#low-key a dream to do a road trip situation and meet several of you

[itspileofgoodthings]

Good evening I hope I am not just a mutual to you but someone you would get coffee with if we were ever in the same town

[nad-zeta]

Match up! (*^_^*)

Hello! Thank you so much for taking the time to do these. I’d love to get an ikesen match-up please? I’m a 5’8 female (INTJ, scorpio), who’s body type is athletic and curvy. I tend to describe myself as sturdy. I have long brown hair that reaches my tailbone, with several ear piercings. I am currently a Master’s student studying marine biology, but my aspirations go far beyond this. My goal for a career is to be a research and field leader at a research institute studying marine life. I want to spend all my time in the field first hand leading the expeditions. I’m especially drawn to the ocean, coral reefs and killer whales, I most of all want to work in the Antarctic one day. Aside from my love of animals, my interests include learning about science and biology, building and engineering new things, outdoor activities (off-roading, fishing, hiking, camping), sports, and my one creative skill is writing fiction. I’ve been active my whole life and if things had gone a little differently I would have wanted to be a professional athlete. My favorite sports are alpine skiing, scuba diving, ice hockey, running, and underwater hockey. It takes me a long while to open up to people, which means I tend to only have a few close friends. However in the workplace setting I am very confident and I’m not afraid to speak up. I’ve had people tell me that I’m intimidating, and that my presence can have a great influence on the mood of a room/small group. But I’ve also had friends tell me I’m extremely chill, and never make anything a big deal. I see myself as very highly ambitious and the type of person that knows what she wants and how she’s going to get it. I know what I like and dislike, and I’ve grown past the fear of having people dislike me. I’m a pretty independent person. However, when I’m with my friends I am very much a joker, I love to make people laugh, and act silly. With only the closest of friends the chaotic energy comes out lol. My humor can range from immature to pretty dark. But I really need to know the people I’m around first; otherwise I tend to just go back into my shell. I can read people pretty well, which means I’ll usually try to make them feel more comfortable than myself in situations. This has led me to sometimes feel a little put out. I tend to go wherever, whenever I please. If I plan a trip, I’m going for a good time and don’t really need any schedules. I guess to end it all I’d say I’m very much the type of person that sees all the potential the world has, and all the potential I have to make a difference. Yes this can be hard and painstakingly difficult, but I won’t ever stop striving to meet the expectations and standards I place on myself. I will only keep going, learning more skills, going on more adventures, and seeking new horizons. Thanks again for taking the time to do these!! :) Sorry this turned out so long lmaoo - From Admit Terra (The second one running the blog)

Hi, hi, dear! ❤🌻Thank you so much for the request love! 🦊Hehe, you sound like a super cool person, lol master students unite!🙌🌻 Sorry for taking so long with this! Hope you enjoy this, dear, and I hope you have the best day❤😊! @sengoku-revolution​ admin Terra! lol tomorrow i’ll post admin Maru’s matchup!❤🌻

So I match you with…………… Yukimura

You were on campus attending a conference on marine biology that could greatly help you with your masters. The conference was incredibly interesting and ran late, only finishing around 10pm. As you and the other students and professionals in the field of marine biology, exited the giant lecture hall, you looked up at the sky and saw a flash of lightning blazing across the sky. You regretted walking to campus at that the moment, wishing you had rather driven, as you could tell by the heavy sky that soon it was going to rain cats and dogs. You quickly made your way back to the main campus gate, luckily you didn't live to far away. A drop of rain hit your nose and then another. You debated taking shelter from the storm in your department’s computer room, at least then you could chart down all the new knowledge you had gained from the conference. 

That’s when you spotted a fellow post-grad student. You looked up at the sky once more and noticed that the lighting was going to strike the exact spot that the student was standing in. You ran and pushed him out the way. You braced yourself for impact but it never came, instead you started feeling dizzy and disoriented. Reality around you warped in a cloud of smoke. 

When things came back into focus again, you noticed the man in the lab coat was gone, and you were now standing on the balcony of a burning building. You peered through the smoke to see a man peacefully sleeping on the floor. Unaware of the imminent doom of his downfall. You thought you might have been trapped in a dream, but the heat radiating from the flames brought your straight back to reality. Thank goodness for your physical strength, as you easily managed to wake up and carry the man out of the burning building. The man you had saved was incredibly intimidating and had the same look in his eyes that a shark would have right before it attacks, so you decided to bolt. 

You ran and ran and ran through the forest, and soon your feet lost contact with the ground. You looked down and saw that you had almost run yourself off the edge of a cliff. Thanks to Yukimura’s quick reflexes, he managed to grab hold of your waist and save you from running yourself off the mountainside. He still holding onto you, as he took a few steps back to ensure both you were safe before letting go. You stared up at the man in disbelief, just where the hell were you. That’s when a familiar figure caught your attention. The man you had just saved from being hit by lighting! Sasuke took you aside and started to explain the situation to you, you honestly needed to sit down as it was a lot to take in.

Sasuke looked over at a beautiful blond man that reminded you of a snow prince and asked if you could stay with them. The man narrowed his icy eyes at you and gave a quick nod, before climbing on his horse and signaling to the rest of the men that it was time to go. Sasuke helped you up onto the horse, and that is how your new life in Kasugayama started.

You were someone who couldn’t sit still and always need to be doing something, so you opted to help out around the castle to earn your keep. Even though you were a little shy and reserved, you managed to fit right in with the people of Kasugayama. You were a little surprised at the mixed bag of men that you landed up with, as usual, it would take you quite a while to open up and come out of your shell, especially when meeting new people. But for some reason, they seemed to make you feel comfortable, and you found your self coming out of your shell and befriending them pretty quickly. You especially took a liking to Sasuke. 

Sasuke was the one who formally introduced you to his Bff and your rescuer, Yukimura. This boy was definitely rough around the edges and did not have a way with words, unlike his flirty lord.

You were low key thankful for your ability to quickly read and sum up people as you quickly came to realize that Yuki wasn't such a bad guy. Although he seemed to think it funny to call you a wild boar woman. Even though he was slightly awkward with his words, you found yourself strangely attracted to him. He was down to earth and easy to talk to, and you found yourself relaxing around him.

“Hey dummy how many times do I have to tell you I ain’t no wild boar, call me that again and i’ll smack you,” you playfully quipped. Since arriving in the past, you had grown closer and closer to the aloof man. The two of you would banter every time you were together. “Awww common, you are definitely a wild boar, I mean you are just as strong, sturdy and athletic as one.” He would say with that mischievous boyish smile. At that you simply put Yuki in a headlock and started giving him a nuggie. He then started tickling you, which usually ended in a tickling/wrestling match between the two of you. Yuki’s wolf pup would usually get in on these playful fights that the two of you often engage in, and start licking the two of you mercilessly until both, you and Yuki are left laying on the floor breathless from laughter.

