Doing a daily road trip around towns and villages, joining activities and meeting new people feels so satisfying to me that I consider making it my lifestyle sometimes. Why not? Maybe one day.
I have heard about “dating yourself”, however “solo-dating” is the word I prefer to use for my special “me” days. I appreciate these days, and I believe that people should have those days more often. I decided to share one of my “solo-dating” days hoping it would inspire and encourage you.
Personally, I do whatever I like to do in those days. The difference of other days is the fact that I avoid doing whatever I don’t enjoy doing in these days.
Doing a daily road trip around towns and villages, joining activities and meeting new people feels so satisfying to me that I consider making it my lifestyle sometimes. Why not? Maybe one day.
On this road trip, I visited four villages on my way and it was extra special for these reasons:
I took with me my precious protector companion dog Foxy who I adopted last year in August from animal shelter. It was our first road trip together. I was a little bit anxious about how it would go for both of us considering she was anxious in the car and in the healing process.
Since I moved to my house in a small village in Alberta, I did not have enough time to discover around. We have several little cute villages in this area and all offer different kinds of activities. It was my first road trip yesterday around villages.
It was also my first road trip with my new Jeep Wrangler. I wish I could open the top of it or remove doors to make it perfect for a field trip. I need to check if my dog Foxy would be comfortable with that.
I haven’t named my road trips before and this time I decided to qualify them as “self-dating” which is exactly how they feel to me.
ME AND FOXY LEAVING FOR ADVENTURE…
Foxy is used to travel in my jeep. However, it was her first road trip around the village. I did not forget to have her leash, water, treats, favourite chewy and fluffy toy…
BUT FIRST…
On my way to highway, I realized that my favourite store in my village was open and waiting for customers: Antique Store, Like It Never Was. I could not start my solo-date without a small gift to me from myself. This store is a gem, it was very hard to choose among beautiful items. I bought pink shiny earrings and an adorable cup for Turkish coffee after my trip. The owner Richard offered them to me in a gift bag, as if he knew that they were gift.
ROADS
Not enough green yet. Big blue sky and peace.
LOUGHEED
My next stop was another antiquities&second hand store. I did not buy anything from this store. However, I really liked how it was clean, and antique furniture pieces. Since I did not have a truck and my Foxy dog was in my jeep, I did not have enough space to transport anything I would buy. We chatted with the friendly owner. They will be open on Sundays soon. In case you are interested in…
Foxy was bored with waiting for me in jeep so we visited the closest green and shade space; camping ground. A short walk, some fresh water and observing blooming trees felt refreshing.
SEDGEWICK
Battle River Art Club organized an Art Show. I stopped quickly to put some art in my journey. A day without art is unimaginable.
Foxy and I were the only ones strolling the lonely main street.
Like Lougheed, Sedgewick has also a museum, even though I did not visit both of them. Maybe next time.
The first time I do a long road trip with my Foxy, and it was a very informative one. I learned that dogs need to stop often and take some air and be cooled down. It was a delicious warm day, not really hot, but still it was hot enough for a thick hair baby like her. We found a clean, green and relaxing park in the neighbourhood. Going barefoot and playing with Foxy was very fun.
Sweaty and deeply relaxed, driving was not easy. I stopped for a coffee and the friendly owner of this corner store gave it free to me!
KILLIAM
Killiam was not in my plan. It was recommended to me by one of the customer services worker of the Co-op. Killiam was already on my way, so why not? Sky looked bigger than normal in Killiam.
Killiam looked very small, yet we saw a community press office and adult learning centre on the main street. A small village where a lot of things were going on.
VIKING
On our way back home, we stopped in Viking. Viking is the only village around hosting an off-leash doggy park. We have been there a couple of times with Foxy, and we only saw twice another puppy playing in it. Foxy likes this place, so we stopped, run and played together.
Built in 1935, St. Matthew’s church in Viking. One of the smallest and cutest churches that I have seen in my life.
GOING BACK HOME: IRMA
Tired and delighted, we headed back home. Foxy is very anxious in the car normally, but this time she was snoring on back seat at the end of our journey. Apparently, the area I moved in host more attractions that I could have imagined. I decided to be more informed about festivals, events and activities for my next road trip. Until then, stay curious and active, also practice solo-dating more often!
Duygu Özmekik / Bizim Anadolu / May 09th, 2025
