Mosquitoes, heat, pit toilets, and crowds. The quadfecta of loathing when I’m camping all tested my resolve during our first ever visit to Kinbrook Island Provincial Park. Located 15 km south of Brooks, Alberta, a small city two hours east of Calgary primarily known for its large slaughterhouse, Kinbrook Island is a small oasis in […]
Ol’ MacDonald’s Resort – review
In the annals of family camping in Alberta, there is perhaps no greater legend than that of Ol’ MacDonald’s Resort (often misspoken as Old MacDonald’s Farm). Nestled along the south shore of Buffalo Lake, almost equidistant from Edmonton and Calgary, the family-run and family-focused Ol’ MacDonald’s Resort is an institution with few provincial rivals. At […]
My Life Is A Song #110
A good hook makes a hit song, but great lyrics make it unforgettable. This is particularly true of songs from our youth where lyrics verbalize what our hormone riddled minds cannot. As a young man, I felt this song represented the perfect way to dump a girlfriend. Or at least how to talk about them […]
Can My Nissan Pathfinder Save the Planet?
Can a 2018 Nissan Pathfinder (Platinum) coupled with a 2019 Geo Pro (16BH) travel trailer save the planet? In the spring of 2018, I aimed to find out, one camping trip at a time. This is what I discovered, aside from the gaping hole in my savings account. I’m still a believer in the adage […]
Aspen Crossing Campground – updated review
Aspen Crossing Campground was the first campground to which we intentionally returned back in the early days of our RVing career. Like other spots we sought out as we gathered our camping legs, Aspen Crossing was an easy, relatively short drive from our home. It quickly became a favourite. Trains were part of the draw. […]
George Lane Municipal Campground – review
We popped our cherries at George Lane Municipal Campground in High River, Alberta. That may sound like a typical prairie high school prom story but alas, it isn’t. In this case, it’s the simple tale of our first ever camping excursion as RV owners. The year was 2011. Summer. We had purchased our very first […]
My Life Is A Song #109
Barring a dramatic leap in lifespan (come on nanobots) I’m into the second half of my stint on this planet. In that humbling context, I find it sad that I’ve yet to find my happy place. I hesitate to say sweets, even though you’re all thinking it, because, honestly, that’s more coping mechanism. Shoveling triple […]
So This is Imposter Syndrome
44R jacket. Matching 34/32 slacks. Complimentary 17 dress shirt. Vibrant, yet professional, tie. I’m a time bomb? Okay, not exactly, but considering I put it together in under an hour at Value Village while retaining current-century fashion sensibilities is worthy of a little fist bump. Such was my Friday afternoon last. An unforeseen, panicked shopping […]
I’m Spoiling My Ballot
I don’t want to vote. Like, I really don’t want to vote. This is something that’s been eating at me for years now. There are many reasons for my, let’s put this politely, disinterest in voting, but the most pervasive is the reality that for the past twenty-one years of my adult life, my vote […]
Geology’s God Complex
If I’ve learned anything on LinkedIn, it’s that a lot of geologists fancy themselves climatologists. Expert ones, even. Almost weekly, one or another of my connections likes, shares, or comments on a post that either questions anthropogenic climate change or outright denies it. Some of these articles are obvious partisan rants, borne of frustration and […]