Local Time: 5:30 AM September 27
Home Time: 9:30 AM September 27

I’ve gotten quite apt at hearing my almost silent watch alarm. I could hear it chirping away announcing the dreaded early morning wake up. This morning, our last, is what Matt and Jasmin have been calling a “mini-marathon”. A 10K run first thing in the morning. The point of the run is to show you how far your body has come in the last three weeks. It is not a race, just a way to show you you’re all buff.

As I’ve mentioned previously, I’m not a morning a person, let alone a morning marathon person. I struggle out of bed and get my running shoes on. It’s a crystal clear morning. A little bit of mist rises up off the rushing river. The scenery looks like the photos you see on the front of calendars in the mall at Christmas. You know the ones, the booths that are set up just for Christmas and sell only calendars with pictures ranging from puppies to naked ladies.

We all congregate in front of the eating tent for stretches. Matt turns on the van’s stereo and pumps out Groove Armada’s Super stylin’. It turns out Matt isn’t going to run with us. He’s going to make us breakfast with Dar. We forgive him for not running with us and we begin the stretches. Jasmin gets us to stand in a circle and we each have to come up with a stretch. I am one of the last people in the group and Julie and Petite Vero stole the only two stretches I know, I make something up, no one seemed to notice at this hour of the day.

Local Time 6:00 AM September 27
Home Time 10:00 AM September 27

We finish stretching and Jasmin leads us down the path. We are starting off slow. There are a few gates and fences we need to navigate before we are able to tear off on our own. As we get to a green pasture with cows off grazing in a corner Jasmin pulls aside and lets us take off on our own. She had outlined the course to us before we had left. I take off.

Running is not something I really enjoy doing. I can do it, but only when absolutely necessary. My reasons for running list includes, safety, catching a thief, extinguishing flames, dodging traffic, and being chased by guys at the office. Because now I have to run I decide to do it quickly so it is over sooner.

I start to pull away from the group to our first checkpoint, a bridge on the logging road. We are to touch that bridge and turn back, passing everyone who is behind you. I start to find my pace and brace myself for the cramps that always come when I run. I reach the bridge and turn back, as I turn the corner just after & before the bridge I see the group stretched out for over a kilometer already. I squeeze out “it’s not too far” like sayings to those I pass. Eventually I pass the last person and continue down the logging road. Jasmin is standing at the gate where we came onto the road. She starts jogging slightly behind me and catches up. We chat a little as we jog, obviously the talk is light. As we pass the entrance to the camp, she turns in. This is not on our planned route. She yells something about cooking breakfast and I yell back jokingly that she is a wuss. I could see Ernie over my shoulder. He was about a kilometer and a half behind me. As I jogged down the road I noticed the absence of cramps. I felt surprisingly fine. I was approaching the halfway mark and felt little to no pain. Things were looking good.

After a few more twists and turns in the logging road I came over a hill. On the top of this hill was a small logging operation, not operational as it was Saturday. I knew that just at the bottom of this hill and around a corner was the 6KM mark. That is where Dar would have the van and water and direct us to the trail through the woods back to the camp. As I came down the hill I heard an engine coming towards me from around the corner. About 500 feet in front of me the white Ouward Bound van with Dar driving came into view. It wasn’t alone. In front of the van was a Black Bear the size of a Laz-y-Boy. I could tell it wasn’t full grown, but it was big enough. Dar was obviously trying to scare the bear off the road. It seemed to me to be backfiring, it was coming up the road at me. I kept running forward, remembering our bear safety from 20 days ago. Dar stopped the van a few hundred feet in front of me and the bear started slowly climbing up the rocks off of the road. Dar seemed content and turned the van around and went back to his post around the corner. The bear stopped.

I watched as the bear stopped about 20 feet off the road. It turned and faced down the road looking at me, and now Ernie coming over the crest of the hill. I started yelling “Hey Bear!” as loud as I could, just as Jasmin had told us to if we ever saw one. I didn’t stop running. This obviously worked as when I began to get a little closer it moved higher and higher up the rock slide. It was about 75 feet up as I ran by and underneath it. It just sat there on its rump, looking at me as I ran by. It probably was thinking the same thing I was……I wonder what he’s doing?

I meet Dar around the corned. I grab a quick drink of water and dart over the large trees that have fallen in front of the trail head. It is a small overgrown trail. Lush green leaves of trees and bushes swell into the path. They are laced with water and morning dew. I charge forward. At first I try and get around the branches and leaves without getting wet. It proves to be futile. I then give up and start running full tilt, care for being dry tossed aside. There is something natural about running in the woods. My ancestral genes awaken and cheer me on. As my legs and shoes become soaked I pick up speed. I burst through the last bunch of foliage and am in the camp…….I double over and catch my breath. Matt and Jasmin yell congratulations from the back of the tent where they are cooking. I look at my watch….10KM’s in 45-50 minutes. Wow. I am surprised at my own accomplishment. I am in shape. I decide to begin devouring the watermelon Jasmin has set out for us. As I sit there I realize I have just traveled in 45 minutes as much distance as our 12 hour day on the Island.

