anything.


september 7/09

i have made it to my day of "nothing." my day of no expectations. no chores. no responsibilities. no schedule. i have been needing one for quite some time. to quiet my mind. to relax my body.

i realized yesterday that a lot of what i was feeling was very similar to how one feels at the end of their vacation - that they need a vacation for their vacation. the problem for me lies in the fact that there is no forseeable end to my "vacation." as such, i needed to find time to re-balance myself. mind, body and spirit.

i got a good start on that last night when i was able to do the free drop-in class of yoga at the lulu lemon store. it was so refreshing to be among others - others who maybe came for different reason than me, but were there just the same. when the class ended i left feeling relaxed and rejuvenated.

hense - today is the day of nothing. the rain continues to come down outside, but i have chosen to stay in. sleep in. its been so long since i have let myself just BE. no obligations to be anywhere. no pressing desire to do anything. after being on the go for so long - travelling - going - doing - it is nice to just stop and catch up with myself.

****

in the later part of the afternoon, the sun broke throught the clouds and dried the streets of all the rain. i ended up heading out to go and walk the streets before i went to meet up with norman and sue - sue is my dads cousin. i had never met them before so it was super cool to get to know some of my family.

we went to a restaurant called "nautical nellies" that is known for its seafood and steak. i was able to try lobster for the first time in my life and it was delicious!! i was only too happy to find out that norm and sue were going to pay for my meal as the total cost came to about the same price as staying 2 nights at my hostel! crazy! haha.

anyway, we had a great time just chatting it up - talking about family, travel and life. i only wish i could have had more time with them as they are the family i never knew i even had. during our coversation came up regarding the amount of homeless people in victoria, to which i agreed i had noticed there were a vaste amount of homeless people roaming the streets of downtown. apparently vancouver has recently been handing out free one-way ferry tickets to homeless people of vancouver to send them to victoria in order to "prepare" for the olympics. fortuantely the chief of police has since found out about this and was astounded that such a thing was going on.

eventually the night came to a close and we parted ways - i took it as an opportunity to be able to take some night shots of the harbour. all the lights mirrored colored patterns on the waters, much like a watercolor painting. beautiful. the parliment building was lit up with all the lights - reminding me of christmas time, but so graceful.

i made it back to my hostel room and immediately crashed.


september 8/09

i was only too happy to wake up today and find that there was sun (YAY!!) and that it was finally past the long weekend which meant everything was open and running on regular hours. holidays and long weekends are all good when a person is going about their regular life with work and home - but when out travelling, it is the most frustrating to discover it is a holiday and everything is closed early or not even open at all. as a result - today started off as an awesome day. and i had every intention of keeping it that way.

my first mission was the doctors office. i had to go there to get a depo shot (for those who dont know what that is - i am not going to bother explaining over the internet - but i will say that it makes travelling longterm as a woman a whole heck of a lot easier!). that meant waiting at a walk-in clinic for the doctor who gave me the prescription. i walked the couple of blocks to the pharmacy, only to discover - as per the pharmacist - that the doctor had forgotten to actually write the prescription on the square paper. so i went back the doctors office, got the prescription. went back to the pharmacy. got the medication. went back to the doctors (the 3rd time, for those who are keeping track) to get the shot. he gave the shot and i was on my way --- fortunately it was still only 10:30 am.

from there i made it to the library - where i am now - to discover that there is free internet. i LOVE it. nothing better than knowing i can take my time and its not eating away at what little money i have left for the week.

Speak from the Heart - Not from the Tongue

september 4/09

there is something so addicting about the ocean breeze. feeling it. hearing it. breathing it in. i find that everywhere i go it is slightly different. here, in nanaimo, it is like a soft kiss on the cheek as it grazes my skin - filled with the aroma of fish and seaweed. it is not salty like the ocean breeze of mexico and it not as warm as that of australia. it is, however, accompanied by the sound of seagulls along with the harmony of a construction crew working on a nearby building. the waves are minimal along the waters edge and, as such, the salty shores of nanaimo behave more like that of a lake rather than ocean. because of the calm waters, one can peer over the edge of the seawall and spot countless numbers of starfish resting in the shallow waters.

today is yet again another cloudy day with chance of showers. i am beginning to forget what its like to have the hot sun and bright blue sky. but that doesnt erase my automatic response to want to curl up and read a book on an overcast day such as this. i have to motivate myself to go and do something for the day which leads my thoughts to wonder just how long it takes a person to "get used" to the weather of western b.c.

i have chosen today to head on over to newcastle island. there is a 5 min ferry ride to get to the idealic provincial park and everyone ive talked to had said it was well worth it to go. surrounded by sandstone shorelines and sandy gravel beaches it was love at first sight for me. i started off by taking my camera to the shore under the docks to take pictures of the purple colored starfish hiding among the crevices. it was there i also discovered the tiny crabs living under any rock i disturbed. fortunately their first thought was to flee the scene rather than attach their small claws to my pedicured toes.

as i sit here now at my picnic table enjoying the view of douglas-fir and oak trees (thats right - i read the brochure) i can hear seagulls in the background, dropping their clamshells on the sandstone to get at the tasty treat inside. i find it wierdto think that fall is quickly approaching. there are already many leaves that have fallen to the ground. it makes me want to run to where its warm again. to where the concept of pants and long sleeves is a distant thought in the back of my mind. i am quickly reminded that that is in fact where i am going - provided i keep going.

****

i have left newcastle island in order to check out the farmers market back in nanaimo. it has to be probably the smallest farmers market i have ever been to.there are only a handful of tents put up - but even still, there are a wide range of products to check out. fresh produce. jewellery. massages. art. jams and jellies. knitted clothing. the list goes on and the only thing i thought was worth my money was a smokey from the girl guides tent.

as i sit here and take it all in, i find that i am exhausted. i feel completely drained. i want to curl up and sleep forever and i dont know why. i hope i feel rested soon. hopefully its all just my change of pace again. my fingers are crossed.

