Oh, Canada! Life On the Trans-Canada Highway

At 14 years old, I wasn’t prepared for the kind of life education that doesn’t come from a classroom, but my mom; strong-willed, fearless and a little unconventional, had some alternative plans. We packed up our lives into a van, I quit my job delivering the Ancaster News and we set off on a roadtrip westbound across the country - with no final blueprint, just a full tank and a vision.

One family, one digital camera - and a million core memories that would unknowingly shape our lives forever.

Six Days Across Canada

Our journey from Ontario to British Columbia spanned six days, following the scenic stretch of the Trans-Canada Highway - one of the longest national highways in the world. We weren’t in a rush; it wasn’t about the destination, but the experience, and of course we wanted to sight see. We set off in August 2007, with only one obligation ahead - enrolling into a new school in September. So we embraced the freedom, taking our time to stop and explore.

The excitement of adventure where every province was soon to tell its own story.

Ontario: Where Good Things Grow

Leaving home was both terrifying and exhilarating. Ontario is my home, where generations of my family had planted roots. Home to some of the most beautiful and famous escarpments of the world. Every highway, every town we passed held pieces of my childhood. We'd already been to the furthest corners of this province, but this time was different. This time, we weren’t planning to come back.

Growing up, those long drives to Sudbury to visit my dad’s side of the family became routine. We'd load into the car, snacks in hand, music playing and just go. The rhythm of the road became something we knew by heart. My dad would tell the wildest stories about hitchhiking from home to go mining for gold in Dawson City, like something straight out of a northern legend. We still here them from time to time. He’d talk about the midnight sun casting a golden glow over the rugged Yukon landscape. Where he drove on the Top of the World highway (Yukon-Alaska). There was grit in those tales, but also a kind of magic - like he’d lived through a piece of history most people only read about. Now enroute, remembering my own winter adventures up north in places like Camp Wanakita, where we would snowshoe, cross-country and downhill ski through the gorgeous snowfall.

As I stood at the edge of my teenage years, I realized both of my parents had an undying love for adventure like I do. My mom's started when she was very young, travelling on the Queen Mary coming to Canada from Scotland. I guess deep down I knew that sometimes the only way to grow is to leave what you know behind and step into something unfamiliar.

I’ll be honest - I was scared.

Uprooting my whole life, saying goodbye to every friend I’d ever known, stepping into a brand new school as the “new girl” all over again. It all felt overwhelming.... but that fear slowly began to fade the moment our feet touched the ground. There was something freeing in letting go.

Ontario is massive - one of the largest provinces to cross, and every stretch of it felt like a memory. We passed through familiar places, pausing at iconic stops: the towering 27-foot Canadian Goose statue in Wawa, the whimsical Winnie the Pooh statue in White River and the powerful Terry Fox Monument overlooking Thunder Bay. These landmarks became quiet goodbyes to what we called home for so long.

It took us nearly two full days just to reach the Manitoba border, but the moment we crossed it, something shifted. It was like that scene in The Lord of the Rings, where Samwise stops and says, “This is it - this is the farthest I've ever been from home.” That moment stuck with me because standing there at the edge of the known world, that’s exactly how it felt..... and so it begins.

Manitoba: The Quiet Heartbeat of the Prairies

Manitoba felt like a deep breath between two bold chapters - this quiet, golden pause in the middle of a massive leap. The endless fields rolled out like a sea of gold, under skies so wide and calm. There was something grounding about it all. Even though now time differences started to shift.

Driving through Winnipeg, the roads unfurled like ribbons, tying together stretches of farmland and timeless little towns that felt like they belonged to a slower, simpler era. It had a country charm - rustic and real - but also had that static energy of the big cities like we're used to.

Where Ontario has its towering skylines and bustling corners, Manitoba offered the space between. Space to think. To breathe. To just be.

It felt familiar in a strange way - like something I’d known once, but couldn’t quite place. A softer version of home, but still far from it.

Saskatchewan: Where the Ground Is Flat + the Gas Is Low

Saskatchewan. Often called the land of the boring... or so they say. But my experience? Far from dull. In fact, it was borderline cinematic - thrilling in that “is this really happening?” kind of way.

I’ll never forget one particular night: endless prairie plains stretching in every direction, no towns in sight and our gas gauge steadily ticking toward empty. The silence in the car was heavy, eyes glued to the dashboard, mentally begging the universe to drop a gas station out of the sky. It felt like the setup to a horror movie - remote highway, pitch-black skies, car stalls to a stop... you know how that ends.

