I was told to write up a little something in anticipation of your arrival, following Roadtrip with Reason's version of the "Canadian Original" segment on CTV National News.

(I just need to take a moment to freak out over the fact that this story was aired on CTV National News. Ahhh! I have been faithfully watching CTV at 11:00 p.m. since childhood. This blows my mind! Excitement overload!)

Thank you, so much, for being a curious cat and coming to learn more about my incredible cross-Canada journey that took place between July - November 2011. It's possible that you are visiting my blog for the very first time, so I thought it would be useful to share the roadtrip timeline/milestones with you!

September 2010
- The roadtrip idea is shared with family/friends

October 2010
- Basic planning officially begins

January 2011
 - Roadtrip with Reason = my new year's resolution

March 2011
 - Idea is accepted into Pepsi Refresh Project contest, voting begins


May 2011
- Named an official 5K Grant Recipient from Pepsi Refresh Project

June 2011
- Connected with Garry Sowerby & Lisa Calvi on Twitter over Ralph the Pelican & ended up recieving sponsorship from Chevrolet Canada with a 2011 Chevrolet Cruze. Social media = the best
- Roadtrip planning goes into overdrive

July 2011
- Finished my contract with the Arts Council of Muskoka, moved out of apartment
- Picked up the 2011 Chevy Cruze, named him Archie
- Celebrated at the Roadtrip with Reason launch party
- Officially hit the road on July 19th

August 2011
- 1st official volunteer day in St. John's, Newfoundland on August 1st with For the Love of Learning

August to November 2011 
- Drove 20,000 KM with Archie
- Volunteered with 13 non-profit organizations
- Fell in love with Canada, coast to coast
- Blogged, tweeted, updated, & filmed every step of the way
- Met the heads & hearts behind each non-profit, inspired every day
- Most amazing experience of my life

November 2011
- Brand new MacBook Pro laptop with all of my roadtrip photo's & videos was stolen from car in Burnaby, BC
- Speaking presentation at Take a Hike the following morning, filmed by CTV news (terrible timing, eh?)
- Said goodbye to Archie in Vancouver, BC
- Took the Via Rail train on November 6th
- Arrived home to Oakville, ON on November 10th

Phewf! The cross-Canada journey went by in a flash and it was truly an incredible experience. I had the opportunity to join 13 different non-profit organizations  and offer my 'helping hands', while also getting to know the staff/volunteers and the reason why they were so passionate about their cause(s). It was an honour to spend time with each of them, and it's my joy to be able to share their messages with you. Some of the volunteer reflections come in video form and since the theft of my laptop/footage , in written form. 
  
Be sure to go through my blog history to view some of the reflections, pictures, videos and general updates from my Roadtrip with Reason -- lots and lots of great memories to share. You can also look forward to the final reflections before the new year, and a final video.

I have been back home in Ontario for a month now, adjusting to life off of the road and putting the finishing touches on the Roadtrip with Reason reflections. I am now focusing on finding my next professional adventure (i.e. a job!) in the non-profit sector and am so excited to continue on my life quest of creating positive change.

Please take the time to visit the websites of the non-profit organizations  that joined me on my journey. Their hardwork, dedication and passion for their causes is what should be featured and celebrated - they were the reason for this roadtrip, afterall. 

I encourage you to "do your part & show some heart" as a volunteer with one of these amazing organizations, or find a cause that you are passionate about and just give back. They need our time, energy, passion and support to keep doing what they are doing, and what they are doing is so worthy.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

With love & warmth,
Becky Conlon

P.S. Have questions or comments? Want to learn more about this journey? Send me an e-mail at becky at roadtrip with reason dot ca, or connect with me on Facebook or Twitter ....

Becky's note: Click HERE to see the clip. Absolutely wild. Thanks for the love!

Hi Friends,

As I was sitting on the ferry from Departure Bay (Nanaimo) to Horseshoe Bay (Vancouver), I had a big realization: I have officially driven COAST TO COAST! I actually did it. I completed the journey from Point A to Point B and it was spectacular. Throughout the past 3-months I have laughed a lot, shed some tears, sung through the prairies, danced through the mountains, offered my helping hands to all kinds of great folk, seen beautiful sights, made new friends, missed my 'forever' friends, took one amazing flight (over PEI), slept in all kinds of locations, saw some wildlife, learned a lot about my home and native land, and most importantly I have fallen in love. 

No, not with a 'boy' or a 'man'.........but with a car. 
Are you really that surprised?

He is a beautiful shade of crystal red, (often) shiny, roomy, plays great music and has been my partner for a 19,000+ KM journey. In the next week or so, I will be dropping Archie off in Vancouver for our final goodbye (so sad) and I think it's time for me to share my Top FIVE favourite things about 'him'....

One. When Chevrolet asked me what kind of car I wanted for my roadtrip (crazy), I said that their adorable little hatchback (Aveo) would probably be sufficient for the road...they disagreed. Thank goodness the people at Chevrolet Canada are so wise! If you have sneaked a peak inside or have physically driven in Archie with me, you will know just how much space is necessary to house all my stuff. Archie is the perfect size! His trunk is massive and has been able to hold all my goods without any issue. More importantly, his backseat has provided me with a great place to rest my head. Yes, there have been a few times throughout the journey that I have had to sleep in the Cruze - and what a great car to sleep in! I am not encouraging people to sleep in their cars or anything, but it's pretty darn comfortable. Seriously. 

