Travelling Home During Coronavirus

I’m finding it hard to write during this strange period in history. As someone who writes about travel, it feels odd talking about travel when none of us can even leave our house. Recently, my Dad was in Arizona when the coronavirus outbreak was slowly getting more and more serious. He was very worried about flying since he is high risk and there was just much more of a chance of contracting something at those airports. He was out there by himself, my mom had been caught up with things back in Toronto, and the idea of facing a 2,200-mile drive alone was pretty daunting. But as things worsened, he knew it was his only option. Knowing the journey would be pretty gruelling he decided to make it an adventure, instead of just a solid, white knuckle drive. He plotted his route, with stops along the way to get out, stretch his legs and see something beautiful to help awaken his mind and spirit along the way.

What started as just me watching his journey across America, turned into me watching Dad become a little travel blogger. Even in mico-posts. Reading his commentary of the voyage made me realize where I get all my creativity and drive to share my journeys.

For as long as I have been travelling, I have been writing about it. At first, it was just in notebooks, then as I grew up I started a Livejournal. Then when that folded, I started then a Blogspot account. Now I have thecreativeadventurer.com to share all these memories and moments with the rest of the world. I have always wondered where this desire to write and record came from, and during this horrible pandemic, I think I might have figured it out.

My dad was the first person who really inspired my desire to travel. He travelled all over the world for work, and despite now knowing he probably saw little else than airports and conference rooms, I loved hearing about all the places he would go. When I was 14 he took me with him on a business trip to London. It was my first trip travelling to another continent and, unbeknownst to me, it would be my first time travelling on my own.

When we landed after a red-eye flight, we got to our hotel in Islington and dad handed me a handwritten page of paper which would be my guide to the city. He had meetings all day but still wanted me to be able to go out and experience London for myself. Every single direction was meticulously written down and opened up the city to me like a storybook. I was hooked, and it was his guide that made it so easy for me to explore even as a teen. I think if Dad hadn’t been an accountant, he would have been the Canadian Rick Steves.

Since my dad has a private Instagram account, I asked if he would be ok with him to share some of his stories here with you. He happily agreed and I think that even during this intense time of uncertainty and worry, his little journey across our middle earth is an interesting document of this time in history.

Goodyear, Arizona | 2,475 miles to go

Departure from Goodyear, Arizona. Tough to leave this weather. Returning in the fall? Long drive ahead.

Saguaro Lake | 2,197 miles to go

1st stop at Saguaro Lake, Tonto National Forest. Who knew there was another lake in Arizona!!

Payson, Arizona | 2,141

Pitstop in Payson, Arizona. Lots of elevation gained (and lost). Payson is quaint on old Main Street. Best thing I can see is the magnificent views north to the Mongollon Rim.

Mongollon Rim| 2,116 miles to go

On the Mongollon Rim, near Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. Seems like top of the world (or at least this part). Spectacular vistas. But, I found snow!!!! Too soon.

Over the mesa near Holbrook, Az to the edges of the Painted Desert.

Petrified Forest National Park | 2,063 miles to go

Detour to Petrified Forest National Park. Pretty amazing wood! A very windswept mesa today. The scale of this “forest” is awesome.

New Mexico | 1,949 miles to go

New Mexico, finally!! Red rock has been a constant feature as I neared New Mexico. Crossed the continental divide (7,300 ft elevation) 33 miles before arriving in Grants, NM where I will bunker down for the night in the shadow of Mount Taylor.

El Malpais National Conservation Area | 1,899 miles to go

Detour into El Malpais National Conservation Area as the sun rises in the east. Near the Continental Divide. Long magnificent stretches of sandstone cliffs and wind blasted bluffs. Views of ancient volcanoes and lava flows. And, great view of La Ventana Arch, one of the largest natural arches in New Mexico.

Petroglyphs National Monument | 1,820 miles to go

Visiting the Petroglyphs National Monument. A field day for petroglyphs is here for sure in the Boca Negra Canyon. Nature emulates art for me at one point. Can you find the flute player?

Albuquerque Old Town | 1,815 miles to go

Stop in Albuquerque Old Town to see the historic buildings. Today “ghost town” could be added to “old town”. Despite this, it definitely shows off a variety of the historic west styles.

Old Town Albuquerque – signs and art. Especially for Laura, who enjoys these things (but has a much better eye for it and camera skill!).

