Walk with Jo

START

+ 45 miles

Oct 1 - Oct 31, 2023 Rigaud, QC James and Kristy asked Jennifer and I to be Godparents. They are expecting a 3rd.

+ 2 miles

Sept 27, 2023 San Jose, CA "... grown up people are not strong enough to exult in monotony." GK Chesterton True. But this moment on the roller coaster with my grandson I could have done .. again ... again .. and again!

+ 63 miles

Aug 8 - Aug 31, 2023 From my front door, QC Cloyd was up from Moncton. We made sure we took a family pic before he left. Live every day like it's your last day!

+ 7.1 miles

August 8, 2023 Tent Camping, Foret Oureau, QC So many precious moments happen close to the dawn of a new day.

+ 2.3 miles

6th 1,000 miles!

July 30, 2023 Old Montreal, Montreal, QC Jame's texted me "60% done!". 6,000 miles. The way I feel now 10K miles will only be the beginning. Buddhism has this concept of a transitional step between death and rebirth. They call it the "bardo". When Jo's life on earth ended I entered into a type of bardo. Something in me died with her. Jo's dieing has made me a better person. I have a long way to go but I am no longer in a hurry. I am surrounded by love. I have stopped drinking and I walk .... and walk ... and walk. Jo walks with me but now I walk for the living, not the dead. Saint Joseph .. Pray for us!

+ 17 miles

July 21, 2023 St-Thomas, Hudson, QC I attempted to complete the round trip from home to this church in Hudson twice. This time I did it. I could see from the soles of my feet that it has been a while since I did a long one.

+ 10.8 miles

July 11-14, 2023 Bathurst NB Jennifer and I took a short trip to Bathurst. Lot of love there. They give as much to Jennifer as they gave to Jo. This station brought back memories of my grandfather.

+ 3.2 miles

July 1, 2023 Rigaud, QC We brought my mom out for a Canada Day BBQ. My morning walks are now habitual. Closing in on an 150 day streak.

+ 3.2 miles

June 15, 2023 Steph's place, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC Rox came up from Fogo to pick up furniture. James flew in from CA. We surprised GJ with a family dinner. Lots of love.

+ 3.2 miles

May 28, 2023 Montreal, QC My mom. Gramma J. She has touched so many lives from her wheel chair.

+ 2.1 miles

May 25, 2023 Lac des Iles, Tadoussac, QC Early morning reflection on a very cold lake.

+ 2.2 miles

May 14, 2023 Montreal, QC I do this walk every time I stay over night in Montreal. You just need to walk without looking for anything and you will see things.

+ 3.2 miles

May 10, 2023 Rigaud, QC Today is our wedding anniversary. So many happy memories. I start each day now with a 5AM morning walk. I ask the Holy Spirit to walk with me and I ask Jo to pray for us.
"It was as if the lifting of the sorrow removed a barrier." A Grief Observed, CS Lewis

+ 3.2 miles

Apr 8, 2023 Saint Patrick's, Montreal, QC Easter Vigil. Bill followed RCIA. I take my sponsor role seriously. He rarely misses mass and is working hard on dropping the "f" word. Easter was Jo's favourite "holiday".

+ 14.7 miles

Aug 7 - Aug 9, 2022 Fogo Island, NL With Rox. My first time visting Rox and Joe at the new home on Fogo Island. Her mom would have loved this place. But I didn't get to see any whales. Maybe next year.

+ 10.0 miles

June 22, 2022 Adirondacks, NY, USA - Mount Algonquin My hiking buddy and I. I and a big rock sheltered Taz from the wind. The mist and the wind made it a perfect day for prayer.

+ 8.8 miles

June 15, 2022 Adirondacks, NY, USA - Mount Wright My first real hike since the pandemic. Taz's second time on Mount Wright.

+ 0 miles

May 26 - May 31, 2022 Club Tadoussac Fishing Outfitter, Tadoussac, QC Fishing in Tadoussac was an annual thing for Jo and I. She had a seizure here on our last trip. Her worse one before the last one. This was my first time back. I forgot how much this place meant to me. From my journal on the last day. "Today we head back to reality. I wish this was my reality."

+ 11.6 miles

May 11, 2022 Montara, CA Two hikes today. One with Lee early morning and one with James in the afternoon.

+ 8.0 miles

May 10, 2022 Montara, CA Happy Anniversary min! I can imagine you sitting here looking out at the ocean you loved so much.

