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 Weaving our way to the drop zone north of Montreal, the day started beautifully with warm temperatures and sunny skies. The moat around our trailer had vanished, yet the mosquitoes remained, poised to attack. But not long after our departure, the rain set in again. Miraculously, and as if a sign, crossing the Quebec border, the wet weather ceased, opening to beautiful blue skies  . But alas, on arrival at the drop zone, we started setting up the trailer when the rain retaliated in full splendour. I must admit, it’s never taken us 2 hours to set up the trailer’s level before. And it’s still not right.
Fingers crossed that wind and weather will be on our side here in Montreal, starting Sunday. Tomorrow (Saturday) looks like a wash out … a good day just to catch up on photos and blogging .
  It was time to be moving on from Verona. Our wonderful hosts were in the throes of selling their house. An open house was scheduled for the weekend and unexpected potential buyers were calling up the real estate agents and asking for spontaneous visits. Our trailer, although beautiful and shiny, was partially parked on the front lawn and although a mighty fine-looking piece of history, I imagine it to be an eyesore in the saleability of their home. The 100 way record attempts would start on Monday. Indeed, time to ready up our house and go. Skydive Gananoque was only a 45 minute drive away, so by mid afternoon, slaDE gifted his Mom with a yogaFLIGHT and we jetted off in towards a bountiful horizon of giant puffy clouds (luckily, the deluge of rain had stopped momentarily — I’m not fond of travelling in a downpour).
  Skydive Gananoque is set amongst the scenic Thousand Islands (the one time that I have jumped here was incredibly beautiful). Gananoque (pronounced GAN-AN-OCK-WAY) houses an incredibly large and stoic World War II hangar, covered in old cedar shake shingles. The drop zone boasts a large 384 acre triangulated landing area. I’m kind of wishing that the 100 way was here … love the large area for landing 100 airborne canopies at the same time. Fortunately, we parked and hooked up electricity to our trailer before the onslaught of rain (they’ve had their share of stormy weather here with a gaping wound in the roof housing a waterfall of activity). But what caught me off guard was returning to our trailer mid-storm and finding myself in ankle-deep standing water. So much for my tennis shoes. :/ Unexpected also was the terrifying onslaught of pesky mosquitoes! A small swarm managed to make their way in to our trailer during our entrance, and I spent the night annoyingly shooing them away, resident pincushion. Heavenly for them, not so much for me. I have the red welts to prove it … yikes! One thing I haven’t missed about Ontario … the insects.
 
 Today has been spent dealing with Carlisle Tire regarding our tire warranty. Turns out, we were unjustifiably charged for our new tires when it should have been a straight warranty exchange. Yvonne in the warranty department was truly accommodating, friendly and outstanding in her job. She gave us full warranty on the defective 1.5 year old tires that were on our trailer, which in effectively reimbursed us fully for the 6 replacement tires (Carlisle D-load 225 width). We are lucky in that the new radial tires happened to be far superior to the bias ply tires we had. The mistake lay with the Manager who dealt with North Gateway Tire in Ohio, 2 weeks ago. She offered us – via North Gateway Tire – a pro-rated discount rather than the full replacement fair market value that should have been offered. So, to make a long story short, it paid for us to follow up on our warranty when we questioned its validity when having to pay for the new radial tires. Gotta love a full refund on what was a $400+ out of pocket expense!
 Summer Solstice and longest day of the year.
Yippee!
 A bittersweet day … a day of contemplation, thinking about my Dad and the lessons he taught me. Father’s Day.
Dreaming of my Brother. Gone from us today for 23 years. He is so dearly missed. An Anniversary.
Both tremendous male influences in my life. Without them both, I would not be nearly the brave little girl that resides within me, who has blossomed beyond the realms of a tortured soul (as a teen, I was just that).
I’ve learned from them both:
- music and art are synonymous in both magnitude and beauty
- by trying to never incur debt, I have freedom beyond any boundaries. This has proven itself to be priceless in my nomadic travels.
- if I were to have debt, I should pay it off immedicately or as best as possible with the least amount of impact
- I can accomplish anything that I dare to dream of
- fierce independence
- road trips are the spice and education of life
- take calculated risks on my own terms rather just following the crowd
- I will forever be indebted to Mother Earth. A debt which I continue to pay off in my daily actions through honour, gratitude and servitude, making as little impact as is possible.
“My father didn’t tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it.” ~ Clarence Kelland
What life lessons has your Father and siblings taught you?
Happy Father’s Day Dad!!!
 Verona, within a historic region of Eastern Ontario, has a population of about 1,800. It lies at the southern edge of the Canadian Shield, where the friendly mix of farmland, rocky-shored lakes, and mixed woodland make it the ideal place to visit with our Airstream. It kind of feels like cottage country, and with Verona being so small, the lovely mix of wildlife, vast expanses of nature, clean fresh air and peacefulness has me feeling right at home in the country. And when it comes right down to it, I’m a country girl at heart.
Agnes and Wally have a lovely older home with a big backyard, large lovely trees, a lake just a stones throw away and a humorous gaggle of Chipmunks that squabble for food amongst each other. I can say that I’ve never hand-fed or petted a little Chipmunk. They’re really quite sweet!
Typical of many small towns and cities, a Farmer’s Market was in full swing early Saturday morning. I really love to support local farmers, especially when they opt for environmentally friendly practises in their food production. It’s interesting to find myself so instantly at home in this small community. I can walk everywhere quite easily. Parking our Airstream on the front lawn was not an issue either (which in larger communities, this can pose a problem). Seems that as long as I have Wifi, space to stretch, breath and move, and readily available healthy eating options, I am happy to settle down wherever we may wander. Life is good!
      
