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I consider myself extremely lucky that I get to write for a living, and not only that, be able to take my friends and family on crazy fun adventures when the time comes. This time around it’s going to be a crazy adventure with one of my long time best friends, Kandice. She and I have been friends since we were 16. I actually disliked her immensely for two years beforehand, until we both realized that actually who we disliked was a mutual friend. We ditched said mutual friend and were solid sister friends ever since.
What can I say, we were 16? Merciless, heartless and wrinkle-free.
We are not 16 here, so there’s really no excuse for us other than our awesomeness.
Kandice and I have had numerous family vacations together, including the obvious one to Disneyland where our goofy photo was taken. We take the kids with us, do the required parenting and have a blast doing it.
However, we haven’t had a solid girls vacation without our darling children since we were 19. I won’t even tell you how long it’s been since I was 19, but I can tell you that the road trip was to Vancouver. And oh, what a good time that road trip was! We even met an actor off of our favorite TV show at the time, the X-Files, at the bar in Kitsilano of course.
Here’s where we get back to how lucky I am. Since I am an avid traveler and write a lot about it on this website, I was chosen to take a road trip sponsored by Esurance this summer – WITH my best friend! Not only that, but because I’m a local Alberta girl that travels all over, I get to introduce you all to Esurance, which is an online auto insurance company that launched in Alberta in 2015 – and Alberta is the only province in Canada where Esurance is available!
This little ol’ Alberta travel writer + Esurance = Besties Summer Road trip!
Let’s talk a little about this company that is sending me on a fabulous road trip with my bestie. Esurance is all about providing insurance for the modern world, taking care of people the way a modern company should. Esurance works hard to continually innovate, leveraging the latest technology, offering competitive prices and a simple, efficient experience, while providing customers with personal care from knowledgeable experts. Albertans can now save time and manage their insurance easily and efficiently – online! That works for me!
We also all think about savings when it comes to insurance and Esurance was born online and by nature was built to save their client money. It has smart online tools, fast, efficient claims and services (which we all know can be very hard to find!) and when Esurance saves money, it passes the savings on to its customers. Their rates are competitive and they also offer personalized discounts for their customers. Going back to the information about claims, they also offer a hassle-free claims experience so that you can feel confident that it will be solved quickly. Their licensed insurance experts are available 24/7 for you! They can help you understand your coverage options and help you find the right coverage for you.Now, I am going to be writing a series of posts about road trips, how I prepare for them, how I plan them and you guys know how serious I am about my road trips. This is the perfect time for me to talk about how I plan my road trips. I have been (literally) from one end of the US to another, but I’ve never written about it!
I can hear you now…. MAGPIE!! WHERE ARE YOU GOING?! (stop yelling, I hear you!)
You are most likely wondering how I actually planned where I was going on this trip. Other than the typical throwing a dart at a map attached to the wall, I have wanted to go back to Victoria, British Columbia for a while now. I only had a couple of days to spend there in the fall of 2014 – and that was my very first time there- so when it came time to pick a Canadian road trip adventure, I knew that it was going to be there. I fell in love with the island instantly and can’t wait to head back.
How do I plan the route?
Well, Kandice lives in Calgary and I live in Edmonton, so I knew that my very first stop was going to be my parent’s house on July 1st. I’m going to sleep over there, then pick up Kandice first thing in the morning Saturday. This was important, because we are missing the July Long Weekend travel rush on the mountain highways. We have a week together and it wasn’t imperative to leave right away. I don’t like driving on the long weekends through the mountains, so I am glad that we can leave the Saturday. In my many road trips, I’ve learned that you really have to plan ahead when it comes to long weekend traffic!
We are going to travel as far as we can without exhausting ourselves on Saturday (most likely reaching Vancouver) then be up bright and early for the ferry to Victoria first thing in the morning!
Once we are there, we are going to spend four days playing it by ear and doing what we like. I loved visiting Cowichan Bay, so I am sure that I am going to take a day trip out there to eat at their fabulous bakery and listen to the sea birds. We are going to do some wine tours (where someone else drives!) and take it easy. Then it’s time to drive home, slowly again without rushing, and that’s that!
So while Esurance wants to send me on a road trip with my bestie, they also have a fabulous giveaway for YOU!
You can enter to win a Smart Driver Care Package filled with innovative items to keep you safe and connected on the road no matter where you’re heading, including a 4G booster that extends your cellular range and battery life.
I know that I get to go on a road trip and I am SO spoiled – but that 4G booster!! I am drooling, you guys! For those of us that drive in Alberta, that booster is a MUST! I personally would love it for the lake, as we have no coverage out there. There are still so many places in Alberta that we need a booster. I am so excited that someone gets to win the Smart Driver Care Package that is worth approximately $400!
You can enter the contest below, good luck everyone!
Love,
Karlynn
DISCLOSURE: This post is sponsored by Esurance. All opinions and language are my own.
MillerKrazy says
Shared on FB! https://www.facebook.com/krista.miller.16121/posts/1129788570428484
LushkaSmith says
My best road trip was from Winnipeg to Banff and Jasper right after high school.
Bailey Dexter says
Shared on facebook & twitter!
Bailey Dexter says
For me, it was just last March! I went down to see my daughter & family as well as to get to meet my new grand-baby girl!
MillerKrazy says
Shared on FB thanks! https://www.facebook.com/krista.miller.16121/posts/1129118883828786
Karla Sceviour says
The road trips we would go on as kids with our family,We would travel across the states,so much fun!
Karen Yeung says
Oooh, I love road trips! I grew up taking one pretty much every year and have seen most of small town Alberta.
Sukki24 says
the best road trip was around the Maritimes with my family
AmyHeffernan says
We are just back from our first and BEST accross Newfoundland!
Yuen Ch says
The best road trip was driving to Niagara Falls!