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The question was asked in a group I am a part of on Facebook about micro adventures and what do you do to get away. I have been doing micro adventures for some time now. Basically I tend to treat every day like a mini get away! While this may seem a bit up in the clouds, that is indeed where I like to be and this is my very intention!

I have been calling them “road trips to work,” so to speak and these drives to my job sites are quite exquisite if I do say so myself. When I know I am going to be taking the trip west to Banff for example (approximately an hour drive foothills to mountain base) I plan to leave early to accommodate the pit stops along the way. This seemingly one hour drive has taken anywhere from 2 hours to almost 5 hours if time permits. Fellow Blogger – Kate Ming Sun experienced this extended adventure last fall! Usually the longer end is on the return trip to home.

I live in Cochrane, about an hour east of Banff and while there is a highway that is very direct, I choose the backroads. They are mostly dirt, riddled with ponds and wildlife, along with many horses to stop and hug along the way. The feeling I get is nothing short of euphoric and I am always left wanting more.

Anyway, I figure why not make the most out of every drive? I drive my son to school during the sunrise – it is an adventure. I pick my children up from their activities and guess what!? It is an adventure. Grocery shopping – yep – involves a stop at the local riverbed and you guessed it – quiet adventure! It is not often I take the direct route in anything that I do. Ask anyone who knows me! There are sunrises to catch, reflections that sparkle, deer to admire and sunsets to guide you home. All of these things make my day complete and spur the rise of another day.

Enough with words (I am learning that some stuff does not need much explaining) – here are some of the photos I have gathered from my #roadtriptowork …. enjoy! I hope this inspires you to look at taking moments in your day to create a mini escape in some way.

Photos by me – Alannah Gamblin-Jensen – all rights reserved. Prints are available for purchase! Just poke me at [email protected]

Society seems to take issue with women camping and traveling solo. And that subject has been beaten to death on blogs all around the world so I will simply mention that I have been a victim time and time again of this strange thing called “women just can’t or shouldn’t go places alone.” Every time I travel alone I am met with “OMG aren’t you scared of getting raped?” or “You are insane – there’s bears out there,” and my favourites “Your husband let’s you!?” and “Who are you meeting (wink wink, nudge nudge) you saucy minx you?”

I had a ridiculously crazy busy summer. I was not living the life I craved. I love what I do for the money, but my adventure and outdoor time was seriously compromised. I finally had a breakdown and decided to nix all plans and make my own – alone – no rock paper scissor games to decide where to go, what time to get up, what to eat. Just me, my ideas, my desires, my thoughts, my food. It was the best thing I did for me in a long time.

Here’s what I did:

1. Threw the the tent and accessories into the truck. (I scored a cool truck tent on a buy / sell site that fits the box of my truck.

2. Prepped some food – basic to gourmet and packed a new wood stove to test (review below).

3. Packed my art supplies, book, camera and gramophone.

4. Drove for over an hour into the forest off grid, subsequently ending up on the other side of Lake Minnewanka in Banff National Park. I don’t do organized campsites very often unless absolutely necessary.

5. Set up camp by a creek.

6. Chilled out – slept, arted, skinny dipped in the creek, dried off naked in the sun, read, gathered wood, chopped wood, hiked, and oh my goodness – drank a few rounds with a random stag party that showed up nearby.

7. Just be brave.

You see – it is not that hard. Even when the stag party showed up to share a drink and celebrate their friend, I embraced that. Turned out to be amazingly fun and very insightful. It wasn’t scary. Besides I had my bear spray! And there I was the lone forty year old woman with 4 twenty something men around my campfire slugging back whiskey. Again, you can keep your judgements. I had a hoot listening to them. They really let their emotional guards down with me and I learned a lot from them that night and a lot about myself too. I learned I was wiser and totally way funnier than I thought. I also learned that they wanted their wives and girlfriends to be as brave as they perceived me to be. They wanted the women in their lives to have the confidence and knowledge to go out and camp like I was. And most importantly they wanted their lady loves to know that permission wasn’t a prerequisite to be their own independent person and go do “stuff.”

So…..it gave me an idea. I decided that I would like to offer a progressive camp for women to learn to camp. Will anyone sign up when I finally put it out there? No idea, but I want to try it. I want every woman to feel the way I do when I solo camp. I want every woman to feel unafraid and confident to just go out there and do it, to know the tools of the trade, and to pack their gear with  assurance. On that note – details will launch this coming spring……

PRODUCT REVIEW – EcoZoom Dura Rocket Stove

The timing couldn’t have been more perfect for the arrival of this product to test with the timing of my apparent mental collapse into the forest! It arrived slightly damaged, but nothing that we couldn’t quickly fix. I figured it would be a good time to test this product since a large fire was not necessary for just one person.

