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 š
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 šÆ 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! š
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! š
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Your pictures are UNBELIEVABLE!! My favorite pic is the white water rafting one with the gorgeous trees and mountains in the background!
I went hiking with the Hubby yesterday and it reminded me of our hike in Utah, so much so I told the Hubby all about it. We didn’t hike any mountains like these, although we definitely had some changes in elevation so much so my glutes and hammies feel it today.
You’re pictures are fabulous. In fact, I think the rock formation on top of the mountain is doing horse pose. Not the most attractive yoga pose, but effective nonetheless.
I have always wanted to try white water rafting. It sounds like a blast, especially if you get to be the safety example (wink, wink).
Hey! I just stumbled upon your blog and immediately recognized the Canadian scenery- love it! It’s awesome finding other Canadian bloggers, especially west coasters! Looks like you had a great time š
The views from that Tram, oh my word…LOVE! I love rafting, have only been a few times but always so much fun. The first time I went i was pretty young and went rafting in Yellowstone, I tell you what…if you ever get a chance to go there…you’d love it! Glad you had a wonderful trip!
We were actually hoping to go down to Yellowstone for our road trip coming up, but everything was mostly booked up so rescheduled to next year. Definitely on my list of places that I want to see!
Gorgeous trips! I’m going to Hawaii next month and CAN’T WAIT for some nature after moving to NYC directly post-grad – I love it, but it’s a bit much!
Oh girl you’re going to ADORE Hawaii! Which island are you going to?
Honolulu! But we might venture out to some others, as well.
Awesome island! I definitely recommend checking out Diamond Head and Manoa Falls!
I am SO jealous of that hike and white water rafting – both look incredible and your photos are simply beautiful. What a great shot of all the fun you had and the beautiful area. Seriously how did you take that picture with all that water splashing up? It’s amazing Amanda!!
Wow! You’re trip looks beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing those photos. I’m glad you had a good time =)
Okay, I’m dying over all of the photography in this post. I can’t even begin to tell you how jealous I am.
If I wasn’t already feeling claustrophobic in LA, I definitely am now. I need a vacation like that. It’s amazing what a little fresh air and nature can do, isn’t it?
PS: Sorry for being so MIA– still reading regularly, of course. xo
GIRL! I would love to go there one day. My law literally dropped when I saw all of those beautiful views! Definitely on my travel bucket list. I am so happy to see you had a fun and beautiful time. I just love nature. ^_^
These views are amazing!!! I want to go white water rafting so badly! Did your family ever take a trip to Niagara Falls (since you’re a Canadian š or is that really far from you??
It’s actually aaaaaaaall the way on the other side of Canada, but I did take a trip out there about… I wanna say 10 or 12 years ago? Seriously gorgeous.
So this trip looks like an absolute blast. And gorgeous (guide + scenery). Also, that is the perfect trail mix combo by far.
Breathtaking!! You live in such a beautiful part of the world.
I love the pic of you with the guide too, haha. Oh my.
I’ve been white water rafting twice and the second time I fell out and got stock in a rapid.
The guide kept yelling for me to put my feet up- yeah, easier said then done. I eventually bobbed out of it but it was scary! I’d do it again though.
“Iād do it again though.” <-- LOVE that! Is it weird that I was kind of secretly hoping to be tossed out of the raft? So I'm kind of jealous š
That canyon is breathtaking. I really have been craving going somewhere lately that will take my breath away. Not a city, but something absolutely majestic. This is gorgeous!
Also, that combo of cinnamon roasted almonds, chocolate chips, and raisins looks great. I do almonds/raisins and chocolate all the time but cinnamon roasted almonds would just take it to the next level.
White water rafting is a total rush! It’s been over 10 years since I went, but I absolutely loved it. It was also completely terrifying, but worth the experience. Love all your pics!
Looks like such a beautiful trip. I want to camp in Canada! I’ve heard the wildlife is incredible!!
You have me cracking up with the getting close to your guide comment! What were you doing there, Ms. Amanda?! š I’m so glad you had such a great time!
