Alberta

2024: A Year in Review
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2024: A Year in Review

This intro is always so hard to write. How do I summarize my feelings on an entire year in just a single paragraph? This year was… a mixed bag. The world around me continues to feel so turbulent and chaotic and I think that instability has drawn me inwards more than usual. Typically I find sanctuary in travel. It is the activity that most gets me outside my head and into my body. When my world feels confusing – travel makes sense. But in 2024, I found more respite in ritual. In weekly rhythms. In familiar places. In deeper bonds. When my enthusiasm for travel began to slip later in the year, I knew that I had to regroup and refocus. And so as I turn the page to 2025, I still see travel (I’m boarding a flight to Hawaii in 24 hours) but with more intentionality perhaps. I don’t do stillness very well but maybe I can practice presence. Wherever I go, there I am.

Some places I found myself this past year…

Bowen Island, BC (January)

I began the year with the most restorative and transformational weekend in the woods on nearby Bowen Island. I had wanted to do a yoga retreat for years and finally found the ideal fit for me at Nectar Yoga Retreat. The deluxe cottage and common spaces were tranquil and gorgeous with delicious shared breakfasts prepared each morning as well as morning and evening yoga classes in a geodesic dome heated by a wood fire. During our unscheduled time we went for nature walks and explored the nearby village of Snug Cove. Could anything be cozier? Not only did I find stillness and rest but I also awakened my desire for movement. Moving my body each day felt incredible and it inspired me to do more of it. When I returned home I committed to moving my body weekly through yoga, pilates, and barre classes – something that I’ve truly learned to love this year.

Halfmoon Bay, BC (January)

My book club’s annual ritual of creating our own retreat each year continued to the Sunshine Coast during a rare winter snowstorm. We braved the weather and literally hauled our bags up a steep snow covered hill to our cozy cabin in Halfmoon Bay. We played games, ate snacks and I think we even squeezed in some book chatter.

Bellingham, WA (February)

My first international trip of the year was to nearby Bellingham as my partner had a much anticipated NEXUS interview in Blaine. We decided to turn it into a getaway and found a gorgeous rental outside the city that allowed us the opportunity to check out all the cute small towns in the area, including Fairhaven and Edison as well as Whatcom State Park. It’s an area that I know I’ll return to again and again.

Ottawa, ON (February)

The first of two work trips to Ottawa this calendar year – found me arriving to 15°C temperatures that suddenly dropped to -10°C over night. I was staying in a different part of the city than usual – and while not close to any of the usual tourist haunts, I instead braved the very icy pathways to walk along the Rideau river. In retrospect this was probably unwise as I definitely fell a couple of times and cracked my 14 year old boots wide open… but I managed to make it home mostly unscathed and lightened my luggage by one pair of shoes.

Palm Springs, CA (March)

After a long, cold winter… it was time for a spring break trip down south. My bestie Joy and I ventured to Palm Springs for a fabulous girls weekend. We stayed at the most instagrammable boutique hotel – Fleur Noire. We ate delicious food and drank yummy cocktails on patios that weren’t quite as warm as I hoped. Hung out by the pool when the wind wasn’t knocking over the umbrellas. Spent a day hiking in Joshua Tree National Park. And rented bikes to explore all the cute mid-century neighbourhoods. I loved this weekend and will forever find excuses to squeeze a California trip into my annual travel plans.

Métis Crossing, AB (April)

For my annual girls weekend with my university besties, we chose a place close to Rachel’s home in St. Albert and decided to check out the Lodge at Métis Crossing in Smoky Lake, Alberta. I’ve been loving more Indigenous tourism experiences in Canada and was very excited for the opportunity to learn more about Métis culture. We stayed for two nights in our very own geodesic skywatching dome which we booked as an all-inclusive package with all our meals and 3 different signature experiences: Meet the Métis, Through the eye of the Hunter and Visions, Hopes and Dreams Wildlife Tour. We loved all 3 experiences and especially learning to fire bow and arrows (we were surprisingly good at it!) and getting to drive through herds of wild horses, elk and buffalo. The hospitality and the quality of our stay cannot be over-stated. I would whole-heartedly recommend a visit to anyone!

