We’re Neil and Ellen, a wine-loving duo (known each other forever—really, we were in Grade 1 together!). Our adventures have always included the ultimate Canadian snack—Hawkins Cheezies. In fact, it all began back when we started dating as teenagers. Ellen opened a bag in Neil’s Dodge Coronet and the Cheezies exploded everywhere. He was not impressed… but he stuck around, and here we are decades later, still traveling together with Cheezies close at hand. Whether we’re exploring world-class wine regions or just kicking back with a glass (or bottle), our trusty Cheezies are never far behind—crunchy, salty, and unapologetically Canadian, just the way we like it.

This blog is our way of keeping track of our travels, storing our favorite moments (without cluttering our home with photo albums), and sharing the fun with friends—both those who join us on our adventures and those cheering us on from home. Grab a glass of wine, grab a snack (hint – Hawkins cheezies!), and follow along!

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Since we’ve been house sitting through HouseSitMatch, we’ve had so many friends ask how it works. Honestly, it’s been a game changer for us — we get to live like locals, explore new places, and enjoy some furry company along the way. 🐾
If you’re dreaming of slow travel (or just fancy a few weeks in someone else’s home), HouseSitMatch connects homeowners with trusted sitters.

Where do you want to go? Check it out!

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July 2022 – After years of braving Saskatchewan winters (and its legendary mosquitoes), we decided it was time for a change. In 2021, we set our sights on British Columbia—better climate, no bugs, and a more active lifestyle? Sign us up. By 2022, we had made the big move and haven’t looked back. Now, we spend our time exploring BC’s endless hiking trails, winding our way through scenic road trips, and—of course—sipping our way through the Okanagan wine region. What’s not to love?

November Montreal 2021

June 2021 – Travel was on pause for a while, but in June 2021 we dipped our toes back in with a trip from Regina to Kelowna to look at condos. That little “scouting mission” escalated quickly, and by October 2021 we were taking possession of our new place. Enter the most nerve-wracking road trip to date: Neil and Ellen behind the wheel of a rented, massive moving truck, stuffed to the ceiling with nearly 2,000 bottles of wine—ours and our friends’ and a few furniture pieces. Picture us cruising through the Rockies, stress-eating Hawkins Cheezies, obsessively checking the outside temperature, and whispering sweet nothings to the wine that they could hang on and survive the trip. We survived, the wine survived, and then came the fun part—unloading most of it straight into temporary storage. That trip kicked off what became a full year and a half (until the house sold) of organized chaos including some renovations: 13 trips back and forth between Regina and Kelowna, most of them by road, slowly hauling little bits of our life (and priorities… mainly wine) west. 🍷🚚🧀 We let the professional movers moved the majority of the house contents in July of 2022.

june 2015 Winnipeg opimian

July 2015 Vancouver

2014, cabri, calgary, Illinois (road trip for racing shell), St john’s Nfld, white Rock

Las Vegas 2013: What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas! more photos to add

Nov 2013 5 day trip to England check date

France 2013 Discovering Burgundy with Side trip to England

Scottsdale 2013

Armstrong BC, Calgary and more Calgary 2012

Huatulco 2012

Palm Springs 2011

Cabri Food and Wine Festival 2011

Waterford Ontario 2011

Kohler and Chicago 2010

Cabri International Food and Wine Festival 2010 more photos to add

2009 Minneapolis

2008 Montreal

Tofino and Vancouver Island 2008

Seattle 2008

Cabri 2008

Fernie 2008

Disneyworld 2007

November 2006 England A 5 day weekend

Chile and Argentina 2004

November 2002 Montreal

Summer 2002 Whiterock and Langley

England and then Spain November 2001

And then travel life changed – Sept 11, 2001

Napa 2000

England and Ireland 1997 with
Scott

England 1992 – 1994

North eastern US – Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts

Gaspe peninsula and Roche Perce, Maritime provinces

Discovering Ontario while living in Ottawa

Ski trip, ski trip, ski trip

The Great Divide 3 day hike  1987

Network Operation Ball Squad NOBs SaskTel days with Friends

Camping, camping, camping  – Saskatchewan, Rockies, BC

Blank links will be populated as I get physical albums scanned. Sorry for the mess at the end here. I am working on cleaning this up. And there are lots of missing trips

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