****

i have since left the farmers market for the comfort of the library. with the cheapest internet around town, comfortable chairs and an endless supply of books i figured it would be the perfect place to enjoy the afternoon. even still, my mind wanders in reflection of how my time at nanaimo is almost at an end. i will be checking out of my room "L" (room "L" for the "laid back lady" - as the guy told me when i checked in the purple turtle) to go catch the train that will take me to victoria. in many ways i feel as though my time here has ended too soon, but as i look around at all the leaves changing color and feel the crisp fall breeze on my face i know i can not stay much longer as it is. i do not want to be here for the cold. instead, i will go south with the birds and all the seniors heading to florida. haha.

What I Be is What I Be

september 3/09

i have made it to nanaimo and find that i am loving my time so far on vancouver island. nanaimo is a fair-sized artsy place that is refered to as being the "harbour city." lined with endless boating docks, the quiet waters of the ocean lapping the shoreline provide a calm serenity to passerbys. this morning i was able to run along the seawall, drinking in the view as i contemplated my deepening desire to want to stay longer in nanaimo.

that feeling has taken me by surprise and i havent quite figured out where it originates from. even as i approached the city by the ferry yesterday and gazed out my window at the lush green trees surrounding private properties, i knew i would like it here. even the rain clouds that cover the sky today have not detered me from having an enjoyable time.

thats not to say that the last few moments in vancouver were not enjoyable either. 2 days ago (september 1) it was my last full day in vancouver. kathy and i made plans to hike the grouse grind. this relatively short trail of 2.9 km has become famous because of the challenge it brings to those that attempt it. each year around the middle of september there is a race that attracts individuals from all over hoping to beat the record times. though the grouse grind is intimidating as it goes straight up the side of the mountain in a steep incline - it is not impossible. people of all ages and abilities have succeeded in reaching the top.

kathy and i became 2 more individuals to complete the challenging route. surrounded by streams of people huffing and puffing their way to the top - we plugged along, taking in the foggy view that enclosed us as we climbed. 2 hours and 20 minutes later we made it to the top. for anyone who has completed the climb, they know our time is in no way impressive when compared to the record times that sit near the 25 minute mark. we were in no rush.

after we explored the top of the mountain, had lunch, checked out the grizzly bear habitat and rode the 100 passenger gondola ride back to the base (the grouse grind enforces a one-way rule), we were ready for dinner. that night happened to be the night of east indian food. kathy and i met up with some of kathys friends and chowed down on some of the best east indian food my mouth has ever tried. a couple hours later, after an episode of flinging a visa card onto the plate of a neighboring table (we were trying to get the attention of our incompetent waitress by waving the check book in the air) - we parted ways.

yesterday flew by as i packed my things and went to catch the ferry to nanaimo. it was strange to say goodbye to the family ive been staying with for the past 2 weeks - almost as though i was leaving home all over again. but i knew it was time to go.

i made it to nanaimo and checked into the purple turtle hostel. it was wierd, but nice to be among fellow tourists again. i crashed last night with ear plugs securely in my ears and woke up today for a day of new adventures. walking around. taking pictures. drinking tea at a nearby coffee shop. window shopping. reading books at the library. im loving it.


- shalane

We Can Bomb the World to Pieces, But We Can't Bomb it Into Peace

august 28/09

more and more i realize i am not meant for the big city. everyone rushing, everyone busy. the air stale from constant gas emissions and construction dust. whats left of the natural environment is divided into territories, reshaped and developed into skyrises. townhomes. condos.

even still - vancouver has to be one of the greenest big cities i have ever been to. there are vast amounts of parks, beaches and mountains - but after having my experience out in the wild of b.c. i find that what vancouver has to offer is not enough. i long for a beach without views of freighters and cruise ships passing by. i dream of walking down a sidewalk without being detoured every block by construction crews. i miss the slow pace a smaller city brings where "window shopping" still holds its meaning.

that all said - vancouver isnt all bad. i have enjoyed exploring all there is here - including my experience in getting my first (and well deserved) pedicure. i had no idea there was that much dead skin on my heels! i thought for sure the lady was going to scrape me down to the bone.

there is also so much more to do than what i have donw. the markets. more beach. grouse mountain. vancouver island. the list goes on and the more i do, the more i find out there is to do.


august 29/09

well - yesterday was such a long day i simply had no energy left in me to finish writing about it. after spending a few hours wandering the streets and shops of downtown i managed to find my way over to granville island where the year-long market is.

from there i spent more tim wandering the stores filled with handmade and/or imported products. i admired all the fresh produce on the fruit and veggie stands and spent time listening to local musicians as i ate some gelato. all in all it was a great day.

as i left the market it was then that i met HIM. i was walking along the sidewalk towards my bus stop when out of the corner of my eye i saw a man making a beeline for me. when he got beside me he started gesturing towards the "scenery" (we were under a major bridge, the street was grundgy and the boats parked along the shoreline sat in algae-coated water) and saying things in french. i simply told him i do not speak french so hes going to have to switch up the conversation style if he wanted to talk to me.

he responded by explaining that he thought that everything we were looking at, where we were, what we were experiencing was utterly romantic.

me - being me - automatically went to my defence tactics against creepy men im not interested in by playing the bitter card. i told him it might be romantic for those who were with their special someone.

as soon as the words left my mouth i knew i had said the wrong thing. i had momentarily forgotten i was speaking to a middle-aged french man who was obviously VERY forward. as such, my words of bluntness immediately opened the door for him to think that i was available.... for him.

i dont remember much about the rest of our conversation other than i told him my name was susan, he gave me his email address, repeatedly asked me to go for drinks with him, kissed my hand and stood WAY too close to me. all the while the little voice in my head is screaming "SOS" and my eyes scan all the people passing by us to find one that i could pass off as being my friend. as it happened everyone was either on a bike, rollerblades or strolling hand-in-hand with that special someone as they enjoyed the "romantic" view.

eventually i managed to convince my paris-residing creep that i REALLY had to go meet my friends. he pulled me in for a hug and kissed me on the cheek. i wanted to run for my life. instead i crossed the street and hid behind the bush until i could be sure that the french man was long gone. i made a mental note that i need to come up with more strategies to avoid these types of men should i ever venture to the realm of france.

