Ode to My Gal Pals

This week’s blog is dedicated to my two best friends- Alex and Asha. These two girls have been by my side through the best and worst of times. Our friendship has flourished these past few years despite going to different universities across the country. These girls support me in everything I do. I cannot express in words my gratitude for the friendship we have. Thank you Alex and Asha; this one is for you.

Trip of a lifetime!
 
As some of you may know, my parents sold our family home in Ontario this summer to move across the country to Nova Scotia. Adjusting to the idea of a move this size was challenging; challenging until Alex and Asha proposed a mini-vacay road trip together to get me to Halifax. This seemed like the perfect opportunity to show Alex and Asha around the East Coast. With (sub-par) planning we were off! Driving from Ontario to Halifax! For those who you who know the three of us…you can understand the concern from our loved ones, haha! But despite all odds we departed on a trip of a lifetime.

Day 1
 
We got off to a strong start. Alex, our main driver could not find her keys at time of departure. After rummaging through the packed car, Alex found her keys resting in her purse. Alex’s mum, who was reassured after that spectacle, waived us off as we went to pick up Asha. Asha was surprisingly ready, with air purifier in hand. I can admit, we did mock her at the beginning of the trip but the air purifier did come in handy for the majority of our trip. (So sorry for that Asha!) We set off on our new adventure.
We drove 11 hours to our pre-booked B&B. After 11 hours of laughing, singing, and wrong turns we were ready to arrive to our first destination. However, things weren’t exactly looking up. As our Google maps started counting down the minutes to arrival, we appeared to be in the middle of nowhere with zero cellular reception. Just when we had lost all hope, and debated about driving straight through, we turned a corner, crossed a bridge and there on the right hand side was the cutest little B&B, Le Refuge a Simone. Our hosts, Mylene and Kaven, a sweet young couple showed us to our beautiful room. It was actually nice to be off the grid for a night. I would highly recommend making a visit to the B&B. Mylene and Kaven made us a wonderful breakfast and we were back on the road the following morning. Thank you Mylene and Kaven for your kind hospitality and thank you to the other guests who sent us warming farewells as we left to continue our journey.

Day 2
 
Full on breakfast, we commenced day 2 of our trip. We decided to make stops along this portion of the drive. Our first exit was at Grand Falls. This was beautiful. We took a couple moments to breathe in the fresh East Coast air and to watch the zip liners zip across the falls. We jumped in the car and continued our journey.
Pit stop two was the popular Magnetic Hill- a place I am convinced is haunted and may or may not be frightened by. Seeing the terror in my face just talking about it, Asha and Alex somehow convinced me to bring them. With me in the driver’s seat, we descended to the bottom of the hill and placed the gear in neutral. In an instant we were flying up the hill in reverse at a speed of over 20km an hour!  With video footage that will never let me live down my reaction, we attempted to leave the park. We came across the amusement park that is partnered with Magnetic Hill. Wanting to bring our inner child in us, we pull over and got passes for the swing ride. After our adrenaline fix, we jumped back in the car and finished our drive to Nova Scotia. 

Day 3
 
Just when we thought we couldn’t get in a car ever again, we decided to check out my new home with my family. After a 45-minute drive from the city we arrived. It is stunning. I am so glad I got to see it for the first time with my best friends. With excitement from everyone, Asha, Alex, and the family headed down to our beach strip and spent some time exploring our new property. Having the girls there, helped make the new house feel more like home. 

 Day 4 
 
This is the day that we decided to go surfing at Lawrence Town Beach. After driving out to Lawrence town, the waves were too mellow to surf. Taking full advantage of the nice weather, Asha, Alex and I decided to stay and soak up the sun on the beach. After a couple hours we decided we would rearrange our plans for day 5 and actually do them today, giving us an extra day to fit in more activities! We jumped in the car and were off to Mahone Bay, Lunenburg and Peggy’s Cove!
            Mahone Bay was special for Alex. Alex had great grandparents who were laid to rest in Mahone Bay. We pulled up to the cemetery with no directions or anyone to ask for help to locate the stone. We drove up and down a couple aisles and managed to find the stone ourselves. Alex was able to send these pictures to her family back at home in Ontario. We were so happy she was able to have this experience.
            We set off to Lunenburg! Alex and Asha had a great time exploring the museum especially the tidal touch tank! The staff was very knowledgeable and taught us a lot about marine life! After exploring the waterfront of Lunenburg we jumped back in the car to catch the sunset at Peggy’s Cove.
            Peggy’s Cove was beautiful at sunset. If you have not had the opportunity to catch the sunset there… you must go! It is bucket list worthy!

Day 5
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            Despite being exhausted from the busy day prior, we started our journey to Cape Breton to check out the famous Cabot Trail. After 5 hours of driving on turning roads, and having near carsickness episodes, we arrived alive and well. After 2 hours of hiking, we came to the Cabot stairs and the view was captivating. With Neive, my sister, on aux we had an entertaining ride home filled with loud obnoxious singing to songs from our childhood. Asha and Alex made Neive the official car DJ after this day and I was never given the aux cord again… it was well deserved, I cannot deny. Congrats Neive on being the official best car DJ. 

Day 6
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            It was day 6 of the trip and the girls had yet to see Halifax! We spent the day exploring the boardwalk, riding the ferry to Dartmouth, hitting up the patio scene, and yes… shamefully living the Dome is Home lifestyle. This day was made when Alex got us a ride home via Rickshaw instead of a cab. Despite all odds, we made it home and cuddled in for the night with some snacks and a movie.

​Day 7
 
            Regretting our drink choice from the night previous, we all jumped in the car to head back out to Lawrence town to attempt surfing round 2. I would recommend sticking to water the night before surfing. After the first crashing wave of salt water, we were all woken up and ready to surf. What an amazing experience surfing was. I want to thank the East Coast Surf School for being patient with us and teaching us all the basics to keep us safe while surfing. We had an amazing time and will definitely be back again!
            After a successful surfing experience with Asha, Alex and the fam we headed home to celebrate my brother’s birthday. After cake and a full day of surfing, we were ready for bed. With air mattresses to sleep on and no other furniture, we slept right in the middle of our new living room. We woke up to the sunrise. 

Last Night
 
            With such a busy week we decided to spend some time together relaxing in my apartment. After hysterically laughing to some stand up comedians on Netflix, we managed to pull ourselves together to go enjoy a night on the town and eat some seafood! It was our last night together so when we arrived back to the apartment we put on our favourite movie, Sex and the City and had a cuddle night.

Goodbye
 
            This trip flew by and I wish it could have lasted longer but I appreciated every moment of it. The memories we made on this trip will always be with me. If you and your friends have not yet had the opportunity to road trip together, I would 100% recommend it.  It will push you to your limits but the memories you will have, you will always cherish.
            Thank you Asha and Alex for always making me laugh, for always pushing me to break past my boundaries, and for always making me see the positive in every new opportunity that comes my way. You two are the greatest friends anyone could ask for, and I am lucky to have you as mine. 

 
Ever thine. Ever mine. Ever Ours.
 
Until we meet again,
 
Annie