But, there are some things we'd like to do. Something epic... something that makes people say "wow" when you tell them what you did.
Like maybe walk across Canada? That, I think we could do.
The nearly completed Trans Canada Trail.
The Trans Canada Trail has been under construction since 1992 and it's almost completed. I fact, In read the other day that a young woman (age 24) completed the walk just last week. Some sections are still not finished, but she walked it anyhow. It took her two years!
https://thegreattrail.ca/news/sarah-jackson-completes-the-trail/
Now, we wouldn't do it that way. Number one, because we wouldn't be in Canada during the winter. And number two, we wouldn't follow the exact route of the trail because it's not direct enough. But, we could walk across Canada if we split it into two summer seasons.
The problem with doing something "epic" like that is that it does actually take a lot of time. The summer season is when we have other things planned that we want to do. (I mean, once we stop working during the summer, which may not be that far off.) We want to drive Sherman up to northern Canada for a summer. Probably some of Alaska at the same time. We want to go to countries that aren't worth visiting during the winter. Norway, more of Europe, and even Russia and Kazakhstan are some countries on our "bucket" list..
And, there are some parts of the U.S. that we want to spend more time in during the summer. Utah, Colorado, Montana, Oregon, Washington.
So, its tough to make a commitment to do a trip like walking across Canada because it will use up two complete summers.
There are other long distance walks we'd like to do as well. Ruth wants to do the Camino de Santiago trail in Spain. I'm not sold on the idea because so many people already do it. And, there are better long distance walks in terms of scenery.
And, we're not getting any younger, although that's not a real concern for us yet. We figure we've got 15 years yet where we can realistically do these kinds of things, but obviously as time marches on it does become a consideration.
So...at some point we will do something epic. But it won't be in a canoe across Canada, and it won't be in a cold Canadian winter!
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Aaaww...for once bend to Ruth's wishes/dreams and do the walk in Spain :-)
ReplyDelete"For once"...?
DeleteAs a couple, we try and do things that we both want to do. And there are probably enough of those things that we will never run out. If we do run out, I'm sure each of us will start to bend...
Rita, Kevin does do things that I want to do, like going home for my Dad's 80th birthday or going home last Christmas to spend the holidays with our families. He wouldn't have done this without my prompting. We both try to do things together that we both like but sometimes we give and take to please each other, that is what makes relationships last as long as ours has. :-)
DeleteAt church this morning a man spoke who has done the Camino de Santiago. Seems to me it is more of a spiritual journey.
ReplyDeleteThat is what it is meant to be but many people just do it to say that they did it. And maybe along the way after talking to the many people that they meet along the way start to think about it more spiritually.
DeleteSo many things to do and place to explore and the sooner the better. I am sure it will be exciting whatever it is.
ReplyDeleteYep, too many places to explore in our life time but we sure are going to try our best to see and do as much as we can. :-)
DeleteWhy something epic? It's not a contest. I'm sure that kayaking or canoeing across Canada is an experience but, at least for me, it would wear on me after awhile. Nature is nice until you have to live in it for a long time. I roughed it for a year living in a cabin near Sequoia Natl Park with one light bulb and a wood stove and I had to cut my own wood. That was enough epic for me. Why not a round the world cruise in 80 days. Now that's epic and comfortable :)
ReplyDeleteReally, Chris. Hope you tell us that story one day. One year is a long time to live with just basic needs. On educational television, a tv producer followed the daily activities for one year of a 70 year old man who was homesteading in the Alaska wilderness. It was very interesting, but he did have a few supplies flown in once a month by seaplane.
DeleteYou're right it's not a contest but I for one have just always wanted to do something really cool and different, something where I have to really push myself, I don't know why but it has always been something that I have wanted to do. Not sure if Kevin has always felt this way but he says that he would be up for a good challenge. We talk about it but this doesn't mean that we will actually do it!
DeleteA round the world cruise in 80 days is not really epic for us but I know that you would certainly love it! :-)
I'd love to do cruise around the world in 120 days LOL I live on the Navajo rez and it is not epic...no running water. Have to haul water to cistern. We finally got electricity five years ago..now that was heaven with electric hot water heater, stove, cable tv...we think that is luxury. I still love nature but would not walk unless it was a dream to hike a trail. I love to read about people doing things they would not ordinarily have done.
DeleteGood for Sarah but I think there would be too many unenjoyable aspects to walking the entire Trans Canada Trail. It might be interesting to do a short section of it, though.
ReplyDeleteI think Sarah is one tough cookie, I know that we could never do what she did!
