After weeks of chihuahua wrangling, IKEA adventures, and trail-hiking fiascos, we arrived at our final family-and-friends stop: Bragg Creek, but not without some road drama first! On the way there we actually lost the driver’s side mirror, thanks to John’s lightning response, he managed to save it and reattach it right there on the side of the road. We managed to limp it to Bragg Creek for a more permanent fix later. Once we got there it was time to get in some serious visiting and, more importantly, to park the Raven with style. Thankfully, my cousins Mackenzie, Justin, and Tilly were gracious enough to host us (though I suspect they might have second thoughts by now).

Bragg Creek itself? Picture this: stunning views, fresh mountain air, and a driveway so steep I almost asked for a sherpa. Not kidding, we had to navigate a crazy-steep curved driveway to drop off the car and dolly. But John the Rockstar Husband Laverty pulled off one of the best parking jobs of his career. Raven nestled snugly in the driveway, tanks filled, plugged into the Walsh Starlink—we were officially settled. Check the pics, because this RV maneuver deserves a medal!

Mackenzie was off gallivanting in LA for our first day (because obviously), but Justin and Tilly, the perfect hosts, made sure John had all his Rockstar Husband essentials. Meanwhile, I jumped straight into work, seeing clients online—because nothing says “remote therapy” like conducting sessions from an RV in the middle of the woods. But a side note about Tilly…. it has been a few years since we hung out last and wow did I miss a lot. this up-and-coming theatre star is such a mature, kind-hearted, hard-working, but fun-loving human you can’t help but adore her.

The week that followed was a blur of Amazon deliveries (fighting the good delivery fight), family visits, and, of course, wrestling the Raven into shape with some last-minute repairs. The good news? Justin’s workshop is like a bottomless pit of tools. If Raven needed fixing, Justin and John were on it—when they weren’t bonding over drones and Starlink competitions, that is.

Now, let’s talk pets. Early on, Auggie looked like she and their cat, Harry, were going to be besties. And then Finnegan saw Harry. Let’s just say, if Harry had been training for the aerial park in Edmonton, Finnegan was his motivation. Auggie made fast friends with Dave, their laid-back dog, but wisely kept a polite distance from Stevie, their other dog. Meanwhile, Casey, true to form, acted like a prince who had no interest in befriending anyone—unless there was a cozy blanket involved.

One of the highlights of our Bragg Creek stay was an early morning visit from cousin Guy. I don’t know if he just materializes out of thin air, but one minute we’re sipping coffee, and the next minute—boom—there’s Guy, dropping in for a visit like some kind of super-powered relative. We had a blast catching up, getting travel tips, and snapping some photos before he vanished just as quickly as he arrived. It was like Bigfoot, but with better conversation.

Family dinner with the Calgary contingent? A full-on potluck feast hosted by Aunty Kerrie and Uncle Roy. Roast beef, Yorkshire pudding, and enough food to feed an army (which, apparently, is what our family qualifies as). Everyone was there—Cale, Kristina, Hattie, Alice, the whole gang. Aunty Kerrie even extended an invite to her Grandmother Tea Ceremony, which happened the day after we were supposed to leave. But, hey, plans are made to be broken, right?

Our visit to Cale and Kristina’s house was another unforgettable stop. John and Cale (a.k.a. Rockstar Husband and Rockstar Doctor) had an impromptu jam session in Cale’s tricked-out garage. John, coaxed into playing the legendary “Flying V” electric guitar, rocked out while Cale hit the drums. It was a short sesh but a memorable one, reigniting John’s passion for his own electric guitar. Don’t be surprised if you see John headlining his own tour by next year – perhaps in a garage rooftop music room…?. The rest of the night? Just good old-fashioned catching up, which we haven’t done in forever. P.S. – Dr. Moore, if you’re reading this, we’re expecting your comments on every post from now on!

And then there was Justine—my long-awaited in-person meeting with my cohort buddy. We finally met at the West Bragg Creek Day Use Area, which is basically a heaven for hikers, dogs, and, apparently, horse poop. Because guess what Finnegan and Justine’s dog, Dottie, found and rolled in? Yep. Cow manure. Dogs… am I right? Still, it was a fantastic afternoon wandering the trails, playing in the creek, and dodging horses. After our short hike, I had to dash back to see clients, but we made up for it the next day when Justine hosted me at her place in Cochrane. She’s basically my Dutch sister now. Homemade beet soup, garden carrots, and hours of life chats—what more could you want? Justine, you’re a gem.

The Grandmother Tea Ceremony was a perfect, emotional, and exhausting way to wrap up our Bragg Creek stay. Aunty Kerrie, as always, made it special, gifting me a ribbon skirt and a few blankets, while cousins Kelsey and Geordie gifted me a sealskin bracelet. I left feeling filled with love and light—and also pretty sure that Tilly is the best shopping buddy I’ve ever had.

Our last days in Bragg were full of hotdogs, s’mores (courtesy of Tilly), and some quality downtime with the Walshes. If you’re ever looking for a cozy spot to park your RV, I highly recommend the Walsh RV Park—just make sure to book in advance. We’ll definitely be back for round two!

• Tracy & the Chihuahuas (And John the Rockstar Husband)