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Canadian Galavanting
  • Josh Donald
Oct 2018 – Oct 2020

Canadian Galavanting

Adventures of my 2 years in Canada Read more
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  • Trip start
    October 7, 2018
    Josh DonaldCanadian GalavantingTraveler

    #1 Thanks Giving Eve

    October 7, 2018 in Canada ⋅ 🌧 10 °C

    I arrived about 1pm and got to the star bucks that Daniel said to message him from.
    He didn't reply for 3 hours so I had started asking Anna, the host of tonight's dinner, if I could potentially stay.
    Had to bustle through the supermarket with my skis and bags to get stuff for the dinner. By the time I walked to the apartment I was a sweaty mess.
    Bumbling through this tiny apartment with all my gear was a funny entrance.
    Had a lovely dinner, met some cool people. Daria, the German girl, I really liked her vibes or attitude.
    I was sharing the couch with Sandra, and just as we were getting into bed i aid in was going to meditate just on the floor. She asked to join so i just gave her the simple breathing exercise. Then Anna came out to check on or washing and saw us sitting on the ground, we said to join. So I led the 3 of us in the awareness exercise, and then just meditated as they went to bed as they felt like.
    It was a really nice sit.    Read more

  • Josh DonaldCanadian GalavantingTraveler

    Thanks Giving

    October 8, 2018 in Canada ⋅ 🌫 10 °C

    I went and met Daniel the next morning, pretty nice guy, place had a great views but bit of a mess, especially compared to Anna's.
    Did some admin stuff, got a phone number and groceries for the thanks giving dinner.
    This dinner was even bigger with over 30 couch surfers and friends of the host there.
    I met another really cool German girl Cristina, how inspired me about language.
    Daniella had said people could stay in her camper van on the event page so I had organised that when I didn't think Daniel was going to host me. And in her CS page she says "may all beings be happy" so I knew she was a Vipassana meditator.
    She is another German, who is so kind and generous with everything.
    Olivier, ther French dude, ask to stay as well, which worked out great because he said he had a car and was driving to whistler tomorrow. I already had a bus ticket for whistler but always better to go with other cool people.
    Daniella and I convinced Olivier to sign up and he going to do a course in Thailand in February. Cristina was super interested too! Spreading Dhamma
    When we went to the camper Olivier was on the couch and I was in the bed because I was taller.
    I jumped into the bed and the 3 of us were going to meditate together, then Daniella freaked out saying her vibrator was somewhere in the bed, duck it was so funny trying to help her find her vibrator in the dark getting ready to meditate.
    Turns out Daniella used to be an auditor too.
    We meditated as we fell asleep.    Read more

  • Josh DonaldCanadian GalavantingTraveler

    Tunnel's Bluff

    October 9, 2018 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 11 °C

    This morning Daniella made us some coffee and gave us some food. So giving!
    Then Olivier and I headed off to pick up 2 other Germans he had met and we were going to go hiking. But not after some groups hugs first.
    Melanie and Torsten were the Germans, I've never met so many Germans!
    They were on a sabbatical for about 7 months, he was math and physics teacher, and she was an art and German teacher.
    We all went and did this beautiful hike called Tunnel's Bluff only like half an hour from Vancouver, on the way to Whistler.
    It was so exciting to have experienced so much in just 3 days, the views and the trees were breath taking!
    Met a Mexican kid Oscar on the way up too, who was also a great a guy.
    Olivier shared his booked eggs with me.
    We set up camp in whistler at a free campsite by the water.
    Melanie and torsten fed me dinner which was kind, I hadn't I the chance I get anything yet.
    Great day!    Read more

  • Josh DonaldCanadian GalavantingTraveler

    Whistler - Interviews Day

    October 10, 2018 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 10 °C

    I woke up at about 3, tried to sleep until about 5 then meditated for an hour, stretched by the river as th sun came up.
    Olivier and I had a skinny dip in he freezing river after breakfast, which the Germans gave me and Olivier had more boiled eggs.
    The Whistler job interview went well, but he was kinda like you need a place to live or people dont really hire you. I'm not wanting to be in whistler so I'm getting a job, I want this job so I might go to whistler.
    The 2nd interview on the phone seemed to go really well and I would love to get that job.
    I checked out a place in Whistler. I could get a mistress on the floor in the attic that u couldn't stand up in with another person I there for 950 a month. And there are like 13 other people living in there too. So I decided I'm not going to go to whistler, it would be cheaper for me to not work. I was kind of only really interested in Whistlr because I knew Rhea was going there for the season.
    Booked busses to get to Clinton and work with Brenda.
    I cooked everyone Mexican for a dinner and we had fire.    Read more