+ 0 miles

May 8, 2022 Le Cimetière Sainte-Marguerite-de-Blairfindie, L'Acadie, QC We buried Jo's ashes yesterday. Her mom liked the short cermony. I went back today to spend some time alone. She could always see the real me, the good and the bad.

+ 0 miles

April 19, 2022 San Francisco, California A few days after Kristy converted to Catholicism, she gave birth to Poppy Grace Hudon. Baby girl, 7 lbs 4 oz, born April 19th, 2022 at 5:04AM.

+ 0 miles

April 16, 2022 (Easter Vigil) Saint Patricks Basilica , Montreal I was confirmed Catholic today. My brother said "I looked at peace with myself." I believe in everlasting life. Johanne pray for me.

+ 0 miles

May 8, 2022 Home to St Thomas Aquinas Church in Hudson, QC ... and part of the way back. The first time I walk to the Catholic church in Hudson, I passed the Saint James Anglican church and wondered if converting from Anglican to Catholic was the right thing. I no longer have those doubts.

+ 0 miles

April 4, 2022 Rigaud I have been walking but it has been over a year since I updated the site. The ducks are back. It is spring in Rigaud. The last year for me has been a transformational one. I continue to struggle with alcohol. I am finding my way with the help of God and prayer.

+ 14.5 miles

March 22, 2022 Church of La Visitation-de-la-Bienheuruese-Vierge-Marie to Saint Patricks Basilica, Montreal People from my RCIA group did a walk. Jennifer, Max , Elizabeth and myself started before sunrise in Ahuntsic. We met up with Ashley and Alex. at Saint Joseph's. Finishing for the noon mass at Saint Patricks.

+ 2.6 miles

5th 1,000 miles!

February 6, 2022 Montara, CA The picture is from Isaac's 1st birthday part on the 5th in Montara. The next morning we walked for a coffee. Jo would have smiled because only a month later did I realize that I had walked the 5000 th mile.

+ 0 miles

November 1, 2021 A fourth dog. Tsar. An 8 week old Black Russian Terrier.

+ 0 miles

October 28, 2021 Paris, France It's fitting that Steve asked Steph to marry him in a city that was so special to her mom. He called me the day before they left Montreal to ask for her hand.

+ 12 miles

July 17, 2021 Mont Rigaud Happy Birthday min! Father Hurley, a Dominican priest at Saint Dominics in San Francisco, said we should celebrate our Baptismal date as it signifies the day we became Christians and it is one year closer to eternal life. I don't know when Jo was Baptised. I will continue to walk on her birthdays.
Jo and I walked Mont Rigaud only a few times. But I have vivid memories of eating her ham and cheese with mustard on white bread at this little shack.

+ 0 miles

June 1, 2021 Halp Moon Bay, CA Our Lady of the Pillar Catholic Church.
Isaac's Baptism.

+ 94.7 miles

April 6 - May 8, 2021 Family Facetime Due to isolation during the pandemic, like many of our elderly, my mom had a rough time in 2021. It was the first and only time I could remember her ever say she would prefer to leave this life. When Jo was alive she was my "how to be a better son coach". This time I had to do it all on my own. My mom needed me.

+ 45.1 miles

March 14 - April 5, 2021 Not far from home Gramma J's Prayer

Dear God,

Thank you for blessing me with a mother who loves, nurtures and protects me.
Please watch over her as the seasons change.
Love and protect her as she has done for her children.
Fill her days with more laughter than tears.
Let her hold her great grandchildren in her arms before you welcome her into heaven.
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

+ 8.9 miles

March 13, 2021 Home to St Thomas Aquinas Church in Hudson, QC With Jennifer. Walking to explore my spirituality. Once again, I am curious about who I am and thoughtful about who I want to be.

+ 0 miles

March 6, 2021 Celebrating Isaacs first month, CA With Kristy, James, Kristy’s parents and Isaac. The love in this picture of Mr Yeh and Isaac brings back vivid memories of my grand father.

+ 0 miles

March 5, 2021 Montara Beach, CA James has been encouraging me to pray. I was struggling with a prayer for Isaac. I sat alone on the cliff listening to the crashing of the waves and it started … “ Dear God, help isaac …. “

+ 7.5 miles

March 5, 2021 Windy Hill Open Space Preserve, CA With Lee. Walking with friends gives you a different perspective on trails.

