Great Canadian Road Trip Leg 4: Sandpoint, ID to Calgary, Canada

July 27, 2011 By

I’ve had many people ask me just what does 31 hours in the car by myself with two kids look like? Take a gander:


It wasn’t pretty but certainly was functional. I packed oodles of snacks, DVDs, DS games. travel easels and books (see the full list of activities here), which I plopped in a large laundry basket in between the kids’ seats for easy access.

We caravanned with my parents from Sandpoint, Idaho to Calgary and stopped in Sparwood, British Columbia to check-out “The Titan,” the world’s largest truck.
I couldn’t have asked for my kids to be better behaved and our final seven hours in the car were seamless except for two factors:

1) The Hail Storm.

We’ve had pretty great weather the entire trip with the exception of a stretch of road leading into Nanton, Alberta when we passed through a horrendous rain/hail storm. At one point, the hail was pounding my windshield so quickly my windshield wipers couldn’t keep up and my 70-year-old father didn’t slow down. As I sweated profusely (and in places I didn’t know I could sweat), the only reassuring words were from Hadley: “I CAN’T HEAR OUR MOVIE!”

Remind me not to bring her along when in extreme diress.

2) The U.S.-Canadian Border.

I’ve traveled with my kids to Canada many times by myself but never by car. When flying, Customs requires I provide a notarized letter from Jamie stating I have his permission to take the kids out of the country.

Since I was driving this time, we called the border to ensure I didn’t need the letter. They assured me I was fine but I was still paranoid (I’ve spent many past lives being detained in the “Taliban room”) so I schooled the children prior.

“Now Bode and Hadley, when we get to the border, you need to tell them that Daddy is coming later.”

I didn’t tell them any more than they absolutely needed to know. I figured dropping the word “attempting kidnapping” could lead to trouble but as it turns out, trouble is what I got by withholding information. We waited about 45 minutes in line at the border and when it was finally our turn, I pulled up to the Customs officer who initially looked friendly.

Him: “Hello, Ma’am. Where are you traveling today?”
Me: “Calgary.”
Bode: (Frantically Interrupting) “OUR DADDY IS COMING ON THE AIRPLANE LATER!”

From there, our easy-going exchange turned suspicious. He peered into the car at Bode and Hadley.

“Ma’am, what is your license plate number?”
“Err…. I can’t remember.”
“Please step out of the car.”

After a painful interrogation, we eventually crossed the border but I learned an important lesson. When relaying important information to the kids, I need to disclose, “Only speak when spoken to.”

Come to think of it, I’ll make that our family motto.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Bode, Canada, Family travel, Humor, travel

Great Canadian Road Trip Leg 2:Utah to Boise

July 24, 2011 By

I’m not one of those people who stops at every roadside historic marker but I’m always delighted to stumble upon local treasures. That is exactly what we found at the Sublet Fuel Stop off exit 245 on I-84 in Idaho. First, there were the alpacas outside of the gas station.

Then the baby rattlers inside the door.
Caged, thank goodness.

Then there was the sign “Beware of Bats” as we entered the bathroom. After what we’d already seen I braced myself for some flying mammals but chuckled when I saw this:

A baseball bat.

The proprietor had a warped sense of humor.

We were originally going to stay in Rexburg but my friend Jason bailed at the last-minute so we rerouted to Boise. My friend Kiersten (a former radio hottie from my days on the airwaves) met us at a playground for a couple of hours and then the kids and I stayed with my friend Katie, her husband Wayne and their four beautiful daughters. Haddie and Bode had a BLAST and I loved reconnecting with my dear friend.

“Soeur (Sister) Ingy” and I were LDS missionary companions in Bienne, a little village in the heart of Switzerland. We had only been on our missions for a few months when we were put together and forced to fend for ourselves with our faltering francais. Soeur Ingy was the ying to my yang. She spoke really softly and was super sweet. I was…not. But one day, I was bellowing out my favorite song about prayer “He Hears Me” for the thousandth time when Katie interjected:

“Yes, and so does everyone else, Soeur.”

This sweet Idaho girl was (and still is) a force to be reckoned with.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Canada, Family travel, Humor, travel Tagged With:

Calgary Stampede: The Truth Revealed

July 16, 2011 By

The revelation is not that these rascals of mine can be troublemakers. I’ve known that for a while.
The truth that was revealed at the Calgary Stampede yesterday: I’ve been struggling FOR A YEAR to get Bode to smile for a camera and I was going about it all wrong.

