On trying to blog while travelling and working full time

Turns out I was a bit delusional when I thought that I could spend the summer backpacking across Western Canada for work, and blog all the way. This was especially challenging because I thought that an iPad would be enough to write on every couple of days. It turns out that a lack of time, and no dependable WiFi connection, made this impossible. So I’ve just decided to put together a short post of pictures highlighting what I’ve been up to so far, and in the fall, when things have calmed down, I will be able to write longer posts about where I’ve been this summer. These pictures aren’t in chronological or geographical order because frankly, I’m just too lazy to sort through them.

Reconnected with old students and ate a lot of fudge in Moosejaw, Sask.

Discovered that Calgary is, in fact, a lovely city

Spent enough time on the Prairies that I began to feel like a bit of a cowboy

Went for a drive in the countryside of Saskatchewan, and found an abandoned bus

Participated in a full on Mantracker activity

Went sailing off the coast of Victoria, BC

Went for a drive in the countryside of Saskatchewan, and found an abandoned bus

Went to see the giant dinosaur in Drumheller, AB

Discovered that Canada is even more beautiful than I thought, in Drumheller, AB

Got to spend a day (of work) swimming in a lazy river in Kelowna, BC’s H20 centre

Met the beautiful Marshall from Walk Off the Earth

Hiked around Lake Louise

Got to spend a day (of work) playing on bouncy castles

Wore my first ever cowboy hat at the Calgary Stampede

Travel photo of the week

My two main passions are travel and photography. It’s really convenient that they go so well together! Here is one of my favourites. I took it last October, when I drove across Canada. The prairies were so beautiful, with all the golden fields and the hay bales. That day, the drive took me a lot longer than planned, because I just had to keep pulling over to take pictures. In true canadian tradition, someone pulled over to ask if I was ok while I was taking this picture.

Come back next Tuesday for another photo!

 

Day 4 : Music to live by, and other large attractions

Since there’s nothing to do but drive and no one to talk to as I do it, I spend all of my time listening to music. So far, there hasn’t been a moment of silence in my car. Here are some of my faves this week :

First of all, I need to talk about Passenger. All of my Katimakids know of my obsession with this singer. He’s been a fave since I saw him busking in Brighton a few years ago, and his music has made the past 30 hours lovely.

I always listen to this song at the beginning of a trip. Always always always.

And I love the lyrics of this song :

Mumford and Sons is another obvious choice. I love that their new album came out right before I left, and it’s currently being played on repeat.

And finally this is a new song in my repertoire – I first heard it at Marina’s wedding, and it makes my day start super well.

Also, there was no time to take a picture with the giant red paper clip from One Week, but I did find the world’s largest coke can!