+ 6.3 miles

March 3, 2021 San Pedro Valley County Park, CA With James. Walks with my son have become very spiitual. This one started and ended at the stone he had dedicated to his mom. Simply engraved "Je t'aime Maman."

+ 16.1 miles

March 1, 2021 6 Peaks Trail, Mount Diablo, CA 8.5 hours and 6 peaks dedicated to Isaac.

+ 16.1 miles

February 27, 2021 Coastal Trail, Princeton to Half Moon Bay Ritz-Carleton, CA Jo prefered the coastal walks. We both preferred walking together.

+ 12 miles

February 25, 2021 Purisma Creek, Redwood Open Space Reserve, CA I prefer walking amongst trees.

+ 12.1 miles

February 23, 2021 Montara to Pacifica Trail, Montara, CA Why I live.

+ 9.8 miles

February 22, 2021 Montara to Pacifica Trail, Montara, CA I started to walk to Pacifica from Montara but decided to leave some for another day. It was getting late.

+ 8.4 miles

February 21, 2021 San Pedro Mountain, CA Jo could sit on a beach, listening to the music of the waves, for hours. She would stare in silence. Now I understand that she was praying.

+ 10.2 miles

February 19, 2021 Mount Montara Peak Trail, Montara, CA This hike was one of my first in 2018. On that hike I got a call from my doctor on the high PSA level in my blood. It is also on this trail up Mount Montara that Jame's asked Kristy to marry him.

+ 4.4 miles

February 18, 2021 Montara, CA James and Kristy could not have picked a better place to start their family. The little town of Montara perched on hill looking out at the Pacific Ocean.

+ 0 miles

February 17, 2021 Montara, CA After more than a year, on this day I got a big "Hudon hug" from my son and I got to hold my grand son. I could feel his grand mother in Heaven inside this gift of life.

+ 9 miles

February 16, 2021 Huddart County Park, CA 2020 was a tough year for many people. It was no different for me. I wandered off the path and lost my sense of purpose. Nothing seemed to matter any more. Isaac's birth gave me a reason to start walking again. This hike was my first in months.

+ 0 miles

February 5, 2021 Mills-Peninsula Medical Center, Burlingame, California Isaac Réal Hudon took his first breath at 1:02 AM Pacific time. "I can feel so much love in those pictures. I am sure Johanne is looking down and smiling." Shane Holmer

+ 0 miles

August 6, 2020 Saint-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, QC Steph's place. She needed a hug. So did I.

+ 2.5 miles

June 21, 2020 Rigaud, QC Father's Day in Rigaud. James was in Montara and couldn't come. He and Kristy Facetimed me just before the girls arrived. I AM GOING TO BE A GRANDFATHER! Cycles. What started with death, continues with life.

+ 3 miles

May 31, 2020 Rigaud, QC My son got married today. Not even an upside down world can make that any less special. My daughters and Kristy's parents Zoomed into the ceremony he had at his home in Montara. On this day I found a letter my grandmother had written to Jo when James was born. Part of it read "... all the buttons on grampy's shirt popped off when he heard the baby was going to be called James. I didn't think a 75 year old man could be so happy and proud at the same time but I seen him like that a long time ago when he had had his first grandson." My grandparents would have been as happy this day as they were the day I married Jo.

+ 3 miles

Fourth 1,000 miles!

May 10, 2020 Rigaud, QC Mile 4,000 was done on our wedding anniversary. Not planned like that. It just happened. On the same day I found this anniversary card she had given me.

+ 612 miles

Feb 1 - Apr 30, 2020 Not far from home The questions about myself, life and death, that I started to ask in March 2018 remain unanswered. The answers have become less important. I find value and happiness in the simple things. Each and every day starts with an exchange with those I love. A simple good morning and good night. She never wanted more than that.

+ 6 miles

January 31, 2020 Rigaud, QC

The woman looking in everyone's mail box.

For 12 years this has been home.

I only knew the one neighbor. You know the one.
The one that everyone knows. The one that knows everyone.

Walking has changed that.

Just in front. Six years ago he had the same operation I had in January. They didn't get it all.
His little dog, Milou, died before Christmas. He burst into tears and I hugged him.

First house on the left. Young family. Dad works with his hands and waits with his coffee for the school bus every morning.