You loved that Yuki like you, loved staying active and going on adventures. And TBH Yuki was thrilled that he finally had a friend that he could go on fun adventures with. Sasuke would usually be too busy looking after Kenshin or doing research, to join in on these adventures. Not that either of you minded as you loved hanging out with each other. The second you found out that Yuki would run to stay fit every morning, you were ecstatic and joined him on his morning runs. This boy was shook! He legit has never met a woman that could keep up with him, yet here you were almost outrunning him. After your morning runs the two of you would always get breakfast together before starting your duties for the day! This is something the two of you did and looked forward to, almost every single day.

When the two of you were together, the banter and jokes were real. You loved to be a bit of a joker around Yuki. You honestly adored the way he would laugh with his whole body and go super red all the way to the tips of his ears, whenever you cracked a joke. 

Speaking of laughing, you also had this crazy ability to instantly lift the mood in any room you walked into. Especially when it came to cheering Yuki up. As you see, Yuki has a tendency to take on more responsibility than he can handle and sometimes he gets crushed under the weight of it. But since you arrived, Yuki felt like he could do anything and take on the world cause you were right there by his side making some silly jokes and teaching him not to take things so seriously. You were the one that taught him to take occasional breaks and to relax, and that the world wouldn't fall apart if he wasn't working. 

Lately Yuki had noticed that you were low on energy and not as bright and chaotic as usual. He also noticed that your jokes were a bit more, morbid as of late. He was determined to cheer up his dearest friend, after all, if you were happy then so was he. He stomped his way into your room and saw you sketching something. “Oi, boar woman what’s wrong, and don’t try and lie to me dummy, cause everyone has noticed that you have been down lately.” You looked up at the clumsy man and smiled, telling him it was a long story. He then narrowed his eyes and left it at that, although the picture you were sketching of the ocean certainly didn’t go unnoticed. 

The next morning at the crack of down, Yuki dragged you out of bed to go on an adventure with him. You were super excited, these little adventures weren’t uncommon.  

If the two of you weren’t off hiking up some crazy mountain, or fishing, you were camping with him in enemy territory as he spied on the Oda forces. Of course, it wasn’t all work as the two of you would go wherever the wind took you. Once Yuki was done with his spy work, he would send off his report back to Shingen, leaving the two of you without a strict schedule to follow, with all the time in the world to explore and experience your surroundings.

You noticed that the two of you were heading closer and closer to the ocean. Your eyes glimmered in delight when you realized that the two of you were going to spend the day on the beach. You wasted no time at all, climbing off the horse and running into your beloved ocean. The two of you played in the waves for hours on end. At some point, Yuki even fished out and handed you a pair of makeshift scuba diving gear. After a long day of playing in the waves and observing the ocean life in the crystal clear water, you and Yuki sat on the beach and watched the sunset. “Hey dummy sit in front of me, I’ll dry your hair for you. Can’t have you getting sick,” you wouldn’t usually let someone dry your hair for you. Still, he looked so cute with that blush spreading across his face, that you couldn’t help but comply. As Yuki dried your long beautiful hair, the two of you started talking. 

You thanked Yuki for taking you on this fun breach adventure and told him all about your dream of becoming a field leader at a research institute studying marine life, as well as wanting to be the one leading the field expeditions. To say Yuki didn’t know anything about marine life would be an understatement, but the way you passionately talked about your dreams and ambitions had him straight up inspired. You told him all about how you were drawn to the ocean and coral reefs and that you wanted to work in Antarctica one day. He never told you this, but as you talked about your dreams of travel and research, he couldn’t help but make a silent vow in his heart to do whatever it takes to support and make your dreams come true.

In the weeks to follow you and Yuki spent more and more time together. Yuki was falling deeper and deeper in love with you, every moment the two of you spent together, and he was determined to tell you how he felt. 

The weather started getting colder and colder, and soon it started snowing. He remembered from previous conversations that you loved ice hockey and alpine skiing (not that he knew what any of that meant). Hence, he decided to ask Sasuke for help in gathering everything he needed so that the two of you could play your favourite sports together. He had all his friends dress up and had Sasuke teach them all the rules of ice hockey. When all his friends were in position, he went to your room and said he had a surprise for you. He then put a blindfold over your eyes and led you downstairs. When he removed the blindfold all your Kasugayama friends stood before you, each holding up a letter that combined spelled out, “I Love you.” You were so happy and touched by the gesture that you couldn’t help but grab Yuki and plant a kiss on his lips right in front of all your friends. Cheers erupted as Yuki grabbed your hand, as you parted and led you onto the makeshift ice hockey-field. 

The next day Yuki surprised you with alpine skiing down a mountainside. You honestly loved this goofball so much, and you couldn’t help but smile and shower his face with kisses whenever he would surprise you with your favourite activities.

Yuki honestly loved and adored everything about you from your chilled personality to your ability to brighten any-room you walk in. In between the war and battles, Yuki was always sure to make time to go on fun, crazy adventures with you, to explore new horizons. After he and Shingen finally managed to win back their homeland, ultimately achieving Yuki’s childhood dream. Yuki had one more surprise for you, and that was a trip back to the future so you could pursue your dreams. 

The two of you travelled around the modern world, and you achieved your dream of leading research and travelling to Antarctica. And Yuki was right by your side through it all, supporting you the best he could. 

Often the two of you cuties could be found on some crazy adventure, cuddled in each other’s arms and enjoying making new memories and living through new experiences together.

If the two of you aren’t being active and playing sports, you are spending a quiet evening at home watching tv and resting in each other’s arms. 

Yuki loves holding you tight in his arms as he pulls his finger through those long beautiful locks. He loves to nuzzle his nose into your neck and leave sweet little kisses on your neck and cheeks as you read your newest piece of fiction to him. 

Together the two of you continue to learn and grow while making the world a better place.

Other potential matches……………. Masamune 

I hope you enjoyed this dear and I hope you have the best day! ❤🌻🙌

[accuhunt]

Meet the Indian Software Engineer Who Quit His Job to Climb Mount Everest – But Not How You’d Imagine!

“If a 110 kg Gujarati guy, living a sedentary life, with no background in endurance training or mountain climbing, can transform his life and climb to the top of Mount Everest, nothing is impossible.” ~ Kuntal Joisher

I first saw a photo of Kuntal back in 2017. There he stood, proud, buff and haggard, on Island Peak in the Everest region in Nepal, holding a Facebook-style plaque that caught my eye.

I had turned vegan just a couple of years before that, and was still fielding questions on where I get my protein and calcium from. And here was Kuntal, once your average Indian software engineer – standing atop the planet’s highest and one of its most formidable mountains. The first person to climb Everest on an entirely vegan diet.

