Day 1; Year 2

It’s the first day of the Great Divide Trail. We walked south for six kilometers, a rarity for the next two months as we head north 1,200 kilometers. Touching the US/Canada border we turned around, backs to the US, facing North and looked ahead. Our first day on trail was magical, rocky outcrops towering high and higher channeled us south and back. We walked through a large fire scar that most likely occurred a few years ago, the undergrowth was lush and full, brushing our legs as we trotted along. I couldn’t keep from smiling as the sun kissed my face, the breeze blew through my newly trimmed hair. Life is good. I feel so incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to undertake such a journey. I imagine the variety of ecosystems we will pass through, from drier mountainous regions here in Waterton Lakes National Park to the wet and wild North between Jasper and Kakwa Provincial Park. There will be bears, high mountain passes, undefined trails and more. We are ready for the experience.

Oh, and the title, you may be wondering about that “Day 1; Year 2”. Well it’s no coincidence that we started the 26th of June. It is Solange and I’s two year wedding anniversary! What a wonderful way to celebrate our love than to hang out with each other for two months straight, all day, all night. I look at her now and laugh. We’re elated. We’re anxious. Waterton Townsite is far from a wilderness experience, a truck idles nearby, the toilets flush 50 meters from our campsite. It is tomorrow that we head into the bush for six nights, 145 kilometers. Coleman Alberta, here we come.