We are now on our journey! We left from Spruce Grove on a bus to go to Lloydminster, where we spent the night. After dropping our packs off in the Hotel we decided to go for a walk through town. I have been there quite a few times so it was not exciting or anything. The next day we took a bus to North Battleford, SK. This was when we started walking on the Trans Canada Trail. We started about 6 or 7 km out of town and then walked into town. Most of the trail there is within city limits. Since it was the beginning of our trip, we figured this was the best way to start. We are guessing that we walked about 15 or 20km throughout the area. North Battleford and Battleford, which are separated by a river, are very nice places. There is a lot of Native heritage, mainly Cree . We spent about 3 or 4 days in the area and enjoyed ourselves the entire time. We spent 3 nights in hotels and 1 night in a campground. At the campground there were benches that overlooked the valley into the distance. When we sat on the bench before sunset, we noticed we could see the entire trail that we had walked that day. It made us feel very accomplished. Sitting on the bench reflecting on the day reminded us that the "walk" is only a means to experience the freedom we seek. Walking through town does not offer many places to camp. This was fine for us, as we are just getting started and need time to build up strength for the longer hikes which we will eventually be taking.

Already this new life style is going great. Freedom is something that we actually did not fully understand until we stepped out of the everyday life that society had offered us. Believe me when I say it is much better being outside looking in, than being inside looking out. Just to add to that, the night before we left I barely slept because of thoughts and fears going crazy in my mind. We are all comfortable living in the "tick-tock" and that is what the powers in control want, but that is not what is best for you and me. It does not allow for us to become truly strong in mind, body and spirit. We must step outside and learn who we are and what the world really has to offer. There is a lot of mind numbing stimulus keeping us entertained and weak. Some people say they wish they could do what we are doing. What they really mean is they wish they could be doing what they want to do, and not what they think they should do. So, empower yourself to do what you want, even if others think you shouldn't. It is your life; it does not belong to anyone else.

Just so you know, we are farther along then we are writing. We feel it is safer to share our stories after we have already left the area. It is for our own safety.


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