I’ve caught up on some sleep and settled into the basement at my parent’s place after my 13-day road trip from SF to Alberta. I’ve made it my mission to get my mom up every day by 9am (she is more of the night owl vs the early bird like my Dad and me), and then do 1 thing with her every day. It’s often not an easy endeavor but sadly for her, they raised one stubborn daughter so.I.won’t.give.up. đ¨âđŠâđ§âđ§
Great to spend some time with my cousin. Sherry, you have a heart of gold and patience the size of Alberta. Thank you for the love and support you give to my family. And so fun to introduce you to an Edmonton restaurant đ
I’ve got my new office setup. It’s so great that my parent’s have AC … but I have to go outside to warm up! Love you Dad, but I’m freezing!
I love this picture. They hung outside together after Mom and I got back from a walk around the Crescent. This Wednesday they will celebrate 54 years together. â¤ď¸â¤ď¸â¤ď¸
I started today with a great catch up with one of my best friends. Here is a beautiful snap from my ‘walk and talk” with FF.
And I ended the day with a new Starbucks friend!
So I decided to venture to a glass of whiskey before starting dinner tonight. The glass is what I use when I drink whiskey in the evening. The mug is what I use during the day đđ.
Destination … Mt. Vernon, South Dakota. Population 462. Wow!
It was about 4.5 hours East from Belle Fourche. The temperatures were about 36C all day.
Playlist:
Lots of SmartLess
Then lots of country music
The best part upon arriving in Mt. Vernon was that I had NO idea that by visiting my friend Courtney in South Dakota, that I would be taking a HUGE trip down memory lane to my days growing up on the farm in Alberta.
But it.was.awesome! Check it out!
I am so blessed to have grown up on a farm, and so amazed by all that my Dad and Mom were able to build from homestead land and sheer determination. There were a good number of bumps in the road growing up. Those that grew up there know exactly what those bumps looked like, but in the end, and looking back, it was such a special time and I wouldn’t change a thing.
So a HUGE shout out to my parents – thanks for all that you did to give Trish and me an amazing childhood and wonderful memories.
Courtney brought me back to my roots pretty quickly .. Starting off with pickling cukes!
I am now prepared for pickling with my sister, mom and dad once I am home. Because it’s become a renewed annual tradition, which is awesome! And the pickles, folks, are to die for!
And then … we went out to the garden and walked around the farm … and OMGosh .. a Combine!!! And farm equipment! And cattle!! Lots and lots of cows!
And then I saw this .. which was so fantastic.
Okay, here is the backstory …
Trish and I used to ride around on our Trike (pre-Quad days) ALL.THE.TIME!! We were both driving the S-10 around the farm when we were 10 years old. I couldn’t wait to take my Dad dinner when he was seeding or combining because I got to drive out dinner to him! And like, by myself!!!
So seeing Hattie take her little brother out on the Quad, was priceless. When she asked her Dad if she could take Walter on it, Mike said “How old are you?” and Hattie said “I’m 9.”
And Mike replied with “Exactly, go slow.”
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So … frickin’ awesome!! These kids are going to grow up and be confident, courageous and humble human beings! They already are!!
What a fantastic time with this lady and her family.
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 friendâs place in South Dakota with a jet-fueled gas station âď¸ in hand. Iâll let my readers guess who they mystery friend could be and I will give away the name later on in the post, or tomorrow. đââď¸
So …. I do weird things on solo road trips.
Like, keep track of the number of times I stop to use the âladies roomâ (a phrase I stole from my friend Tannis, which just sounds better than âI stopped to go peeâ).
I like taking photos of signs. Itâs a little hard to do when driving solo and on roads that donât have many turn-outs .. but Iâve been known to come to a screeching halt and make a quick u-turn to go back to take the snap. Youâll 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 thatâs apparently what my precious car needs). And today it was $4.159 in Park City. So .. thatâs 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 Oprahâs âSuper Soul Sundayâ 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 frickinâ loved it!
This trip the Podcast that is keeping me going is Smartless âŚ. OMGosh itâs laugh-out-loud, pee my pants, so fâen 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 doesnât love her!
Smartless Reese Witherspoon â 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 frickinâ hilarious! Itâs 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 didnât know, but sheâs not only wicked smart but funny!!
The Goop Podcast– “Realizing our Belonging” – because I still need a little rah-rah, feel good content. đ
And now … Random Photos From The Trip ….
Continental Divide & Fences
For those that used to watch âWho Wants to be a Millionaireâ ⌠remember the 3Lifelines that the person had?! Yeah, well, I had to use the âPhone a Friendâ 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 âPoll the Audienceâ 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! âThanks in advance!â
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 didnât also say âHome of Championsâ. LOL
Entering South Dakota
The landscape changed as I was welcomed into South Dakota and I easily found my way to Mikeâs 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 â we totally talked about you â Claire, Scott, Moselle, Leigh, Frank, Christine, Jon, Jane .. and of course, the crew support team of Rob and Kristin). ha ha!
