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I never was a great student back in my school years, but I always made sure to be the best student in the classroom of life lessons. My life experience taught me the best lessons are gifts; even the most painful and harmful events in our lives can teach us if we choose to listen.
At a very early age, I learned that life events could throw you off in a second. My time as a volunteer ambulance driver consistently embraces that reality. But of course, for all of us, the pandemic is proof of the uncertainty life can be.
I injured my back about three years ago, and it took me over a year to heal. Unfortunately, back pain is now part of my life, but I refuse to let it take over my life. I already had to give up two of my biggest passions, backpacking and volunteering as an ambulance driver.
After months in the making and a change in plans, I'm ready to hit the road for the next year or until I have had enough. The original plan was to get an RV and travel, but with the gas prices, I had to make some changes. Since the whole idea is about the journey, I changed the vehicle in which I'm traveling.
I took advantage of my petite size (4'11") and converted my car into a micro camper. I'm happy I'm simplifying everything. This journey is not about luxury; it's about being at one with nature, exploring new places, meeting people along the way, and creating new connections.
I'm excited and terrified simultaneously; there are many uncertainties ahead for me, new challenges, and scary moments not to mention some lonely times. But I'm ready to embrace them all because, most of all, I am terrified of not trying and giving myself this adventurous chapter in my life.
Goodbye, Canada, Until Next Time
Louisbourg, Nova Scotia. 6:00 a.m. This spot is okay in the dark, but in daylight I feel exposed. I drive to the parking lot of the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site, where I know I can have the privacy I need for my morning routine. I am so glad I came all this way to visit the Fortress of Louisbourg. It took 20 years to rebuild much of what life looked like here in 1744. They were able to create the reconstruction thanks to incredibly detailed archives found in
3 days ago
When Things Fall Apart — Cape Breton, Nova Scotia
Meat Cove, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. Wednesday, August 5, 4:00 a.m. When I travel, I usually use an eye mask so I do not wake up too early. This time, I do not. I do not want to miss the gift of witnessing the birth of a new day. By 8:30, I am on my way to Gampo Abbey, a Western Buddhist monastery. My admiration for Pema Chödrön's wisdom began soon after I left on this life-changing journey in 2022. I do not remember how I came across her teachings, but her book When Things F
5 days ago
Learning to Surrender, Again — Honoring What I Need, Nova Scotia, Canada
Dear diary, it is Monday, August 17. I am in a small cabin on a farm in New Brunswick, Canada, not far from the border of Maine. In a few days I will cross the border and slowly get back home. Yes, I am jumping a bit forward, but I will make sure to fill in the gap in my travel shortly. I just had to sit down and write what is going on in my heart. It is so overwhelming right now inside my little body and soul. I fell apart! After so many weeks of extreme weather challenges a
6 days ago
Even in the Darkness, There Is a Horizon — Cape Breton, Nova Scotia
Another Fun Ferry Ride! I arrive in Nova Scotia in the evening. I find a parking spot at Walmart in New Glasgow and settle in for the night. I wake up to a foggy, cloudy day, and I am left with a dilemma. What should I do? The weather is showing rain along my travel route for the next few days. I try to keep things in perspective. Of course, I wish I had a knob that could control the weather, but this is one of the elements of uncertainty I need to embrace. I keep driving… My
Aug 11
The Gentle Rhythm of Prince Edward Island, Canada
It is time to move on… The next two days are driving days, although I now limit myself to no more than four, or at most, five hours behind the wheel. This new rhythm is working well. The stops I weave into my driving days often lead me to places I would never have thought to visit. Le Malin de la Rivière Bonaventure is my last stop in Quebec before entering New Brunswick. Two evenings ago, while sharing a meal with Lise, she mentioned the place, so I looked it up. Unfortunate
Aug 9
A Quiet Longing for Connection — Percé, Quebec
Dear Diary, it is Monday, July 27, 8:35 a.m. Location: a small motel near Percé, Quebec. This time, I don’t need a break in the same way I did two weeks ago. I am taking this break more as maintenance. :) I am trying to make sure I do not burn myself out. I am not sure if taking a break in Quebec is ideal. I entered Quebec two and a half weeks ago, and right away, it felt as though I had entered a different country. The lack of French on my end created a bubble around me, bri
Aug 5
Cap-Bon-Ami, a Landscape That Stole My Heart — Forillon National Park, Quebec, Canada
The day is still foggy and drizzling. I get to the visitor center of Forillon National Park. I am excited to be here. Of course, through my research, there are some places I gravitate toward more than others. Yes, I am coming with a certain set of expectations that naturally happen when you see a photo that gets inside your heart and stays there. I have a feeling I will not be disappointed. The first question I ask is about a campsite. Nothing, they are all sold out. Well… I
Aug 2
Practicing Softness Along the Gaspésie Peninsula — Quebec, Canada
I love taking ferries! They are so much fun! I break up my drive with two stops. The first is to give myself one last chance to see a beluga whale at the Cap-de-Bon-Désir Interpretation and Observation Center. I reach the end of the trail, where I have the opportunity to sit on a rock facing the St. Lawrence River. I sit for a while, enjoying the light breeze—and no bugs. :) A faint line along the horizon reveals the other side of the river. No beluga whales, only a lonely co
Jul 31
Saguenay Fjord — Quebec, Canada
