Letters from New Scotland

Upon landing in Nova Scotia, my first thought was that it looked, and felt, like home.

The province is reminiscent of the place I grew up, with its rolling hills, evergreens, and quaint coastal towns, but that’s not the whole story.

Nova Scotia is a place that makes a person want to stay.

We were on our way to an adventure of unknown proportions, fishing 20 miles off the coast of Wedgeport for bluefin the size of bears.  I was ready for the challenge… but let’s be real, I knew absolutely nothing.

Once I was introduced to the chair, the thick twine, the reels as big as my head, well… it was a little scary.  My stomach started to churn, and it wasn’t long before I started to hope for a slow day… just to save me from the embarrassment of the desperate, soul-sucking failure I knew I was about to endure.

But all of that fear was gone as soon as I felt the exhilaration and accomplishment of reeling in an animal so huge.  Mark still can’t stop laughing at the grin I couldn’t wipe from my face.

The stuff is crazy fun.

… and the fun didn’t stop with a little fishing.  Over two days on the water we saw so many whales, seals, and sharks it almost felt commonplace.

I couldn’t help but wonder what my mom would have thought, who used to squeal with glee at the sight of one whale miles and miles offshore, nothing more than a speck.  These guys were practically jumping on the boat.

On our last day in Wedgeport, we hopped back in the boat for a visit to the Tusket Islands, full of brightly colored lobster pots and weathered fishing cabins that serve as the perfect picnic spot in the summer, and transform into a bustling village full of fishermen (and women) as soon as lobster season descends.

Of course, in season or no, lobster is practically ground beef in Wedgeport, where the softer-shelled pinchers who might not ship so well can be set aside to feed a family for months (or maybe hungry visitors who jump for joy at the delicious-ness of such fresh seafood).

Wedgeport felt like home, and its people made us feel like family.

There’s nothing like a place that picks you up and forces you to relax, learn something new, and accomplish something great…

It was tough to leave, but I know we’ll be back.  It will be hard to stay away.

Into the wild blue…

Last Monday, as I dropped our final invitations in the mail, feeling pretty good about my accomplishments, the phone rang.

“So… if you had the chance to do something really amazing, do you think you could get away for a few days?”

(Umm… yes.)

Mark’s boss wasn’t able to make a business trip he’d had in the works for some time, and he needed to send someone in his place.

That person was Mark, but (the seriously cool news) if we were both in, we could both go.

So, business… right? I’ve been on business trips before, and most of the time it doesn’t even matter where they end up… those trips are always much less fun than I imagine… sitting in the hotel, attending a conference, or meeting after meeting… staring at the wall… never getting a chance to play.

This was not one of those trips.

On this particular trip, Mark and I were headed to Wedgeport, Nova Scotia for lobster picnics, scallops on the shore, and a whole lot of fishing… for bluefin tuna… which are, oh, about six times my size (nbd).

We were just a little bit excited.

And the trip didn’t disappoint a bit.

Of course, before we go on, I have to mention that I caught the biggest fish (It’s okay, I’m not competitive or anything).

We were on the water for two days straight and came back with a laundry list of shark, whale, and seal sightings (!!) in addition to five fish caught.

Three of five were successfully tagged (no indulging here — though that sashimi does go for a seriously pretty penny out on the market ((yum)) — we were on the ocean in the name of science) and in the end Mark and I had each reeled in two: three in the realm of about 400-500 lbs, and one (mine, hehe) about 650 lbs… which is a pretty serious sport in itself.

But really… the most amazing thing we encountered in Wedgeport was the people: folks that made us feel like family from the second we landed and left us dying to come back… to visit their small town and maybe even steal their lives… because seriously, guys, we’re kind of super a little jealous.

What an amazing, wonderful place… this Wedgeport, Nova Scotia. Really — even now — I’m not even sure where to begin.

But I have plenty more to share, so be sure to check back!

Have you ever been fishing for big fish? Or up to Nova Scotia? It was an amazing experience, to say the least.

Sometimes, life has a way of surprising you… in the very best of ways.

This Place

It was perfect.

Spontaneity

We’re off to Nova Scotia today (she says, as if this is totally normal).

No really, we had no idea on Monday morning that we would be doing this today, but it was an opportunity we just couldn’t pass up (and a free one at that) so here we go! I promise to return with tons of pictures of this crazy adventure… goodness knows that with two months of planning to go, I could use a little break from the day to day.