  Making our way from Lindsay towards Verona Ontario (30 minutes north of Kingston), I marvel at the feeling of expanse and raw nakedness that is apparent with the lakes, quarries, miles of towering trees and rocks, reminiscent of Northern Ontario. We’re taking the road less travelled, and I am struck by the ominous sense of deer and moose presence. Although sight unseen, signs are apparent everywhere of note. I am thankful for the speed slaDE is cautiously following. Unexpected animal meanderings on to the road that we’re travelling is something which I desperately do NOT want. The thought of us hitting a deer or an animal running in to us (55 feet is a good length for a target) is a very real possibility, at any moment, especially with tree-lined roads at day’s end! Upon closer examination, I am slowly realizing that this journey through the backcountry is synonymous with our life at the moment. It’s full of winding roads with sharp turns, breathtaking speed bumps, unanticipated hills and abrupt interruptions along a road less travelled. So much is unknown, and at times vastly overwhelming in its magnitude. But we’re trying to navigate the roller coaster with our hands up, open to the vulnerabilities of possibility, releasing to that which we cannot change and negotiating that which we can, slowing down enough so that at least we enjoy and savour the ride. Learning to breath and smile through it TOGETHER is key. One step forward, two steps back. A dance of sorts. Wild, passionate, carefree and without abandon.
 Arriving in Verona, I feel all at once both home and welcome. It’s been about a year since we last saw Agnes (slaDE~s Mother) and well over 2 years since spending any time with Wally, her partner. Having never visited this home, I am able to look upon their amazing property with the eyes of a home-buyer — they’re in the market to sell, and they want our opinions. I was tickled pink to find out that Mama Dawson and Wally hope to buy a motorhome and spend a good portion of their time travelling and exploring a whole new world of lifestyle options. I am SO excited for them! I know how intrinsically life-changing our journey has been in the Airstream, and because of this, I urge anybody with a heart and sense for adventure to explore the realms of RV travel. All the doors of perception on nomadic living are blown open (from my experience) to amazing choices and potential. Navigating life’s backcountry can be such an exciting challenge of change and opportunity. I’m really excited for them, and I further come to realize how much I love our life!
Elora is spectacular. Our current home away from home, where the village is perched on the edge of a dramatic gorge. Elora Gorge is a conservation area where the Grande and Irvine Rivers nestle the rugged terrain and rolling hills, making this area a magical and picturesque dream hideaway. The perfect spot for us to decompress after our crazy past month. And with the generosity of our friend’s 35 foot driveway, we were able to squeak our trailer snugly into a precise fitting refuge meant just for us, savouring in this moment. Yay for kind neighbours and a township that allows for driveway parking.
My favourite memories of our week in Elora? There are SO many … may the photos accompanying my thoughts create a wonderful picture of the beauty found here.
Having Jennifer read her 1.5 hour one-woman play to us in an Irish accent throughout.
Walking with Jen, Roger and their animals.
Savouring the freshly blooming flowers and transcendant in Lilac heaven
Escaping for walks along the Gorge.
 
Enthralled by the beauty of Nature and evening campfires
 
Spending an evening with Silver family friends in their gorgeous Elora home, sharing yogaFLIGHT and talking in to the wee hours.
   
