Canada!

Back in the normal days, pre-pandemic and before the world went on lockdown, I got to go on one of THE most amazing trips I’ve ever been on in my life. And I got to do it solo! (Well, sorta; keep reading.) And I’m telling you, this was a BIG dang deal. I had never been away from my daughter for more than two nights (which had happened exactly once). But… I’d made a promise to myself, and more or less declared, that I was going to visit my cousin, Alli, in Canada. My Granny had left me a savings bond when she passed away, and I decided that a trip to visit Alli (who’s practically my sister) was the most perfect way to honor her gift since she had always wanted to travel to Canada and never got to go. So… I made plans, packed a bag, left my young daughter in the care of my mom and hubby, and got on a plane. I’m rather certain that I was much more excited about it than they were, ha.

Alli and her hubby, Kerry, were outstanding tour guides. I had initially thought that we’d simply hang out at their house and I’d see their town, but they took my visit to a whole other level. From the moment they picked me up at the airport, it was an exciting adventure! We began our journey in Banff where we stayed in Alli and Kerry’s camper. I believe Alli was a tad worried about my liking the accommodations since I’d never been glamping before (in my opinion, if you’re not sleeping on the ground in a tent, it’s glamping), but I thought it was fabulous! I seriously felt like I’d been plopped down in the middle of a Jeep commercial. After all, I was surrounded by snow topped mountains, and staying in their cozy camper with their Wrangler parked alongside. We didn’t stay in the camper the whole trip though. They took me on a remarkable road trip across Canada that also included sleeps (as they say) at their cabin on Shuswap Lake, a fancy condo in Whistler, and spiffy lodgings at an Airbnb in Vancouver.

Along the way, I got to see and do so many amazing things!! We visited Banff National Park, Two Jack Lake, Lake Minnewanka, and hiked Johnston Canyon Trail to the Upper Falls. The latter was very impressive, but sweet mercy… as the out of shape member of our small group, I thought I was going to have a heart attack before we got to the top of the falls, haha. I also got to go paddle boarding for the first time – if you can call it that since I sat on the board (so I wouldn’t fall in the freezing-cold water, as I’m certain I would have), and take an evening boat ride around their lake. I got to photograph Lake Louise and Emerald Lake, which were breathtaking. And I even saw a bear!! Granted, it was along the side of the highway, and we were traveling too fast to get a really good look, but hey, it counts! I walked through rainforests, hugged giant trees, saw immense waterfalls, and hiked a trail to an old train wreck from 1956 that people had turned into a unique, twisted, work of art (via graffiti). I also rode – without too much trepidation – an intimidating gondola to the top of a mountain, and walked on suspension bridges. I even ate crazy things that normally I wouldn’t have been brave enough to try. Although, they weren’t successful in getting me to taste a Caesar Cocktail (aka the Canadian Bloody Mary) because oyster juice in anything is just gross!

And the best part of all of those incredible adventures was that I got to hang out with Alli and Kerry, who are crazy fun. I laughed until it hurt, and once I laughed so hard, I spit my drink across the table. We played all our favorite games, went to an outdoor concert, enjoyed coffee in camp chairs, and even had a picnic at a deserted Granville Island after hours. It was all aaaaaamazing, and those are just the highlights! It was a spectacular and unforgettable trip. And I ‘m so thankful to have been able to experience it. I am grateful to Alli and Kerry for the adventures and memories, and to Mom and Kendall for taking care of Olivia, and to Granny for making it possible.

Unfortunately, my trip home wasn’t so wonderful. I spent 19 hours stranded in O’Hare airport because apparently, they lost my plane or something – but crazily enough, not my luggage… I hope that was my first, and last, time sleeping on a cot in an airport. Fun stuff (not so much). I did eventually get home though and that’s the important part.

The last entry in my travel journal for this trip reads… “Note to self: do well to remember the excitement and fun of the trip, as well as the joy and love upon returning home.”