Tucumcari | 1,639 miles to go

Tucumcari and historic Route 66. I have been on I-40 for a long stretch now. It follows near or on historic Route 66. I ducked in to Tucumcari where there are known to be a lot of original commercial and heritage buildings that folded after I-40 was built, and some that still struggle to hang on. A fascinating slice of history.

Amarillo, Texas | 1,576 miles to go

On to Texas. Nice greeting sign!! Most amazing fact … 20 miles after entering Texas I encounter commercial energy production. No surprise!?? Well, it’s not oil. A wind farm. Thirty four miles long. I repeat, 34 miles long, all along the I-40. They do ‘em big in Texas.

Shamrock, Texas | 1,437 miles to go

On the way out of town, paused at the U-Drop Inn, another Route 66 anachronism, but still in business. This morning’s light rain and fog helped the neon jump out. You might love the juxtaposition of the two fueling options in the last two pictures – both were available at the U-Drop!!!

Oklahoma | 1,422 miles to go

Into Oklahoma. The fog and rain are trying to prevent my enjoyment of this (new to me) state. I think I am getting the hang of it. Farming. Red soil. New crops. Also found Lucille’s Historic Highway Gas Station. An example of a two story filling station / home combo. Apparently Lucille was a legend in the Great Depression for providing assistance to traveller’s, earning her the nickname “Mother of the Mother Road” (the latter being a reference to Route 66).

El Reno, OK | 1,299 miles to go

Detour to historic Fort Reno in El Reno, OK. Part of the difficult history with the native peoples. Fort Reno was established in the period following General Custer’s roundup of the people at the winter camp of Cheyenne chief Black Kettle. They had no reservation here at the time and one was quickly established and needed a nearby fort, so Fort Reno was built. Now home to several organizations, including the US Calvary Association.

Oklahoma City | 1,272 miles to go

Duck into Oklahoma City to stretch my legs before lunch. Home of the Thunder at Chesapeake Center. Smaller downtown than I expected. Beautiful botanical gardens immediately south of the downtown for a quiet walk.

This purple flowering tree. So, I know this is a repeat but from my observation these trees are not just cultivated, as they were at the OKC Myriad botanical garden. I have seen them all over the place in the region around OKC, sort of like lilacs. Research completed now! They are the Oklahoma Redbud. Their deep purple colour makes them easy to spot, even at roadsides. And, since I have you now and flowers are unlikely in most parts of Canada, I am throwing in some bonus flower photos from around the botanical garden!

Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield | 1,001 miles to go

Stopping in Missouri at Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, the site of a major battle in the American Civil war and the first in Missouri, apparently also the first with the death of a Union general (Nathaniel Lyon). The battle is so named for the creek in the valley, pictured at the end. The house pictured had a wide view of the battlefield and served as a hospital for the Confederates, who brought Lyon’s body here after the battle. Sadly, this battlefield saw a large loss of life.

Springfield, Missouri | 989 miles to go

Crossed into Missouri this afternoon. Stopped in Springfield. Found “the largest fork in the work” at the offices of The Food Channel. And, more Route 66 history – A Rte 66 car museum; The Gillioz Theater, opened in 1926 to cater to Rte 66 travellers; and, I learned why Springfield is known as the birthplace of Rte 66 (John Woodruff of Springfield first proposed the number for the Chicago to LA highway; he later became the first president of the Rte 66 business association). And, lovely tree blooms. And, no snow!!

Missouri RV Park | 976 miles to go

Missouri rain. Breakfast in the rain this morning, followed by two hours of heavy rain and thunderstorms. Comforting (?) to see the army on the roads keeping me company as I drove. I seem to be moving faster than the storm as I have emerged to stretch my legs. Not sure if I will beat the rain to St. Louis!

Ozarks | 940 miles to go

Detour into the Ozarks. I got ahead of the rain! Quick “scenic” drive into the Ozark outback. Very rural and very, very hilly! Love the Advanced Animal Control covering armadillos!

Laumeier Sculpture Park, St. Louis | 788 miles to go

Stretching my legs at Laumeier Sculpture Park, St. Louis. Internationally recognized as one of America’s oldest and largest sculpture parks. Large number of walking trails. Lightly busy today and everyone social distancing. Rain caught me again just as I left!