Local Time 6:45 AM September 27
Home Time 10:45 AM September 27

Ernie comes crashing into camp with a surprised look on his face. He is impressed with himself also. I congratulate him and head to the tent to put on some dry clothes. I change and return to the food tent. A few more people have arrived. We sit together and cheer each friend as they reach camp. Everyone finishes in less than a hour and fifteen minutes total. We are all amazed at our accomplishment.

Dar arrives back with the van and Matt calls us into the tent for breakfast. He has cooked up French toast and it is delicious. We scarf it down and laugh out loud as Matt recounts how he had made Jacquie, who is lactose intolerant, a separate batch of beautiful French toast with soy milk, then proceeded to fry the toast with butter. We all laughed as Jacquie enjoyed her granola. She even laughed. I stopped dead in the middle of this fun and looked around the table at everyone laughing. The last 60+ meals we have eaten together and this one would be the last. There is something inherently human about eating together. I slowly rejoined the moment and resumed my laughter even though a ping of sadness swelled up in my chest.

We finished up breakfast and cleaned up. After we had cleaned the food tent back into its original condition we set out to the tents to collapse them for the last time. We stuffed our sleeping bags into their bags, put our clothes in our last remaining stuff sack and put all of this into the van. We were late. The bus from Pemberton leaves at 12:20PM and we had a lot to do still.

We drove down to Outward Bound’s HQ. We set up the tents for the last time and hose them off. Supposedly rinsing off our stink that has solidified onto the walls. I doubt it helps. We are given our luggage and move everything from our stuff sacks to the luggage. Jasmin does a final equipment count….everything is there.

Shower time. Boys in one bathroom, girls in two. I entered the shower, my first since the morning I left the Georgian Court hotel on Sept 7. I scrubbed my hair with shampoo three times, positive still that it was not yet clean. I used soap and scrubbed up thoroughly. Only leaving the shower when Matt came in and told us we needed to hurry. My next challenge was my beard. While in the shower I decided I no longer wanted it on my face. I popped out the trusty Mach 3 and went to work. Peter had just finished his shaving job and looked like he had the chicken pox from all of the nicks. I silently vowed to do a slightly better job. Matt stuck his head in again and hurried us once again. Three blades later I was beardless. My skin was the smoothest I’ve felt it since childhood. I guess shaving after having grown your beard for three weeks makes the base of the hair finer or something like that. Maybe it just felt smooth relative to how it had felt the previous 21 days.

I enjoyed the toilet as much as the shower and went outside into the sun. All of the girls laughed as I emerged. A great debate then arose amongst the French over me and whether or not I looked better with or without a beard. It leaned in favour of the beard. I packed my suitcase and made my way over to the picnic table where we were to complete our course “paperwork’. We answered questions about our expectations versus our real experiences, rated our instructors, and wrote general comments.

Local Time 11:45 AM September 27
Home Time 3:45 PM September 27

We finished up and make our way to the Van. Matt has stacked our luggage on top and we are all set to go. It is at this moment that we realize that Matt and Jasmin, unshowered, stinky, and tired, are not coming to the bus station with us. Another Outward Bound staff will be driving us. They still have some paper work to finish up about the trip. The shock starts to sink in. As we file into the bus they give us each a hug, a genuine hug. Sadness sets in as they close the door and wave to us as we drive off. They wave a long time, almost until we’re out of sight. Our team suffers the first fracture of the day. I note that by days end it will completely shattered, each of us going our own way.

A dinner starts to be planned on the way to the bus station. Jacquie, who lives with her boyfriend in Whistler, is not taking the bus. She is being met by her boyfriend here in Pemberton. We all agree to meet in Vancouver for dinner tonight before mine and Amanda’s flight. Jacquie trades cell phone numbers with Amanda before we get to the bus station.

We arrive at the station and unload our luggage. Jacquie skips across the parking lot to her boyfriend and bear hugs him for minutes. She waves goodbye and drives off. If all goes well today, that wasn’t our last chance to say goodbye to her. We have a few minutes before the bus leaves. I run over to the grocery store and buy some treats. I am surprised at my own choices. Granola bars, apples and an Ice Tea. While looking for drinks I realize that I haven’t had Coke in three weeks. I decide to stop drinking it and all soda/pop for good.