***

today, however, was an excellent day in which all of us (mike, kathy, the kids and i) went out for some chinese food and then for ice cream. we ended up going to an place called the international ice cream factory and it definitely lived up to its name! complete with 218 flavours i was astounded to find out what some of them were. there was corn, wassabi, apple cheddar and many others that left my jaw dropping at the thought that there was people out there that actually WANTED to pay for a taste of that. i, on the other hand, stuck with a more "normal" flavour of pineapple strawberry. YUM!


august 30/09

as i come down the homestretch of my experiences with vancouver i feel sentimental in having to say "goodbye." i find the emotion surprising to me as this is not the most ideal place i would want to be at, yet the complexities that vancouver offers pull me in to a deeper sense of appreciation and even love of the west coast city.

sure, the beaches are littered with garbage and the view is busy with an endless stream of freighter and cruise ships, but that has brought me to a place of fascination over the unique culture of vancouver. yeah, theres tons of construction, tall skyscrapers and endless streams of vehicles, but that gives the city character.

there is a sense of beauty and grace to vancouver that is unlike any city i have ever been to before. looking back over my journey that has brought me to today, i truely believe i came to vancouver with a closed mind. i had already decided it wouldnt be a place id like. as such, i had originally planned to be in and out within a couple of days. its now nearly 2 weeks and i am glad i stuck around. sure, vancouver may not be a place id come to settle down in, but because i finally took the time to relax and get to know the city, i can see how others want to and have come to live here.

a couple days from now i will plan to move on. i want to check out vancouver island for a bit before i make my way down the west coast to LA. i find it amazing how much cheaper flights are from the states though i really cant complain much as now i get to add the west coast of the usa to my adventures. to top it off - i got family in oregon so i hope to stope by for a visit with them as its been a few years.

all that said - today has been yet another great day. i went to do the observation deck at the vancouver lookout then have spent the afternoon wandering around downtown, taking pictures and hanging at the beach. here on the sand i have realized just how much my body has become climatized to the hot weather. it is sunny and in the mid-20s today - everyones stripped to their swimsuits. i, on the other hand, stay in jeans and contemplate putting on a sweater as i find the ocean breeze cool.


august 31/09

it is officially the last day of the month and i can hardly believe how time has flown by. its hard to imagine that before this journey had begun, the longest i had ever been away from "home" was a total of 19 days. today im at day 62. before this journey i had never spent more than 4 days backpacking in the wilderness. i have now done 49. before this journey i had never done a lot of the things im doing now - i had only dreamed of them. and yet, even still, this journey feels the most natural things in the world. i suppose that is what living out my dream should be like.

i am super excited to be moving forward in the next couple of days. i can only imagine where life is going to take me and i relish the feeling of not knowing.

Family Time

august 23/09

its amazing to me how time has flown since ive arrived at mike and kathys home a few days ago. ive had my massage and reflexology taken care of. my dad has come baring gifts of "normal" clothes. ive been thrilled at being able to rid myself of the clothes ive sweated in the past 2 months. ive shopped for all the things i needed to get to continue on my journey. i ended up buying a new camera to replace my broken one as the logistics of trying to get it fixed were simply too complicated. ive started up running again in the mornings. tonight i even got to hang out with don and leslie (my grandmas brother and wife). overall the last few days have been nothing short of fabulous. to top everything off, i even hooked up with my friend kelly who was out visiting her sister. we spent some tie chilling in stanley park, taking pictures of the raccoons running around rampid and free.

back to my visit with don and leslie - i have never met them before today - or at least if i have i would have been too young to be capable of remembering. its saddening to know that as they are a really lovely couple and i am proud to call them family. i especially found it so inspiring to talk to leslie who has done an extensive amount of travelling in her time. as she told me story after story of some of the adventures shes had, all i could do was sit there in awe and fascination. i find it surprising to think of how few young (or older) women feel comfortable travelling relatively on their own in this day and age. but tonight i sat listening to the stories of a fearless woman who has gone out and explored the world and did it during times of which womens travel really and truely was rare.

i can only hope my adventures throughout the world will inspire other women - other people - to go after those dreams they never fathomed possible to achieve. the world is at our fingertips. anything is possible so dream big.



august 24/09

i have chosen today to be my day to figure out what i want to do and where i want to go from here. i feel so incredibly overwhelmed by the emmense variety of possibilities that i dont even know where to begin. i thought that looking at books at chapters here may inspire me to some direction. it didnt. i ended up wandering aimlessly for an hour, picking up books, turning the pages, skimming paragraphs and putting them down. i have never felt so lost at the thought that i can do whatever i wish - i am free.


now, dont get me wrong. i am thrilled with where i am and the fact that i AM so free to do as i wish. its just wierd when people continuously ask me where i plan to go next or when i plan on going. i not have an answer - for them or me.


generally speaking, i "plan" on going to australia next. it seems like the obvious choice. i DO have my work visa after all. but who says i HAVE to leave from vancouver? sure, it is the closest available airport and would get me a direct flight to sydney, but theres a few other ways i could go too:


1) head down to seattle or some other close USA city. theres a good chance i could get a cheaper flight if i head right out of the states rather than canada (i hate that)

2) i could travel by bus or train down the west coast, beach bumming my way to LA. yeah, its getting cooler this time of year, but its still warm enough to make a trip like that fun. plus, my cousins live in oregon so i could spend some time hanging out with them

3) if i go down to LA - why not do mexico while im at it?