I used this stove every day I was out on my solo adventure. It is perfect for car camping and packs easily and is very durable. I also packed an extra grill that I had on hand to place over the top of it. Once I set up camp, I gathered some small sticks, dry bark, moss and pine cones and ignited the fire right in the stove. You want to make sure you place it on level ground. I had to use make shift shims to make it level. I also packed some small cut offs of spruce and pine from some recent crafting projects to specifically use to feed the fire in this strive.

It is a fully self contained, self feeding (aside from the odd little push of the wood into the mouth of it to keep feeding the fire) and clean burning. It was efficient and heated my water and food up fairly quickly.

Pros:

Easy to pack into the vehicle.

Easy to use.

Efficient.

Clean and easy to clean.

Kind of really cute!

Cons:

Heavy – great for car camping, but not a pack it and trek it in kind of stove.

For stays in National Parks where taking from the earth is strictly prohibited, you will need to pre-plan and pack your fire sources / wood.

If using this instead of a gas stove top, controlling your temperatures becomes a problem.

The cons are minor I think. I am really looking forward to putting this to use again very soon for some winter camping and picnicking. I say worth having in my inventory of gear for sure. I like the idea that it is an eco product and has the capabilities to only use what we forage for without any chopping of wood.

To read more on this cool product or to purchase go here…… http://eartheasy.com/dura-rocket-stove-by-ecozoom

poached from Facebook! Thanks Melanie!

Fall – it brings with it some sort of urge to change. Perhaps the trees as they shed their leaves lead us on an inspirational path towards letting go. Perhaps the crisp air is a wake up call to seek a different path. Snowflakes tease us and fill us with anticipation and then there is something comforting about autumn, in that you can wrap yourself in all the cozy that comes along with the crispness. Some how you feel comfort and refreshment in the same breath. Something innately invigorating, yet like a giant hug as well. Exhale – see your breath. You are alive and you can feel, see, smell, hear the proof of that….fall feels alive in all of it’s death. A strange sense of rebirth.

Jen and I have been on the road to several changes. We have set forth on our own individual journeys that we so desperately needed to do in order to come back to our partnership in full circle with this blog. If you are a part of our tribe and follow along on our adventures you will have seen us take 20 steps forward for each of ourselves and maybe only 2 steps forward in this venture. And that is more than okay. It took some time to wrap ourselves around the idea that letting go does not mean failure and that failure is not always what forces you to let go. So we neither failed not let go and we are back full circle with stories under our tents of our own journeys! We temporarily let go without guilt, took a break, found ourselves a bit more, settled some aspects of our lives and now – BOOM BABY! Rebirth is in full force!

poached from Facebook – thanks Dave!

So about this change / rebirth business…..

Over the next little bit you will see us evolve (well we think evolve) and we will arrive in a fresh new place with this endeavour. We know we have said it before, however we were simply not ready then. We have been a bit fearful of putting ourselves out there in all our truths and full, authentic glory. Fear from rejection, fear of even perhaps offending some of you. But you know what? Life it too short to get hung up on that stuff. We are not twenty somethings looking to make it big the grand outdoor world. Good grief – we surely have a reputation by this stage of our lives – whether some people like it or not! We are not thirty somethings looking to compete and slay to get to the top. Although we do enjoy healthy competition and positive collaborations.  And that is not meant to be condescending – those ages, we lived them. We know what it is like out there. We know the heart has opportunity to harden during those stages in life if you let it. Instead, we recommend the choice to listen to the wisdom our hearts have gained. But here it is – truth bomb – we ARE wonderful women in our forties, who are just trying to be as awesomeballs as we can be and live the life we want to live. Along the way we want to share in the laughter and sometimes the sorrow, authentically (probably the most over used word in the world right now) and true to ourselves. In a nutshell, basically not so Instagram worthy by the current definition of follow worthy Instagram accounts! And we don’t care! We just hope perhaps you can relate on some level. We seek quality, not quantity and have learned a lot over the last year and a half about that concept and what it means working in this world.

Now, please enjoy some fall photos while we get to work installing a whole shit ton of change here!

As usual your feedback and discussion is appreciated! 

We really aren’t in love with blogging.  I mean, we’d much rather the exploration and adventure side of things, and we truly just get typing and sharing our stories when we’re damn-well-good-and- ready! (Unless of course we’ve committed to a deadline.  Then we behave ourselves and honour our commitments in the timely fashion we’ve agreed to.)

We’re unpredictable.  In all senses of the word.

Several months ago we set off for Vancouver Island in a ruby red hippy-van.  It was the ultimate ‘freedom trip’.  Kidless and sans responsibilities, we cranked the tunes, sang out loud with the windows rolled down and the salty coastal wind whipping at our hair.

We stopped at beaches, jumped waves in rubber boots, frequented food trucks and remembered what life was like before families and children, commitments and deadlines.

Looking back on it now, I have a heart-felt longing to do it again.  If you’ve never embarked on a road trip with no real agenda you should.  I’m serious.  You really, really should.  It’s liberating.  It’s exhilarating.  It’s just plain ol’ butterflies-of-excitement-fun!  It made us feel young again.  Even though we don’t really feel old, we both know that our 20-something years, have  l o n g  since past, and we live in a world where we should behave like grown ups now.  (pfffft…whatev!)