Asheville, NC (May)

We loved Asheville. What a cool city. Dubbed the Portland of the East – we spent our long weekend trying to visit as many breweries in the Brewery capital of the US as possible. Nestled in the foothills of Apalachia, just outside the Great Smoky Mountains and Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville offers stunning natural beauty, excellent BBQ, and a brimming art scene. We visited the stunning Biltmore Estate and did a small parkway hike but mostly just spent our time day drinking with friends Megan and Joe (and 9-month-old Sophie in tow). We were heart-broken to hear about the catastrophic flooding that hit this area just a few months after our trip and hope that people will be able to rebuild and return to such an awesome corner of the world.

Osoyoos, BC (May)

After two-consecutive years visiting our beloved Naramata Bench, we decided to redo our 2021 trip to Osoyoos that was derailed due to debilitating wildfire smoke. This time, moving our trip to the safety of spring secured us stunning clear skies and summer-like temps to kick off the season. We also brought sister and brother in law along for their first Okanagan wine trip! We stayed at Sprit Ridge resort which was the perfect spot to unwind lakeside after full days of wine touring and desert wandering. We even got our adrenaline up after nearly walking into the path of a rattlesnake – my first IRL encounter after a lifetime of visiting this area.

Pender Island, BC (June)

No BC summer is truly complete without a trip to the Gulf Islands. We were so happy to be back on Pender to do nothing new – simply visiting our favourite spots and enjoy the relaxation that only island time can provide. Rinse. Wash. Repeat… Forever.

Helsinki, Mäntyharju and Turku, Finland (July)

And… we’re back! We intended to return to Finland sooner than we did but the pandemic had other plans and so 6 years after our first visit we returned – this time for a classic Finnish summer experience at our dear friends new mökki (or cabin) that they just renovated into an idyllic escape from the city. We enjoyed epic bedtime sunsets marvelling at the midnight sun. The classic ritual of sauna followed by lake swims. Picking wild blueberries and strawberries to turn into crumble. In addition to our cabin time, we spent a few days revisiting Helsinki as well as a first time visit to Turku – a city that we quickly learned to love. The oldest city in Finland and former capital is brimming with history and charm. We enjoyed the daulity of terrace cocktails outside Turku Cathedral and Finnish rock music outside Turku castle. The new and old live together and it just works. Thanks for another beautiful trip Finland!

Stockholm, Sweden (July)

Is everyone sleeping on Stockholm or was it just me? I really didn’t have Stockholm on my radar. Of course I knew about it and wanted to visit someday but I had no idea that it had so much to offer from a tourism standpoint. It may be the most beautiful city in Europe – there I said it. It’s clean. It’s colourful. It’s surrounded by water. It’s old and also new. It’s got neighbourhoods and islands. It has a royal family complete with a daily changing of the guard and totally bomb marching band. It has so many great museums – we only made it to 3 – Vasa Museum, ABBA Museum and the SpiritMuseum (Museum of Swedish Drinking Culture). Even the metro system is beautiful with its 100 stations turned into an art gallery of murals. Definitely could spend a whole week here and not run out of new things to do and explore.

Ottawa, ON (September)

Ottawa round 2 was actually my 4th trip to the city but first time seeing the city without snow… and oh what a feeling! The city is so beautiful and alive in the summer – take me back! This time not only did I get to enjoy bopping around the city without freezing, but also got to hang out with my conference friends, which made the city come alive in a whole new way. Can’t wait to be back again soon!

