Back in Toronto

Yes, that's right - we're back here in Toronto, staying with Susan, Wade and Olivia who have graciously once again provided hospitality, this time for both Sean and myself. Having heard that my car is now in Toronto (as of yesterday), we decided to drive up over night so as to pick it up as soon as possible, planning to drive back south today to resume the onward journey.... So Sean and I left Brunswick, Maryland last night at 1:30am heading for Niagara Falls which we reached by about 9:30am this morning - taking turns to drive and sleep.

Turns out that although the car is indeed in Toronto, it is still on the train, and CN Rail have not been able to give any clear information as to when the car will be off-loaded. It may be available tomorrow, or we may have to wait until Friday. This means we are not going to be able to complete the section of Kerouac's journey from Washington to Rocky Mount, North Carolina and then on to New Orleans which is a great disappointment. Instead we are planning to rearrange the order and timing of our mini-retreat at Gethsemani (Thomas Merton's monastery in Kentucky), and visits to Memphis and New Orleans.

Still determined not to let such distractions and diversions get me down - as far as I am concerned this all part of the "on the road" experience as a parable of life. Instead perhaps it's a chance for a rest after a very full few days ... especially yesterday in Washington D.C. - still can't quite believe that was only yesterday, and we were there! Much to process and reflect upon.