We giggled. A lot. We often found ourselves with tears streaming down our cheeks from something one of us said, or did, or a reaction we got from a random trucker we passed along the way.  We were ridiculous, and we didn’t care.  Alannah brings that out in people. That ridiculous factor.  She owns that game, and it’s impossible not to join in when you’re with her.  She’s kinda the bad influence kid.  You know, the one your parents liked, but wished you didn’t hang with all that much.  Yup.  That’s her.

(Sorry Alannah, it’s not like they don’t know it already!!)

Along with many random adventures and spontaneous stops, Tourism Tofino did hook us up with a few sweet opportunities. One of them led us to getting high there.  Yup, we got high.

Were we nervous?  Hell yeah we were!!

Did we like it?  Holy eff, it was amazeballs!!  

Would we do it again?  In. A. Heartbeat.

Atleo Air took us high above Clayoquot Sound in a Cessna 185 Float Plane, for a view like none other!!  Our pilot kept us laughing with great stories (both personal and of the area and history there). The views were breath-taking, and although we tried, it was difficult to get a great shot of the land & sea far beneath us.

From the air we explored the rugged Western coastline, a carpet of old growth rainforests, and gorgeous glacial peaks.  The colours were spectacular and it was a huge highlight of our trip.

Atleo Air offers a wide variety of adventures to choose from.  From day trips, charters, fishing trips and overnighters, there is something for everyone.  They even do romance and wedding packages!!

If you’re planning a trip to Tofino, you’ve got to check them out.  It’s an experience you’ll never forget.  And make sure to tell them the Campsite Gals sent ya! ;)

Huge thanks to Tourism Tofino and Atleo Air.  We appreciate your warm hospitality and gracious offer to experience views of your home from the clouds!

Well truth be told, we have been writing, just struggling with that publish button to the right there.  That draft folder is a wee bit full, overflowing in fact, as I sit here and start this piece while I am in the “zone.”

Perhaps we have been transitioning, rediscovering ourselves, taking on a few new inspiring projects…. Perhaps we have simply just been living in the now and spending more time revelling in the moments, mapping them into our memories, keeping them for us instead of sharing with the world. Perhaps we have been exploring new ground, exciting ventures or attempting other passions. And I am here to set the record straight. Yes – we have been all of the above. And I say we, because both Jen and I have been dipping our toes into many running waters. We simply cannot stay still!

For myself, I have been neck deep into sorting out my other businesses as they seem to have exploded overnight. While it has actually been about 5 years, it has finally gained a momentum that has me spinning in a whirlwind of gratitude mixed with a little bit of crazy. I have come to a place where I have let go of many burdens, including toxic creative thieves and now all my passions, talents and experiences have managed to hit the mosh pit together!

Part of my journey has included my camera, watercolours, some clay and lots of wood. I have reached a new level of creativity and  it is like fire with 3 gallons of gasoline. Dare I even use the word artist? In any case, it has been amazing and it has led me to explore new dirt roads.

Lo and behold, at the end of one of those dirt roads was my never never land and the reason I am compelled to write tonight off the cuff at 11:00 pm. {when I say off the cuff I really mean lots of grammatical errors are highly likely}.

I have a minor addiction to hugging and snuggling and hence photographing horses. I don’t have horses of my own {gosh – I wish I had horses – it is time to move to place with land} so instead  I love other people’s horse. These other people don’t know I love their horses – at least I don’t think they do! Or maybe I am known in the local ranch circle as that crazy woman that stops every few kilometres to meet and greet horses. Who knows? All I know is that I plan my road trips to work around stopping to visit my fur friends who now all know the sound of my car and voice. {A normal person would drive to Banff on the main highway and take 1 hour to get there. I take all the dirt roads and it can take me up to 2 hours to get to work}

I haven’t been confronted.  I hope I am not either as it has sort of become a bit of a therapy for me. I don’t feed them, but I do admit to giving them suiting names and all I do it pet them, brush and braid  their manes and tickle their chins, scratch their ears. Some come in for the horse hug resting their big, heavy heads on my shoulder. This is my heaven.  I have been obsessed with horses, sunsets, sunrises, mountains and lakes since I could draw them all on paper, over and over again.

I am fortunate to live in Cowboy Country in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies, just west of Calgary, Alberta. Since moving here from Banff – Canada’s  jewel of the mountains – I fell easily in love with the lifestyle and the landscape. I have met some incredible people who have lightly fed my thirst for this world to some capacity. I occasionally pull the Labrador Cowgirl card as I learn the “ropes” and I swear, starting a flooded skidoo in the middle of the woods seems like an easier task than getting on a horse and learning to ride. It is on the top of the bucket list by the way, to ride a horse well and to do so often.  It is time I saddle on up and take the reins and go learn to gallop…… as soon as funds allow it. Learning to ride a horse is still out of reach for me as I simply cannot justify the cost for lessons for myself.  Both kids however are privy to this luxury. Some day it will my my turn. 

