Free Spirit Caving Tour

7 / 23 / 1411 / 20 / 22

I purchased a Team Buy deal for a 3-hour caving adventure in Collingwood and thought it would be a good idea to go adventuring the day after Warrior Dash. The tour company Free Spirit Tours was easy to book and very welcoming and professional. Our tour leader Cam was very patient, great at instruction, and very happy which I loved.

Get ready for a picture-heavy post. I arrived at Metcalfe Rock about 15 minutes late so was rushing to sign the waiver & get the gear on which included a harness and helmet. We headed off to the first cave and I wasn’t really sure what to expect. I wore winter run clothes as we were told it was going to be cold in the caves. Before entering the first cave we left our daypacks, water bottles, and sunglasses outside. I looked up and got a beautiful view!

I wasn’t prepared for how tight a fit it was going to be in the caves. Thankfully I wasn’t claustrophobic and even tried to go as far down as I could in the first cave. I think I got the furthest but I was also the most adventurous and wanted to be challenged. Can you tell I’m an adrenaline junkie now?

We climbed out of the first cave and headed over to a fern gully to enter our second location.

The tree above was so cool to see how it could root down and find earth.

We headed off to our last cave and I headed back to the car. I didn’t bring gloves (definitely needs to be added to the to-bring list) and our tour was heading into an ice cave. I was already wearing a long sleeve run shirt that I wear in the winter but it was definitely cold in the last cave. I got to see the start of it and it was super cool. I definitely want to go back for a more advanced tour. The peeps on my tour were hilarious, very nice, and took more photos than I ever do even in one day but were not as comfortable in the caves so we were slow going. I definitely wanted more adventure. I can’t wait to go back.

2014 Summer Bucket List

6 / 25 / 1411 / 20 / 22

I love making bucket lists. So here is the 2014 summer bucket list and what I was able to accomplish.

This is a happiness tactic I use to make sure I live. I’m a type A so we know I love some list-making. I have been getting comments recently that it’s a tad morbid to call them bucket lists. Ok sure… bucket lists are things you make so you do epic things before you kick the bucket. But it’s the same for seasons. I want to make sure I make the most of a season before it kicks the bucket and so that is how my love for summer bucket lists was created. I made one for last winter too which is another story together.

So here’s where it started back in May. I completed my Balcony Garden first! I had it complete all before the long weekend! I was so proud. In the image below I put activities on the left and races on the right.

I finally got to go to a drive-in movie theatre, not only for the first time this summer but for the first time in my life! My boyfriend and I watched the new Tom Cruise Edge of Tomorrow movie down at the Docks Drive-In on Polson Pier in Toronto.

We also went to Roncy Rocks which is a street festival in Roncesvalles and watched Treble Charger perform. This wasn’t even on the original bucket list but got added anyway!

So far I’ve done a road trip to Ottawa in a Camaro convertible, golfed at Wooden Sticks for a couple’s night, went to the drive in, created a balcony garden, went for a picnic in High Park and attended Roncy Rocks which counts as a street festival.

Last but not least my boyfriend and I went to the American Authors, The Script, and One Republic concert at the Molson Amphitheater. It was an epic night!

What’s on your summer bucket list?

Update! Here’s how the Summer of 2014 actually went…

Summer Bucket List: Balcony Garden

5 / 19 / 145 / 3 / 19

Last year on my summer bucket list I put down balcony garden as one of my goals as I’ve never had a green thumb before. Plants and me don’t really get along. They can’t tell me they are thirsty or if I’ve drowned them in water. I had 1 planter and 2 smaller containers in 2013 and kept them alive last summer! Go me! So this year I decided to go a bit bigger. I didn’t plan my trip to the garden centre at all. I just grabbed a cart and started filling it.

I only bought one bag of soil on my first trip and clearly underestimated my needs. I was only able to plant two of the long planters, my herb garden and a dahlia plant until I went back a few days later and bought two more big bags for the third long planter and two standing planters I bought.

