Banff, guys let me tell you about it. I was being super spontaneous and planned a last minute trip to accompany Cassia to Banff. For some back story, after our adventure in the Kootenays in British Columbia, Cassia was off to Banff to her new job at a cutie coffee shop and a brand new life. Obviously, I'm super hype for her and got the opportunity to go with her to her new home before my next adventure which is exploring and travelling the West Coast with my friend Hayden. We had two days to make our way to Alberta and have a mini adventure of our own and I haven't been to Banff yet so I was down and ready. We said goodbye to Kaslo and travelled to Revelstoke, BC about 3 hours away. We were desperate for some ramen so we headed downtown and got the most amazing bowls of ramen and some sushi. 

The end of September unfortunately meant my departure from Kaslo. Cassia and I had such an amazing time, we needed to celebrate our last few days staying in the most beautiful place on earth. On Wednesday, I had the day off so I started my morning taking a paddle out to Fletcher falls to say goodbye to the falls. Once I returned I went into town to grab a Black Cherry Zevia (of course). And went down to the beach to have my drink and do some reading. I then went back to my room to start packing. I did some packing and then it was time to go down to the Kaslo Hotel for a drink and a snack our favorite activity. Our favorite server was working and everything was perfect. Over the course of our dinner we reminisced on all the amazing memories we made during our work travel experience. We talked about the hikes we went on, the laughs we shared and the meals we made. Cassia and I were planning to go to Banff for two days to drop her off at her new job and housing!!!! So we had to get a lot of things into my car. After our last shift we shared a moment on the patio with our staff and took some time to acknowledge the work Cassia and I did and to wish us well on our next journeys. I couldn't think of a better send off. Overall, my time in Canada was unforgettable and I as I'm writing this I am missing my dear friends in Kaslo and wish everyone well. 

Now if you know me, you know I have beef with picky eaters. I think food and cooking is such an amazing way to experience a place. It was lucky for me when I first started cooking with my roommate Cassia, and I found out that we both love to cook and value high-quality ingredients, especially vegetables. One of the highlights for me living in Kaslo has been the fresh produce at all times of the day. Part of the culture in BC is that nearly everyone has an expansive garden and sharing fruits and vegetables with neighbors and friends is a daily part of life here. Cassia and I immediately fell into rhythm in the kitchen. I have never met someone who has had a similar palate as me. Meaning we love everything. Every evening Cass and I spend many hours in the kitchen. We walk through the garden picking ripe veg, look through the produce our coworkers have brought in, brainstorm what we will make, and then we spend the night executing our master plans. We chat and listen to music and drink kombucha, it's a whole event every night. We have created our own homemade hummus, including roasted red pepper, roasted garlic, and spicy chili flavor variations. I've been pickling red onions, and ginger. Cass made homemade lavender syrup for our morning coffee and I made a homemade honey mustard. Cass makes a mean Pico that we have been using to top off our favorite dish we've made which is burritos. Cass is vegan and I am pescatarian so most things we make is topped off with shrimp for me and tofu for Cass. Hence our duo name "Tofu and Shrimp". This tradition we have created over the past month is something that I will miss dearly for we are headed off our next adventure coming tomorrow (stay tuned for that). Cooking with all of these fresh ingredients with refreshing company is definitely one of the highlights of my year. I am so thankful to have met someone who cares so much about creating beautiful, healthy dishes and works alongside me so well.  It has been fun and I will be sure to pick up gardening when I go home! 

It's been 6 days since my last post so some updating is needed. Cassia and I went on a hike this past Monday. We went on the Wardner Trail to see Kaslo from above. It was a .6 mile hike pretty much vertical the whole way up. It was a pretty view at the top and there was a nice wood bench for us to take in the views. 

This week I went on two different hikes. Let me tell you about them:

So I've always loved paddleboarding, but my life changed when I bought my own paddleboard. Part of the reason I drove cross-country instead of fly out here was because I then would be able to bring my paddleboard and I would get to paddleboard in really cool places. To be able to get out on the water in unique and different places is such an awesome way to experience a place. During my trip I've gotten to paddleboard in Devils Lake, Wisconsin, and Kootenay Lake, British Columbia. I am excited to take it to a lot more places. I like to paddle but honestly most of the time I just enjoy sitting out in the middle of the lake. I don't really use it for sport but more for just relaxing out on the water. It's such a delightful and refreshing change of scenery.

The short answer is British Columbia, Canada. The long answer is South of Kaslo, BC in the Kootenay's. I am on work travel on Kootenay Lake and wow guys is this a beautiful place.  

