So, after I wiped away a fair amount of tears at the airport—because saying goodbye to Heather after our two-week whirlwind of adventures felt like closing a chapter in the best book you’ve ever read—I found myself in the warm embrace of a whole new chapter. Enter West Vancouver, the land of space, luxury, and a university friend who, I kid you not, has such a wonderful, welcoming space that I almost forgot I’d been living in a 19-foot van for the last few months.
Staying with Meranda and her wonderful family was like hitting the refresh button on life. After the coziness (okay, cramped coziness) of van life, having a room all to myself—yes, a whole room—felt like stepping into a palace. Finn (number one… more on that later) and I spread out, re-established Shevanigans to her previous glory, cleaned out the remnants of road trip chaos, and indulged in some much-needed downtime.
Now, let me tell you, this family is full of adventurers. They’ve got plans—big ones. I’m talking “take-the-kids-out-of-school” kind of big. We spent hours talking about their travel dreams, swapping wild ideas, and feeding off each other’s excitement. It was like recharging my own wanderlust just by being around them. And honestly, it’s amazing to realize how many people are out there dreaming up the craziest, most fantastic ideas. The world is full of people who are just waiting to throw caution to the wind and go on their own wild ride—and isn’t that just the best?
Between all the big travel plans and elaborate dinners, I got to know their kids, explore West Vancouver, walk along the beaches, and hike through parks with Finn. We even made it to Granville Island Island, not just to wander and take in the sights, but to indulge in some of its more bougie offerings. Naturally, we had to stop by the fanciest pet store I’ve ever seen, where I picked up outrageously expensive dog sardines for Finn (because why wouldn’t he need those?) and mandatory breath-cleaning cookies to combat the fishy aftermath. After treating Finn like royalty, I treated myself to some of the most amazing matcha lattes I’ve ever sipped—because if Finn’s getting the good stuff, so am I.. I fell in love with Vancouver, not just because of the scenery (which is spectacular, by the way), but because of the company. It felt like I’d been welcomed into this incredible family, and leaving that bubble of joy and comfort was hard—really hard.
But the adventures didn’t stop there! I got to catch up with Andy, another university friend and his fiancé who I see a bit more often. This time, though, I got to witness him in his natural habitat—racing kayak and all. Watching him glide through the water was seriously cool, and after a perfect dinner overlooking the bay and a ramen night out, I knew Vancouver had officially won me over. I mean, how could it not when it’s filled with so much love, good food, and incredible people?
And then there was the high school friend, Clint—someone I hadn’t seen since our cringey teenage years, which, let’s be honest, feels like several lifetimes ago. I hopped on a ferry and made my way to his little slice of paradise, where he had crafted a home that was basically a structural embodiment of his personality—quirky, creative, and completely his own.. We talked, we laughed, and it felt like no time had passed. Of course, we’ve both got a few more cricks in our necks and laugh lines on our faces, but there was something beautifully timeless about reconnecting.
Now here’s the kicker—his dog’s name was Finn. Yep. I had a Finn, he had a Finn, and every time we called out, “Hey, Finn!” both dogs would turn around, like some kind of canine comedy duo. Watching them run around together in the forest was pure joy, and honestly, the only thing better than one Finn is two.
After a few days of basking in the joy of friendship, incredible meals, and walks with the double-Finn duo (and a much needed haircut), I had to pack up and hit the road again. And even though leaving West Vancouver and the comfort of my friends’ homes was hard—because, let’s be real, I could’ve stayed forever—Shevanigans called, and the adventure had to continue. Next stop: Seattle!
But this little Vancouver chapter? It was the perfect pause. A place to feel at home on the other side of the country, to bask in the brilliance of old friends, new plans, and, of course, the antics of two very confused dogs named Finn. As I’ve said, travel may broaden the mind, but it also shrinks the world in the best way possible. I’m just glad I got to experience a little more of it with people I love.
Now, back into Shevanigans we go—because the road waits for no one, and neither does Seattle.
Until the next adventure, Sheilagh, Shevanigans & Finn (number 1)
