Day 11 - Stone Shiatsu

Date: May 11, 2002
Location: Truro, NS
Distance Traveled: 13 km (130 km)

"Stone Shiatsu"

Up early and happy as hell to see the sky clear; but my hopes were almost dashed as I saw the darkest storm clouds ever heading my way.  They never did pass over but the wind almost burnt me, buffeting me almost into the road then almost into the ditch.

Last night, the bumps under the tent were like a stone shiatzu.  I highly recomend you sleep on that one before complaining about your matress ever again.  Around noon, I passed through a MicMaq community, which reminded me of Bob, back in Stewiake. Bob's introduction was "you have to call me a native. You can't call me an Indian because there aren't any wagon's left to burn." I don't think I'll mention that one again, but it was funny as hell when he said it.

Anyway, the most interesting thing I saw here was the trading post. It consisted of a sinkgle booth, on the road.  Cars wer lining up on both sides so it looked like a toll booth.  But driver's weren't paying a toll for the road, but for their lungs.  I wish now that I had taken a picture of it.

People lining up for a drive-thru cigarette shop.  $50 a carton may be a deal here, but I'm used to $35 on the carton and $29 on reserve, well, in Ontario anyway.

(time lapse)

I'm in a Tim Horton's now in Truro.  Yes!! It has SEATS!!  Lots of them! I'm thinking it may be wise to stay out of the mountains so from here I'm changing my route a little.  I could go North on highway 4 thorugh the mountains in about a week but ther are almost no towns. Or I could go east then North on Highway 2 with a detour on the 302.  Now, it's 30 km longer, but there are plenty of towns to stop in.  The mountains may even slow me down more than I expect.  So it's a toss-up.  I'll have to ask around for advice.

(time lapse)

I just talked to some nice guys who say that the Cobequid Mountains aren't really mountains at all and that I should just stock up with some extra water before I leave Truro.

(time lapse)

I found a library and posted an entry only minutes before they closed down.  I'm sure everyone reading at home is going nuts... "What! Only 1 post in 6 days?"  I'm getting to them, don't you worry. At the library I met chap named Rudy who was a prayer leader or something.  We had coffee, went to the night yourth meeting where I met so many other people... Loren, Ruthy, some other chics I can't remember their names... if you get the picture.  I jammed with Robert and crashed with Rudy.

{the rest of this entry was extended on the original blog site, but was lost after that ISP decided I didn't pay enough for their services. These entries are strait from my hard cover journal I wrote in on my journey.}

Day 10 - Ontario? Are You Nuts?

Date: May 10, 2002
Location: ATV Trail, 5 km N Brookfield, Nova Scotia
Distance Traveled: 14 km (117 km)

"Ontario? Are You Nuts?"

I waited until 2 pm for the rain to stop so that I could shake everything out.  It didn't make any difference seeing as how all the laundry I had meticulously  washed and dried on the line and folded and put away... was now wet. My pack took on about another 8 lbs just from the cloths and the blankets.

I was afraid my tent would get moldy but I've found a nice dry spot tonight so it should dry by morning.  I've found that my belt can move in another 2 notches easily.  Though I can't see a change in my pot-belly.  I walked in wet shoes, wet pants and sweater all the way into Brookfield, where the Tim Hortons has no where to sit.  This is a first. I never believed that I could find a town so smll that it's Timmy's has no chairs.

I also stopped at the Brookfield Golf & Country Club where I was permitted a shower.   Very nice people.  I was invited into a flop-house by some kids my age & given a beer.  We talked a bit about my walk and I played a couple tunes on my guitar.  Sarah was the only one who introduced herself.  There was one guy who kept repeating: "Ontario, man you gotta be nuts!"

Everyone was freaking out that the cops were going to crash their little get-together so I figured it was best to leave.  I found this place easily enough, so I'm just gonna crash and maybe get an early start in the morning.  I'll hit Turo tomorrow if I'm smart.

Poem - Gurgle Brook

Date: May 9, 2002

Gurgle Brook

I don't want to leave this place

It is far more beautiful than I

The gurgling waters tease

My weary spirit and

The sunlight plays between

The trunks of falling trees.

I can almost hear the very

Stones, whispering for me

to stay.

I do not want to leave this place

I am afraid that I will become

less beautiful, the farther

I will go.

--

Friar Greg

Day 09 - Every Dream Turns Wet

Date: May 9, 2002

"Every Dream Turns Wet"

I spent the day lying in the sun, playing guitar, writing poems and feeling the world around me.  That was until it started to rain.  I wasn't expecting it at all and almost everything got wet in the process.  I saved the guitar but the case is going to fall apart soon and there is nothing I can really do about that.  It was far too late to break camp and move on, so I waited it out by reading Steven Hawkings "A Brief History of Time and Space" the updated version. I'm 166 pages into it, it's only 197 pages.  I figure that I should know a little more about our universe so that I can better define my (our) place in it.

