I made the grueling decision to leave Florence only 6 weeks after arriving instead of staying the intended 3 months because….well, because it was the right thing to do.  I would have been happy meandering through those winding, cobblestone streets, talking Italian with the locals, eating my pasta and drinking my wine forever! But I would have been completely irresponsible too.  Seeing that I could not get a real job there to support myself, and watching my money basically evaporate on things I don’t really need, like gorgeous pocketbooks, scarves, boots…more wine…well….I started to feel gluttonous.   Part of this journey – yes, of course it’s ALL about me :), but a huge part about me is my goal to get fit and healthy.  And that clearly was not going to happen in Florence.  In all honesty, I actually lost some weight over the past 6 months of traveling due to the amount of walking I was doing!  But not enough, and I was/am determined as I reach that milestone big birthday that is quickly approaching to change my lifestyle and become a fit, healthy, active, nutrition-conscious, aware person.  So…my big girl pants are getting very worn in…I researched where I might make that happen and came up with North America’s majestic Northwest.

Vancouver was on “the list” – a beautiful city surrounded by water seems to be my theme.  I flew in on a rainy day but still was wowed at the landscape.  Decided to go right up to Whistler where I could hike in the mountains and surround myself with an entire community that is all about the great outdoors.  Whistler is a small resort village that became globally known for being the home of the 2010 Winter Olympics. It is about a 2.5 hr drive north of Vancouver, located in the Coast Mountain Range.  Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb Mountain are open all year long for skiing, hiking, mountain biking, trail running, and summer glacial skiing.  But there are also many other mountains in the area to explore.  I arrived just as spring had, and the smell of spruce and pine filled the crisp mountain air.  I’m hiking every day and I just LOVE it!  Hiking is definitely my exercise of choice, although I am doing a little running and some other stuff just to round it out. Yes, I’ve seen bears, but they are black bears – they don’t eat people, only plants.  There are no grizzly bears here so it’s pretty safe.  I’ve joined a group here that is run by an incredibly knowledgeable woman, she is actually a 3-time Top Canadian Trainer award winner and nutritionist.  So I’ve been learning all about food, digestion, macronutrients, and the “How To Live a Healthy Lifestyle” part of my journey that has been missing from most of my life.  So, yeah, I’m kicking ass.  And I can’t think of a more beautiful place to be doing this.

’nuff said.

The view from the top of “The Judge”, a straight-uphill climb at Rainbow Mountain.

On top of “The Judge”, Rainbow Trail

Rainbow Trail

Thundering waterfall, Rainbow Trail

Glacial water rushing down from the top of Rainbow Trail

Huge boulders, green spruces

Rushing water

The bridge near the bottom of Rainbow

Another view

This is one of my favorite hikes, Cheakamus. Much of the hike is alongside this gorgeous river.

Glacial water running high as the snow melts atop the glaciers.

There is sooo much green here, but always snow-capped mountains high above that meet the blue sky.

Me & Emma at the top of The Judge.

Sandra & me, just hangin’

This furry little guy was just on the side of the road, happily eating the dandelions. We pulled up alongside him, rolled down the car window, and he didn’t even flinch. Canadian safari!

Beauty, hey?

Almost wanted to pet him!

And off he goes..

This is Lost Lake.  I boot around this lake 3x/week because it’s exactly 1 mile around.  I also hike the trails behind it.  Gorgeous.

Another view of Lost Lake.

Cat, me, and Tobias at Logger’s Lake

Can you smell the spruce and pine??

This is Joffre Lakes Provincial Park, a 400 meter climb past 3 gorgeous glacial lakes.

My friend Cat led the way up .

Some of the terrain was open and vast, gorgeous views all around.

The trails on the first third of the hike were well-groomed.

That’s her dog Manchas, our “bear” herder.

This is the 2nd, or middle, lake at Joffre.

I don’t know how she got me out there, but she did…

That’s us just being goofy..

The mountains all around the lake are incredible.

And the colors are beyond vibrant.

What a waterfall!

Unexpected and fabulous!

Finally made it to the top, across this bridge the 3rd glacial lake lies…

Are you ready? It’s really something…

First glimpse..

keep going..

a little further…

…

almost there…

Woah…

Still mostly frozen up here..

Breathtaking…with Matier Glacier looming above and the top of Joffre Peak at 8972 feet.

And there you have it!

The village of Whistler is adorable, lots of shops and restaurants.  Much of it was built, or I should say “beautified” for the 2010 Olympics, so it’s really lovely to just walk around and people watch.  On weekends there are often live bands playing at the Olympic Rings…

Whistler Village

The Olympic Rings

And this is the baggage I’m leaving behind…:)

I’ve spent 6 wonderful weeks here in the mountains of Whistler and I am ready to move on!  Flying down to San Francisco to  investigate a business opportunity that I’ve been working on.  Yeah, it’s time to get back to work.  It’s been an incredible tour of the world, and though I have not yet found my “home”, I am ready to find it and put down some roots!  I am the luckiest person in the world to have done what I’ve done, seen what I’ve seen, and experienced so many great people and places.  It has cost about double what I thought it would, but I have no regrets.  The biggest lessons I’ve learned from all of this are:

1.  Take opportunities that come your way, even if they are outside of your comfort zone.  That is how you learn and grow.

2. People around the world are, much more often than not, kind, generous, helpful, and honest.

3.  A smile goes a long way and has the power to resonate for longer than it took to do it.  And it is universal.

4. Getting lost is sometimes better than following the known path…you will find your destination with some unplanned surprises along the way.

5.  Don’t ever be afraid to go alone…sometimes being quiet and just observing is what you need.  Other times, you will find your voice to make new friends.

6.  Helping others makes me feel richer, in so many ways.

7.  Being helped by others makes me feel richer, in so many ways.

8.  I have the most supportive, responsible, reliable, always-there-for-me BEST friends and family in the entire world. I could not have done this trip without them and my gratitude for them knows no limits. I must give a special shout out to one person in particular, who literally took care of my “life” while I was gone.  Laurie, you are a gift that I am sooo grateful for.  Are YOU ready yet??  I also have a network of incredible Facebook friends and family that have cheered me on through this journey and who I would LOVE to hug IN PERSON for helping me on a daily basis just by reaching out to me and letting me know they’re “with” me.

9. I have missed my two children more than anything, and cannot wait to throw my arms around them ( I may never let go!).  I know people always say their kids are the most important thing in their lives, but I know the truth in that statement more powerfully than any other time in my life. They are my reason for most things that I do, and I only hope that I inspire them to follow their dreams however grand they may be, and to know that YES THEY CAN!!

10. And lastly, I’ve learned that the journey is a long one, but the destinations are closer than they appear and definitely within my grasp.  In order to remain interested and interesting, I must continue to grow and learn.  Change is good.  I’m looking forward to the next chapter with an open heart and an open mind, excited for what lies ahead.