Serendipity or Providence?

The Great Canadian Adventure - September 2023

Serendipity (noun) – Finding something truly wonderful without looking for it. 

Providence (noun) - The sovereign, divine superintendence of all things, guiding them toward their divinely predetermined end.

I’ve been to Alberta and British Columbia a few times.  Growing up in Montana, it was a nearby vacation destination for my family who rarely took vacations because we lived on an active cattle ranch.  One year we drove, three sisters in the back seat, youngest (me) in the middle, all the way to Anchorage, Alaska, on what they used to call the Al-Can Highway.  Alberta didn’t seem much different than Montana – lots of mountains and prairies and cows.  We visited British Columbia, too, and took in Vancouver Island via the Okanagan.  Keith and I even honeymooned in Victoria and we’ve been there a few times since. 

But seeing Canada through the eyes of someone who has never seen it before is pretty special.  We ventured from our home in Eastern Washington across the border at the Eastport-Kingsgate crossing.  We were a teeny bit nervous just because we had someone unrelated to us from Australia in our truck and a giant RV attached to the back.  Would they want to inspect the inside of the RV (please no!)?  Would they think we were trying to kidnap Teresa?  Would they confiscate anything that we had accidentally brought? But a few simple questions by the agent and he sent us on our way with “Have fun!” 

And fun we have definitely had! Our first week has been a whirlwind and has gone by so quickly with beautiful memories made.  Our campground outside Okotoks is a lovely woodsy setting with a lake behind us and Sheep River on the edge of the RV park.  We knew we wanted to explore the area and visit some of the sites we’ve come to know in “Heartland” and just appreciate the picturesque rolling prairies and nearby Canadian Rockies.   However, when we planned our trip months ago, we had no idea that Graham Wardle, “Ty” on the series for the first 14 seasons, would be hosting his first ever book signing for his new book “Time Has Come” at Marshall’s Country Store in nearby Turner Valley.  The cute boutique western store happens to be owned by Amber Marshall, “Amy” on Heartland.  What a bonus to meet Graham and Amber and connect with several members of Graham’s Time Has Come network, which Teresa and I have been a part of for the past couple years.  It was such an exceptional and memorable way to kick off our adventure!  Even Keith enjoyed the dinner gathering with Graham for all the Founders of his site who live near or traveled in for the event.  We couldn’t have planned for a better day.  You decide if it was coincidence or meant to be! Seredipity or providence?

I’m pretty sure Teresa and I could have gone home “happy campers” after having such a special day, but we’re just getting started.  There’s so much of Canada to see and we’re already feeling like we’ll just be scratching the surface.  We schooled Teresa on the RV life the first couple days and now she’s practically an expert!  Keith has been a great sport and camp cook as well as driver, errand runner and comic entertainment.  Soon we’ll head north and take in more of the amazing Rocky Mountains before heading west into British Columbia. 

Sharing this amazing trip with our friend has been a treat so far and Teresa is still not showing any violent tendencies, so I think we’re good to go.  Granted, we’re only a week in….. Stay tuned!