DeleteYes, there would be some unenjoyable aspects but often that is forgotten quickly with all the amazing scenery and experiences along the way. Plus, if you end up not having fun then you just stop, nobody is making you do the whole hike. Anyways, it was only a thought and most likely something that we probably won't do but with us, you just never know. ;-)
We do something epic everyday and could care less if anybody says wow... you two also do!
ReplyDeleteWe don't consider what we do everyday as being something epic, like cleaning washrooms! We sure have done some amazing things though and we never for a moment regard them as nothing. I know there are people out there that would love a chance to do what we do but that doesn't mean that we can't dream about doing something really different and we won't do it just to make someone say "Wow" we would do it because we want to do it.
DeleteWhenever I am planning something "epic," I always ask myself, "If I couldn't tell anyone about this adventure, would I still be doing it?" If the answer is yes, then I know I'm doing it for the right reasons.
ReplyDeleteI like the way you look at things and that is great advise and that is basically the way we look at it. Kevin didn't mean that we would do something really "epic" just to make people say "Wow" and have something to write about, we would do it because we want to do it. Ever since they started building the Trans Canada Trail, we had always talked about hiking it when it was complete but talking about it and doing it can be two different things. It is always nice to have dreams and sometimes those dreams become reality.
DeleteHadn't thought of it that way but maybe when in 1978 we took our 5 kids loaded them into a 24' motorhome and drove from Los Angeles to Argentina was kind of epic. Looking back now I wonder what ever made us do it. Wrote about it in All The Way to Argentina.
ReplyDeleteYes! Now, that is epic!!
DeleteHow in the world did you maintain your sanity!
Deletesometimes I think we lost it before we left
DeleteIf you haven't read it yet you should get a copy of Carol and Bill's book of their trip with 5 kids in an RV, fascinating and at at times sit on the edge of your seat reading.
DeleteWe will have to look around and see if we can find a copy, we would be interested in reading it for sure. It is something that Kevin and I have both talked about doing some day/year in the future.
DeleteThat will be a lot longer than the Appalachian trail:)
ReplyDeleteMuch longer! The Appalachian Trail would be another "epic" thing that would be on our list to consider but honestly I don't see ourselves doing it.
DeleteSurviving our high food prices.....that's epic.
ReplyDeleteLol, yep but we will survive! ;-)
DeleteAn acquaintance of mine is just completing that walk in Spain, I'll let you know what she thought of it! She's not really religious, but it was just something she had heard about and wanted to do, so off she went! Her hubby stayed home with the kids for a few weeks so she could fulfill her journey.
ReplyDeleteWe know a number of different people that have done or are right now completing the hike and that is what makes Kevin think twice about it. The first two people we know seemed to try to steam through it without taking time to enjoy the whole experience along the way, however friends that have just about completed it now have done it more the way we would and have taken their time, have loved it. There are actually a number of different "roads/ways" that can be taken to Santiago and I think if we did it, it wouldn't be the most popular route. I hope that your friend has enjoyed it and yes please let us know what she thought of it.
DeleteThat's epic, the wife went off to fulfill her dreams of walking while her husband stayed home to care for kids. Husband and I did that. I as an individual sometimes had different dreams so off I went with friends of like mind and off he went with his friends and twice a year we went as a family. In any event, love your travel blog but I read other's travels like the little girl who sailed around the world (she probably had someone following but still she did it).
DeleteI remember reading about that young girl that sailed around the world by herself. I think we even included a link to her blog in our blog when she was doing her trip. Now that was an "epic" adventure for sure!
DeleteIt is, of course, very epic that you two have a blog that touches thousands of readers every day. That's not something most ordinary people accomplish.
ReplyDeleteNot that we think that is really epic but it is pretty cool. Thanks, Doug! :-)
DeleteI did the Camino 4 years ago but did the Northern route much less traveled saw only a few other pilgrims and also very scenic..535 miles in 35 days a journey i am glad i made but would not do it again..good luck les
ReplyDeleteI remember you doing the Camino, I can't believe it was 4 years ago though, boy where does the time go! I couldn't remember which route you did, thanks for reminding me. What did you like about and what didn't you like about it? I think doing something like that, would only need to be done once.
DeleteEpic. What a great word. One person's epic journey is another person's "no way!" I have one of those in mind myself, but it wouldn't involve using up a whole summer or two. Just something I want to do, something out of my comfort zone, something truly spectacular ... for me. (and hopefully Jimmy!) to be continued
ReplyDeleteYes, everyone's meaning for "epic" is going to be different.
DeleteCan't wait to hear what your "epic adventure" will entail!