Note from Wandering Educators: I was one of the privileged few to get a sneak peek at this extraordinary book, and let me be the first to say how impressed I am with it - and with Jordan's talent at inspiring people to get out and pursue their dreams. In this book, you will not only view remarkable photos, and get a glimpse into Canada today, but also follow along on photoadventures with friends, see the juxtaposition of city lights and green forest and how we can have both in our lives, and get inspired to follow possibilities. Yes, it's that good - and it's free. Take a look here at this tantalizing glimpse into Crossing Canada - and then follow the link at the bottom to download your own copy to peruse at leisure. Happy journeys!

In mid-2011 I was trying to figure out life. It'd actually been a puzzle I'd been puzzling for many years. I'd held more jobs in the decade since I finished high school than most people will have in a lifetime. From teaching outdoor education (canoeing, archery, multi-day backpack trips), to mentoring university students in a year long travelling program that took me to South Africa and Guatamala, to being a janitor, to working retail at a tea store, to becoming a Registered Massage Therapist, and many more jobs in and around that list.

Each job taught me things, and as I wrestled with purpose and desire in my old hometown, on June 15, 2011, the Vancouver Riot was on television and something clicked. After 32 years on the planet, the bits and pieces took form and I acknowledged my desire to spend my life encouraging awesomeness. Starting with a trip across Canada by backpack, sleeping where friends old and new had invited me, having conversations with people about strengths and weaknesses, hopes and dreams, and what we would do if we could. I sought better perspectives, and interactions that would cast forward ripples of wonder and a better world.

The day I stepped out that door, I had $250 to my name and the task of finding my way across the second largest country in the world ahead of me, which can seem daunting, until you focus on the fact that you don't have to cross the country yet, just find a way to the next town along the line. In this way, I wandered a path across the continent by foot, by boat, by automobile, by train. I made it to the east coast by the fall, in 5.5 months, and I raced the snow back to the west coast in 1.5 months, arriving where I began in 7 months to the day.

This book is a glance at the crossing, a glimpse of some of the people, like you and me, who fill our world with possibilities and potential.

One of my goals was to show that it is the ordinary people who choose to set out and do the things that we see as extraordinary. It isn't that I wasn't afraid, or I had tonnes of funds, or I had it all figured out. It was that I went. And I encourage you to go.

So here's a book of photographs and thoughts, whimsies from my wanders. Once again I find myself at the start of something really big, taking my dreams and visions another level forward into creating a production house, and developing better mechanisms for others to find and share their stories, and it is daunting. So, I go forward a bit at a time, share this book, share some words, and invite you to join me in this journey, in our journey.

This world is a marvelous place, and a hard place, and a good place. It is full of people with skills and abilities waiting to be discovered and unleashed. We always exist at this cusp of opportunity, with new technology allowing old ways to find better expressions, to cultivate collaboration, and to connect the resonating minority into yet again a force for better ways.

I'm one guy, with a passion for encouraging awesomeness. This is one story. What is your passion? What is your story? Our world will be much better for it.

You can follow my photoadventures and connect with me on facebook, G+, twitter, and instagram.
For more information about what I do go to maplemusketeer.com

You can find Crossing Canada with the Maplemusketeer as a free download

here http://goo.gl/kV0j97