As you all know, I am taking a mini "vacation" (haha) from Roadtrip with Reason-ing and am currently just roadtrip-ing with my pal, Val who is visiting from Toronto. We are currently in Banff National Park and will make our way to Vancouver by Monday - which is where I will begin my last month of Reason-ing. Sigh. Time flies when you're having the MOST AMAZING/REWARDING/INSPIRATIONAL/SENSATIONAL EXPERIENCE EVER!!!!!!!

Anyway, it's Wednesday and it's time for another Random Act of Kindness. I picked out card #25 from my Boom Boom Cards pouch......

Perfect! Val and I are heading to Lake Louise in the early a.m. for the hike to the famous Lake Agnes teahouse, so we are bound to pass (erm, be passed?) by various hikers throughout the day....I will be sure to smile and say hello as I go.

I hope that wherever you are, you take part in this act. It's a super simple one - so no excuses. You might even make a new friend - or just make someones else's day!

Feel free to tell me about your kindness on Facebook, Twitter or this blog. You can also write about your experience on the www.boomboomcards.com website with tracking #3PPL8LX.

Have fun! Much Love!

- Becky xo

Today I snuck into the United States of America - Montana, to be exact. 
I don't even have a valid passport. I am now a full-fledged criminal. 
Just call me Becky 'trouble' Conlon. 
Sorry, dad...

KIDDDDDDING!

Fact: It's true, I don't have a valid passport.
Fact: I did spend time in Goat Haunt, Montana today.
Fact: It was totally legal. Promise.

I spent the last 24+ hours soaking up as much of Waterton National Park (Alberta) as possible. 

I have not felt this invigorated/inspired/overjoyed/peaceful since at least a few weeks ago (haha). It probably takes the cake for being the most beautiful place I have ever been to and I definitely want to return (soon) to experience everything the park has to offer.....there is SO much! 

I could've spent weeks in Waterton.......months.......an entire lifetime? Heh.

Anyway, this morning I awoke (to an insane view of the mountains) and headed out on a morning boat cruise (on the International, 1927) around Upper Waterton Lake. It was the perfect ride - great tour guide, great weather, great views. During the ride, we crossed the international border (marked by the break in the trees) into Goat Haunt, Montana where we docked to take it all in.

Waterton Lakes National Park is one half of the International Peace Park, with Glacier National Park (in Goat Haunt) making up the second half. Back in 1932 rotarians from both Alberta and Montana came together and decided that "nature had no borders", so they created the very first International Peace Park. Today the two national parks work collaboratively to protect the water, plants and animals that inhabit the area. 

Pretty cool, huh? I was allowed to hang out in Goat Haunt, Montana for the duration of the boat ride but anyone who was hiking/camping overnight were required to get their passports stamped by the nice officer standing at his post in the sunshine. Possibly the easiest border crossing ever.

Thanks for the great memories (and views), Montana! 
Oh and then when I got off the boat & was heading out of the National Park, I came a cross a big ol' black bear munching on some berries in the bush. Eee!




                                           Best 24 hours ever.

After a good time in Saskatchewan (& a great time with the Global Gathering Place), it's time to move forward. Tomorrow morning I depart for Alberta and I simply can't believe it - my second last province. Where has the time gone? Where has this project gone?! Can we go back to the beginning? This next month is really going to fly. Sigh.

I am trying to relish in every single moment.

Luckily, I have a zillion photographs to keep my memory fresh. Here are a few of my more recent favourites from the journey...you can click on each image to get a better view!
 The rest can be found in a Facebook album, here. 
Enjoy! xo

It's time for the newest volunteer/non-profit profile video, featuring Farmers Helping Farmers from Prince Edward Island. This organization has been around since 1979 and is 100% volunteer-based - completely impressive. Their hands-on commitment to helping farm families in Kenya is admirable, and I really love that they involve PEI's youth in the process. It was a pleasure to spend time with Farmers Helping Farmers while on my favourite island! I am excited to see them continue their journey of international philanthropy. Enjoy!!

Today I toured around Saskatoon (note: Broadway Avenue is the best) and completed my third volunteer/non-profit profile video. Make sure to check in tomorrow for the post on Farmers Helping Farmers, a great organization in Prince Edward Island.

