stubsadventures

I am now thirty years of age. After sixteen days of celebrating, I have finally had my birthday and the extravaganza has come to a close. Two countries, two provinces and I don’t know how many km’s of driving and now, I sit in one of my favourite spots in the world, totally alone and thankful my vocal cords are getting a rest. In front of me, the Pacific Ocean and huge mountains in the distance with my trusty dog Caper sleeping on the bed where she’s not supposed to be while I drink coffee and Bailey’s listen to the tide come in. Paradise.

The continuation of my 30^th celebration involved a night out in Calgary where we hit up a beer market  (Craft) and had a great evening filled with some of my favourite people, I don’t think I stopped smiling all night. Poncho and I had a great shoeless walk back to the hotel, just like old times.

December 27^th we hit the road with the Pacific Ocean as our destination. Finally after all these years, Poncho and Stubs can say they went coast to coast. Once in the mountains, the weather was not cooperating and we hit just about any kind of weather you can imagine. By the evening, we had only gotten as far as Revelstoke and it was time to call it a night. Throughout the day we had seen one bad vehicle accident involving a roll over and also a huge train crash where about twenty cars were just folded up like an accordion, it was wild.

Next, we arrived in Victoria where one of my oldest friends (Mermaid) had just moved to and the three of us had a great dinner in Vic and got in some quality girl shopping time. After that it was time to head out of town. Last year, while cruising the coast on my BC birthday trip, I found this cottage which I am currently sitting in. After a long day of hiking in the rain, not liking and then leaving the original place I had booked and feeling like my trip luck was running out, I found a place called Point No Point Resort outside of Sooke, BC. I stayed for two nights last year and it changed me a little bit, one of those places. When I thought about where I wanted to wake up on my 30^th and really considered places all over the world, the sudden thought of being back in that cottage again made my soul happy, so… that’s why I’m here. There is a feeling in this place; all of the elements of the earth are at your finger tips as well as some of the best hiking, fastest changing weather and nicest people. Why even leave Canada when we have so many amazing corners to be explored right here?

Originally, I thought this part of the trip would be solo as well. Having your birthday on New Year’s Eve is always tricky because most people already have plans or places to be. I have long since resolved myself to the fact that If I want to have fun on my birthday, I’m going to have to count on myself alone to make that happen. Over the last few weeks, Poncho decided to come on my adventure and then I found out my other good friend Mermaid was in for the trip too. The whole dimension of the trip changed from waking up in a place that would be stunning to set a peaceful tone to 2012, to having two of my best friends in the world in paradise with a hot tub overlooking the ocean causing trouble together for a few days. My birthday was filled with laughs, huge waves and crashing surf, some of the best friends a girl could ask for, way too much food, the perfect amount of booze and a dog who couldn’t be cuter if she tried. I will say again: I am, without a doubt, the luckiest girl in the world.

On January 1, 2012, I took both of my lovely ladies to their airplanes and apartments and came back to the cottage to pack, reflect and enjoy the view for a few more hours. This is one of those places that you’re never sad to leave because you always know that at some point, you’ll be there again.

Stubs.