So the hard drive I dropped while in Ontario, the one containing my first 95 days worth of photos is dead and unrecoverable. After taking it to two reputable data recovery places here in Vancouver the consensus is that it was a “head crash”.

“Our lab has completed the evaluation of your unit. I regret to inform you that the drive was found to have a head crash, which the technicians have deemed unrecoverable. This is very unfortunate.

Head Crash occurs when the Head Disk Assembly comes in contact with the platters, physically erasing the data. In this type of situations, replacing the Head Disk Assembly will not work as once it reaches the scratched area the new head will fail as well.”

So over 3 months of driving, walking, hiking, sleeping in the truck and generally doing what I love to do has resulted in a huge kick in the face. It wouldn’t be so bad except for the fact that the reason for the trip was to build my photographic portfolio, to capture things that only driving across Canada’s back roads could produce. Then to have people become interested and excited, wanting prints and even a gallery show in Calgary. Now everything, is simply gone.

I’m sure some of you are wondering why I didn’t back everything up. Well because I couldn’t really afford to spend the money on the second hard drive. Or so I thought at the time. I guess some lessons are simply learned hard. Right now, I just have to fight to keep my financial head above water, with no help from the last 4 months of wasted work.

I’m sure I’ll be fine. At the time of writing this I’ve just gotten this news. Perhaps one day I can do this trip again.

I originally left Vancouver back in October because I wanted to get away from the Olympics. The construction, the chaos, the political disputes and protests (although I agree with many of their points). I had planned to stay away until after the games were done and gone…but here I am.

My friends had taunted me, saying that the vibe and energy was great. The people were here and the experiences were something you may only have the opportunity to have once. With that said I came home early and I’m glad I did.

The energy is amazing. The patriotic feeling across the city as we watch Canada’s athletes compete and cheer them on while hosting the rest of the world is amazing. This IS truly a once in a lifetime experience and how fitting that it came right after finishing another that I will never forget.

I’m glad to be home! Go Canada Go!

Canada Scores on Germany! Goal Six.

So the short familiar drive from Chilliwack into Vancouver in the sun with the window down was a nice way to end this awesome trip I’ve been on. I feel a little weird, like it was all a dream. I woke up in my grandparent’s house today and it was like I never even left. I’m sure it will all sink in over time but all in all I think the alone time on the road, in the fields, in the abandoned houses and the nights alone in my quiet isolation have brought a new lease on life. I have a lot to say and will be working on making my mark in the world through the next few years. While doing it with a better and more positive attitude.

Something else I learned while on this trip is that although it was mostly me out there, I would not have been able to do it without the support of my friends, family and the random strangers that stepped up and offered words of encouragement, gas money donations and moral support. This truly was a trip for everyone as they were along there with me.

So until I take on a new adventure (which I will) this blog will obviously slow down but I will not close it. Even if I only venture out on a weekend trip I will post my travels here.

Until then, I think everyone should get out there and see something they haven’t seen before. I did.

I left Osooyoos this morning, sunny and clear out. I stopped in Keromeos where I’ve taken shots of some old cars before. Got a few more shots there, then drove the Princeton Highway through Hope and into Chilliwack where my other grandparents live. I’m there now, in a familiar house with family. It feels almost like I haven’t even left. Like the last 4 months just a blur of a dream.

It’s like I’ve woken from a really good dream feeling refreshed and enlightened. The weather here is so good that it makes feel like I should turn around and go again as it’s giving me that spring itch for movement and adventure. Yet the intellectual side on my brain wants a rest, a chance to move forward with the new things we’ve learned. So be it. I have some work to do but you can rest assured there will plans for another adventure in the works.

Until tomorrow,
W

Waking outside of Creston, BC and finding it cloudy and grey I drove over the pass and inward. Not a whole lot to report as I was day dreaming, reminiscing and thinking a lot about the future.

About 1pm my position and the cloud cover had given way to almost clear skies. I visited with an old friend, a house I have photographed before, but this time I went inside. I then rolled into Osooyoos and after a little delay in meeting up I was soon visiting my grandparents and my aunt on my dad’s side. It was a great night of catching up over dinner and some Olympics on television.

Again my day started off grey, cloudy with some snow and rain but as I got further Southwest the cloud started to break up. I stopped at Historic Fort Steele and spent a few hours amongst the old buildings, old wagon wheels and the horses, burros, sheep and donkeys.

I pretty much stayed on the number 3 highway as there’s still a lot of space between me and home and I’ve decided that I’d like to get into town for Saturday. The more I hear about the Olympics the more I’d like to be there. I should have know myself a little better when I left, that I would in fact want to be part of such a big event, regardless of my views of the organizing committee and the city officials. It’s about the athletes and the energy, lately I love myself a good energy!

So with a night in Chilliwack to catch up with my grandparents I’m hoping to be home soon. I’ll tell you one thing though, the sun on your face feels different at home. Here’s to another great day.

I’m in Creston at the library (where apparently no one was taught it’s supposed to be a quiet place, not even the old ladies).

I will get a good sleep tonight and then the last stretch. Wow.