Las Vegas, NV (September)

What happens in Vegas! So about once every 10 years, some forces pull me to Vegas and this time it was our first couples trip with friends Patrick and Natasha. Vegas is a polarizing city and while not my favourite place to go – I firmly believe that there is something for everyone. We chose to stay on The Strip at The Treasure Island Resort as 2/4 of our crew were Vegas first-timers. With that in mind, we definitely checked off some obligatory Vegas experiences – slot machines ✓ pool party ✓ Fat Tuesday ✓ My favourite experience of the trip kind of surprised me actually as I’d somehow avoided it until now. We ended up splurging on a cabana rental (mostly to guarantee us shade from the 41°C temps) at the pool and I had the best time drinking pina coladas with strangers and a DJ. I’m sure this experience varies wildly but the vibes at our hotel were chill and I was mostly just loving the diversity of faces at the pool. We were definitely on the younger end of the crowd and I loved seeing so many middle aged folks partying it up. Definitely not the rager that I’d imagined. I’ve probably had my fill of ciagarette filled casinos and overpriced cocktails for the next ten years or so… but who knows… if the right residency pops up or someone wants to take me to F1, I may be back again sooner than later.

Thunder Bay, ON (October)

The death of a beloved grandmother and matriarch of my partner’s family meant an unexpected trip to Thunder Bay and an opportunity to connect with many extended family members. Grief is deeply complicated but there was a lot of beauty in the shared memories and traditions that meant so much to mummo like sauna/swim at the family camp. I hope to be able to spend more time here in the years to come.

New York City, NY (November)

Autumn in New York just hits different. My cousin and I were trying hard to time our trip for peak foliage and I think we nailed it – just look at Central Park! Also – the weather could not have been more perfect. Blue bird skies and 15°C (including 25°C for both arrival and departure days) made for optimal 25,000 step days. This trip we stayed in Williamsburg (my first time to Brooklyn) and I loved it. The lack of cars, the boutique shops, the skyline views! Since we’d both been to NYC before, we decided to prioritize shows and our most favourite spots – no mandatory sightseeing for us! We ended up seeing three shows: Comedy Cellar, Cabaret, and Suffs. All super fun and different. We also got to take in the fan fare of the NYC marathon and let me tell you – the city was a vibe. If you can swing it, do try to be in town for this. Getting around was not easy but the energy was electric. We also did some classic new york activities like walking across the Brooklyn Bridge and drinking at the Plaza Hotel. The greatest city in the world? Yes.

2024: By the Numbers

Countries Visited: 3 (1 new one!) – USA / Finland / Sweden

States Visited: 5 – Washington / California / North Carolina / Nevada / New York

Provinces Visited: 4 – British Columbia / Ontario / Alberta / Manitoba

Plane Rides Taken: 18 one way flights (I count a flight as a flight regardless of how many segments or layovers it has).

Ferries Taken: 7

Airports Visited: 14 (YVR, PSP, YOW, YEG, ATL, ASH, YYZ, YUL, HEL, ARL, LAS, YQT, YWG, EWR)

Kilometres Flown in 2024: 64,035

Beds Slept In: 18. Of those, 8 were hotels, 5 were vacation rentals, 2 were staying with friends/family, 1 was a cabin, one was a geodesic dome, and one was my own bed!

2022: A Year in Review
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2022: A Year in Review

2022… The Year we got back to normal… ACTUALLY! I mean it’s not exactly like the before times but we’ve found a new normal and it’s one I can live with… especially if it means I get to travel again. This year was one of my best if not THEE best year of my life so far. I don’t know if the fact that it followed two of the worst years overinflated its position or if maybe it’s my new perspective on life. Maybe it’s just the new meds. Whatever it is… the universe was clearly saying YES to me in 2022 and I hope I can take these positive vibes and contentedness into 2023 because I got big plans!

Tofino, BC (February)

After multiple failed attempts to visit Tofino in 2020 and 2021… the classic adage “Third times the charm” rang true for us as we finally made it to Tofino for our 4th anniversary. Even the rainy weather couldn’t dampen our spirits because Tofino is just that good. We loved exploring the expansive and empty beaches, and then warming up back at our cabin’s private hot tub and sauna! We even spotted orca whales from our back deck on our very first morning. Third times the charm indeed.

