Back home, safe & sound and a bit older & wiser, but not by much.Blue = where we overnighted, Red = day trips/places mentioned in the blog.Green & Blue = where we overnighted (ran out of green pins), Yellow = day trips/places mentioned in the blog.
I’ve travelled through your blogs, with you. I have huge respect for you living like gypsies, but what you’ve seen and done is amazing. When we owned our cabin cruiser, I always wanted to live year round on it, Jerry thought I’d lost my mind, but I wanted to declutter, and thought how romantic it would be to winter in downtown Toronto, going to theatres, ballets operas etc., and then spend the summers on Georgian bay, because Jerry hasn’t yet retired, honestly I don’t think he ever will. After reality set in for me, now my dream is to travel in Europe for a month or two at a time. If Britain would get on with Brexit or stick with the EU, I can renew my passport. Your blogs have been like reading an exciting book, and never wanting to reach the end, but it’s nice to have you back❣️
This is so beautifully written! I can’t tell you how great its been to read all of your posts! We felt like we were right there with you on the ride! So interesting and colorful! Thanks so much for sharing your journey. What great memories and experiences! I admire you both for that! HOW AWESOME! We’re glad you’re back! Maggie doesn’t like long distant loves! LOL! So fun to see the doggies reunited! 🙂
Thanks Angela. Although I’d like to point out that although we are back, you will soon be departing for Sanibel! What’s up with that girlfriend?!? Porter will be desolate. Ha! Ha!
Thanks Mo. I have to admit that from one perspective, I will miss writing those blogs but on the other hand, they did take a bit of effort. What will I do with all my free time now? lol
Loved reading this post! It was amazing following your journey through this blog, but I am very happy that you’re back home 🙂 This adventure may have ended, but there will be many more ahead! Where to next?? 😉
Thank-you Erica. I’m glad that between you and Matejs, at least one of you was actually reading my posts. I believe Matejs preferred the pictures 😉 Where to next, you ask? Someplace where we can get you back up on skis!!!!! Maybe Chamonix??? Time to start brushing on French.
Dear Dina and John,
What a wonderful epilogue on your journey! The part about missing your parents and telling them about all the exciting things you did brought tears to my eyes. I still have long letters that I wrote to my parents the year we travelled around the world. We too felt some homesickness between the excitement of wonderful new experiences and the hard part of settling back into regular life.
We miss you and hope you will at least come and visit and stay in our cabin.
I haven’t written because my eyes really bothered me post-cataract surgery, but I finally made it back to the surgeon in Victoria and she gave me drops that made them normal again. Now I can use the computer.
We have acquired a tiny dog,Poco, from the elderly lady who was in hospital for 2 months. We were walking Poco daily but didn’t bring her home because she isn’t house-trained. But 2 weeks ago the lady died suddenly and we have adopted Poco.It has been a lot of work training her, but she is now settling into a routine and we are getting attached to her. The lady’s niece lives in Toronto and won’t be able to come here until late September. In the meantime we are going hiking in the Rockies and visiting our son Matthew in Saskatchewan. Luckily, we have amazing dog and house-sitters who will look after her. We’ll send photos later.
We wish you well in settling back in your condo. We had hoped to visit you in October, but have decided to postpone our trip to Ontario until some other time, partly because of the dog.
Love and blessings, un mili sveicieni no Maras un Robert
How wonderful to hear from you Māra. I’m glad your eyesight is improving. And nothing like a little sunītis to get you out and keep you moving (not that you or Robert had problems with that!). But they are a lot of work. Porter has adjusted very easily to his old neighbourhood although I suspect he would prefer Chesterman Beach. As would we! We have signed up with a yoga studio here in Port Credit and while it is quite nice, it is not the same Coastal Bliss. I miss the smell of cedar and the wonderful people we met there. We will certainly let you know if (when) the road leads us back to you, but in the meantime, definitely get in touch when you make your way to Ontario, regardless of when that may be. Love to you both.
Thanks Ilze. It was, as said, a wonderful journey from which I learned so much. And so glad much of it was documented. We are already saying things like, “Where was that place that had [fill in the blank]. Ha! Ha! Of course age could be having an impact too!