I finally met Kuntal at a cafe in Mumbai, as he delivered an awe-inspiring talk to an adventure-hungry, protein-curious audience. Despite his feat, Kuntal humbly confessed that he couldn’t be called the first vegan to climb Everest, because he wore a down jacket as he climbed, stuffed with duck feathers (sometimes plucked live off animals and often involving abuse; fallen and collected feathers are just not enough to supply the industry).

So two years later, in 2019, Kuntal climbed Everest again – this time not only on a vegan diet, but also in cruelty-free gear. No down, no wool. His winter jacket was specially crafted by Save the Duck using synthetic and recycled plastic!

Follow Kuntal’s travel adventures on his blog, and connect with him on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. Watch this inspiring video about his journey:

The journey from software engineering to mountain climbing

“Until a decade ago, if you told me I would leave my job and become a mountain climber, I would have thought you’ve gone crazy!” ~ Kuntal Joisher

Kuntal recalls himself as a happy-go-lucky software engineer, busy with the 9-to-5 rat race. No one in his family had ever climbed mountains, nor did he feel any such inclination. Then a trip to Himachal Pradesh in North India changed everything.

After a long, picturesque drive on the Hindustan Tibet highway, his wife and he found themselves amidst snow for the first time. Kuntal vividly remembers that moment. He sat down and took in the breathtaking beauty around him. All the pondering over the past and worries about the future melted away. He felt every breath, every single heartbeat. For the first time in his life, he felt real, deep happiness. In that moment, he decided he’d do anything to chase that state of mind.

Also read: Unusual Solo Travel Destinations to Feed Your Adventurous Spirit

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A post shared by Kuntal A. Joisher (@kuntalj) on Mar 7, 2017 at 2:54am PST

On funding his travel expeditions without a full-time job

Perhaps like every outdoor enthusiast, Kuntal dreamt of climbing Mount Everest someday. But unlike many, he worked relentlessly towards achieving this dream. He tried to quit, but his software company offered him a flexible work arrangement instead. When he finally left, he decided to take on only part-time opportunities which would allow him plenty of time to train. Every year since 2010, he spent 3-4 months training in the Himalayas. The remaining months were split between work and high intensity training in Mumbai. To support his dream, his wife and family made a conscious decision to scale back on their lifestyle too.

Also read: How I’m Financially Sustaining My Digital Nomad Lifestyle

An ethical vegan with a mountain to climb

“Climbing Everest was a personal and spiritual journey. It was also a chance to prove that a vegan diet does not lack nutrition and can support the most difficult physical endurance endeavor on the planet.” ~ Kuntal Joisher

Kuntal turned vegan back in 2002, just after he moved to California to pursue a masters degree in Computer Science. Along with shedding many of his preconceived notions, he learnt about the suffering, abuse and death caused by our choice to consume animal products like meat and cheese.

When Kuntal dreamt of climbing Everest as a vegan, his decision was met by much skepticism. Quoting from the BBC, “research indicates that high altitude mountaineers can burn upwards of 6,000 calories per day in the mountains. With excessive stress on their bodies, mountaineers’ very survival depends on a diet that includes a variety of foods to provide sufficient carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals to support them nutritionally during their expedition. A typical Everest-climber’s diet includes protein-rich foods such as eggs, yak cheese and canned tuna.”

Yet in 2016, Kuntal Joisher became the first person to successfully summit Mount Everest on an entirely vegan diet!

Also read: How to Travel as a Vegan and Find Delicious Food Anywhere in the World

Climbing Everest on a plant-based diet

“Through my expeditions, I want to inspire more and more people to ask the vegan question. That’s my real Everest.” ~ Kuntal Joisher

Kuntal’s training for scaling Everest included both, high intensity workouts and treks, climbs and mountain expeditions. His nutrition plan involved consuming a variety of plant-based whole foods that are low on fat and high on carbs – like fruits, vegetables, beans, lentils, whole grains, dates, nuts and seeds. Moving towards a healthier vegan diet, Kuntal says his recovery time improved, and he could train harder and harder for the biggest climb of his life.

His successful Everest summit in 2016 brought with it international fame and recognition. His journey was featured on BBC News, The Washington Post and The Huffington Post, among others – and he certainly bust the myth that a vegan diet is nutritionally inferior to animal-based foods.

Also read: What I Learnt Volunteering on a Remote Island in Cuba

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A post shared by Kuntal A. Joisher (@kuntalj) on Aug 13, 2019 at 7:06am PDT

Mind over matter

“I go on long, hard treks without drinking or eating. Things can go wrong when climbing a mountain like Everest. I may get lost or run out of food and water. It’s smart to train for such situations.” ~ Kuntal Joisher

Kuntal believes that in mountain climbing, physical fitness is only 10% of the game. The other 90% is mental toughness. His cardio workouts usually include climbing 300 stairs up and down, running 20 odd kms and hiking for 18 hours straight. Then there’s strength, functional and high intensity interval training.

But his biggest weakness was homesickness. There were times when he gave up a climb halfway up a mountain, deciding to return home to be with his family. To acquire mental toughness, he started to detach himself. He would go on treks and rarely call home.

With time, he started training even harder, pushing his limits even further. In 2013, he climbed to the top of three 20,000 feet summits within a span of 2 months. And finally felt ready to take on Everest. During his build-up to the Everest climb, Kuntal remembers emotionally detaching himself from his family. But after accomplishing his dream summit in 2016, with Everest no longer in his life, Kuntal says he feels an ocean of emptiness inside him. He believes it was the price he had to pay to climb Everest.

Also read: How Travelling Changed My Perspective on Getting Married and Having Kids

On trekking solo and tips for newbies

“During my journey, I have learnt to respect the mountains and never underestimate them. Put in the time and effort to have the right mental and physical conditioning before venturing out in the wilderness alone. There are no shortcuts to any place worth going. There have been too many deaths this season in the Sahyadri and the Himalayas – and believe me, no mountain is worth dying for.” ~ Kuntal Joisher

One of the key components of Kuntal’s training regime was hiking in the Western Ghats near Mumbai. He has done more than 450 hikes in the last 8 years, many of them solo.

For people who ask for advice on trekking solo, Kuntal recommends not attempting it, unless you know the terrain like the back of your hand, and are fully prepared, physically and mentally. He always carries a medical kit, including an anti-venom vial and rope, to tackle unforeseen situations.

Also read: How I Conquer My Solo Travel Fears

Overtourism and responsible travel on Mount Everest

“Climbing Everest, and climbing it safely and reliably without being a liability to anyone on the mountain requires three things: Super-human physical fitness, solid technical skills in mountaineering and an insane level of mental fitness.” ~ Kuntal Joisher

This year, shocking pictures of the “traffic jam” on Mount Everest did the rounds, showing how the tallest and toughest mountain in the world too, has fallen prey to overtourism. Even more shocking was the death of 11 people on the mountain this year – the deadliest in recent history.

