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’ve spent a few days here in Calgary catching up with some friends as I once lived here. For seven years “Cowtown” was home while I played music and experienced a different city.
I’m all set to get on my way tomorrow and am looking forward to my last leg of this awesome trip that has taken me completely across this country we live in. However, my friends back in Vancouver are demanding that I get back to town and experience some of the Olympic energy. Despite how I feel about the politics, commercialism and corporate involvement in the games I also feel like it’s a once in a lifetime experience as well. So as I leave here tomorrow I’m going to be watching the weather carefully and if I feel like I’d rather wait to take some shots I may find I may just keep driving through. It’s not like I’m far from home and smaller road trips to my home province are always fun.
So with that said, I do feel a bit sad that the trip is coming to a close. That however, doesn’t meant that I will stop posting here, as a matter of fact, once I’m home and as time allows the photo section of this become quite extensive as I have more time to edit some of the thousands of shots I’ve taken.
Anyway, I’m sure we’ll see each other again soon. Until tomorrow.
W
The Disappearance
Category: Highlights
Tags: Alberta, Calgary, energy, festivities, Friends, Olympics, Photography, photos, Vancouver, Vancouver 2010 Olympics, weather 2 Comments
I spent the most of the morning finding and going to some computer shops in Barrie. Gathering opinions on what my options are with my broken hard drive. The consensus seems to be that the files may be recoverable but that it’s like going to cost a good chunk of change. It seems the arm that holds the heads the read and write to the platter (disc) is damaged from the drop. The disc itself may or may not be damaged but either way it’s got to be taken apart to be determined. So I’ve decided to wait until I get back to Vancouver where I’ll find a data recovery specialist to see what they can do. Besides, by the sounds of it I’ll have to save up some money to cover the costs anyway.
My hardest job today was to find peace with the uncertainty of the status of my first 95 days worth or travel, work and photos. I am trying to remain positive that it will all work out while I continue on.
I drove through the sunny day today looking for new shots. But as some days have an abundance of shots but no good light, today was the opposite. I simply didn’t really see much that inspired me to stop at least until I rolled into Parry Sound. As I pulled in the sun was setting, I found a shoreline and saw some good shots. The brilliant day was not a complete loss.
Another thing I want to mention is that some of my financial stress that was starting to build up has taken a turn. Between friends and family I now have the assurance that I can make my way home and still have the freedom to wander a bit. My heart is full and my remaining days will be full of opportunities. I can feel this.
Goose Love
Category: Cross Canadian Road Trip 2009-2010
Tags: Barrie, challenges, computers, damaged, data, finances, Friends, hard drives, money, ontario, Parry Sound, positivity, recovery, stress, sunny, sunset Leave a Comment
Yesterday I spent some time in the North York library working on some editing of a few shots after making the drive from Hamilton. From there I met my friends Nancy and Tamara ( and their colleague Scott) who are in town for a work related conference. We had dinner and chilled for a bit. Nancy showed us her shots from her recent trip to Australia and now I want to go even more.
After that I arrived at Anthony and Katy’s place. They have moved since I was here in November and they opened up their new house to me. This is an awesome, quaint little house with so much character, it totally suits them.
I was originally waiting to hear back from a local TV station about a possible interview about my trip but it looks like they’ve passed. I was going to be on my way today but Anthony and Katie have convinced me to stay one more night and hang out. So me and Zoso (the cat) are going to do some more edits today and relax. Tomorrow I start the stretch across the rest of Ontario into the prairies.
For now, I’m simply in the moment, reflecting on the awesomeness of the people I know. I am a lucky guy. Thank you friends.
Golden - Val Jalbert, Quebec
I’m not sure what I was expecting. Not sure what I thought I would feel or even what I wanted out of it but the fact that I made it this far and now essentially have to turn around has left me feeling a little off. Honestly I was feeling a little blue the last few days anyway but figured I’d get over it once I hit the East of the East.
It’s not like the adventure is over, I still have to make it home and have no set agenda as per the way here. Basically it comes down to making the money last.
As I was leaving to come on this trip a friend gave me a book written by Stuart Wilde. I’d never read any of his stuff but have read other books regarding spirituality, energy, positivity and “the universe” etc before. I just opened this book and am halfway through it tonight. Good timing too as it made a lot of sense and I feel much better about a lot of things, including the rest of this trip and my goals upon my return to “regular” everyday life. What makes me smile is the fact that since I have everything to do with it, my regular everyday life is going to get pretty sweet in the next couple of years. I don’t have much to complain about and a lot to be thankful for so really it’s not a long journey. I simply have to keep my “ego” in check and lose the fear, the fear of actually doing what I’m doing now so I can keep doing it. Yes, you heard it here first, this trip wasn’t exactly “easy” for me to just get up and do. It still isn’t.
For now though I am back in the right headspace. Tomorrow will be another great day for photos as I explore Bonavista Newfoundland Then I will again be slowly on my way closer to people that mean the world to me. Until I get there, I will be lost in my element, appreciating what is absorbed through these orbs in my skull.
Lighthouse at Cape Spear
