Canadian Adventure

Is there anything I wish I would have done differently?

Nope. 

Are there things I’ll do differently next time? Yes.
Wait, there’s a next time?! Absofreakinglutely
Double wait -- what happened the first time?!

So I’m guessing you can now guess some of the things that went not quite as planned. Thankfully none of them caused massive issues, which simply made them opportunities for learning and growth. And I’m not trying to be overly optimistic here – I’ll be sure to tell you when I had moments of panic and thought about packing up to home! ​

Next time I plan to: 
•    Plan more backup routes
•    Only bring one book for leisure
•    Set up my international phone plan BEFORE I enter Canada
•    Practice setting up my tent in the rain

Now let's rewind a bit...
​The planning for this trip started in 2015. And back then I had no idea I was planning to go to Canada to camp in the woods. I usually spend a week back home in Minnesota every summer and at least a few days during Christmas. In 2015 I skipped my summer trip to instead visit other cities and states and I skipped the Christmas visit to avoid the classic Minnesota winter weather of snow, ice, and cold. Now I HAD to visit in 2016. ​

If you give a mouse a cookie…

So what do I do with the dogs when I head to Minnesota?

• Boarding them or flying them seemed to cost as much or more than if I just drove them out there with me.
• Guess we’re doing a road trip.

But driving that same old route taking I-40 across New Mexico and up I-35 to home is boring.

• Maybe I should try mapping out new routes up through Colorado and/or Montana.
• Well, if I’m going to be in Montana then I may as well hop up to Canada!
• If I’m going to be in Canada, I may as well find some cool stuff to see.
• Oh look, a giant cluster of national parks – may as well add an extra day or so to drive through those.

Well, now I’m going to be driving for a week straight, may as well stay in one spot for a bit to explore.

• There is A LOT to explore, may as well stay three days in Banff.
• No, really, there is A WHOLE LOT – better make it five days. ​

Suddenly I was taking two days to drive up to Canada, spending five days exploring and camping in Banff National Park, driving across Canada for a day to camp at Riding Mountain National Park, driving down to MN to spend five days at home, then taking three days to drive back to Arizona so I could fit in a pit stop to see my best friend run a half ironman. NBD. :D

Here
We
​Goooooo!