No doubt the most common question we were asked in 2024 was “What are you doing with Evie” or “who will look after your dog?” … and every other combination of words to that effect. Of course, the answer was always going to be that wherever we go, she goes. At this time, we also had chickens, a tortoise, and a home newly kitted out with furniture and gadgets. We were only one year into having our own little home when we decided that we were going to drop everything and travel.
Unfortunately for us travelling with a tortoise outside of the UK wasn’t really an option so he is living his best life with a dear friend back at home. He chases toes and is a real terror when he wants to be so I must say that our friend looking after him is a real champion to put up with his attitude!
The chickens were given a free house upgrade when they went to live with a lady who has a huge free roam area for them to cause all the trouble they so desired. I suppose in a way Evie got an adventuring upgrade too but the small print she didn’t read was that she would be stuck living in the back of a Landy in close quarters with her dad’s stinky feet…
We honestly cannot remember why we chose Canada as our maiden voyage but we are so very glad that we did. Such a vast, beautiful country full of the friendliest people. We had the freedom to roam, spread our wings, and get to really enjoy the journey (even with all the days). Canada for us will always be remembered as the birth place of Ruffday Roadtrip, and the place where our trip became more than just a holiday, it became a journey. We have grown, changed, and are no longer the same kids we were back at home. That, I’m sure you can understand poses some extra challenges on top of living in confined spaces but I’ll keep that story for another time.
Back to the root of the subject… If it wasn’t for Evie and our solid stance that we wouldn’t give her up, we wouldn’t be sitting at the end of our Northern American adventure ready to open the door to Central America. We wouldn’t have met the fantastic and interesting people, we now call friends, whilst stranded mid-way along the Dempster Highway, in the Arctic Circle. Yes we would have had another adventure, but we’re sure glad we had this one instead!