Basically, tonight I want to introduce you to one of the latest most, relaxing, inspiring, beautiful  places I have been. Saddle Peak Ranch just east of Banff National Park or just west of Cochrane up highway 40 is just another slice of heaven, with hay and horses!

I was invited out as part of a local group of photographers organized by Tim Hall {professional photographer based out of Cochrane) to explore the ranch and snap snap snap until my hearts content. It was a gorgeous day, and I brought my daughter along as I thought she’d be keen to see some horses with me too. I don’t consider myself a photographer, so I am super grateful to be among this crowd. It was a loose, free kind of day, then ended with a big pot luck scoff and enough I could feed my belly and fill my soul.

The place itself is your classic Alberta Guest Ranch, eclectic, rustic, beautiful as it stands and traditionally welcoming. The owners, Dave and Jacquie along with Cody are the salt of the earth types, filled with history and proud heritage, amazing stories, knowledge beyond their years that only can be gained working hard in a venture such as theirs. They offer rustic camping, a dance barn | donut tent for parties, weddings and retreats as well. In talking with Jacquie, I discovered it to be an event designers / planner’s paradise with her “just about anything goes” flexibility.

In short, both my daughter and I had an incredible day exploring the ranch, loving some horses, getting kitten cuddles, dog kisses and making new friends. It is a photographer’s paradise. Tons of terrain and landscape to fill a card easily in 15 minutes.

Weathered fences and buildings lend a historic charm along with a variety of props to use, otherwise known as normal ranch stuff that is kicking around! Old saddles, barbed wire, tools, boots, horseshoes, antlers and skulls, all their for use.

Saddle Peak is now expanding outside the “normal trail ride” operation and is opening up their land to others for exploration and offering Photography Packages. It is so worth it to head on out there and scoop up some good photos. I guarantee you will leave feeling more fulilled and inspired than when you arrive. And arriving there is really high up on the fulfillment and inspiration scale. So go! Hey…. Horses and Heaven…….anything better?

All photos here taken by myself, Alannah Gamblin-Jensen as I road trip to work or visit ranches to take photos! If you are interested in prints or my art – let me know! 

So we thought we would share ALL of the advice we originally sent in plus a few more. Please feel free to add your own advice or personal experiences in the comment section. The more the merrier, so we can all rest well out there!

Car Camping and Glamping Tips

With young families, we tend to do a lot of car camping. This means the luxury of a blow up mattress, or cots and full bedding in a large tent.

Ensure your blow up mattress holds air. Bring duct tape. There’s nothing worse than the dreaded 3am sink-to-the-centre, and breathing in your significant others “out breath!” If using a cot, make sure the ground is level, with no roots underneath to cause any instability. They can be a bit tippy if the ground is uneven or if you, yourself are a bit uneven after some bevies around the fire ;)

Outfit your mattress or cot with sheets, even if you’re using a sleeping bag on top. We always outfit our bed with a pretty sheet (enter a vintage floral one from the 70’s) This provides comfort, and is appealing to our girl-eyes and our “need to nest” syndrome. Like crawling into bed at home, we look forward to that well prepped, pretty bed. Maybe that is a woman thing, but we can tell the husbands appreciate it too.

For cold weather camping, bring a hot water bottle. These are great to prep when the S’mores are toasting, and feels so good on the toes. They can really take the chill off when getting under the covers.

Alternatively, some summer nights are HOT! This is where drug store gel ice packs come in. Freeze ahead of time, and then have in the cooler. Tuck one in your pillow case for a super cold side of that pillow to calm the heat.

Spritz your bed with Sweet Dreams aromatherapy from Rocky Mountain Soap Co. We use this at home all the time and it’s perfect for the tent, as it gets rid of that musty tent smell, and the calming scents help you drift off under the stars.

Tips for sleeping comfy (& lightweight) while camping in the backcountry hiking, skiing or snowshoeing:

While some of the above tips may not work for efficiency in lightweight backpacking & tenting, you could still use some  of the above ideas in other ways. Perhaps you are not bringing a full bottle of aromatic spritzer, but maybe a small vile of lavender or eucalyptus oil to dab about?  Might be nice? And of course some of the tips below are handy for car camping and glamping too.

ThermaCare heat wraps. These are not only handy for our ailing backs or ahem – PMS, but they are a slim and trim heat source with little weight for the pack. They are sticky so you don’t lose them like a water bottle can disappear into the night. No need to boil water either and easy to pack out of the woods. Must follow the Leave No Trace rules right!?

Onesies with trap doors. Ok – the hard core adventurists are probably eye-rolling here, but none the less – onesies are the bomb. They are perfect for cold nights under the sleeping bag, but also provide a nice single layer on warmer nights when you want to kick the sleeping bag off. Plus – an easy go to the bathroom system and other stuff….we will just end that here….

