Take time today to celebrate mothers. Ones that are alive, and those who have passed. Today I am lucky enough to have my mom and my daughter close by in distance. We will have some time all together today and I am so grateful. I cherish these moments. Traveling can bring distance between families, so when you get the chance celebrate together. Whether you are close or whether you are far, take a moment to rejoice that we all are here because of a mother that held us before we could hold themselves! Happy Mother’s Day to all.

This morning an extra early wake up call. Taking the open road for the cottage. Today is opening day, and we need to be there extra early for Internet delivery. We were told that delivery time would be between eight and five today, so packed up from the night before, off we go.

We arrive early and got started by unpacking, then I got all the furniture set up outside, Mr. Mindful Traveller meanwhile got the water started. This requires crawling under the cottage, just to find out that there was a pipe burst over the winter. A mud pit under the cottage has developed, creating an unexpected slip and slide.

When you are away on vacation or even home, take a class. You can learn a new skill or hone in on an old skill. There are so many great classes. This year I did a few craft classes while away, pottery and macrame. It is a great way to learn local cuisine, language or even dance. Get involved, meet new people it is always enjoyable to learn something new, you might just like it!

Credit cards get all the glory in travel hacking circles. But here is a truth from someone who has traveled across six countries: your debit card is your emergency egress route. When a merchant terminal rejects Amex, when your bank flags a legitimate purchase as fraud, when you need cash in a country where card acceptance is spotty — your debit card becomes the difference between a solved problem and a stranded afternoon.

Waking up early is the best part of the day! I get up, I prepare a coffee and watch the sun rise to begin another amazing day filled with promise. I sit in quiet listening to the birds chirp and contemplate what lies ahead. Will today be filled with activity or will I chose a calm day? I get to decide and in the still of the morning the possibilities are endless. Mornings are my favourite part of the day, they belong to me. In those moments I am there in contemplation, imagining, dreaming of what can be. It’s the best time to be mindful, my body in top form after a restful nights sleep. I am ready for the day ahead, just like the sun rising and getting brighter, I too feel more awake. Let’s do this!

I can not say I enjoy running, however the euphoria I feel after a run is magical. Keeping fit allows me to go places comfortably without worry. Fitness is something I hold deep to my heart, without it there would be no travel. Today I challenged myself to a run. I haven’t ran a 5 km in a few years but thought , let’s see if I still have it. It was raining so I got on the treadmill and got started. I tried not to push too hard too fast. I put the tunes on and I ran, I wanted to stop before the 5 minute mark but knew I could do it so kept going, after 10 minutes I found a good rhythm and my body adjusted. My earbuds let me know I had a pretty good pace for a first run, so at 20 minutes I upped the pace and again at 25 and then at 28 for a pretty fast last km. Finishing with 31 minutes, I feel great! 👍🏽 Go do something that scares you take that first step! It just might lead to a love of something new. It may come in handy for those close connections at the airport. 😜

When booking your flights we usually book well ahead of the departure date. We choose the cheapest flight but opt for comfort fare. Comfort fare allows for extra leg room and luggage. Often flight times will change and then you get to chose another option if you like. Having flexibility in time is a luxury, however if you can make it work better for you it can really make your trip more enjoyable. Who doesn’t like saving money and choices.

Getting ready to open the cottage is an exciting time. I love spending time so close to the beach. Always a task to divide up food and spices to bring from home to cottage. I really like cooking and it is important that I have a bit of everything so that we can enjoy our cottage meals. There is always cleaning to do and a good workout taking out all the outdoor furniture. In the end it is all worth it, for all those cottage life days. Let the cottage season begin!

Taking a road trip can be a great adventure. It is important that you plan ahead to ensure a pleasant experience. We always bring a cooler bag, our travel mugs, with a coffee to go. Having a charcuterie on the road is our favourite. Easy to drive and eat at the same time. To pack it we use this snackle box.

Download your favourite podcast, I really enjoy The Diary Of A CEO on YouTube. Make sure you have a spare tire and a first aid kit and a blanket.

Today we take a car trip to visit our daughter. We pack snacks, fill the tank and download our favourite podcasts/ audio books for the drive. The sun is shinning which always makes driving and sight seeing more enjoyable. Who knows maybe today we go wild, let our hair down and crank up the tunes. Wherever your road trips may lead, I hope you take time to visit your loved ones along the way! « 🎼Get your motor running, headed on the hwy… 🎼 »

When you go away for long stretches, you have lots to catch up on. Mail pilled up with important papers reminding you that just because you were on vacation doesn’t mean the world was at rest. Remember to check your licence for renewal date, credit cards that are close to expiration and file your taxes. Making sure you are caught up with all your identifications, registrations and legal obligations will give you peace of mind. Then you are ready for the next adventure.

April 2026 was a month of celebration, unexpected connections, and the slow rhythm of a Mexican coast. From birthday surprises to day trips down dirt roads, these fifteen daily moments weave together into a story about presence, preparation, and the joy of not knowing what comes next. What follows are the daily mindful moments from the month.

Breaking Bread

April 15, 2026

Sharing a meal among friends new and old have left me with long lasting memories on vacation. Finding just the right restaurant can sometimes be a challenge. Whether it be a five star restaurant or a quaint food truck the company that you share makes all the difference. When meeting new people in a new place, one of my conversation starters is always: What is your favourite go to restaurant on a budget? Have you ever noticed how people are so happy talking about food? Food brings families together. Some meals are with people we have grown with and some are with new friends. What binds us together is the breaking of bread! Next time you’re on vacation share a meal with someone new you’ll never regret it.

Watching videos of other people’s adventures can be inspiring. Where to next? I am inspired by others experiences. Sometimes I take a morning to watch travel T.V., other times I watch clips on Instagram or enjoy catching up with a fellow excursionist to chat about travel. Each of these experiences allows my imagination to grow wild and to help me plan for my next adventure. I look forward to my next trip, wherever that will lead!

What do you do when you arrive home? I start by unpacking everything upon arrival. Putting in a load of laundry from the travel days. Then I leave to get groceries. It is important to eat on a schedule and to have healthy choices. I set up appointments like hair, massage, and even optometry from away. Why you may ask? It is my hack in getting through jet leg and time changes just seem easier when you have things to do. This forces me to get on a new schedule quickly and efficiently. Making being home a joy!

When travelling you have to anticipate the chance of delays. We often book flights with many hours in between to ensure smooth transitions. We have lounge passes and enjoy what lounges offer: more comfortable seating, unlimited drinks and food, and clean bathroom facilities. Many travel credit cards give lounge privileges as a perk.

Choose wisely and enjoy your travel days with a bit of luxury. Make the travel days part of the journey that you enjoy, not that in which you dread. Be prepared to have to wait longer—have a good book, music, or simply sit and enjoy people watching with a twist. Where are they from and where are they going? Always fun to try and guess.