Put that kid on a “wanted” poster and he shines.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Bode, Canada, Family travel, Humor

So many updates, so little time

July 14, 2011 By

Our past week in numbers:

*2 Countries (Canada and U.S.)
*2 Provinces (British Columbia, Alberta)
*4 States (Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and Idaho)
*31 hours in the car
*1,729 miles

So much could have gone wrong but didn’t. The kids and I not only survived the longest road-trip of our lives but I’m proud to say my intrepid travelers thrived.

I have many stories to share of tearing down the steepest zipline in the world at Utah Olympic Park, visiting dear friends in Boise, Sandpoint, ID’s glorious lakeside retreat and, of course, Calgary’s many charms including the world-famous Calgary Stampede tomorrow.

For now, I am happily tucked away in my childhood home in Calgary. The temperatures are what I live for in: mid-70s and mild. Denver’s 90+-degree summers are my personal hell because I cannot sleep in our bedroom’s inferno and my mop of hair serves as an electric blanket.

On high.

My parent’s place is an entirely different story. Their backyard is an oasis of shade trees and beautiful flowers. The kids and I are sacking out in their cool and dark basement. In fact, the kids were downright cold last night and I closed their door to keep the room completely black. I was woken up at 8 a.m. by a little voice next door:

“Mommy. Is it morning yet?”
“Yes, it’s time to get up!”
“It’s so dark in here we can’t find the door to get out of our bedroom!”

I may never leave.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Canada, Family travel, Humor

My Summer Travels: The Great Canadian Road Trip

July 6, 2011 By

On Monday, I am embarking on our cross-country road-trip to Canada with the kids. The Lord of the Gourds may-or-may not be joining us near the end. He has to work and it is, of course, the peak of pumpkin season.

I’m so thrilled about this trip because we will be spending a couple of weeks in my hometown Calgary and camping in my favorite place on earth.

As previously mentioned, Grandma invited Hadley to fly out early and spend the 4th of July in Utah. Bode and I braved the long drive (we’re not bitter) where we will spend some time with Jamie’s family before I head over for the social media Evo Conference July 7-9 in Park City!


Then, it will be onto Rexburg, ID to visit my dear friend Jason and his family who were like surrogate parents when I went to Ricks College (now BYU Idaho).


Let’s hope Hadley has a better day than our visit with him a few years ago.

Then, we’re driving eight hours north to one of Idaho’s hidden gems: Sandpoint, ID where we will be meet my parents to celebrate my mom’s (ahem) 29th birthday. I’m looking forward to some downtime at Dover Bay Bungalows on the banks of magnificent Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho’s largest lake.

Photo: R.J. White, Sandpoint Magazine

Well, if downtime consist of checking out the darling shops in Sandpoint, kayaking, hiking the 9 miles of trails in the area, swimming and biking lift-serviced Schweitzer Mountain Resort.

From there, it will be homeward bound to Calgary with oodles of cousin time, the zoo, biking along the Bow River and of course, The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth, The Calgary Stampede July 8-17, 2011.

Photo: CBC.ca

Calgary will also likely consist of my brother Pat dragging us out on the lake where it will be confirmed that I suck and will always suck at water-skiing.

From there, we’ll begin our drive back to Denver via my favorite place on earth. I’ve traveled the world and for me, there is no greater destination than Waterton Lakes National Park, located just north of the U.S. border. I’ll have many details to come about my favorite childhood haunt in this hauntingly beautiful enclave.

Photo: Kevin P. Rauch

And of course, the other side of Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park is glorious Glacier National Park where we will camp, play and marvel at one of the most beautiful drives along the lower 48: Going-to-the-Sun Road.

Photo: St. Mary Lake, Jon Tester

Our summer will consist of lots of family time, driving and camping. I’ve been asked if Jamie will be dismayed we’ll be gone so long and he alleges he will be. But to be honest, I’m usually a single mother in July because he’s slammed with his pumpkins, work and church responsibilities. Plus, unlimited time in the pumpkin patch without the wife nagging about family responsibilities?

It’s his version of a bachelor party.