Salt Spring Island, BC (March)

The first weekend of spring brought an opportunity to sneak away to Salt Spring for a little babymoon for my bestie Joy. At 6 months pregnant, Joy was able to climb Mt Erskine (pictured above) so that we could enjoy some stunning views of the gulf islands. We also enjoyed a deluxe spa experience tucked away in the woods at Solace Organic Spa. Nothing is as restorative as time in the Gulf.

Jasper, AB (April)

After an unfortunate hiatus in both 2020 and 2021 (yes, this is a theme), my annual girls weekend was back and better than ever in 2022. Me and my university friends Crystal and Rachel reunited in Jasper for a luxurious weekend at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. We stayed in a lake front chalet and had picture perfect weather providing us stunning views of the mountains including from the top of the gondola! The highlight of the weekend was visiting Maligne Canyon where the spring temperatures revealed pathways still frozen solid with ice making for a treacherous slide along the river. We laughed to beat back our fear of bruising our butts as we clung for dear life to the safety fence. It was more adrenaline then we budgeted for but a great memory in the end given that we all made it back in one piece.

Winnipeg, BC (May)

After over 4 years of dating, I finally brought my boyfriend to meet the rest of my family in Winnipeg and to meet my cousin’s brand new baby Max! It was a family filled weekend with some classic sightseeing thrown in for good measure. We visited a super fun brewery called Kilter, my cousin’s delicious ice cream shop Fête, and the ever popular Forks. And we squeezed in some baby-free time with an afternoon at the Thermea spa and dinner at Harth. I experience something new every time I visit and this year was no exception.

Squamish, BC (June)

During the nearly 2 years of travel restrictions, Squamish became a bit of an oasis for us. Just a one hour drive from the city, it was a much needed haven from the confines of isolation. Being in the mountains was healing and restorative and even now that we’ve returned to more regular travel… something about Squamish still pulls us back. This time it was a quick two night getaway for Markus’ birthday and a ride up the recently re-opened sea-to-sky gondola although this time we had to use more imagination to enjoy the view. It’s okay though… we know we’ll be back.

Naramata, BC (July)

Well folks… it finally happened. After dozens of wine tours all over the world… I finally joined a wine club. Markus and I are officially subscribed to Therapy Winery and I couldn’t think of a better fit. Naramata is the best part of the Okanagan. It’s far enough from Kelowna to keep away the throngs of visitors but also home to some of the oldest vines in the region. We discovered some of our new favourite wineries (clearly) and a spot that we plan to return to every year for our annual restock.

Pender Island (August)

The Gulf Islands have a healing impact on me. For the past 10 years, I’ve been coming to this sleepy paradise to forget about the real world for a few days or weeks… this time a long weekend in the middle of summer. You’d expect to find people everywhere with views this stunning but as is typical here, it felt like we had Pender all to ourselves. We hiked and explored beaches, visited the cidery and winery that are way better than you’d expect, and relaxed like it was our job. It was heaven. As always.

Victoria, BC (August)

Victoria is a regular fixture on my annual roundup… but this time we arrived in style. We took our chances with a standby flight on harbour air and pinched ourselves at our good fortune to have such a sunny evening to soar across the Salish Sea. Our objective for the weekend was to visit our good friends Stefi & Ken in their new digs and eat and drink. And that’s just what we did.

Nova Scotia (September)

After years of short trips, we finally committed to a two week vacation and settled on a bucket-list worthy destination. Inspired by my new job, we crafted an iconic Canadian itinerary – finally taking me to the Atlantic Provinces for a two-week, 3 province road trip. Our first stop was Halifax where I celebrated my birthday and enjoyed perfect September weather – stretching out the final days of summer. We visited the must-see fishing villages of Peggy’s Cove and Lunenberg along with a stop in wine country (obviously), learned about Acadian history and culture in Grand Pre and finished off the first week with three days touring the famed Cabot Trail. We ran into some stormy weather but nothing like what was coming our way in the days to come…

Prince Edward Island (September)

