Category Archives: Travel

#SoloRoadTrip – Day 4

19 Monday Jul 2021

Posted by in friendship, Travel

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

, , ,

#OnTheRoadAgain …

I totally forgot about my Monday morning call with a group from London … but glad I remembered it … just in time!

So a little later-than-planned start, but I was on my way to an old ultra-running friend’s place in South Dakota with a jet-fueled gas station ☕️ in hand. I’ll let my readers guess who they mystery friend could be and I will give away the name later on in the post, or tomorrow. 🏃‍♂️

So …. I do weird things on solo road trips.

  • Like, keep track of the number of times I stop to use the “ladies room” (a phrase I stole from my friend Tannis, which just sounds better than “I stopped to go pee”).
  • I like taking photos of signs. It’s a little hard to do when driving solo and on roads that don’t have many turn-outs .. but I’ve been known to come to a screeching halt and make a quick u-turn to go back to take the snap. You’ll see one of those in my video below.
  • One thing I am doing is documenting the price of gas along the way. It was $4.89 a gallon in Burlingame when I left (this is for the Supreme leaded because that’s apparently what my precious car needs). And today it was $4.159 in Park City. So .. that’s a bit of useless information and a minute of your life you’ll never get back. #SorryNotSorry!!

News Alert: This blog post is on the longer side because who knew so much could happen on a 10-hour drive between Utah, Wyoming and South Dakota!  Well, allow me to share.

In Good Company

In 2019 when I took my first #SoloRoadTrip it was Oprah’s “Super Soul Sunday” Podcast that kept me fulfilled during my travels. I listened to episode after episode, and was eating up all of the “rah-rah, build your confidence, live your best life” blah blah on the airways. I frickin’ loved it!

This trip the Podcast that is keeping me going is Smartless …. OMGosh it’s laugh-out-loud, pee my pants, so f’en hilarious! Jason Bateman is SO funny. I love the connection to Canada with Will Arnett. And I feel like Sean Hayes pulls out the sarcastic humor that catches you off guard in a good way. Check it out. It cracks me up!

Complete Podcast Playlist:

  • Collisions/YYC – with Amanda Hall – who is #MakingAlbertaProud with the company she founded “Summit Nanotech”. One day I’m going to say … I knew Amanda when … Good luck w/ the Series A raise, lady! I know you’re going to ##CrushIt!
  • Smartless with Gwyneth Paltrow was awesome! SUPER funny and who doesn’t love her!
  • Smartless Reese Witherspoon – OMGosh, she’s so adorable and hot (regardless if you’re a man or a woman, who doesn’t have a crush on Reese!) Gotta watch that one.
  • Smartless with Amy Sedaris – who I didn’t know, but she is frickin’ hilarious! It’s A-mazing how many famous actors/actresses that these 3 guys have worked with over the years! 
  • Last Smartless episode of the day was with NASA Astronaut, Marine Biologist and Physiologist – Jessica Meir. Who I certainly didn’t know, but she’s not only wicked smart but funny!!
  • The Goop Podcast – “Realizing our Belonging” – because I still need a little rah-rah, feel good content. 😆

And now … Random Photos From The Trip ….

Continental Divide & Fences

For those that used to watch “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” … remember the 3 Lifelines that the person had?! Yeah, well, I had to use the “Phone a Friend” today when I kept seeing the Continental Divide signs driving through Wyoming.  Except I left my Dad and Sister and video recording (sort of the upgraded version of “phone a friend”). Thanks, Dad for being my source of all knowledge!

But here is another riddle and I need to use the “Poll the Audience” lifeline.

Can someone please tell me what these fences are, and why are they everyone along the Wyoming backroads?? I look forward to someone helping me solve the mystery! “Thanks in advance!”

