If some of you have been following my year 2014 you will know it’s been one struggle after another.  Break up of my marriage/relationship after 17.5 years, the sudden death of my 10 year-old beagle, job issues, and now I am in the process of actually selling my house and transitioning back to the USA where I was born and raised.  I promise to end this post on a high note. 😊

The For Sale sign threw me for a loop to be honest.  I mean I knew I signed the contract papers but I was expecting this sign to be installed last Thursday not Wednesday.  When I rode up to my house and saw this?  I was like “WOW” it’s true I am moving.

Some might say moving back to the USA should feel natural and easy to do.

Well, I am certain it will feel like “home” but getting from point A to B seems like a long road ahead.  Just like this year.  Every day there seems to be twisties and turns, not the ones I like when I ride my bike but real life twists.  I know many of my posts have a very heavy sigh to them, maybe better words would be depressive and morose?   This is real for me, many uncertainties, navigating waters I have never done before by myself.

Again a lot of support from those who care about me but this is really about me and how I can ease myself back into the country I came from and start over.  I still don’t have a job…I think I should be able to get one when I am ready.  Still don’t know what state I will live in when I arrive but that should be eventually worked out.  I do know I want to live in the New England area.  It’s funny.  Ever since I moved here I have been called a Yankee.  Many Canadians believe all American are Yankees. 😏

The term “Yankee” and its contracted form “Yank” have several interrelated meanings, all referring to people from the United States. Its various senses depend on the scope of context. Most broadly:

• Outside the United States, “Yank” is used informally to refer to any American, including Southerners.^[1]
• Within the United States, it usually refers to people from the north, largely those who fought for the regions in the Union side of the American Civil War, but also those with New England cultural ties, such as descendants from colonial New England settlers, wherever they live.^[2] Its sense is more cultural than literally geographic. The speech dialect of New England is called “Yankee” or “Yankee dialect.”^[3]
• Within Southern American English, “Yankee” refers to Northerners.

The informal British English “Yank” is especially popular among Britons and Australians and sometimes carries pejorative overtones.^[4] The Southern American English “Yankee” is typically uncontracted and at least mildly pejorative, although less vehemently so as time passes from the American Civil War.

Then there is this…one love of my life.  I am trying to figure out how to import my bike so I don’t have to sell it here in Canada.  The plan..I always have plans don’t I?  I want to leave for another trip across the country on New Years Eve.  I have checked the Almanac weather web site and it appears if I stay south and head up the east coast to New York I should be hitting freezing weather towards New York.  I will be prepared.  Been then again we all know how the weather can be at this time of year.  I think I am up for the challenge.  I would leave my bike in New York and fly back.

When it’s time to say good-bye for good…I will drive my car after I import that as well to the east as I wave good-bye to my home for almost 18 years.  Only a few know of this plan but after I post it many more will know.  Things change day by day but this is how I would ideally like to see my initial move begin.  A winter challenge RIDE through states I have never been to on my bike.

I am leaving behind everything.  Whomever buys my house can have their choice of contents.  Whatever left I will offer to the neighbours, try to sell some items and then donate the rest.  I want my bike tools of course and clothes.  Some personal items but everything else? TV’s, stereo etc?  All materialistic items that can be replaced and when I start over I want to minimize my materialistic cravings.  I feel I have lost sight over the years and things have just become things.  I want more meaningful items and maybe one day share them with someone special.

I have met someone but she will remain a secret for now.  As in all lives timing is everything but I will reveal that someone has found me and I have found her.  Slowly we go and let’s hope this one starts off with a really strong base and takes me on another journey in 2015.

Okay I’m no Ellen and my mysterious grrl well?  Could be a dark-haired Portia 😏  What I do know is I want to continue my profession in Organ Donation.  I have to in some respects.  It’s my calling, my passion and seriously, being a social worker by trade having to learn to be a nurse/doctor through intensive medical training I BETTER utilize my new skills somewhere in the USA right?

What defines me as me?  Not just my job but my resolve.  I have been tested this year from almost every stressful event that can happen to one person.  I hear all the time stay strong as new curve balls get thrown at me.  I am staying strong and can only HOPE that 2015 will show me WHY life for me has been so tremulousness in 2014. 

On December 29th, my ex will be taking my last 2 dogs for good to her home.  We have been sharing custody but because of their ages, 14 & 12 I could not fathom moving them into uncertainty. I love these guys too much to take that chance and they know my ex, they trust her and I know they will be cared for and loved.  Another good-bye for me…another loss but this comes with the territory.  I am fortunate my ex will take them for the rest of their lives.  I will never forget Cruizer

and of course never forget Xander my million dollar dog.  Heart failure since 2008, 4 months prognosis at that time and is still kicking.  And then there is Sierra.  Age 12 and such a beauty.  A gentle soul who has been a source of comfort for me no matter what mood I am in.  She loves everyone and I will miss her tremendously.

So, let’s end this post on some with some good highlights.  In 2014 I have been fortunate to ride my ‘Beauty” over 26,000 Km’s.  Got to see the USA and parts of Canada on my own between May/June.

Rode through hail storms, avoided tornadoes, had some sun and wicked cold temps too…

I met so many virtual friends and new friends on all my travels.  Something new for me as a soloist.

played tourist in my own backyard and got really close to my colleague/BFF Sandi

Spent one day testing my endurance on and off-road.  Almost 700 KM ride on this day….still 2014.  When I reflect on my trips it puts a 😃 on my face.

Views on a Dual Sport bike can get you…

My weekend in Tofino, BC started out with glorious weather but as the WET Coast can be turn wet but Tofino is a special place to be when a storm rolls in as well.

Memories of 2014 Fall trips?

Just the comments really…”Are you nuts?” “It’s raining out and it’s not safe.” “OMG you are a chick.” “It’s way too cold, need to stop riding now, come to my house for Moose stew and I can find you a mat to sleep on”.  This was said to me when I rode what I called the Polar Vortex..

But that trip too was such an adventure.  Testing out my gear and my mental riding skills.  I made it but wouldn’t do it again unless I had heated pant liners and socks.  😊

Annual Fall ride, many a muddy off-road group ride Dual Sport BC puts on twice a year…was a good day, no dumps, no falls, no broken bones…just a good time…

She really likes getting dirty…

Sometimes it does rain too hard…I mean when the rain pounces off your tank bag and soaks the inside of your helmet it’s probably a good time to stop.

More ferry rides, letting my GPS guide me all over, meeting more people and exploring Washington State was my goal.  Spent much of my Fall down there on both side of the mountains.  Soaking the PNW in because I am not sure when I will be out here to ride again.

My 13.5 hour trip down to AltRider for some reason was such a great ride.

Different temps, getting lost, almost a break down, meeting new people, riding the Chuck-A-Nut in the pitch black

…all was meant to be an interesting day.

Of course sometimes I can’t ride but have to fly.  Went to Toronto for business but got to go home for USA Thanksgiving..

And my numerous trips east of my house to see the majestic Bald Eagle at this time of year.  My love for wild life doesn’t just include eagles but all animals…but when you see hundreds if not thousands of eagles all in one area to feast on salmon…they are my favorite in the winters.

So, trials and Tribulations.  Leslie’s solo journey continues and I just hope I can get back to the USA with my house selling for a decent price in a timely manner, I get rid of all my contents, work out all my financial crap between the two countries, find a job, get a place to live and start 2015, oh please 2015 start new and fresh.  I need less STRESS for sure and I need a break in life.  To be continued as I figure this all out…thanks as always for reading and baring with me.  Leslie