Toronto

We were up early for the free breakfast in the Club Lounge. Even though we might spend money on flights and concert tickets, we love our complimentary hotel food and drinks. We were sure to take advantage of the free happy hour drinks Friday night and had to go back this morning for the morning views from the breakfast lounge’s 46 floor vantage point.

Then we Chat GPT’ed an itinerary for the day. We walked from our hotel to the harbor and took a boat tour on Lake Ontario to the islands. I think you have to be crazy to live on the small islands - especially in winter. I really couldn’t imagine living anywhere that requires a boat just to buy groceries. But maybe their city skyline view is worth the hassle.

From here we made our way to Kensington Market to walk through the eclectic food stalls and restaurants. This neighborhood, on the cusp of the hood, was dotted with mural art and had a bohemian vibe. This was a microcosm of the United Nations - all kinds of people from all walks of life eating every imaginable food. I was glad I still can’t smell. We settled for a Colombian restaurant with guac and fried plantains.

After lunch we made our way to the super cute, (and more suited to my preferences and style) Distillery District. The cobblestone streets. The refurbished industrial buildings. The beautiful flowers. Live music. The weather was perfect for window shopping and sitting outside with a drink.

We found a bakery and had a treat with our aeperol spritzes. We took to the streets and walked back toward Old Town to see Saint Lawrence Market. We were overwhelmed by the number of mentally ill men living on the streets. Some were so high they had passed out on the sidewalks inches from the intersections.

Just like we started the day at the hotel’s club lounge, we ended it there too with our free dinner and drinks. And the view of the lake.

I can’t wait for Morgan to announce his next tour so we can explore a new city next year.

Weekend Fun

Find a friend that will pack up and meet you in another country to listen to your favorite performer! Morgan!! Jenny and I did that this weekend in Toronto. We took the day off, took early morning flights, and arrived in time for lunch.

Even though we were technically in Canada, it was the easiest flight and quicker than flying to most places in the US. And if you think we are crazy just know we weren’t alone. My flight to Toronto was filled with locals going to the concert. And everyone we passed on the streets were Toronto tourists for the weekend.

We were there early to see all of the opening acts. Because if I’m going to fly there, you better believe I’m going to make the most of the night.

In between acts, the wind calmed enough for the dome to the baseball stadium to be opened. We had a perfect view of the CN Tower.

While in line for the bathroom, we learned from a local that Canadians are encouraged to avoid travel to the US while Trump is in office. They are encouraged to buy local and avoid supporting the American economy. But many are ignoring the advice and traveling anyway. Interestingly, they are traveling to Nashville, but it is noted we were attending a country music concert so that’s probably not too surprising. The locals loved Americans - even if their leadership doesn’t.

What a show! This was my sixth time to see him, and our guy was great as usual. A couple in our hotel had seen him just as many times and had flown all across the US to see him. It goes beyond saying he has a very loyal fan base.

Even if he didn’t sell tickets, he could survive off his merch sales! The MW gear was flying off the shelves in the merch tents.

Season Opener

Look at this handsome guy! Tonight is the long awaited season opener against another in state Christian school.

And after 11 yellow cards 😳, heat related injury stoppages, and lots of drama, we came out on top 2-1.

My Summer > Your Summer

It’s Labor Day, the unofficial end to summer. I’d be sad if it didn’t mean a day off from work - especially when I remember all of the great moments. My summer was better than yours! 😂

It was the very best six weeks! It was jam packed with live music, soccer, great friends, and family. I’m not sure next summer can top this, but I’m going to give it a good try.

While it’s hell to get in and out of after a concert, the rock quarry venue south of town is the very best outdoor theatre. We didn’t want to miss any of the opening acts, so we were there early, sitting on metal bleachers in the sun drinking beer and eating pretzels. The life!

We were two of about ten people who could sing all the words to Randy Rogers’s songs. The young people were jealous; they didn’t have to say a thing because we saw their side eye glances as we danced in our seats.

I ran into one of my students at one of the NSC games! Now I’m teaching at the high school and my students won’t be nearly as excited to see me in public.

My friend - my oldest friend as we have known each other since preschool - Shelley drove through Nashville and we spent a day in the city and a night in the quirkiest Air B&B. I wish I took pics of it.

The day before I had to return to work Vikki and I took Caro to another concert. We were the oldest females in the audience singing all of the songs.

I had multiple coffee and lunch dates with friends from work.

Before the boys returned to school, we spent a weekend in The Gulch for dinner and then an escape game. We escaped with three seconds to spare!

Jenny met me in Nashville for the Teddy Swims concert. We shopped at local boutiques, ate great food, and solved everybody else’s problems. We also learned The Drury is THE place to stay in the city. It’s so good that we have already booked two nights for next June’s CMA Fest.

When my car died - literally died- on the busiest four lane road in town, I bought a new one!

And, the very best for last, I hit my goal of completing my 1200th workout at OTF. Most days this summer I completed two workouts a day - even joined another gym just to mix it up.

What a summer break! I can’t wait to see the fun fall brings my way.

Iceland Day #9

We wrapped up our circle around the peninsula this morning and headed back to Reykjavik. We had some time to kill, so we picked up a few souvenirs in the shopping district: sea salt for me and a coffee mug for Wes. Keagan finally got his long-awaited crepes. Sadly, he wasn’t thrilled with his lemon/chocolate combo, but my apple/maple syrup combo was delicious! I’m glad it was my last day in country, or I would have been tempted to eat it every day.

