Hitting the Dirt

18 01 2014

Apparently we have an All Wheel Drive vehicle.  Well, Nathan was determined to put it to the test.  Where else but in the desert landscape of Arizona (technically we were on the California side, but it doesn’t seem like CA), where you can pretty much take to the dirt anywhere you want and drive through the cacti, donkey droppings and joshua trees.  Just make sure you follow a trail, don’t get stuck in the sand, roll your vehicle, or back over a bush…(whoops Jerry…..) and leave some bread crumbs to find your way home.

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The Subaru XV made it through and held its own next to the Toyota FJ.  Not too bad…not too bad at all.

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Cloudless blue skies and dust bunnies being kicked up by off road vehicles, ATV’s and possibly a few people wandering around chasing donkeys and bribing them with carrots and tasty green apples.

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Father/Son Bonding

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Momma and Baby were a little skittish

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The Triplets

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Felt like we were back in time in an Old Western


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Categories : Arizona, California, Lake Havasu City, Parker

Who is THE ‘El Capitan’?

24 06 2012

El Capitan Suite.

This is what Nathan renamed the ‘Presidential Suite’ at the Inn & Spa at Loretto.  And what does one do when they rename a room at a hotel?  Stumble upon the perfect addition to the suite.  And then make everyone take photos with it.

Everyone taking photos with this hat?  Means 50+ photos were taken, so we’ve narrowed down the field to the best of best.  Now, we have our favourite, but we thought perhaps we should open up the voting and see what happens……

Do you have a favourite ‘El Capitan’?

El Capitan #1:

The ‘Ladies Man’

El Capitan #2:

The ‘Thinker’

El Capitan #3

The ‘Flirt’

El Capitan #4

The ‘Party Girl’

El Capitan #5

The ‘Jack Nicholson’

El Capitan #6

The ‘Tip of the Hat’

El Capitan #7

The ‘Gangsta’

El Capitan #8

The ‘Stoic’

El Capitan #9

The ‘Drunkard’

El Capitan #10

The ‘Happy-Go-Lucky’


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Categories : New Mexico

Finally! I’m Back on the Grid!

17 06 2012

It’s been a long time since I posted my last “Adventure on the Road”.  You may think that nothing interesting has been happening – no adventures to be had!  In part, you would be right – for a long time I was mobilized.  Nothing interesting to talk about when your day to day experience is hotel living, work, doing some crazy ‘Insanity’ workouts, and spending your evenings on lists and spreadsheets.

But it’s those lists and spreadsheets that filled up my evenings that really took time away from the adventures; but they were also in preparation for a big adventure…

I Got Married!

June 3, 2012 – Santa Fe, NM

And although I did not become the crazed Bridezilla that entertains the masses on TV and in books (at least I don’t think so, and no one told me otherwise), I will say that I played the role of Event Coordinator to a T.  People laughed – oh yes they laughed – when I supplied them with their own 10 page weekend itinerary (personalized for each family), Master Itinerary (for my Maid of Honour), Production Schedules (for my vendors) and Shot List (for the Photographer), but all you event people out there know that those spreadsheets mean Event Survival!!  And even better….Event Success!

Now, I know that every bride will say that the wedding day was magical…perfect…couldn’t have gone better.  But sometimes the ceremony starts late, guests are in limbo in between ceremony and reception, toasts start before the champagne is poured, etc.  All of these things have absolutely no effect on the bride and groom (nor should they – it is their day), but guests notice if they are waiting in the hot sun, they end up sitting around in their formal wear not knowing what to do, or they are toasting with an empty glass.

Now, from a bride’s perspective, I can say our wedding was perfect.  It was magical.  I felt beautiful, loved, and we had a great time.  But I don’t remember much of the fine details that I spent hours pouring over – the exact placement of flowers, what the tables looked like, and I don’t think I even saw our Spanish guitar player at the ceremony.   I remember the important things – seeing only Nathan walking down the aisle, looking into his eyes as he calmed me when I was on the verge of tears, and of course….our kiss!

But from an Event Perspective, I will say that the event was perfect.  A Welcome Reception the night before so everyone could meet and mingle.  The ceremony started exactly on time and the weather cooperated to allow the perfect combination of cloud and sun (perfect for photos).  In fact, the sun appeared as if on cue, shining down on us during our vows.  The ceremony finished 5 minutes ahead of schedule, allowing just enough time for document signing and for everyone to regroup outside the Loretto Chapel for a group photo.  As soon as guests were released from the group photo, they walked a few steps to the reception area where they were greeted with champagne and hors d’ourves.  I don’t even think anyone noticed we didn’t join them until half an hour later when we completed our photos.  From then on it was a flurry of food, dancing, photos, hugs and a general good time.

