#41 High Roller

Have I ever mentioned that I never step beyond the second step of a ladder? This new thing was a challenge for me. 

At 550 feet tall at its summit, it takes 30 minutes to make your way around the wheel. We did not pay the extra $10 to have a car with a bar (no bathroom and a bar - why?) so we were immediately seated... In a car with just the two of us!

I was pretty nervous but it turned out to be not so bad. :)

Fun to watch the fountains from this high!!!

#40 Javier's Restaurant - Aria Hotel

We didn't plan to eat here actually but one day we were pressed for time and since it was in our hotel and smelled good - we drifted in.

Everything here from the food to the service was amazing!!! The chips & salsa on the table were just the right blend of spicy and salty. The drink I had (Granada) was absolutely delicious and the food was so good that this place is on my must-eat list for our next trip....whenever that must be.

#39 In and Out Burger

My husband tried this the last time he was in Vegas and said that I had to try it. Prices are ridiculously low and the menu simple. I really liked it.

#37 and #38

At the Five50 restaurant in the Aria Hotel in Vegas - early December

I played that MyVegas app and Facebook game. Who knew something useful could come of it? I turned my points into a gift certificate for this place. 

The new-to-me drink was a pumpkin pie something. It was really terrible. Really.

The pizza was good though. So good that we retuned to their takeout area a few days later around midnight and grabbed a slice to go. 

#36 S'mores

I know, you are thinking you've misread- who has never had a smore?  That's right...me. The kids thought I should do this after they had s'mores with their grandparents.

Sadly, I had to google how to make them....

#35 Beer

I don't like beer. I'd like to like beer for the convenience, but it's just gross. A couple of friends have taken it upon themselves to ease me into beer. This one I tried tastes very little like beer and so I liked it!

Advent calendar

I admit it, I'm not much of a girl. I rarely wear dresses. I rarely wear make up.  In fact, I don't even know what most make up is for. Stores like Sephora scare the living crap out of me. I avoid them like the plague. The people who work there and the sheer volume of things that frighten me is far too much to bear.

One day, I got pulled in by a friend who wanted to show me what she bought recently. This friend makes this store less scary and almost intriguing. 

So somehow, almost by accident, I bought an advent calendar. A make up advent calendar. 

I know...you are shaking your head. Me too. A benefit make up advent calendar? Why? How?

It's sadly simple. I love samples and I love advent calendars. Hook, line and sinker.

Hmm...I guess this makes this new thing #35 too

#33 Diagonal Crosswalks

I have never seen a diagonal crosswalk before and it made me smile!!

#32 Athena Pizza

The 42nd new thing to me in 2014 was that I ate here while in Banff. Twice actually. :) the pizza was really good and the service great. We got here early just before the lunch rush came...

#31 The Bow Falls

While in Banff, I got to see the Bow Falls for the first time...

#30 Hidden Ridge Resort

Stayed here in Banff In late September.

Loved it. It had a well equipped kitchen and a wood burning fireplace.

We paid extra to have the Keg leave us a steak dinner in the fridge - there were a few communal BBq's for us to make our steak & baked potato which we had with the provided Caesar salad and cheesecake!

The hot pools on site were great and you couldn't beat the view!

#28 Rosewood Cafe & #29 The Kaslo Hotel

On our trip through BC we stopped for the night in Kaslo where I experienced new things number 28 and 29. The Kaslo Hotel and the Rosewood Cafe.

The Rosewood Cafe was really cute inside and they had great frozen lemonade. The grilled cheese sandwich was fine and although I would have preferred fries - the potato wedges were ok.

The Kaslo hotel was cute. Very large suites for very cheap. These aren't fancy but they are clean and would be great to spend a few days in as the kitchen is very well equipped. 

#27 Hike to the base of a waterfall

This one was really fun. Hiking to the base of a waterfall this August on the way to Revelstoke. I could feel the spray on my face!!

#26 King Dons

Apparently my rejection of twinkies set off a quest by my husband to find a "classic" food for me to enjoy...

Enter King Dons...

Just between me and the King Dons, I liked these as much as I enjoyed Twinkies...

Pass the carrots...

#25 Twinkies

I'm really playing catch up today. In August I tried Twinkies for the first time. I'm told that this is a travesty.

The kids were huge fans! I, on the other hand, could go another 40 years without trying one again. It's not that they were bad...they were just such a non- food that I couldn't choose it again.

#24 Freeze Dried Food

Astronaut food right?

We cracked open these two desserts after supper. While they went in with a texture of styrofoam - they soon transformed to something disturbingly like ice cream.  Yet...warm. Heh. 

#23 Wedgies

In June we stopped here on our way through. I thought it was pretty good. Husband thought it was merely so-so. Kids really liked it.

#22 British Columbia's Tallest Treehouse

Located inside the enchanted forest near Revelstoke BC. 

I hate heights so revel in the bravery of this moment. There's me in purple...making the very slow climb.

#21 Grey Eagle Resort & Casino

I never said that my 40 new things this year would be amazing...just new to me. :)

While I was attending a meeting in Calgary, I had the opportunity to stay in the newly opened Grey Eagle Resort and Casino.

The room was very very spacious and the bed extremely comfortable. It was nice to have a room with a view too. 

On the other hand, my co-worker's room had a bathroom door that wouldn't close and a shower that flooded the floor. Construction was still going on in the hotel. The hotel was very very quiet and didn't seem entirely ready to open. 

I think this hotel has the potential to be great...with a little more time.

#20 Morrison House Cafe

Located in Lacombe, AB...I stopped here with a friend/co-worker on our way to Calgary. He had been there with his family before and said it was great.

It's in a house with this sign out front.

You have a choice of sitting inside in a variety of rooms or out on the back porch or gardens with this view.

Fresh lemonade and iced tea are both very good. The menu has sandwiches, quiche and a couple more items along with an assortment of pies and other desserts. The sandwiches were amazing.

As was the quiche which I had with some friends when I ate here again a few weeks later. 

My friend said her grilled cheese and soup was amazing!!

My cinnamon bun was divine. The place was cute and service attentive. The food is great. I highly recommend it!