Just as we started preparing ourselves to sleep roadside until sunrise, we spotted it: a tiny, glowing gas station, seemingly plopped in the middle of nowhere. It was just after midnight, and we held our breath hoping it was open. It was. A quiet man came out to pump the gas - he didn’t say much, but he didn’t have to. I think the look of pure relief on our faces said it all.

That night taught us something simple but powerful: sometimes, you just have to trust the road. Let go of the panic and believe you'll make it. I don't think I’ve ever prayed for a gas station more in my teenage life - and I haven’t forgotten it since.

To this day, my mom and I still laugh about that night. Thankful that we can look back. Saskatchewan might not have the flashiest landmarks, but they do have some amazing diners along the way. For us, this place delivered one of the most unexpectedly memorable moments of our entire trip.

Alberta: Blue Waters and Mountain Majesty

Alberta felt like stepping into a living postcard. As we crossed into the province, the landscape began to shift - steam rising from nearby hot springs, crystal-clear glacial lakes glistening under the sun and the towering silhouettes of the Rocky Mountains slowly rising in the distance.

It’s where the wild truly starts to whisper. Wildlife seemed to appear like magic: black bears lumbering along distant riverbanks, mountain goats and rams perched effortlessly on rocky cliffs and skies so vast and enveloping they felt like a warm, endless hug from mother nature herself.

There’s something inspiring (yet terrifying) about how massive and majestic Canada’s creatures are. This country is home to some of the most breathtakingly beautiful, yet humblingly wild, animals you could ever hope - or fear - to meet.

I remember stopping for a day in Calgary and sliding down the biggest slide I've ever seen, the Euroslide. We found ourselves pulling over often because the view demanded it. It was impossible to just drive through. These were the kinds of sights that etch themselves into your memory forever.

Once you’ve stood at the edge of those mountains, you know.

There’s something sacred about them.

British Columbia: Our Year of Change

By the time we finally rolled into the hills of British Columbia, we didn’t have a set destination in mind. The winding, narrow mountain roads demanded our full attention and any thoughts of where we’d end up - Kamloops? Vancouver? Maybe even the Island?

Yet somehow - like we were being gently steered by something greater - we ended up in the heart of the Okanagan Valley. In Penticton, we stumbled upon this charming little villa-style motel, the kind that feels like a hidden gem. A nice little outdoor pool to enjoy the sunshine and just relax for a little while. We had no idea another one of life’s quiet miracles was just around the corner.

I remember my mom inside the bank, clearly stressed about a bill that had crept up unexpectedly. While we waited, I wandered over to the nearby ATM, just for fun, not expecting much. I punched in my info - and to my surprise, there it was: nearly $400 sitting in my account. I can only assume it was a delayed final paycheck from the job I had before we left Ontario. This kind of thing isn’t unusual in retail - but the timing here was everything.

The look of pure relief on my mom’s face reminded me of that moment back in Saskatchewan, when we found the gas station just in time. I was just happy I could help.

That moment helped carry us to our next, and what would become our final stop: Kelowna. I still remember my mom looking around at the lake, the mountains and the calm in the air, saying, “Let’s just stay here for a little while and take it all in.” 

And so we did.

That little while turned into a year.

From there, we landed at The Pandosy Inn - one of those charmingly dated but oddly comfortable motels, complete with a pool and hot tub. It was clean, warm and surprisingly cozy. Definitely a step up from your average Ontario city motel. I met another young girl who was in the same position as us, rerouting their whole lives for this big move. A new motel bestie!? Like living in the Suite Life of Zack and Cody?! Even though it wasn't a 5-star hotel and she was a year younger than I was, it didn't matter. We quickly became close friends. We would have sleepovers and birthday parties at her grandma's house up in the apple orchards of Vernon. Watching the wild wolves roam from the distance through the apple trees looking for prey, from the giant bay window while we sat by the fireplace. There is nothing better than a fresh, warm Okanagan apple cider - and the concord grapes literally taste like candy.

The Pandosy was located directly across from Boyce-Gyro Beach, one of the city’s most unique lakefronts. Just steps from our door, and unlike anything I’d ever seen. The playground had a zipline stretching right into the shallow waters. It sounded terrifying at first, but it was actually pretty safe... and quickly became our daily escape, both before and after school, until the fall's chilly weather settled in.

Kelowna is where I truly began to grow. I was enrolled in K.L.O., a French immersion school, and suddenly my world opened up. I started making real friendships - with a familiar French dialogue like back at home with my dad, the kind of friendships that just naturally click. I felt like I’d finally found my people.

