When the Road Asks Me to Slow Down — BC, Canada

It took me longer than I'd hoped to recover. This attack truly took me by surprise.

I am beyond grateful for Sandra’s loving heart and hospitality. I am grateful that I was able to take the time to heal, and for the extra time I got to spend with Sandra and her funny cats, Mia and Winny. The view from her patio of the Canadian Rockies was a good reminder of the beauty ahead.

It is hard to say goodbye to Sandra. We are celebrating four years of a beautiful friendship; a friendship that started with our shared love for the open road. Sandra is quite the adventurous spirit, and her stories always fascinate me.

As we both watch the weather for the next few days on my route to Jasper, Sandra shares her concern about me traveling in a snowstorm. I have to agree that it is far from what I was hoping for. Sandra suggests that I first travel west to the Okanagan Valley before heading back north.

After searching together, of course, with the help of Sandra’s cats, who keep jumping on the maps to give their opinions, I begin to consider this new route.

I take Sandra’s opinion seriously because I trust her guidance. Before I make my final decision, I reach out to Deb to check if her invitation is still open. It feels like the sign I need.

No doubt, this journey started from my love for wonderful adventures in nature. However, the extra layer of beautiful souls I cross paths with is the cherry on top.

So who is Deb?

Deb has been following my story from the beginning through one of the solo women’s Facebook groups. I have always appreciated her beautiful comments. Many times, she mentioned that if I were ever in South Carolina or the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia, she would love to host me.

During my second year of traveling, I did reach out to her, but by the time we had our long and beautiful phone conversation, I was already past her area. Still, I kept her invitation in my heart.

With the little time I have to make changes, I pretty much let Sandra help me plan my route. I take all the help I can from her extensive travel experience.

Since this is my diary, I need to keep this journal honest and true to my experience. I want to read it back and remember it as it really happened, without any sugarcoating. Some parts of the journey are beautiful, and some are not. I am not writing to polish my story. I am writing to tell it honestly.

So you might want to skip the next unfortunate experience.

Just as I leave Sandra’s, things take a turn for the worse. It might be the ice cream or the chocolate cake I ate too soon, before letting my stomach fully heal.

I feel like I am not getting a break. Now I find myself dealing with diarrhea. Come on, that is the last thing I need while traveling. The challenge is not finding a bathroom, as I have my own toilet. The challenge is finding a safe place to stop on the side of the road when I need it most.

My first destination is Kootenay Lake. The weather is a bit challenging, with scattered showers, but I can still enjoy the incredible landscape along the winding road beside the lake. I stop for the night at the small and charming Lockhart Beach Provincial Park. I choose a site next to a roaring stream because it is my favorite sound to fall asleep to.

My dinner is a quick sandwich between the raindrops. Luckily, by late evening, the rain stops, and I can cross the road to walk along the small beach on Kootenay Lake.

I keep traveling up Kootenay Lake and stop at the tiny town of Crawford Bay to check out the art galleries the town is known for, before taking the free ferry from Kootenay Bay to Balfour. I love taking ferries. There is something special about boarding a ferry, driving onto the platform, and crossing a lake.

I have a few hikes in mind, but none of them feel doable right now. My main mission is to stay close to a bathroom or a place where I can stop.

My next destination is Gladstone Provincial Park, along Christina Lake. I figure I will rest there and assess my situation. At one point, I even considered crossing the border back to the United States to go to the nearest ER. I try to stay as calm as possible and take it as easy as I can. I know panic is my enemy right now.

I am able to get a good night’s rest, and finally, things begin to feel a little better.