INSPIRATION & EXPERT ADVICE FOR INDEPENDENT TRAVELLERS
Nestled in a scenic corner of southwest Alberta, between Montana’s Glacier National Park to the south and British Columbia to the west, is Waterton Lakes National Park. Here the prairies abruptly meet the Rocky Mountains, creating one of the most beautiful settings our home province has to offer. Just mere minutes after crossing over the...
I’ve always enjoyed hiking in geologically interesting landscapes, so it’s no surprise that I was captivated by the Queen’s Garden Navajo Loop trail in Bryce Canyon National Park. As we hiked along this popular route, we were surrounded by some of Bryce Canyon’s most remarkable scenery, from uniquely shaped hoodoos to colossal rust-coloured rock walls....
We’ve been exploring a lot of our home province of Alberta lately, branching out from our go-to vacation spots in the Canadian Rockies in favour of lesser-known destinations. On one of our weekend getaways we discovered Sundre, a small town in the foothills of central Alberta. Things to Do in Sundre and Surrounding Area Before...
There are several great hiking trails in Bryce Canyon National Park that showcase the park’s impressive collection of hoodoos, but one that should not be missed is the Fairyland Loop Trail. While it might be tempting to shy away from this hike in favour of shorter, equally scenic trails, like the popular Queen’s Garden and...
An American southwest road trip is a classic experience that takes you to some of the most recognizable places and stunning natural wonders in the United States. From deep canyons and colourful deserts, to glitzy, sun-filled cities with a nostalgic vibe, you can see them all on a southwest USA road trip. Southwest USA Road...
The Mount Edith Cavell area in Jasper National Park is home to one of the park’s most beautiful hiking routes- the Cavell Meadows Trail. For the entire duration of this day hike we were surrounded by classic alpine scenery. We admired a colourful pond, walked alongside piles of moraine, climbed into an upper-subalpine forest, passed...
Jasper National Park has long been a favourite place of mine. Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve been fascinated by Jasper’s rocky mountains, pristine lakes, icy glaciers, roaring waterfalls, and abundant wildlife. It wasn’t hard for Jasper to capture my heart, but even after countless trips, I’m still head over heels in love...
There are plenty of hikes near Palm Springs but one that really impressed us with its variety of scenery and adventurous spirit was the Painted Canyon and Ladder Canyon Trail. Whether we were walking in the shade of towering canyon walls, climbing up rickety ladders, or meandering through a slot canyon, we were completely engaged...
Palm Springs is a beautiful desert city in California full of golf courses, stylish hotels, spas, and boutiques. If that’s what you’re into, it’s a great place to spend some time. But for me- someone who loves active travel, getting out into nature and exploring- it was harder to connect with the city. So, we...
One day in Joshua Tree National Park was all it took to become completely mesmerized by this unique protected area in California. It was a weird and fascinating landscape, almost cartoonish, and I wouldn’t have been surprised to see Dr. Seuss’ Lorax or everybody’s favourite Stone Age family, the Flintstones, go walking by. The desert...
I’ve been visiting Jasper National Park ever since I was a kid, but had never got around to enjoying one of the park’s most iconic experiences- the Maligne Lake cruise to Spirit Island. I can honestly say, I saved the best for last! The scenery I saw during the Maligne Lake cruise epitomized everything I...
It’s well known among locals of Québec that the Laurentians (Laurentides in French) is a terrific destination for a weekend getaway from Montreal. With 9,012 lakes, 103 rivers, forested trails, and part of the Laurentian mountains, the region is ideal for outdoor adventures and reconnecting with nature. Despite its popularity as an all-season tourist destination,...
The more I visit Québec the more I fall in love with its vast wilderness. One region that exemplifies the province’s natural beauty and appreciation of outdoor adventures is Abitibi-Témiscamingue. The region’s Algonquin name describes it accurately- Abitibi means place where the waters divide and Témiscamingue means place of deep waters. Abitibi-Témiscamingue’s location on a...
Valley of Fire State Park is known for its astonishing rocky landscape and there’s no better trail to experience the diversity of its beauty than White Domes Loop. During our hike on White Domes Trail, we walked in the shade of towering sandstone formations, passed through a small slot canyon, and marveled at colourful rock...
I don’t think I’ve ever been somewhere more appropriately named than Valley of Fire State Park. As the sun reflected off red Aztec Sandstone, Nevada’s oldest state park glowed in warm light, the surrounding rocky outcrops resembling huge masses of burning embers. The landscape instantly grabbed my interest and held tight throughout the entirety of...
If you’re looking for a hike in Zion National Park that offers beautiful views away from the crowds, then Watchman Trail is a fantastic option. The Watchman Trail hike showcases the south end of Zion Canyon and its most magnificent rock formations, especially the trail’s namesake, The Watchman. While hiking Watchman Trail, we experienced much...
For an adventure-filled winter holiday, we decided to spend 3 days in Zion National Park hiking among the sandstone canyons, towers, and cliffs. Zion’s larger-than-life scenery, fascinating geology, and exciting hikes, quickly made it climb the ranks as one of my favourite national parks in the United States. It’s a powerful place that filled me...
After spending 3 days in Zion National Park, we decided to make a quick visit to nearby Grafton, one of the best-preserved ghost towns in Utah. Grafton was settled by Mormon pioneers in 1859 when Brigham Young, leader of the Church of Latter-day Saints, sent some families to Utah’s “Dixie” region to start growing cotton...
We ended our 3 days in Zion National Park by checking out Observation Point Trail, one of the park’s more strenuous hikes. Over the next six hours, we followed a rough trail through a canyon, along steep ridges looming above sharp drop offs, then up to a plateau high above Zion Canyon. While hiking Observation...
Arizona is known for its impressive natural attractions, but one of its most astonishing sites is Antelope Canyon, a slot canyon near Page. Ever since I first saw a photo of Antelope Canyon, I wanted to visit. The narrow passages, smooth curves, and warm tones of this sandstone slot canyon had me infatuated, along with...
We are Rhonda and Mike, a Canadian couple who make it a priority to travel every chance we get!
We describe our travel style as "laid back luxe" and enjoy a mix of outdoor adventures and historic sites.
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