Oh Cananda! Many of my trips out of the US are to South or Central America; however, this time I wanted to go to a country I have never been before, so I picked Canada. I'm not the biggest fan of flying so I wanted a country that was close by, not over an ocean, and it didn't take a 10 hour flight to get there. At the time, I didn't know much about Canada, nor did I know where to visit in the country. So, I searched my trusty REI Adventures site to see if they had any trips up there. The only trip I could find was one where you primitive camped, a.k.a, you sleep on the ground in a tent. It was in a RV park with showers, toilets, and running water. I was not keen on sharing a four-person tent with a total stranger but why not. My decision was not based on the actual place that I would be exploring, Banff National Park and Yoho National Park. I had no clue that this place was quite famous. Most of the photographs you see from Canada are of this place, with its blue waters, snow covered mountains, and majestic scenery. It wasn't until the third person I told about the trip raved about Banff and how beautiful it is and how they were jealous of trip up there. Hum?? What is this place? I was total oblivious of the country I was about to explore.
I flew into Calgary, Alberta, Cananda. At the airport I was supposed to find a phone and call the hotel shuttle to take me to the hotel where we are staying our first night. I found the hotelling phone but it was dead. I had no clue how to call and my cell phone didn't work. I panicked and walked around the airport about four times until I finally calmed down to think. I saw payphones near where I saw and noticed it allowed for people to use a credit card so I used that to phone the hotel. I guess I had it in my head that all pay phones required quarters...shows my age a bit. Plus, when was the last time I saw a payphone anywhere??? Um, it has been a bit. So, I get on the hotel shuttle and head to the hotel. Once I made it into the hotel lobby, I was able to calm down. I'm amazed that I freaked out as much as I did.
I went up to my room and met my roommate for the trip. She was around my same age and was from Washington DC. I can't remember much about her, which is quite sad. I usually remember all my roommates. The next day we had a REI Adventure group meeting in the lobby to meet all the other people on the trip. The trip leaders were from Canada and I'm pretty sure were dating (or at least that is what we all were trying to figure out during the trip). One single guy from Chicago, which all the singles ladies were swooning over (more to come on this). One single lady from California who worked for Red Bull. One married man from Texas. Two ladies from Washington state who were nurses (some good stories from these ladies). One super blonde lady with crazy long fake eyelashes and put on a full face of makeup each day. One other lady and one other guy that I can't remember much about. It was a fairly large group than I'm used to on an REI Adventure trip. And, obviously I didn't journal on this trip to remember all the details.
We started our first day travelling in a van to Banff and setting up the campsite. We entered into an RV park and had several tent sites for our group. We had a four person REI tent which I shared with my roommate. The eating area was quite large and everything we needed for the next couple of days was in the trailer. The bathrooms were a short walk away which had sinks and toilets. The showers were a little further away in a bath house that the whole RV park shared (ladies with long hair, please don't leave it on the walls of the shower stall, it grosses people out). All in all a decent setup for primitive camping. I wasn't the biggest fan of the tent where you could not stand all the way up to change your clothes. I enjoy primitive camping in my eight person, REI Kingdom tent. It was way bigger with a vestibule for storing your clothes. Yes, I'm pretty spoiled when I go camping on my own.
After camp was set up, we all piled back into the van for a short hike and some site seeing. I wore a Fitbit this trip and the first day was the least number of miles at 3.5 miles that day. It is true what they say about the water in the lakes being a green or blue tint. This place is ridiculously gorgeous. Most of my photos don't look real nor do the landscape any justice to the real, live version of the picture. Also, I didn't mind sleeping on the group because after each day, I was so dead tired that I just crashed on the ground.
We headed out the next day to Larch Valley. It wasn't super impressive but still beautiful in its own ways. It was quite rocky terrain and did not have large changes in altitude. The bodies of water we came upon where not bright blue but maybe because the sky was quite cloudy that day. I'm typically always at the back of the pack, stopping to take photos and piddle around in nature. This group was quite split. Half of the group wanted to pretty much run up the mountains while the other half of the group just took their time. Usually, I have 3 cameras with me, a waterproof one for water sports, a large digital with big zoom, and a small digital one to easily get my hands on quickly. So, no doubt, like any other hike, I'm in the part of the group that took their time. Plus, you have to remember, I'm coming from sea level in Florida so it is quite a shock to my body to be going up and down hills/mountains in high altitude. Per my Fitbit we did about 9.3 miles in total this day.
The third day was one of my favorites. I love tea, as you may know, and we got to visit the famous tea house, Lake Agnes Tea House. At the time, I had no idea that the hard hike we were about to do would bring us to a tea house. I was so surprised and ridiculously happy at the end of this strenuous hike where we indulged in tea biscuits and loose-leaf tea. Also, the start of the hike was at Lake Louise and the Chateau there. None of the pictures I have do this trail justice. It was switchbacks all the way up to the tea house. I had to stop several times in order to catch my breath. Once at the top, you could explore some smaller lakes and a waterfall near the top. Even though my belly was full of yummy tea, my feet were killing me on the way back down. I remember this trail being one that challenged me physically as well as mentally. Per my Fitbit we did about 12.96 miles this day.