Prince Edward Island had a lot to live up to. I’ve been dreaming of visiting the home of Anne of Green Gables since I was a young girl ferociously devouring every word LM Montgomery had to say about this little island on the East Coast of Canada. But even with the bar set sky high, I couldn’t have prepared myself for how much I’d love our 4 days here. It was such a welcome respite from city life and so uniquely beautiful. It felt like the whole province got together to sign a petition to keep their yard and home in pristine condition. It almost felt like we were living in a real world movie set. I was most impressed by the massive empty red sand beaches and delicious seafood – with the highlight being our Fireworks Feast at the Inn at Bay Fortune with Chef Michael Smith. I love a culinary experience that is also a travel experience – what could be better?

New Brunswick (September)

About a week into our Maritimes trip we started to hear about this hurricane down in the Caribbean. You may have heard of her… Fiona. I wasn’t too concerned because we were in Canada and as a West Coaster, we don’t really get a lot of serious storms. But as the days passed, we started to get increasingly concerned as the path was pointing straight at us. On our final day in PEI we made the decision to change our flights to come home 2 days early and beat the storm’s arrival.

Turned out to be the right call because Hurricane Fiona was the costliest and most intense tropical cyclone to hit Canada on record. What that meant for our travels is we had 1 day to see as much of New Brunswick as possible.

So we raced across the Confederation Bridge and headed straight for Hopewell Rocks. We started with low tide to walk on the ocean floor before checking into our accommodations inside a Lighthouse! The next morning we returned to see the area we had previously wandered completely submerged. The extreme tidal range in the Bay of Fundy has carved some incredible sea stacks along the coast that definitely live up to the icon status. We hope to return someday without the hurricane.

Colorado (October)

After a very unfortunate 3 year hiatus, 2022 brought back my girls trip tradition with travel Bestie Megan! We picked up her national park bucket list project and hit 3 in 4 days on the road through Colorado. I truly could not have prepared for how beyond amazing this trip was – some of the best scenery I’ve ever seen and I’ve got the camera roll to prove it. From Aspen to Mesa Verde to the Great Sand Dunes, every day brought an entirely new landscape. And driving through the Rockies during peak foliage is a must. 11/10 would recommend.

Hawaii (November)

Aloha! After Markus’ first trip to Hawaii in 2021, he quickly fell for my favourite place on earth and was easily convinced to visit again for a quick 4 day escape in the fall. When I say this trip was perfect – I mean it. The weather. The car rental (upgrade to a convertible mustang). The price tag (thanks for the free accommodations mom & dad). Nothing brings me joy like walking off the airplane and feeling the warm tropical air. Can’t wait to go back!

Seattle (December)

To cap off the year, we drive across the border to sister city Seattle for the first time since the before times. This time with my cousin and her sweet fam from Winnipeg who hadn’t really ever been before. I played tour guide taking them to the classic spots: Pike Place, Pioneer Square, the Space Needle… and introduced them to my favourite art museum – The Chihuly Glass Museum. We had a very chill weekend – spending most of our time in the very cool Capitol Hill neighbourhood and rung in the New Year with champagne on the couch. Happy to be on the go again for one of my favourite holidays!

2022: By the Numbers

Countries Visited: 1 (USA – still haven’t left North America since 2019, but I’m feeling okay about it.)

States Visited: 3 (1 new one) – Colorado / Hawaii / Washington

Provinces Visited: 6 (3 new ones) – British Columbia / Alberta / Manitoba / Nova Scotia / Prince Edward Island / New Brunswick

Plane Rides Taken: 12 one way flights (I count a flight as a flight regardless of how many segments or layovers it has).

Ferries Taken: 6

Airports Visited: 9 (YVR, YEG, YWG, CXH, YWH, YHZ, YYC, DEN, KOA)

Kilometres Flown in 2022: 16,609

Beds Slept In: 21. Of those, 10 were hotels, 3 were cabins, 2 were vacation rentals, 2 were staying with friends/family, 1 was a winery, 1 was a light house, 1 was a geodesic dome, and one was my own bed!