My Rearview Mirror

So much has sped by since writing “Arrive Alive” but I wanted to let you know I eventually reached my destination, very much alive.

But before I drop you right into the thick of a new adventure, I’ll bring you up to speed.

When we last met, I had just emerged, crinkly and new, from a powerful thirty-day “journey and journalling” project. I had to take a little writing break after that one, but the adventure certainly continued.

You know when you reach a pinnacle and sense you are about to pick up some serious downhill speed? I was in that place. My internal GPS had dropped a big red pin on “Cape Breton Island” and I was at risk of auto-piloting home, open-throttled.

Part of the momentum came from the fact that it was Spring. I sometimes felt I was cradling her in my arms, and sometimes I literally was.

If Spring had reached the desert, that meant it would soon be arriving in Canada, and I needed to be there for that. Thankfully, I had important reasons to meander, rather than race. Plus it was actually still snowing in Canada.

First, I needed to deliver Kokopelli to Truth or Consequences, New Mexico; precious cargo that needed to reach it’s destination. This involved a wonderful visit with a friend, and a soak at Riverbend Hot Springs. Next, I visited Santa Fe where I camped with a dear friend from last season, and her travel companion, Symon.

If you can imagine this, Pippa was the more dominant of the two (we watched Pippa literally stare Symon off his own bed one day!) but he enacted revenge one afternoon (when we weren’t looking!) and took over Pippa’s living room! Balance restored.

After a great visit, I was just a short drive to Albuquerque, where my daughter Indigo flew in to join me for a a full ten days. This was our second van-trip together, and having joined me for 6 weeks last year, she was seasoned and ready for some serious nature-immersion.

I delighted in sharing some of my favourite places with her: a little soaking at Truth or Consequences, a little cliff-dwelling and spring-soaking at Gila. Some serious cacti- bloom in the Superstition Mountains. Time at Indian Breadrocks. Picketpost. Art-play. Awesome food. Tonnes of she-vannigans.

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When Indigo wasn’t wowing me with her culinary prowess, she worked hard to help create a little video about life on the road; A Q&A session. I posted this to my YouTube channel, called “Kit Vantastic.” We had the best life chats hanging around in the sunshine playing in the art supplies.

Saying goodbye was tough, but we both knew it wouldn’t be long before we would both be back home, and within a day’s drive of one another. On route home, I went through Arkansas and enjoyed an awesome visit with friends and after that last stop, was full speed north.

Re-entry through the border brought tears of joy, and four hours later I was enjoying coffee at my sisters’ home, picking up where we left off, as if I had never really been away.

I then picked up my dear son Challian and the inter-planetary Elf-cat, Cornelius (sent here to oversee me) from Ottawa. Cornelius has been monitoring Chall while I travelled, but it’s time for him to resume his original duties; overseeing my comings and goings. It was super-awesome to be on-site to witness Challian complete and submit the last paper of his university degree.

The best part was they were both now travelling the final 1600 km of my journey with me, and Chall would be staying for a 10-day, first-time visit. We packed up and were on our way the next day.

Turns out Cornelius is a Van-Cat! I hadn’t considered bringing him on the road, but he thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the two-day trip. There was no room in the van to sleep, so we stayed at motels and he was delighted.

I swear, if there had been room service, he’d have figured out how to order. I think he might just be coming on the road with me next year 🙂

But I need to stop right here. At the Canso Causeway.

I know that was abrupt, sorry.

But here were are. This is it; our last stop for this year. I’m going to turn the van off for a moment; we’ll chat.

This is one of those “portal times.”

You can hop out here, in which case I give you a big hug and say I’ll see you on down the road, or you cross with me. There is an adventure on the other side of that bridge; an unfolding that is waiting for me to arrive. You’re invited.

I can go alone of course, but you’ve been such awesome company I’d love if you still wanted to ride shotgun.

If another road is calling you, I wish you a bright, light heart and safe passage to your next rest stop. I’ll see you next year if the fates allow. You know this trip as been so much more meaningful because we’ve taken it together. Thank you, my travelling companion.

For those curious souls still onboard and drugged with anticipation, the bridge is open, it’s all green lights, and it’s time! We’re crossing the portal!

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