Under Grumpa's Hat

While this may come as a surprise, considering that I sold everything in Canada to move to Costa Rica, I’ve never really been a great traveller. The first time I ventured beyond the USA, I was already in my fifties. As a hunter, fisherman, and outdoorsman, I had always found everything I needed right in my own backyard, whether it was in Quebec or in British Columbia. Some of my favourite memories were made in our hunting cabin, tucked away from the modern world. No electricity, just a wood stove, a few kerosene lanterns, no WiFi or cell service. It felt like living in the 1940s or 50s, and I loved it. Let’s be honest: Canada is paradise for anyone who loves the outdoors.

One thing I’ve always been drawn to, though, is history. It was one of my favourite subjects in high school, and I even took a year of Latin. My teacher was a master storyteller who brought Greek mythology to life, and I was captivated by the way he painted the past. To this day, visiting places where you can see and feel history remains one of my greatest joys. There’s something magical about walking streets that have stood for centuries, where the stones seem to whisper stories of those who came before us.

North America

The old section of Quebec City has always held a special place in my heart. Wandering through the narrow cobblestone streets, exploring the Citadelle on a guided tour, and standing on the Plains of Abraham, you can almost feel the weight of history under your feet. Just over a year ago, I took my wife and kids there to show them a piece of our Canadian heritage. Watching their faces light up as they learned about the battles and the people who shaped our country was something I’ll never forget.

In the West, the Canadian Rockies are hard to beat for natural beauty, but Calgary’s Heritage Park is a gem in its own right. It’s a place where you can walk through time, see vintage cars, steam trains, and old-fashioned shops, and get a glimpse of how life used to be. Not far away, in Alberta, Drumheller and the Royal Tyrrell Museum are must-sees for anyone fascinated by the prehistoric world.

British Columbia has its share of historical treasures too, and one of my favourites is Barkerville’s Historic Town & Park. The first time I visited, I felt like I had stepped straight into the gold rush days. Wooden boardwalks, horse-drawn wagons, and actors dressed in period costumes bring the 1800s back to life. South of the border, Leavenworth offers a Bavarian village experience, while Winthrop captures the Old West spirit with charm and authenticity. Both towns transport you to another time, each in their own way.

Costa Rica

Now that I live in Costa Rica, I find myself falling in love all over again with places that carry a sense of history. The old churches here, some dating back hundreds of years, have a simple beauty that speaks to the soul. The craftsmanship, the quiet reverence, and the stories carved into their walls are a reminder of a deeply rooted culture. The old buildings, the vibrant murals, and the famous carettas, those beautifully painted wooden ox carts, each tell their own story about the people and traditions of this land.

Here in my small mountain town, life moves at a gentler pace. The old homes, the sound of roosters in the morning, the smell of wood smoke drifting through the air, the narrow and barely kept roads, and neighbours greeting one another with genuine warmth all make it feel like I’ve stepped back into the 1950s or 60s. Maybe that’s why it feels so much like home, even with the language barrier. There’s something deeply comforting about it.

When I visit these places, whether it’s an old mining town in British Columbia or a centuries-old church in Costa Rica, it feels a bit like stepping into a time machine, just like in the movie Back to the Future. I find myself wondering what life was really like back then. People faced their share of challenges, no doubt, but there was a simplicity to it, a sense of connection that feels rare today.

Even though most of us never lived in those times, there’s a nostalgia that stirs in our hearts. Maybe it’s because our grandparents, great-grandparents, or even their ancestors did. They built their lives from the ground up, with hard work, faith, and a sense of purpose that’s easy to admire. Standing in those old places, you can almost feel their presence, reminding us that while time moves forward, the past never truly disappears. It lives quietly in the walls, the streets, and the stories we choose to remember.