Parker is one of those sparkly people that instantly makes an impact when you meet her. After graduating from the University of North Carolina a few years ago (go Tar Heels!), Parker and her husband took life by the horns and moved from Raleigh to Vancouver, B.C. to pursue their careers AND live in a place completely new and exciting. After a ton of adventures in British Columbia and beyond, they are now returning back to the East Coast to begin the next chapter of their lives.

Instead of flying, Parker and her husband Thomas are driving with their golden retriever across North America and have committed to practicing 5 yoga classes a week along the way (let's face it - they'll need to stretch their legs!) As they go, Parker is going to journal what it's like to relocate (again), sweat in different studios, their favourite new places and how it feels to finish off one goal and start living into the next one. Let's get road trippin'!

the first leg

As we crossed the border from Canada into the U.S., I could feel those pesky ‘water droplets’ making their way over my eyelids (aka tears). I reflected on the crazy life we created in Vancouver over the last year and a half that captivated my heart. Half of me believed our adventure was coming to an end, while the other half was already planning out my first southern meal in the land of sweet tea and shellfish.

To make our journey even more exciting, we have committed to sweating in every stop on our road to goal crushing. We began our drive down the West Coast to the first stop of our journey – a 525 kilometer drive (that’s 328 miles in American speak) to Portland, Oregon. Known for its breweries, famous coffee houses, and slow food centered restaurants, Portland is a destination for sensory overload. Our short stop in Rip City did not disappoint.

yoga, portland style

Through recommendations of our Vancouver yogi friends, we landed at Yoga Pearl, a stunning studio in the center of the Pearl District. On a street lined with artistic window displays and engulfed in the aromas of coffee houses, Yoga Pearl is a soothing hub.

We unrolled our mats in a small corner room with a few other Portlandians for a mid-morning Hatha class. True to Portland style, the class was intentional, unhurried, and grounding. The teacher knew each student by name and connected with us before class to learn our background and get the details on our cross-country plans. She greeted her other students – some of whom she hadn’t seen in a few weeks – and caught up on recent events of life. As I listened to the ins and outs of conversation, I felt the power of connection and a sense of gratitude. This wasn’t simply a workout facility with drop-ins and people passing by; this was a staple of livelihood, a gathering place for learning, and a center point of community.

Bound for our next adventure, we took one more stroll through the Pearl District and grabbed coffee at a local favorite – The Barista. I am so glad we took the chance to practice in this town - Portland's sense of community (and caffeine) will resonate with us for a long time. With the car packed to the brim and our mats in easy access, it’s time for another set of miles on the tires. Next stop, Redding, California!

Relocating to a new city is a big life shift: it can bring up a host of emotions (nostalgia, exhilaration, fear, hope and more). What big, scary and audacious things are you getting up to this year? In the meantime, keep an eye out for Parker's latest dispatch from the road to goal crushing!

We can’t help but daydream our way through spring with visions of sing-along, top-down, hair-blowing-in-the-wind road trips with our best pals. This is, after all, what summer’s all about, right? Between

snack-time

No need to make pit stops for snacks – plan ahead so you have both sweet and savoury (healthy) snacks to combat cravings and the munchies. Save your time, money and indulgences for meals since they are harder to plan for anyway.

travel friendly snacks
• apples/bananas with a natural nut butter
• raw mixed nuts or trail mix
• bliss balls
• carrots and hummus
• pita chips
• a few pre-made PB&J sandwiches
• plenty of water in reusable bottles (freeze a few to use as ‘ice’ for your cooler)

dining out

One of the best parts of visiting a new town is getting a taste of the local culture (literally). The name of the game is balance – sip a glass of wine, munch on an order of fries and then make healthy choices when possible.

eat this, not that at restaurants
• if you’re hungry enough for an appetizer, order a house salad with a vinaigrette dressing or a cup of broth-based soup (rather than cream-based). If those appies don’t tickle your fancy, split a small plate with your dining buddy (think hummus with veggies or pita bread, ahi tuna or a shrimp cocktail)
• go for items that are grilled, baked or steamed and resist ones that are fried or battered (think grilled chicken or salmon with a baked potato or steamed veggies)
• if your sweet tooth needs taming, order sorbet or fresh berries (nature’s candy, I tell you!) or split a more decadent dessert with the table. Guilty - I’m never one to deny myself the gift that is chocolate
• remember that most restaurants are quite accommodating these days for specific dietary needs or preferences, so don’t be afraid to ask questions or to make substitutions. How big are the portions? Is it enough to share? Can I sub steamed broccoli for cheesy broccoli? Side salad for the fries? Brown rice for white rice?

stretch your legs

When it comes to long trips don’t let your roadmap interfere with your training plan. Get out to stretch your legs and spend a little time discovering the cool cities you’re passing through.

staying active on the road
• look for a local lululemon in the city and check out their community board for tons of info on the best studios, local events and complimentary classes going on during your stay
• practice yoga outdoors (think park, mountain top, beach) or in your hotel room. Check out the gift of yoga or a yoga app for a more guided practice
• rent a bike (or bring your own on the back of your car) - bike share programs (like Bixi) are all the rage! Go for a ride and explore your surroundings
• no equipment? No problem. Lace up your sneakers and head for a run. Use a resource like MapMyRun to find safe and reliable routes!
• take advantage of hotel amenities, run your own mini-bootcamp in the gym, play tennis or do a few laps in the pool

Summer is so close we can almost taste it and the sampler plate of warm, sunny days in March was a nice touch, Mother Nature. We’re already filling up our calendars with weekend trips and mini-vacays. Have any other foolproof road-trippin’ tips for staying healthy on the go?