Base layers from some of our favourite brands, Woolx and Bambool can make a difference. Use under onesies for those colder nights.  They don’t itch either – itching is not fun, not comfortable. Layer under onsies for winter camping.

Wool socks. Our new faves are from Treeline Outdoors  – they are uber pretty too.

Hand warmers / foot warmers are a good lightweight addition if needed.

Therm-a-Rest Pro lite sleeping pad (we like it) – warm enough for 4 season use. Something that can roll up for easy pack and carry, but padded enough to keep your body from hitting the dirt on every roll over. Place a few tree boughs under your tent or pad too for an extra layer between you and the ground – see note below about that.

Put stock into a good sleeping bag that suits you and your sleeping style. Yes, try to go lightweight of course, but this is an item to really take stock in and consider that you intend to spend about 8 hours wrapped like a taco.  {Side note: I, Alannah, prefer a sleeping bag I can really move in – I am a kicker and a mover and rotate like a toasting marshmallow. I know it is more practical for weight and size to travel with a mummy-style bag, but I really prefer the rectangle bags with a side zip. I have yet to find the perfect sleeping bag for backcountry trips :(  I also do not like a slippery sleeping bag – you know the ones that slip right off of the sleeping pad or cots….duct tape – I have used duct tape to tape my bag down before!}

Create as level a sleeping area as possible on mother nature’s carpet if that is where you chose to rest. Tree boughs have come into play here too if needed – not that we want to be hacking down forests at all – be diligent about it and use what you can and only if necessary. This is more of a wilderness survivalist thing.

Touque – always bring a touque no matter the season. Nothing fancy needed here folks. Use a plain old, black fleece lined, no itch, hat. If too warm for a fleece hat, use a thin liner styled hat – and pull over your ears – because nothing NOTHING is worse than hearing mosquitos buzzing around your head! Plus head and ears sticking out of your sleeping bag can get cold and you want to keep that brain warm and operating!

Ear plugs. Enough said. See above note about mosquitos. Plus if you are in a campground and next to the partiers (although join them we say) then you might want to drown out the fun times.

Lip stuff – chapstick – whatever you want to call it – make sure to go to bed with your  lips covered.

Hot camolmile tea and a water bottle. Before we lay to sleep we have a calming, hot, sleepy tea. And by our sides at night, there is always have a water bottle – both home and away.

Have some tips? Let us hear them!

Camping Recipe: Quinoa Fruit Salsa Salad

Happy Friday Friends! We recently partnered with the Great Outdoor Adventure Show, in Calgary this weekend, along with The Calgary Heritage Roasting Co., {swoon – those guys are so awesome & cute} and I added some flare from my own “other” business, Lannie Rae Creative. It is a creative collective of my event, gifting and food design company. Website coming soon!

Oh my goodness! We love contests…

ReBlog: Camp Reads: Antarctica Edition

Happy Monday Campers!

Thought we would share some recent book reviews done by one of our outdoorsy blogger friends and correspondent over at Alpine Lily. She has assembled a pretty great list relevant to Antarctica {swoon}

Go check out the full list of reviews and see if any of these reads would tickle your fancy for those wonderfully slow and peaceful days of “foresting” this summer.…

When my Gojac arrived I was impressed with the number of pockets, and the weight and quality of the fabric. I have conservative taste so the bold zippers and bright yellow patch were not my style but other women could love them. The “backpack” is sewn onto the back of the Gojac and thats where the straps store when it’s a jacket. The jacket has a mesh liner for breathability and comfort. It has snug wrist and waist band to help keep the wind out and the jacket in place. The bottom pockets are big enough to hold today’s larger cell phones but it is missing any inside pockets. There is a good quality hood that that stows away yet I found it large enough to actually be useful.

  I first put the jacket on with the backpack empty to try it out for comfort. I could feel the bulk of the straps in the backpack, which I found a bit uncomfortable. I converted it to a backpack which was as easy as the manufacturer claims. Once the jacket was part of the backpack I noticed there was very limited storage space for other items but I wanted to try it in a real situation.

It was a sunny afternoon and one of those days where you weren’t sure how to dress. It seemed like the perfect forecast to try out the Gojac. I started with the jacket on and loaded it with a few items I would need for the day: wallet, keys, cell phone, and water bottle. Once I put the jacket on, I could see why it is important to have a snug waistband: the shoulders of the jacket pull back due to that weight on the back. This felt uncomfortable and I found myself always tugging the jacket forward to avoid the pull at the neck.

The thickness of the jacket was perfect for a walk or hike and did a great job of keeping the wind out. As the afternoon approached and the sun came out it was time to remove the jacket. Converting to a backpack was easy and because I didn’t have a lot of stuff everything fit in the backpack. Once the jacket was converted to a pack it was very comfortable. The shoulder straps were padded and even with the jacket included it was a light pack.

