"You should post updates about your trip online," my cousin Brian says, grinning, "So we can follow along on your adventures."
We were working our way through a long goodbye as I finished packing my bags. I had wanted to do just what he suggested but I lacked some spark to start writing. A week has passed and that seed of interest, of obligation to my audience of one, is now driving my fingers across the keyboard. I'll be posting stories and pictures of my trip away from Southern Ontario and into the wilds of Western Canada as often as an internet connection and my fingers will allow.
We're already partway through the story though. I left Ontario the morning of May 20th with my friend Ashley. She was headed to a ranch in the Rockies to work for the summer and needed someone to keep her sane on the drive out West. Four days and 4000-or-so kilometers later we had made it through storms, rolling plains, curious antelope, decked-out pharmacies, and mountains to Vancouver. Ashley and I parted ways and I needed my own transportation: I was in the market for a sexy bicycle. I spent ten days in Vancouver finding a steed and camping gear before heading to Vancouver Island for a two and a half week, trial-by-fire introduction to cycle touring. It went smoothly; lots of relatives were happy to show me a good time. I rarely was rained on, even. That's a big improvement from my memories of living in Port Alberni as a child.
Now I'm sitting in North Vancouver on Dave and Julie's fold-out couch dreaming of tomorrow's ride out of Vancouver and into the Rockie Mountains.
Wish me luck Brian!
