Time with Family is Always the Highlight of Summer

There are so many things I look forward to every summer but it's the visit from my sister and her partner that I look forward to most!  Sometimes it's a year or more since the last time I saw them so heading to the airport on that day every July or August when their flight from Calgary lands in Sydney is something I truly look forward to. 

This year, they were home for a long stretch.  The main difference between this year and last year is that our little nephew is speaking and picking up on new things like a sponge so he really bonded with them.  

For the first few days, we hung out at the house in Glace Bay and spent hot summer days swimming in the pool, going for drives, walking along the beach and catching up on what's new in each other's lives.  

They headed to Cheticamp for just over a week to take in some of the Acadian festivities that were taking place there.  They intended to do some fishing on the Margaree River but the river was closed due to the woods ban.  

I headed to the west coast myself that week and was able to meet up with them a few times for coffee and supper one evening.  When they returned to Glace Bay, we spent the last few days hanging out on the deck and by the pool.  Their time here went all too fast and before I knew it, I was back at the airport to see them off again.  That's the thing I look forward to the least. 

 

The Wildlife of Kananaskis Country

While visiting with my sister and seeing her new-to-me place was a priority during my trip to Alberta, the mountains and scenery were a welcome bonus!  But there was something else that drew me to the remote area of Kananaskis and that's the wildlife.  "There are deer, elk, bears and bighorn sheep everywhere" was all I heard from anyone who was familiar with the region and I certainly wasn't disappointed on this trip when it came to the abundance of wildlife. 

As soon as we turned off the Trans Canada onto the Kananaskis Trail, we saw three deer and several bighorn sheep.  While unpacking, I heard stories from my sister and her partner about animal encounters in the area.  A neighbor's dog was injured in a cougar attack, a grizzly bear wandered through the backyard in broad daylight and black bears raided some nearby campsites. 

The second day I was there, I saw three black bears.  One mamma bear and her cub eating in someone's backyard and a huge black bear walking down a remote road. Later that same day as we watched from on top of a hill overlooking the golf course, a very large grizzly bear walked around an area where several golfers were teeing off nearby. I don't think they had any idea that the bear was in the area and the bear didn't seem to be bothered by the activity nearby. 

I was a little afraid to drive by myself after my sister went back to work.  There were so many animals wandering onto the road at all hours of the day, I was scared I would hit one and damage her car or one of the sheep would turn and attack the car as I tried to get by them.  Those bighorn sheep like to block traffic and honking, waving and yelling does nothing to get them to move any quicker or budge an inch so you can get by.  They move when they feel like it.  Sometimes they move and several others will run out of the woods from the other side and sometimes they turn around and look like they are going to start kicking or head bunting the car. 

Here at home, the whitetail deer either run out in front of cars or stand in the middle of the road.  They are constantly getting hit!  But in Kananaskis, the deer just stayed in the ditch nibbling on grass.  I didn't see any on the road at all.  

Grey squirrels are certainly plentiful in Kananaskis but it was there strange behavior that caught my attention.  In the mornings, the little squirrels were lined up along the highway on their hind legs and facing the sun.  Not sure why they were doing this but it was definitely a cute and funny thing to see.

Although I had seen a grizzly on the golf course, it was so far away, I couldn't get a decent picture.  I kept hoping to see another one from a safe but closer distance and I finally did get that chance.  I dropped my sister off at work and drove to the entrance of Peter Lougheed Provincial Park.  I noticed a car pulled over to the side of the road and two people with cameras looking in a grassy area.  I scanned the area looking for whatever it was that caught their attention and there it was; a large grizzly bear calmly eating some grass and making it's way across the field to a little stream. 

 

An afternoon of Fly-fishing in Kananaskis Country

For several years now, I've listened to my sister talk about her and her partner's fly-fishing adventures in the Kananaskis back-country and have admired her photos from afar on social media.  When she came home for a visit last year, I got a chance to go fishing with her but one of the things I knew I wanted to do during my visit to Alberta was to go fly-fishing in one of her favorite spots in the mountains. 

On my third day in Kananaskis Country, I got to do that.  We got up early, packed up some gear and headed to a nearby trail where one of her favorite fishing spots was located.  I, unfortunately, ended up with a bad cold and was sick as a dog that day but after popping some Advil Cold and Flu, I felt ready to hike the relatively short distance to this fishing hole. 

We hiked for about 40 minutes through thick forest with stunning views of the river and surrounding mountains.  It was a relaxing hike except for when the thought of grizzly bears crossed my mind.  At home, I don't have to worry about anything eating me while I'm hiking but in Alberta, you have cougars, wolves, black bears and grizzly bears to worry about.  I had seen a number of bears in the area the previous day so, naturally, I was checking behind me more frequently than normal. 

