In order to complete my thought from the last post, I need to go back in time a bit. Yes, July 2nd was one of the best days of my life, but what led to that started a week earlier, maybe longer. Even though the sights, smells and sounds were spectacular, there was also a feeling that complemented and emphasized the feeling. I felt like I was coming home for the first time. It was hard to process why I felt like this, because I have traveled so much, and lived in so many countries and states. Why here?
Have top break it down a bit... First off, I heard a song I hadn't listened to in a while; kind of sets the tempo a bit:
Liberty- by the Grateful Deadhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8k9mT6g-99E&feature=related
(classic Jerry slurring the words, you can google the lyrics if you don't know them already)
*Yes, CHOOSING this trip had a lot to do with it. Growing up a world traveler, I don't ever remember being asked if I wanted to live in this or that 3rd world country. Not that I'm complaining, I do attribute who I am today to the experiences that my life has afforded me. It just feels different when you have a choice.
*Staying in Athabasca with my aunt was truly a wonderful experience. I felt completely at home in a town of 2,700, even though it was the first time I had ever been there.
*Meeting two of my dad's cousins, and staying with them was another pleasant and unexpected experience. I mean, here I am knocking on the front door of someone I met once, briefly, years ago; yet I felt instantly welcome and at home.
*I'm not sure what I originally expected to find up here, but I have uncovered it all and then some. I have seen some of Canada's wondrous culture, landscapes, people, and now a part of my history it seems. Being that I was brought along for such a long ride, I never realized where it all started. Part of my family is still thriving here, I just never really realized it until I saw it with my own eyes.
I'm not saying that I'm packing up and trading in my citizenship (just yet), but I am really glad I chose to come on this crazy road trip. It has been equally a journey to my core as well as one to previously unexplored physical locations. Not even the recent downpour and fogginess can dampen my spirit as I trudge forward towards the arctic circle.
Driving along the copper river yesterday, I felt a strong connection to the river again. I hiked up to twin falls, and saw the snow melt to form the waterfalls that feed the stream, that join up with the larger river, that carved a path across flatlands and valleys as well as around the most immoveable mountain ranges. Unstoppable, wild, free; rushing along as if on a schedule. Occasionally taking the time to look at the constant stream of passers by in their metal chariots, but mainly carving it's path unnoticed, under cover of the lush landscape that it feeds. The trees that brought in the loggers that turned it into lumber to build the settlements, that boomed into towns and cities that house Canadians near and far, and continue to provide jobs and homes. Yes Water still sits on his throne, King of this land... surrounded by other would-bes that have gobbled up part of his kingdom. The oil monster dwelling both below and above, industry all around, passers by, servants all... all Hail the fundamental source of our livelyhood, and all the fruits of it's laborious journey. Would ancient Egyptians had such
an impact if not for the Nile? The good old US of A without the mighty Mississippi or the Missouri? And just as all of these mighty rivers have a source, this experience has been akin to finding the source of my river so to speak, backtracking to the beginning. Yes this has been one hell of a homecoming
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