Kuntal says it makes him sad, angry and frustrated that highly inexperienced and under-prepared climbers have begun attempting to climb this “bucket list” mountain. Putting not only their own lives at risk, but also those of the sherpas who must try to rescue them or their bodies. Developing the skills to climb a mountain like Everest requires years of relentless training, expeditions and mountaineering experience.

Also read: 15 Responsible Travel Tips for Meaningful, Authentic Experiences on the Road

Advice for people who want to pursue their dreams against all odds

Kuntal: “I tried climbing Everest in 2014 and 2015. Both times, the climb was cancelled due to natural disasters. Several people dissuaded me from trying again, some even saying ‘the mountain doesn’t want you there’. But I didn’t believe that, finally summiting successfully in 2016, and then again in 2019. I knew I was mentally and physically ready.

I realized the importance of living fully in the present when I escaped sure death from an avalanche in 2015. That night, when I went to sleep, I saw my entire life play out in front of me. One thing hit me – if you have any dreams or passions, the best time to go after them is now. Not tomorrow, not the day after, not in 60 years when you have all the time and money saved. NOW.”

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A post shared by Kuntal A. Joisher (@kuntalj) on Feb 28, 2018 at 10:12pm PST

If you dream of hiking / climbing mountains responsibly, sign up for climb with Kuntal to join one of Kuntal’s expeditions in the Himalayas or elsewhere in the world. Connect with him on Instagram for daily inspiration.

Thanks to Kuntal Joisher and Remya Padmadas for making this post possible! All photos belong to Kuntal, used with permission.

What’s your biggest travel dream? How are you working towards it?

About this series: In this blog series, I hope to share with you inspiring stories of solo travellers from across India and the rest of Asia – often missing in the online travel space. Growing up in protective families and a conservative society, our battles are different, yet not impossible to fight. If you’ve met inspiring solo travellers from India / Asia who I could consider featuring in this series, please connect us!

OTHER POSTS FROM THIS SOLO TRAVEL SERIES:

Meet the First Solo Female Traveller from the Maldives

Meet the Courageous Indian Woman Travelling the World Solo – On a Wheelchair

Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to follow my adventures around the world!

Order a copy of my bestselling book, The Shooting Star.

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[no-crap-fm]

