Jan12
Everyone knows that the travel bug is contagious. We hope that this RTW trip we’ve embarked upon will inspire Kai and Vea to continue travelling and exploring the world when they get older – and in turn pass that spirit of adventure on to their children.
Today I realized how I inherited my adventurous spirit. This morning I read a wonderful article that was published in the Globe and Mail about my father – John Matthews, and his journey across America in a Model T Ford at the age of 17. Read the full article here.
Thanks to Cynthia Martin for telling the story of a Model T that has inspired generations of journeys.
Funny Norrie, I made the same connection to our inherited adventurous spirit today, after reading this article…we are so lucky to have this wanderlust in our genes!!! Pretty cool to imagine Dad as a young man setting off on such an adventure!!
Very true Beth. And it was Grandpa in turn that likely inspired Dad. Generations of journey genes for sure!
What a great story and keepsake for you and your family! I love the picture of your Dad!
Travel Safe
Sheila
The story reminds me of my drive to Fairbanks, Alaska from St. Louis with Ted Sands to see your Mom and Dad and to work for the summer up there. Your Mom was expecting Mike that summer, 1964, and she found me a job at the Univ. of Alaska library. Ted worked for some friends of your Mom’s and Dad’s building a log house. It took us 7 days to get up there in a Volkswagon Beetle/bug. We lived with your Mom and the dogs in their ONE room log cabin……your Dad was in the Yukon that summer again. We had some good times and went up to Circle, Alaska when your Dad was there. The Alaska highway was just a gravel road back then and the Beetle had to be painted, new windshield, and new headlights when we returned to St. Louis! I was 21 yrs. old and Ted was 19 then. I have a nice photo album somewhere, but can’t find it!
Thanks for sharing that memory of your summer in Alaska Barb. If you ever find that photo album we’d love to see some of the pictures!
Fantastic! What an incredible trip and wonderful article!
Amazing, what a tale. I didn’t know this about John- although I’m not surprised by it. My experience with John leads me to conclude that he seems to approach any opportunity (even as simple as a brief exchange in the door yard) as an adventure and his teeming enthusiasm and optimism spill over into it, infecting all in it’s path. It also seems to me that you, Norrie seem to have inherited this noble trait.
I do have one question about the story- around the second last paragraph it gives reference to him finding his first love in PEI. He found another one, bought it and fixed it up? …or did he actually find THE car he sold in San Francisco?
I sounds like you’re having a great time and the Gods are with you.
Take card. Have fun.
Paul
hi guys!
Looks like things are off to an amazing start 🙂 Have a blast!
xo kelly
Really enjoying everyone’s blogs – great way. To keep following your journey.
great story!. Our 80-year-old next door neighbour at Folly Lake bought a 1931 Model T in mint original condition. I’ll send a picture when I find it.
E
Hi Norrie and family – so true re the travelling spirit with you and Beth, makes me so wistful. Thanks for letting everyone live travels through you also…
And to clarify the car he found in PEI was a Canadian model which was different than the US, same year though.
Happy travels,
Cynthia
What a legacy and a great story. Enjoy the adventure!
I remember that very day like it was yesterday. Your “wanderlust” is part of your heritage. Your grandfather or great-grandfather (depending who is reading this) Matthews went against family tradition and business to learn to fly, winding up in central and south America. Enjoy, have fun and be safe.