Even as I was contemplating the Edmonton-Vancouver train trip idea, I knew very little about Vancouver other than that it hosted the Winter Olympics a few years ago. Pictures of the surrounding area looked pretty, but I figured it would just be a city like any other. Boy, was I surprised to find how much I liked it! For starters, I arrived in the nick of time to find autumn’s…
Since I had no job in Canada, it was time to move on. At my parents’ suggestion, I decided to take the train through the Rockies from Edmonton to Vancouver for a few reasons: Unless I chose to take the Rocky Mountaineer for ~$830 (Ha!), relaxing on a train was about the same price as flying. I’d never been through the Canadian Rockies before. By riding the train through the…
Ahh, Banff. It’s one of those places that’s surrounded by gorgeous mountains but a little difficult to explore without your own wheels. In my opinion, Banff should have the slogan Framed by Nature as per the photo above. As much as it’s nice to try seeing as much as possible while on the road, vacation really shouldn’t be a constant go-go-go adventure. So yes, I did sleep in while staying…
Whew! Since I only took off a couple days from the Riverboat this summer – one for a wedding and one to run/walk the Equinox Marathon – it seemed like I should see the Canmore/Banff area and enjoy myself as part of a mini-vacation. With days to kill before leaving Canada, my first adventure came in the form of a free ride to Banff and Lake Louise. Flo, a woman…
A dilemma may be defined as a problem involving a difficult choice. Yes, that indeed sums up the situation I faced. Last time I mentioned I was offered the assistant kennel manager position rather than guide at Snowy Owl Sled Dog Tours. Since I had heard absolutely nothing from the Conservation Canines (CK-9) program, it would have made sense to just accept the offer rather than potentially get stuck with…
Where was I? Oh, right Canada, eh! The land of snow, hockey, beer, Tim Horton’s, and curling. I jumped on the convenient Banff Airporter bus in Calgary and jumped off in Canmore. Luckily a friendly couple gave me a ride to The Hostel Bear, where I unloaded and showered before heading over to the Snowy Owl office for my “interview.” I was happy it was one of those informal interviews…
For the record, The Hostel Bear in Canmore, Alberta is fantastic! Why, you ask? Because it has unlimited free wireless, unlike 97% of hostels in NZ and Oz!! (By the way, the rooms, kitchen, and common areas are also spacious and clean.) I’m actually not staying there right now, as I’m in little ol’ Banff, but I had to give it a shout-out. Last Sunday I landed in Calgary, Alberta,…