When we reached our destination, I stood in awe at the view and knew immediately why my sister had chosen this spot as one of her favorites.  I could sit there all day just taking in that fresh mountain air.  There were no other people around, the only sound was the sound of the leaves rustling in the trees and the river flowing.  My kind of place. 

I tried a little bit of fishing but was mostly content to just sit on a nearby rock and watch my sister do her thing.  We didn't get any bites that day but neither of us cared.  We just wanted to get away in the wilderness and enjoy the peace and quiet of the natural surroundings. 

There's Nothing like a Morning Drive Through the Mountains

I knew my time with my sister would be limited as she had to return to work while I was still there. She allowed me to use her car while she was gone as long as I drove her to work in the morning and picked her up again in the afternoon.  I didn't mind that at all!  It was an excuse for me to go for a drive through the mountains with my morning coffee. 

Although I was sick with a cold, I still managed to get up at 6 AM, take some cold medicine and get an early start to the adventures of the day.  For three mornings, we left the house at 7:30, I dropped her off at work and than kept driving towards the Trans Canada Highway.  I didn't turn off onto the highway but instead pulled into the Gas Station / Tim Hortons that was located right before it.  I grabbed my breakfast and some coffee, gassed up and headed back the way I came from.  Instead of going back to homebase, I kept driving to Peter Lougheed Provincial Park.  After June 15th, you can keep driving further into the backcountry but that section of highway was closed during my visit so that was as far as I could go. 

Every morning, I'd see so much wildlife along the road.  Black bears, deer, bighorn sheep.  It wasn't until the second day that I finally saw what I had wanting to see since I got there; a grizzly bear.

I saw a grizzly on the Kananaskis Golf Course a few days earlier but it was so far away, I couldn't even get a picture of it.  This bear on this day was so close, I didn't feel safe wandering any more than a foot away from my car.  And I made sure to leave the door open too!  

The bear was wandering in a field close to the entrance of the provincial park.  Several other people were already stopped to take pictures.  The bear looked calm and content as it sniffed the ground and inched towards some trees at the edge of the field. For a few seconds, the bear sprinted and I had a chance to see just how fast these huge, powerful animals can run.  I was glad I met him like this and not on a remote trail in the forest.  

I made this drive every morning for three days but I stopped at different points-of-interest every day.  Once I stopped at Barrier Lake to sit by the water and drink my coffee, another time I drove up a road to see where it went and another time I just sat and admired the beauty of the area.  I always made it back to homebase by noon where I spent the afternoons relaxing in the backyard hammock or catching up on emails.  At 3 PM, I left to pick up my sister and from there we would head home to have supper and relax for the evening.  

 

My first Full Day in Beautiful Kananaskis Country

I awoke fairly early on that first morning in Kananaskis Country despite having not slept for so long in the days previously. We had some breakfast and retreated to the backyard where there were some benches, hammocks and a fire pit.  I couldn't believe how calm and quiet it was!  All I could hear was a light wind rustling the treetops, some birds chirping and a ground squirrel nibbling on an acorn. My sister kept complaining about how cold it was but to me, it was just right.  I just came from Atlantic Canada where the air was damp, heavy and chill to the bone.  The dry mountain air was a welcoming relief. 

That first day, we went for a hike to troll falls.  I am used to long hikes but after a day of traveling, this relatively short and easy hike was perfect for my first full day in The Rockies. The first leg of the trail snaked through some dense forest with towering trees and thick canopy to keep the hot sun out.  

It didn't take too long to reach the picturesque waterfall.  There were signs everywhere telling people to avoid certain areas due to erosion and rock slides but the area immediately behind the waterfall looked safe so I took my chances.  I wandered behind the falls while the cool water sprayed my face.  It was like the walk that takes you behind Niagara Falls, but without the dense crowds.  

We climbed up another steep part of the trail to reach another little waterfall called Marmot Falls. The climb down to the main part of the trail was easier then the climb up and when we reached the fork in the trail, we took a different way back to the parking lot.  This time, we passed through an open meadow on the edge of the forest. The views of the mountains bordering the area were spectacular. I am used to walking fast at home because I am usually walking to work or walking for exercise.  Here, there was no reason to walk fast.  I wasn't in a hurry to get anywhere.  I enjoyed the slow pace while just enjoying the views and the fresh mountain air. 

 

 

The Journey From the Atlantic Coast to the Stunning Rocky Mountains of Alberta

I am one of very few Cape Bretoners who never lived or worked in Alberta Canada but both of my sisters and many of my extended family members and friends either have or still do live there.  That means I have a strong connection to the province.  Currently, it's the Calgary Alberta region that has the strongest connection to me as my sister and her partner currently live and work about an hour from there in a remote area of the Canadian Rockies known as Kananaskis Country.  This is where I recently went on a week-long vacation and loved it so much that I think I'll make Alberta travel a priority.  I've been longing to get back there to see the mountains again.  After all, it had been nearly 16 years!  I felt 2024 was a good time to return.