An Evening Walk Chapter 4

Sunday Funday Part 2

After Rae dressed they made their way to Finn’s. Rae momentarily inspired Finn’s breathing to halt at the sight of her in a gorgeous a-line cobalt dress paired with knee high black boots and stockings. She kissed his shocked but smiling face and took him by the hand. They left her flat and made it to the street. The blocks to Finn’s passed in a blur. He was far too distracted by Rae’s hand in his as they strolled the tree-lined path. He wrapped an arm around her back as they mounted the steps to his building. Once Finn was bathed and changed he escorted Rae out to his motorcycle. Straddling the bike, he handed his spare helmet to Rae. It was a shiny blue with a faded Oasis decal on the side. “Ya serious?” She laughed and shook her head at Finn. Pushing the helmet toward her again, he coaxed, “Come on, Rae. Have ya never been on one before?” Taking the helmet, she shook her head. “Only scooters when I were a kid.” He smiled. “This is the same thing. Just faster.” He winked and waved her closer with his index finger. Rae stepped over to him, her legs bumping against his knee. Finn helped her fasten the helmet and held onto her hand as she got on the bike behind him. He relished the feeling of her legs wrapping around him. Pushing up the kickstand, he gave Rae a reassuring pat on her thigh and started the engine. Finn’s studio was a few kilometers off from his flat. Rae recognized the neighborhood. They were in the borough of Camden. Rae’s favorite shops were nearby. She remembered coming to the area on weekend trips with her mates from uni. Rae enjoyed the ride on Finn’s motorcycle far more than she expected. Finn was a confident driver. She felt safe holding onto him and easily moved with his body as he took the turns in the road. She was actually looking forward to the ride home. Finn pulled the bike down an alleyway. He guided it to a stop in a narrow parking slot. Rae noticed a metal stairway before them. It was painted a bright red and led to a landing by a large shiny, black door. Rising from the bike, Finn pulled off his helmet and reached out a hand for Rae. She felt a little unsteady getting down but didn’t want to show it. She’d spent the better part of her acquaintance with Finn feeling compromised. “Alright there, girl?” He kept ahold of her hand after she safely had both feet on the ground. “It were brilliant, Finn.I thought it might be scary but it was really fun.” She beamed at him as she patted her hair. Unable to control himself, he pulled Rae in close. He kissed her soundly and held her tightly. Pushing a loose lock of hair back behind her ear, he stroked her cheek. “Rae, you really are something. Ya know that, don’t ya?” Placing his keys in the pocket of his leather jacket he pulled himself off the bike. He collected Rae’s helmet and locked it in a compartment under the bike’s seat. He kept his own in his hand and taking Rae’s again he moved them both up the stairs. “Come on, girl. I would guess Archie beat us here and has been waiting. I thought I saw his car out front. But more importantly, I want ya to see my studio.” Sharing a sweet look they walked up the steps. As soon as Finn opened the door a voice shouted, “Where have you been? These contracts won’t sign themselves, eh?” A handsome bespectacled man came out from an interior room. His slim gray slacks paired with a sport coat over a burgundy dress shirt flattered his slight build and gave him a professorial air. Rae was struck by how familiar he looked. Pushing up his glasses he gave her a long look. “Rae? Is that you? Rae Earl?” Rae nodded and said, “Archie! I had no idea you were THE Archie Finn mentioned!” Crossing the space, Archie gathered Rae into a hug. “Rae, I can hardly believe it. You look fantastic. Aw, it’s so good to see you. It’s been ages.’ Laughing as Archie released her, Rae said, “Ages? More like four years. You look brilliant, Arch.” Utterly befuddled, Finn interjected, “Wait. How do you two know each other?” “Uni.” They answered him in unison, not breaking eye contact. Finn watched them. “How did I miss this?” Archie finally deigned to look at Finn. “Well, we met a Bristol. Did you know that Rae is from Stamford too, Finn?” Finn nodded. Rae picked up the thread, “We became good friends during our second year. Then Archie had to go and pursue his next degree and left me behind.” She pouted at Archie. Putting an arm around her Archie cooed, “Ah, it wasn’t so bad. I knew you’d find your way to London eventually. You talked about moving here enough.” He hugged her again. “It is so grand to see you again, Rae.” Finn was stunned. His best mate and his new girl knew each other. Apparently they were quite close. If Archie wasn’t gay, Finn would be jealous about now. He still managed to feel a pang of envy witnessing their mutual regard. Finn didn’t remember Arch mentioning an amazing girl that he met at Bristol. “Arch, why did you never tell me you knew Rae?” He had to know. Archie bit his lip. “I did, mate. I did.” Both Rae and Finn turned to Archie. “What? You did? When?” Finn pressed. Archie pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose and shrugged. “I actually tried to introduce you two back then.” Rae and Finn turned to the other with questioning gazes. “Nah, mate. I never saw Rae until this past Friday night.” Was that all it had been? Finn could hardly conceive of so much occurring in the span of a mere forty-eight hours. “Hhhmmm,” Archie continued, “Really? Well, I tried to get you two together. Rae, do you remember me telling you about my best mate who shared your passion for music?” Rae’s gaze wandered at Archie’s words. Her mouth fell open. “This is him??” She pointed at Finn. Finn grabbed the hand she pointed with and pulled her into his arms. Archie smiled broadly and nodded. An audible huff was released from Rae. “Ya have to be takin’ the piss, Arch.” He laughed. “No, Rae. I had a feeling you and Finn should meet.” Appraising their body language he said, “And judging by the pair of you now, I was right.” He clapped Finn on the shoulder and winked at Rae. They laughed. Finn and Rae kept catching the eye of the other and shaking their heads in disbelief. “Well, as much as I love this reunion, I do have some business for Finn to attend to.” “Course, Arch. Let’s have a sit and get through the paperwork.” Finn put an arm out to follow Archie into what looked like a meeting room and lounge. Turning to Rae, Finn placed a hand on her cheek. “Rae, why don’t ya have a look around. The main studio is through the door there. The kitchen is to you right. Help yourself to anything you’d fancy.” He kissed her and turned after Archie. Rae was giddy. She stood in the middle of the hallway by herself for a moment. She couldn’t wrap her mind around seeing Archie and learning of his connection to Finn. Not to mention that Archie had designs on getting her together with Finn. Had she known when Archie first told her of his best mate, she wouldn’t have refused to go along with the scheme. Rae was still struggling with her self-image at the time. She truly felt any blind dates would have been convinced she wasn't worthwhile. Maybe she had missed out on having Finn in her life sooner. Her mum’s old words of advice came back to her, what is meant for you will not pass you by. Sighing and shaking her head, she let the old negative thoughts depart and returned to the present. She had Finn now and that was what mattered. Lifting her gaze, Rae opted to tour the kitchen first. A nice cuppa would settle her and would surely be appreciated by Finn and Archie. Finding an electric kettle upon entering the kitchen, Rae set to work. Finn certainly kept the place up. Everything was tidy and well organized. Rae was sipping her own cup of Earl Grey while the other cups steeped for the guys. After she finished her cup, she walked back to the lounge/meeting room, two steaming mugs in her hands. She had learned yesterday how Finn liked his tea. As long as Archie’s tastes hadn’t changed since Uni, she remembered his preference as well. Both heads turned to her as she entered. Finn stood and took the mugs from Rae. He kissed her cheek and whispered, “Ta for this, girl. Ya didn’t have ta.” She kissed his cheek back and said, “That’s precisely why I did it, Finn.” Archie lifted his mug with a quick, “Cheers, Rae.” After he took a sip he followed with, “Ah, Rae you remembered.” The guys appeared to be well embroiled in the documents Archie had mentioned. Rae left them to it and made her way to the main studio. She was dying to get some time in there. She opened the door Finn had pointed out. She noticed the telltale red bulb in the corner above the door. Smiling to herself, she pushed it open. She felt for a switch and finding it, flooded the space in white light. Rae gasped. The board before her was massive and state of the art. A low stool was situated atop a large pattern rug and pushed under the board’s edge. Backing to the rear wall, Rae took a seat on a large leather sofa and took it all in. A large plant in the corner had extended its limbs toward the ceiling. Rae thought it was a calming touch. Above the sofa near her was another switch. She flipped it without thinking. Suddenly the room beyond the glass above the mixing board came to life. A massive drum kit was in the studio. A collection of large rugs covered the wood floors. She was overwhelmed by the shine of metallic sound equipment, music stands and microphones. She was in heaven. Rae was glad she had finished her tea before coming in here. She wouldn’t dream of risking this gorgeous equipment in the presence of anything liquid. Several minutes passed with Rae just imagining the tunes that had been played over and over in this very room. She took the few steps to the door that connected the studio. Walking through she moved to the center of the room. She turned in a wide circle with her eyes up to the lights mounted in the studio ceiling. Wandering around, she touched everything. Her fingers brushed over the purple egg crate foam that lined the walls behind the spot where the vocals must have been laid down. Rae had been in studios before but none like this. She closed her eyes and breathed slowly. Art was made here. She felt it. Her thoughts went to Finn. Her less than graceful fall brought her to him. To here. Her mind reeled at the events that had unfolded after he helped her so gallantly. Something was happening to her. Her feelings for Finn were uncharted territory. When Rae had feelings for someone in the past it was always a brush with disaster. She spent so much time thinking she was unworthy. So many hours doubting the object of her affection’s loyalty. Trust and Rae made for strange bedfellows. All of this had spelled doom for her past attempts at relationships. Her fear and insecurities historically had won out. This was different. She was different. Rae knew her worth. She learned to take care of herself first. Rae trusted herself. She also trusted Finn. She was up for the risk. Whatever was before them was going to be unlike anything she had known. She smiled at the prospect. A loud click broke her train of thought. “Hey girl, ya ready to sing something for me?” She jumped at the voice in the speaker. Spinning on her heel she bit her lip seeing Finn poised above the mic attached to the mixing board. He returned her look, biting his lip and lifting his eyebrows. Rae thought he looked hopeful. “Don’t be daft. I can only imagine the calibre of vocals that have been recorded in here.” She sighed. She watched Finn. He moved away from the mic and started hitting some buttons. A quiet guitar came through the speakers, followed by an organ. Rae knew the tune and gave Finn a smug smile when he lifted his gaze to her through the window. Rae’s foot started tapping.

Oh when the sunshine beckons to ya And your wings begin to unfold The thoughts you bring and the songs you sing Are gonna keep me from the cold And if the sword is here among ya And its words may wound my soul You can fill me up with what you've got 'Cause my heart's been keepin' on She is love And her ways are high and steep She is love And I believe her when she speaks Love And her ways are high and steep She is love And I believe, I do believe her when she speaks

Finn came through the door and crossed to the center of the room to Rae. He pulled her to him. Staring at the sweet man who held her, Rae couldn’t hold back the enormous grin he inspired. Finn mirrored her expression, his heart was likely to leap from his chest. Slowly, he spun her out and brought her back to his arms. They danced. Quietly, Rae sang along with Noel Gallagher into Finn’s ear as he steered them around the floor.

