2011 Vacation Day 1

Finally, all the preparations and details are finished and we hit the road this morning!!!

We made a brief last minute pickup at the Shoppers Drug Mart in Devon and snapped this beauty of our unit... Tim needed his "special" toothpaste... sigh.

Anyhow, it was 9 a.m. when we finally got away, first stop at McD's in Nisku for breakfast (the most important meal of the day!!) Large coffees in hand (none for Connor) we hit the happy trail... next stop, lunch in Calgary.

We decided to go to Deerfoot Meadows, you know, where the Ikea is on Deerfoot Trail to get lunch... this is where the fun began. I thought we were looking for gas and Tim thought I was navigating for food... needless to say, voices were raised but we finally got turned around and hit Subway for lunch. Tim then got smart after his nutrition break and we found an Esso to use our fuel gift cards at (yay loyalty points... free gas!!) Fuel is more expensive in Calgary, that much is apparent. We found our way back to the Deerfoot and out of Calgary and proceeded south towards Lethbridge.

Not overly much in the way of construction on the roads so far, the truck is handling the trailer just fine but Connor was driving us crazy asking how to make sunscreen for the game he was playing on his iPod, Pocket God... quel nutbar! He is looking over my shoulder now wanting to get at the laptop to find a game to play. Hmm...

So our GPS got us to the HoJo no problem. An older motel but it is free (yay loyalty program) so as long as it is clean, I don't care for one night. There is a Mexican restaurant next door that I may investigate for supper... unless I am miraculously contacted by family or friends in this neck of the woods via Facebook or something... Tomorrow is the big border crossing, quickie shopping trip in Helena and on to West Yellowstone. Until then, CIAO!

Gearing up for the next family vacation

This may just be our last year with ye olde tent trailer methinks... Now that we purchased a pickup truck, Tim is chompin' at the bit to get a hardside. Since I will be turning 40 next year, I guess less work is better...

This year's vacation destination is Yellowstone National Park. We will be staying at Hideaway RV Park  as that was the most budget conscious location with the services we want. Our home base will be West Yellowstone and we are excited to check out all that Yellowstone has to offer. We, of course, are taking advantage of the strength of the Canadian dollar at this time and have saved a bit of money in other areas. For example, I cashed in my RBC Rewards points which gave us $125 in Esso Gift cards towards our fuel. I cashed in my Wyndham Hotel points for one free night stay at the HoJo in Lethbridge on our way down. Loyalty programs rock if you save them up and cash them in at the appropriate time. I've come to the conclusion that I will never have enough Air Miles reward miles to go anywhere other than Leduc but I am okay with that.

While on vacation, I am continuing my fitness regime as I have signed up for another sprint triathlon, this time in Spruce Grove. The "Element Women's Only" on September 4th. My girlfriend Angela is doing it because I said I was thinking of it so I can not leave her hangin'. The bikes are coming with to Yellowstone and we will use them to get around town in West Yellowstone for the most part. I think I need to get some panniers or a basket or something for ye olde bike so I can bring goodies back to the trailer without risking my life. We plan on lots of walking/hiking each day as well so that will help too. The only thing I don't think I will be able to practice is the swim.... damn you swim!! I'm comfortable in the water but I have a problem of putting my face in the water when I am in an event. Need to practice.

The puppies are all vaccinated and will be at Awesome Pawsome Ranch while we are away. Because our camping fee includes internet, we will be checking in on our two clowns from time to time while we are away. My lovely friend Karen will be cat & housesitting for us while we are gone as well. Our critters will be well taken care of. Everything is falling in to place. Now to get the housework done and prepare the lists of what all to take with.