Updated: Jamie and I were featured on the premiere of NBC’s The Marriage Ref regarding his pumpkin addiction. For a behind-the-scenes glimpse, go here.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Canada, Family travel, Humor, pumpkins, travel Tagged With:

2010 Vancouver Olympic Games: I Had the Time of My Life!

February 28, 2010 By

Hanging out with Bonnie Blair at the USA House

As my epic Olympic journey draws to a close, I feel like some sort of punctuation mark is in order.

And it is a big ol’ exclamation mark!!!

I had the time of my life taking part in the Office Winter Games Contest and these are just a few of the many reasons:

1) Hanging out with Olympic speed skating legend Bonnie Blair. She is every bit as genuine, spirited and delightful as she seems on camera. My fondest memory is when we were reprimanded for being too loud.Talk about a kindred spirit.

2) Representing Microsoft Office ’10. At various points in the trip, most technology failed me. I.e. I couldn’t find reliable Wi-Fi, had phone problems in a foreign country etc. Some days, the only thing that saved me was being able to crank out a draft in Word and directly upload it to my blog (a new ’10 feature) whenever I found a connection. Kudos to Microsoft Office ’10 for being so social-media friendly and a delight to promote.

3) Meeting “The Great One” Wayne Gretzky.

And greatly putting my foot in my mouth.

4) Seeing my son’s namesake Bode Miller win his first medal–a bronze–in the downhill.

Meeting Al Roker at the Today Show

And then racing a mile in my clogs to meet Bode in person at a press conference, all for naught.

5) Having the Today show’s Matt Lauer steal my moment in the spotlight. I later promoted my blog post about it on Twitter and the Today show commented how funny it was and retweeted it to their 582,714 followers.

Which is just 2 more followers than me.

6) Interviewing. A few of the people I interviewed: six-time gold medalist Bonnie Blair, gold medal aerialist Nikki Stone, CEO of the United States Bobsled & Skeleton Federation Darrin Steele, Director of Media Services Bob Condron, USOC’s Associate Director of Food and Nutrition Services Terri Moreman and so many more.

7) Being interviewed. It was also fun to have the tables turned and receive some media placements of my own. With Microsoft Office’s ace publicity team, I was featured on the front page of CNN Tech, Denver Post, Arvada Press, Mormon Times, the Seattle Post Intelligencer, the Wall Street Journal’s Market Watch, LDS Living, CNet, Fox 31, Channel 2 and I had multiple call-ins to one of Colorado’s top radio stations, KOA radio.

I would add the Today show to this list had Matt Lauer not stolen my moment.

8) The Canadian men’s hockey team’s dramatic finish. Even though I am proud to live in the United States and cheer for our inspiring athletes, hockey is Canada’s game. The gold-medal-win secured Canada’s record as the nation with the most gold medals ever during an Olympic Games.

The Great One, Wayne Gretzky

This journey would not have happened if it was not for the countless hours Microsoft Office’s team put into it. Special thanks to the United States Olympic Committee for the assistance they provided us. And most importantly, thank you to everyone who voted me there.

==========================

Though I was sad to leave Vancouver, I was thrilled to return to a loving family, clean house, birthday streamers the color of the Olympic rings and a belated party.

Of course, reentry into the real world is not completely smooth after having The Time of Your Life. The morning after I returned, my husband Jamie (notorious for taking long showers to soothe his sore back) used all the hot water.

Me: “My shower was COLD this morning!”
Jamie: “After leaving me with the kids for 10 days, you haven’t yet earned the right to complain.”

You won’t hear any complaints from me for a very long time.

Thank you for following my Olympic journey! Of course, my family’s hilarious experiences continue. We are currently in Aspen/Snowmass and then will be at Park City Mountain Resort the following week. Tune back in for our many misadventures!

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Canada, Humor, Olympics

A Tale Between Two Cities

December 2, 2009 By

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.

My flight from Calgary to Denver, that is.

I don’t have a great relationship with air travel and why would I? I’ve had flights canceled, been stranded, had a bird hit the windshield of my flight, been detained in the Taliban room and thought I was going to die due to extreme turbulence.

These are not the makings of a loving relationship.

My flight to Calgary was about as smooth-sailing as it could have been flying solo with two young children. I remained cautiously optimistic about my return-flight.

