April 22 2015

My TRACK LINK Here to SPOTWalla.

April 22, 2015 – An important day to remember.  The day I left BC for New York after my 18 years of growing up in Canada.  Now, Dual citizen, I am returning  to where it all started.  I mean where I was born.

Seems like I have done a full circle.  Circle of my life in a way.  My transition to the States won’t be an easy one.  I never had an adult life there.  Left soon after grad school.

I need to learn about the “new” healthcare system, financials, housing market, mortgages etc.  Everything adult like.  When I moved to Canada it really took me 5 years to adjust and learn “their” ways. Some say the New Yorker in me was never tamed.  I was a “bull in a china store”.  Perhaps I still have that in me and will work in my favour in the States?

Let’s compare my 2015 USA or Bust trip to my 2 other Cross Country trips on my bike since May 2014.  I wonder where my car will take me now?

Spent Wednesday running around getting money, closing accounts, and saying some more good byes.  Oh, the exchange rate from CDN $ to USA $ is OMG bad.  I lose 20% right off the bat.  I will have to trickle money down to the States if and when the dollar gets better.  Predictions?  Perhaps the end of 2015 and beginning of 2016 the CDN $ may get stronger.  Great time to sell a house in BC, bad time to move to the US money wise.  Oh well, can’t have everything.

Before I left my house, new owners take possession today, April 23….I was greeted by the neighbourhood Bald Eagle couple who I named Ma and Pa Maple Crest.  What a great send off.  I figured they came to say good-bye because I seem to be the only one in the hood that notices them flying around their territory.  😍

They were very far away perched on top of a tree…the only reason I saw them was because of the crows dive bombing them in fear.

My real estate agent, John Cashin made a donation to the Hancock Wildlife Foundation

in my name and I adopted the Harrison Mills eagles nest. That is the MOST impressive gift I have ever received from the sale of my homes.  Thanks again John, you rock.  He knows I am nuts about eagles and a gift that pays it forward.  I like that.

Took last pictures of the gardens I worked so hard to keep nice and said my final good byes.  I know this sounds so dramatic…everyone moves, but I love BC, love the friends I have found since my separation and it’s hard for me to think I am gone forever?  Maybe one day I will be back to live or at least ride my bike to BC as a destination rather than home.

That’s it.  Now on my road trip on four wheels versus 2.  What a change.  I have not really been a serious road trip in a car in so long.  I am lost to organizing my “stuff”.  So much easier on the bike.  I will take Cruizer back to the place where I had his memorial back in June 2014.

Cruizer was my 10 year-old Beagle who dropped dead June 10th 2014 when I was on my 2014 SOLO X Country trip on my bike.  I am taking his ashes to his spot.

Thanks to all who have been following my journey and hope you all stay along for my bike adventures in the USA…for now it’s me and my car. Leslie