We take over the bus. We are 95% of the passengers. We crowd into the first few rows of the bus. Thankfully our stinky luggage is underneath the bus. We all laugh as we remember the quietness and awkwardness of the first bus ride over to Vancouver Island. We knew no one. Now we know everyone. We arrive in Whistler, our bus’ first scheduled stop. We are transferred to an express bus. Instead of stopping at every town between here and Vancouver we are going straight through. We have 20 minutes in Whistler while they switch luggage. I realize that I have cell reception for the first time in weeks and call my girlfriend, Becky. It is so nice to hear her voice. She is home, luckily, and informs me she has bought me leather furniture in my absence. We only talk a few minutes but confirm plans for her to pick me up at the airport the following afternoon. As I hung up I realized I that hadn’t spoken to anyone in my real life for over three weeks. It was strangely refreshing to hear a voice from the past.

We climbed back aboard the bus, well, a new bus, and made our way to Vancouver. Some people napped, others listened to music. I couldn’t sleep. I remembered I had my laptop and was delighted to find my battery had kept its charge for the three weeks. The French girls all laughed, giggled and watched as I showed them pictures of home, Becky, my office, my family. They were glad to be able to see pictures of those whom I have been talking about for the last three weeks. I ran out of pictures and things became quieter. I followed along with my mapping software the towns we were passing. We were getting father and farther into civilization.

Local Time 3:50 PM September 27
Home Time 7:50 PM September 27

Our bus arrives back were it all began, the Vancouver central bus depot. We grab our luggage and meet out front. Everyone was there: Amanda, Julie, Catherine, Virginie, Super Vero, Petite Vero, Peter, Ernie, and of course me. As we stood there Ernie’s family came and stormed him. His two kids flew the last 30 feet into his arms and gave him monster hugs. His wife sauntered up in that “you’ve been away 3 weeks and I’m glad you’re back safe” way. He got hugs and kisses and introduced everyone to us. We shook hands and made jokes for a few minutes. Then he left. He walked into the parking lot. He wasn’t going to make our planned dinner.

A few minutes passed, phone calls were made, the French girls booked a hotel room for the night, their flights left the next day. After all the commotion ended and we were waiting our front for cabs Peter said goodbye and gave his regrets for dinner as well. He needed to get home. We all hugged and said our goodbyes. Peter went to catch a bus home…. Our group of twelve was now seven.

We developed a game plan. Go to the hotel where the girls would be staying. Dump their stuff there, put Amanda’s and my luggage into Catherine’s car (left at the hotel) so they could drive us to the airport later that night, and find the best pub in Vancouver for supper. We executed our plan flawlessly.

Local Time 7:00 PM September 27
Home Time 11:00 PM September 27

We arrived at Foggy Dew just at the tail end of the dinner hour. Foggy Dew was recommended by the hotel. Jacquie was enroute with her boyfriend, they would be late. We began to eat. I ate like I had never had eaten. A beer, five appetizers for the table, main course, deserts, and coffee. We laughed until we cried. Jacquie and her boyfriend arrived, the poor guy. He had to endure all of the unknown sayings, and inside jokes. We gladly paid the bills and wandered out into the night.

Local Time 9:30 PM September 27
Home Time 1:30 AM September 28

Jacquie and her boyfriend, both Vancouverites, decided they would drive Amanda and I to the airport. We moved our luggage into their car. After that we stood in a circle in the parking lot across from the pub. We all hugged. Again, genuine hugs that friends, friends who have done something together, give. I said goodbye in French to all of the girls from Quebec and we drove off to the airport.

Jacquie and her boyfriend dropped us at departures. Jacquie gave us (Amanda and I) a hug and sent us on our way. We grabbed our bags off the curb and checked into our flight, a redeye back to Toronto. The plane was packed. There was not a single seat empty on the whole flight. A loud hockey type team was seated to my right. Amanda was six or seven rows ahead of me.

Local Time 11:00 PM September 27
Home Time 3:00 AM September 28
Our planed rolled down the runway and leapt into the air. As we circled out of Vancouver’s airspace and up over the mountains that we had just finished climbing days earlier I leaned my forehead against the window and remembered the last three weeks. Sleep would not come as my mind flickered between watching the city lights pass far below, excitement to be coming home, and the sadness of an adventure’s end.

The in flight movie was a trendy documentary about a group of friends who cruise around South America in an old bus and climb mountains and surf. I cannot watch for fears of it bringing tears to my eyes in front of a hockey team.

Local Time 6:35 AM September 28
Home Time 7:35 AM September 28
BC Time 3:35 AM September 28

We arrive in Toronto. Amanda waits for me at the gate as she had gotten off the plane seven rows ahead of me. She looks like sleep evaded her as well. We check our connections on the overhead monitors. Hers to Ottawa is on time in just an hour. Mine, to Halifax is in over two hours. I see however that we arrived early enough for an earlier connection to Halifax. We check at the gate and I am denied access as they would not be able to transfer my baggage to the plane. With the new anti-terrorist policies you must travel on the plane that your baggage is on. Being back in society after three weeks of separation brings a whole new perspective to things. I smile and thank the agent for trying. Amanda and I have a short breakfast at Harvey’s. It is time for her flight. We hug and say goodbye……. I’m too tired to think of what it all means.

