Most of my most prized possessions are not things.
As a kid, I collected comic books. As a teenager, I collected books and vinyl LPs. But when they became burdensome, I got rid of them.
I still have a number of personal items, certain meaningful gifts I've received, awards, copies of the book I wrote and the music albums I've made, a few favourite paintings I've done and a handful of knick-knacks here and there.
Don't get me wrong, I still have far more stuff than anybody needs, as most North Americans do.
Even the things I do love, such as my basses, golf clubs, car etc., I view as utilitarian. They are a means to an end; tools I use for the much more important goal of collecting experiences.
Often these experiences involve travel to faraway places, but a couple of weeks ago, I had the great pleasure of depositing the Great Adventures Grizzly Bear Tour to the Khutzeymateen Valley into the old memory bank.
Honestly, I found it kind of difficult to put out the money for this; the tour ain't cheap. But it was amazing. We ended up seeing five bears (three up close and personal), three humpback whales, a bunch of sea lions and countless birds.
Even without all that, just getting out of Prince Rupert Harbour for a day on the water in the impressive wilderness of northwest B.C. would have been worth it.
Since I've lived in this region (going on nine years now, in two different stints), I've often felt very privileged.
To those who have never been here, the Pacific Northwest is a legendary place of mystique and grandeur.
How lucky are we all to call it home? It naturally becomes a little routine when you experience it day after day after day, but take the opportunity to observe tourists when they come to visit and see it through fresh eyes.
I read recently that discretionary travel to the United States is down significantly. Rightfully so.
We can lament the fact that recent political and economic instability has given us lemons, or we can embrace our own backyard and make lemonade.
I can think of few better places for a staycation than right here.
