It had been two long years since I traveled anywhere, all thanks to the pandemic. Even my San Francisco trip got canceled, making it the sixth canceled trip in a row. So, I finally decided to break the streak and head to Sault Ste. Marie to catch the fall colors in Agawa Canyon.

But after two years of not traveling, I must have lost my edge. When I arrived at the Porter Airlines counter, the agent told me my health card had expired a month ago, and my driver’s license had been expired for a year. The only valid ID I had was my passport, and it was sitting at home. To top it off, I had just 30 minutes to check in.

In true James Bond fashion, I dashed home, grabbed my passport, and was back at the counter with two minutes to spare—mission accomplished!

On the plane, I sat next to a lady, and we spent the entire time chatting about travel. For some reason, she was fascinated by the fact that I was traveling alone just to see the fall colors. She was so kind and even shared a local ride-sharing app that I wish I’d known about earlier—I had already booked an expensive ride to my motel since there was no Uber in Sault Ste. Marie. Her thoughtfulness really touched me.

When I arrived at the motel, I found out I had accidentally booked only two nights instead of three. To make matters worse, I had to pay double the price for booking that extra night on the same day, all for a not-so-great motel. The only upside was its prime location, which was exactly where I wanted to be.

My brain doesn’t fully wake up until I’ve had my black coffee in the morning. Unfortunately, the Starbucks near my motel was closed, but their drive-thru was still open. So, there I was, standing at the drive-thru, yelling my order, but the auto-prompt wouldn’t recognize me. Just then, a kind woman pulled up in her car and asked what kind of coffee I wanted. Her sweet gesture really touched me. I even offered to pay for both of us, but she smiled and said, “Happy Thanksgiving!” I genuinely felt grateful.

Later that day, I visited the local aircraft museum called Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre, and it was an absolute highlight of my trip. From the moment I stepped in, I was transported back in time. The museum was filled with vintage planes, each with its own history and story. Walking around, I felt a deep connection to the past, imagining what it must have been like to fly in those incredible machines. I even got to sit in a cockpit, and I couldn’t stop smiling—it was like being a kid again, full of wonder and excitement. The whole experience was both fun and inspiring, reminding me of the incredible progress of aviation. By the time I left, I was grinning from ear to ear, having had much more fun than I anticipated.

After the museum, I headed to the historic lock nearby. Standing there, watching the massive gates open and close, was mesmerizing. The power and precision of the lock system were impressive, and I couldn’t help but admire how it all worked together. The peaceful surroundings of the water, the quiet hum of the machinery, and the sight of boats passing through made me feel like I had stumbled onto a hidden gem. It was a perfect, calming way to round off my day, and I left feeling connected not only to the history of the place but also to the beauty of the simple, natural moments I had experienced.

While visiting the lock, I met a lady who was relaxing nearby. We struck up a conversation and ended up chatting for a while. She told me she was concerned about my safety since I was traveling alone, and to my surprise, she offered to take me for a hike on the other side of the lock. As we walked, she shared the history of the area, telling fascinating stories about its past. After the hike, she even insisted on driving me back to my motel because she didn’t feel comfortable leaving me alone. I was absolutely spellbound by her kindness. It was such a heartwarming experience to meet someone so thoughtful and generous.