explore!

travel blog only! for more frequent posts, check out my main blog

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Moonlight runs along the river are one of my new favourite things. It makes running outside in the winter completely worth the effort!

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Running in Calgary

Look! It’s 8 degrees out. I’ll dress in two layers and I’ll be a bit warm. Better safe than sorry. 

Fast forward 10 minutes later and it’s gusting wind and about to snow--temperature dropped to zero and no amount of intensity is going to warm me up. I tried.

Ten minute interval run it is!

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Nogal at the moonrise 

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One year ago today, I left for the trip of a lifetime. I met so many incredible people, experienced amazing places, food, and adventures. There was so much I learned. I still think about this place every day and it will always hold a special place in my heart. 

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Tried out surfing while on vacation in Tofino! It was so much fun and I’m a little sad that I live in a landlocked province. On the way back down island, we stopped for breakfast in a sleepily little town that had a gorgeous view. There were also sea otters! 

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This was the start of my road trip out east last week. Yes. Last week as in August. In the summer. What a good way to start a summer vacation!

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Two-day canoe trip with some friends in August. We were south of the city; the weather was gorgeous and scenery was just beautiful. And camping on rocks is now something I can add to my experiences!

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Kayaking from back in July. Awesome day on the water! 

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I can’t even being to describe how much I’m anticipating after tomorrow. After a crazy intense few weeks of work filled with stress and not enough days off, I finally leave for vacation days after work tomorrow! I leave to meet up with my old roommate, and then Saturday, we are coast bound on a road trip! All the usually anxiety and worries are there (of course) but I also know it’s a much-needed relaxation week and it will be absolutely wonderful! 

And I’m sure there will be pictures to follow!

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One of these days my ability to parallel park is going to get me in trouble. But today is not that day.

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For all the days you have to push yourself:

Yesterday I had to drag myself out after work for a run. I wasn't feeling great, but I convinced myself to just go for 20 minutes along the river. That somehow turned into a 45 minute run that started along the river but ended up through the forest and hills nearby! And it felt awesome! So glad I went out. I was tired and soo sweaty by the time I got home. It was all worth it though because I kept a pretty steady pace despite the rolling hills on the paths and all the stairs I came across. This is a reminder to myself to think of yesterday when I'm thinking about not taking the time out of my day to do something I love.

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Found this gem from a few years back--hacking outside of the city with a friend. Missing this something fierce. (That’s both the sunshine and the horses, I’m talking about!)

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Updated my theme! About time too, the old one was so slow to load. 

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Tonight I had the pleasant surprise of getting to chat with one of the girls from Argentina–it was a chance to practice my written Spanish, which is about the only Spanish I’ve been practicing, but it was so wonderful to get that little wave of nostalgia.

I’ve since spent my evening making a playlist that reminds me of the trip, and looking at some of the photos. Here’s one to share with you all. :)

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A thought that's been sitting on my phone as a draft for a few months now. A friend asked me today if I was back "for good" in regards to travelling. What a negative intonation that holds, I felt like. Instead of inspiring and encouraging the idea of continuing travelling and exploring, it resigns you to the idea that you are done. You've touched down, come back to "reality" and are stepping into the cookie cutter life of everyone else's expectations.  I know this is not what my friend meant when she asked if I was home for good. The words still struck a cord with me, and I realised afterwards that right now, I don't ever want to feel as if I'm in one place "for good". I want the freedom that at any age and place in my life, I can go, travel, see, do whatever inspires me. To still feel I have a home, but not settle and be done exploring.  

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Tough choices

This spring, after a lot of consideration, I made the decision to stop riding for now. The last few horses I tried didn’t work out. And I realize it’s me. I don’t want to dedicate all of my free time to someone else’s horse. Nor do I want to ride a lesson horse once or twice a week. 

I’m not in a position where I can lease a horse--not right now anyway. And it’s been a long road to get to this understanding. Even longer to accept it. So I’m planning for the long run now.       I will have at least one two horses in my future. I’ll find a coach, I’ll show and compete, and I’ll have a space to keep my horses on my own property. I know I’ve always wanted some version of this, so now it’s time to go for it, but also realize it may take stepping away from it for a while, to get to my bigger goal. 

Now, that doesn’t mean if I get the chance to ride before then, I won’t take it. Oh no, I’ll jump at any good chance to ride. I’m just going to stop looking. There are so many other activities and things in my life that I love. Things I’ve wanted to try but never dedicated the time because of my riding. I don’t regret that dedication ever, but I also am excited to see what else I’ll love.       (Not as much as horses though, let’s be honest. That will always be my favourite.)

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Some of the paths in and around the city I’ve been exploring so far this spring. We’ve been lucky to have some amazing weather and some free weekends!

I really just need to get involved in some proper rock climbing because my affinity for climbing things in Argentina apparently didn’t fade after I got home!