Grateful for âŚ
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!
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. đ
I needed a new picture for my match.com profile so I snapped this one post workout. To show the sporty side of me đ 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 đ 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! âłď¸
After all of that work, I had to relax and enjoy the view. âď¸ 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. đˇ You know that about me, right?
What a treat that is going to be!
And .. as for #SoloRoadTrip Day 3 …. That’s a wrap!
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. đ
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. đđ
Final thoughts …
Back when I started “blogging” (and I use that verb loosely đ) … 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. đ
I’m at home and winding down with my glass of red wine after a Canadian going away party that gave me a gift I wasn’t expecting.
You always think … “I hope I meet someone fun … or, I hope it’s a good group of peeps” … or maybe I’m the only one that thinks that and if so, then maybe be careful if you invite me to your party in the future for fear of my expectations .. LOL.
But alas, my honest self is here to reveal that those expectations are always on my mind … That I meet someone or I learn something that I can apply in my life and become a better person because of.
So tonight …. I’m happy to say that the evening exceeded my expectations. And sometimes my expectations are high (which don’t judge, isn’t a bad thing) … but sometimes they truly are as grass roots as the farm that I grew up on.
This is today’s view from the road to my “home” where I grew up and where I learnt so many lessons that I’m still applying to my life today.
Why?
Well tonight I met someone who grew up similar to me … on a farm … who made it from nowhere to somewhere … and who now looks at life from the same viewpoint as me. Â Yes, one side is capitalism …. no shame there, but also from a perspective of purpose, planet and people. Â And, my God, it was refreshing. Â Just the whole conversation and perspective blew my mind and inspired my thinking.
And yet I can’t help but find it fascinating that you can meet someone at a party for people that you know (relatively) very little, and you can connect with a random stranger in a profound way, even though you’re from completely (and I mean completely) different subsets of the world. Â But (and here’s the good part) with a glass of wine (or two) and LOADS of curiosity … you can uncover that your simplistic upbringing has created a similar mindset and belief system that, unbeknownst to you, is probably a reason why you’re sitting across from each other talking about a subject that would bore the rest of the guests in attendance.
But for me … what I loved, is that I could talk for hours and feel so grateful for the random encounter that somehow, now, seemed perfectly curated.
Because no matter if you’re 33 … or 46 … married with two kids … or twice married and no kids … from East Germany or Northern Alberta … Communist or Capitalist …. it is really amazing how much we can feel and learn and appreciate in a short period of time, and with absolutely no reason whatsoever, feel an amazing bond of energy that lifts your soul and makes you take a pause in life … if only for a moment.
And the icing on the cake is when you can share a story about the long road “home” … that only had two left turns after 5,6, 8 hours of driving …. before you reached a vast farmland that seemed to offer so little, but in the end gave you everything you needed in life …. then I’ll call that a hell of a win for a Saturday night.
Beyond grateful … for where I grew up … and for where I am today.
A few years ago I read an article in a running magazine about the concept of a “Tribe”. Â As soon as I read the words, they resonated … and I smiled knowing that I understood.
Like anything in life, we can take a concept and create whatever we want from it. For me .. the concept of a Tribe has always been an evolution.  A decade ago I was introduced to the mindset of a personal “Board of Directors” …which I applied for many years until I read about the concept of a Tribe, which I liked much better than Board of Directors —- because it implied people are there beside you versus there above you.
So what … who … is a Tribe?Â
Sometimes … your Tribe is your group of childhood friends that remember you as the geeky, not-so-polished, perhaps a little awkward kid … who wanted to hang out with you because he/she was just as geeky, with as much room for improvement as you!
Sometimes … your Tribe is a group of people that share your passion – for the things you love and support  … be it a sports team, a political movement or a personal commitment to a cause that extends beyond your individual capacity to make a difference.
Sometimes .. your Tribe is your morning run group … the men and women that are there at “O’dark hundred hours”, who keep you company as you wake up and face your greatest fears … or celebrate your smallest of successes.
Sometimes … your Tribe is simply your friend(s) that have your back. Period. They are there for you no matter what —- and they call, and text, and they show up like no one else ever could. Now those are good people.
Sometimes …  your Tribe can be a surprise — A person that you just met, that you share an amazing connection with and have endless amounts of things in common … Or it could be a new idea that takes shape and leads you into directions you didn’t know existed.  It could simply be something that thing makes you go …  huh?! … I like that … I want to be a part of that … I want to shape that … Perhaps I want to lead it.  Or maybe following is perfect too – but I want to make sure I’m not missing it!!
I believe your TRIBE is exactly what — and who — and how you want it to be … you might have to go looking for it … or it might fall into your lap. Either way works …. beautifully.
We can do a lot on our own, but with a Tribe, we are unstoppable.
Thanks to my Tribe. The concept is a growing evolution but you are all a constant rock of stability in my life. >>Â You all know who you are.Â
Being Superwoman 