After 14 days off, a simple hike sparks new plans for travel and staying smoke‑free
I definitely need some time off after some nights of work that kept me up...
Back on the Trail After 14 Days
After a two‑week slump, the dog and I finally got out for a proper walk — 4.23 km in 54 minutes. Nothing heroic, nothing dramatic, just steady movement and a reminder that my body still knows how to do this. Most of my heart rate stayed in the easy and aerobic zones, which is exactly what I needed. I always feel better on the days I get my heart rate up, and today was no exception.
The dog was thrilled, of course. She doesn’t care about my slumps or my excuses — she just knows when we’re out together, and she’s happy.
The Quit‑Smoking Birthday and a Sleep‑Deprived Purchase
I’ve been thinking a lot about my quit‑smoking birthday coming up. Last year I celebrated with an Xbox. This year… well, the plan changed in the middle of a sleep‑stupor after a night shift.
Instead of heading to the gas station for a pack of smokes, I ended up ordering a big battery for car camping — the kind of thing that could power a diesel heater and make off‑season camping actually comfortable. Not exactly an Xbox Series X, but maybe something better for the life I’m trying to build.
Then I tried to cancel it. Then the American company offered to drop the price by 20% to match Canadian pricing. Now I’m reconsidering it again. The payment plan would come out to about $65 a month after the discount — not nothing, but not impossible either.
It’s funny how quitting smoking reshapes your priorities. A year ago I would’ve rewarded myself with a console. Now I’m thinking about warmth, travel, and making real memories.
Building Toward Something Bigger
Kim mentioned she wants to travel more, and that stuck with me. I’ve been looking at ways we could beat the off‑season at campgrounds and still stay warm. A diesel heater, a solid battery, and the Exped MegaMat Auto I’ve got coming in the mail — it’s not a camper van or a trailer, but it’s a start. It’s budget‑friendly, it’s realistic, and it’s something we can actually use.
Maybe this is how the dream begins: not with a big purchase, but with small, practical steps that make adventure possible.
Closing the Day
So that’s today. A walk after a long break. A dog who’s proud of me. A heart rate that finally woke up. And a reminder that even when I’m tired, even when I’m second‑guessing myself, I’m still moving toward something better — one kilometer, one decision, one quit‑smoking birthday at a time.
You had an active day with 63 intensity minutes.
This is higher than your average of 35 intensity minutes over the past four weeks. You have exceeded this average two times in the last seven days. Consistency in activity helps maintain good health.
The proposed idea that never launched,
I just got it rewrite, to be more present invention in a message
Since we were saying my manipulation was flawed and looked delusional
Subject: Thinking about our 2-3 day car/tent camping setup! ⛺
Hi Kim,
I’ve been doing some more research into our camping gear strategy, and I really think going with an inflatable setup—specifically the Zempire Evo series—is the smartest move for us.
Here’s why I think this "tent fort" idea beats getting a trailer or a VW Buzz:
1. Incredible Value
The total setup I’m looking at (two large tents, one small tent, two gazebos, and the links to connect them) would be around $7,000. While that sounds like a lot, it’s only a quarter of the cost of a newish, used tent trailer and about 1/10th the cost of a van. It’s basically the price of one or two trips to Mexico, but we get to keep it many trip expense.
2. Speed & Ease
The best part is the setup. Unlike heavy wall tents that take 30+ minutes and a lot of muscle, these air tents go up in under 15 minutes. Takedown is just as fast. It’s way more efficient than even the single air tents we’ve looked at before.
3. Maximum Flexibility
Because it’s modular, we can adapt it to any trip:
* The Full Fort: Perfect for Kananaskis, Fernie, or the Castle area in the shoulder seasons (May, Sept, Oct, or even November).
* The Partial Setup: We can just bring one tent when we’re visiting your folks in June or July during the busy season.
* The Social Hub: We’d have enough room to invite friends or colleagues, or we could keep the extra space for a dedicated "bathroom tent" or "cooking tent."
4. Fits Our Life
These tents are designed to pack down well, so they’ll fit in our vehicles way easier than a trailer would. Plus, we already have the folding tables ready to go. If we’re camping near Lacombe, we can just pop over to the gluten-free bakery and have a full kitchen set up in the tent!
5. Comfort & Heat
I know I mentioned the wall tents and camping wood stove but if we go with the inflatable Zempire, a diesel heater is actually the way to go to get in the less busy seasonal camping. It’s safer and easier than a wood stove, especially since many wall tents don't even allow internal fires during some times in the year.
Even if we just put this in the budget for later, I think it’s the best way for us to get outdoors more often without the massive headache of a trailer.
What do you think?
Love,
Nigel
P.S. I just had a realization—I know my previous ideas might have seemed a bit "out there" or even flawed, but seeing how this Zempire setup actually fits in our cars and stays under that $7k mark for a holiday but a seasonal get away makes it feel much more grounded. It’s a practical way to get that "fort" feel without it being a delusional expense.
Just trying to lead us out of the winter Blues 💙 into a good 😊 adventures outdoors.
Great day for a walk !
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