When I arrived two hours early at the airport, I was thrilled to see only a couple of people checking in at United. I did the happy dance and leisurely filled out my Customs form before sauntering to the front of the line.

What I did not realize was one of those people in front of me actually represented the entire Austrian Men’s Ski Team who had been at the Alberta World Cup in Lake Louise. Thirty men proceeded to butt in front of us in line, overwhelming the lone employee.

That was the worst of times.

The best: have you ever seen the Austrian Men’s Ski Hunks Team? ‘Nuff said.

More European teams lined up behind us and this mere mortal waited patiently enjoying the views of the gods.

The kids grew increasingly fussy and another employee finally showed up. “Are there any other teams I can check in?”

That’s when this strawberry-blond mortal threw an Olympic-sized fit, demanding they first take care of the civilians and she obliged. However, the damage was done. The airport was flooded with athletes and Customs and security were extremely backed up. After grabbing a quick bite to eat, we barely made our flight. And who should be on it?

The Austrian Men’s Ski Hunks Team.

This is when it became the best of times again.

They filled our tiny commuter plane to capacity. Hadley was fortunate enough to sit next to one of them.

I kicked her out mid-flight to sit with Bode.

Because that’s what any good mother would do.

I chatted with them about their experience in Canada, how they were on their way to Beaver Creek and about Olympic dreams. The Austrians are ski royalty and many of these men are medal contenders.

My fingers are crossed I’ll be there in person to cheer them on, which I would be thrilled to do.

Just so long as they promise not to monopolize my airport again.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Canada, Humor, Olympics

A taste of the bitter-sweet

December 1, 2009 By

Returning home to Calgary is always bitter-sweet. I was blessed with a wonderful, magical childhood that every kid in this world deserves but doesn’t always get. Life was never perfect but I had two parents who gave me wings and taught me to never second-guess my dreams.

Well, except for that one time I dreamed I was riding to a desert island in a shark’s mouth.

This last trip to my childhood home was more meaningful than ever.

When I wasn’t busy groveling for votes for the Microsoft Office Winters Games Contest, Hadley, Bode and I spent the majority of our time hanging out with family. We collected pine cones in my parent’s golf cart, took naps, got sick, got better, visited my dear friend Stacey, went to breakfast at glorious Cora’s and played with cousins.


We also took daily walks with my parent’s dogs


and rolled down the gully near my house.

Note: It was my father who instigated that one, not me. Kinda humbling to still get your butt kicked by your 70-year-old dad.

But the true highlight was when we took a trip to Southern Alberta for my niece Ashton’s special day.
I went for several runs, exploring my favorite haunts around my neighborhood, through Fish Creek Provincial Park, and along the swollen Bow River. It was in these places, along these trails, that I first learned to dream, explore and soar.

Those moments were the sweet.

The bitter was dealing with my mother’s rapidly declining health.

Since I originally wrote about her 25-year battle with Multiple Sclerosis, she has become more open about her condition. And accepted it. She has regular debilitating attacks, can no longer drive and relies on my father for most of her day-to-day tasks. They stay abreast on cutting-edge treatments, praying for the day she might be one of the recipients. It is a process that is both hopeful and heart-breaking.

I am glad to be back in Denver. It was a great trip. It was a sobering trip. And I cannot think of a better time to be there than during Thanksgiving so that I could count my many blessings.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Canada, Family, Health, Olympics, travel

Mirror, Mirror: What Is The Greatest Winter Olympic Sport Of All?

November 25, 2009 By

We all have our favorite events at the Winter Olympics. Some love the Ski Jump, the original extreme winter sport that was introduced at the first Winter Olympic Games in Chamonix in 1924. Others love the team aspect so Hockey rules supreme. And let’s face it: whose heart doesn’t skip a beat when someone lands a triple axel. I’m talking Figure Skating, of course, not Hockey.

Though think of how much more exponentially impressive that would be.

As an ardent promoter of the ski industry, my favorite Olympic event may surprise you: Curling.

You see, I owe my very life to this great sport. My parents MET whilst on a curling team in Calgary. I don’t know what the initial connection was. Maybe she liked the way he threw that big ol’ heavy rock. And I’m sure he was enthralled with her sweeping technique. I mean, what man wouldn’t? It was, after all, the ’60s.