  • Josh DonaldCanadian GalavantingTraveler

    Arrival in Clinton

    October 12, 2018 in Canada ⋅ 🌬 9 °C

    Got an early bus to get to clinton. Daniella showed up at the train station saying she thought I had her keys. I was pretty sure I didn't.
    The bus trip was beautiful, wrote all the previous foot prints in this app, meditated and read my book.
    When I arrive in Cache Creek, Brenda was already there with lola and rose the two Australian cattle dogs.
    Brenda took me out for lunch and then we wand saw the farm and met Burt.
    They are putting me up in a motel which is super generous of them!
    Had a beautiful meal. Had my first steak in over a year, but it was nice.    Read more

  • Josh DonaldCanadian GalavantingTraveler

    First day at work

    October 13, 2018 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 8 °C

    Helped out Brenda shutting down the shop, As the Crow Flies.
    Took a lot of plants from the shop back to the ranch so that we can "heel them in" for the coming winter.
    Ira has the shop next door and is fully sustainable growing there own produce.
    Took the dogs for a beautiful walk through the property.
    Brenda is very cool, loving chatting with her.
    Really excited to see Rhea, looking forward to hearing her subtle stutter and dimpled smile when she's embarrassed by it.    Read more

  • Josh DonaldCanadian GalavantingTraveler

    The Deck

    October 14, 2018 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 10 °C

    Finished bringing all of the plants over from the crow to the ranch, ready to be heeled in. Met the neighbour to the crow, Shaun, who live with Ira, the guy running for mayor. The back of his shirt had the wild coyote holding a sign that said "up with trees, down with capitalism". Brenda said he could have her old sunflowers if he wanted to harvest them. He showed us how to check if they were good or not. It depended whether they had gone to the oil stage from the water stage before the big freeze. They were huge.
    Helped Burt tie down some tractors.
    Then Brenda and I stained the front porch, whic took the rest of the day.
    Had a beautiful roast lamb for dinner. Still living chatting with Brenda.
    Reading my book this morning the questions and answers with goenka through me a bit.
    It said it's ok to eat meat if it's been prepared for you and you didn't kill it. Which I think is a bit of a cop out.
    And then he says that sexual misconduct includes having sex with multiple people and that passion will cause misery etc. Which I understand but I think surely it has to do with volition of the mind. You could have sex purely giving and wanting to share that love and compassion with someone. And what if in a relationship to suddenly start being a vipassana meditator and give up sex and your partner is first and feels disconnected then abstinence becomes an unwholesome action.
    Any way kinda just bummed because I just sort of felt good with it in my heart again.    Read more

  • Josh DonaldCanadian GalavantingTraveler

    Heeling In

    October 15, 2018 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C

    This morning I sent out more job applications to the ski resorts, just changing beds and stuff.
    Brenda picked me up at 11 and I worked on the tractor moving saw dus to "heel in" all th plants we moved from the crow.
    I might be heading up to the Yukon to help Rhea with the driving which would be cool. Except the aren't any buses. Brenda said we'll figure something out maybe a lift with a trucker.
    Took the dogs for a beautiful walk. Saw some cool skulls and I took a tooth from one of the deer skulls.
    Walking along I saw a blue light on the side of a tree, it was the sunlight refracting through something. Turned out to be the sun through a fresh drop of clear sap on a tree, very beautiful.
    Talked a lot about drugs with Brenda.    Read more

  • Josh DonaldCanadian GalavantingTraveler

    A succulent Chinese meal!