After reading some Socrates and Steven Hawking; I found that I wasn't alone in saying that I believe in the possibility of a God.  Hawking never says... "and God made it that way". Instead, he goes as far as to say that certain undenounced theory's still leave room for a God to have set things in motion.

Socrates was a little more adamant about a God claiming that logic alone can prove his existance.  Mind you, I realize Socrates never wrote anything himself; I've studied Plato's "The Apology" and I'm currently reading "The Best Thing in Life" by Peter Kreeft which is a collection of modern dialouges using Socrates as the main character.

My sister Lesley & my new friend Keitha both swear that I was meant to take FIB.  I think they mean Philosophy, as a course.  I may do that.  I remember getting very frustrated with Damien because he would use huge words and references that I never understood.  I don't want to go out and buy myself a new vocabulary but I think a good background in the Socratic method will make my life much easier.  I would actually recommend that to everybody.

You may think that you are clever, that you know enough. Or you may not believe you have any brains at all.  Either way, knowing how to ask questions will show you that it is better to think yourself a fool and know knothing than it is to think yourself wise and still be a fool.

It's going to be a wet sleep tonight.

Day 08 - Gurgle Brook

Date: May 8, 2002
Location: Gurgle Brook, Hwy 2 Nova Scotia
Distance Traveled: 18 km (103 km)

"Gurgle Brook"

I wish I could see this place again, even if only to hope for that wonderful feeling once more.


Happy Birthday MOM! I broke my first 100 klicks today. I should be much farther buy now but I was dying for a bath. I found the most beautiful little brook next to the highway. I dubbed it "gurgle brook" and made camp. When you finally see the pictures you'll know just how beautiful it is. I had a bath (my first so far... peeeyew) in the chilly, red water. I think it's the dirt here that makes it red. I also scrubbed some of my lighter laundry and hung it to dry. It is so peaceful here, the sounds of the water drown out the roar of what few cars go by. This little patch of the world fills me with such peace that I could forgive anyone everything they've ever done to me.

During the night, I heard a lot of splashing in the water. I couldn't see any shadows moving or even an animal sniffing around the tent, but it kept me up most of the night worrying. As the sun rose the next morning, I watched the frozen dew steam off into the air and smelled the life returning to my glade. I also caught a few glimpses of small fish that aught their way upstream, splashing and causing a ruckus. I'll wrote some poems today. I'm not going to leave Gurgle Brook until tomorrow. Some of my cloths are still wet. I only wish I had some one to share this spot with.

Day 07 - Pride & Prejudice

Date: May 7, 2002
Location: Iron Forge Pub, Stewiake, NS
Distance Traveled: 2 km (85 km)

"Pride & Prejudice"

A crazy night in a crazy little town. Perhaps I will return, but it's enough to know that a biker in Nova Scotia gave me my name.


I would probably... well definitely be another 15 klicks farther than I am now, but I seemed to have walked into a family. First it was birthday party, I was given pizza for being in the pub. Then it was another birthday, and I was given a piece of cake, 10 minutes later a second piece of cake... I couldn't accept all this charity without a song, so when I pulled out my guitar, this biker dude (Doug) went nuts and set up the karaoke machine so I could have a mic. Then we passed the guitar around to the few who could play; everyone bought me drinks and I accidentally swallowed 2 quarters that were in my glass. I flirted outrageously with the waitress (Alanna) and spoke at length about the differences between Canada and the bartender's (Sam) homelands of Lebanon & Sierra Leone.


I chatted it up with a very nice older lady who liked to talk about her husband's guitars and the random jam sessions that happened in their home. Mona was a 30ish flirt and her husband Kevin was from Kingston Ontario. I had a wonderful afternoon & a great night drinking and singing with Doug, who kept calling me "brother". I stayed at Doug's place. They teased me this morning about my snoring even though Eric (another couch crasher) was snoring much worse. I told everyone there at the Iron Forge that if I ever moved to Nova Scotia, I would be sure to put my time in Stewiake.

Day 06 - Pipe Dreams

Date: May 6, 2002 Location: Glade between Tracks & Hwy 2 Stewiack NS Distance Traveled: 15 km (83 km)

"Pipe Dreams"

My own advice sounds so hollow in my ears, as it reverberates from the past. It was strong and right, but now is only vinegar. How things change, when I know that if I had gotten off my ass was one thing, but now, I'm not allowed to fix my situation. One can say "only you can make your own future" but I can't even do that. Let me say only, I'm not allowed, not in my power, I have not the authority, the flesh and the spirit are willing, but the law is not. This is worse than Life not being fair; Life (and my ex in particular) is malicious.

