2022: A Coast-to-Coast Canadian Odyssey and Other Adventures
Kicking off the year with thrilling island escapades, including a visit to the majestic Lonely Doug!
Our 19,000 km coast-to-coast Canadian adventure began with a whirlwind start as we daringly tried out the bobsled run in Calgary—the day before my niece's wedding (not recommended, but hilarious in hindsight)! Post-wedding, we sped off to meet friends from San Diego for a breakfast reunion in PEI, then dashed to Nova Scotia to catch up with Toronto pals. The ferry ride to Newfoundland was challenging (also not recommended), but once there, we reconnected with another friend from Toronto. Newfoundland was a highlight, with Cotty getting screeched in (my turn was on a previous trip)!
In Nova Scotia, we visited a high school friend who now runs a quirky bookstore in Lunenburg, located near the iconic Bluenose. We relished the dramatic tides at the Bay of Fundy and Cotty savored a local lobster roll. Driving a new route through Quebec brought fresh sights, and Montreal offered great times with friends. Ottawa was delightful as ever, and Toronto provided some fun stops on our way home, including a visit to the giant nickel in Sudbury.
After Grand Beach near Winnipeg and a serene lake in Saskatchewan, we were eager to head home, but not before discovering we could prep and cook meals right in the car—a game changer! We topped off our epic journey with a quick dash to Tofino, completing our full east coast to west coast experience.
Throughout our coast-to-coast journey, I collected sand and roadside flowers from each province, weaving these natural treasures into a unique collection. Each piece encapsulates the distinct essence and spirit of the diverse landscapes we traversed, creating a mosaic of our Canadian adventure.
The final excursions of the year were marked by unforgettable birthday celebrations. First, a camping trip to San Jo Bay, immersed in nature's tranquility for a truly special birthday. Then, we kicked off a dual birthday adventure, driving down the coast and, quite unintentionally, finding ourselves chasing atmospheric rivers—a thrilling chase through relentless downpours and stunning landscapes.