    October 16, 2018 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 11 °C

    Sent off some more resumes this morning. Got a job at banff but it's too early.
    Might be able to get a ride up to Whitehorse with some truckers which would be really cool.
    Finished heeling in all of the plants. Dug a few holes and planted some trees.
    Got a reply for a job interview tomorrow in rentals at red mountain so hopefully that goes well.
    Bert needed to meet a couple for an interview to see if they were going to drive trucks for him. So we had Chinese in clinton and I drove out to little fort with him to meet them. Right on sunset, would have been a nice drive during the day.
    I had a drive of the last bit coming to Clinton, good to get used to driving on the other side of the road    Read more

  • Josh DonaldCanadian GalavantingTraveler

    Creating History

    October 17, 2018 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 10 °C

    "Developing and urban forest, one tree at a time" - Brenda Slade
    Brendaand I planted a few trees sy the museum in town. She said that the maple tree will be the four generations to come. I like it how brenda blesses all the trees she plants hoping that they will provide shade, habitat, and beauty for messagebut years to come and that they grow well.
    Then we finished staining the deck.
    Helped Bert do some work on the truck.
    Had some beautiful Alaskan salmon for dinner, superb!    Read more

  • Josh DonaldCanadian GalavantingTraveler

    Fruitloops, Kamloops

    October 18, 2018 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C

    Brenda picked me up at 6:30 to head to Kamloops for the day. In opened a bank account and for a sin number.
    Picked up a few farm thibgs for tractors and stuff. Had pho in town.
    Saw some long journey sheep on the side of the road on the way back. They're protected.
    Took the dogs for a nice walk. Brenda showed me rhe how grave heard she the previous owner took all his dead cows there.    Read more

  • Josh DonaldCanadian GalavantingTraveler

    Lilooet Trip

    October 19, 2018 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C

    Bert picked me up at 7:30 to drive down to Lilooet and pick up some tractors he had down there bailing haye. Beautiful drive down but it was quite foggy. Apparently missed out on a lot of the views but it was still nice.
    Had a job interview for big white and got offered a job in the hotel laundry. It means I can I more skiing because I the shifts. They also do unlimited free ski lessons which is a huge perk. So I told red mountain I'm not taking the rental job and I'm going to big white. Now I just need to find some where to live.
    Some one reached out from couch surfing for an event I created asking for a ride to white horse. They wanted to leave tomorrow so I said it was too early. Brenda said that was fine though and I should do it. So kellie is picking me up tomorrow.
    I told Rhea i have a ride up and she freaked out a bit. Hope she's doing ok. Sad to think she isn't happy or is struggling sy the moment, just want to comfort her but some how think that might not be the best.
    Looking forward to seeing her though.
    This kellie chick sounds really cool though. Very relaxed and easy going, I think we'll have a good time.
    Went out for dinner with brenda and bert at a pub at 70mile. Great burger!    Read more

  • Josh DonaldCanadian GalavantingTraveler

    Pot Cookies

    October 20, 2018 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C

    I checked out of the Nomad Motel this morning because Kellie is going to give me a lift to the Yukon. She said she read going to leave Vancouver early morning.
    When I got to I ranch Brenda started baking some pot cookies. I got to kick the spoons.
    Had one with bert, didn't feel too much, bit of a buzz. Finished the art of a of a of a of a the book to Brenda as we spoke alot about it.
    Took a bunch of scrap wood to burn piles out the back. When I was going to take the tractor back through the gate, fizz bomb waited for me to be walking back to the tractor and then legged it through the gate and took some coaching to get back through. Cheecky bugger, very smart.
    Kellie didn't end up arriving until aboot 5. She seems cool and very easy going.
    Had a beautiful dinner.
    I slept in the TeePee in the yard which was pretty cool.    Read more

  • Josh DonaldCanadian GalavantingTraveler

    Cobb Lake

    October 21, 2018 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 3 °C

    Had a really sweaty night in the teepee and then it froze on my sleeping bag in the morning. Had a nice breakfast in the morning.
    Bert sharpened Kelly's axe as, strapped her spare tire to the roof and gave us a saw to cut wood with. Brenda gave me some pot cookies and a couple grams of weed which is nice.
    Had a pretty easy drive, had vegemite sandwiches fir lunch by a lake near 10 mile. I had a couple of circle while we drove, Kellie said she'll drive because I'm not insured. She doesn't smoke, so I can pretty much be high the entire drive.
    Found a free campsite 50 mins out of prince George, Cobb lake. So beautiful!
    I had a dip in the lake when we got here. Was cold but refreshing. Not as cold as the river in whistler.
    Had a joint, big fire, pasta and wer created a new s'more. Salty cracker, gummie, and chocolate, toasted above the fire. So good!    Read more

