Happy #thinkingoutloud Thursday! No idea what I’m going on about? Click here!
1. Before I left for my trip, I had all these high hopes of taking lots of food pics so that I could share a camping-style What I Ate Wednesday with you guys… buuuuuut as you probably already guessed, that didn’t end up happening. The only food pics I did end up snapping were these two…
… which honestly felt like gourmet meals after mornings of straight black coffee and afternoons of plain bread with almond butter and jam. That being said, even those things tasted pretty amazing out in the fresh air…
2. Nope! Wait, I lied. I did manage one more food pic…
Cinnamon roasted almonds, chocolate chips, and raisins — never leave home without it 😀
3. Where I failed on the food front, though, I more than made up for on scenery… so let’s get to recapping!
4. Day 1’s highlight included a hike through Maligne Canyon…
It pains me to admit that, despite the fact that I’ve been to Jasper more times than I can count in my 29 years of life, this was the first time I actually made the trip out to Maligne. I can’t even imagine how many other hidden gems I’ve passed by without even knowing it. Gah! So many things to see…
5. After that, a short drive took us out to Maligne Lake…
… where we contemplated going on a boat tour for all of about 2 minutes before deciding that 2.5 hours was a little too long to spend on a boat. I don’t know about you guys, but I can handle being on a boat for about 10 minutes before I start getting antsy and tempted to jump overboard. Even if there are plenty of things to see, I need to be able to move around and explore.
6. Day 2’s highlight included a trip up the Japer SkyTram…
… which offered some pretty amazing views of Jasper and the surrounding mountain ranges…
As well as a hike through an alpine tundra to the top of Whistler’s Mountain…
7. Holy.snap this recap is getting long 😯 Almost done — promise!
8. So… white water rafting…
Such a rush. This was my fourth (maybe fifth?) time going, and I freaking love it. Definitely something I recommend everyone experience if they get the chance.
9. Also… if you ever volunteer to be part of the safety demonstration, be prepared to get very close to your guide. Not that I’m complaining… Safety first! 😉
10. And to finish things off, we took a trip out to the Columbia Icefields on Day 3 to take a walk on the Athabasca Glacier before making the trip back home…
And that’s that! It’s kind of hard to believe that we managed to do all that over the course of three days, but that would explain why I haven’t been able to get enough food in me lately! Now to start planning my next trip with the fam… We were thinking of heading out to BC again, so if anyone has any suggestions for must-see places, let me know!
No questions… just tell me whatever comes to your mind! 😀
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Hunky guides and mountains trumph food pics to me
Amazing! Thanks for sharing the beautiful views so I can live vicariously through your adventure!!!
Oh my goodness, everything is GORGEOUS! So glad to see that you had a beautiful trip. I would loveee to go white water rafting one day! Actually, I would love to go to western Canada to visit you and Jo and just do all things nature there.
Just say when! 😀
Ok I’m not a huge mountain person, but you just made me want to go camping real bad haha. Everything you guys saw looks absolutely gorgeous, especially those waterfalls. And the mountain range climbs look like something out of lord of the rings, which I’ve been on a kick with again (comfort movie at its finest for me), which would make me climb it in a heartbeat 🙂
That canyon OHEMGEE…so freaking gorgeous!!!
Cinnamon almonds, raisins, and chocolate….ugh sounds so good! Especially since I drown my pancakes in cinnamon right now haha. And that water is so gorgeous!! I just want to jump in!! I mean probably not though because it’s cold haha. And white water rafting??? Lucky! That is still on my bucket list…one day 🙂
We are roadtripping to Vancouver at the end of August, and are planning on hiking in Jasper for a break – and definitely will be checking out Maligne! Also, Revelstoke – if you get a chance, I would definitely recommend popping in there. One of my absolute favourite places!
Oh wow. Those are some stunning views out there. While I grew up in the countryside I’ve never seen nature like that. If I ever manage to travel to Canada that’s where I want to go. Minus the wild water rafting, though. I might be an Aquarius but those kind of water activities scare me like crazy.
It’s actually shameful how little of Canada I have seen. When people are like ‘I hear Canada is beautiful!” I’m like “really? the hobos outside my window and the CN tower aren’t that pretty…” And then I remember Banff and am reminded that maybeeeee I should consider everything outside Toronto as part of Canada lol
Maaaaaaaybe you need to come out here and visit us Alberta folk 😉
What amazing pictures. The mountains make my heart happy even if I only get to live them through someone else for a little bit!
Wow. I can’t even handle how beautiful that is. All of it. Looks like an absolutely amazing trip. And whitewater rafting! I applaud you. I’m way too scared to do that!
Lovveee the trip photos!
White water rafting is so much fun! I went a few years ago and went on the “baby” path (versus the more intense course). I think I can step it up next time 😉 Cinnamon roasted almonds…homemade?!?
Not these ones, unfortunately! I took the lazy route and got them from the store. Too hot to turn the stove on!
I love the Maligne canyone so pretty but I’ve never done the ice fields.
All of those pictures are amazing! White water rafting looks kind of scary. I went when I was like 10 and wasn’t scared of anything but I don’t know if I would do it again!
Hhaha um YEAHHHH safety first–hot damn. That plus that Sky Tram which looks awesome. Beautiful pics lady.
Absolutely AMAZING pictures!!! Wow, breathtaking.