Loads of quiet time to contemplate, take photos and read.
One of my favourite tips for healthy eating on the road involves the task of sprouting. Sprouts are real living foods that are abundant in food enzymes, providing exceptional amounts of protein, easily assimilated vitamins A, C and D plus antioxidants, anti-carcinogens, minerals, nucleic acids, plant antibiotics and plant hormones – a whole of lot of stuff which works together to give us amazing health benefits. In fact, sprouts are widely recognized as a ‘wonder food’. As one of the most nutritious foods that exist, sprouts make an exceptional addition to any healthy lifestyle plan. According to Paul Talalay, MD, in the American Cancer Society NEWS, “broccoli sprouts are better for you than full-grown broccoli, and contain more of the enzyme sulforaphane which helps protect cells and prevents their genes from turning into cancer.” From the humble beginnings of a seed, sprouts are incredibly easy to grow and taste amazing. I use a wide-mouth jar closed with screen mesh and a rubber band to secure it closed. Listed below, from the International Sprout Growers Association, are a few ideas on how to serve up sprouts:
- Add to tossed salads
- Sprinkle with nutritional yeast and sunflowers
- Use in coleslaw (cabbage, clover, radish)
- Try in potato salad (mung bean, lentil)
- Try in wraps and roll-ups (alfalfa, sunflower, radish)
- Stir-fry with other vegetables (alfalfa, clover, radish, mung bean, lentil)
- Blend into fruit shakes or juices (cabbage, mung bean, lentil)
- Blend with vegetable juices (cabbage, mung bean, lentil)
- Replace celery in sandwich spreads (lentil, radish)
- Mix with soft cheeses for a dip (mung bean, radish)
- Grind up and use in sandwich spreads (lentil, radish)
- Top grilled cheese sandwiches after grilling (alfalfa, clover)
- Stir into soups or stews when serving (mung bean, lentil)
- Mix into pancake or waffle batter (buckwheat)
- Eat them fresh and uncooked in a sprout salad (salad mixes)
- Top omelet or scrambled eggs (alfalfa, clover, radish)
- Combine in rice dishes (fenugreek, lentil, mung bean)
- Add to sushi (radish, sunflower)
- Saute with onions (mung bean, clover, radish)
- Puree with peas or beans (mung bean, lentil)
- Add to baked beans (lentil)
- Steam and serve with butter (mung bean, lentil)
- Use in sandwiches instead of lettuce (alfalfa, clover, radish)
Here’s a lovely recipe to perhaps spice up your salad routine!
Delicious Healthy Bean Sprout Salad
- 2 cups sprouts
- 3 grated carrots
- ¼ cup chopped walnuts
- ¼ chopped red onion
Dressing
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp white balsamic vinegar
- 1 tsp whole grain mustard
- ½ tsp salt
Whisk up the dressing, pour it on the salad and mix it up. Serve on a leaf bed of lettuce or cabbage.
Click here for the document handout which I extended to those at the Alumapalooza workshop on “Healthy Living on the Road”. Also, download this document on the health benefits of sprouts, as put out by the ISGA.
 
One of the concerns of late about sprouting has been the concern about contamination. Here’s a great article from the University of California that addresses food safety. And here are some great tips from the nurtureyourown.com blog on growing your own sprouts:
1. Use certified organic seeds.
Organic certification means that the seeds were grown and handled in such a way that minimizes possible sources of contamination.To cite one example, manure used on organic fields must be composted for a long period of time. Composting reduces or get rids of pathogens in manure. Furthermore, licenced organic farmers are required to use rodent and bird proof storage for seeds meant for sprouting or eating. As far as I know, organic sprouting seeds have not been implicated in any outbreak of food poisoning.
2. Consume same day after harvesting
Best to eat the sprouts on the same day they are picked. However, if you can’t finish them all, pack them in a box and refrigerate them. Treat sprouts and foods containing sprouts just as you would any food – refrigerate until use.
Generally, some common sense precautions and good cleanliness habits will go a long way to ensuring that you will enjoy a healthy diet. This applies not just to sprouts, but also to any other raw foods that you take, for example: salads, fruits and nuts.
Additionally, here’s a great video on how-to grow your own sprouts.
As a safety side-note, it is still advised that people with weakened immune systems, the elderly and children not eat raw sprouts. If there is a concern, consult a doctor or health practitioner.
  The last few days have been wonderful hanging out with our Ohio friends. But alas, it is time to head back home to Canada. With a weekend in Elora first before heading to Kingston and then Montreal, I was in need of some quiet time amidst the flurry and business of visiting with friends and family. I’m all for downtime and alone time. I can find my inner balance and sanctity best in those moments. But at the same time, I want to savour the time spent with our good friends and family. It’s an interesting balance, and one that I’m finding interesting as we travel and shift. One thing is for certain, I will always have the Airstream as my base, my centre and my core. I feel very blessed to have this sacred space to call home.
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