What do you get when you combine a surprise birthday party, a sewer backup, a mussel-loving 10-year-old, custom made gin and a dance floor fueled by a Bluetooth dance playlist? A road trip for the books, that’s what.

From Kelowna through the Rockies to Cabri Regional Park, we packed the week with family, friends, feasts, and a few fiascos (we’re looking at you, $800 plumbing bill). Liz was properly flabbergasted by her surprise party (mission accomplished), and the entertained everyone with her sabering skills. Neil slung wine like a seasoned professional, and Jack Semple brought the tunes. The dance playlist was a good workout. The air mattress didn’t cooperate, but Sharlene did with the lending of the trailer and the weather well…..it was not swimming weather! —but the Cheezies were crunchy, the wine was flowing, and the memories were golden.

10/10 would do it again. But maybe with a better mattress and no sewer backup.