Plan the Trip!

And the pieces will fall into place

Full disclosure: this article is two things. One, it’s a reminder for you and for myself that sometimes, acting on an idea is what allows the space for the pieces to fall into place. Two, this article contains sponsored content and affiliate links, and it’s a good one, I promise.

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A little heartbreak and an encroaching gloomy winter season is enough to make any man jump in his truck and drive across the country. That’s the reality that set in for me around October of last year. I needed a trip.

Moreover, I knew that all of the ingredients for winter doldrums had showed up, and the best remedy for self-loathing is always to point the energy elsewhere. To ask and answer the question:

How can I help?

Love a sunrise from a warm hotel room.

It was cold and getting colder. The ever growing mental health crisis affects my family and so many others. The housing crisis affects almost everyone. From here, an idea was born:

What if I drive across Canada with the dogs collecting blankets for shelters?

There were a lot of problems to solve with this idea, but the two big looming problems were: how will I afford this? And where will I sleep?

Trying to get work done at the workstation. The dogs don’t understand.

But I planned the trip anyways. I set a rough departure date, announced it to all of you, and started reaching out to shelters and organizations along the way. I was doing the thing!

And then something magical happened. An email popped in my inbox. It was Best Western Hotels & Resorts. They wanted to work together!

Cozy on the carpet.

My cross-Canada blanket drive wouldn’t have been possible without a place to sleep every night. In my big van that I sold a few years ago, well, I could travel all seasons and sleep anywhere. I have a truck now, which allows me to truck camp in the summer and shoulder seasons. But in the winter, I prefer a place to sleep that has some sort of heat source.

Things got frosty.

I told Best Western about what I was doing, and they were immediately on board. Suddenly, everything was possible. Planning the trip with enough stays at Best Western hotels along my route to get me all the way to Ontario. Not only that, but now I had a small budget, enough to buy 300 books to give out to organizations and libraries and shelters in each city.

Let me tell you about some of the highlights.

The dogs asking to go outside.

Some important things were consistent and true: I was always met with a smile, there was almost always a hot tub (and often a water slide), there were always treats for the dogs, they’re dog friendly*, the rooms were always clean and well equipped, I was always sent off after their continental breakfast, and I always felt welcome. I’m grateful to Best Western for showing up when I needed them, and for making this possible.

I’m also grateful for the cute hat featuring Yaya and Boo that Best Western Plus Moose Jaw had made for us.

Next time you’re looking for a hotel, think about the time Best Western made my blanket drive possible. I especially recommend the one in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario (The Water Tower Inn, BW Premier Collection). They have an outdoor hot tub that’s unmatched (Ok maybe the outdoor hot tub at the Best Western Plus Revelstoke put up a good fight).

Boo asking to go outside.

The trip is behind us now. Hundreds of items have been donated. People were offered warmth. Your warmth is what made that possible.

Little did I know when this little idea first sparked that I’d be partnering up with a hotel chain. Now I’m asking, how can I do this again this year, but better? All I know is that if I plan it, I can trust that the pieces will fall into place.

Best Western Premier Chateau Granville in Vancouver! Amazing location.

Here’s a list of the Best Western hotels I stayed in. If you use these links I get a small kick-back.

• Revelstoke (Best Western Plus Revelstoke)

• Calgary (Best Western Premier Calgary Plaza Hotel & Conference Centre)

• Winnipeg (Best Western Plus West Edmonton)

• Saskatoon (Best Western Blairmore)

• Moose Jaw (Best Western Plus Moose Jaw)

• Winnipeg (Best Western Premier Winnipeg East)

• Thunder Bay (Best Western Plus Nor'Wester Hotel & Conference Centre)

• Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario (The Water Tower Inn, BW Premier Collection)

These ones are all dog friendly ;)

Lots of love,

Andrew, Yaya, & Boo!

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*Best Western is part of a family of brands across all price points—from luxury to economy—many of which are dog friendly. When searching for a stay, guests can also look for brands such as WorldHotels, Aiden, @Home by Best Western, and GLō Best Western.