I have been quite impressed with the prairies - so lovely. Many, many people warned me about the "terrible drive", but I have enjoyed every KM through this flat land. It's unique, that's for sure.

Hope everyone is having a happy Sunday. Looking forward to volunteering this week at the Global Gathering Place...

Warmly,
Becky xo

It's Wednesday, which means it's time to be kind again! (Read here if you don't know what I am talking about) 
I am SUPER DUPER excited about this one, friends....but am slightly cheating, and am turning this into "Random Act Weekend" because I can't complete the task (below) until Saturday. Forgive me? 

I have been very much looking forward to this card/task and have been scheming on to make it awesome. Well, this morning I awoke to news of the "Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup" happening from September 17th - 25th allllll across Canada and I knew it was the right time for Boom Boom card #13! 

The Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup is a joint effort of the World Wildlife Fund & Vancouver Aquarium - encouraging all Canadians to participate in a clean-up and further understand the issues surrounding shoreline litter. It's super easy to participate - just go to www.shorlinecleanup.ca and find a shoreline event near you.....it doesn't even cost a dime! SO easy to be kind!

I will be in Saskatoon on Saturday & have added myself to a cleanup on Saturday morning with a bunch of strangers. I am sure it will be an awesome experience and I sincerely can't wait to complete this card.....finally!

Don't forget to keep me updated on Facebook, Twitter, on this blog or through e-mail about your own experience! You can also post it to the Boom Boom Cards website (card registration # TBQWP47)

MUCH LOVE!
- Becky xo

Ta-da! The 2nd volunteer/non-profit profile video is complete, featuring The Empathy Factory from Nova Scotia.

I am so very glad that I was able to visit The Empathy Factory while on my Roadtrip with Reason. This organization is going places - mark my words - they are going to do incredible things for the youth in this country. It's an honour to know them - they have inspired me, that's for sure. 
I sincerely cannot wait to watch them grow. 

Please do yourself a favour and check them out on Facebook & Twitter -- also, if you happen to be in the Halifax-ish area on October 8th, attend this event: Breathing Empathy. Sounds incredible!

Enjoy xo

I am officially back on the road. Yippee! 
I spent the last few days driving through Northern Ontario and I am now in Winnipeg preparing for the week.

Some thoughts....

1. Northern Ontario is b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l. I was genuinely surprised! I had anticipated three days of long, miserable drives and boy, was I wrong. Holy wilderness, batman! It was lovely. I highly suggest taking the drive one day, especially for those of you who think Ontario is "Onterrible". 

2. Fall has arrived and it makes me so very happy. It's my #1 favourite season and it's perfect for road-tripping. The leaves have even begun to change up North, which made the drive that much more beautiful. Manitoba, however, feels especially chilly.....uncomfortably chilly? Perhaps it's because Mr. Sunshine is taking a break today, I hope. Brrr!

3. Wildlife is abundant in Northern Ontario. I (almost) hit a deer and I saw a black bear. A REAL bear! I have a terrible track record for viewing wildlife (i.e. it never happens) and I had prepared myself for this curse to continue as I headed West....but just as I was about to pass over into Manitoba I saw a beautiful black bear on the side of the road. Sadly there was no opportunity for pictures so hopefully there is a next time. So exciting!

4. Don't ever set up your tent the lazy way, ever! I arrived to a strange little campground last night as it was getting dark, so I decided to throw up the tent sans pegs. Why not? This morning when I awoke at 7 a.m. to high winds, rain and tent collapse, I had an idea as to why I should've pegged myself down. You should've seen me trying to pack up as everything blew all over the place - running around in my purple sweatpants. Hilarious! Lesson learned.

5. My creative juices are flowing. I just completed my second volunteer/non-profit profile video, and I am working on my third. Check out The Empathy Factory VIDEO & look for a post tomorrow.

It's hard not to have fun on the road! In addition to the volunteering, organization profiling and other project related tasks, I try to squeeze in as much exploring as possible. Below is the second travel video from the road, featuring the rest of Atlantic Canada. Be sure to check out my first volunteer video, too!