I really enjoyed the product when in the backpack state but once converted to a jacket the bulk and pull made it uncomfortable. It’s just not for me.  Although some might find this two-in-one works for them, I prefer a backpack and separate windbreaker.

*Although I was provided this jacket free of charge all comments and opinions are my own and are completely unbiased.*

Royal Robbins Mission Knit 1/4 Zip Review

Review by Campsite Correspondent: Ashley Gossens

As soon as I received the Royal Robbins in the mail I knew I would be a convert. I don’t usually wear long sleeved shirts while hiking in the winter unless it’s below freezing. During our mild Seattle winters a fleece and a tech tee is usually sufficient enough to keep me warm on the first chilly mile. It doesn’t take long for me to go from cool to…

We’re dividing our road trip up into a few posts because, well, one post simply doesn’t cut it.  We had way too much fun, and there are too many stories to share, and reviews to post.

Thanks to Tourism Tofino, we were provided with great direction of what to see and do during our time there, as well as a few sweet hookups.

Tofino is a small district on beautiful Vancouver Island, British Columbia – Canada’s west coast.  This laid-back, uber relaxed town sits on the peninsula’s tip within Clayoquot Sound.  This area is characterized by breath-taking wild natural scenery. Wide open sandy beaches, ancient rain forests, crashing ocean waves, and a relaxed feel…it’s dreamy really, and you’ve got to experience it, to really understand the uniqueness of  where the rainforest meets the ocean.

We felt we ‘fit in’ with the vibe of this small coastal town when we rocked up in Ruby Slippers, our awesome VW van from Wicked Westies.  (I’m secretly still grieving over her, and trying to convince the hubs to trip with me in the summer.)

Aside from connecting with Tourism Tofino, and lining up a few must-dos, we kept our week pretty open.  We wanted to really meld into the whole road-trippin’ in a Westfalia thing.  We wanted to go with the flow, explore, chill out, and get lost in the natural wonders that surrounded us.  After all, getting away from family commitments, and the roles of ‘mother’, and doing so together, is a rarity for Alannah & I.  So we tossed rules out the window, left responsibilities behind and took each day as it unfolded before us. *bliss*

So with very little in the line of plans we discussed things we each wanted to see and experience.  One thing we both knew we had to do, was get in that pacific ocean and try our hand at surfing!  This was something that was on each of our bucket lists. (East Coast girls have ocean water in our blood.)

We were greeted by genuine smiles and were warmly welcomed by the rad chicks at Surf Sister, and introduced to our instructor Emily.  Their ‘Head Quarters’ consists of a a rustic surf shack, equipped with all the gear, and lots of cool extras to purchase.  They offer surf camps, individual lessons, and so much more.

After our meet and greet, we were instructed to grab our wet suits and head down to Cox Bay, where Emily would meet us with the boards.   A short drive, and only a few minutes later, we were squishing into our wet-suits.  (Those things are like wet Spanx without the dress on top!)  I was certain we would freeze when we hit the water, (it was late fall after all, and this is Canada) but I was pumped to get going all the same.

With boards in hand, we made our way down a green and winding trail to the beach, crashing waves, and smells of the sea.  We found a spot to sit, and literally drawing lines in the sand, Emily explained how to read the waves, how to maneuver our boards, safety lessons, as well as a history on the sport of surfing and where it originated.

She was so, so knowledgable.  Her teaching style kept us interested and intrigued, and before we knew it, our lessons were over and we were directed to the surf, and told to ‘get out there and ride!’

Full of nerves and excitement, we waded in and followed Emily’s lead…

We were surprised to find the suits actually kept us warm, and we weren’t bothered by cold at all!  Even more of a surprise was making it UP!!  Yes, we did it!  After just a couple of tries Alannah and I were each up on our feet, and riding!    I honestly didn’t expect to make it up at all, so I was pretty pumped to ride the wave, even when it was short lived.

We played in the surf for a couple of hours, trying, and trying again.  Getting tossed about & guzzling sea water.

We were super proud of our efforts, and accomplishments, but quickly realized that there’s some serious ab work needed.  Gah-40’s abs aren’t naturally ripped!  It was an incredible but exhausting endeavour. So, SO glad we experienced it!

Make-up free, ratty hair, exhausted, and beat up a bit, but smilin’ at knocking another one off the list.  BOOM!!

  6 things we learned from riding with Surf Sister:

Surfing is hard. It’s a core muscles kinda workout. So it’s hard. (for me anyway, maybe you’ve already got a six pack, in which case you’ve got an upper hand). But I feel if I can get up, you can too.

Be prepared to get beat-up a bit.  Or maybe a lot. The waves can be strong, and when they hit, and you’re not ready, you tumble, and scrape up against the floor of the ocean, and get tossed around like a sock in a dryer.  Get ready for a salt water gargle.  And maybe even a mouthful of sand.

Don’t eat a lot before going.  We had a light breaky and were really glad when we were getting tossed around.