  • Josh DonaldCanadian GalavantingTraveler

    Soo Good

    October 22, 2018 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C

    Beautiful morning by the lake. But if phafing around today trying to get a wheel for the spare tire. We actually got one which is good news.
    I had a couple of cookies in the morning and a joint sy lunch time and dinner. Pretty great breaking down through beautiful scenery high the whole time.
    Found a random spot at a trail head for a fire going which was difficult with the wet food.
    Cooked up a beautiful vindaloo curry. So good!
    Had marshmallow tonight too!    Read more

  • Josh DonaldCanadian GalavantingTraveler

    Exploring the Limits of Comfort

    October 23, 2018 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 4 °C

    Got a move in from hazelton just had coffee and a price of cake and hot the road.
    Today's goal was to see how comfortable I could get. Cookies, joints, snacks, jumpers and a pillow, I got pretty comfy.
    We saw what I imagine to be a coyote, looked like a big fox. It ran across the road and popped over the other side, looking curious.
    Then a huge eagle flew out on to the road and was flying directly towards us and then flew over our roof. That wad pretty amazing. There were a couple of others to which flew along with us for a bit.
    Then further on wer saw a cat animal, we are thinking a bob cat but have no idea. It camouflaged into the grass extremely well.
    Found a nice camp site on Dease Lake but it had a bunch of skins lying around people had left. Wer thought it was skunk or badger at a guess. But again I don't know the wildlife here very well.
    Amazing views of the rocky mountains the whole drive today, in and out of most and fig all day, such good driving. Again I read high most of the day, very comfortable!
    Beautiful views of the lake!    Read more

  • Josh DonaldCanadian GalavantingTraveler

    Fuck Yeah Yukon

    October 24, 2018 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 4 °C

    We made it to the Yukon!
    Had a nice view from inside my tent for the morning sunrise at the lake.
    Got our tires rotated at Charlie's in Dease lake, and played fetch with a great dog in the yard.
    Amazing views again driving through the mountains.
    Made it to Morely Lake to camp for the night. And we saw a fox crossing the road and few chipmunks. Amazing spot on the lake, pretty sunset and a stunning full moon rising over the lake.
    I couldn't get a fire to start which was annoying, but next time I will shave the wood more with a knife rather than just the axe.
    Going to be an amazing sunrise in the morning too!
    Haven't been meditating, usually because I'm high at night and its freezing in the morning.
    Start again. Start again.    Read more

  • Josh DonaldCanadian GalavantingTraveler

    Pamper Day

    October 25, 2018 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 6 °C

    Absolutely beautiful sunrise viewing from my cozy tent.
    Finally made it to Whitehorse!!!
    Went straight to the sports centre for a spa, sauna, steam room and a shower.
    I had a joint in the car park which made the spa very relaxing!
    Kellie wasn't keen on the open showers because she wanted to shave her legs, and dye her hair and stuff, so she didn't really shower.
    We met up with one of her friends from Vancouver a French girl named Flora.
    She was going to spend the winter her working in a book shop.
    Kellie and I got a bunch of munchies and had a movie night in the back of the van, watched pineapple Express.
    Camped above long lake hoping to see some northern lights but the moon was so full and bright we didn't have much luck.    Read more

  • Josh DonaldCanadian GalavantingTraveler

    Kellie gets a shower

    October 26, 2018 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 0 °C

    We had a bit of sleep in this morning. Well a slower morning, I was awake at 6 and just read until kellie got up at 10:30.
    Was literally laughing in hysterics to one of the passages in Into Thin Air. Crazy fucking story and amazing what people put them selves through and are able to survive.
    We literally drove to this place an hour and a half away to have a shower at this laundromat that did showers too. Kellie was pretty worked up about the idea of possibly having a shower, I was quite nervous for her, really hoping it would be open etc.
    Can not describe how excited she was when it was open and we could have a shower.
    I finished a lot quicker than her so made some porridge and had a joint. I was in hysterics again when she came out and she going on about how good she felt etc.
    Went to the pub next door to treat ourselves a little more. I had a Canadian poutine and she had a big burger.
    We saw a bunch of deer crossing the road, but still no bears or moose.
    Went and found yet another beautiful lake to camp by. Got a fire going and wanted to have another movie night but the laptop was dying I think because of the cold.
    The lake we were at had a layer of ice. When we through a rock it made like a whistle noise when it went through. Later when it was a bit windy it made the whole lake whistle, it was really cool.
    Seeing Rhea tomorrow which is exciting, going to have dinner with her and her dad. I invited Kellie because I feel uncomfortable leaving her on her last night before she sees her auntie. And then she should be fine. She was staying tonight how she appreciated having me there because she wouldn't have felt comfortable camping and doing the things we did if she was alone. She said she would have just got somewhere early, cooked and got in the car pretty quickly.
    Been a great trip traveling with Kellie, shes very easy going and a caring person.    Read more

