Canada

[krtw]

25,000 km. 8 provinces, 2 territories, 3 oceans. This country is huge, beautiful, and seeing so much of it has been an experience beyond imagination.

I've now been to the eastern most, western most, southern most and northern most parts of Canada that you can ride to. And soon I leave for the south.

I've ridden through ice rain, flooded roads, too much smoke from one end of the country to the other, wild fires and terrible catastrophizes. To complete peace, perfect weather for weeks...

My take. This country is beautiful. The earth manifests in so many ways, both dramatic and subtle. Forests change due to elevation. Come around a corner and the entire environment changes from lush rain forest to near desert. The mountains stretch for miles and miles, and the north is so unique. So much land and space...its truly awesome, in the original meaning of the word. Awesome.

And the people. Generous. Helpful. Funny. Giving. So many have helped me out with bike repairs, places to stay, food, advice, company, laughter, and my followers have helped out financially, morally and I've rarely felt alone.

I live on my bike. Sold everything. What I own, is on my bike. And there's only one direction - anywhere. There's only one time - now. There's only one goal - keep moving. An interesting experience, one I waited a long time to get to.

Travel at an older age is great. I have more appreciation for everything. Simple foods. A place to sleep. A shower, oh my, a shower or bath is total heaven. Most folks at my age are not willing to give up comforts, but I take deep comfort in the sights and sounds. Every day is life time. Every day filled with wonder. Sometimes tinged with WHAT THE HELL AM I DOING.

Its 12 weeks today I left. Not too long. Lets talk again when its a year. The two years. The novelty has not worn off. I'm still getting my act together and learning how to deal with constant movement, constant change. And how to deal with problems like breakdowns, or heart breaks.

I miss my people. Those I left behind. The internet and modern tech makes this way easier, as I talk to loved ones every day. Its not like it used to be. But there's still distance. I I do not mean miles. The distance is how much I'm changing every day. Riding a bike so so many hours is like a deep meditation. If you listen, one becomes attuned. To the road, the bike, weather, and the over riding feeling is just gratitude.

Gratitude not to anyone or anything. Just gratitude. Understanding deeply how privileged you are to be where you are, doing what you are doing. Having this experience.

There used to be a turn around on my long rides. The place where I have to start heading back. And right then the trip always felt over. I could feel my mind start to work on all the shit I have to get caught up on when I return. That's gone. No return. And it is freeing beyond imagination.

I have a LONG way to go. Canada has been my testing ground. Made a TON of mistakes and will make more, but getting better and better. My processes are almost in place, but when I take long breaks, like a few days visiting, it have trouble getting sharp.

South. Out of country is next. Everything changes then. Specially when I hit Mexico and Central America. I think I'm ready. Some bike stuff to get fixed. Working on it today, and have time. But the rest...we'll see I guess.

Love this life so much. Benefits thus far outweigh the drawbacks. Health remains intact. Mental health fluctuates, but mostly upward and positive.

Love this country. There are of course problems. But I'm talking about the land. WOW. The land. BC, the north, Newfoundland, the prairies, each beautiful in their own way. I will NOT miss winter. The mornings are getting cold in the tent. South. Time to go south.

Peace.