Adventures: What if and Might-bes

"A lot of things in life people don't do because of the 'what-ifs.' But 'what-if' this happens or 'what if' that happens. What if you run out of petrol? And it stops us doing things. You know? In actual fact, the 'what ifs' and the 'might-bes' are what makes it so exciting. Because every time we got in trouble and every time your bike broke down, we met people who helped. It's a really optimistic view of the world I have right now, in that all the people, all around the world, have been incredibly generous, nice people." -Ewan McGregor "The Long Way Round"

This has really made me think about why we don't go on more adventures. We are held back by the possibility of trouble or disaster. But in actuality, those disasters and troubles you have along the way are what make the trip fun or memorable.
Examples from our own life:
#1. "A hike, at night, in the dark"--there was no hike up Golden Ears because we had car trouble. But I do remember Jocelyn holding up her cell phone and using it as a flashlight so that we could see beneath the car.
#2. Trip to Lacombe: To be honest, driving from here to Alberta isn't that exciting, but getting food poisoning along the way made it memorable. Also being nearly asleep and having Dan yell, "Timmmmmbbbbbber.....(long silence) Creek." And startling me awake with his Timber, as I thought a tree was going to fall on the car. Those are what made the trip memorable.

Here are two examples of regular trips, that turned into adventures because of those "what-ifs." But we don't let those things hold us back from more adventures. In fact, the spurn us on and cause us to desire more adventure. What will happen next? What kinds of things are we going to encounter? How will we deal with those types of situation? These invigorate me, rather than scare me. Perhaps that's why we're so full of adventure stories. I encourage you to go on that dream adventure. Don't let the "what-ifs" stop you; let them persuade you to go on.

Concrete Jungle Verses 'The Great Outdoors'

When you tell people that you are going to hike one of the great hiking trails (Juan de Fuca, West Coast, Trans Canada, Pacific Crest), people seem to marvel over your accomplishment. They applaud your efforts and ask a bazillion probing questions. BUT, when you state you are going to walk to Langley, or walk to Hope, you are faced with blank stares followed by one of two questions. Why? or What the hell for? Somehow your sanity comes into question when you talk about walking down a road for 20km. But really, what is the difference between walking on a sidewalk, or walking down a trail?
In all honesty, it wasn't that long ago that walking was the main form of transport for the majority of the population. It actually still is in the "underdeveloped" nations of the world. Walking is somewhat liberating. You can walk anywhere you want on foot, but are limited to highways and roads when in a vehicle. You get to go where you want, rather than where you are told to go. You also get to go the speed you want, rather than the posted limits. No cop is going to arrest you for walking too fast!
Walking on a trail, or in the "concrete jungle" is just that: walking. The landscape may change, but the point to walking is still the same. Neither the concrete jungle, nor the "great outdoors" has to have a destination, but both can. Walking is pure enjoyment, transportation, necessity-it is everything you want it to be and more. It is one of the universal constants, nor matter your social class or location, everyone has to walk (even if it is from your mansion to your car). The loss of this mobility is incredibly disheartening, confining and frustrating. It is one of the fundamental skills of life, alongside eating, and breathing that we take for granted. If we lose that function, we realize how much we miss it.
The what, the where, and they why of walking isn't that important. What is important is that you are out there, putting one foot in front of the other. Walking is a universal concept that binds us together like few other things can.

The Addiction of Walking

I guess the old saying is true, "Once you start, you just can't stop." You find yourself wondering, "I walked this far, how much farther CAN I go?" Its almost become an addiction. We find ourselves trying to make excuses to go out and walk. Running multiple errands over several days doesn't seem to be an issue anymore. (perhaps this also has something to do with the nice weather we've had recently.) There is also a certain sense of pride and accomplishment when you talk with others about what you do. The fact that we walk everywhere seems to astound people, and that builds our esteem and enthusiasm to keep doing it. We just want to keep walking.

Lessons from the Road

#1. Getting an early start is important. Take advantage of the "cool crisp" morning air. Nobody wants to brave the mid-afternoon heat (or even late morning heat for that matter). Visualize yourself in 30+ degree heat: do you really want to be out, let alone walking in that heat? Let's face it. Most of us aren't as tough as we think we are.

#2. Walking changes your sight line. Things that you see when you drive, suddenly aren't as visible. And then, there is a whole new world to discover that you can't see from your SUV. We realized as we walked that there are beautiful meadows that are only visible when you are walking. Plus, large landmarks were missed entirely, because eyes were focused elsewhere.

#3. Cyclists are rude. Especially those "professional" looking ones. The fancier the gear, the higher degree of snobbery we received. Those with garage sale bikes at least made eye contact or gave a smile!

#4. You don't realize when you are driving the amount of debris that is on the road. Garbage, garbage everywhere! Not to say that all of it is completely useless. We did find a ball of twine. But the rest was pretty much fast food containers or bits of car, or semi loads that were dropped.
Note to drivers: Its called a trash can. Get off your lazy arse and put it in a can (preferably the recyclable kind.) Come on folks, we hike our trash for 20.9 km!!

#5. Honking and waving to long distance walkers really lifts their spirits. It gives them motivation to keep walking.

Walking Trip

Just a few pictures from our trip the other day.