 I searched and searched for flight deals but found nothing.  I was surprised at the prices as they were so much higher than the last time I traveled to Alberta. I booked my flight about a month in advance with the rest of my Airmiles.  It was my first time flying in six years.  I was used to going on vacation somewhere far at least once a year but due to various things (work, Covid) I didn't go anywhere for a really long time. I was a little anxious because I didn't know what to expect.  All I heard from others who traveled recently and from the news was stories about flight delays, cancellations and other travel-related issues.  Fortunately, the flight to Calgary was mostly fine.  My flight was from Toronto to Calgary was cancelled but swiftly rebooked about 45 minutes later than the original flight.  Not a huge deal. 

My sister was waiting for me when I arrived and we immediately headed for the Trans Canada Highway and left the big city behind.  I saw the city skyline as we drove towards the Rocky Mountains.  That was enough for me.  Urban sprawl was the last thing on my mind; I couldn't wait to get to the remote tranquility of Kananaskis Country in the midst of some of the most beautiful scenery in the entire country. 

I wanted to sleep during the drive since I hadn't slept in over 24 hours by that poin but I was so excited to see the Rocky Mountains getting bigger and bigger as we drove towards them that I was unable to close my eyes.  The first time I drove that stretch of highway many years earlier, I was so struck by the beauty of those towering peaks that tears welled in my eyes.  

Once we found our way out of the city, the drive took about an hour.  I was looking forward to seeing my sister's current living arrangements as I'd only seen pictures.  I knew we had arrived when I saw the sign for Mt. Kidd RV Park.  Off to the side of the park was a small community of people who worked in the area and were able to live a cozy little neighborhood surrounded by snow-capped mountain peaks and thick forest. 

I instantly fell in love with her place.  So many memories of her and her partner's outdoor adventures were plastered all over the cozy dwelling.  Pictures, maps, souvenirs and knick knacks made it almost museum-like.  I spent much of the first while there just looking around and feeling happy that my sister had found someone to share these incredible adventures with. 

I knew I needed rest but I also thought it better to try and maintain a normal schedule.  That meant going to sleep around my normal time. 

After a tour of her home, some unpacking and a quick bite to eat, we took a drive around the Kananaskis region to get me familiar with it.  I was awestruck by the beauty but even more awestruck by that fact that there was hardly any people around!  I knew instantly that this was my kind of place; Serene natural surroundings to enjoy mostly all to myself!

So Many Places are Near and Dear to my Heart

Wreck Cove General Store – I have made the trip from Lingan to Ingonish hundreds (maybe even thousands!) of times and have stopped at this store every single time. It’s tradition. The store has been there since I can remember and it hasn’t changed since the first time I stopped. That’s why I like it – it never changes. The outside is rugged and old-fashioned and so is the inside. When I walk in there, it’s like I’m walking into the past, into one of those old ma and pop stores I used to frequent when I was kid but have all since disappeared. Even if I don’t need to buy anything, I go in and look around and have a friendly chat with the cashier or walk around outside to stretch my legs. If that store were ever to close, the drive to Ingonish would never be the same again!

Kananaskis Country – As I was driving through the Rocky Mountains near the town of Canmore, I stopped to take a break and noticed a gravel road near a reservoir that looked like it went right up into the mountains. If you’ve been following this blog for a while, you know that I don’t pass up too many opportunities – especially ones that involve me driving up roads that I’ve never been on before. I didn’t know it at the time but I found out later that the area I drove into (and got lost in, of course) was known as Kananaskis Country. There was a maze of roads up there and it didn’t take long for me to get lost. But that was ok because the scenery was out-of-this-world, like nothing I had ever seen before. And there was no one else around! I didn’t see a single other human being during the many hours I wandered that remote region. The air was crisp, there wasn’t a breath of wind and the only sounds were of birds chirping and trees rustling. It was like I was the only person left on the planet.

The Fairy Hole – Hard to get to but well worth the trip! Tucked away in a far corner of the Bras d’Or area, at the end of a long dirt road is the fairly difficult trail leading to one of Cape Breton’s best kept secrets. The trick to getting the most out of a visit? Go when the tide is low. So that is what I did. I arrived at the trailhead late in the afternoon and made the hike down to a small, rocky beach. From there, I had to swim through some very rough waters filled with giant boulders to an entrance in the side of the cliff. I was tossed about and came out bruised and cut but made it through that entrance to be greeted by a site that was almost fairytale-like; a round pool of deep blue water protected by large rocks and cliffs so the raging waters of the bay could not disturb me. The most eerie thing about the swimming hole was how warm the water was for that time of year compared to the water raging just a few feet away. It was October, not a time of year that is great for swimming in Atlantic Canada. The other eerie thing was the deep, dark cave that lurked right above the swimming hole. I didn’t dare go in since the tide was coming up but it’s on my list! I did, however, enjoy the warm waters of that spectacular swimming hole for a couple of hours.

