Adventures with Traveling Pete

10/03/2026

Welcome to another edition of Adventures with Traveling Pete

This one is heavy and very personal, because I want to talk about veterans, and especially men's mental health, but PTSD, and Complex-PTSD in particular.

I know this topic is very tough, especially when you have known someone who have taken their own lives that struggled with mental health or addictions that usually go together sadly.

This past week, I fell down hard emotionally for personal reasons because certain things I still had strong feelings and emotions from the past. I almost let myself get pushed to that edge which I am glad I didn't let that happen.

I'm emotionally exhausted on so many levels, but I feel better today once I had to pull away from certain things that were making me go down that dark path again, that I have not had or felt in a while.

That is all I am going to say about that, its in the past now, and I have reflected back and realize my own mistakes and regrets in that situation. It's all good now and I am starting to feel at peace for the first time in a long time.

I realize that I am still broken inside and was too emotionally attached and invested into something that almost took me six feet under when looking back now.

Hence why as a veteran, and November 11th is around the corner, and is the hardest day for me personally where I start to shut down emotionally for many reasons. This year, those feelings inside came sooner than expected.

However, I see the C-PTSD signs, and took the appropriate steps to take a step back, and focus on my own mental health that has been messed up this past week or two. The situation is what it is, and I accept things for what they are and how that made me feel inside.

It took me over a year to accept the truth and to start dealing with those emotions attached inside still.

Thank you for all your support. Until we meet again, stay safe, have fun, explore more, and I'll see on my next Adventures with Traveling Pete in a town or city near you.

10/01/2026

Always a great place for Adventures with Traveling Pete to eat some amazing Latin food La Boca Loca - Latin Inspired Grill in Edmonton, Alberta.

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10/01/2026

Welcome to another edition of Adventures with Traveling Pete

Okay, I am sharing one of my favorite hidden gems if you live, work, or passing through my home town of Edmonton Alberta. I have been going to La Boca Loca - Latin Inspired Grill for well over 15 years now when it was still owned by a very nice couple who were from Chile in South America.

Today, it is owned by a nice guy, and Latin Cuisine Chef named Alex who I believe knew and or was connected to the original owners. I go here when I am in the area because its great for lunch, business meetings, including a great date night. I have been here for all those reasons and have never been disappointed with the amazing food or service.

Last week I stopped in for a quick lunch between meetings and ordered my 'comfort and go to sandwich' that is the first thing on the front page of the menu, the "Chacarero". It comes with thinly sliced steak, or chicken, tomato, green beans, and an amazing spreading sauce in the bun. I can't even explain all the smells and flavours, plus textures that simply melt in your mouth.

Now I am totally craving this amazing sandwich again as I write this review. If you are looking for something new and very authentic when it comes to Latin inspired food creations in Edmonton, this place lives up to every experience I have ever had for over 15 years and still counting.

So, go check this place out by yourself, with some friends, or if you want to plan a nice date night for the one you love, or even that first date, you can all thank me later. It is a casual, yet not too fancy, but still has real class with keeping the traditional roots of the restaurant from Chile and previous owners. Classy move in my opinion.

That is why I like and respect Chef Alex for not changing much overall, but recreating his own new brand, plus Latin inspired menu. When it gets a little busier, trust me, it is still worth the wait.

That is when you just relax, sit back, enjoy the moment and soak in the Latin experience, including background music while you eat a great meal, have some good conversations, or sip on a beverage.

Trust me when I say this, you will want to come back again and is worth the trip to the big city if you have never been here. Well, it is that time again for me to move along to my next Adventures with Traveling Pete in a town or city near you.

Thanks for all your support, and supporting local businesses wherever you travel or go in this world. Life is way too short to pass up a great experience, and also make a meaningful impact to small businesses when you can.

Until then, stay safe, have fun, go explore more, and live outside your comfort zone, even if it is just taking yourself out for a good meal and enjoying your own company. ☺️

09/30/2026

Always a great experience with Adventures with Traveling Pete at LaBezt Pizza & Donair in Spruce Grove, Alberta.

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09/30/2026

Welcome to another edition of Adventures with Traveling Pete

If you are from Spruce Grove Alberta, you probably already have eaten or heard of LaBezt Pizza & Donair. They have been around for years and in my opinion, they have some of the best gourmet pizza and live up to their name.

I have ordered from here a few times, and I have never been disappointed. This time took my kids here to dine in for the first time. We ordered the 12" LaBezt Loaded pizza that was deep dish, and also came with jumbo shrimp. We loved this freshly made pizza that has quality ingredients and is not greasy and is very filling.

Portions are huge, toppings and cheese are very generous, the food is amazing, and service is friendly and always excellent. We also had a dessert pizza at the end that was baked fresh. It was also really good and we took home leftovers on both pizzas.

If you're looking for a pizza place that is unique, and offers some amazing flavours and toppings while baking in a hot deep dish pan in an open kitchen, then this place is worth trying.

You simply can't compare this place to some of the large pizza franchise places, you are paying a little extra for a whole lot more that is worth every bite and food experience. They also make some good donair's as well.

Well, I will continue to support this place and hope you to. Until next time, stay safe, have fun, go explore more, and support local wherever you go. I'll see you on my next Adventures with Traveling Pete in a town or city near you.

09/22/2026

Another cool place for Adventures with Traveling Pete traveling through Parkland County in Alberta supporting The Iron Lady Saloon - Gainford Hotel including Five Sprouts Farm Stand and Good Morning Honey on the same random road trip. Make sure to check them out when passing through.