You're in all my thoughts of passion And the dreams of my delight Whatever stirs my mortal frame Will you keep it warm at night I don't know where you come from No I haven't got a clue All I know is I'm in love With someone who loves me too

Finn joined her vocals on the last chorus and Rae couldn’t sing anymore.

She is love And her ways are high and steep She is love And I believe her when she speaks Love And her ways are high and steep She is love And I believe, I do believe her when she speaks

She felt the happy tears collect in the back of her throat. She just held on tighter to Finn as they swayed. As the tune faded out, Finn just carried on swaying, clinging to Rae. He held her right hand in his left and started making lazy circles on her back with his right hand. Their shoes rubbed along the carpet. Rae noticed the shushing sound and found it soothing. She closed her eyes leaning her cheek into Finn’s, feeling his lift into a smile. She felt him take a deep breath against her torso. “Rae, can I tell ya summat?” “Course. Tell me anything, Finn.” Again, she felt his cheek lift against hers. The hand rubbing circles on her back stilled and pulled her in even closer. “Ah, Rae. I’m falling for ya.” She pulled her hand free from his and wrapped both of her arms around his  neck. They carried on dancing slowly. Her voice finally broke free. The tears kept her from her normal volume. She whispered against his ear. “Me too, Finn.” Finn stopped moving. He loosened his hold on Rae and slid his cheek away from hers. “Ya mean it, Rae?” She nodded. Before she could register his reaction, Finn lifted her bodily off the floor and crushed his lips to hers. Setting her back on her feet, Finn and Rae broke their kiss. Finn stroked her hair and Rae moved into the caress like a cat. Finn kissed Rae’s temples. Stepping back from her and letting her go, Finn asked, “So, what do ya think of the place?” Rae took the room in once again and sighed, “It’s amazing, Finn. I love it here. I can only imagine all the art that’s been made here.” Finn took both of her hands in his and kissed them. A thought occurred to her. “Where’s Archie, then?” Finn laughed. “After we finished with the contracts, Archie told me he had another appointment to get to. He also said something about not wanting to be a gooseberry.” Rae laughed. “Well, I hope our paths will cross again. It really was brilliant to see him.” “I don’t see how it can be avoided. We’re going to have dinner with him and his boyfriend next weekend. If ya fancy it, that is.” He raised his eyebrows. “You know I’d love that. And a boyfriend, eh? Well done, Arch.” Finn wrapped an arm around her shoulder and escorted her out of the studio. “So, would my girl like some lunch? I’m starved. All those documents left me knackered.” He nuzzled her ear and caught a whiff of her shampoo. Rae nodded enthusiastically. “I know just the spot. Come on, love.” Rae blushed at the endearment. She wrapped an arm around Finn’s waist. Opting to leave the bike in its spot, they walked a few blocks to Camden Market. It was a gorgeous, sunny afternoon. The market was teeming with locals and savvy tourists. Finn passed all the food stalls and cafes she knew. She was wondering where he was taking her when Finn stopped his steps, halting both of them.   He looked up, Rae followed his gaze. “Here we are. You’ll love this place. Promise.” With a wink to her, Finn grabbed the door and held it open for her to enter. Loads of quirky artifacts lined a shelf that ran around the entire cafe. Rae saw a few rock band posters leaning on the shelf and what looked like concert tickets in frames. Finn noticed Rae’s eyes on the items. Leaning next to her ear he whispered. “Just wait. I have a favorite table upstairs. You won’t believe what they have up there.” A man shouted, “Feen! There’s my mate!” Finn smiled warmly and shook the man’s hand. “Andris! How are ya, mate?” The large dark haired man practically dislocated Finn’s shoulder with his energetic handshake. Still holding Finn’s hand in a tight grip, the man saw Rae standing beside Finn. “And Feen, who is this?” He raised an eyebrow and smiled at Rae. Finn wrapped an arm around Rae’s back. “Andris, this is Rae.” Andris reached out for Rae’s hand. She offered it hesitantly. Instead of an over the top handshake, Andris held Rae’s hand in his and covered it with his other hand. “Rae, it is a pleasure.” Rae smiled and muttered a shy, “Nice to meet you too.” Andris leaned over to her conspiratorially and whispered, “You’re the first young woman he’s brought to this place.” He winked at her as he straightened. A blush crept up her neck to her cheeks. Patting Finn on the back, Andris instructed them to go upstairs. His loud assurances that they would have the best service and no one would bother them followed them up the steps to the second floor. Finn gestured to a table in the corner with a cluster of frames on the walls. He walked ahead of Rae and held her chair out for her. He brushed her hair back and kissed her on the head before taking his seat across from her. Finn handed her a menu, already certain what he wanted. He leaned on the table resting his chin in his hand watching Rae. She bit her lip as she looked over her options. A friendly server appeared with drinks for them. Andris had sent them over with his compliments. Finn smiled and raised his glass to Rae’s. He continued studying her as she set down her menu and looked at the wall behind him. A small smile played on his lips. Suddenly Rae’s mouth dropped open. Finn knew she finally saw what he knew she was bound to see. He had her seated where she could notice little else. “Oh. My. God!!” She shook her head. “That is not what I think it is!” She kept right on staring at the frame behind Finn. “Is it, Finn? Is it?” Finn just smiled and looked down at the table. He felt a blush threaten to overtake his face. The frame on the wall at Finn’s favorite table held a photo. The photo was of the same table where Rae and Finn were seated. The key difference being that sitting at the table in the photo were Liam Gallagher, Noel Gallagher and Finn. Finn was flanked by the Gallagher brothers in the photo. Both of them looked like there usual stroppy selves. Finn on the other hand, looked like he had won the lottery. Finn chuckled at Rae’s silent stare. “We came here after a long session at the studio. The three of us closed the place down. The rest of the band had long gone. I tell you what, those two can drink anyone under the table.” Finn laughed at the memory. Rae simply kept on staring and moving her gaze between the photo and Finn. Her lips moved. Finn watched her, hoping she’d say something soon. Catching her breath she finally said, “I cannot believe ya, Finn. Just…..just…..just…” “What, Rae?” “You have to tell me the whole story!” Laughing, Finn shared the events of that lengthy recording session. Rae interjected with loads of questions. What songs did they record? Who was the bigger arsehole? Did they have a fight? Who did ya like better? Finn enjoyed filling her in. Between the story and Rae’s cross-examination, they had a delicious meal. Rae was groaning over her sarnie as was Finn. Both had worked up quite an appetite As Finn concluded his tale he slid a finger under Rae’s chin. “Girl, didn’t you want to figure out your set for tomorrow?” Rae smacked her head. “Shit, yes! Em, I think I have my notes in my phone. Hang on a tick.” Finn loved this. He adored watching her go through her pockets for her phone. Finding it, she flipped through her notes to find the very important list. “Em, this is pretty good so far. I think some…..Wait. Are ya sure ya don’t mind going over this with me?” Her face shifted from concentration to concern. Finn filed both expressions away in his memory. “Rae I can think of little else that I would like as much as talking about music with you.” He tugged a lock of her hair. “Well, maybe a couple of other things. But none of them are appropriate for our current surroundings.” Rae knew she was blushing as she scrolled through her list. They passed the next couple of hours debating bands and tunes. Rae wanted to make an impression with her debut broadcast. She really wanted the station to be happy they hired her. Finn knew there was no reason for Rae to doubt she’d be brilliant. Finally, Rae was content with their selections and returned her phone to the pocket of her leather jacket. Finn stood and offered her his hand. “Shall we, love?” The endearment rang in her ears again. Its warming effect lingered as the pair strolled back to the studio. Finn stopped at the motorcycle. Retrieving Rae’s helmet from the bike’s boot, he quickly kissed her. He ran up the stairs to fetch his helmet from the lounge. After locking up, he returned to Rae. He wrapped his arms around her waist and asked, “How was your day, m’dear?” Rae mimicked his posture and wrapped her arms around his waist. “It was simply marvelous, m’dear. Yours?” He leaned down and said against her lips, “Best Sunday I’ve known in quite sometime, Rae.” The sun was starting to set. As evening crept in, Finn wasn’t sure where they should go. He wasn’t ready to say goodbye to Rae. Both of them had work tomorrow. The upside being that neither of them had to be up early. He was wondering if Rae might be up for staying at his. He was considering his words when Rae brushed a finger over his forehead. “It looks like there’s a lot going on in there, Finn.” “Em, yeah. I was wonderin’ about tonight.” “Tonight?” “Yeah. Would you fancy goin’ back to mine? We could watch a movie or listen to some tunes.” Rae gave him a sly smile. “Or we could just go to yours and do neither of those things.” Kissing her, Finn said, “Ya know, girl, you make it easy for a bloke to fall and fall hard.” Smiling into the kiss she replied, “I’ve had years of practice. I only know how to fall hard. As you’ve witnessed.” They laughed as they put on their helmets and got on the bike. Rae snuggled into Finn’s back and ran her hands over his chest. Finn squeezed her hand and started the engine. He used a different route back to his flat. More time with Rae on his motorcycle would truly make his day. By the feel of her body he determined she was enjoying it. Flicking on the headlight he took his time getting home. Goodbye was going to be delayed yet again. At this rate, he would never be saying a proper goodbye to Rae. It would be a simple, “See you after work, love,” or some such. Finn liked that just fine and grinned at the prospect.

