Saga & Leif

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, Montana, Idaho, Washington and British Columbia. It was incredible. To help keep the boys entertained during such long hours in the truck, I created a travel bingo game for each province and state we drove through. They contained items specific to that region. I also had a colouring page map of North America for playing the license plate game. As they saw a license plate for a province or state, they coloured it in. These are examples of fancy lists!

So of course I spent part of the day creating my own, grown up versions. I made a bingo card of all the national parks in Canada (there are 48 - a few are in the region of  the Artic Circle, got to be honest, may not make it!) My son and I discussed it and decided trying to count a 1990s visit to the Bruce Peninsula National Park is probably cheating. So, only trips as of January 2022 get to count. He also told me that I had to do a 7x7 grid, not a 6x8 grid; and have a free space in the center. He has so many rules!!

I have a journal, divided into sections, to cover every possible factor. It's got everything from packing a first aid kit to vehicle specs to consider when camper van shopping. It's also colour coded and all in fountain pen. Yes, I'm that kind of nerd. If you didn't know it already, you know it now.

I have ordered maps. I love maps. I will totally be highlighting every road I travel on my new map. It came with stickers! You gotta love a map that comes with stickers!!


I also ordered a Kelly Kettle. It's an ingenious little rocket stove that can boil water for coffee (very important) or heat up food in a little pan. It only requires sticks or twigs to burn. I liked that it didn't use any type of fuel canister that just creates garbage, or could run out at the worst time.

I have planned my first two week road trip. This will be a test run. I will explore two unique regions, but I have booked a room in a central location for each one that will act as a base for day trips. A good experiment limits variables, so no camping and no dog. It will also give me an idea of weekly expenses for food, gas and entertainment. I can fine tune packing lists (yay, lists!) and figure out how many hours of audio books I need for driving time. Feel free to pass along your suggestions for audiobooks or podcasts.

Saga and Leif will be joining my friend and I for a special Girl's Day very soon!


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