My Copilot Is A Troll

 ...of a list, is crossing things off. It actually releases dopamine, which not only feels good, but motivates you to do more. So, I may well indeed, be a dope(amine) addict! I have a confession to make. This is just between us... If I have a big list, and do something not on the list, I will write it on, just to cross it off! I managed to find a map of Canada, with all the National Parks, covered in gold foil. You scratch it off like an Adventure Lottery Ticket as you visit places. It' so "Me"! This may be one of the coolest/nerdiest things I have ever seen in my life! This one is too precious to travel, so I will still take my National Parks Bingo card that Gavin and I worked so hard on! I may make another one with Provincial Parks. This is hanging in the hall outside my bedroom. I will see it every night before bed. Sweet dreams ! However, I can't have just one method. I have a map of Canada to highlight routes on, and a map of Alberta. I wi

Living on the road, even temporarily, doesn't mean I have to sacrifice good coffee. I'm not a savage! Even though hotel rooms are usually equipped with coffee makers, the coffee they provide is not inspiring, or generous! If it were only a day or two, I could frequent coffee shops. If I have 2 cups of coffee a day, and spend $2.50/cup; in two and a half weeks, that would cost nearly $100. And that's assuming I can find good coffee shops enroute. Not a change I'm willing to take! I discovered, years ago, that you can buy mini basket coffee filters. They fit in the 2 cup coffee pots most hotel rooms have. Very simple solution, all you need is a package of your favourite coffee. Now, an ordinary traveler would stop here, problem solved. I have never been accused of being ordinary. I have tried different things over the years. A camping percolator, a French press. They make great coffee, but they are monstrous to clean out, requiring a lot of water. Top View This is a pour

In my job as a massage therapist, I hear everyone's stories.  I hear about their adventures, their hopes and dreams, their fears and limitations, and their regrets. So often they come with an injury, desperate to get better, so they can get back to the activity they love, usually hunting or golf around here! I advise them on gear, good habits and self care; so overuse or injuries don't ruin their adventures. (Coming from the woman who badly sprained her ankle on the second day in Florida and had to rent a scooter to take on Disney World!) When it comes to regrets, the only things people regret, are the things they didn't do. I also see the things I want to avoid. We live in such a beautiful place, that many of us shun the city (I'm one of them). However, I don't want to get so comfortable in my cozy world, that I start to fear driving in the city. I've seen it happen, over and over. So I make myself drive in the city periodically. Many people have told me that t

My co-worker / friend and I have birthdays only a few days apart. We try to do something each year to celebrate together, but in recent years, life has gotten in the way. Three years ago we made a plan to go to a float tank and dine at Red Lobster. After all the planning, wishing, and trying to coordinate schedules; the day has finally arrived. Saga and Leif thinking about diving in. Leif suffered a disfiguring accident in the parkade. Surgery is scheduled soon! For those of you who don't know, a float tank is a small pool of water, saturated with salt to the point that it's impossible to sink. For 75 minutes (if I'm driving to the city, I'm getting the longest session they will allow), you float and listen to music. I've heard that an hour float is as restful as an 8 hour sleep. It's advised that you don't consume caffeine before. Saga checking out the float tank! There were a few options in Calgary. I chose Redox Wellness Sauna and Float Spa, primarily bec

It didn't take long to realize starting this new blog was the right choice. Once I started writing and planning, I couldn't stop. I realized that my adventures have already started. I have done things this year, or planned things that have long been on my Adventure List. Quintessential Norwegian Trolls Meet Saga and Leif. My little troll friends are aptly named. Saga is a feminine Norse name that means storyteller. Leif Erickson was a famous explorer, who is thought to be the first explorer in written history to discover Canada.  Leif and Saga have lived as my fridge magnets for many years and they are excited to discover this great country and tell stories about it. (Have I mentioned that I love fridge magnets?) If you know me at all, you know that I love a list. I can turn just about anything into a list. The summer before I started school for Massage Therapy, we went on an epic, three week, tenting road trip. The boys were 6 & 8. We drove through Alberta, Mon

 A little bit of Viking goes a long way! Some adventures are right in your own backyard, or at least, your in-law's back yard. We have always spent the February break in Medicine Hat. The kids had the week off, due to Family Day and Teacher's Convention. This was our last teacher's convention ever, since my youngest graduated this year. What does one do in Southern Alberta, in February with a 19 year old, a 17 year old, a 12 year old and a 6 month old (and an assortment of adults)? Six One Six Entertainment in Medicine Hat has virtual reality and axe throwing. The boys were very excited about the VR. I think we had as much fun watching the boys play the VR games as they had playing them.  Who knew VR was an entertaining spectator sport! We laughed so much as the boys ducked, swerved and shot at things that weren't really there! I was very excited about the axes! Axe throwing is one of the activities I have wanted to try for a long time. It did not disappoint! I was a li

I have a friend who likes to make sure I get out of the house. Once a month we try to do something together. In the winter, it's usually dinner at the local pub, Cedar's. In the summer, however, she makes me be a little more adventurous. This summer, it involved rodeos, music and beer.  Sundre is fortunate to host the Sundre Pro Rodeo. The Saturday night music featured Drew Gregory, a very talented Albertan country singer. When we found out he was playing again in Strathmore on the August long weekend, she couldn't book our room fast enough! It also happened to be the Strathmore Rodeo that weekend, which we took in during the afternoon. The event was the annual birthday party of Origin Taproom. I was expecting a cozy, pub-like event. Chatting at a table, Drew Gregory and his guitar. I was very wrong. It was full-on party, with a huge tent, food trucks and bands playing non-stop from 2pm-2am. The food was amazing. The music was amazing. The company was amazing. I don't d

This summer, my Mom and I went on a road trip for the first time since 2013, to attend a family wedding. Our road trips are usually to the Peace River Country, where Mom grew up. Mom is a great road trip partner. We like a lot of the same things and rarely run out of things to talk about. She likes to be the driver, which means I get to enjoy the scenery (and have control of the maps!) It never fails, when we see a "Pass With Care" sign, one of us will ask "when will we see a Pass Willy Nilly sign?" Some jokes never get old! It's a beautiful drive, I had forgotten how much I enjoy it. I lived in the Peace region for a total of 9 years. On the way up, we went through Rocky Mountain House (breakfast stop at Tim's), and Whitecourt (gas stop). The gas station had the most amazing old fashioned candy store (I got raspberry cranberry salt water taffy) and an extensive gift shop. We both bought some Naked Bee lotions and balms. We made it to Grande Prairie in time

Where did it all begin? There is no single starting point, more like a convergence of different events and experiences that led me to this place.  During the Covid 19 shutdowns, I started a massage blog to reach out to my clients and help them to help themselves, when they were unable to get treatment. I discovered a love for writing that I never knew I had. I tried to write a few posts after returning to work, but since I was spending all day with my clients, the inspiration for it was gone. It's a super useful blog though, with a lot of information about common conditions and injuries, you should check it out! https://chinookmassagetherapy.blogspot.com Also between 2020 and 2022, some really major changes happened in my life. I'm not going to go into a ton of detail, but they are significant catalysts. I grew up on a mixed grain and cattle farm in Southern Alberta. It had been in my family for over 100 years when my parents sold the farm and moved to town. Soon after, my fath