In the mean time, be sure to follow my Instagram feed. I’ll be posting as we go.

Oh, did I mention it’s a tuna fishing trip?

I sincerely have no idea what to expect.

Photo: New York Times

The Santa Ynez Valley

Pinch me.  This is where I’m going to get married.

This place could not be any more beautiful… and if the weather is not always perfect (which I suspect that it is) it was certainly perfect for us.

We had a lovely flight (Virgin America is the best) and arrived in LA for a quick tour and a gorgeous drive up PCH before settling into our beautiful guest house in Los Olivos.  We stayed just a few miles over the mountain from the place where we’ll be married this November, and got just a little taste of what we’re in for (OMG the sunsets).  In between cake tastings, food tastings (pics of those to come) and more than a few fantastic wine tastings, we took in the sights and ate a seriously copious amount of food at Sides Hardware and Shoes (that brioche french toast?  unreal) and El Rancho Market.

But I have to say, the most fantastic thing about the whole trip was the peace of mind I gained when I realized that each and every vendor we chose was not just great… but drop-dead amazing.

They are amazing… and I can’t say enough.  These people are not just talented, but absolutely wonderful, professional, and kind… I couldn’t be more excited to work with them all this November.

I couldn’t be more excited to go back to this place!

Photos: Courtesy of my lovely fiancé.

Gone Sightseeing

Forgive my conspicuous absence this week.  I’ve been playing tour guide for my family on a whirlwind little trip through NYC and DC.  It has been loads of fun and I have so much to share as soon as things return to normal, but for now, I’ll just be stealing moments aside here and there to put up a post, or maybe a tweet… maybe even a pin.  So be sure to stay tuned in all forms.

P.S. Are you following me on facebook?  I would love it if you would.

Photo: Pinterest

The Proposal

On July 3, 2011, I overslept.

I suppose he knew for sure at about 9:45am that I had no clue what was planned.  It was about that time that I was officially about to miss my Sunday yoga class, the first stop on a scavenger hunt that would eventually lead me all the way from Maryland to Oregon.

When I did finally drag my (hung over from a birthday party the night before) butt out of bed I discovered a hydrangea, a camera, and this note.

After I died, I called him.  He wouldn’t answer, but texted me to continue on to my first destination anyway.  Shaking, I cleaned myself up and headed out the door.

He wasn’t kidding, the hunt really did last the whole day.  I visited the place we had our first kiss, our first home together, our favorite places…  I told the through-hikers at the AT Visitor Center in Harper’s Ferry about my hunt and snapped their picture… I snapped my own picture too… I cried at least ten times.

At the end of the day, he gave me my final clue.  It was an address.

Walking to the restaurant I knew he would be there.  I was shaking, wondering how he would propose.  Would it just be him?  Would others be there too?  Would he be down on one knee the second I saw him?

I arrived at the restaurant and asked for the “Olson” party, as I’d been instructed.  Still shaking, I was led to a table.  I looked for him…

What I saw, when my eyes finally focused, were my three best girlfriends with a bottle of wine and another note!

I think the poor things might have been a little scared.  What kind of reaction was I going to have after all that buildup?!  To be honest, though, I loved seeing them there.  I loved him even more for including them.

We had an amazing dinner.

The note told me to pack my bags.  His brother would be by our house early the next morning to take me to the airport.  I was already checked in for my flight to Oregon… my home.

The rest is kind of a blur.  I packed my bags, including my iPod, which was missing and mysteriously reappeared with a personalized playlist of love songs for the long ride.  I made it to the airport in plenty of time.  When I arrived in Portland, a town car took me to our favorite hotel.  When I opened the door to our room, I heard The Ramones, “Baby, I Love You.”  He didn’t miss a single detail.

On the dresser, next to “Baby, I Love You,” was my final clue.  It sent me to Powell’s, just around the corner, for a book on Frank Lloyd Wright… and there he was.  He led me to the waterfront… he got down on one knee… and he asked.  It was like a dream.

That night we had another amazing dinner, and the next day we celebrated in wine country with my family.  I still have a hard time wrapping my head around just how amazing it all was.  I will never top this… I think I might be marrying the most romantic man in the world.