Inn & Spa at Loretto

An Event Success!  I can’t help but pat myself on the back (in fact Nathan and I exchanged notes and high fives on our flight to Maui), but I must also wholeheartedly thank my Wedding Day Team – Mary, Roberto & Vickie – THANK YOU!  And a big thank you to Erin, my maid of honour, who kept me calm and knew exactly what I needed at any given time (oh – and she also flew to ABQ with the dress!).

** One of very few times we didn’t have our camera with us – Thank you Karen, Kathryn & James for the photos


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Categories : New Mexico

Thank You

15 12 2011

When you sit down and write a blog post you hope that someone will think that it is interesting enough to read it (hopefully someone that is not related to you).  You hope that it’s not too boring.  And you hope that it’s not too personal that it makes people uncomfortable.  But mostly you just send it into the blogosphere for anyone and everyone to read.

When you have a moment of inspiration and you have to tamp down the excitement you feel after writing a blog post that felt like it wrote itself, you feel nervous.  You hesitate before you hit ‘publish’.  When you finally send it out there, you wait, and you check your dashboard, and you wonder why no one is commenting (even the people that are related to you).  And then you feel a little bit vulnerable, like maybe you said a little too much.

The ‘Dear Me: A Letter to My Sixteen Year Old Self‘ post was my ‘I can’t wait to post this blog because I love it and it’s probably the best post I’ve written, but I feel so vulnerable because it’s personal and more than my  funny little travel stories’ post.  Considering how much I loved the post, I was a little sad that I didn’t get any comments within the first few days after I posted it.

Inspiring Sights

Coincidentally, I wrote that post while I was flying from Denver to LA, and the post was Freshly Pressed while I was flying from LA to Seattle a week later.  And the response has been amazing!  Three days and almost 10,000 hits later, I am overwhelmed at how supportive people have been to write comments, share their own stories and feel inspired enough to write their own letters to their eleven, sixteen, eighteen year old selves.  No, we don’t think that literary time travel actually exists, but we do think about how cool it would be if it did.  Writing this letter to yourself, regardless if it is to a younger or an older self, is all about reconnecting with yourself.  You’re able to remember the uncertainties and sometimes unstable emotions of your youth and also give yourself a pat on the back for all of the successes and obstacles you’ve overcome since then.  It is personal and it is emotional and I am touched that so many people were able to identify with my experiences.  Because, there really is no bigger frustration than dealing with a frizzy mane that you can’t control 🙂

So Thank You! to everyone that took the time to read my post, to ‘like’ it, to comment, to those who have become new subscribers, and good luck with your own letters to your past selves (or future selves), to the teachers who have been inspired to bring this exercise into the classroom, and to the 15, 16, 17, 18 year olds that connected with this letter and maybe have a little bit of a different perspective on the life they’re living and the future they have to look forward to.

Traci


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Categories : Miscellaneous

“Dear Me: A Letter to my 16 Year Old Self”

5 12 2011

On a recent flight on Southwest Airlines, I came across a feature in their Spirit magazine.   A book was just published called ‘Dear Me: A Letter to my Sixteen Year Old Self’, edited by Joseph Galliano, which is a collection of 75 different letters by a variety of different celebrities (actors, comedians, writers, etc) writing their own version of a letter to their sixteen year old selves.  I have to admit, it caught my attention and made me remember all of those times I was young and told myself, ‘when I have kids, I will never do …..’.  To this day, I have no idea what any of those things were, I just know that my eight, ten, twelve, sixteen year old self made a mental note.

I’ve always been a huge supporter of journaling and reflecting on my day-to-day life, not only to sort out the troubling times but also to keep those exciting, adrenaline rush memories alive.   And, most importantly, to get to those ‘AHA!’ moments; because, if you write just to write, whatever you are feeling, without judgment, and with the expectation that not even you will be reading what ends up on the page, you WILL get an ‘AHA!’ moment.

The idea of writing a letter to your former teenage self is such a unique way to reflect on what was most likely a time of self doubt and self-absorption and reflect on all of the lessons you’ve learned since then.