I am grateful for the universal street signs that guide me without the need for language. A question mark sign indicates a visitor center. Perfect! I get some maps and information about the Saguenay Fjord, one of the longest and southernmost fjords in the world. I learn that when two people want to communicate without sharing a common language but with a healthy sense of humor, they find ways to understand each other. I leave with a few maps and several highlighted places to
Jul 27
Bonjour, Mountains — Quebec, Canada
I ask Ladka if it is okay for me to stay through the weekend. “Of course,” she says. “You are our friend now.” I want to give one day to explore Ottawa and one day to regroup. In my Google Maps folder are two places I saved two years ago, when I first thought I might pass through Ottawa: Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica and the National Gallery of Canada. They sit across from each other, not far from Parliament Hill. I take Jan’s advice and use public transportation to reach dow
Jul 24
Learning to Try Softly — Alexandria Bay, New York
I decide to stay another two nights in New York State, just in case. I take a hotel room in Alexandria Bay, a small town in the heart of the Thousand Islands region. I remember how beautiful this area was two years ago. This time, I am on the U.S. side. The balcony outside my room faces the river. The sound of the waves creates a sense of calm, which is just what I need. I sit for a while, taking in the landscape, and start recording myself. That is the best way for me to wri
Jul 20
Another Test of Surrender — Killarney Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada
I get to Killarney Provincial Park by early afternoon. I was able to secure a campsite online this morning, so I can relax with my time. I stop at the visitor center to get oriented and am happy to see the hikes I saved on AllTrails are the same ones they recommend. It is so hot, far from the temperature I like for hiking, but I am here, so stop complaining. :) I start with my top choice, the Chikanishing Trail. Part of the trail goes along Georgian Bay, so I am all in. The
Jul 16
The Kind Spirit of Manitoulin Island — Ontario, Canada
I wake up to another day of a heat wave. I was able to stay as cool as possible during the night with my two fans, but by morning, the heat is already uncomfortable. I don’t do well in the heat. The perfect temperature for me is between 50° and 60°. It is good that I need to catch up on my writing. It brings me to a cool library. I have a two-hour drive to my next destination, Manitoulin Island. The island first caught my attention when I read that it is the world’s largest f
Jul 13
The Magic of Surprises — Chutes Provincial Park, Ontario
By late afternoon, I arrive in the town of Sault Ste. Marie. First, I need to clean my car. I hope the glued-on bugs are not permanent. It is a hot day, and a perfect reason to take a hotel room for the night. The hotel is just across from the boardwalk. I am five minutes from the Michigan border, however, I am not ready to cross yet. :) I am not sure if it is so quiet because it is Sunday, but Sault Ste. Marie feels like a town that has had better days. I set the morning asi
Jul 10
A Piece of Heaven Along Lake Superior — Ontario, Canada
I continue my drive along Lake Superior and stop at Old Woman Bay Picnic Area. I put on my hiking boots, strap on my backpack, unfold my hiking poles, and cross the road to hike the Nokomis Trail. The trail climbs upward to an overlook of Lake Superior. There is a fantastic feeling in those woods, like entering an enchanted world long forgotten. It is a dense forest, with ferns and moss decorating the ground. The birds’ songs are loud and welcoming, muffling the sounds of the
Jul 7
A Sweet Reunion by Lake Superior — Pukaskwa National Park, Ontario, Canada
I am so super excited!!! Leslie and Steve, my dear friends with whom I spent the winter at the YMCA, have been traveling through the US and Canada since May. We have kept in touch since I left, with phone calls and texts. Two days ago, Leslie texted me, “Where are you now?” I texted back, “Thunder Bay.” Leslie’s response was, “Oh, we will be there tomorrow.” My first thought was, “Oh, there must be another Thunder Bay somewhere in the US.” No, they are actually returning to t
Jul 3
The Courage to Simply Try — Thunder Bay to Nipigon, Ontario
I have one more errand to do before I leave Thunder Bay, and that is to take a shower. Funny enough, I still remember the last shower I took in my apartment back in October 2022, just before I left on this life-changing journey. I know that from now on, taking a shower will be a new level of gratitude. It is such a pleasure to find a facility that is so clean, has hot water, and I do not need to push a button every 30 seconds. :) What a luxury this morning shower is! I am abo
Jun 30
Kakabeka Falls: The Soft Flow Before the Fall — Ontario, Canada
Come on… another tough night. My comfy cocoon becomes a cage when I have physical pain and cannot move or stand to give myself some relief. I know there is a good lesson my hip is trying to teach me. However, I prefer to be in denial. Sometimes it is easier to ignore the natural aging process. :) At the end of the day, all lessons seem to come back to one big understanding: letting go, acceptance, flexibility, and adjusting to the flow of life. I totally refuse to acknowledge
Jun 27
Rushing Water and Quiet Courage — Manitoba to Ontario, Canada
I continue heading east, still learning to let the road guide me, even when things do not go exactly as I imagine. My next stop is Whiteshell Provincial Park. I figure I will stop at the visitor center and learn about the park. Well, that does not work out so well since the visitor center only opens on weekends. So I guess I will explore the park as I go. From the little I researched, I know I am going to travel through different lakes. I have some reception, and I will let G
Jun 25
Between Human Cruelty and Human Kindness — Saskatchewan to Manitoba, Canada
I spend a few more hours in Moose Jaw, most of it walking around town and waiting for my appointment. One of the reasons I took the hotel is because my left hip has been bothering me for a while now. I know I need to give myself a break, but lately the pain is increasing, and I am hoping a healing massage will help. I also know I need to do a better job of not driving for too long. I need to stop more often, walk, and gently stretch. The thing is, that is not always possible.
Jun 22
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