Sometimes in life we encounter signs, both literal and metaphorical. Sometimes these signs lead us to great things. Sometimes, not.

I have recently found the beauty of following a specific kind of sign. Usually only visible on weekends, and usually created on brightly coloured paper, the coveted Garage Sale sign has become a favorite.

Armed with Tim Horton’s breakfast and tea, my boyfriend and I descend on the city hoping for a fun day, though not knowing just where the signs will take us. With no general route planned, we drive where the signs lead, and sometimes acquire goodies along the way. This has quickly become a favorite Saturday (and sometimes Sunday) activity for us (yep, we’re nerds).

Sometimes the signs lead us to yards full random items, none of which we want and often leaves us feeling like we’ve walked through an episode of ‘Hoarders’. Sometimes we find what to us is a treasure in amongst the ‘stuff’, and sometimes we find whole driveways packed with perceived treasures (like the time we came across a man selling hundreds of great records, or the guy with a bunch of old film cameras still in great condition). Every time, we get to sneak a peek into someone’s house, life and soul. Knowing what lies in the recesses of a person’s basement is an interesting and profound experience. We really are all the same, though some of us really do just have more stuff.

Garage sale-ing is a pretty awesome way to explore the city – I have learned so much about different neighbourhoods and areas of the city in a way that I would not have if it wasn’t for our weekend adventures. You never know where you might end up when you follow the signs.