BUT, there's an odd twist about the curriculum. In British Columbia, high school doesn’t officially start until grade 10! So to my surprise and after hyping myself up all the whole way here, ready to dive into high school, it kind of felt like I’d traveled back in time. There I was, still in grade 9… but technically back in middle school. It definitely threw me off at first. A little weird, but once I settled in, I realized the school itself was actually pretty great.

In tech class we teamed up to build robots and wire them to recognize different color electrical tapes to preform a variety of different functions. Our school made it all the way to a national robotics competition. We didn’t win, but we held our own and that alone made us so proud. The Czar Bots - I still remember our team name. We even had a carpentry class, where we learned how to use industry standard saws and building equipment. How to measure and build things that are useful in everyday lives. We had an interesting physical ed class, which taught us about pole-walking and real rock-climbing before taking us up to the Big White Ski Resort. Another full circle moment, familiar - but in a different place and time.

This wasn’t just a stopover anymore. Kelowna had quietly become a piece of us.

Food Class, Friendship + Phone Tag

I met some of the most vibrant, big-hearted people during that time - friends who felt like family almost instantly. One class in particular, started something so foundational. Our food and nutrition class became a place of pure joy and chaos, where we laughed until our stomachs ached, constantly messing up recipes but somehow always ending up with something memorable, and if not delicious, then at least unforgettable.

We tried everything: a tofu-inspired take on an Orange Julius smoothie, butter pecan tarts with pastry recipes from scratch, pumpkin pie, fruit-glazed dessert pizza, and hands down the best omelette recipe I’ve ever made. You name it, we probably made it.

And then there was Matthew. One of the closest friends that I ever made in Kelowna. The kind of person whose presence filled a room with light and ease. We spent hours cooking side by side, dreaming out loud and losing track of time in conversations that danced between everything and nothing at all. His laugh, effortless and contagious, still echoes in my memory. Even after I eventually went back home (to Ontario), he made sure I didn’t forget. Our friendship became a ritual - monthly calls filled with stories, laughter and plans for him to visit the big city and finally experience the fast-paced buzz I’d always told him about.

*If I had known 15 years later we would be having our last phone call ever, I would’ve stayed on the line for eternity. RIP Matt - you are dearly missed and forever treasured.

Back Home but Forever Changed

Eventually, we made our way back home to Ontario but we weren’t the same people who left. We came back richer in experience, stronger in spirit and closer than ever.

The drive home was quieter, more reflective, and a lot faster in the dead of winter (3 days versus 6). I looked out the window, watching Canada pass by in reverse. I couldn't count how many trucks we seen tipped over from the twists and turns of the icy roads, but it was quite the shock. The Canadian reality of the earth and its density.

The digital camera that once held our adventure was lost in all of our big moves, but the memories are stronger than anything. It didn't feel like the ending - but a new beginning. We were doing it to live. For lasting adventure, and because of that, I saw this nation and so much of its beauty. I walked in different shoes, in different schools, with different people. This is what life is all about. Experience.

I watched my mom lead the way - no co-pilot, no safety net. I'm not even sure if she had a GPS because I remember stopping at gas stations in every province to buy a map. Just determination, and a fierce love for life. She showed me what strength looks like. She gave me freedom, wonder and the kind of life lesson that you can't teach, only live - and because of that, I have met so many unique people and made so many amazing memories.

This whole journey was inspired because of her pull to radio. One dream. One frequency. One job offer. Sound familiar? A prime example of how generational your skills can be measured. The levels of our family have always been within frequency - and now at 31, I can offer the same life to my own children. A life of lasting adventure. One thing about life is that it's never too late to begin - we are all here living for the first time.

Spontaneity is the story, but also the character - and now I lead to write my own chapters.

Where Are Canadians Happiest?

So from my POV (and according to recent surveys and Statistics Canada), some of the highest life satisfaction scores in the country come from:

• British Columbia - obviously for its natural beauty, outdoor lifestyle and wellness culture

• Prince Edward Island – for its tight-knit communities and slower pace

• Quebec – surprisingly high, especially in rural areas - due to affordable living and strong community values

• the Prairies: Saskatchewan and Alberta often rank high for a sense of personal freedom and connection to nature

And although I haven't yet met Quebec or the Eastern/Northern shores of this country, it's a journey I await to discover.

Oh, Canada!

Not just a country - A memory. A mother’s courage. A girl becoming. A forever friend.

Different places, people and experience to admire along the way.