Just before the new house on the left. He put his dog down last year. Says he will never get another. Dog slipped on his boat. He likes sailing. He doesn't think I will remember his name.

Just past the new house. His wife wears something on her head to hide the chemo. She beat it once. He hopes she beats it again.

They moved in last year. He's a young real estate agent. Their young child, so happy and talkative in the stroller, is now in complete remission.

This feels like my house.

She was 41 and died the same year Johanne did. The three years prior to her death were very painful. She was always cold. She wanted to know her neighbors. He's a welder from Brazil.
Her car sits in the yard covered with snow.

Who was the woman looking in everyones mail box?

+ 25 miles

January 4 - January 11, 2020 Dalian, CN This was my first time back to Dalian since I right-sized the company. Our annual party was more casual and relaxed. I actually enjoyed singing at KTV. Jame's turned 30 on the 11th. I wrote him a poem: What is the meaning of being thirty now? I asked my friend Dao. Yesterday you were twenty-nine. Everything was fine. Soon you will be thirty-one. You will still be the number one son. So what does it mean to be thirty now? It simply means you are thirty now. So don't think too much about it or Before you sleep, tomorrow will be today.

+ 2.1 miles

January 1st, 2020 Rigaud, QC I lit her candle for a few minutes on the 1st. I am starting the new decade in a good place but I allow myself moments like this one.

+ 0 miles

December 31st, 2019 Rigaud, QC Kristy's first snowman. James and Kristy were home for the holidays. James will marry in the first year of a new decade. Just like his mom and I.

+ 0 miles

December 24th, 2019 Rigaud, QC When the kids got older and Santa left the building, we celebrated the family Christmas on Christmas eve. Last year Rox was in the UK on the 24th with Joe's family. This was the first Christmas eve we were all together. Our guardian angel was with us. She would have laughed at me cooking two "practice" turkeys to make sure I got it right on the 24th.

+ 0 miles

December 18th, 2019 Moncton, NB Cloyd was ready for a walk when I showed up in Moncton. I wasn't dressed for one. I just wanted to see a brother I see too little of. That will change in 2020.

+ 9 miles

Third 1,000 miles!

November 12, 2019 Rigaud, QC Mile 3,000 was done on a snow covered Chemin Deer Hill, under a full moon, walking Tia before bed. Walking has become natural and necessary for me. I don't have to climb mountains anymore to walk with Jo.

+ 0 miles

Oct 30th, 2019 Rigaud My pups are just about full grown now.

+ 0 miles

Oct 22th, 2019 Vaudreuil-Dorion, QC The vet said Tara is in great shape for a 12 year old German Shepherd. My brother Bill adopted Tara when Johanne left. Bill had become a brother to Johanne and has become more than a brother to me.

+ 0 miles

Oct 13th, 2019 La Prairie, Quebec Steph has inherited the Thanksgiving turkey dinner from her Mom. I also got a surprise birthday cake. Blew out all my candles but forgot what I wished for.

+ 0 miles

Oct 5th, 2019 Montara, California James and Kristy's engagement party and house warming. Jo is always around the table whenever the family gets together. There are ups and downs but always lots of love. I met Kristy's parents for the first time. Still no grandkids but getting closer.

+ 115 miles

Sep 7 - Sep 13, 2019 Galicia, Spain Ribadeo to Santiago. In total I did 532 miles in 29 days. The last segment to Santiago I walked with a shin splint. I remembered what my son had said to me last year. "These are not supposed to be easy." This will be my last Camino. Last year my destination was Santiago. I felt homeless. This time I was stopping in Santiago to light a candle for Jo but I was anxious to get home.

+ 172 miles

Aug 29 - Sep 6, 2019 Asturias, Spain Buelna to Ribadeo. Sunset at Albergue San Martin de Laspra. I expressed an interest in learning more about Christianity. James had suggested I read CS Lewis, Mere Christianity. I finished the book somewhere walking through Asturias. I am still searching for how to live the rest of my life.

+ 123 miles

Aug 23 - Aug 28, 2019 Cantabria, Spain Portugalete to Buelna. Jo loved the ocean. Unlike last year I felt she was with me all the time. As my days started to repeat, I spent less and less time thinking of what was ahead of me. I just walked.

