I've been thinking quite a bit about things the past few days. What will i do once i get home, what my goals are, what kind of man i want to be? The road really tests your mind and soul. It is one of the most extreme and isolating things to put yourself through, but so rewarding. Every person i met, every place i've seen, every experience, it all means something. It is interesting how much the road shapes you, in the most unfathomable way.
I've been in Canada for a week now. I have no service, unless i have wifi. Which to me, is a beautiful thing. I don't like being on my phone, and this is the perfect way to just leave it in my car and go. From my last post in San Fransisco, I got a parking ticket after writing that blog post. I guess i got the real California experience. I once again met up with my photographer friend, Eric, and went exploring and shooting. Which i think i will share some of those photos in my next post. I then drove to Bodega and saw where "the Birds" was filmed. I met up with two friends after, that i had met a year prior in NJ. A girl named Kisa had contacted me about doing a photoshoot near the barbershop i worked at. We met up, and i met her and her friend, Ned. They are from the bay area, and we talked all night about so many subjects. They told me if i came through there on my journey to contact them. So, a year later, i contacted them. I met up with Kisa, and we had a great time doing a photoshoot and hanging out. From there i went and met up with Ned. Ned, or as most refer to him, Bottle Ned, is a pretty interesting guy. Interesting in the best sense of the word. Ever since he was young he had a fascination with bottles; old bottles in particular. Since then, he now has a beautiful collection of bottles from 1800's. he digs where old outhouses used to be, and finds beautiful artifacts. This alone is amazing to me. We spent a few days together, swimming in a reservoir, hiking through California mountains, and finding cool rocks. When digging one day, he found an 1800's tobacco pipe, in which he gifted to me. He didn't even know my love for tobacco pipes. So thankful for this gift, and the many other gifts from others. I then headed up the coast of Oregon. OR is quite beautiful. It was such lush greens and beautiful shores. I then headed up to Washington. I only stayed there for a short period of time. I went to mt. Rainer and did some beautiful hiking. I met a guy along the way, to which we accompanied each other for the rest of the hike. He let me give him a haircut in front of mt. Rainer, which was truly beautiful. i took a photo of Elias after i gave him a cut. From there, I went to Seattle for about an hour. Here is what i have learned, a city is a city. I don't like cities much and i probably never will. Especially going by yourself, you are overwhelmed with a sense of loneliness. There's definitely parts of the city that are cool, but for the most part, i'd rather be out in nature. I stopped at a film shop (by far the largest one i have ever been to) and restocked on film for canada and alaska. It blows my mind that i have gone through 30 rolls of film so far. I don't know if that seems like a lot or a little to you, but it is quite a bit to me haha. I left seattle and went to the absolutely beautiful Cape Flattery. I slept there, then the next morning went to port angeles, where the ferry was. I took the 9:30pm ferry to Victoria. Of course, when i got to canada, they had me pull over and searched my car. In having a quick conversation with me, they realized i wasn't a drugged up hippy and let me on my way. As i approached my car, the men that searched it exclaimed their fascination that i still shot film, which led to quite a long conversation. Canadians were off to a good start in my book. I arrived at my friend Luna's house at 12am, and was greeted by her, her boyfriend, and their roommate. Gavin, Luna, and Steve welcomed me with open arms. Luna is a photographer/model that i had befriended around three years ago. She had a photography gallery in victoria until the 25th of june, in which i promised i would come to months ago. So, i made my way to victoria and was able to see her amazing gallery. I am again so blessed to be able to meet such amazing people. Victoria definitely has a charm to it. If i had to compare it to somewhere back east, i would say almost like woodstown. I actually met a guy yesterday that saw my Jersey plates and said he was from wilmington. He thought victoria reminded him a lot of south jersey, besides there not being any cows and endless farmland. I spent a few days seeing the sights, giving Gavin and Steve haircuts, and having my first cuban cigar. If you know anything about me, you know i love my cigars. I'm not a heavy smoker, but i love cigars and having one in the right moment. Same goes with my tobacco pipe. Needless to say, it was a great experience. Steve had a house party my third day here, and i was able to see the local scene in victoria. This past weekend, Luna, Gavin, and I set off to Sombrio beach. We made a beach fire, in which we chopped and split wood from a huge piece of driftwood. Gavin and I worked together, then took turns, in what ended up being a full night of chopping wood for a few hot dogs. The next day we adventured around the area, then slept on the side of a mountain that night. We set up a glorious fire pit and had great food. The next day we found the lonely Douglas, in which we had been searching for the day before. We then went back to victoria, and celebrated canada day! Also, thank you Luna for taking photos on my digital camera...because i'm awful at remembering to take digital photos.
So far, i am in love with Canada. The people are very kind and welcoming, and i feel a sense of home. I am learning so much each day, some about the road, about me, or just knowledge. I have been hiking through the woods, making fires, doing squatch calls, and having so much fun. I have been extremely excited and ambitious for what lies ahead after this journey too. I may do some print give aways too, so stay tuned. Thank you all, as i always say, but truly, it is amazing to know that there are people reading what i write. And, in the midst of it all, i hope that this can encourage you to travel! I didn't leave with much money, and i haven't worked at all on the road. I've been on the road for over two months now, and each day is a new journey. I encourage you to just walk down the road, or drive down that road that you pass everyday going to work. You never know what beauty you may find. Next up is Vancouver, then heading up to Alaska! Have an amazing day.
