Tag: Alberta

Banff, Lake Louise, AB (#Canada150 Pt. 5)

Categories Travel, , 16 Comments on Banff, Lake Louise, AB (#Canada150 Pt. 5)

I’d like to start out by saying, my thoughts are with all those who have been affected by the wildfires in British Columbia, which have now also caused closures in Alberta, including part of Banff.

I was lucky to visit Banff again this year before the closures. (Visit my posts from 2015: Banff, Lake Louise) It is always welcoming, beautiful and relaxing. For tourism, it is ideal. The village is like a painting and the shopping is AMAZING.

Lake Louise, located within the national park is also unreal – busier than ever for Canada’s 150. If I had more time, I would have rented a kayak — the water was filled with lovers of the season.

I hope to go again soon, and travel the sunshine coast — looking for these views again.

banff banff banff lake louise lake louise

Jasper, Alberta (#Canada150 Pt. 1)

Categories Travel, 16 Comments on Jasper, Alberta (#Canada150 Pt. 1)

Hope everyone had a happy Canada Day! I am now on the road, exploring Canada’s northwest. It’s been a crazy one so far — car camping, some climbing and hiking, and mostly, ALOT of driving.

While in Alberta, highlights included Canada’s incredible Jasper National Park — where I finally got to use my Canada150 Parks Pass! Order yours here.

Jasper National Park Jasper National Park Jasper National Park Jasper National Park Jasper National Park Jasper National Park

Western Canada Trip: Calgary, Alberta (Pt.9)

Categories Travel, 12 Comments on Western Canada Trip: Calgary, Alberta (Pt.9)

This is my final post of the Western Canada series, and what better way to end it than with Calgary, Alberta.

The city isn’t as bustling as Toronto, but the energy is still vibrant. Flames signage is everywhere, and even the flight attendants sported the red and black colours. Most of the locals seemed friendly, and I (really) enjoyed the shopping! It was a bit unfortunate, I had a really bad cold near the end of my trip, but I stayed up past 1 a.m. Toronto time (because I never really adjusted throughout the trip),  and I made two trips to the Calgary Tower lookout. The photos from the evening came out the best.

As a final note: I had an amazing time out west. I am so blessed to have gone, with the help of family and friends. I reacquainted with fam, found some necessary “Emily time” and wore out my camera for a good month! Vancouver, Whistler, Bow Valley, Canmore, Banff, Lake Louise to Calgary: what an amazing 15 days.

calgary (1 of 5) calgary (5 of 5) calgary-4-of-5 calgary (3 of 5)

Western Canada Trip: Johnston Canyon, Alberta (Pt.8)

Categories Travel, , 10 Comments on Western Canada Trip: Johnston Canyon, Alberta (Pt.8)

Before heading to Calgary, Alberta (post to come), my last stop was Johnston Canyon. The trail to the waterfalls took me about 30 minutes, but keep in mind, it was still frozen over and the walk was quite icy and slippery.

The conditions didn’t stop tourists, it was pretty busy. Most of the Banff resort-goers head to the waterfalls. According to Banff’s official website, “The trail to the waterfalls of Johnston Canyon has to be the busiest in the Canadian Rockies. Nearly every day throughout the summer, hundreds of hikers follow its canyon-clinging catwalks and cliff-mounting staircases to the gorge’s Lower and Upper Falls.”

It’s advisable to do the hike during the early morning or evening hours to avoid the rush of people.

Johnston Canyon Johnston Canyon (3 of 8) Johnston Canyon (5 of 8) Johnston Canyon (6 of 8) Jonhston Canyon

Did I mention I saw mountain goat while doing the drive to Johnston Canyon. I was SUPER happy about this.

Mountain goat alberta

Western Canada Trip: Spray, Two Jack, Minnewanka (Pt.7)

Categories Travel, , , 12 Comments on Western Canada Trip: Spray, Two Jack, Minnewanka (Pt.7)

It’s a good idea to plan your time properly if you’re sightseeing with a limited schedule  – and for me, I divided my trip. Day one was spent in the big ski areas, like Banff and Lake Louise, and later in the week, I had a “LAKE ONLY” day. My stops included Spray Lake, Two Jack lakeside and Lake Minnewanka in Alberta.

Touring these three stops actually took a good chunk of my day. But they are beautiful. Bring a wide lens. I was a bit of a goof, and didn’t have a prime wide. I only had my GOPRO and my 35 mm. What can I say? I like to pack light!

This is Spray Lake reservoir, including an image from my drive up the mountain. The reservoir is located in Kananaskis County. According to the Atlas of Alberta Lakes, “Until Kananaskis Country was established in the 1970s, the only road up to Spray Lakes Reservoir was a narrow, rough track clinging to the side of Mount Rundle.”

Spray Lake alberta Spray lake alberta Lakes-Alberta-7-of-12 From there, I headed to Two Jack lakeside. Another beautiful must-see sight, in my opinion.

Two Jack Lake Alberta Two Jack Lake Alberta Two Jack lakeside Alberta Two Jack lakeside Alberta And perhaps my most favourite lake during this day trip, Lake Minnewanka (“Water of Spirits”) – which is right beside Two Jack lakeside. Isn’t it perfection?!

lake minnewanka alberta lake minnewanka alberta