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!

1. This experience - what an opportunity it has been! So much to say. Stay tuned for lots of reflection in the coming weeks.

2. Chevrolet Canada - I can't imagine doing the cross-Canada journey without "my" 2011 Chevy Cruze. Archie has become my partner in crime - the only constant I have had throughout the 3 months on the road. He has played the best tunes, provided a great place to snooze, been thoughtful with his gas intake, and never ever let me down. 17, 000 KM later and I still think that he is the best! It's going to be tough to say goodbye. (Yes, I am a crazy car lady. Haha) 

3. The Pepsi Refresh Project - the funding that started it all. The long days of planning, designing this website, hounding everyone for their daily votes, and living in a constant state of anxiety for two months - it all worked out! I am so grateful to be a member of the Pepsi Refresh Project grantee family!

4. Henry's - my equipment friends. It still amazes me that they stepped up to the plate and offered me such an amazing video camera that I use on a daily basis. I couldn't have created any of the videos without it!

5. Anyone who has sponsored me in some way - so many people have fed me, housed me, and thrown a couple bucks my way. I am so appreciative of each and every kind gesture.

6. The non-profit organizations that have been involved in this journey. I have not yet been disappointed by any of my volunteer visits. I am really glad that I have had the ability to discover and share some of the most innovative, successful, and passionate change-makers in Canada. I am so grateful that these organizations exist and that the people who work/volunteer for them are willing to (often) be overworked, underpaid, and understaffed just to ensure that some kind of change happens. Amazing human beings.

7. My family. How cool is it that my parents flew all the way out to British Columbia to enjoy Thanksgiving with my brother, his ladyfriend and I? Pretty cool. It feels/smells like home - except with the ocean and mountain views.

8. Anyone who has taken the time to read my posts, engage in my project, send me a kind e-mail or offer encouraging words. The past 3 months have been incredibly challenging for a variety of reasons, but it has also been incredibly fulfilling and I can't thank you enough for being a part of it!

9. My friends. I have nice friends, but there a select few who have gone above and beyond to support me throughout this journey. You know who you are. I heart you, so much.

10. Canada. It's beautiful and has provided the most amazing backdrop for this experience. I love, love, love my home and native land. 

I hope that you have had the best Thanksgiving, wherever you are. I am going to go stuff my face now.

Happy Trails & Travels,
Becky xo

I have had an amazing week here in Banff & Jasper National Parks. The views are awe-inspiring and they just never end! I am so, so, so happy to have had this opportunity to explore the area. It was a great break - I think it's going to be tough to say goodbye tomorrow morning. 

I am still really looking forward to this upcoming week - catching up on editing, volunteering at Take a Hike Foundation, and spending Thanksgiving with my family in Victoria. Then I will be volunteering my way through the rest of British Columbia until the end of October.

Please enjoy some of the recent pictures from my travels....

As you all know, I am taking a mini "vacation" (haha) from Roadtrip with Reason-ing and am currently just roadtrip-ing with my pal, Val who is visiting from Toronto. We are currently in Banff National Park and will make our way to Vancouver by Monday - which is where I will begin my last month of Reason-ing. Sigh. Time flies when you're having the MOST AMAZING/REWARDING/INSPIRATIONAL/SENSATIONAL EXPERIENCE EVER!!!!!!!

Anyway, it's Wednesday and it's time for another Random Act of Kindness. I picked out card #25 from my Boom Boom Cards pouch......

Perfect! Val and I are heading to Lake Louise in the early a.m. for the hike to the famous Lake Agnes teahouse, so we are bound to pass (erm, be passed?) by various hikers throughout the day....I will be sure to smile and say hello as I go.

I hope that wherever you are, you take part in this act. It's a super simple one - so no excuses. You might even make a new friend - or just make someones else's day!

Feel free to tell me about your kindness on Facebook, Twitter or this blog. You can also write about your experience on the www.boomboomcards.com website with tracking #3PPL8LX.

Have fun! Much Love!

- Becky xo

Today I snuck into the United States of America - Montana, to be exact. 
I don't even have a valid passport. I am now a full-fledged criminal. 
Just call me Becky 'trouble' Conlon. 
Sorry, dad...

KIDDDDDDING!

Fact: It's true, I don't have a valid passport.
Fact: I did spend time in Goat Haunt, Montana today.
Fact: It was totally legal. Promise.