2013 / 2014 Winter Bucket List

12 / 16 / 135 / 3 / 19

I’m kinda sorta in love with bucket lists lately. If you remember I made a summer one this year to rock the season to the fullest. So to ensure I do not hibernate this winter or miss out on life despite the cold and the snow here without further ado is my Winter Bucket List!
I luckily have already had the chance to go to the Christmas Market in the Distillery District so cross number one off the list. It’s the perfect family outing, romantic date or best friend bonanza. I’m so thankful that my girl Michelle was my date. I wouldn’t have asked to be there with anyone else. She’s been a great rock in my life this year. It’s always a beautiful thing when former friends come back into your life at the right time in the right way.

We both tried mulled wine for the first time. I could’ve had more than one glass. Way more 😉

Just stare at the tree for a few seconds and tell me you don’t believe in wonder. I dare you.

What’s on your winter bucket list? Are you going to make one?

Update: Here’s what I accomplished over the winter of 2013/2014

Camping Packing Tips

9 / 16 / 135 / 3 / 19

I got this cute Facebook message from a reader that is 1. adorable and 2. gave me a great idea for a blog post!

If you remember I went on an epic canoe trip to Algonquin Park this past summer. My canoe trippers were just as OCD as me and we actually made a packing list in a google doc that was shared with them team! These are my kind of people!

So let’s help my girl out. Here are the camping packing tips you requested. Hopefully others find it helpful too!

What to pack?

On my canoe trip I brought a pair of under fleece pants and then waterproof over pants. I technically should’ve just brought one but I didn’t want to purchase something new at MEC. I did bring two tshirts but I can get away with one. I just like putting on a fresh shirt in the morning.

I brought a light light long sleeve and I brought a cold gear under armour long sleeve. If you’re camping in the late fall I suggest the cold gear under armour only.

I slept in lululemon tights, a long sleeve and put on my hoody halfway through the night when I got cold. You can get away with just 2 pairs of socks. Wear one until filthy dirty or they get wet. Keep one pair for dry at the campsite.

I suggest purchasing a quick dry towel from canadian tire or MEC. You probably won’t be swimming in the fall but if you want to wash your face you can use this to dry it.

I actually brought 3 pairs of shoes and it was a bit too much. I could’ve gotten away with just the wet shoes for portages and in the canoe and flip flops at the campsite. I liked having my trail runners though for comfort.

The headlamp is key for around the campsite. Get one that has the red setting for around others so you don’t blind them. This was a lifesaver for midnight bathroom breaks. I don’t know how I camped as a kid with just a flashlight.

I purchased a barrel sleeping bag from Canadian Tire for this trip as I needed a new one. I got a lightweight bag liner since we camped in the summer but I would recommend a fleece liner for fall camping.

Baby wipes are your key to staying clean. I gave myself a morning wipe down with those babies 🙂 You can use them after bathroom trips too. Hand sanitizer works better as it doesn’t leave waste. I kept used ones in a ziplock bag in my pack.

I forgot to put water bottle in the picture!!!! DON’T FORGET!! You must stay well hydrated! Pattling and portaging can really dehydrate you. I didn’t nearly drink enough while camping this summer and we got a few headaches from our travels and then chugged water at the campsites.

My favourite purchase from MEC for the trip was my collapsible bowls & cup.

You don’t have to purchase an axe. If you’re leaving from The Portage Store in algonquin they rent out axes. They also gave us a garbage bag. We were pretty good and ate everything we brought with us but the packaging we used for the food went into this and then back into the food barrel.

We didn’t bring a tarp with us this summer but this would’ve been key if it rained.

What should you pack for snacks?

I brought Vega Sport Protein Bars but we had to eat them the first day as they were covered in chocolate. I would recommend bringing their Vibrancy Bars or Endurance Bars instead.

I also packed nuts & dried mango slices in zip lock bags for snacking fuel in the canoe. I stored them in the top pouch of my backpack so I could easily get to them.

Regarding the man seeing you at your “non best”. I say embrace it. Enjoy no makeup. I considered mascara but come on!! Enjoy not having to worry about that. They should wake up beside you and realize they are truly lucky to have you beside them. But sunglasses and headbands are definitely needed regardless 🙂

Category Archives: Bucket Lists

Free Spirit Caving Tour

2014 Summer Bucket List

Summer Bucket List: Balcony Garden

2013 / 2014 Winter Bucket List

Camping Packing Tips

robynpineault