4) with all these places to fly out of to australia, i dont necessarily have to go to sydney. i could do melbourne, brisbane - what about starting in new zealand? the options are endless

5) what about other options other than flying? go work on a cruise, take a freighter overseas....

6) to top it all off - there is no rush for me to leave vancouver. i still havent been to the islan, tofino or a lot of other cool places that are nearby

*sigh* so not i just got to figure out how to go about his. being cost effective is my #1 priority and in pricing stuff out i hopefully will figure out what to do next....

DONE

august 16/09 (DAY #47)

"whats 2% of 700?" that - apparently - was the question of the day. of the morning. 6:30 am to be more precise. i was busy getting my groove on as i made my way out of mission. crossing the street from my motel it was then that i spotted her.

she strutted her way towards me. like a duck. no joke. she took up the entire sidewalk which left me with the though that she would soon be a pancake under my feet as i had nowhere to go but forward.

fortunately ms. duck moved over just in time as we passed each other. i smiled at her. she responded by popping the question.

"whats 2% of 700?" huh? my brain had trouble just registering WHAT this lady had just said, let alone what it meant. my mouth took over and automatically responded with "i have no idea." i DO have "an idea" - the answer is 14, but come on! who expects to have a math quiz at 6:30 in the morning when walking across BC? i was lucky i was even walking in the right direction at that point.

i was about to fire back a question of my own to appease my curiousity and figure out why this lady needed to know when she did something that took the words right out of my mouth.

she scoffed at me.

then she proceeded to say, "yeah - i thought so" in such a condensending way i immediately thought my hair must be blonde as i was definitely the brunt of this joke.

as i walked away, the answer to her question came to me. 14. i was tempted to go back to tell the chick, but my tired feet and heavy bag reminded me of my bigger purpose of the day.

most of the morning i spent walking through fog, but it did finally clear up and i found it wierd to actually be walking under the sun again. warm. bright. happy. i loved it.

i made it to maple ridge today - a name that makes me want a piece of fudge and checked into a motel. i settled in then walked to the nearest phone to call my dad and check in. i sighed to myself as i had, yet again, foud a phone where the connection sucked. it didnt help that traffic buzzed behind me. i pressed the phone tightly against my ear and plugged the other just so i could hear what my dad had to say. at the end of our conversation i went to hang up the phone but it was stuck to my ear and hair. i peeled it away and it was then i noticed it - someone had thought of the brilliant idea to put gum on the earpiece. i immediately went back to my motel room to wash my ear. gotta love urban life.

that being said, ear gum incident aside - i have been having a slight case of culture shock since i got to mission yesterday. the cars. the roads. the streetlights. everything. i have not been in a large city environment since i left calgary over 6 weeks ago. everythings bigger, busier and louder now. i even put away my bear bell for good now. i figured if i cant hear it then the bears probably wouldnt either.

after being away from the big urban cities for so long i am not sure i ever want to be back for good. i already miss the fresh air of the wilderness.


august 17/09 (DAY #48)

i have officially, OFFICIALLY entered the land of cement. there is no going back. the smog creeps into my lungs as i feel as though i am suffocating. it is not as though the pollution here is that insane - this is all more a side effect to my bad case of culture shock. the noise level is up. the traffic volume is up. the amount of horrendous looking buildings that block my view of anything worthwhile is WAY up. i am left to choose which type of cement id prefer to walk on as there is no longer the option of a dirt trail.

there is also no longer the option of dropping my pants whenever i feel the urge to go. i not have to be a "respectable" citizen and wait until i bypass a place with a washroom. one might think i should be thrilled at the prospect of being able to use a real bathroom - not even an outhouse, but the truth is, it just reminds me that i have lost my freedom. i am no reconfined to the box of society - one that i just dont quite fit in as i march down streets in my well-worn clothes, my walking poles clicking on the pavement with each step i take, my backpack giving me an awkward gate. gone are the days when i could cheerfully exchange a few words with fellow pedestrians, or even people in their cars at stop lights.

instead i am left with those that are in such a hurry they dont have time to chat or those that have panic written all ove rtheir face as though im going to pull out my bear spray and have at them. there have been those who avoid eye contact at all costs, even if it means looking at a concrete wall, those who pretend i didnt just smile and say hello to them and there are even those people who have glared at me as they pass. finally, there are the "gawkers" - bu those have been with me all along so ive become fairly accostomed to the craning necks with faces staring in wide-eyed wonder.

sure, there are still the "cool" people around, but they are few and far between and most of them start off as though theyre going to be chill, then it all fades away. i actually had a guy stop me and say, " hey, youre the chick that i saw earlier today. you walked a long way." i grinned in reply and opened my mouth to say something in return, but he was already moving on as though he was running away. is this what conversation has come to? a bunch of one-liners compatable to what we share through text messaging and twitter? next thing you know were going to start shortening our words into coded grunting noises as it will be too much work to enounciate each syllable. its a pathetic and saddening thought.

that all said, i have made it to burnaby and actually found a campground here. its a little saddening as this will be the last time i set up my tent for the night. tomorrow i will be in vanvcouver. crazy.

today couldnt have ended more perfectly though. sore, blistered feet aside i have actually found a campground worth the nearly $40 they charged me for the night. it has showers. it has a pool (WITH a hot tub) and a bunch of other stuff i dont really care about as i wont use it. this afternoon, after i set up tent, i went straight to the pool and had it all to myself for almost an hour. the hot tub jets worked wonders on my sore feet and i only wish i could have soaked longer, but i needed to dry up my feet to help the blisters heal.

