Lights to Guide Me Home: In Pictures
Lights to Guide Me Home is a travelogue that takes readers on a trip around the world while I chronicle my transition through some of life’s major milestones. As there aren’t images in the book itself, I wanted to share some of these memories and visuals with readers to enhance their experience as they read. If you’ve read the book, or if you’re in the process of it, you can go chapter by chapter here!
Images are a mix of my own, and those from my talented photographer/husband Paul Zizka.
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One Becomes Two
Chapter 1: A Journey West
Canada, Spring – Summer 2005
Gorgeous Bow Lake in Banff National Park. Can you spot the little red-roofed lodge? Photo: Paul Zizka.
A roof-top view from Num-Ti-Jah (now called The Lodge at Bow Lake). Photo: Paul Zizka.
Taken in the lodge’s library around 2007 during my last season at lodge when I began working towards a freelance career. Photo: Paul Zizka.
A photo I took of Paul that first summer. Photo: Meghan Ward.
Chapter 2: Adventure is a Constant
Caribbean, Fall 2007 – Winter 2008
A pier along one of Anegada’s remarkable beaches (British Virgin Islands). Photo: Paul Zizka.
The other-worldly island of Saba. Photo: Paul Zizka.
Taking a stop while hiking in the rainforest of Dominica. Photo: Paul Zizka.
Chapter 3: Going Solo
Costa Rica, Spring 2009 – Winter 2010
The summit of Cerro Chirripo. Photo: Meghan J. Ward collection (actually, Tony of tony@i-dont-work-anymore.com, if you’ve read the book).
Reaching the final kilometre after descending from Cerro Chirripo. Photo: Meghan J. Ward.
Festivities in La Fortuna, with Volcan Arenal in the distance. Photo: Meghan J. Ward.
Solo time in Santa Teresa. I’m not much of a guitarist but I like to dabble. Photo: Meghan J. Ward.
Chapter 4: Into the Arctic
Baffin Island, Spring 2011
The Windy Lake Emergency Shelter in Auyuittuq National Park. Photo: Paul Zizka.
Paul with the barbecue. Take a look at how big that thing is. Photo: Meghan Ward.
Skiing past the impressive face of Mt. Thor. Photo: Paul Zizka.
Chapter 5: Freedom Among Giants
Nepal, Fall 2011
Interviewing our guide Tsewang over tea in the Mustang Region. Photo: Paul Zizka.
Camping along the Dhaulagiri Circuit. Photo: Paul Zizka.
Hiking along the Dhaulagiri Circuit. Photo: Paul Zizka.
Swayambunath, Kathmandu. Photo: Paul Zizka.
Tengboche Monastery. Photo: Paul Zizka.
Rachel and me on the way to the summit of Gokyo Ri. Photo: Paul Zizka.
Two Become Three
Chapter 6: The Next Great Adventure
Canada, Fall 2012 – Summer 2013
The silhouette en route to Healy Pass, Banff National Park. Photo: Meghan J. Ward.
Expecting. Photo by Paul Zizka.
Mistaya (Maya) Joy Zizka. Photo: Paul Zizka.
The little family at Skoki Lodge. Photo: Paul Zizka.
Chapter 7: Where I Begin
New Zealand, Winter 2014
Outdoor play on the Akaroa Peninsula. Photo: Paul Zizka.
Hiking near Nelson, New Zealand. Photo: Paul Zizka.
Discovering sand somewhere on the west coast of New Zealand. Photo: Paul Zizka.
Make-shift “bed” during our terrible night in Twizel. Photo: Meghan J. Ward.
Family photo on the Coromandel Peninsula. Photo: Paul Zizka.
Chapter 8: A World of Prospects
Niue and French Polynesia, Spring 2014
Getting some work done in the Niue airport. Photo: Paul Zizka.
The incredibly clear waters off the coast of Niue. Photo: Paul Zizka.
Learning to walk on the island of Maupiti, French Polynesia. Photo: Paul Zizka.
Boat ride across the lagoon over to Maupiti, French Polynesia. Photo: Paul Zizka.
The family on Fakarava, French Polynesia. Photo: Paul Zizka.
Chapter 9: Growing Pains
Hawaii and Canada, Fall 2015 – Winter 2016
Discoveries on the Big Island. Photo: Paul Zizka.
Paul’s climbing partner on the summit of Mount Robson. Photo: Paul Zizka.
A shot from the Torngat Mountains of Labrador, to give you a picture of where Paul was. Photo: Paul Zizka.
Three Become Four
Chapter 10: Two Ships in the Night
Canada, Summer 2017 – Summer 2018
Maya (age 5) with baby Lea. Photo: Paul Zizka.
Nursing and keeping warm along the trail to Healy Creek Campground. Photo: Paul Zizka.
The whole family at Healy Pass, Banff National Park. Photo: Paul Zizka.
Chapter 11: My Back to the Sea
Rapa Nui, Winter 2019
Hiking past the moai at Rano Raraku, Easter Island. Photo: Paul Zizka.
Maya at Ahu Tongariki, Easter Island. Photo: Paul Zizka.
Hiking in the interior, Easter Island. Photo: Paul Zizka.
Chapter 12: Moments of Awe
Ireland, Fall 2019
Hiking Diamond Hill, Connemara National Park, Ireland. Photo: Paul Zizka.
Summit of Diamond Hill, Connemara National Park, Ireland. Photo: Paul Zizka.
The ivy-covered Menlo Castle, Ireland. Photo: Meghan Ward.
Keem Bay, Ireland. Photo: Paul Zizka.
Chapter 13: The Big Picture
Malta, Fall 2019
Streets of Valletta. Photo: Meghan Ward.
Għajn Tuffieħa, Malta. Photo: Meghan Ward.
Caravaggio’s The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist in St. John’s Co-Cathedral, Valletta, Malta. Photo: Meghan Ward.
View of Xlendi Bay, Gozo. Photo: Meghan Ward.
Unforgettable sunset at Dwejra Bay, Gozo. Photo: Meghan Ward.
Chapter 14: The Meaning of Home
Canada, Winter – Summer 2020
We were at Mount Assiniboine Lodge when we heard the world was shutting down due to COVID-19. Photo: Paul Zizka.
Sticking close to home, Banff, Alberta. Photo: Meghan Ward.
The whole family revisits Bow Lake. Photo: Paul Zizka.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this photo recap!