The First Week

Saltspring Island, BC

The morning was clear, and our focus was blinding. Having our bicycles fully loaded, Rose and I set forth from the Saltspring home. It was an exciting moment. With smiles on our faces, we hopped on our awkwardly weighted bikes. Everything seemed possible. The adventure was about to begin. However, there was one problem; we hadn't given ourselves much time to catch our first ferry to Sydney. Indeed, it was not a great way to start a long distance trip. Little did we know that we were in for an abrupt shake up within only short minutes from our launch.

Saltspring’s roads bend and curve. They are filled with amazing beauty, but an amass of rolling hills. Rose took the lead as we veered right onto our first corner. And as we turned onto the busy narrow road with a steep embankment bellow, I watched in horror to see her bicycle start to sway uncontrollably. Suddenly, she hit hard onto her left side; the bike had crashed. Immediately, Cars whipped past her, only inches from where she lay. We pulled to the side, and crouched together.

There were a few early lessons to learn right off the start. First, always check the balance of your’ gear…and never assume that a bicycle rack is properly mounted. Secondly, always give yourself enough time to reach your’ destination peacefully. Needless to say, we became extremely alert and careful on the road from then on.

Sydney, Victoria

We arrived in Sydney and made a visit to the nearest bicycle shop. The news wasn’t great; Rose’s bike would cost too much to upgrade, and we needed to move further south before the new fall weather set in. Immediately, we looked over craigslist and decided to put her bike up for sale. The next evening a miracle happened. Oak Cycles in Victoria was hosting a bicycle swap. Perfect! It didn’t take long until her bike sold and we were heading across the Washington border. May I also add that Dale warmly welcomed us into her home and we had a pleasant dinner together.

Whidbey Island, WA

Whidbey Island was incredibly beautiful. The people were, dare I say friendlier than most Vancouver Islanders and the weather was immaculately sunny. We were in luck. Our prior understanding of Washington State was immediately incorrect. Victorian homes littered the landscape, and farmlands with ocean views were abundant. Traffic was minimal, and cyclists were warmly welcomed. It was very pleasant.