Wow,
What a way to conclude the journey. Your reflective summary of your adventure answers all ( most ) the questions that I had. I am not afraid to admit that I truly looked forward to each of your dispatches. I am not a big traveller but I got to share your experiences and perhaps that may inspire me to “read more” in future.
I am glad that you are both back safe and sound.
All the best
Joe
Thanks Joe. Your comments were always fun to read and we both got quite a chuckle out of what John refers to as your “overactive imagination”. Perhaps you should consider compiling an anthology of sorts from your days at 14. I’m sure it would make for some very entertaining reading. Stay well.
What a beautifully written final entry to your wonderful adventure. I’ve enjoyed reading about your journey and your photos were incredible. You really must put a book together on this. Good for you for going out in the world like you do!!
Thank you for taking us all on your incredible journey ! We all imagined being there with you through your very descriptive and openly honest blogs. By the sounds of it, this was only your first leg of your travel dreams…much more to come. We are so glad you are home safe and sound and look forward to seeing you again (and hearing about some of the stories you didn’t write about). Take a breather, and when you’re ready, pull our your globe, spin it and see where your next adventure takes you. Hugs to you both!
Thanks Guys. We are looking forward to catching up with you in the not too distant future. And thank-you so much for looking after our canoe! (Although I hear you haven’t used it!!!) We have no place to put it just yet but we’ll take it off your hands as soon as we can so you can have your space back. 🙂 Hugs back.
My question is, “when does the hard copy come out and where will the book signing be?”
Anyhow, glad to have you back home. Bonnie and I now have you and John as seasoned travel advisors!
If I ever get around to it, I will personally give you a signed copy. 😉 We are still adjusting to the return and have found that moving back in is harder than moving out! But we’d gladly give you our two cents on North American travel destinations.
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I’ve travelled through your blogs, with you. I have huge respect for you living like gypsies, but what you’ve seen and done is amazing. When we owned our cabin cruiser, I always wanted to live year round on it, Jerry thought I’d lost my mind, but I wanted to declutter, and thought how romantic it would be to winter in downtown Toronto, going to theatres, ballets operas etc., and then spend the summers on Georgian bay, because Jerry hasn’t yet retired, honestly I don’t think he ever will. After reality set in for me, now my dream is to travel in Europe for a month or two at a time. If Britain would get on with Brexit or stick with the EU, I can renew my passport. Your blogs have been like reading an exciting book, and never wanting to reach the end, but it’s nice to have you back❣️
Thanks Catriona. You have a travelling spirit as well, although you’d never catch me on a boat! lol Best to Jerry and we’ll see you soon.
This is so beautifully written! I can’t tell you how great its been to read all of your posts! We felt like we were right there with you on the ride! So interesting and colorful! Thanks so much for sharing your journey. What great memories and experiences! I admire you both for that! HOW AWESOME! We’re glad you’re back! Maggie doesn’t like long distant loves! LOL! So fun to see the doggies reunited! 🙂
Thanks Angela. Although I’d like to point out that although we are back, you will soon be departing for Sanibel! What’s up with that girlfriend?!? Porter will be desolate. Ha! Ha!
Welcome Home
Thanks Andrew. Looking forward to hanging out and letting Porter teach Maya a trick or two. 😉
Welcome HOME !
Will miss reading your blogs, look forward to seeing you both in person again.
Thanks for your efforts in detailing your experiences!
Thanks Mo. I have to admit that from one perspective, I will miss writing those blogs but on the other hand, they did take a bit of effort. What will I do with all my free time now? lol
Loved reading this post! It was amazing following your journey through this blog, but I am very happy that you’re back home 🙂 This adventure may have ended, but there will be many more ahead! Where to next?? 😉
Thank-you Erica. I’m glad that between you and Matejs, at least one of you was actually reading my posts. I believe Matejs preferred the pictures 😉 Where to next, you ask? Someplace where we can get you back up on skis!!!!! Maybe Chamonix??? Time to start brushing on French.
Dear Dina and John,
What a wonderful epilogue on your journey! The part about missing your parents and telling them about all the exciting things you did brought tears to my eyes. I still have long letters that I wrote to my parents the year we travelled around the world. We too felt some homesickness between the excitement of wonderful new experiences and the hard part of settling back into regular life.
We miss you and hope you will at least come and visit and stay in our cabin.