I realize that I'm still moving slowely. I have not as yet found a buyer for my guitar. My now toonie sized blister (the 2 merged when they popped) is still fresh and it needs to settle before I can stop limping. However; I am able to predict my mood swings a little better. I know that when I suddenly feel homesick (and I have never felt homesick before) I just start humming "with a little help from my friends" and if I get tired and begin to slow down to a crawl, I begin singing a song "walk him along, John carry him along". It has a good marching rythm and forces me back on pace. I'm also glad that I finally got that damned Shakira tune out of my head.

General Taylor gained the day

walk him along, John carry him along

oh, General Taylor gained the day

carry him to his burying ground

 

To me way hey oh Stormy

walk him along, John carry him along

to me way hey old Stormy

Carry him to his burying ground

 

Oh I wish I was old Stormy's son

I'd build him a ship ten thousand tons

I'd load her down with ale and rum

and every shellback should have some

 

Oh we'd dig his grave with a silver spade

and his shroud of the softest silk is made

 

And we'd lower him down on a golden chain

on every link we'll carve his name

 

General Taylor's dead and gone

General Taylor's dead and gone

 I've just finished Rainer Maria Rilke's letters to a young poet. I've only read it once now, but I am sure to have it memorized by the time this is over. He really puts it strait, makes the reader think. Of course he would probably say that he will not make anyone think anything, it's up to the reader to think for himself. But I was moved and maybe moved that much more the second, third and forth time through.

Earlier today, I posted the first 5 days of my journal from the library of East Haunts Rural Secondary School. Thanks go to Mr. Brown for the use of his facilities. I noticed a bunch of kids showed interest in my journey. I really should have stayed a while and talked with them, but as it was, my presence was unexpected and I did not want to push the school's hospitality. But this I would like to say to the Nascar driver to be: I am just like you. I hated school, though I didn't hate learning. I had lots of dreams that were always in-the-works. I'm gonna be a great programmer or a rock star or an actor.These were all great and wornderful but I never acted on them to the extent of my potential.

You need to look deep inside yourself and ask the question, "am I really a driver?" If your heart says yes, then don't look back. Learn everything you can about cars; take auto courses; learn how to take apart and build cars; learn about their aerodynamics, steering, suspension; eat drink and breath cars. Dreaming and talking about them, gets you nothing but sleepless nights and unimpressed listeners. Build your own cart at home and practice your turns in the fields. You must show the Nascar world that you are the best thing that ever happened to a 5 point harness. Never again call yourself stupid. That is only an excuse for laziness.

If you look at me, I know I'm smart and I know I can do anything I apply myself to, but I am also very lazy. Because of my laziness I have suffered. I realize that my life is messed up because of this, I'm putting one foot in front of the other, shouldering my burden and making things right before I'm too old to do anything. If I had stayed lazy, then I would only live a long, bitter life, angry that the world owed me something and wasn't going to pay up. Life's too short for Idle words. Realize your dreams but for your own sake, act on them.

Day 05 - Oh JOY! oh BLISter!

Date: May 5, 2002

Location: Hidden Clearing near Esso Station; Hwy 2, Milford Nova Scotia

Distance Traveled: 15 km (68 km)

"Oh JOY! oh BLISter!"

When I find this photo of the GIANT BLISTERS I had on my feet, I'll post it here strait away, just for Anna, who told me not to! :P

I never did find that bridge until this morning. I had mistaken Phil's directions and turned right at the lights instead of going strait another 150 meters. But in the dark, I couldn't see anything. There was a library at that corner with a C@P sign (public internet) but was closed on Sunday's. Just my luck, it is Sunday.

I had camped instead on the side of a pile of wood shavings. The rain from before had seeped through the pile and was oozing out the bottom mixed with some kind of oily substance. It stank and I dealt with it. Beside this pile of muck was one of those fenced-in Industrial art statues that hum. I'm sure someone thinks they serve a purpose, but I think they only leave them there to poison us. Anyway, I found a dry patch of gravel between these two eyesores away from view of the road. 

This morning, I found that I had a beautiful view of some farmland. I decided to sleep in until noon and take my time. There's no need to rush when you aren't sure. Sure of myself that is. I know the road's not going anywhere, but I'm only starting to realize the hell I'm in for.

After a couple of hours, I reached the village of Lantz. An odd name, but a pleasant bunch of homes. I sat sown for a rest near a small bridge, had a bite to eat and decided to take a picture of my blistered foot. There are two nickel-sized blisters right under my big and second toe. I put some “moleskin” over them so when they do pop (and they did) the skin will stay intact and dry out quickly. This way, I can continue walking. 

After Lantz, I was climbing another hill when suddenly, Idaho sprung up as if from nowhere. Actually, it was the beginning of Milford. The big red barns, silos and farm houses were so close together, it was like looking at a condensed version of Idaho.