Now as you guys know my friendships are pretty close to my top priority. I will drive distances to see my friends. Now that typically means about 6 hours by car. Not this time. This time it was about 30 hours of driving over the course of 4 days. My dear friend Hayden is living and working in the Bozeman, Montana area, and now guys I haven't seen my bestie in months since we left Hawaii (that's a whole other story that I hope to share). So I was missing my girl bad. Good thing I was driving across the country anyways. The timing worked out where we were going to spend an evening together in Glacier National Park in NW Montana. Now about 4 hours into my journey that day which was going to be 9 hours total Hayden informs me that she can't get to Glacier because of transportation and her job needed her to work that day. Now I was not coming this far to miss seeing Hayden. That's just not acceptable. So quick thinking I did a google search for how long it would be to change my route to Bozeman instead. OMG! It's the same distance. Great, mind made. I'm going to Bozeman! (Does that make me a Bozeite?) (Big Bang Theory reference I hope you get). Anyways, back to my reunification with my dear friend Hayden. It was just bliss. Just amazing to see her again. I missed her dearly and our reunion was everything I dreamed it would be. We chatted for the following many hours and woke up the next morning to chat some more over a cup of coffee. Shoutout that coffee shop, it was great. I don't have much else to say but invest in your friendships! My friends keep me inspired and motivated. I was so refreshed and happy after my stay with Hayden. Even though it was short and I had to get back on the roads time with Hayden is always time well spent! 

Okay guys so as you know I'm a huge WNBA fan. Go Liberty! As a fan of the game I have to catch a game if possible. As I was driving across the country it just so happened that the evening I was passing through Minneapolis the Lynx were playing the fever. So naturally I had to get myself a ticket. The last game I went to I was seated in the upper bowl but for this game I decided that I would splurge for a lower bowl ticket! Okay rich! (Not really). Anyways, I love the league and I love so many of the players that I was so excited for this game. The Target Center vibes were insane. The SLAM x StudBudz cover had just been released so there was extra high energy for this game. The MC's and DJ's were great and the production of the game was so fun. The basketball of course was high quality with Napheesa Collier starting in her first game in weeks after sustaining an ankle injury. I was happy to see Kelsey Mitchell, Natasha Howard and Aliyah Boston play for the Fever, and enjoyed seeing Courtney Williams, and Kayla McBride play for the Lynx. It was about a 10 point game for most of the game and the Fever struggled to keep up (like most teams do playing the Lynx:( ). It was all around a wonderfully fun time but in the end GO NY LIBERTY!!!

On a cross country journey that includes a full day in North Dakota I find it only fitting that I give you the ND details. I could be out of touch being from New York but I found North Dakota to be quite delightful. I won't lie, I had my reservations. I moved with hesitation quite a bit at first. The first stop of the day was in Fargo, ND. Right over the border of Minnesota. I stopped here for gas and decided to get myself a Dr. Pepper. For some context, prior to stopping I had seen 3 mega churches. I definitely wasn't sure what I was getting into, I felt like I was very out of place (east coast gang). Anyways, back to this emergent Dr. Pepper. This gas station had the nice pebble ice and all the soda flavors one could want, but obviously you know me I'm getting that classic Dr. Pepper. The couple behind me offered to pay for my drink (awwwwww how sweet). I immediately changed my tune on North Dakota. OMG I love North Dakota! Free Dr. Pepper. Anyways, I spent the following 8 hours driving through the rest of ND. I saw farms most of the way and landed in the desert towards the afternoon. Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Okay girl. What's up? I'll tell you what. Beautiful canyons that stretch for acres and acres. The sounds of wildlife all around. I'll leave the photos so you know what I'm talking about but this really sold North Dakota for me. I took a hike into the canyon and spent many moments enjoying the breath taking views. I was having a solo travel girl moment and was over come by a bit of sadness that I could not share this moment with my family. Low and behold I have 5G service. Honestly, as I looked at the landscape I could just imagine Teddy R discovering this land and thinking "Wow, this place in the middle of nowhere needs cell service". How nice to see his dreams come to life.  

Every month I start a new playlist that encapsulates the vibes and energy of the new month. As the month goes on my September playlist has just been getting better and better. In today's post I'll highlight my favorite songs but I also included a link to the playlist itself so you can have a listen (RIP spotify users). 

Okay guys so Sombr just released his album "I barely know her". Well, it seems to me like he really does know her and really does dare I say miss her. Lol. It is such a great album and I have been listening to it on loop throughout my journey. I was already familiar with the two singles that were released prior to the album "Undressed" and "Back to friends". Nice to hear those but the new songs were just exciting. My new favorites on the album I would say are "canal street" and "we never dated". I recommend a listen and want to know what your favorite was off the album.