For My Sister … Inside Joke

Edgerton

This video is for my Dad and all of the Oiler fans out there. This is the video I had to turn around for because the sign caught my eye. Thank goodness it didn’t also say “Home of Champions”. LOL

Entering South Dakota

The landscape changed as I was welcomed into South Dakota and I easily found my way to Mike’s place … in time to have a glass of wine (or three, sorry, Mike … I pushed you off the wagon!) … We have a good chit chat w/ Ron about days on the farm … and then enjoyed a delicious meal while we reminisced about the crazy ultra-running days (and yes, all of the old running peeps – we totally talked about you – Claire, Scott, Moselle, Leigh, Frank, Christine, Jon, Jane .. and of course, the crew support team of Rob and Kristin). ha ha!

Grateful for …

  • Safely getting to my destination
  • An awesome home-cooked meal; old friend and bed to crash on
  • Laughing out loud humo(u)r on the Smartless podcast
  • Enough cell coverage to listen in on two calls today, and one was with a group of kick-ass women in an executive coaching group that I love – thanks, Amy!
  • Lifelines!!

And the mystery friend is revealed. Thanks, Mike!!

And for those that might be wondering … this is the look of a LONG day folks … not the wine!

#SoloRoadTrip – Day 3

18 Sunday Jul 2021

Posted by in Travel

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , ,

Sunday! Man do I love myself a good Sunday!

Today was extra special because I got up … and then went back to sleep. LOL

Easy to do in the super comfortable bed I got to enjoy and my heart full with joy from the days before.

But I did finally get up and make it out for a run / walk (and just because I’m honest to a fault, it was really a walk / run .. not even a run / walk… but that’s OK … 3.5 miles is 3.5 miles and getting out for anything should be celebrated :-).

For some these pictures might not depict much, but I guess it’s from my days growing up on a farm because I LOVE dirt roads and stitched-together fences – just like these ones I found on my hike today. Notice how I upgraded it to a hike now. Pretty slick, huh. 🙂

I needed a new picture for my match.com profile so I snapped this one post workout. To show the sporty side of me 😊 Maybe I’ll add the picture of my golf clubs at the driving range as well! ha ha

When I texted a friend and mentioned what I was doing, she asked, how was the driving range? … followed by, you golf?

To the first question …

.. The first few balls were spectacular .. and then, well, I’ll blame it on the heat.

As to the second question …

… I’m always grateful for my first husband 😆 for teaching me how to golf (actually, it was his best friend Scott that taught me, but Mike inspired me so I give him all the credit!). This year I’ve been fortunate enough to dust off the 25 year old clubs and hit the links with my friend Tannis and her main squeeze Z. If anyone wants to meet me at the driving range once I hit Alberta, let me know! ⛳️

After all of that work, I had to relax and enjoy the view. ☕️ Thanks again to Beth and Keith for the amazing gift of a b.yond comfortable bed and beautiful view!

and then …

Dinner .. with a few of my favo(u)rite things … and a new project we are kicking off in our July issue of Disruption magazine!

Other notable highlights …

  • It was wonderful to chat with one of my long time besties today, Moselle. Yesterday I got to catch up with Jules on my drive, who has been there with me through some of the toughest times. Thanks for the travel tips and always being there for me, ladies!
  • And from 20 year old friendships to brand new ones … My friend Dylan cracks me up and I’m living vicariously through him right now. He is the master Match.com-er … so I guess I should ask him to approve my photo.
  • And of course, I had a great chat with Mom and Dad. It’s going to be fun to visit some of the places that they traveled through when they road-tripped across the U.S years ago. And I love how they crack me up every time I call. They are a little comedy act sometimes, even though they don’t realize it!

Well, off to bed because it’s a long drive tomorrow … but I am SO excited to be headed to see our old running pal, Mike, tomorrow in SD. I’m excited for a home cooked meal after my 10-hour drive. Plus wine. Always + wine, people. 🍷 You know that about me, right?

What a treat that is going to be!

And .. as for #SoloRoadTrip Day 3 …. That’s a wrap!

#SoloRoadTrip – Day 2

17 Saturday Jul 2021

Posted by in Travel

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , ,

Some might say the 80 East from Nevada to Utah is a little boring, but I beg to differ. Especially when it’s your first time driving it.