Thank you so much for reading!- K

[workinsymmetry]

Nootka Travel Journal

My ride showed up and I loaded my things. Except for my headlamp and Nalgene. Inconsequential. A 1 litre smart water bottle like the pros. Breakfast at Green Gables. Edson, Hinton, Jasper, Mt. Robson, Valemount, all passed in a flash. Driving was fast and efficient. Clearwater for lunch, then past whatever small towns before Kamloops, Kamloops, Merritt, and finally Hope, where I write this in my wind battered tent.

Today felt...strange. Not working on a monday. The product of all that anxiety from the weeks leading here. On and off, confirmed and cancelled. I feel like I am cheating, skipping class. I hope everything at work is functioning without me. I know it is. Tristin is capable. I still feel mentally unprepared to be here, like my mind just wont shift into vacation mode. I feel like vacation mode doesn’t exist. What do I even think vacation mode is? Forgetting my normal life while by background stress dissolved and I laugh and have fun in the sun? Taking time to work out my frustrations in life? As I grow and chase a solution to this anxiety I have been fighting I wonder if there is a new angle I need to consider all together. Because this was isn’t working.

It's soothing to travel and experience all these new geographies and landscapes. Cresting a ridge to see the scrubby valleys near Merritt open up, or the dusty brown hills of Kamloops. Thinking of the unique issues and experiences of these different lives. I wonder what they feel when they're in my town. Its getting to dark to write. I will try to sleep, however the space between my head and Highway 1 is about 15 meters and the noise is insufferable. Earplugs should have been a consideration. I forget the name of the camp but at least on the other side is the Fraser River. My goal tomorrow is to find a way to sooth my mind and relax a bit. I can convince myself I deserve it.

Tuesday 23 Hope-Van-Nanaimo-Campbell-Gold River. Had a late evening and didn’t get to write. I recall loud traffic all evening but I eventually slept. Had a dream about kids harassing us in our tents. On the road early and breakfast in whatever suburb of Vancouver.Had to take some business calls: utility locators looking for keys. Seems to have worked out. Navigating Van was white knuckle. Ended up in Lonsdale Quay to meet Nick's friend. Tall blonde who works in HR for an insurance company.Toured the boardwalk. Floating houses, garbage barges, seals. Had a beer in the sun before heading out to the ferry. Was a nice ride but got slightly burnt.Regret not bringing 360 brimmed hat. Or any hat. Thankful for Buff, long har, and sunscreen.

Georges BBQ was excellent.  Drive to Campbell River felt fast.  Took wrong turn looking for Gold River resulting in a 1 h delay.  Overnight hotel in Gold River.  Stress inducing work related dreams. Thought there would be cell service in town, but there was none. I intended to set a voicemail recording to redirect calls, but that plan was cancelled.  I guess now I am truly disconnected. Upset Amanda before I left and was only able to send a simple late night message to her with hotel wifi. 

Wednesday 24 10:26 - Very poor continental breakfast.1/10.  Drive to Air Nootka was quick. Scenery is just unique enough to be interesting.  It's beautiful, but i have seen plenty of mountains lately. I miss open ranges and horizons. Luckily I am about to meet the biggest horizon there can be. We fly out shortly.

2:35 - Flight into Nootka was short and sweet. Trailhead had lush ferns and ancient giant cedars.  After 1/2 hour of hiking we were at the ocean and grey white sands opened up through the trees. The view was magnificent.  For a while I was at ease that this whole experience was worth the stress it took to get here.Missing is cold beer. The ocean wind is cooling and the sun and sand are warm. I will miss this scene.

Seeing the expansive ocean is a strange feeling.  The endless shimmering and long horizon are beautiful, however there is a sad and empty feeling to it. It needs something to compliment it. A boat or storm clouds. I feel my face getting hot. Need to make sure to stay hydrated. Tent is up and I'll have a short rest.