And this is why I need to go west. Go hiking with me? 😉
I want to go white water rafting but I’m a horrible swimmer and I’m pretty sure I’d die. Although, I’d be more than ok with that guide saving my life (AH! I’m allowed to say things like that guilt-free now!)
😆 Youuuuuu. And sadly, people hardly ever fly out of the raft 🙁 I was kind of hoping it would be rough enough to pop me out, but they make sure to keep you nice and secure.
I can hardly handle those views. So. freaking. beautiful.
And I NEED to go river rafting, never done that before! I hope it’s possible to check out the guide beforehand 🙂
Problem. I’ve never been to Jasper. It’s on ‘my list’ and I’m hoping to make it there within the next couple weeks. I also want to do the skywalk even though it’s super touristy.
Never? 😯 But it’s so close to you! Jasper itself isn’t as pretty as Banff, but the surrounding area is gorgeous — a lot more wild. And the Icefields Parkway is SUCH a gorgeous drive. You need to make the trip, stat!
Beautiful pics, girl! Just FYI, in #6, it says “Japer” where I think you meant to say “Jasper.” Looks like you had an awesome time!
We went on a week-long cruise a couple of years ago that stopped several places in Alaska and 1 stop in Canada (Victoria, I think). The scenery looks really similar (read: breathtakingly incredible) to some waterfalls we sailed by en route.
http://www.youtube.com/sparklesandsuch26
Wow, amazing pictures!!! What a fantastic trip!
Awesome pics!
I live in Waterloo which is as flat as can be so it’s so strange to see actual mountains in Canada haha Strange that mountains are one of the things I missed when I moved here from Trinidad although I always used to complain about living on a hill back home lol
Those photos are amazing!! Looks like you had a great time, I want to go!
Stunning pictures Amanda, you must have had a wonderful time! My heart always goes a little pitter patter thinking about mountains and white water rafting and hiking! Carrying the kids in a backpack is a great workout too =) Glad you enjoyed your trip. And I know it’s random, but don’t you just love pizza and fruit, it’s the best I think!!!
It’s definitely a good combo! But only when eaten separately — I still can’t get behind the idea of eating pizza ON fruit, unless we’re talking dessert pizza 🙂
The only word that can be used is the following: stunning.
Just. Wow.
Those pics are beautiful! Especially the first Canyon. Makes me wonder what I’m missing here in STL. You just never know if you don’t take the time to look for these things.
That is a lot for three days! Have fun trying to get your calorie count up. 🙂
Your photos are gorgeous! I can’t get over how pretty everything is! And the picture of the safety demo is hilarious!
So beautiful!! I want to see that place in person.
Such beautiful pictures!! Now I want to go camping and especially out west. Looks like you covered a lot in just a 3 day trip, which is awesome! Love those kind of trips!!
Holy Moly, yeah those photos are absolutely lovely and thank you for sharing. It looks like you had a great time. You always take the best vacations. I’m so jealous!
That’s only because I don’t talk about getting eaten by mosquitos, waking up freezing in the middle of the night, or having to stop and use literally one of the dirtiest gas station bathrooms that I’ve ever seen 😆 There’s always some bad with the good… I guess it all depends what you focus on.
Your pictures are AMAZING! I feel as though I am on the trip with you. Wow! Looks like an amazing time. Not that your nut, chocolate and raisin picture isn’t great, too. 😉
Great photos, thanks for sharing! The rafting looks really awesome 🙂
Holy wow!!!! SO many amazing views and yes, I also want to jump overboard if I’m “trapped” on a boat too long. BC is absolutely on my list of places I will go…when the kids are older 🙂 Going camping in Maine next week. Somehow I think it will be a little less dramatic…
Oh wow- those photos are amazing!! I like that stone dude at the top of the mountain. And lol way to volunteer for that safety demonstration – safety first indeed 😉 Now I want to go camping 🙂
Wow, you literally experienced 1000+1 seasons in this weekend….wow, just wow. The pictures are beautiful and RAFTING!!!!
I’d probably sit in that tram and just go up and down and up and down.
and up and down.
Those pictures are beautiful. Canada looks absolutely stunning. It is definitely on my travel bucket list!
Er whaaat- is this real life! The pics especially from Maligne Canyon look incredible…even the white water rafting! As much as I’d love for you to come visit, I think we’ll have to meet in your hood- so much beauty! Random question- what camera do you use? Am looking to buy a new one so if you have any recommendations/advice, please share :)!
You know I’d be up for the ice oaf you coming to visit 😀 And I use a Canon EOS7D. It’s a little bit on the pricier side, but it’s all sorts of amazing. I’ve heard people rave about the Canon Rebel, though, so that might be one to look into as well!
Thanks so much – gonna check both out :)!
Aw mannn now I want to go to Canada even more!! Still dreaming of my big Northern America adventure… I even looked up flights to LA the other day…and then quickly closed the screen when I saw the price 🙁
Looks like the ideal weekend! Definitely an excuse to stock up on food now as well 😉 (not that you need an excuse ha but you catch my drift!)
Oh heavens Amanda – my breath has been taken away – thank you for the pictures of Maligne Canyon/Lake, Jasper and Whistler Mtn…errr…and the guide ;). All I can say is WOW!
Sounds like you had a truly awe-inspiring trip!
So…how long do you think it’s gonna take for you and the fami to drive down to Atlanta, Georgia? Because that’s my suggestion for y’all…
Wellllllll…. Google Maps tells me that it’s about 3,789 km, so… about 37 hours 😛