  • Josh DonaldCanadian GalavantingTraveler

    Last day in the Yukon

    October 27, 2018 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 5 °C

    Kellie and I took a drive out closer to Alaska, went to the end of destruction bay. We were going to meet Rhea and her dad for dinner but decided to just do breakfast in the morning and we can go camping for the last night and try and see the northern lights.
    Stayed out at fish lake. Attacked by wolves which turned out to be dogs. There was a dog missing place nearby that all the dogs were howling at the moon. Very cold night but no lights.
    Finished my book into thin air and gave it to kellie    Read more

  • Josh DonaldCanadian GalavantingTraveler

    Back to the Ranch

    October 30, 2018 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C

    We met up with Rhea's friend, Kayla, who had just had a baby boy Luke. I looked after it a bit so the girls could catch up.
    Got Rhea to take a photo with me and the baby so that I could pretend we adopted. I sent the photo to our Guatemala group and it seems like everyone bought it. Soo fucking funny!
    Got back to the ranch about 5 and had some nice hamburgers.
    I slept in te teepee again but it was raining so got a little wet.    Read more

  • Josh DonaldCanadian GalavantingTraveler

    The Long Hall

    October 31, 2018 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ -3 °C

    We had an early start because we had at least 12 hours of driving today. I think it ended up being shot 13.
    I went skinny dipping in muncho lake which was very cold but refreshing.
    Spent a long time on the road. It started raining and sleeting at night for the lady few hours which stressed Rhea out a bit. But we made it to prince George and had white a nice room. Had our own queen beds which was really nice. Probably would have preferred to share a single though haha.
    Went out for dinner sy earl's which was really nice.
    Jokes might be staying to annoy her haha    Read more

  • Josh DonaldCanadian GalavantingTraveler

    How much wood could a wood chuck chuck?

    October 31, 2018 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 4 °C

    Its Halloween. Wouldn't have known though.
    Started off by stain some wood in the big work shop ready for the deck.
    Then I split a bunch of fire wood with a hydronic splitter.
    Took the dogs for a nice walk.
    Had the most amazing chicken roast, holy dooley!
    Checked back into the nomad motel.
    Feeling a little down about how much I like Rhea. Anicca    Read more

  • Josh DonaldCanadian GalavantingTraveler

    More Stain

    November 1, 2018 in Canada ⋅ 🌧 5 °C

    Stained stone blue windows for the deck.
    Tried to find a place to live on big white or looks almost impossible though. Realized Daria is sy big white not silver star though so that's kinda cool. Complete coincidence.
    Had a beautiful chicken for dinner.
    Really want to tell rhea that I'd go traveling anywhere with her or that she's always welcome on sunday ever adventure I'm on. Dont make it weird dude.    Read more

  • Josh DonaldCanadian GalavantingTraveler

    Preg Testing

    November 2, 2018 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C

    Had an early start to do preg testing on the cattle.
    I felt for the poor cows, I look most of them in the eyes as they were put in the squeeze and the vet rammed his arm up inside them.
    You could see the fear in their eyes. I felt bad as it looked like some of then were separated from their bovine best friends (bbf as brenda calls it)
    I have a greater appreciation for the beef I do eat now.
    Anything not preganant or that was late in the pregnancy was separated to be sold off.
    Rhea turned my "remember you have to die" coin into a pendant.
    It looks really good. Like having something Rhea made too.
    Bert took us all out dinner to thank the guys for the preg testing.
    Rhea and I are competing on the new candy crush friends. Be a good test for me not to get too competitive and also an excuse to message her ever now and then haha    Read more

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