I try to bide the time in the airport by playing computer games, reading a book, and using modern washroom facilities. I use the bathroom three times in two hours. Not because I had to, just because I could.

Local Time 8:45 AM September 28
Home Time 9:45 AM September 28
BC Time 5:45 AM September 28
I get on a nearly empty flight to Halifax, but for some reason they have put me beside a nice lady. I am exhausted and communicating has become difficult. I explain nicely to the lady about my trip and how tired I am so that she wouldn’t be offended when I asked to be moved to an empty row. Which I did.

I tried to sleep but never managed to get more than five minutes. The plane was cold and I couldn’t get comfortable. My mind, still dancing between excitement of returning home and sadness of leaving new friends plagued my chances at sleep.

Local Time 11:45 AM September 28
Home Time 11:45 AM September 28
BC Time 7:45 AM September 28

I arrive in Halifax. The airport is abuzz with “are you ready for the storm” talk. I here bits and pieces but never really get a full scoop. My flight doesn’t leave until 2:00PM. Connections in Halifax always suck. I try to sleep again but give up and instead enjoy the Chili at Tim Hortons. I decided to forget about sleeping and concentrate on my caffeine intake. Having banned pop from my system coffee was the only source.

I became bored and lonely. Missing my new friends. I looked up the number of the hotel in BC and decided to call and wake them up as Matt had woken us up at 3:00AM in the middle of the night on the island. Julie picked up the phone in a groggy voice. I started singing Matt’s tune: “Hiking sucks, just like school!” she laughed and I told her to tell everyone I was back on the east coast safe. I hung up.

My flight was eventually called over the PA and I lucked out with a front row seat. I learned from the person beside me that a hurricane was bearing down on Halifax and the Maritimes. It was due to hit this evening. Yikes! You go away for three weeks and come home to a hurricane. I noticed how much I didn’t miss the “news”.

Local Time 2:45 AM September 28
Home Time 2:45 AM September 28
BC Time 10:45 AM September 28

I arrived in Charlottetown and was met by my girlfriend, Becky. HUGE real hugs were exchanged. We picked up my bags and traveled out to my home, a resort my parents own, where Becky also worked. My mother made me a welcome home meal and we ate it while I told stories of the mountains. As we were clearing off the table, we heard a loud bang. We rushed out to the resort’s lobby where the sound had come from. A lady lay at the foot of the stairs in a crumpled heap. I sprang into action, remembering first aid taught during the trip and previous first aid instructions.

Local Time 6:00 PM September 28
Home Time 6:00 PM September 28
BC Time 2:00 PM September 28

We called 911 and I checked over the lady. Sever pain in her back and neck. Just great. The fire department arrived in under five minutes. A quite impressive feat for living in the country. The ambulance came quite a while after that. The lady’s husband was in no shape to drive his car in to the hospital. My farther offered to drive him in and I followed in my car. We waited at the hospital until we got word of the extent of the injuries. A broken collar bone and four broken ribs. She would be fine. We set up her husband with accommodations in the city and I drove back out the 30 minutes to the resort with my father.

Local Time 11:30 PM September 28
Home Time 11:30PM September 28
BC Time 7:00 PM September 28

I got home and I crawled into my house. I slowly got into bed and it felt weird. I had not been in a bed for over three weeks. My exhaustion overcame me and I fell into a deep sleep.

Local Time 3:00 AM September 29
Home Time 3:00 AM September 29
BC Time 11:00 PM September 28

I was woken up by banging, whooshing, and my cell phone beeping. I looked outside, a hurricane was underway. I could see lawn chairs sailing by and various other resort affairs being tossed around. I quickly grabbed my rain gear and headlamp and made my way into the night to help my father wrestle down pool coverings, branches, and the sign. It was only until I had returned to my house that I realized the power had been out the whole time. I was more used to my headlamp now than the light switch.

Adrenaline pumping and sweat and rain pouring down my face I sat on the edge of my bed and thought. I thought about the last three weeks. The joy, the sadness, the friends, and the adventure. I missed it already. I could feel that it would make a mark on my life that would not be easily covered or forgotten. My perspective had changed. Things that were important now were not. Things that were not as important, the delicacy of a plant for instance, now were extremely important. I had been taught by some of the kindest and best teachers alive. I had stood on the tops of mountains and turned around 360 degrees to see hundreds of snowcapped peaks surrounding me. I had met people and become friends with them, a process equally as marvelous and beautiful as the nature that surrounded us.

“We humans design cities for our own convenience, and while living there it was easy to assume the world was about us. City lights dimmed the stars, and manmade structures shut out my view of the natural world. Climbing a mountain, everything changes.” – Philp Yancey – Rumors of Another World.

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