+ 123 miles

Aug 16 - Aug 22, 2019 Basque Country, Spain Irun to Portugalete along the coast of Northern Spain, was the first segment of my Northern Camino. I felt I had something left undone from last years Camino. On my way into Zumaia I passed an old man sitting on a bench in the shade of two old trees. For some reason he sat on the far right of the bench. As if someone was sitting next to him. His eyes were closed and his head was bowed. He look like he was sleeping but he could have been dead. I wonder if for him there was any difference? Nothing would change. Perhaps at one point they would just remove a body and he would remain in the shade under those trees. Being in front of his ocean, feeling whatever he was feeling sitting next to whoever was next to him on the bench.

+ 4.2 miles

July 31, 2019 Rigaud, QC This month was a record month for miles. Nothing spectacular. Just getting up each day and walking with the dogs. Walked Deer hill in Rigaud repetitively. Same time. Day in and day out. I've accepted that she is in a better place and that she wants me to be happy. My steps now are more about today than yesterday.

+ 6 miles

July 19, 2019 Bathurst, NB With Kristy, James, Tia, Taz and my father. We went for a Keddie cousin reunion. First time Kristy met my dad She remarked how much I looked like him.

+ 13 miles

July 18, 2019 Up River, NB With Taz and Tia. Walking these boring, dusty, dirt roads with my dogs brings memories of the guy she fell in love with.

+ 9 miles

July 17, 2019 The Camp, NB With Taz and Tia. Her second birthday. I am still journaling. Her last birthday was at the church of Santiago de Compostela. A place she wanted to go. This birthday was Up Camp, in front of the outhouse, a place she had been.

+ 4 miles

July 16, 2019 Up Camp, NB With Taz and Tia. A yearling. Perhaps born on March 20, 2018. Johanne could make a vacation out of seeing a moose on the road. This one looked back at me and said , "all I want is for you to be happy."

+ 16 miles

Second 1,000 miles!

July 14, 2019 Rigaud, QC With Steve, Steph, Joe, Rox, Kristy, James and Taz. 2000 miles. The last mile was with family. The way it should be. Rigaud was alive with the three kids, their partners and the dogs. Today was about all of us. All of those that loved her and she loved. Rox said, "I love to see Steph happy in Rigaud."

+ 11 miles

July 12, 2019 Rigaud, QC There is no place like home. The only time is the now. There is the faint promise of tomorrow but only from home can you see it.

+ 56 miles

July 2 - July 8, 2019 Dalian, China Downsizing my life to make space to live it. As part of the unburdening I laid off 60% of the Dalian office. A tough week. Jo would be smiling. She dreamed of a simpler life.

+ 10 miles

June 16, 2019 Lachine to Old Montreal, QC Father's Day. Walked to meet Steph and Steve for lunch at Jardin Nelson. Jo had good memories of 2 Pierrots in Old Montreal with friends. She might have only been there once. It didn't take much to make her happy.

+ 12 miles

June 6, 2019 Mount Rigaud, QC With Tia. My pups are Jo's proxy. Rigaud was a last minute substitute for an ADK hike. It was my most pleasant hike of Rigaud since Jo left. I am learning to walk to walk and not to walk to finish.

+ 10 miles

May 30, 2019 Adirondacks, NY, USA - Mount Algonquin With Taz. Was a tough first hike for my boy. Started at 2AM hoping to catch the sunrise but found heavy clouds and mist instead . Sharing the climb with my new buddy was all I wanted. I am sure it would have made her smile. She said "All I want is for you to be happy."

+ 8 miles

May 20, 2019 Shanghai, China - Puxi (Huangpu West Bank) Last time I walked a Shanghai morning I did the East bank of the Huangpu river. Jo would have loved these Shanghai sunrise walks. She would have forgot her bad experience with the pigeons and sea urchin. This walk I noticed an abundance of flags along the waters edge. Perhaps they were always there.

+ 11 miles

May 17, 2019 Suzhou, China - JinJi Lake Jo visited China once. We strolled along JinJi Lake in Suzhou. Had dinner lakeside with Vincent, his wife and young daughter. Jo wouldn’t eat the pigeon. I don’t think we noticed the lights of Suzhou center that that night. Now I notice everything.

+ 7 miles

May 13, 2019 Adirondacks, NY, USA - Mount Wright Felt good to be back in the mountains. On my anniversary last year this was my first mountain hike. I found two rainbows and realized she was there when I needed her. Winds were not as bad this year. Noticed her bright white profile in the otherwise cloudy morning sky. She looks relaxed.

