Road trip adventures & reflections: My journey from Vancouver to San Francisco

There's something incredibly rejuvenating about hitting the open road, especially when it involves a scenic drive along the stunning Pacific Northwest. My recent road trip from Vancouver, Canada, to San Francisco, California, was an incredible adventure that I can't wait to tell you all about.

This journey, spanning 3,250 kilometres (over 2,000 miles), was filled with breathtaking landscapes, meaningful conversations, and personal reflections. Getting away can bring clarity and a sense of freedom not as easily found in our daily routines.

For this article, I want to share some of my explorations and reflections in case they evoke any inspiration or insights for you.

Winding Down Route 101

Our adventure began in Vancouver, our beautiful hometown. We eagerly set out, winding down the Oregon coast via the iconic Route 101—a drive that had long been on my bucket list.

My husband, who had experienced it before, graciously took the wheel heading south, while I took charge on our return journey. I was lucky to witness the full landscapes and coastline without having to also focus on driving.

We divided the trip into six-hour legs, with our first stop being Astoria, a charming town in Oregon with quaint streets, fun restaurants, and historic houses.

From there, we headed to Crescent City, where we rested before hiking the majestic Redwoods, a truly awe-inspiring experience. I’ve never seen trees so large in my life. Some were 15 feet across at the base. So wild to witness!

As we made our way to San Francisco, the city greeted us with its vibrant energy and bustling streets. We explored the city on foot, clocking in about 25,000 steps on our first full day as we visited iconic spots like Fisherman’s Wharf, the Painted Ladies, Haight-Ashbury, and Fillmore Street.

We also zipped across the Bay Bridge to visit a pal over in Berkeley before heading out to an Oakland A’s game that evening. A rookie pitcher threw a complete game shutout, which my husband tells me is relatively rare!

Our return journey was equally delightful. We enjoyed a fireworks display in Eureka for the Fourth of July.

We motored back up the I-5, stopping in Portland for a rest, although we managed to visit Deschutes Brewery and grab some Voodoo donuts.

The following day, we were up and off to Emerald City in time for the Toronto Blue Jays vs. Seattle Mariners game, where we met up with friends coming down from Vancouver.

By the end of the ball game, we were definitely ready to see our lovely cat and sleep in our own bed, so we crossed the border back into Canada that night.

Here are a few snaps from our trip!

Unplugging to Reconnect

Before setting off on our trip, I set clear intentions to ensure this trip was both relaxing and enriching. I wanted to make the most of our time away and truly disconnect from the daily grind. Here's what I chose not to do:

• Not bringing my laptop (I didn’t want the liability or any temptation to work).

• Not paying for roaming (an unexpected late check-in and map mishaps broke this intention).

• Not squeezing in meetings (I wanted this trip to be fully unplugged and to stay present to the scenery and my partner).

• Not checking my work email (my auto-responder was on, and I trusted all would be well—and it was!).

While on the road, I kept these intentions in the forefront of my mind, yet I couldn't help but reflect on how difficult some were to maintain in our modern world.

A slew of notifications came in each time we entered Wi-Fi to load up our maps for the day. And the urge to stay updated can be hard to resist.

Reflections While On the Road (And After My Return)

Despite making big changes to my well-being routine, unplugging is very hard today. I also learned a few other things about myself, such as what works best for me to keep myself at equilibrium.

Here are my unfiltered thoughts and reflections:

Unplugging is Hard but Worth It

The challenge of disconnecting from digital life was real. Even brief check-ins for navigating brought a rush of notifications.

Limiting these moments to just 5-10 minutes made a big difference in maintaining a sense of peace and presence throughout the trip.

Setting Intentions Works

Despite a few deviations from the plan here and there, my pre-trip intentions helped ground me.

They provided a framework that I could recalibrate as needed, ensuring I stayed true to my personal goals. This intentionality made the experience more fulfilling and purposeful.

Value of Silence, Even Over Music

While I love music, extended listening sometimes led to sensory overload. So, I reacquainted myself with the value of silence.

Embracing the quiet allowed me to engage more deeply with my surroundings and conversations, fostering a deeper connection with both nature and my travel companion.

Go with the Flow

Flexibility was key. From missed exits to packing mishaps, embracing the unexpected and finding humour in these moments made the journey more enjoyable.

Bending with the flow rather than snapping under pressure kept me in a relaxed mindset and created a more enjoyable experience.

Reevaluate Urgency

Not everything is as urgent as it seems. Adopting a slower pace and stepping away from the inbox allowed me to appreciate the trip fully.

This realization has inspired me to incorporate a more mindful and deliberate pace into my everyday routine.

Quality Over Quantity

While our fast-paced itinerary allowed us to see a lot, it felt like "speed dating" through the West Coast. We were definitely on a greatest hits tour.

Next time, I’d prefer a slower pace, staying longer in fewer places to truly soak in the experiences. This approach would allow for a deeper connection with each destination and a touch less ‘hustle’ than this particular trip.

Final Thoughts

This road trip was a powerful reminder of the importance of intention, presence, and flexibility.

It taught me that unplugging, even briefly, can be incredibly refreshing and that slowing down allows for deeper connections and more meaningful experiences.

As I settle back into my routine, I carry with me the lessons learned from the road, ready to embrace a more balanced and mindful approach to life and work. This break has further enriched my perspective and reminded me of the beauty of the present moment.

I'm also happy to report that even though I disconnected from my business for over a week, all was well. When I returned, I even had three discovery calls scheduled and waiting for me.

This is a lovely reminder that I can unplug and trust my systems to continue bringing in business while I’m away enjoying life.