i can hardly believe its my last night before i make it to vancouver. i hardly know what to do with myself.


august 18/09 (DAY #49)

i am done. finished. its over. complete. 48 days, 2 hours and 15 min from when i first stepped onto the trail. i have made it to vancouver. i can hardly believe it.

as i sit here in my plush hotel room (i splurged to celebrate) i find myself reflecting over the last 7 weeks. ive been over mountains, through valleys and across rivers. ive walked in sun, clouds, rain and in snow. i have had sunburn, scratches, cuts, blisters and chaffing. i have seen countless wildlife including 3 bears, 1 bobcat, deer, antelope, rabbits, frogs, birds, fish, butterflies, snails, snakes and caterpillers. i fought daily against the mosquitoes, black flies, horse flies, wasps and spiders.

of my 48 nights i ahve been on my journey i have slept in my tent for 35, 11 of them being in non-designated camping sites. i spent 3 of my nights in cabins and 10 in a variety of motels. i have accepted rides on 7 different occassions - all but 1 being under 40 km totalled in distance. i have crossed 26 rivers, hundreds of creaks and have fallen on my butt 4 times (once being in the river). i have walked on trails, sidewalks, logging roads, forestry roads and highways. pavement, gravel, sand, water, rocks and dirt - i have done it wall. ive read over a dozen books and updated my blog on the internet about the same amount - total spending for access = $54 for my 7 week journey.

****

i feel as though this journey has taken me to so many places and looking back i cant even begin to describe how it has changed me. but it has. my walking has given me time to think. it has given me time to become stronger in who i am. i do not think i have changed in WHO i am as much as i have changed in becoming more of who i am.

and the journey is not over yet. it can never be. my journey is my life.


august 19/09 (DAY #50)

i am no officially back in port coquitlam. after spending the night at a hotel in vancouver i spent today transporting myself along the sky rail to meet up with my dads cousins family. they have graciously opened up their home for me to come and stay for a few days.

that being said, last night i splurged in order to celebrate my arrival into the city that took me exactly 7 weeks to get to. and splurg i did. as it turns out, holiday inn is only affordable for those who are rich. i swear half the money i put down for the night went towards the companys commercials that attempt to convince people otherwise. i couldnt complain much. i managed to convince them to give me a free breakfast out of my stay (would have cost me $12 ON TOP of what i was paying for the night) in order to celebrate my arrival.

i find it disorienting now that im here and its difficult to change my focus from moving forward to being able to sit back, relax and re-organize myself for what i feel like doing next. the world is at my fingertips and i am super excited at the prospect of being able to continue to explore it at my free will. that being said, the plan at this point is to enjoy having made it to the west coast and continue to explore and area of canada i have never experienced before.

i hate the clouds

august 12/09 (DAY #43)

its too windy here and i cant breathe. the panic and anxiety rise in my soul like bile in my throat. i can handle the bears. the mountains. the blisters. i have learned to deal with the lonliness and ever-changing weather. but not this.

my camera broke. everything had been going so smoothly today. the weather is getting better. my blisters and tired legs are better. i spent most of the day just relaxing in my tent in one of hopes campsites reading through my stash of books.

it was when i spent some time down by the river taking pictures of the gorgeous view that it happened. i turned on my camera and it started making a sound as though a crank was being turned than needed oil. i cringed as i heared the metal scrape against metal in my tiny machine. i tentatively tried the zoom. the camera immediately jammed and shut down. i restarted the camera and cycled through the same process again and again with no change.

i busted my but through town to find someone, ANYONE who may be able to help me out. the only place was this small hole-in-the-wall photography shop called "romanos." the guy there summed up his investigation of my cameras malfunction in saying there was ntohing he could do and that i would have to wait to get to vancouver until i could get it fixed. he added that i could still take pictures but i just couldnt zoom. that didnt make me feel any better.

i wanted to cry. i am still DAYS away from vancouver and my camera is the ONE thing i cant live without on this trip. okay - thats a BIT of an exaggeration, but still. its a big deal to me. i CAN still take pictures, but for how long until it breaks down further? what are my chances of making it ALL the way to vancouver without total destruction of the one piece of equipment i need to help capture my journey? sure - i have pen and paper, but thats just not the same as a picture.

after i let the news sink in i needed to find something to make me feel better. but what is that when im by myself and anything i purchase i have to consider how i would carry that for the rest of my journey? i cant ALWAYS turn to food when emotionally distraught. i wandered the local drug store for a long time before i found it - a small rock with the inukshuk carved into it.

the inukshuk was used by the inuit to mark trails, indicate caches of food and to mark good places to hunt or fish. inukshuks embody the spirit and persistence of the inuit who live and flourish in northern canada. they represent strength, leadership and motivation.

as i hold the small, smooth stone in my hand, i feel the sense of peace and calm wash over me. all is not lost. i am thankful my camera CAN still take pictures at this time. there is hope.


august 13/09 (DAY #44)

i walked. it rained. it rained and i walked - ALL DAY. at first it was all good. i walked highway #7 happily eating wild blackberries. then the bush attacked me. its long arm of thorns wrapped around my leg and left me with long bloody lines on my calf. i bandaged it up just in time for the heavens to open and pour down. and poured it did. i slowly became soaked - even my feet in my waterproof shoes were sloshing in their confines.

eventually i made it to agassiz and found myself a motel. i was chilled to the bone, soaked to the skin and tired as hell. theres something about fighting the spray off all the semis that takes it out of ya. it was STILL pouring rain (8 hours later) and there was no way i felt like putting up a tent. a hot shower and warm bed was in order. i took it.


august 14/09 (DAY #45)

everythings wet. i woke up to find that nothing of mine had dried overnight. my socks. my shoes. my clothes. i looked out the window and its still raining. i dred the walk ahead of me. there is a REALLY good chance i wont be able to make it all the way to mission today, which means i will have to pull out the tent for the night. i just hope tht it stops raining.