I spent the last 24+ hours soaking up as much of Waterton National Park (Alberta) as possible. 

I have not felt this invigorated/inspired/overjoyed/peaceful since at least a few weeks ago (haha). It probably takes the cake for being the most beautiful place I have ever been to and I definitely want to return (soon) to experience everything the park has to offer.....there is SO much! 

I could've spent weeks in Waterton.......months.......an entire lifetime? Heh.

Anyway, this morning I awoke (to an insane view of the mountains) and headed out on a morning boat cruise (on the International, 1927) around Upper Waterton Lake. It was the perfect ride - great tour guide, great weather, great views. During the ride, we crossed the international border (marked by the break in the trees) into Goat Haunt, Montana where we docked to take it all in.

Waterton Lakes National Park is one half of the International Peace Park, with Glacier National Park (in Goat Haunt) making up the second half. Back in 1932 rotarians from both Alberta and Montana came together and decided that "nature had no borders", so they created the very first International Peace Park. Today the two national parks work collaboratively to protect the water, plants and animals that inhabit the area. 

Pretty cool, huh? I was allowed to hang out in Goat Haunt, Montana for the duration of the boat ride but anyone who was hiking/camping overnight were required to get their passports stamped by the nice officer standing at his post in the sunshine. Possibly the easiest border crossing ever.

Thanks for the great memories (and views), Montana! 
Oh and then when I got off the boat & was heading out of the National Park, I came a cross a big ol' black bear munching on some berries in the bush. Eee!




                                           Best 24 hours ever.

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

Today I toured around Saskatoon (note: Broadway Avenue is the best) and completed my third volunteer/non-profit profile video. Make sure to check in tomorrow for the post on Farmers Helping Farmers, a great organization in Prince Edward Island.

I have been quite impressed with the prairies - so lovely. Many, many people warned me about the "terrible drive", but I have enjoyed every KM through this flat land. It's unique, that's for sure.

Hope everyone is having a happy Sunday. Looking forward to volunteering this week at the Global Gathering Place...

Warmly,
Becky xo

I am officially back on the road. Yippee! 
I spent the last few days driving through Northern Ontario and I am now in Winnipeg preparing for the week.

Some thoughts....

1. Northern Ontario is b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l. I was genuinely surprised! I had anticipated three days of long, miserable drives and boy, was I wrong. Holy wilderness, batman! It was lovely. I highly suggest taking the drive one day, especially for those of you who think Ontario is "Onterrible". 

2. Fall has arrived and it makes me so very happy. It's my #1 favourite season and it's perfect for road-tripping. The leaves have even begun to change up North, which made the drive that much more beautiful. Manitoba, however, feels especially chilly.....uncomfortably chilly? Perhaps it's because Mr. Sunshine is taking a break today, I hope. Brrr!

3. Wildlife is abundant in Northern Ontario. I (almost) hit a deer and I saw a black bear. A REAL bear! I have a terrible track record for viewing wildlife (i.e. it never happens) and I had prepared myself for this curse to continue as I headed West....but just as I was about to pass over into Manitoba I saw a beautiful black bear on the side of the road. Sadly there was no opportunity for pictures so hopefully there is a next time. So exciting!

4. Don't ever set up your tent the lazy way, ever! I arrived to a strange little campground last night as it was getting dark, so I decided to throw up the tent sans pegs. Why not? This morning when I awoke at 7 a.m. to high winds, rain and tent collapse, I had an idea as to why I should've pegged myself down. You should've seen me trying to pack up as everything blew all over the place - running around in my purple sweatpants. Hilarious! Lesson learned.

5. My creative juices are flowing. I just completed my second volunteer/non-profit profile video, and I am working on my third. Check out The Empathy Factory VIDEO & look for a post tomorrow.

It's hard not to have fun on the road! In addition to the volunteering, organization profiling and other project related tasks, I try to squeeze in as much exploring as possible. Below is the second travel video from the road, featuring the rest of Atlantic Canada. Be sure to check out my first volunteer video, too! 

I finally have a video to share with you. FINALLY! I cannot begin to explain the frustration level that was reached during the editing of this - so many complications. Far too many! It's still not perfect but sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and move on, which is exactly what I am doing. 

All you really need to know is that Newfoundland was spectacular. Enjoy! xo