7.5 hours of drive time but the mountain ranges on both sides gave me a pretty sight to look at the entire way …. and the long, straight highway kept my focus on my future. I loved it!

It’s a huge treat to stay at a friend’s place while I am in Utah! It’s just a bummer that I missed them by 7.5 hours. 🙂

P.S. It almost took me as long from the gate to the house, Beth, as it did from Reno to Park City! LOL But the view is definitely worth it. With huge gratitude!!

And now for the best part ….

Live country music!!!

I swear it felt like heaven to be sitting at a bar and hearing such a sweet, heartfelt, familiar sound.

Beth, please thank Meg for this awesome recommendation!

And now I’m holding myself accountable to a promise I made … which is to get out of my comfort zone when it comes to videos. I have to post at least one per day. This one makes the cut, for obvious reasons. 😍😍

Final thoughts …

Back when I started “blogging” (and I use that verb loosely 😆) … I used to love coming home after an event and with a glass of wine, or whiskey, write a blog post. It would be about something that had caught my attention that day, or something that was percolating in my mind. I’ve craved getting back to writing in some shape or form … so I’m glad this road trip is getting me back in the habit. Of writing. I’ve been keeping up with the wine and whiskey drinking, of course. 😆

#SoloRoadTrip – Day 1

16 Friday Jul 2021

Posted by in Travel

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , ,

And the journey begins!

And YAY – I can now upload videos! #Sweet!!

As you’ll hear from the video and see from the picture, my journey has started out in the best way possible … a run with friends!

I have been running with this crew consistently for the last five years and they are my lifeline! Our 0545 (turned 0630) morning runs on M/W/F each week have kept me sane and something I look forward to. Our #NeverMissAMonday has gotten me out of bed in the pitch dark of winter and the bright light of summer. Grateful to my friends for joining me this morning before I set off! Thanks Jane, Debbie, Derek and Don! With special mention to their furry friends Leo, Cota and Emmie!

Friday afternoon traffic on the 80 East probably wasn’t the best idea, but once I was out of the city I started to relax and just let the road lead me where I was about to go.

I started the trip off with a few founders — it is always so much fun to connect with ambitious people looking to change the world! And then I got re-acquainted with Sirius Radio — it was one of the things I cut off when Covid hit because I wasn’t driving anywhere! I got in one podcast Lewis Howes – The Millionaire Habits That Changed My Life – Episode 1135. I’ll add some of the highlights from here tomorrow!

And as I pulled into my first destination, I turned on some music that I love … these likely aren’t on your play list but they are on mine 🙂

  • Eric Church – Mr. Misunderstood (I got to see him in concert a few years back – was the best 2nd date that never went anywhere, that I’ve ever had 🙂
  • Rachel Platten – Fight Song (oh how many times I sing this one out loud!)
  • LOCASH – I Love this Life!! (If this doesn’t make you get up and want to dance, well then, you probably don’t like country music 🙂
  • Ashley McBryde – Girl Goin’ Nowhere (Damn, I want to find out where I can see her live – she’s so real and awesome – love her music .. And this song … I’m sorry, but ladies, .. c’mon .. who doesn’t relate to this??!?)
  • Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee – Despacito (GreeceBaby is calling us again Mona, Karen and Mahlet!)
  • Dean Brody – Time (Everyone go and kiss and hug your loved ones, please)
  • John Mayer – In the Blood (Always think of my friend Bruce when this song comes on)

Looking for Audible recommendations; Podcasts, and yes, I’d love to hear what music makes you want to get up and dance!

Grateful for …. my parents and sister for being my co-pilots and check in points along my journey | my team for keeping the train running smoothly while I am away | 30 degree sunshine! | my car! I love driving it and she’s keeping me safe on my travels | friends letting me couch surf and break up my travels.

Not many places to stop and take photos of the breathtaking views as you’re heading towards Tahoe, but just like my Dad says about lotto tickets … all you need is one.

Until tomorrow!