For this reason, I felt it requisite to participate in the curling exhibition during the 2002 Salt Lake City Games. My best friend Stacey was in town from Canada with her sister, Heather. We decided to hit the Olympic Strip, which hosted oodles of entertaining booths and Olympic activities.

The Coca-Cola tent was the highlight of The Strip. Not only could you barrel down a miniature luge run but there were several interactive Olympic sports, including curling.

Remember? The Greatest Of All Winter Olympic Events.

As we waited for our turn, I tried to remain humble. Not only did I have inbred curling roots but I also participated in a semester-long class in high school.

If that didn’t qualify me for Olympic greatness, I didn’t know what would.

I was the first to throw my rocks down the ice towards the house. I made some quality shots and was immediately sent to stand on the gold-medal position of the podium to await the rest of the competitors. I fully expected to stay there.

Until Stacey went. In just a few shots, she knocked me down to silver. And then came Heather. In a seamless throw down the ice, she humbled both Stacey and me, claiming the gold medal. Suddenly I, the person with curling in my blood, was only bronze-worthy.

It got even uglier when a 7-year-old boy knocked me out of contention altogether. Me. The very offspring of curling itself.

In the end, he never actually claimed his medal; something about being knocked out by a curling rock.

Hey, what can I say? Tonya Harding isn’t the only one with a few tricks up her sleeve….

==================================

Thank you thank you thank you for all the wonderful support I have received for my bid to blog at the Olympics in the Microsoft Office Winter Olympics Contest. You may vote daily here until Nov. 29 and believe me, I need all the help I can get.

Special thanks to powerhouse bloggers Design Mom and Loralee for their generous mentions, and also the Denver Westword for running a Q&A.

Happy Thanksgiving!

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Canada, Family, Olympics

The Bonehead’s Version of The 12 Days of Christmas

November 24, 2009 By

I am in Canada this week for American Thanksgiving.

I know. I’ve always been a bit confused.

Last week was a frenzy of voting and downright begging for people to vote for me. In fact, I’m still doing so because the public can vote here daily until Nov. 29. In case you missed my announcement, I am 1 of 5 semi-finalists to blog at the Olympics for Microsoft Office. I even launched a “Just One Tweet” Whrrl campaign to get Ellen Degeneres to tweet for me.

Because she has, like 3 million followers on Twitter juxtaposed against my 3.

Since returning to my childhood home in Calgary, my frenzied pace has slowed down to being fed three meals a day and having in-house babysitters thrilled to play with their grandchildren.

I may never leave.

My husband remained in Denver for work and I’m always a bit worried when traveling alone with the children (for the reason why see one of my many family travel disasters). Shockingly, everything went smoothly and the only mishap was when my hair got caught in the seat belt of my parent’s SUV. OK, this is an understatement. The shoulder belt completely devoured a large section of my curly mop right up to the crown of my head. My dad was one step away from having to give me a buzz cut to get it to release.

At least my head would have resembled a shiny tree ornament for the holidays

We will be here for 12 days, the longest we’ve been away from my husband Jamie. I wanted to do something above-and-beyond daily phone calls to let him know we were thinking of him.

And to remind him that the peace and quiet he’s enjoying during his throwback to bachelorhood really does suck.

I recruited my 5-year-old daughter and we made cards for every day we’d be gone and hid them all over the house. Hadley wanted to draw a map. I told her it would be easier to just do a master key detailing the location of his scavenger hunt and we’d call him every day with the clue.

Sound seamless? This is me we’re talking about.

In the beginning, everything went as planned. We drew, we hid and we wrote the master key. I was careful to place it in my purse so I would not forget it at home. That first morning in Canada, I went to call him with his first clue….

….and it was gone. Vanished from my purse. Some swarmy member of the Taliban likely swiped it when I was busy telling the grumpy Customs officials I was, in fact, their friend not foe.

Or more likely I am just always cursed.

I broke the news to Jamie and begged him not to tell Hadley I had screwed up our surprise. “We’ll just have a different kind of scavenger hunt,” I consoled him. “One where I try to recall where we hid all 12 of the cards!”

This, from the woman who finally remembered where she cached her husband’s Christmas present six months after the fact.

It’s going to be a long 12 days.

© Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck–A Denver Mom’s Blog
Filed Under: Canada, Humor, travel
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