With only a few minutes to spare, we drove the hour to the airport. What a memorable trip! 

Top 5 of Iceland:

• The Waterfalls - each unique and beautiful
• The Wildflowers - lupine, mountain avas, hare bell, and buttercups line every field, highway, yard
• The Animals - sheep, horses, seals, whales, birds, and of course, the cows
• Skyr - thick, creamy Icelandic yogurt with a high protein content
• The Color Green - Maybe we had too many holidays in the West surrounded by rocks, but the bright green color of the grass will forever be painted in my memories. 

I’m eager to drink a diet Dr Pepper, take a shower in water without the sulphur smell, sleep in my bed with the fan on high, go to the gym, and soak up the summer sun. 

Home, sweet home, is only seven hours away!

Iceland Day #8

I have noticed that the Olis, the corner gas station found in every town, has a gathering spot for locals to come drink coffee and chit chat. It’s the Herschel’s of Iceland. I find it so wholesome. In many ways all of Iceland has this small town vibe that seems unbothered by the outside world.

We drove four hours south to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, which is nicknamed “Iceland in Miniature” because you can find just about every geological feature in this small contained area. It rained on us again, but we drove through gorgeous farmland. My goal today was to see seals, puffins, and hike a trail in the national park. 

✅ Seals 

✅ Hiked a trail

We walked along a very unstable rocky shoreline at Ytri Tunga Beach to see the seals. You know the meme that says to test your age you should fall in public. If others laugh, you are young. If others rush to your aid, you are old. I slipped on a wet rock covered in moss and fell down. “Let me help you up,” was the first thing I heard followed by, “You must be very careful. This is dangerous.” No laughter was heard. That settles that.

We had to get the obligatory Bjanararfoss picture, but nobody was interested in walking to the base. Remember what I said about falling water? Yeah, that.

We found a picturesque church on the coast. 

We visited the fishing village, Arnarstapi, for the sole purpose of finding a public bathroom. Keagan says if he ruled the world bathrooms would be open to anyone (not just guests) and you’d never be expected to pay. 

Our Air B&B is adjacent to what appears to be a legit art gallery, but this is the view from my room. 

We are staying the night with a handful of tourists in the fishing village Hellissandur that has been in operation since the 9th century.

👎🏻 Puffins 

Time’s running out to see a puffin up close. I’ve seen them from afar on the water, but I was hoping to see one land at my feet. I still have tomorrow…

Iceland Day #7

Keagan this morning: Can we please go somewhere for breakfast? Y’all over here wanting to hike and see things and you are doing it on the calories of granola bars. I need some food. 

So our day began at a cafe eating eggs and bacon with fresh sourdough bread. 

The sun is shining! This made the Godafoss stop incredible. 

Our adventures, though, quickly went downhill. 

Strike #1: Hverir 

This geothermal area smelled horrible and had no redeeming qualities like color or intrigue. The tea pots did nothing for us. 

Strike #2: Dimmuborgir Lava Fields

Sure, a volcano erupted 2000 years ago and formed these lava fields and lava caves. But it’s rock. On a side note, the 13 Yule Lads live here and prepare to deliver Christmas gifts in December, but it’s June and they were all sleeping. Small children were looking in every nook and cranny attempting to spot them. 

And we had to pay to use the bathroom. The bathrooms here are not separated by gender. Anyone can enter any stall they choose.

The volcano is in the backdrop.

On our way to stop #3 I finally got my Icelandic horse pic. He looks like my grandad’s ol’ horse Chester. Horses are eaten here; it’s a delicacy. 

Strike #3: Grjótagjá Cave and Fissure

The cave houses hot springs and was once a swimming hole. A volcano erupted recently and the temp of the water spiked. It’s no longer considered safe. I would have loved to have sat on the edge and dangled my feet in it. 

Strike #4: Psuedocraters

Hot volcanic rock bubbles to the surface of wet, boggy land and blows the top of the soil away forming psuedocraters. They can only be found in Iceland, Hawaii, The Azores, and Mars. Interesting, but this is a strike because it’s a bowl in the ground. 

Four strikes and yet I vowed to keep playing. There was still time remaining in the game.

Keagan was ready to eat again and refused to consider a gas station sandwich as an option. I tried to explain that my frugality is what allows these twice a year adventures, but he didn’t want to hear it. He demanded protein from an animal preferably slow cooked on an open fire. That’s how we found ourselves at Vogafjos Cow Shed for a farm-to-table meal. 

Let me repeat. A cow shed. 

It was a home run for me. While I waited for my hamburger and side salad to be prepared, I went to the barn to pet cows. I petted every single cow. I spoke kind words to every cow and the new born calves. I was in heaven. I returned after I ate my hamburger. 

So did Keagan. Because he ate lamb, he had no qualms getting up close to the cows.

The irony of eating a burger after petting cows is not lost on me. The fact that I won’t pet random dogs, but I’ll pet a cow is not strange at all. 

This stop was a grand slam!

I’m not keen on soaking in hot springs water with the elderly cruisers and the Japanese tourists - even if every guidebook and travel expert claims it is a must-do. But I’m happy to sit in the AirB&B hot tub that I filled with water and sanitized myself. 

Three hours later…That’s how you soak in Iceland.