Mapgirl Adventures

A New Chapter Begins: Trading Careers for Curiosity

After decades of building careers we’re proud of, Keith and I are stepping into something brand new, a life with no fixed schedule, no Monday meetings, and no “just one more email.” Instead, we’re trading it all in for freedom, discovery, and the unknown.

For me, this moment comes after 20 years of growing a GIS department from the ground up. What started as a blank slate turned into a career full of purpose, connection, and (hopefully) a legacy that others can build on. Keith’s journey brought him across an ocean from Scotland to Canada, where he carved out a meaningful life and career as a financial administrator in a bustling rec centre. Together, we’ve worked hard, grown wiser, and held on to one shared dream: to travel, not just in short bursts, but fully and freely.

For the past 14 years, we’ve taken every chance we could to explore, one or two weeks at a time, chasing new landscapes and stories. But the travel bug has always been there, buzzing quietly in the background. Now it’s time to lean into it.

This next chapter is about embracing change. It’s about curiosity over comfort and wonder over routine. It’s not just retirement; it’s reinvention.

We don’t know every place we’ll go yet. But we know this: we’ll be going together, with eyes open, cameras ready, and hearts full of gratitude.

Farewells and Full Circles

As our last days at work approached, we were both reminded just how many connections and memories had been woven into the fabric of our careers.

Keith’s coworkers sent him off in true community spirit—with pints raised and laughter shared at a local restaurant. It was simple, heartfelt, and exactly the kind of gathering that reflected the friendships he’s built over the years.

For me, it was a full-circle moment. We held a potluck and staff gathering right in my office—something I started 20 years ago when I first arrived as the “new person” trying to build relationships and bring people together. That little tradition grew into something meaningful, and saying goodbye in the same way felt incredibly fitting. It wasn’t just a farewell—it was a celebration of what we built together.

As we step away from those daily routines, we carry these send-offs with us. They weren’t just goodbye parties—they were reminders of the lives we’ve touched and the people who helped shape ours.

As we turn the page to this next chapter, we want to say thank you—from the bottom of our hearts—to everyone who made the journey so meaningful. You made work more than just a job; you made it a place worth showing up to every single day.