Being on the road or bike by myself, day after day, affords me a lot of time to think about things. Where should I head to next? When will I finish that damn jar of salsa? I wonder what ever happened to Larry the Cow?

Some days, such as today, I ponder larger issues, like The One True Love.

About a week ago I was chatting on the phone to my friend Pat, who mentioned to me that she’d told a friend of hers about my trip. And, apparently, he couldn’t believe (actually I think his words were “that it was impossible”) that a woman would spend the summer travelling by herself without some sort of companion travelling with her. And that got me to thinking, “who says we can’t travel alone at times in life?” Where does that belief come from? Who says that we need a companion? Perhaps, in fact, we need to travel alone in order to find our One True Love.

My Radar Jammin' Guardian Angel

I  have a few travelling companions on this trip, I will admit. The aforementioned Doobie Brothers, Cher, Madonna, Paul Simon and my Radar Jammin’ Guardian Angel who keeps me safe from speeding tickets and the development of unsavoury odours within the confines of Miss Daisy.

Society tells us we need to find our “one true love”, our mate, our life travelling companion, to complete us, to love, to give us love, to find happiness and fulfillment. Society tells us we need to “travel” with someone in order to be complete. I’ve tried that route before, spending much time and effort “finding love”, only to find in those travels that the happiness I was searching for still eluded me in the end. Why? Isn’t that the way it’s supposed to be? Find your “true love” and happiness is yours?

Make no mistake, I have very clear intentions about attracting my soulmate, my ultimate travelling companion in life. I know that day will come and I welcome it. I also know that my current solo experience is a precious and necessary commodity for my own life adventure. This is a time to be without a companion. This is a time to view life through a different lens. Time to try a different way of creating Love. By myself. On my own.

Solitude and aloneness can be an uneasy place for social beings like humans. I can’t say that my trip is always easy on my own but it’s manageable, I don’t mind it. In fact, I prefer it that way.  The thought of travelling solo can be so uneasy for some, however, as to be deemed “impossible”. We don’t like to be reminded of our own discomforts. A travelling companion in life may provide comfort, at least for a period of time. But ending our own solitude may only offer us the illusion of comfort when, in fact, we still have none. Why is that? Why would comfort still evade us?

It’s in the space of aloneness and quiet that answers are found. The answers as to what Love really means. Our companions can’t answer that question for us. But our heart can.

I awoke this morning at my campsite about 50 kms east of Rogers Pass, having decided to cycle up to the top of the

One of the five tunnels I cycled through during the ascent

Pass where the Visitors Centre is. I headed out under warm and sunny skies and began the day.

Cycling in this area has become a form of meditation for me. It quiets my mind, soothes my soul and offers me new insights and perspectives on life as the kilometres roll by amidst the mountain landscapes. Time and distance pass without notice, an almost mystical rhythm takes over.

About 30 minutes into the ride, the answers began to flow, as I began to approach Rogers Pass.

We can’t “find” or “get” Love. It’s not “out there” to be found. Comforting ourselves with a travelling companion can’t fill a void that still exists within ourselves.

The One True Love can’t be found in someone else. It can’t be found “out there”.  It can only be found “in here”, within ourselves.

The One True Love is created within our selves, it lives in our own hearts, it’s a gift that is ours to share with the world. It is not something to be sought after. A stone cast upon a still pond causes a beautiful and gentle ripple; The One True Love moves in the same way. Outward. With grace and magnificence in its power and effect.

Rogers Pass Station, view looking east

These thoughts fuelled my journey up to Rogers Pass which is known for its spectacular beauty and is regarded as one of the great mountain crossings in the province of BC as well as being the crown jewel of the Trans Canada highway. It was a fitting environment. I think if you could bottle the feeling of The One True Love it would be very similar to the feeling you get as you stand back and admire the grandeur and grace of what surrounds you at Rogers Pass. It fills your heart and soul, all on its own.

There is a time and a place for everything, including travelling companions. But not just yet. In the meantime, I’m going to enjoy The One True Love. I think that’s where the journey must begin.

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