The fourth day was not as long and strenuous as the third. We hiked up to see Lake Helen. This hike still had some elevation gain but was less shocking and not as quick as the hike the day previous. The day was super sunny but also very windy. The landscape was rolling hills with mountains in the background. I remember I had to go to the restroom but there was no place in site to hide my naked butt from the other hikers. I finally decided to just squat next to a tiny bush out in the open. I didn't make eye contact with the people walking by and just did my business. It was the only time I can remember having to squat in public. I have no shame. It was super peaceful sitting on a rock and eating my lunch though and allowed me time to get over the pee incident. Per the Fitbit we hiked 8.64 miles that day.
Oh my, the fifth day was super fun, but we hiked a lot. On the way to a hike, we stopped at Bow Summit. The water in the lake was so blue. It was just an overlook from a parking lot but was still an amazing view. We also saw and hiked around Valley of 10 Peaks, Marble Canyon, and Sherbook Lake. The bluest of all the lakes I felt like was Emerald Lake. Here we canoed around. I bet on a sunny day it is even more blue (we were there on a cloudy day). From what I remember, the glacier melt picks up sediment and deposits the water into the lake. The reflection of the sun on these particles gives the lakes their spectacular turquoise blue or green color. One of my favorite photos is the one in front of the canoe on Emerald Lake. I was having such a good time and loving life. Per my Fitbit we walked almost 13 miles this day. Luckily there is a lot of freezing cold water around, so we were able to stick our tired, sore feet in the water at the end of the day.
The last and final day in Canada, we went on a hike and whitewater rafted. Yep, you heard me right, we got wet in the freezing, glacier melt water. We started by hiking to two waterfalls, Laughing Falls and Takakkaw Falls. This was the only hike where we put on rain gear because of the rain. The falls were spectacular! Next we put on yellow rain gear to prepare ourselves for the whitewater rafting on Kicking Horse River. The river was class 3 and 4 rapids. If you look at the photos they took of our raft when we would go down the rapids, I was usually looking at the camera with a huge smile on my face. I even got enough courage to jump off the raft into the stupid cold water and float for a bit in the river. I hesitated prior to jumping in, of course. I loved every second of the ride down the river. My Fitbit this day clocked 10.35 miles.
The food during the trip was great! Each morning we had a hearty breakfast and each evening we had a warm, wonderful dinner. The meals were cooked by our two guides on camp stoves and on the campfire. I'm amazed on all the trips I've been on with REI and how yummy the food is out in the woods. The only thing I didn't like is having to wash the dishes and pots/pans. We had to lug water from the bathrooms to clean everything. This was the only trip where I couldn't just relax next to the campfire. Also, lunches were bagged lunches. All the sandwich making supplies and snacks were laid out each morning for us to make our own lunches. They weren't bad; I'm not a fan of cold sandwiches or snacky foods, I like warm, hearty meals. One day we did eat at a Pub and I got to try poutine. I'm still not understanding the gravy but it was pretty tasty. I invited our guides to come to Florida and said I would cook them a good Southern USA meal. They asked me about okra and what it tasted like. Too funny!
This was also the first trip with some drama. As I said prior, the singles ladies on the trip were all after this single guy from Chicago. Of course, I was crushing as well. The story goes, my roommate made out with him one night and then the lady who worked for Red Bull in California made out with him another night. I guess the ladies found out about each other and the guy was caught. They ended up playing a prank on him to get him to fess up on his "cheating" behavior. The guy did not end up dating either lady and just got married and had a kid a few years back. Also, we figured out at the end of the trip that the two guides were indeed dating each other. That was also the talk of the whole trip as well.
One last funny store before I conclude this blog. Our lady guide was a tough one and super strict about killing bugs or stepping off the trail and killing plants. One night, a camper was getting beer out of a cooler and hand slapped a fly. Of course, it was dead, but we had to convince our guide it was still alive, or she would be super upset. We hid the body, told a white lie, and all. Of course, I didn't tell her that I killed at least three flies in my tent.
The last day on the trip we drove back to the hotel in Calgary and had our final meal. It was the same day that someone showed me what Bitmoji was, and I still have my character till this day (8 years later). We had some great times laughing while hiking and by the campfire. I didn't get as close to this group as I have in the past, but it was still fun getting to know strangers. The hikes on this trip were quite hard and had quick elevation gain. I was there in June and the weather was great. Still a little chill in the air but warmed up by lunchtime. Layers were key. It was great weather to sleep in a tent also.
What did I learn on this trip:
I need to challenge myself more often. This trip was physically and mentally challenging. Every time I look back at the photos, I'm reminded that I can do anything.
It is okay to be at the back of the pack. I don't have to be the leader all the time.
Canada is a country that I was to visit over and over again. Each providence has something to offer and they are all different in their own ways. Just because they are so close to the USA does not mean that the country is anything like the USA.
Though sore and in pain, always smile and be happy. Positive thinking is key.
What will I bring to Glamp GVL:
Sleeping on the ground is not for everyone. I was lucky to be sore worn out that it didn't matter on this trip. At Glamp GVL, we will have comfy beds and soft linens to lull you into a blissful sleep (even though we will have enough activities to wear you out as well).
This trip showed me what was special about Canada (specifically Alberta), at Glamp GVL, we want to showcase what is special about Greenville. We want to offer experiences that let you, not only explore nature, but also explore the awesomeness that Greenville, SC has to offer. We will gladly give you tips on places to eat and drink as well as farmers markets to visit.
Activities - Glamp GVL will offer all kinds of activities like whitewater rafting, hiking, and canoeing.
At Glamp GVL we will offer showers and bathrooms. Cleanliness is key to an overall great experience. If you want to squat in the woods, be our guest.
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