After an unexpected part failure on my riding partners bike, it looked like the motorcycle road trip would have to be cancelled. It was a depressing thought considering all the time and effort (and daydreams) that had gone into planning this trip. But then I thought “why not go it alone?”. It was just a silly idea….. at first. But it quickly developed into a real possibility. I mean honestly, why couldn’t I go on my own?
My planned route was this: Sunday, Horseshoe Bay ferry to Nanaimo, quick stop in Coombs, then the Oceanside highway to Campbell River. Monday, Campbell River to Port Hardy. Tuesday, 18 hour day ferry from Port Hardy to Prince Rupert. Wednesday, Prince Rupert to Terrace. Thursday, Terrace to Prince George for two nights. Saturday, Prince George to Cache Creek. Sunday, Cache Creek to home.
Upon arriving at the ferry to Nanaimo, I met a couple on their way home from Sturgis with their Harleys. Marg writes her own blog, twowheeledlife.com, which has helped inspire me to put down words of my own. They kindly offered to lead me to Coombs where I wanted to check out the goats on the grass roof. Away we went and with a wave they were gone and I was wandering the market.
Being truly alone for the first time was intimidating. The reality of what I was setting out on really began to hit me and all of a sudden the market felt very crowded. I found some lunch and took a rest before hitting the road again.
I rode the old ocean side highway up to Campbell River. It was a lovely road but not as much “ocean side” as I had hoped. Arriving into Campbell River, I found a spot and set up at Elk Falls Provincial Park. I slept much better then I anticipated and woke feeling excited to see what the day would bring me.
After a light breakfast, I hopped on the northern island highway. Destination: Port Hardy. There were moments of tension and anxiety on my ride. I stopped in Port McNeill for a snack and a rest and was overcome with loneliness. But the trip had just begun and I still had so much ahead of me.
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