Places to Stay: Sun Mountain Lodge

When we first moved to Washington, I investigated some of the resorts along the coast and in the Cascade Mountains that my work colleagues kept recommending. They all looked amazing, but I couldn’t imagine spending that kind of money on accommodations. When we travel, we just don’t spend that much time indoors—our hotels are merely …

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Birthday Bike Trip: The Okanogan Valley

For several years we’ve been taking a motorcycle trip as part of my birthday celebration. These trips have taken us around the Olympic Peninsula and throughout Vancouver Island, and this year to a new area of British Columbia that’s long been on my list – the Okanogan Valley! We meant to make this trip over …

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A Day in Calgary, Alberta

When we met my parents in Banff National Park, we all flew in and out of Calgary. After several incredible days exploring Banff, Lake Louise, the Columbia Icefields, the Icefields Parkway, and Jasper, we made our way back to Calgary for our final night. Waking up in the city the next morning gave us the …

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Things to Do in Jasper, Alberta

When we drove the Icefields Parkway, we began our journey at the Crossing Resort and headed north to our turnaround point in Jasper before making our way back to our accommodations for the night. It wasn't enough time to get more than a taste of the town, but based on the experiences we did have …

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Driving the Icefields Parkway

As I was researching things to do in Banff National Park, one of the experiences that always seemed to top the lists was exploring the Icefields Parkway. If you don’t mind spending a bit of time in your car, I highly recommend driving the parkway, which runs from Lake Louise to Jasper -- a distance …

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Morning on the Columbia Icefields

I usually end up taking the lead planning our adventures. I always ask Brian’s opinion and show him early and often what I’m thinking so he can chime in (usually to tell me I’m planning too much), but primarily I come up with the destination, figure out when and how we’re going, and what we’re …

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Banff National Park: Lake Louise & Moraine Lake

When we were planning our trip to Banff National Park, my mom forwarded me several articles that encouraged visitors to consider traveling to attractions somewhat off the beaten path given the increasing popularity of the sights that always make the top 10 lists. I was more than happy to include those recommendations in our itinerary, …

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