Sometimes the best trips are the ones you don’t plan. This past weekend, I found myself on an impromptu adventure to Petawawa, a small town that’s big on charm. From a Halloween party to hiking in Algonquin, and a dash of spontaneous driving attempts, it was a weekend I won’t forget.

It all started with a rideshare to Ottawa, where I met a fellow passenger—a fresh graduate Bangladeshi engineer. It’s always nice to meet someone from home, especially when they’re just starting out in their career. Our conversation made the journey feel shorter, and by the time I reached Ottawa, I was already in a good mood. My friend Sarah picked me up, and we were off to Petawawa.

We reached Petawawa around 1 a.m., but instead of heading straight to her place, we went directly to the town’s most popular club BLVD, where a Halloween party was in full swing. It was surreal to walk into a room filled with people dressed in all sorts of spooky, funny, and creative costumes, dancing the night away. Though we were both exhausted, it didn’t take long for us to join in. In a crowd of lively twenty-somethings, Sarah and I might have looked like ghosts ourselves—barely hanging on after a long day—but we danced until we couldn’t anymore.

The next morning started on a relaxing note with a good breakfast, exactly what we needed to recharge. By noon, we decided to explore Algonquin Park and hit the Track and Tower Trail. This trail is beautiful, but it’s also challenging, with plenty of ups and downs. Tree roots and rocks covered in fallen leaves made it hard to predict our footing, and it was muddy, adding an extra layer of difficulty. Sarah was taking it slow, and even though she kept encouraging me to go ahead, I couldn’t just leave her behind. So we stuck together, making the journey longer but also more memorable. The sun was setting as we finished, and I nearly twisted my ankle a couple of times navigating the tricky terrain, but we made it out before darkness completely settled in.

But the real adventure was still waiting for us. Just a few minutes after getting back on the road, Sarah stopped at a roadside washroom in Algonquin. She took longer than expected, and when she returned, she asked if I could drive. The problem? I’d only had a few driving lessons, and her vehicle wasn’t just any car—it was a truck. And we were on a highway! But with no other choice, I hopped into the driver’s seat, trying to remember which pedal was the gas and which was the brake. After a nerve-wracking half-hour, Sarah felt well enough to take over, and we made our way to a nearby tavern.

The tavern was cozy, decorated for Halloween with neighborhood folks dressed up for the occasion. We had a warm meal and enjoyed some music, soaking in the festive atmosphere. By the time we returned home, we were both ready to collapse.

The next day, we took things slow. A lazy brunch followed by a relaxing soak in the hot tub felt like heaven after the previous day’s adventures. Later, we visited the Petawawa Military Museum, which was a fascinating dive into the history and sacrifices of Canadian military personnel. The exhibits gave us a lot to think about, and I felt grateful for the opportunity to learn more about the lives dedicated to serving the country.

After a quick lunch, Sarah took me to some lookout points around Petawawa. The views of the river were stunning, though the cold wind made it hard to fully enjoy them. There was a quaint café at one of the lookout points, so we grabbed ice cream coffees and rushed back to the car, laughing as we escaped the chill.

Finally, it was time to head back to Ottawa. After packing my bag, my rideshare arrived to take me to a sports bar near IKEA in Ottawa, where all the youngsters seemed to gather. I met one of my closest friends, Ashiq, who came by to say hi. We caught up briefly, and he saw me off at the bus counter nearby around midnight.

By the time I was on the bus back to Toronto, I was filled with gratitude. The trip may have been short, but it was packed with unforgettable moments. Nothing beats an unplanned adventure with friends, and this weekend was a reminder of that.