****

i now have spider guts smeared on the ceiling of my tent. i hat to kill it and unfortunately my sock happened to be the only weapon around. i had just set up my tent on dry ground (it stopped raining right before i left the motel and hasnt rained since) and got everything put inside. i went ot open the vent on one of my tent doors (i have just recently learned that by doing this i eliminate the daily issue of packing up a dew-wet tent) and as i pulled the zipper upwards, i caught movement out of the corner of my eye.

here, on one of my socks i have hanging up to dry was a spider scurrying around - its irridescent color gave me the heebie-jeebies just looking at it. i attempted to just take the sock off my indoor clothesline to disgard the 8-legged creature outside, but the spider had other plans. he moved to another sock. i had to implement "plan b" in order to avoid the malodramatics that would follow and episode of the spider exploring other realms of my tent. yes - i have been backpacing for 45 days but having a spider crawl around me and through my things still freaks me out a little.

so i took my sock, pushed it up and squished the spider. now i have a brown smear both on my tent ceiling and on my sock. let the good times roll.

other than that my day has gone pretty smoothly. it is starting to drizzle off and on now but considering i was expecting it to pour all day - its not too bad. that being said - because of my expectations i dressed prepared. rain pants. rain jacket. rain cover for my pack. i was a walking garbage bag. everything stuck to me as i walked. the exercise making me sweat and the sweat having nowhere to go. i didnt pay it any attention. i was in the zone.

the thing i DID notice today was the amount of road kill. there was a large bird, fox and a cat - of all things. the thought that i could just as easily be next crossed my mind as i marched my way along the narrow highway shoulder.


august 15/09 (DAY #46)

today started off with a bang... or i guess i could say yesterday ENDED with a bang. either way - it sucked to have to open my eyes this morning. last night people in the campground i stayed at decided to party obnoxiously as though it was 1999. there was fireworks. there was idiots doing doughnuts with their truck right outside my tent. there was the revving of countless engines. and then there was the drunk people - those who never sleep... and those who thought it was a brilliant idea to growl at my tent like a bear at 4:30 in the morning - the effects of alcohol never cease to amaze me.

so. tired as hell i packed up my tent and opened the door to find that, yet again, it looked as though it was going to rain. the sky has looked the same way for the past 8 days, save for one day in hope in which i spotted the sun for a few hours. for nearly 8 days now i have not seen the sun. the sky has simply been grey. thats it. as far as the eye can see there are grey clouds and one cant even tell if they are moving in any set direction or not. it is like my world has become a constant state of dawn/dusk as it never REALLY becomes daylight as i walk. its depressing. its painful. it makes me want to curl up and go to sleep for a really long time.

but i refuse. i am soooooooooooo close to the end i can taste it and i hardly know what to do with myself. i know that "the end" for me will be when i can take a picture of the "welcome to vancouver" sign. but what then? what do i do after that? i know my #1 priority is to get a pedicure and foot massage - but its not like i can go waltzing (as if my feet are capable of waltzing at this point) into a spa all stinky and sweaty with my pack on. lets just say there are a few kinks to work out in my plan.

and speaking of which, with the weather not changing and me on a mission to get to vancouver - i have been wearing the same clothes for the past 4 days. no joke. the same thing, day AND night. i dont care too much about it anymore because i am almost done. i only have 3 more days of walking, but depending on where i go to get my camera fixed it might be stretched out a bit longer. we'll see how it goes.......

rain, rain - go away...

okay - first things first - i have to clear up some confusion regarding the pictures. there have been a few comments made that some are finding it difficult to access the picture updates. as i have it currently, all my pictures have been posted on my facebook account. as each photo album holds up to 200 pictures, it does take a while for it to fill up so sometimes you will have to go back to same photo album in order to see the new pictures. so - if you are one of my facebook friends, you will be able to access the pictures without having to come to my blog for the link. for those of you who do not have facebook or wish to access the pictures from my blog, the links will always be posted for each photo album to the right of my blog entries ON MY ORIGINAL BLOG SITE. this means that if you have subscribed to my blog and receive each entry via your email, the link to the photos WILL NOT show up unless i specifically include it in my blog entry (which i only plan to do each time i create a new photo album - not when i add pictures to a current one). as such, for those who received my blog via email, you will have to return to my original blogsite to access the link to the photo albums. at this time there are only two, named "backpacking bc" and "backpacking bc 2" - more will be added later as i travel abroad to australia and carry on from there. please note that this blog is also automatically forward to my facebook account and will show up through my notes. again, the map of my travels will NOT show up on my facebook account OR through email if you subscribe. i hope that this all makes sense and if not, please email me at: shalane.hopkins@hotmail.com and in a final sidenote - EVERY time i update my blog entries i will be posting new photos so know that with one comes the other!

and now for my update! :)


august 5/09 (DAY #36)

my dad and i managed to find kennedy lake - just barely. there was a sign hardly visible from the highway - faded and upsidedown - indicating that a campground lay ahead. we drove down a dirt road and quickly had to change to 4 wheel drive to get along. we passed countless makeshift cabins, most consisting of a trailor with a half-attempt to build an add-on using spare lumber that happened to be lying around. eventually we made it to a set of "spots" (hard to determine if they should be called properties) that had a fire pit and picnic table each. the faded numbers nailed to posts along the road confirmed they were campsites - "were" being the key word.

