Tuk R Bust

For me, Tuktoyaktuk was one of those strange place names that sounds sort of familiar but I couldn’t place on a map.

That changed recently.

Let me back up a bit.

Every year I try to do something that I really don’t know if I can do.

One year I took singing lessons and performed in a recital (OK, it was me and three judgmental 10 year olds – but it was really intimidating). Last year I signed up for Bring on the Bay - a 3KM swim down the Ottawa River – again waaay outside my comfort zone (I came first in my age group).

And then there’s this year…

Tuktoyaktuk (TUK tuh YAK tuk) is 7,000 km from Ottawa and 880km of that is on gravel roads. It sits where the Mackenzie river meets the Arctic ocean. For perspective, Ottawa to Edmonton is only ½ way. It is as far north as you can drive in Canada.

There will be forest fires (of course), river crossings – if the ferries are working, it may even snow. But there will also be adventure and exploration of a place and culture that few ever see.

And did I mention that I’ll be doing this in a 58 year old British sports car?

Why?

Why not? Setting yourself big challenges changes the way you think and act, and what you learn isn't always what you expected.

Singing taught me surprising things about breath control, modulation, pitch – all of which I use when speaking in public. A 3km swim in the Ottawa river taught me that we have much more perseverance than we think we do.

And Tuk….? It’s a scary objective.

22 days of driving
17,000 km roundtrip
1760km of gravel
Antique British car

What big scary things are you taking on? Personally? Professionally? Maybe it's expanding into a new market. Maybe it's hiring that key executive. Maybe it's writing the book you've always talked about.

Whatever it is, if it scares you a little... it’s probably worth doing.

I don’t know how Tuk will change me but I can’t wait to find out.

Andrew

P.S. I leave on August 18th. If you want to follow along, find me on Facebook . I’ll add updates as I go along (and find signal). If my route takes me anywhere near you, I'd love the excuse to stop for a coffee. Just send me a note.