Bell Island – Another island within an island. Bell Island is located about a half-hour boat ride from Portugal Cove on the bigger island of Newfoundland. I decided, on the spur of the moment one day, to take a little day trip over to the little island I often admired from the shore at Topsail Beach. There was a small town with a museum and some resting areas but it was the leisurely drive on the one road that went completely around the island that really made the trip worthwhile. There were hardly any other cars around so it was like I had the entire island to myself as I drove the windy road and admired the surrounding view. I pulled over at a little park by the water with some trees and a little beach and just sat there in the sun until the last ferry crossing of the day took me back to the other side.

St. Anne’s Loop – There is an option to take the ferry at Englishtown to get across the bay to the North Shore but I almost always take the long way. Why do I chose to waste time and gas to go the long way around? Because I don’t see it as a waste of time or gas. This scenic loop takes me about forty-five minutes out of my way but it is worth every minute. The road is windy and almost free from potholes (which makes it very fun to drive!), it is almost always deserted (which means I have the road to myself to drive as slow or as fast as I please!), there is a quiet little picnic park to stop and rest and there are frequent views of the bay through the trees. When the moon is full, sometimes I drive to St. Anne’s just to go around that loop and back home again because there is just something about that road on a clear, moonlit night that makes it perfect for summer night cruise.

Fortress of Louisbourg – As a child, the Fortress of Louisbourg, a reconstructed 18th century fortress on Cape Breton Island, was like a giant playground. There were so many buildings and rooms to explore, places to hide and walls to climb. Today, it is still like that to me. Although I have explored those buildings and exhibits over and over again over the years, I still love to go to the fortress at least once a year to just wander those gravel streets and imagine what it must have been like to live in such an interesting time in history.

Under the Seal Island Bridge – Anyone who has driven on the Trans-Canada Highway through Cape Breton has gone over the Seal Island Bridge, that massive structure that makes it possible to pass that body of water that cuts between Kelly’s Mountain and Boularderie Island. Some people are afraid of crossing over it because it is so high and narrow and is said to sway on very windy days. Other people, like myself, love crossing it! Recently, I discovered something else to love about the bridge – that there is a way for me to get underneath it and experience it in a while new way. I love being able to crawl underneath the workings of the bridge for the simple fact that hundreds of people are driving right above me and have no idea that I am there. It’s also cool under there on hot days and the view is amazing!

California/Nevada Border – I’ve only been there once but there was just something about crossing over that state line that gave me a sense of achievement. As a child growing up in Canada, California was this magical place with beaches, sunshine, parties and happy people. This is what flashed across TV screens and was highlighted in books and magazines. I just always wanted to go to California and experience that for myself. I reached that point on that deserted, lonely, desert highway mid-day and stopped to take in the moment and, of course, get a picture of the sign saying I had reached the threshold of the two states. Crossing that state line fulfilled a childhood dream…even if I only went as far as Death Valley National Park!

That Long Sandy Beach in the Magdelan Islands – I always wanted to travel to the Magdelan Islands, the archipelago that lies between Prince Edward Island and Quebec in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the place my great-grandparents hailed from. I finally got that chance in 2009 and had no idea what to expect before I arrived. I was mesmerized by the scenery and relaxed way of life on the islands but I most intrigued by a sandy beach I discovered quite by accident. The main highway passing through the main island is lined by sandy beaches but driver’s are unable to see them because they are hidden behind giant sand dunes that line the highway. I noticed foot paths leading over the dunes in some places and decided to park the car and follow one over to the other side. I’ve been to the southern United States and the Caribbean and have yet to see a beach as spectacular as the one I found that day. Long with soft, white sand and warm, blue waters. The best part? It was completely and totally deserted!

The Beach in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico – To some people, a beach is a beach and they are all the same. To me, every beach I’ve ever visited had something unique and the beach lining the town of Playa Del Carmen was quite different from many of the beaches I have visited. During the day, locals and visitors congregated together on the beach which was lively with music, volleyball games and people out to enjoy the nice weather and relax. By night, it was something different. The long, sandy stretch was a welcome alternative to a night spent in a nightclub or hotel room watching TV. Each night during my visit, I took my place in the warm sand and listened to the sounds and smells around me. Gentle waves rolling ashore and Mexican music and the smell of freshly cooked local fare coming from the beachside restaurant behind me. I couldn’t imagine spending my evenings in the town any other way!