I haven’t written because my eyes really bothered me post-cataract surgery, but I finally made it back to the surgeon in Victoria and she gave me drops that made them normal again. Now I can use the computer.
We have acquired a tiny dog,Poco, from the elderly lady who was in hospital for 2 months. We were walking Poco daily but didn’t bring her home because she isn’t house-trained. But 2 weeks ago the lady died suddenly and we have adopted Poco.It has been a lot of work training her, but she is now settling into a routine and we are getting attached to her. The lady’s niece lives in Toronto and won’t be able to come here until late September. In the meantime we are going hiking in the Rockies and visiting our son Matthew in Saskatchewan. Luckily, we have amazing dog and house-sitters who will look after her. We’ll send photos later.
We wish you well in settling back in your condo. We had hoped to visit you in October, but have decided to postpone our trip to Ontario until some other time, partly because of the dog.
Love and blessings, un mili sveicieni no Maras un Robert
How wonderful to hear from you Māra. I’m glad your eyesight is improving. And nothing like a little sunītis to get you out and keep you moving (not that you or Robert had problems with that!). But they are a lot of work. Porter has adjusted very easily to his old neighbourhood although I suspect he would prefer Chesterman Beach. As would we! We have signed up with a yoga studio here in Port Credit and while it is quite nice, it is not the same Coastal Bliss. I miss the smell of cedar and the wonderful people we met there. We will certainly let you know if (when) the road leads us back to you, but in the meantime, definitely get in touch when you make your way to Ontario, regardless of when that may be. Love to you both.
Welcome home! And many, many thinks for this last piece sharing the insights you’ve gained. Looking forward to hearing a great deal more!
Thanks Ilze. It was, as said, a wonderful journey from which I learned so much. And so glad much of it was documented. We are already saying things like, “Where was that place that had [fill in the blank]. Ha! Ha! Of course age could be having an impact too!
Been a good ride following along with your blog. Gonna miss it!
I’ll see you guys when you’re out this way again buying your dream spot in Tofino.
🙂
Thanks Ray. Keep your fingers crossed for us. That is one dream we want to make a reality!
Wow,
What a way to conclude the journey. Your reflective summary of your adventure answers all ( most ) the questions that I had. I am not afraid to admit that I truly looked forward to each of your dispatches. I am not a big traveller but I got to share your experiences and perhaps that may inspire me to “read more” in future.
I am glad that you are both back safe and sound.
All the best
Joe
Thanks Joe. Your comments were always fun to read and we both got quite a chuckle out of what John refers to as your “overactive imagination”. Perhaps you should consider compiling an anthology of sorts from your days at 14. I’m sure it would make for some very entertaining reading. Stay well.
Thanks for sharing your incredible journey. I’m glad that our Garezers’ home was one of your pitstops.
And thank-you for your hospitality. It was a lovely visit and a nice walk down memory lane. Enjoy your Florida phase.:)
What a beautifully written final entry to your wonderful adventure. I’ve enjoyed reading about your journey and your photos were incredible. You really must put a book together on this. Good for you for going out in the world like you do!!
Thanks Pat. Glad you’ve enjoyed the posts, although I suspect you and Doug have some pretty spectacular photos from all you travels as well.:)
Thank you for taking us all on your incredible journey ! We all imagined being there with you through your very descriptive and openly honest blogs. By the sounds of it, this was only your first leg of your travel dreams…much more to come. We are so glad you are home safe and sound and look forward to seeing you again (and hearing about some of the stories you didn’t write about). Take a breather, and when you’re ready, pull our your globe, spin it and see where your next adventure takes you. Hugs to you both!
Thanks Guys. We are looking forward to catching up with you in the not too distant future. And thank-you so much for looking after our canoe! (Although I hear you haven’t used it!!!) We have no place to put it just yet but we’ll take it off your hands as soon as we can so you can have your space back. 🙂 Hugs back.
My question is, “when does the hard copy come out and where will the book signing be?”
Anyhow, glad to have you back home. Bonnie and I now have you and John as seasoned travel advisors!
If I ever get around to it, I will personally give you a signed copy. 😉 We are still adjusting to the return and have found that moving back in is harder than moving out! But we’d gladly give you our two cents on North American travel destinations.
Great to have you two back. I think Louise Penny has some future competition!
Thanks Guys! Hopefully we can all get together soon and catch up!