So here is my version of ‘Dear Me:  A Letter to my Sixteen Year Old Self’:

'Six Year Old Traci' - Read this in 10 years - it will be waiting for you!

 Dear Traci,

 You have curly hair!  You have to stop fighting it and accept it.  Yes, it may take you until you are 25 to be able to figure out how to style your hair, but you do finally figure it out, and everyone is jealous of your curls (you even learn how to blow it straight!).  You will one day find your hair stylist soul mate who knows exactly what to do with your mane, and despite what you think now, a ‘wash and wear’ hairstyle that does not require any blow drying will never work for you.  

 It is okay if it doesn’t seem like you have found your clique of friends yet.  Your best friendships are yet to come.  You will have great friends in life.  Friends that know exactly what cartoon bird video to put on to make you feel better, friends that you will stay up all night with for no reason at all except that the conversation never stops.  Friends that encourage you to follow your passion and friends that encourage you to leave your comfort zone, but are protective enough to say, ‘make good choices’ before you embark on a new adventure.

 You will discover that school and grades are not everything.  Yes, you will have a fluke genius moment and get 100% on your first calculus test when you were sure that you had no idea what you were doing.  (It was short-lived and lasted only for that one test).  It is not so much what you are learning, but the work ethic that you learn from your dedication to school and extra curricular activities that keeps you moving forward and rising to the top; and, ultimately allows you to enjoy life to its fullest. 

 Don’t worry.  You end up doing so much more than you ever thought you would.  You do not take the traditional route that you think you are destined for.  You discover a fork in the road that you did not even know existed, and for your willingness to take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves to you and your commitment to take a chance on the unknown, you are rewarded with a career filled with travel, excitement, and a sense of confidence in your abilities that will stay with you always.  Trust your instincts because they have proven to be trustworthy and make sure you take risks, because they always seem to put you in the right place at the right time.

 And boyfriends?  It’s okay that you’ve only had one boyfriend back in 7th grade (there is another one in your future before you graduate).  You are picky, and you don’t waste your time on crushes.  You like who you like, and if you aren’t absolutely positive that you like him, it means that you don’t.   Unfortunately, you will experience heartbreak but you will also experience a love and companionship that still surprises you.  It’s supposed to be easy, and when you find the right person, it is.  And guess what?  He’s American!

 Love Always,

28 year old Traci

28 Year Old Traci

 I am so glad that I came across the excerpt from this collection of letters.  Feeling a bit of writer’s block lately, this inspired me so much that I felt the need to take out my laptop and write this 35,000 ft in the air somewhere between Denver and LA.  It’s nice to know that with all of the pop-culture, media-diluted content out there, that these pieces are finding their way to people and that a few words from the heart can still make such an impact.

**  This post was Freshly Pressed on December 13, 2011 **


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Categories : Miscellaneous

Here….Fish…Fish…Fish…Crawfish…

26 08 2011

I grew up salmon fishing in Port Alberni, BC.  Waking up at 3am, taking half of a Gravol pill (aka Dramamine) and falling asleep in the truck until we arrived at the boat launch.  Sometimes it was just me, other times it was me and my brother.   Regardless, we would stay awake until we got situated in the boat, wrapped up in blankets and got a quick thrill riding over the waves and boat wake in the pre-dawn light.  Then we fell back asleep until it was light out and my dad had been fishing for at least 3 hours.

During these summers we learned that we did not like waking up at 3am, salmon fishing is no big deal and my dad wanted us in the boat so the fish limit would increase and he could catch more fish, if the fish aren’t biting it’s time for a coffee break, and my brother and I were easily persuaded to do all of this for the promise of a 7eleven Slurpee.

Much to my surprise, in the middle of Arizona, I went fishing for the first time since my summer fishing trips almost 15 years ago.  This time we fished from the shoreline, in a freshwater reservoir, with a little ultra light rod and reel.

No, we did not catch wild salmon the size of a 5 year old, but we also didn’t wake up at 3am!

Because we were not fishing at the morning bite I didn’t catch any fish.  But I now realize that my special talent is to catch crawfish on a line!

It was a group effort, but we managed to catch almost a dozen crawfish.  My claim to fame is the old crawfish that was covered in moss that has probably been in that reservoir forever.   ‘The Old Man of the Lake’ .

