It’s the night before we hit the road, and I’m equal parts buzzing with excitement and absolutely wiped out from all the prep. This is my fifth annual road trip to Canada, well, almost. I skipped one year (thanks, COVID 2020), but otherwise I’ve done this every summer since 2019.

This trip is extra special. Scott is joining me for the outbound journey, which officially makes this year’s adventure #SoloRoadTrip+1. Trooper, our new beloved camper van, is packed to the brim with gadgets, gear, and enough collapsible storage to make even Marie Kondo weep with joy.

Let’s talk Amazon for a second. If you search “RV essentials” or “#vanlife” say goodbye to your money and hello to a flood of packages. For weeks, our front door has looked like a fulfillment center. It’s been straight-up Christmas in July. 🎁📦

Here’s a taste of what we’ve added to Trooper:

• Induction stove pans with clip-on handles (game changer for storage)
• Sustainably friendly dishware and Tupperware that actually fit in our teeny drawers
• Yeti mugs for ☕️ … tumblers for 🍷and 🥃
• Collapsible containers, baskets, and bins (Yes, I am a space-saving queen!)
• A sizable fridge filled with food and drinks for nights when we want to cook vs. hit up a brewery or winery via Harvest Hosts

Today was one of those final-prep days, but with a few lovely surprises. Scott and I met up with one of his high school friends and his family who were in town. We had a quick drink with them at Kincaid’s before he had to head into the city for a work event. After that, I zipped home and finished packing … while watching season six of #Younger. Whitney and Jennifer (not Jen) – you are right. I don’t want it to end!

But now Trooper is loaded! The snacks are prepped. Gas tank is full! My podcast and audible list is all queued up. And the feeling? That beautiful blend of anticipation, nostalgia, and adventure.

This year’s Canada leg is packed with heart:

• My parents’ anniversary is next week 💕
• My sister’s birthday is around the corner 🎉
• The annual WeMeet Fedeyko Family Reunion is happening 🍻
• And a very, very special side trip is coming: a journey up to High Level — the farm I grew up on. My dad (who homesteaded and cleared that land back in the ’60s and farmed it for almost 35 years) will be riding in Trooper with me, Scott, and my uncle Dennis. I may not remember much from childhood, but my dad remembers everything. And I can’t wait to walk that land with him and celebrate Scott and mines 4th year anniversary from SW 2 110 17 W5.

So with everything checked off the list, tonight is about one final sleep. Tomorrow, we roll.

Canada, here we come. 🚐 🇨🇦