Crossing the Canadian border gave me a familiar, rushing sense of accomplishment.
Until I was routinely stopped at the border and subsequently asked to “come inside for further questioning by an officer.” Here I am feeling like a marathoner that’s crossed the finish line, and this officer thinks I may be some threat to his country…I was completely confused, and where’s my medal?
Once I stepped inside for “further questioning” it all became more clear. The officer inside cut-to-the-chase…
Officer Inside: “Why do you have so much stuff?”
Kimi: “I’m on the road for two months.”
Officer Inside: “What do you do?”
Kimi: “I go hiking.”
Officer Inside (semi-perturbed): “…for a living…”
Kimi (nonplussed): “I don’t have a job anymore.”
Officer Inside: “So, you got money in the bank?”
This went on for some time… So basically, I looked like I was driving a mobile meth lab and perhaps I looked a little worse for wear too (I’ve now completely quit brushing my hair). During the line of questioning I also couldn’t help thinking, does Canada have a problem with impoverished Americans squatting in the Canadian Rockies?
After running “some checks” while I sat in the waiting room, the Officer Inside said she’d like to see my vehicle. Misunderstanding this for thinking she wanted to see my gear, I excitedly escorted her out to my car, to show her my tent, organization system for my clothing – in my plastic containers, food storage system with my YETI and so on. Ultimately she realized I was a total ditz and told me to have a safe trip.
So I’m on the road again, feeling like a finisher (again)! Crossing the Canadian border gave me the exact same feeling of endless pride and joy with myself that I have after a race. There was a lot of training, preparation, mental preparedness and endless planning – exactly like a runner does before a race – that was implemented in order to get me to Canada. And now here I am, and I’ve done it!
While it feels totally different, everything looks about the same, except for the speed limit signs. Such a pretty, new font and Holy Toledo…110! It’s like the Autobahn in Canada. Before I knew it, my car was going as fast as I felt.
Until I looked down to check my speedometer, to make sure I wasn’t speeding, and I see these tiny, little, gray numbers next to “km/h”.
It was at that moment that the realization hit me to slow down and that while I may feel like I’ve crossed some invisible finish line, the best is yet to come. I earned my medal the minute I left home and have gained a million medals in the number of experiences I’ve had while on this trip.
Banff has been like no place on Earth and it’s made the sweet, thrilling ride, flying past all the Albertans to get here, even that more rewarding.
TRAVELING KIMI 
Well you’ve made it! Sounds like you are falling in love with the Rockies starting to think you may never make it back to big D. Enjoy😀
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Thanks Dan! Definitely enjoying life up here. Guess what I bought yesterday? Rye! I got the 101 on it too 🙂 He said it’s pretty much just whisky!
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I’m so proud of you! Thanks for taking time to share your thoughts and pics. I enjoy the blog so much! XOXO, Nat
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I miss your smile Natalie! Thank you so much for your support and reading it! Keep reading 🙂
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Like uncle, like niece. Remember how I told you I was detained going from Glacier on the way to Calgary and Banff? Not only did they want to see the contents of my car, but of my wallet! I guess we’re both guilty…of pursuing our wanderlust. Did we fit a profile?
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Haha, it must be a shifty look we have about us!
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Congratulations, Kimi. Have a drink at the Banff Springs Hotel for me. You may see some Japanese tourists there. Love you, Uncle Paul
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That sounds like an easy enough task to add to my ‘to-do’ list in between hiking and soaking in the hot springs 🙂 Consider it done!
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Glad you are enjoying your journey! If you head back to Texas by way of western Colorado please stop by Montrose to see us. You are welcome to spend a few nights and see some of Colorado’s western slope beauty!
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Hi Ms. Connie! I’m heading down through California to visit some family but I’ll definitely be doing a trip like this again and Colorado (including S. Utah) is on my list. It’s too beautiful to ignore and with great people like you and Mr. Greg to welcome me into your home, I’ll be sure to enjoy the scenery with you. Do you like hiking? 🙂
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Oh yes we like hiking and Jeeping the 4×4 roads that put you at the top of the world! The beauty here is breathtaking! Looking forward to your future trip to Colorado.
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