Once I was geared up and warm again leaving Quebec, my next ‘hurdle’ was getting through Ottawa. When I was headed east, I got turned around and mixed up in Ottawa. I wasn’t nervous about going back through, but I wasn’t exactly putting a lot of faith in Petunia, either.

When I look back on this day, I’m struck by what a different ride it was! Mind set has a massive impact on how we experience life on the road. When I was headed east and having to go through Ottawa, I was nervous as hell. I didn’t have much big city riding experience at that point, the heat was oppressive, and I wasn’t at all sure what I was in for. This was a pervasive theme that day; the not knowing what I was in for. So much was up in the air for me then. I was recently unemployed. I was still early on in this epic journey and frequently felt doubt, uncertainty, and yes…a little bit of fear too. A lot was going on for me in the early days. Heading west was not the same ride at all.

I really enjoyed the scenery heading into Ottawa. I left Deux Montagnes pretty early, so I was rolling into Ottawa late morning. Once again I felt the joy that so often settles upon me as Jules and I leave ribbon in the rear view. My heart was full. I was once again in awe of the beauty of our country. Every now and then the road veered closer to the Ottawa River and I had a chance to catch some very pretty views. With the sun at my back and kissing the tops of the trees in front of me, I felt the lightness of peace throughout my entire being.

Even as I write this weeks after having arrived home, I feel the lump in my throat and the tears in my eyes. This is not a feeling of sorrow. This is reliving the joy that comes from the wind in my face, the crisp scent of fall in the air, my bike beneath me, and miles of asphalt before me. This day was a perfect day and any nerves about the city were supplanted with excitement about another beautiful ride.

Ottawa was no problem at all. The only hiccup was the ever-dropping fuel gauge on Jules’ dash. My rule is typically “If you wonder if you should stop for gas, the answer is always YES“. Because I’d only just entered Ottawa when I spotted a gas station, and because I still had just under a half tank, I figured there would be opportunity as I exited the city. Nope. The route I was on did not offer up another gas station. Oops. As I put the city behind me, I wondered if my joy was making me a little cocky and over confident. Abandoning my fuel philosophy is likely not the best course of action on any ride. Then again, it may have been preordained.

At Arnprior I finally hauled off and took care of business. After fueling up I wheeled up to the front door so I could grab a Gatorade and maybe a snack. As I was undoing my helmet, a fella strolled over to chat. Mike shook my hand and we chatted for about 30 minutes that day. He was full of joy and even though he doesn’t know me at all, he was singing my praise. But I recognized he wasn’t really singing MY praise as much as he was expressing joy FOR me. He talked about the light in my eyes and seemed genuinely happy for me that I could fulfill this bucket list dream. He talked about some of his own hopes and dreams and his own bucket list. I think there is something beautiful about seeing how my very small story seems to light the imagination of people who approach me. I am so blessed to have had the chance to hear his dreams and I hope they all come true.

I am a big believer in the universe giving us what we ask for; putting things in our path that are meant to be. I like to think my uncharacteristic choice to bypass the fuel in Ottawa was so I COULD have the conversation with Mike in Arnprior. I’ve mentioned before that we each leave a piece of ourselves behind with every soul we meet. I’m not sure who benefited the most, but I still see his big smile and the wistful look in his eyes as he told me about his own dreams.