Photo credit to Greg Samborski https://gregsamborski.com/
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After almost 2 years of planning, a chaotic year of change and the last few weeks of frantic work and preparation, tomorrow is departure day! Yesterday, a friend said something that reminded me of an interaction I had about the trip. Almost a year ago, I was asked what made me think I could do it. I asked, in return, "What makes you think that I can't?" (I don't do well with "can't"). This individual said it was a crazy thing to do by myself and they would never do it. Then rattled off of a list of red herrings in the guise of reasons - bike problems, weather, road conditions, accidents, scary, dangerous, etc.. My response was "Well, the difference between you and me is that you have a problem for every solution and I have a solution for every problem. Which is why I can do it and you probably can't". Today, as I throw myself into tying up loose ends for work and prep, the anticipation of the peace and solitude of the road creeps upon me. That feeling overrides fear and doubt. I begin to long for that feeling as I attempt to stay focussed on these last things to do.
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Had a "trip launch" evening with some friends. Great visit and lots of fun conversation about my route plans, packing, etc. My friend says "riding is not for me", but I'm thinking her face tells a different story! :) Thanks to Henry for his moral support and wearing his t-shirt over for dinner! One of my goals for this trip was to learn a bit about the history, industry and tourism of the provinces and territories that I travel through. Yes, I will be adding photos and experiences of the places I stop, but wanted to go a bit further and provide an overview of each province and territory. With the business of Life interfering, I began to despair of achieving this task. So I asked my mom to help. A retired school teacher with an interest in history, she has researched and written my "big picture" stories for every province and territory! Beginning on Tuesday, May 29, a specific page will appear for blogging the area I'm travelling through (starting with British Columbia). As you follow the blog, please take a moment to reward her hard work and click the Trivia Bits fly-out that will appear when the page is published. Her neat, short blurbs may just pique your interest to learn more! Each will end with a link to the region's tourism site.  Only 6 days to departure! Ready or not, Night Fury and I head out on May 29 for our grand adventure. Weather is supposed to be fabulous. I know it is the recent loss of my sister, Tracey, that makes me feel so emotional and I find myself tearing up as I think of the feeling of freedom and exhilaration that comes to me when I get out on the bike. The idea to do this and the planning for it began almost 2 years ago and Tracey and I had many long, animated conversations about its possibilities. The plan began as a grand adventure to see as much of the country as I could achieve. It now is also a resounding reminder that there is only one chance at life, so make it count. Here's to you, Tracey, for once again adding meaning and courage.
After much experimentation and a couple of days of letting it tumble in my head, I think I'm going to get a larger top case to use as a "suitcase" and go with this configuration. Seems to give me the best capacity while having the bulk of the weight centered on the bike.  With my mind on the K.I.S.S. principal, I booked an appointment to have a bunch of hair wacked off. With my fine, thin hair, this curly style will dry in no time on its own. More importantly, it will not find a way to come un-tucked from my helmet to stick in my eye or flip in my face!
Got a used satellite phone for some of the remote areas I will be travelling through. As well as the car charger, the accessories include some doohickeys and diddlywhats (those are technical terms). Apparently I need to install a cigarette lighter port on my bike.........and read the phone manual......  Added some reflective tape to my side cases to raise my visibility. By the time I'm done loading the bike for travel, the reflective bits of my riding suit won't be much help!  If there's one thing technology hasn't improved on........getting a sleeping bag back into its sack is still like trying to put a baby back where it came from!  1. Make sure you know how to set up your tent before you actually HAVE to . . . . . check.  |