Get ready to pig out when you’re done.  We’ll tell you all about our amazeballs meal at Wolf in the Fog coming up in Tofino part 3 blog post.

The Surf Sisters really know their stuff!  They are a rad bunch, truly living the dream.  But they take the job seriously, and take the time to give you the deets that are needed to keep you safe while having fun. Emily was a rock-star.  She really pumped us up, and gave us the confidence we needed to get out there and ride.  There was lots of laughter to be had too.

You should always try something new.  When was the last time you tried something for the first time?  If it’s been awhile, make a plan to try something soon.  It really is what living is all about!

We both loved the experience and will absolutely try it again.  If you’re in Tofino, be sure to check them out. (you really won’t regret it!)  Get in touch with them here!

Hang on kids!  There’s much, much more to our road trip, and time in Tofino.  Stay tuned  for our food & drink reviews of Wolf in the Fog, Chocolate Tofino, Tofino Brew Co, Tacofino & The Tofitian and last but def not least, our amazing experience with Atleo Air, all coming up soon!!

Where the rainforest meets the sea, a super chill vibe embraces us, and epic experiences seduce us, we also had our tastebuds tickled, and were guests to some true culinary delights while exploring the coastal dream that is, Tofino.

  When Alannah & I were preparing for our trip, we reached out via social media, asking for suggestions of things we must see, adventures to experience, and where to whet our whistles, and fill our bellies.  We were bombarded with suggestions, and felt we had lots of choice.  Once there, we again asked the question, this time with the locals.  Wolf in the Fog, came up as a place we just ‘have to try’.

We were famished after our surfing experience, and getting tossed about in the unforgiving ocean of the Pacific.  After cleaning ourselves up (a little) we rocked up to a rustic set of stairs that led us up above a surf shop and into a gorgeous room with floor to ceiling windows, beams of cedar, and a long brightly lit, and incredibly well stocked bar.

It was relatively busy, and we decided to dine on the deck.  It was dusk, and the night was cooling quickly, but the many overhead heaters kept the chill at bay, and created a cozy ambiance.  Candle light lit up our faces, as did the drink, and we began to drool over the menus before us.

With locally caught seafood, and plant foods regionally harvested, or foraged by the chef in the rainforest, (For real.  He actually mushroom picks in the forest, rad right?) we knew we were in for a culinary delight like none other.

After much discussion and negotiating (A & I don’t share all the same tastes), we agreed on the Mussels to start, and then the BLOCK PARTY which consisted of fried chicken, bbq ribs, pulled pork, cornbread & watermelon.  This was served on a huge chopping block, and was accompanied by the most delectable hand-cut and salted fries. (We may have ordered these separately.  We were really hungry ok?!)

Holy party in my mouth!!  Fried Chicken, so crispy and flavourful you would swear you were being served it some grandma’s kitchen in the deep South, fall-off-the-bone ribs, with a drop dead delicious BBQ sauce, and pulled pork, oh gawd that pulled pork… (wipes drool from chin).

We.were.in.heaven.  We barely spoke.  We just grunted a lot, and gorged on the feast before us.  You’re probably glad you weren’t there.  Looking back  on it, we may not have been showing off our ladylike manners.  It was more caveman style. Lots of finger lickin’ grunts and moans of pleasure.

With our food babies pushing out our pants, we sat back to enjoy the tunes and the sweet smells of the ocean air.  This place was the best.

Be sure to add Wolf in the Fog to your list for your visit to Tofino.  Oh, and bring me back a doggy-bag!

Royal Robbins Sophia Cowl Neck Sweater review by Campsite Correspondent Sara Mansfield.

Crispy weather is lurking in Northern California, especially with the damp El Niño doing it’s thing. It’s the perfect time to try out a new sweater! Thanks to the Campsite, Royal Robbins sent me a Sophia Cowl Necksweater to see what I thought. My first impression was how lightweight and soft this sweater is. I truly wondered if there was anything in the package when it arrived. When I opened it,…

As a child, she spent weekends in the mountains at the family hunting cabin developing her love of nature from a young age. She was always drawn to the great mountains of the west so after college she moved to Seattle and the Cascade Mountains. She hasn’t stopped exploring since.

Ashley has hiked and backpacked all over the Northwest and Alaska. By 2013 she climbed thirty peaks, a goal she set for herself before she turned 30 years old. For the 30th she climbed the rugged and remote Glacier Peak in Washington’s Cascade Mountains.

Ashley loves sharing her connection to the outdoors with her friends and family. She believes that time shared with others in the outdoors is a gift that should be given graciously and often. She spent her honeymoon in British Columbia, paddling Lillooet Lake and hiking to Panorama Point above Garibaldi Lake, and spent her father’s 60th birthday glimpsing glaciers and scouting for wildlife at Denali National Park, a place he’d always wanted to visit. She cherishes these memories and encourages others to create their own special memories in their favorite spaces.

