Alone, no longer Lonely

Boarding the ferry, ascending the levels of stairs, and the breath taking views of the mountainous coast and islands beyond, all hugged by low clouds and a morning mist, emerge to my awaiting, and a bit sleepy, eyes.  Having risen early at 5 AM, mostly because of the all night sounds ouside my hostel window, I moved my belongings out into the hostel hallway, greeted the bathroom, checked out of the hostel, and began my trek to the Vancouver SkyTrain.

Some light reading, a cup of joe (yes, I'm drinking coffee now, mostly because it is free in many places), and before long I was off on the Greyhound bus for Nanaimo (the main portage town from the mainland to Vancouver Island).  The exciting part being the upcoming ferry ride over to the island.

The islands (many of them scattered about) appear through the mist ahead, as I sit on Level 7 (rooftop).  The clouds hang like a cloak around the islands.  My heart lifts today.  There is a calmness, peace, contentment now.  There has always been a strong connection to the ocean, perhaps an island life would work for me.  All of this, the surrounding scenery, reminds me of Alaska.  Soon, as I see the small island town becoming visable, it will be time to descend the levels to the bus and many hours later I'll be in Port Hardy.  It seems everyone goes to Victoria on the South end, but few venture North.  I go North.  Soon to discover why few venture there.

The subtle hum of the engines, the whistling of the air passing my eats, the flapping of the flags, laughter, and the water (blackened from such depths) laps alongside the ferry creating white swirls alongside the ferry.  These are the sounds of the moment.

My heart is sad, but content.  There is a longing, something that has been was lost but hopefully will be found again.  The shape of the island mountains resemble a pod of whales as they surface for air and then descend again into the depths.  There is snow on the peaks.

I am alone, but no longer lonely, now content, quietly being me, alone.