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09/22/2026

Welcome to another edition of Adventures with Traveling Pete

It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon, when I just went for a random road trip not knowing where I was headed in the country side. I eventually decided to head west across Parkland County, and made a few cool stops along the way that included Five Sprouts Farm Stand, plus passed by Good Morning Honey just south about 9km from Spring Lake Alberta.

After that stop, I kept driving westbound and eventually stopped into the The Iron Lady Saloon - Gainford Hotel for a late lunch. They are located in a very small town of Gainford about an hour west of Edmonton on the Alberta Yellowhead Highway 16.

Gainford is a small town with just a little over 100 people or so not including domestic pets or livestock and is still a town on a busy Trans-Canada highway without an official sign saying 'Welcome to Gainford'. I said what I said. 🤣

If I am being honest, only so called welcoming sign you will see in Gainford is slow down to 80km on the highway driving through town or you might get a speeding ticket. Don't ask me how I know that. 🤣

Just trying to save everyone some money and a speeding ticket so you have more cash to spend in Gainford or the surrounding areas. You're welcome and can all thank me later. 😏

After speaking with some of the locals, the big talk of the town is the current MLA for the region has been asked to put up a sign since they became a town in the early 1900's. That's a long time.

I think its time the small town gets a nice sign in my opinion. 😁 We are all counting on the local MLA, and now even Adventures with Traveling Pete wants a sign and I don't even live there. LOL

Legend has it, this has been a big topic in a small town for years and decades. I am now 100% invested in this local debate and cause, plus always love a good underdog fight and will support all the people, including domestic pets, and livestock in and around Gainford to finally get an official welcoming sign. 😊

Anyway, back to Gainford and the cool Hotel that was built in the 1950's and has been through highs and lows including different owners when it comes to the interesting town history. Today, it has new owners for many years and had a total new re-branding and facelift inside and out.

I have been here once before with my son at the family restaurant and kid friendly part of the hotel a couple years ago if I recall when they just opened up after years being closed for a long time. It was a great experience then, and even a better experience this past weekend.

I ordered the Rueben Melt sandwich with salad and a cold NA Corona zero. It was all very good, the food is really great here, including the service. My server was great, including the other server I chatted with behind the bar just before I left.

Also met with the new owner and learned a lot about the hotel, bar and town of Gainford in general. We chatted for about a half hour while he was eating a plate of food that looked excellent. Since it re-opened around 3 years ago, this place is thriving and still has more room to grow with more plans to expand the brand and put Gainford on the map, even without a town sign. LOL

In fact, the hotel will eventually have rooms to rent above in the future and is already in process. I can't wait and I would totally spend a night at the The Iron Lady Saloon - Gainford Hotel just for the cool experience in the middle of nowhere because the history of this town that was built by the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway around 1909. Not sure why they 'Forgot' to put up a sign, even back then, okay, I'll stop with the Gainford sign petition. 🤣

Anyway, this is 100% the place to pullover, take a load off, get some awesome food, and just enjoy the cool and comfy atmosphere that is small town, country folks, and everything else in between who stops inside, including bikers, and city slickers. You won't be disappointed with the food, service, restaurant, saloon, or the entire experience and beautiful landscape and grounds surrounding it.

Full disclosure, the town was built by the railroads in the early 1900's and the Hotel was built right by the train tracks, so you will hear and see the trains throughout the day and night that only adds to the small town experience going back in time.

Well, it was a blast and I thank everyone at The Iron Lady Saloon - Gainford Hotel who took the time to talk with me and shared your town and hotel history with a history geek like me who loves traveling. I will be back again, especially to rent a hotel room when they are ready in the future.

Until next time, thanks for all your support, and keep supporting local wherever you travel.

Take care, stay safe, have fun, go explore more until I see you on my next Adventures with Traveling Pete down the road in a town or city near you. 😄

09/20/2026

Another random trip to the country side for Adventures with Traveling Pete and checked out a cool place Five Sprouts Farm Stand located in Parkland County Alberta.

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09/20/2026

Welcome to another edition of Adventures with Traveling Pete

Today, I went for a random road trip in the country side across Parkland County. A friend of mine told me I should go check out Five Sprouts Farm Stand that is about 9km south of Spring Lake Alberta on Range Road 15.

Well, I took the scenic route on the back roads before I reached the Farm stand. That is when I found a 'Giant Marshmello' farm which I only thought were urban legends, and myths.

However, the picture says it all and it was cool seeing giant white marshmellos being harvested in September in Parkland County. 🤣😜😂

Anyway, back to the cute farm stand. It was so adorable and cute inside that had all sorts of treats, peach boba drinks, mocha drinks, eggs, art, crafts, homemade soaps and so much more.

I got a cold drink, a bee trinket, and some M&M chocolate fudge for the road. They take cash or e-transfer and is a very neat little farm stand on the side of the gravel road in a nice region of Parkland County and rolling hills. Make sure you leave some tips for the farm kids as well if you had a good experience like I did.

They are open everyday from 10am - Dusk. So make sure you check this family owned and operated farm stand in the country side. I also came across a honey place called Good Morning Honey just down the road, but they were closed because they were busy working with the bee farms today. Next time, I will check their honey farm and store out.

It was a nice day for a random trip to the countryside and it was worth the drive. Well, back on the road to my next stop. Thanks for all your support, and supporting local wherever you go.

Take care, stay safe, go explore more, and I'll see you down the road on my next Adventures with Traveling Pete in a small town or city near you. 😀