+ 0 miles

April 22, 2019 Rigaud She was the responsible one. I will always remember her saying , "Give me a pig and I will take care of it." Tundra (the Rottie) would have been her favourite but no one would have ever known.

+ 0 miles

March 20, 2019 Lost First day of Spring 2019. 4 seasons have passed. It was a rough winter.

+ 26 miles

March 5, 2019 San Francisco, California She loved books and spent hours in the stores that sell them. I walked the memories of our last trip to San Francisco together.

+ 89 miles

February 1 - February 28, 2019 Rigaud, Quebec I found home again. The puppies have brought new life to Rigaud. Every morning I walk the dogs before they eat I walk her short trail around the lake.

+ 6 miles

January 26, 2019 Dalian, China With Chuck. Remembered her first and only trip to China. She got sick in Suzhou and the sea urchin did not go down well in Dalian. China kept us apart. When Steph asked me to hurry home on March 20th, 2018, I was in China.

+ 20 miles

December 31, 2018 Montreal With James. Walked the Montreal memories. Started where Jo first fell many years ago. 2018 is over. In it I leave my soul mate, the mother of my children, my min. I will do my best in 2019 but part of me I left on the first day of spring 2018.

+.5 miles

December 28, 2018 Bathurst, NB With my son and my father looking for Violet Grey. There is a lot of Johanne in James. She would be happy James wanted to do this.

+ 0 miles

December 21, 2018 Rigaud Tara was Johanne's companion when I travelled. I sometimes wonder if she could talk would she have told me Jo was getting weaker. My hikes will take a different turn in 2019. Plan to spend more time in the mountains with my dogs. James is helping me make that happen.

+ 0 miles

December 21, 2018 Rigaud With Bill. Brought home 2 more puppies from Hamilton Ontario. Tundra, Taz and Tia. 2 girls and a boy. Jo was the responsible one. My turn now.

+ 0 miles

November 15, 2018 Tundra - new life in Rigaud I fell hard in October. Something had to change. Responsiblity for a new life was a change I decided to make. A 9 week old female Rottweiller.

+ 93 miles

October 31 - November 12, 2018 Dalian, China Complete meltdown. Falling, like leaves it autumn, for the tree it's life for the leaf it's death. Things can be repaired but they always remain broken.

+ 19 miles

October 26, 2018 Adirondacks, NY, USA - Mounts Saddleback and Basin loop 7/46 ADK Peaks My steps breaking the snowy silence and cool air, triggered memories of my youth, my grandparents and their love for Johanne. Going over Saddleback, the trail covered with ice and snow, triggered a yell no one could hear, "I can".

+ 9 miles

October 20, 2018 Adirondacks, NY, USA - Jay Mountain Trail With Rox and Joe. The wind wanted to take me. I saw so much of her mom in Rox on this hike.

+ 19 miles

First 1,000 miles!

October 12, 2018 Adirondacks, NY, USA - Mount Haystack Trail Spring and summer of 2018 have passed. I've walked over 1000 miles in 5 countries. On mountains trails , on highways and in cities. I've passed streams, museums and churches. Walked with hikers, pilgrims, family and friends. But I feel like I've taken just a few steps. Surrounded by darkness.

+ 21 miles

September 28 - September 30, 2018 Adirondacks, NY, USA - Mount Redfield 5/46 ADK peaks After the wedding we all feel we lost her again. This time I looked for the solitude and found it here. Certain feelings are shared when losing a loved one. But many are extremely personal. Those hurt the most.

+ 68 miles

September 5 - September 12, 2018 Paris Something about this city really keeps mom’s memories alive. The happy ones. I have been walking 10-15 miles a day. I moved to Montparnesse for some reason I cannot explain. Yesterday I realized mom will always go to sleep in Montmartre close to her beloved Sacre-Coeur.

+ 0 miles

September 2, 2018 Roxane and Joe's Wedding - Maison Trestler, Vaudreuil-Dorion Both Johanne and Joe's father Ian helped make this day a welcome pause from all those things that are just not right. This day was everthing Rox's mom would have wanted it to be.

We miss you so much.

+ 13 miles

August 21, 2018 Mont Rigaud With Steph. Can't remember the last time my eldest and I talked non-stop for 4 hours. Her mom was her confidante. Also, one of the few photos where you can see a fatherly resemblance. Lucky me.