my dad and i eventually had to ask someone if we had made it to the campground as it wasnt clear. we had made it - it just was no longer an active campground. it had been turned into an area for summer properties. even still, the man directed us to speak with "marie." so we did and she told us we could use the park area to set up our tents free of charge.

so here we are - set up in the middle of a grassy park, complete with picnic tables, horse shoe and an old building that looks like it used to be a pretty fun rec centre. we got the lake nearby and the breeze in the trees. its and odd place, but its still its own version of paradise.


august 6/09 (DAY #37)

what a relaxing day - i ended up spending it stretched out in the sun on my towel by my tent reading a book. i have forgotten how much i love to read. to get lost in a book and its story. this journey has brought me back the opportunity for me to devulge in my long-lost passion with my only concern being that i cant seem to find enough space in my bag to transport all the books id like to read. at the pace i read i could have a book for each day i have been going - but thats just physically not possible for me to carry. hence why i am attempting to force myself into enjoying the habit of re-reading the book(s) i DO have. fortunately with my dad hanging out with me i have been able to buy new books and dump the old ones on him. i was in my glory to be able to pick up a new story today.

that being said, all this book-worming didnt start until after lunch as i spent most of the morning trying to warm up. it was a mere 10 degrees last night and given i seem to have climatized to the upper 30 degree days that have been a regular of central bc summers - i was COLD. it didnt help that i had awoken at 3 am with the sudden urge to pee and the stubborn refusal to exit my barely warm sleeping bag. i figured if i was already cold in my sleeping bag, things would only feel more frozen should i venture out. not to mention the horrid thought of having to face a cold toilet seat. NOT my idea of a good time. so i forced myself back to sleep, ignoring my bladders protests until about 7:30 am when i had to bolt out of my tent on a mission to the porcelin throne as my body threatened to be the second thing to make my tent wet that morning (we had woken to a bad case of dew on our tents).

anyway, the rest of the day was fairly uneventful though part of me kept expecting somethng to happen. our campsite could almost be a real life version of one of those thriller movies like "the village" or "texas chainsaw massacre" or some other film focused around horrible things that happen to strangers in a run-down, off the grid community. not to say that it FEELS that way. the people in this community are extraordinarly nice. its just the look with the run down buildings, empty playgrounds and the sense of mystery around why this place no longer functions as a campground. meh.

that all said, its hard to believe that tomorrow i start moving forward in my journey again. my dad will drop me off and i will set off into the bush with the hope that maybe THIS time my trail will be clearly marked all the way. i wont hold my breath. even still, i feel in better spirits than a few days ago. i feel as though i can take on my journey with full force. i only hope i have worked through my issues because there will be no stopping until i reach the finish line. vancouver - here i come! :)


august 7/09 (DAY #38)

i was surprised at how relaxed i felt today during my first 24 km stint since a week ago. i was slightly worried that it would be hard to get back in the swing of things. last time i walked was on july 31 - i dont count the 1st because that was only about 2-4 km. as it were - i was quite pleased that i knocked off about 24 km by noon today. all to end up at a cabin where i will spend the night. that being said, some idiot before me had left the door and windows wide open and when i arrived there was trash and garbage strewn all over the place. i checked inside and though there was no current animal activity, you could tell there had been. things were all over - a deck of cards looked as though they had exploded on the floor. the dish soap left a pile of sticky dirt by the sink. then there was the mouse droppings. EVERYWHERE.

i nominated myself as the cleanup crew and spent the next 2.5 hours cleaning everything which was a lot considering its only a one-room building. when i was done i had to lock all the garbage in the nearby barn - i didnt want the animals - no matter how big or small - to come back while i slept.

the rest of the afternoon was simply spent in chill mode - resting, reading and pictures. tomorrow i hope to reach nicomen lake!


august 8/09 (DAY #39)

so pretty. so cold. i have made it here to nicomen lake and the only thing i wish for is the sun. the sky has been clouded over ever since i started walking today and the wind hasnt let up. i seem to be in a pattern of wearing pants and long sleeves and i only hope that im just hitting bad weather and that this isnt normal for this time of year. hell - its not even the middle of august yet! i am damn sure not ready to give up my shorts so quickly.

that being said - i spotted a note written, or rather - scratched on the the door of the outhouse where someone stated they had snow on august 17 of some year. ive decided that i will be leaving here tomorrow morning. i dont want to spen anymore time than i have to risking to see if that weather comes around this year.

as such, ever since i got here at about 9:30 am (it was a short walk today), i have sat in my tent trying to stay warm. most of the time the breeze is cut off from my tent fly, but theres still enough to keep me huddled in my sleeping bag. the only time ive gotten out was to go to the bathroom or grab food. even still - my watch claims its 18 degrees in my tent. some chill factor.

cold or not cold, i can hardly believe its going to be 40 days into my journey tomorrow. the end is in sight and it feels awesome. i cant wait to see something, ANYTHING, that tells me ive made it to vancouver. that will be an AWESOME day. :)


august 9/09 (DAY #40)

its day #40 and i feel as though im trapped here at the lake. i decided to stay for the day as i figured itd be nicer than packing up a wet tent and trying to walk 30 km in this dreary weather. plus i managed to set up a clothesline in the lean-too shelter thats here so at least i can further justify my stay by cleaning some of my clothes. im crossing my fingers theyll dry in this weather.

the clouds hang low today and the whole campsite has been caught in a constant state of fog and drizzle since i woke up at 5 am. its now 8:20 am. last night was pretty cold and i had to layer up all my clothes, including toque and mitts, completely zip up my mummy bag and attempt to sleep. i am not looking forward to another night of that, but id rather fight the cold here where at least theres an outhouse and bear bins for food than to try to find a makeshift site at the side of the road in all the wetness.

i wonder if helen and liz will decide to stay another day - part of me hopes they do. they showed up later yesterday and i had a blast hanging out with them and just chatting it up. i know it would be nice to have some company on this cloudy day.