And what does one do when one catches a dozen crawfish?  You have a crawfish boil!

More trouble than those little crawfish tails are worth, but definitely a fun little vacation activity.


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Categories : Arizona

A Toast: to Small Pleasures

4 07 2011

With all of the things in this world that can cause stress and anxiety, it’s comforting to think of all of the things that can cause simple happiness and a feeling of contentment.

The jolt of joy that you get when you hear your friends have gotten engaged.  The instant image of a little baby face that forms when you hear that a new baby has decided to arrive.  The feeling of anticipation that you get when you have your feet dangling above the water and you’re waiting for a wave that will come up and splash you with cold water.  The feel of walking through cool grass with your bare feet.  The sound of a cat purring in your ear and re-reading a book you love because you like the way it makes you feel when you read it.

Hope everyone had a happy long weekend.


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Categories : Connecticut

Chinese Flavours

22 05 2011

Only at a Chinese banquet would you partake in:

*  Roast suckling pig and sliced jellyfish

*  Deep fried crab claw wrapped in minced prawn (my favourite)

*  Shark fin and crab meat in fish maw soup

*  Sliced abalone braised with chinese mushroom in oyster sauce

And that was only half of the dishes that we tried at my sister’s Chinese wedding banquet.  These flavours are not for the unadventurous palette, the vegetarian palette, or anyone allergic to shellfish.  But, it is sooo tasty!  Yum!

I have no photos of the food, except for a photo of the head of the rock cod that was placed at the table for guests to fight over the delicacies of the fish cheeks…but it’s not a pretty sight so I’ve made the executive decision not to post that photo.

I do have photos of the cake though.  Which should not be overlooked as it was a White sponge cake with fresh cream and mango, coconut and pineapple mousse.


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Categories : Vancouver

The Value of a Good Picture

14 03 2011

Looking through old photo albums it seems like a whole different world.  Everyone went out dressed in their best (matching velour track suits was not an option!) and getting everyone to pose for a photo was the norm.   There’s so much class and history in old black and white photos.

Can you even remember what it was like when taking a photo was a big deal?  When you had only 28 opportunities to take a great photo, so everyone posed and smiled pretty and had their fingers crossed behind their back hoping that this photo would be frame worthy.  When patience was a virtue and you had to wait to see the results until after the prints were developed.  And then, it became a photo party, and you had better have ordered doubles (or even triples) because you just knew you had to share with friends, parents, and grandparents.

It’s almost like taking photos is too easy now.  Even babies know that when a photo is taken they should be able to see the results right then and there. There’s no anticipation, and there’s no need to put your best look forward the first time because it’s the norm to take at least 2 photos if not 3 of the same pose.

Regardless of how long it takes to look at the photos, the value of a good picture still remains the same.  The fact that a little 4 x 6 piece of paper (or digital thumbnail) can hold so many memories and emotions is amazing.  You grow up as a child having an endless number of pictures taken of you and soon you can only remember your childhood based on a series of still photographs.   So always remember that even though it’s important to keep all of those photographs for future generations to look through, it’s even more important to label and date them on the back!

 


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Categories : Vancouver

Better Late Than Never…

9 01 2011

Merry Christmas!

This year the Christmas celebrations started in NYC and we bounced around like ping pong balls between all of the tourists taking photos of themselves in the Forever 21 interactive billboard in Times Square (us included) and staring in awe of the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Plaza.  But, amidst all of the holiday craziness we found a corner of peaceful holiday cheer…set up under the Manhattan Bridge.

And with 20 mile/hour winds the Brooklyn Bridge Park was deserted, which gave us a great opportunity to take in the skyline sights.

The “Christmas Day” holiday cheer found us in Stamford, Connecticut.  One brightly lit Christmas tree, two Canadian cats on a catnip high, three rounds of Christmas mimosas (for some), 4 hours of turkey baking, 5 (slightly burnt) decorated gingerbread men…..6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 (and beyond) colourfully wrapped christmas presents.

It was a full house of Christmas family cheer.  And of course Christmas isn’t complete without a little friendly competition and trash talking, which we took every opportunity to partake in during our first ever Christmas BAKE OFF and JUST DANCE 2 DANCE OFF. Let the record show that I wowed the judges with my chocolate chip cookies but we all got our butts kicked by an 11 year old at Just Dance 2 – although what the girls lost in points, we made up for in style!


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Categories : Connecticut, New York City

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