+ 23 miles

August 9 - August 13, 2018 Toronto, Ontario - Rogers Cup With Steph, Rox, James and Steve. Jo loved to watch tennis. We had got tickets to the mens quarter, semi and finals in Toronto not long before she passed.

+ 9 miles

August 5, 2018 White Mountains, NH, USA - Mount Lafayette With Peter, Sun and Fanny. Challenging 7 hours. Peter took this photo. Too much traffic on this trail. Jo like solitude in the wild. She would have preferred a city walk over a busy trail.

+ 16 miles

July 21, 2018 Adirondacks, NY, USA - Mount Colden 4/46 ADK peaks With Diane. "C'est injuste." Diane was Jo's best friend. She was there for her when she needed her. I did not expect to do this 9 hour hike not long after Santiago but glad I did.

+ 0 miles

July 17, 2018 Santiago de Compostela, Spain Sunrise on her birthday in front the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela. She wanted to do this walk for her father, Real.

+ 140 miles

July 7 - July 16, 2018 Portugal, Spain - Santarem to Santiago de Compostela So much happened from Santarem to Santiago. Johanne was a very spiritual person. I was not at her father's funeral but she often spoke of sensing his presence when leaving the church in Iberville. This picture found me at the Church of La Peregrina in Pontevedra, Spain.

+ 73 miles

July 2 - July 5, 2018 Portugal - Lisbon to Santarem When Jo spoke of the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela you sensed she was speaking from that place of unattainable dreams. My contribution was starting from Lisbon to avoid the crowds on the Camino Frances. I made it to Santarem with the excess weight I was carrying. I lightened my load and adjusted my plan at Santarem.

+ 12 miles

June 22, 2018 Adirondacks, NY, USA - Lake Arnold My first overnight. I was not looking for this lake but I found a brief solitude. The silence was amplified with Bruce Springsteen and my micro-Bose. Steph had a rough week.

+ 7 miles

June 16, 2018 Shanghai, China - Lujiazui Pudong New District Shanghai at 5 AM is still a village. She loved villages. First time I felt homeless.

+ 9 miles

June 9, 2018 Dalian, China - Jinlong Temple Forrest Park With Jack, Peter, James, Sun, Melody, Sharon, Fanny and Gelen. A feel good day. 999 steps up Mount Cheng.

+ 20 miles

June 2, 2018 Adirondacks, NY, USA - Mount Marcy 3/46 ADK Peaks The fog was Marcy's way of telling me I need to come back. A suspended bridge. The panic I could feel in you on escalators. My position was behind you going up and in front of you going down. “Ample Make This Bed”

+ 38 miles

May 21, 2018 Bathurst, NB, Canada UP Camp. Some of the best memories. We need to spend more time in these places. I met an angel on an ATV about a mile from the camp. Gerald Power. Back at the cottage will pay Patty then go to bed. I felt you were there today. In the trees.

+ 10 miles

May 12, 2018 Mount Orford, QC, Canada With James. My thoughts are like vortices looking for their center.

+ 11 miles

May 10, 2018 Adirondacks, NY, USA - Algonquin and Wright Peaks 2/46 ADKpeaks We were married on this day 38 years ago. When I asked her to marry her first response was; "I need to think about it." Where can I find you when I need you?

+ 0 miles

May 5, 2018 Rox's Engagement party I need to get used to be in the center of family pictures.

+ 11 miles

April 29, 2018 Wilder Ranch, Santa Cruz, CA, USA Missing Rigaud. California always felt like a place to pass through on the way home.

+ 9 miles

April 28, 2018 Big Sur, CA, US Everything after removing my boots and wading across the stream was anticlimactic.

+ 7 miles

April 27, 2018 Toro Regional Park, CA, US James is remembering his mom by playing the piano everyday.

+ 10 miles

April 26, 2018 Montara, CA, USA With James & Kristy. What is worse than having to apologize is having no one to apologize to.

+ 13 miles

April 21, 2018 Mount Rigaud With Steve, Steph, Joe and Rox. Mont Rigaud is close to home. Jo and I did this hike a few times in better days. This time nobody made those sinfully good ham, cheese with mustard on white bread sandwiches.

+ 24 miles

March 29 - April 23, 2018 Paris With James. Jo was never pretentious, always humble and forever grateful. You would never think she visited the City of Light 10 times over the years. She had a particular affinity for Montmartre and Basilique du Sacré-Cœur.