7:12 - We walked the beach and played in the tide.  The occasional cold drops of rain weren’t a concern then.  But sure enough, the rain came.  Slowly across the horizon like a grey wall of fog. Luckily I just finished dinner so I didn’t have to clean in the rain.  I encountered several problems with my cooking setup: I need more water holding devices OR a better water purification system. Ramen is NOT a good backpacking food. It leaves an oily mess and the smell is impossible to remove. The rice I brought requires too much waiting time and also leaves a hard to remove odour. Recommend just plain rice in the future. Tomorrow and today are feeling like non stop rain. Amanda would love it. I admire her positivity in adverse situations, especially being wet while camping. I like her a lot. I think we still need to learn more about each other and our relationship, but I think it's working. I miss her. I wish I could just say Hi. 

Thu 25 I had a terrible migraine in the night. at first it felt like a headache from being on uneven ground, but it didn’t go away when I rotated.  Agony from 1 am to 7 am when I got out and was able to get tylenol. Was good al day, but was worried about what triggered it. Must hydrate more.

  Rained all night. Not much, but enough to coat everything in fine sand. Packed up and hit the trail quite late. Luckily the weather was favorable.  Everything has dried off now. Today I saw the ocean in the way I hope it would be burned into my memory.  At least a kilometer of firm packed sand at mid tide. Low waves rumbled into the shore, small rolling crests crashing into themselves and then inching their way towards my feet as I walked.

7:57 - Sun is setting and again I am moved by the view. A small beach fire and high tide waves. I will take a photo. The ocean is vast and loud and dangerous but it's simple and I think that’s what I like the most.  It's not to bust to sit back and take it in. No concentration is needed to enjoy the scene. See the clouds. See the horizon. See the waves. Birds and boats provide little extra flavours. With zero hills, the walk has been fairly breezy.  I'm tired now, but not mountain tired.I get paid tomorrow. I have no way to prove or check, but I know I do and I like that. It's been an expensive trip. Worth it? We will see. 

Fri 26/Sat 27 Thankfully the rain didn’t start overnight or early morning while we broke camp.  The walk included large rock hopping and pebbles that would sink you to your ankles. It poured.  This walk wasnt noteworthy. The cabin was a nice feature (Nick's cousins own a cabin and invited us to stay with them). We were greeted with a fire, coffee, burgers, and french toast. Dave, Brian, and Janet were the adults. There were about 8 new high school graduates there as well. They began playing drinking monopoly. Part of me was jealous that I was stuck visiting with the "adults" but it's becoming clear that I have no place in drinking monopoly anymore. My skills have departed from drinking games. I am starting to find myself noticing the dissimilarities between myself and the youth- that is, I feel like I am departing fro being young. 

These girls are young and beautiful. One particularly, Kira, is absolutely magnificent. The boys are fresh faced, modern, handsome.  I feel like I missed out on that stage.  There is a youthful and free energy about them all that I dont think I can replicate anymore.  Perhaps it is less about direct attraction and admiration to the physical appearance and more about the attraction and jealousy of being the type of young man who would have a chance at connecting with these girls.

Our cabin hosts have been so great. Food never tasted so good as it did in the middle of this hike.  Dave takes to conversation like it's an extreme sport.  Charming, personable, funny, and great at telling stories.  Things I admire but never truly developed.  I can just sit on a stony beach and write my thoughts.  As a bonus, dave took me and Nick surfing. No waves, just paddling. But legitimate.  It was unexpected, as I always imagined my first time being in Mexico or California. But the foggy grey Pacific Northwest was incedible, and a memory I hope I hang on to. There were wedding preparations going on at the beach. A guy and a girl who were presumably there early for the wedding in a coupe days were also suiting up to go surfing. The girl, who was very fit, stripped on the beach to get into her wetsuit.  A+. 

This morning, some of the boys and girls went upriver to swim.  A quick glance revealed nudity, and again I was filled with envy for the youth and a growing up I never got to expereince. This cabin is definitely a departure from my summers when I was 18. At one point there was a ziplock bag of weed on the table. Definitely different.

11:34 - Today is sunny and warm again.  Clothes and tents are just finishing drying and we should be on our way soon. One more night on the trail, but the experience has definitely climaxed. Nightmares of work still continue. 

7:37 - I'm sitting on a rock watching the last tide roll in. The last sunset on the ocean that I will see for presumably a long while. And to be true, the actual sunset will be concealed by a cliff to the west of the campsite. We had a black bear encounter.  He was digging through a pile of seaweed seeking out sandflies.  He noticed me first and we stared for a bit.  When the guys showed up, the bear just sat there, scratching himself, unconcerened with us.  We found a way around him. Drinking water was scarce and had to be taken from a hidden little grove. It was tea coloured but seemed to be ok, if you dont think about it to much. I slipped on the logs twice trying to get to it. It was the first night with a clear sky, so I made an effort to stick my head out of the tent once it got dark.  I wish I would have been more awake because the sky was undescribable.  It has been so long since I could see the stars down to the horizon. I could immediatly see the glow of the galaxy spiral arms. Bright stars or planets that I might have been able to identify if i hadnt just woke up. There is something that Whitecourt just doesn't satisfy within my, and that could be it.  Perhaps someday I will find a place to commit my life to. But until then, I will be without home. A complete unknown. Like a rolling stone. 

July 28 8:55 - Outer tents were soaked with condensation.  For the first time, I feel how dirty my hair is and I cannot wait to scrub it. Who knows when that opportunity will be.  At least I have a cleanish set of clothes for the ride home.  My finger and toenails are getting long and dirty.  My facial hair is driving me insane. A wash and shave has never felt more appealing.  Makes me wish I didn’t cancel my anytime fitness membership. Free showers across the country. It is a couple hour hike to Friendly Cove where hopefully we taxi back without much delay. Does the taxi run on sundays? These questions plague me.  Im not sure another day out here would be welcome, just due to the unexpectedness. We will see.     

July 31 Back at home and am recounting the last few days of the trip. We did catch the water taxi back to Air Nootka and the car, but only after experiencing the white guilt served up at the church turned museum at Friendly Cove.  Starting around 7 pm we drove from Air Nootka, caught the ferry in Nanaimo from 10:45 pm to 12:50 am. Got a hotel in Hope.  The following day, drove from Hope and stopped in Kelowna.  Had a beer and watched butts for a while. Continued driving to Vernon where Nick met up with another friend who worked at Predator Ridge Resort. She was very cute.  k_duuub on instagram for anyone wondering just how cute. Continued driving to one of those popular houseboating communities. Stopped and ate. Drove to Golden where I took over driving. Cruised through the mountain parks at night, which was a bizarre experience. Non stop driving til I got home. Now I sit here contemplating if I just burn up the rest of my vacation days this week at home. Thank you for reading.