****

well, helen and liz left around 10 am. i immediately grew antsy with the idea of chilling in my tent all day (literally) so i packed up and left camp by 10:30. i figured my freshly washed clothes would just have to wait to dry.

i managed to crank out about 30 km of walking today without too many issues. it helped that it was so cloudy otherwise id probably of had to call it quits by 1 pm due to the heat. i was also pleased that the trail for today (a continuation of yesterdays) had been really well marked and maintained. i pretty much was able to put my feet on cruise control and just go. it was nice for once. it allowed me time to let my thoughts wander.

i found myself to be thinking a lot about my experience with helen and liz. not in a wierd stalker sort of way, just more a reflection on how refreshing it was to meet 2 other women backpackers. most times i see any woman backpacking she is generally either with her family or just her husband/boyfriend. i find it rare to meet women who are traveling with other women and even more rare to find them going solo. i am not saying that theres anything WRONG with going with a male companion, its just nice to see that there are other women out there slowly helping to break societys expectation that women need men to keep them safe.

anyway, back to my walk today. i was glad i went. i was even more glad to see the sign along the highway that said vancouver was a mere 195 km away - im stoked. the end is in sight. i quickly calculated that i could be in vancouver in as little as a week - though give i dont want to rush (part of me REALLY does) it will probably be more like 10-14 days. YAY!

on another note - right when i saw the sign, a black bear decided to cross the highway to my side (i was walking against the traffic). i pretty much just stood there and watched him as talking calmly to show "im human" was useless at this point. plus - i would have looked ridiculous to drivers as i would have to be yelling at the bear in order to be heard over the traffic. instead, i opted to cross the highway for a photo opp with the sign.


august 10/09 (DAY #41)

i woke up today, packed up and set to go. i figured i would push for a long day today and then do a short walk to get to hope for tomorrow. i made my way back onto the highway and within a few minutes spotted a glimpse of a bear walking way up high on the opposite side of the highway. could have been the same bear as yesterday, may have been different - but i figured at this rate i should keep going as my bear sightings seem to be increasing.

within an hour the dark clouds started to rain and as i walked i found it more difficult to try to figure out how i would spend the night. i started to contemplate the idea of pushing myself to get to hope for tonight. it would "only" be 38 km - but thats still about 8 km longer than any distance ive done on my journey. i decided to just take it an hour at a time.

a while down the highway, i came face to face with a cyclist who was coming the other direction. as we were on the same side of the highway and i was the one going against traffic, i figured i would stop off to the side to avoid me knocking the cyclist into the rushing traffic with my pack or something equally as dangerous. anyway, he stopped when he got to me (im busy thinking he was crazy to do so as he was the one going UP the long hill) and we got to talking. his name was adam and as it turned out, he was on day #46 of his journey - cycling from alaska to argentina to raise money for autism. super cool. (look below for more information on AFA an links to the website on how to get involved).

further on i met up with a guy who was running. we stopped and chatted and i learned that he was running from victoria to penticton in order to raise money and awareness to help women get out of the sex trade. he informed me he decided to do this because he was "bored of doing the iron man." RIGHT. as i left him and contemplated what both he and adam had shared with me i felt as though maybe i should be doing my walk for something. a cause. a cure. money. whatever. i dont know. maybe one day - but i concluded that for today, doing this walk just for me - because i wanted to - was plenty enough for me as it were.

hours later and completely exhausted from doing a little over 30 km, i met up with the freeway. a nice 6-lane divided highway where traffic zipped along with barely no regard for anything else that may be trying to move along the side at a slower pace. there was no other accessible way for me to get into hope at this point. i had to walk along it. i only had a few more km to go and there was no other choice to press on. my feet said otherwise.

walking in the rain i began to contemplate what i must look like with my pack covered with its black waterproof cover. paired with my bright orange jacket and black shorts i got laugh out of my hunched-back of halloween look. geez louise - i wished i could get off the freeway soon. i needed a distraction. i took hold of the first thing that popped into my head - dori from finding nemo.

within a few seconds i found myself singing outloud my own version of doris song "just keep swimming." mine went more like: "just keep walking, just keep walking, just keep walking, walking, walking.... what do we do? we walk... walk... walk..." when that got too repetitive id switch it up, but keep with the finding nemo theme and found myself attempting to speak whale. keep in mind this was not a silent, in-my-head event... i was practically yelling everything that came out of my mouth as it was difficult to be heard above the traffic and rain. i was just glad that no one else would be able to hear me.....

fortunately i eventually made it to hope. 38 km later. i checked out a few motels and found the prices to be too much. at one this guy asked me what price i WAS looking for (he asked for $70) - i told him $50. we bardered. he wanted $60 and i told him that was too much and i had no issues going to the next motel as there was PLENTY around. he hemmed and hawed and offered to give me the room for $55. i took it. my feet were too tired to go on any further.

a fresh shower, dry clothes and a delivered pizza and i was set for the night. now if only the weather would let up in the next couple days - im all antsy to keep going to vancouver now that its in my sights....




---------------------------------

for those who are interested in more information on adventures for autism, check out adam biel's site at: http://www.adventuresforautism.com/ -- adventure for autism (AfA) is a 25,000 mile cycling journey promoting and raising funds for autism. it started with just two UNC-CH graduates (adam biel and tim blaisdell), now its just adam, but more riders will join the trip as it travels through 19 countries! the journeymen will be posting videos and journals online on the website! follow the their epic adventure through 19 countries and over 12 climate zones over the next 24-28 months! -- for those who have facebook there is also a facebook group by the name of "adventures for autism"