Amazing photos! I love your pictures of the waterfall <3
My parents were up at the Columbia Ice Fields over the weekend too š
If you’re thinking of heading to B.C. you MUST go to Whistler; it’s just outside of Vancouver and it’s stunning!
It is! I’ve been snowboarding there in the winter, but never seen it in the summer. I’d love to go!
I’ve been to the Colombia Icefields! They’re breathtaking!
Your trip looks amazing! There was a small chance that I was going to get to go to Alberta for work but I think that chance is now 0… so jealous, it looks BEAUTIFUL!!
Waaaaah! I would have loved to have a chance to meet ya!
Beautiful pictures! Man, I could really go for a weekend in the wilderness right now! Maybe I’ll just have to settle for a ‘technology free’ weekend instead… š
What a beautiful trip! I missed out on knowing you were going away since I was away, but I loved seeing all the beauty you were surrounded with. I have never been white water rafting. I went spalunking, but yet white water rafting scares me, lol. I don’t know how that really equals out. I love the water, but I’m afraid I’ll fall off and die!
I’m so jealous of your weekend! I’ve never been to Jasper, never gone white water rafting AND never been to the glaciers.
They’re all on my list, but sadly, might have to wait until next summer.
Bloggy meetup in Jasper? š
You know I’d be down for that! š Just say when!
Wow, wow, wow! These photos are just INCREDIBLE! Looks like you had an amazing time. Love river rafting!!
Beautiful scenery!! Great job on those pics. š I love white water rafting. We went a lot when I was a kid. I need to go back!
Hahaha I definitely wouldn’t mind having some safety demonstrations done on me with that guide. All in the name of safety, of course ;). Andddd such gorgeous pictures! We need to trade places sometime so I can get more of the mountains. I’ll fork over the ocean for a while ;)!
Looks like an amazing adventure! We’ve all been having some fun traveling this summer, haven’t we? Making memories! (and appetites…)
SHUUUTTUPPP!! This is SO MY VACATION. I LOVE it, I want to go on this trip right now. Those cinnamon nuts look so bomb, perfect for exploration fuel. I am seriously swooning over ALL of these photos. That rock built man is the best trail marker I’ve ever seen.
Don’t -even- get me started on how jealous all of YOUR hiking trips make me! I’m falling in love with being on the mountains, which I why I seriously need to move!
I am NOT a camper, but those views are amazing. Thanks for sharing the pis, they are gorgeous! Have a great rest of the week! xoxo, ganeeban
Oh my golly girl it looks like you had a blast! So much outdoor time!! I enjoyed being outside this weekend but am realizing that although I LOVE being outside…
a. my allergies hate me and attack me for two straight days after a weekend outside
b. mosquitos love me and I get a nice large welt from each bite.
I tried whitewater rafting a long time ago and remember it really was a rush! I felt like we could tip over at any time but it was so fun and the scenery was gorgeous!!
Ahh you’ve given me hiking-lust; I’d settle for scenery half as beautiful as Canada’s š – the magical gorgeousness bouncing off these photos are enough to make me believe your winters’ are worth it.
Looks beautiful!
I have been white water rafting and did enjoy it – although it was February, Scotland and absolutely freezing! I was so scared about going over the side of the boat… Then again even if it was summer I would still be scared of going overboard!
Amanda,
I live in BC and recently went to check out the new Squamish Sea to Sky Gondola. You ride the gondola up the mountain (I rode the gondola, but… if you choose to, you can hike the “Chief”, but be prepared to hike for more than 4 hours….). There was an amazing view and a scenic trail on top of the mountain! I’d highly recommend, especially since it’s on the way to Whistler on the Sea to Sky highway.
š
Thanks so much for the suggestion, Angela! I just Googled it, and it’s a little out of the way of the route we were planning on taking, but maaaaaybe I can convince my parents to make a little detour, because it looks absolutely stunning!
Wow, what absolutely breathtaking scenery! I can only imagine how incredible it looks in person!