Tower Grove Park, St. Louis | 779

Stop in to Tower Grove Park, St. Louis. Apparently it’s a “classical Victorian” style park. Reminds me a bit of High Park in Toronto, but a bit flatter. Opened to the public in 1872. In a perfect spot for me to eat some lunch, although the rain is catching up to me (as you will see). It’s cool today but that hasn’t stopped a lot of lovely bloom and colour, including Hyacinths, Magnolia, Forsythia, and a red berry bush that I am not familiar with. Lots of active social distancers here as well. See if you can spot the red bird (cardinal ?) in the video near the end. Pushing on to Indiana! (John – you should spot Beethoven in here!)

Terre Haute, Indiana| 609 miles to go

Stop at the “Crossroads of America” in Terre Haute, Indiana. Interesting and fun architecture. Love the piano!

Found two unusual things in Terre Haute, Indiana. First, in an alley behind the Verve (a music club and cocktail bar – see prior post) beside the band entrance (marked by the sculpted faces above the entrance) there is a Kcymaerxthaere marker (plaque). Kcymaerxthaere is the name of an alternative universe that is part of a storytelling art project. You can read more about it at Kcymaerxthaere.com.

Second, a short distance east of Terre Haute I found the Smith Memorial Labyrinth, patterned from the Chartres Cathedral Labyrinth in France. The Smith version is meant as a place of reflection in Hawthorne Park. And, it’s 575 paces long (I measured!). Two odd finds in Indiana!!

Gaston, Indiana | 471 miles to go

Waiting for the morning fog to clear (I hope!). Aiming to be in Canada today and home by tonite. Wondering what other travellers I might encounter on the road? So far, I have seen car license plates from 27 states.

Fort Wayne, Indiana | 424 miles to go

Hello to Fort Wayne, Indiana. And, yes, there really was a fort! The first trading post was built here, on the Maumee River in the mid-1600s. The first dirt was built in 1697 to solidify French claim on this region. The current buildings are a reconstruction of the 1800s fort that withstood a siege in the war of 1812. As you can see, being near water brought some of the fog back. Not difficult to be social-distanced with only two geese and me in the park! Spooky views of the Maumee River

Fort Defiance | 379 miles to go

O-H-I-O!! Stop in to Fort Defiance. Must be “fort” day! Dates from 1794 and saw use. In the war if 1812. Nothing left of the fort but the foundations, grassed over. Interesting Canada connection. According to a placed stone marker, “all land north to Canada is surveyed on a baseline from” the point where the Fort Defiance flagstaff sits. Who knew!!

Toledo, OH | 304 miles to go

Fleeing to Canada – reached Toledo, OH. Stopped to stretch legs and nibble some lunch at the Toledo Botanical Gardens. Flower season has not yet arrived but I found a few blooms, including crocuses. I also enjoyed their Artist’s Village and Secret Wood, by myself!

Detroit | 255 miles to go

Detroit, really? Well, it is a fort day and I needed one more leg stretch. Believe it or not, I found Fort Wayne, and it’s not a rerun and it’s not Indiana. It’s in Detroit, by the river. Wayne is just a mighty popular guy. This fort was closed today, other than a few buildings. Built in the early 1840s when the Americans feared their relations with Britain might lead to a British attack. Didn’t happen, but the fort was re-manned in 1861 when the Americans feared a Canadian (really British) attack during the Civil War. OK, time to put The Canadian border at Sarnia into the GPS!!!

The Bridge to Canada | 297 miles to go

This is it! There is the bridge to Canada. But, am I ready?

Gassed up (check). Car cleaned and last of Arizona fruit chucked (check). Documents in hand, literally (check). Wait – does that unshaven, bed head face really resemble me (check?!). Yeah, but those Arizona plates won’t help! What will? Thankfully I have stored messages from family and friends to offer up. And, the clincher – the tattoo on my hand!! Here I go….

Sarnia Border | 187 miles to go

BACK IN CANADA!!!!

Pinery provincial park | 149 miles to go

Heading home – now by the eastern shores of Lake Huron, passing The Pinery provincial park. Many family memories here. Sadly, in the circumstances, it is closed.

Flesherton, ON | 29 miles to go

Nearing home in the southwestern Ontario countryside – a nice little restaurant in Flesherton, ON that Pam and I quite enjoy. Sadly, and understandably, closed.

Collingwood | 0 miles to go

I have arrived. After logging 3,960 km (2,475 miles) this home is a sight for weary eyes, even if there is still snow! Let the 14 day quarantine begin!

I know these are weird times, but maybe this little journey brought a smile to your face and made you think about all those beautiful things that are still out there in the world. We’ll be able to enjoy them someday soon, but until then, let’s virtually explore this great world of ours!