Two. My love of music plays a big part in my everyday life, even more so when on the road. The fact that Chevrolet provided me with XM Radio was possibly the best thing ever. Fact: I have only used my iPod (that I love dearly) FOUR times during the entire 3.5 months. I love, love, love XM radio. I love that I can listen to my favourite Canadian Indie artists on the Verge, the Broadway station when I want a showtune sing-a-long, the Comedy station for when I need a pick-me-up and even Oprah Radio (haha) - all in one day. Technology rules!

Three. The day that Chevrolet Canada informed me that they would be lending me a 2011 Chevy Cruze for my Roadtrip with Reason was an incredible day. They one-upped themselves when they informed me that the Chevy Cruze was named the "Canadian Car of the Year".  When people come by and ask questions about Archie, it's one of my favourite facts to share. I feel proud driving 'him' around. Such a lucky girl!

Four. Archie drives like a champ. Prior to getting the keys to the 2011 Chevy Cruze, I was borrowing my Grandpa's very old vehicle. It's not a bad car, but sometimes it would feel like the wind was going to blow you across the highway. I have never felt nervous driving Archie - not even when I was driving along the teeny roads in Newfoundland, or the curvy corners of the Cabot Trail or the big mountain roads in British Columbia. Safety first! 

Five. I have the worst sense of direction - possibly the worst of all time. Thankfully, I have had OnStar to help me find my way. I don't even know how to explain OnStar and how useful it has been. Just imagine what it would be like to have a button in your car that you can press 24/7 to get directions (or anything) from. Yeah. It's like having a GPS inside of your car that is human. I have used it for all kinds of things - directions to everywhere, locating food/coffee/grocery, booking hostels etc. In fact, one time I was camping in Saskatoon without wi-fi and desperately needed it to get down to work. I went to 4 different Starbucks (thanks for the free wi-fi) that day, thanks to OnStar. They totally helped me 'scheme' to ensure I wasn't returning to one I had already visited. The best! OnStar is awesome and let's get real - there is no way I would've made it from Ontario to Newfoundland to Ontario to British Columbia without it. Not a chance.

I can't believe I have to give my buddy up in a few days. It's been an absolute joy and honour to drive Archie from coast to coast. I cannot begin to thank Chevrolet Canada enough for their generosity and support. Such an amazing bunch. You have a Chevrolet fan for life! 

Lots of love & warmth,
Becky xo



Please Note: Although Chevrolet generously sponsored me with the use of the 2011 Chevy Cruze for the roadtrip, this blog post comes directly from me without any pressure from Chevrolet. I genuinely heart Archie!

After a good time in Saskatchewan (& a great time with the Global Gathering Place), it's time to move forward. Tomorrow morning I depart for Alberta and I simply can't believe it - my second last province. Where has the time gone? Where has this project gone?! Can we go back to the beginning? This next month is really going to fly. Sigh.

I am trying to relish in every single moment.

Luckily, I have a zillion photographs to keep my memory fresh. Here are a few of my more recent favourites from the journey...you can click on each image to get a better view!
 The rest can be found in a Facebook album, here. 
Enjoy! xo

It's official - I have been on the road for an entire month!
One month down, 2-ish to go! It feels like just yesterday when I was pulling out of the driveway from my home base - full of excitement and absolute fear - and here I am with lots of thoughts swirling around in my head....

1. I have adjusted to life on the road a lot better than I anticipated. Aside from a couple "woe is me/it's so hard/I am tired/where's my mommy" days (haha) - it's been great!

2. Canada has some form of beauty lurking around every corner - seriously. The East has set the bar very, very high. Hey, West Coast - you better bring it!

3. People are generally kind - especially Canadians. I have met adventurers from all over the world who always have good things to say about the people here and it's true. I haven't come across a single 'bad seed' in the East - only really, really good seeds who have fed me, housed me, guided me and even took me up in a plane.

4. I love Archie, my 2011 Chevy Cruze. I am absolutely turning into a crazy car lady (worse than cats) and talk about Archie like he's my boyfriend. So, what?! He's been the best road companion a girl could ask for. I have even started reading Archie Comics.....obsessed.

5. I have gained a new skill - I can now (pretty much) sleep anywhere. Nasty motels, fancy hotels, couches of all shapes/sizes, floors (all levels of cleanliness), chairs, car seats & even in church parking lots. Think I should add it to my resume?

6. I have been so inspired by the people I have met. Every organization is different but their one common thread is passion and dedication and a desire to make change!  It's been an honour to meet these do gooders - I can't wait to follow them as their organizations flourish and change.

7. Video editing is difficult - much more difficult than I expected. It turns out that I don't have a special secret skill (I was hoping) and so, the vision in my head never ends up on the screen. The process is frustrating and long and overwhelming....but I am trying. I want my non-profit videos to be worthwhile and useful and decent which is why it's taking so long. Thanks for keeping up your patience (even when I have lost mine).

8. Live music, campfires and ice cream are still my favourite things. Who said travelling changes people? Not I! 

9. I have discovered an independence in myself that I didn't even know existed and it makes me feel awesome. I used to be the girl who was terrified to sit and eat alone and now I do it on the regular - and actually enjoy it. It makes me glad to know that I can be happy, with or without people surrounding me.

10. I continue to be incredibly grateful to my sponsors, family, friends and viewers for making this journey a reality. I am trying to absorb every moment as it passes me by and take full advantage of what being on this Roadtrip with Reason means. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. 

Off to edit, I go...xo