Should We Stay or Should We Go

We used to think all cruises were basically the same - you unpack once, let the world glide past your window, and wake up somewhere new each morning. And while that part holds true, we quickly learned that river cruises and ocean cruises offer very different experiences. Having done both, I wanted to share what stood out to me on each - the highs, the trade-offs, and which one might be the better fit depending on what you're looking for.

We are in the midst of planning our next trip. In June we are flying to Vancouver Island where we'll be spending two weeks exploring the island, soaking in its wild beauty, quiet beaches, and winding roads. We have both been there once before - separately, and each very briefly, so this trip feels like a long-overdue deep dive into one of Canada’s most stunning destinations. We’ve been mapping out our route, tweaking and reworking the plan to make sure we have enough time to see and do everything—though let’s be honest, is there ever really enough time? We’ve already had to deal with one flight cancellation, just to keep things interesting. But after a few adjustments, here’s the basic itinerary we’ve landed on: Day 1 - Fly to Victoria, pick up rental car and drive to Port Renfrew Day 2 - Port Renfrew Day 3 - drive to Tofino Day 4 - Tofino Day 5 - Tofino Day 6 - Drive to Campbell River Day 7 - Campbell River Day 8 - Ferry to Mainland and drive to Whistler Day 9 - Whistler Day 10 -...

  As the sun is setting on April, and the Ultimate Blog Challenge , I thought this photo was perfect for today's Wordless Wednesday. This challenge has been my most successful challenge.  I only missed three days, but I connected with many fellow bloggers. I look forward to the next challenge.

Yesterday, myself, and a family friend spent a lovely afternoon with my elderly mother strolling through the Royal Botanical Gardens, and it turned out to be one of those simple moments in time that leaves your heart feeling full. The cherry blossoms were in full bloom, and the fragrant magnolias were showing off in full color—big, bold, and beautiful. We wandered the paths at our own pace, stopping often to admire the trees or sit on a bench and just enjoy the breeze.  And of course, it wouldn’t be spring at the gardens without a few “influencer sightings.” There were at least three people in long flowing dresses, striking dramatic poses under the blossoms while their friends crouched on the ground to get the perfect angle. At one point, I had to gently steer Mom out of someone’s selfie.  It was a beautiful afternoon and a great reminder to slow down, and enjoy special moments with loved ones.  

Photo by Sidra S on Unsplash If there’s one thing you can’t miss when you’re in Toronto, it’s the CN Tower. You can spot it from just about anywhere — standing tall, calm, and effortlessly cool over the city, like it's been there forever, keeping an eye on things. Built back in the 1970s, the CN Tower wasn’t actually meant to be a tourist attraction. It was designed to fix a pretty practical problem — communication signals bouncing all over Toronto’s growing skyline. Engineers needed a way to send stronger signals over all those new skyscrapers, so they decided: why not build something way taller than everything else? Simple enough idea. But what they ended up creating was so much more. By the time it was finished in 1976, the CN Tower wasn’t just solving communication problems — it was the tallest free-standing structure on Earth. It held that title proudly for over 30 years. Even now, at 553 meters (about 1,815 feet), it still ranks among the tallest and most recognizable ...

I have been wanting to see the show  Come From Away for a few years. We had tickets once, but then covid hit and everything was canceled. Since then, we've been trying to go and then somehow... we just never did. Life, schedules, the usual. But finally, finally, I made it happen. John wasn't keen on it (he doesn't like musicals) so I called my sister. Tickets booked, afternoon cleared, no excuses. We headed into Toronto, giddy like little kids on a field trip. Honestly, just being back downtown felt exciting. There’s something about Toronto that always feels a bit electric — the energy, the people, even just grabbing a coffee feels like an event. Even though I only live 40 minutes from the downtown core, I don't go downtown often enough. The show was at the Royal Alexandra Theatre, which is just... gorgeous. It’s one of those places that feels frozen in time — all velvet seats, gold details, and this feeling like you’re stepping into something special the moment you...

  Photo by Neakasa on Unsplash So, you just got back from a trip. Your suitcase is half-unpacked, you’re still finding sand in your shoes (even though you’ve already vacuumed), and suddenly your to-do list looks a mile long. The magic of travel fades faster than your tan, and now everything at home feels a little… blah. Yep, you’ve got the post-travel blues. Honestly? It happens to the best of us. You go from soaking up sunsets in new places, eating amazing food, and being in that glorious “out of office” mindset—to sitting in traffic, sorting emails, and trying to remember where you left off on laundry. It’s a jarring switch. And while it’s great to be home, part of you misses the adventure, the freedom, and maybe even that slightly questionable hotel breakfast buffet. Why Do We Feel This Way? Travel shakes things up—in the best way. Every day is new. Your senses are lit up. You’re in a flow of discovery. Then suddenly, you’re back to your usual routine, and even the smallest...

Spring has definitely sprung here in Southern Ontario, and with the warmer weather finally settling in—almost 20°C yesterday!—we knew it was the perfect time to dust off the e-bikes, charge the batteries, and head out for our first ride of the season. We’ve had our e-bikes for two years now, and they’ve completely changed the way we enjoy cycling together. I was the first to make the switch after realizing I just couldn’t keep up with John on our rides. But it didn’t take long before he went out and got one too, once he found himself trailing behind me!  We were concerned that we would get less exercise on the e-bikes but here’s something interesting—according to a study published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity , people who ride e-bikes actually get more exercise than those on regular bikes. Sounds surprising, right? But the research, which looked at over 1,400 riders across Europe and North America, found that e-bike users tend to ride f...

It’s become a bit of a spring tradition for us. As soon as the Toronto Blue Jays drop the Lead-Off Pack , we’re in. No hesitation. This year marked our fourth straight season scooping it up—and honestly, it just wouldn’t feel like the start of baseball season without it. The Toronto Blue Jays offer this special before the season opens as a way to get fans into the stadium. The Lead-Off Pack gives you tickets to every home game in April and May (that's 29 games). It’s very affordable and the best way to dive headfirst into the season. The only draw-back is that the seats are assigned and always in the upper level.  Still, at what works out to be about $6 a ticket, it's a deal we couldn't miss. The Rogers Centre The Rogers Centre has a vibe that’s hard to beat. Right in the middle of downtown Toronto, with the CN Tower looming above, it’s one of those places that feels big and exciting every time you walk in. Photo by Hugo Coulbouée on Unsplash Inside, it’s a mix of classi...