When she’s not getting her friends and family outside, she’s usually out recharging solo on her favorite trails with her dog, Nali. She believes that being in the outdoors alone is rejuvenating and empowering and wants to encourage other women to explore on their own, finding the inner peace that comes with it. She also loves reading adventure and outdoor books, especially while snuggled up in blankets and drinking a hot cup of tea.

We are pretty pumped to bring this outdoor adventure lovin’ bad ass into our campsite!  We can’t wait to adventure with you!  Follow Ashley’s adventures right here, and also on Instagram, and Twitter!

We (Jen and Alannah) often have to go our separate ways when it comes to exploration and adventure.  With each of us holding the kickass title of  ‘Mother’ in our homes, and crazy work scheduled, it’s not that often that we get to escape together.  But when we do…

BOOYA!

Our adventure started with an early morning flight from Calgary to Vancouver with Westjet.  {They are our reliable go-to fave airline.  Seriously.  The. Best. Especially when you almost miss your flight……we know nothing about being late for flights…} Ok – we may have almost missed our flight out of Calgary AGAIN!

From Vancouver, we caught the Skytrain to some area just outside of Coquitlam.  We were definitely country mice in the city when it came to catching the train – which line? Where are we now? Excuse me miss – can you help us? These are all relevant questions while travelling, and we exhausted them all plus a few more.

We were greeted by Dave of Wicked Westies.  He picked us up where the train stopped in  ‘Ruby Red Slippers’, a sweet VW van.  We headed back to his place to go over the deets of what would be our reliable ride, and cozy home for the next week.

She’s so pretty, isn’t she??

Dave was awesome.  He went over every detail, and sent us on our way.  We instantly fell in love with Ruby Red Slippers.  She was powerful, but pretty.  She definitely got us some looks on the road {or maybe that was ’cause Alannah changed her top in the passengers seat?}  Either way, we loved our ride.  We had always heard that V-dubs lacked in power, but we found her to keep up nicely, and we drove forever on an empty tank. {Seriously in the middle of the rain-forest, no gas station for miles and miles…come on Ruby, keep going!} We will never forget the cackle of the road worker when she told us newbies we would be “Shit out of Luck” soon and said “Good Luck! CACKLE CACKLE CACKLE!” There may be more on this as we unfold the story!

We caught the Ferry from the mainland to the Island, and by the time we reached our campground for the night, we were ready to pop the top up and chill out for the evening. With one bed up in the roof and one sofa turned into bed, there was room for all of our things, (Ruby Red Slippers sleeps 4, so we had space to spread out a bit) and it was warm and cozy.

Sleep came fast, and then so did the sun.  BIG TIME! Alannah may have been running about in her flannel onsie outside the van, screaming  “Oh.My.God” repeatedly.  That sunrise huntress is relentless when it comes to early mornings and catching the first glimpse of golden rays.  I don’t talk  before coffee, but I peeled off my sleeping bag and grabbed my lens too.  It really was breath-taking.

Alannah aka Sunrise Huntress

After all of our ooooh’s and ahhhh’s were depleted, we fired up the burners inside the van, to put on coffee and cook up some breakfast.  It’s all so compact, but yet so equipped. It’s got a sweet little fridge, two gas burners, fold-out table, cooking utensils, dishes and water hook-up. The only thing we didn’t find was measuring cups!

Most of our nights it rained, (it is Vancouver Island after all) and one night was torrential.  We felt so bad for the tenters that surrounded us, as we had room to move and stayed warm and dry while they retreated to their cars in the early morning hours to warm up, and dry out.

Music at our fingertips, a comfortable bed without blowing up the mattress, full kitchen including the sink and stove…yes, it was quite luxurious.  We actually welcomed the rain and the sound it made on the roof, lulling us to sleep.

We loved our Westie.  It’s the perfect mode of transport and accommodation all rolled into one.  If you love to camp, but don’t want to fuss with gear, this would be perfect.  In fact…..we didn’t want to give her back! 

Easy on gas, and with everything you need to keep you comfortable.  Compact yet roomy.  It was perfect for the two of us, and although it can sleep 4, we would think that would be pushing it for personal space type people.  Especially if you were bringing a lot of gear.

We were actually feeling a bit spoiled after Ruby Red Slippers.  We hope we have not ruined tent camping!

You can book your Wicked Westie here.  Be sure to do so in advance, we know they book up quickly in the peak season.  We are sure you’ll love your V-Dub as much as we did.

This was a sponsored trip by Wicked Westies and Tourism Tofino who set us up on some fun stuff along the way – more on that stuff! Watch for part 2 of our adventures on Vancouver Island – TOFINO!  

Embracing a summer of highs after a spring of lows by Campsite Correspondent Stacey Wilcox

Now summer is long over, and we’re looking back at the adventures we’ve had with our son and the time we’ve spent outdoors as a family. If we’re honest, given his broken femur in April and subsequent weeks in a spica-cast and recovery, we’ve done much more than we thought we would. Hearing from other parents in a similar situation, we had imagined summer would be a hard slow road back to…