No, I really want to know… how did I get here?

Our odyssey began about two years ago after facing a myriad of life changes. The year 2012 began with a series of hospitalizations and surgeries (including repairs for 2 surgical mistakes) and culminated in an aggressive takeover by my business associates of 18 years and the sale of my house.  It all seemed insurmountable but by mid 2013, I realized that I had the power within myself to make a positive change.  I decided to try to rediscover who I was and what Life meant to me.

I had the opportunity to dream big and perhaps make a long term goal of mine a reality.  I’ve always been an avid traveler and I have always wanted to take a year to travel the globe.  Since a trip around the world would require numerous flights and bringing my beloved dogs would be impossible I needed to come up with an alternative plan.  My standard poodles have been my emotional support through the roughest periods of my life, not only the mayhem and trauma of the previous 2 years, but after the sudden death of my husband, Phil, in an avalanche.  Needless to say, there was no way I was leaving without them.

After a little creative thinking I realized that a road trip was the answer… an epic trip…. something that would push me past my comfort zone, challenge me intellectually and satisfy the desire to travel through foreign countries.  My answer? Drive the Pan American Highway from the top of the North American continent to the Bottom of the South.

So on September 19, 2013,  TinTin, Nickel, Eureka and I hit the road to reconnect with long-lost friends and family, explore two continents and figure out what I want to do when I grow up.

One of the many extraordinary new experiences has been to slow my pace and view the world through new eyes.  I call it child’s eyes:  Slowing down to the point where time takes on a different quality.  where days feel like months and months feel like…. forever.

I hope you enjoy joining us on this journey.

Let me introduce you to my 3 amigos

Nickel Eureka TinTin

Oso 

Where we’ve gone and where we’re going

SEPT 2013- MAY 2014:    22 STATES, ONTARIO AND QUEBEC

AUGUST 2014- OCTOBER 2014:     BRITISH COLUMBIA, THE YUKON, NWT, ALBERTA AND NEW ENGLAND

OCTOBER 2015- OCTOBER 2016     CENTRAL AMERICA AND SOUTH AMERICA