Explore the journey — one trail, museum, meal, and memory at a time.
Nose Hill Hike
Rain changed my plans in Calgary, but the afternoon opened up for a 3.2-mile hike across Nose Hill Park, with glacial erratics, a Blackfoot medicine wheel, quaking aspens and changing views of the Calgary skyline. That evening I visited Contemporary Calgary before finishing the day with a burger, beer and an unexpected fantasy football gathering at National.
Military Museums & Peace Bridge
A day in Calgary moves from military history to a relaxing afternoon along the Bow River. I explore The Military Museums, learn the real story behind the Great Escape, photograph Santiago Calatrava’s Peace Bridge and wander the riverfront as people head home from work. The evening ends in Westhills, where a long line at Village Ice Cream turns out to be worth the wait.
Studio Bell & Central Library
I went to Studio Bell to see the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and learn more about Canada's musical history, particularly Oscar Peterson. I wasn't expecting the architecture to capture nearly as much of my attention. That continued at Calgary Central Library, another extraordinary building where the architecture became as interesting to me as what was inside.
Biking Edmonton’s River Valley
I spent my final afternoon in Edmonton riding about 20 miles through the North Saskatchewan River Valley, crossing bridges, exploring neighborhoods and seeing the city from the trails. That evening, I headed south on Highway 2, navigated Alberta’s extensive road construction, stopped for a nap and continued into Calgary.
Royal Alberta Museum
Excerpt
I spent the afternoon exploring the Royal Alberta Museum, moving from Alberta’s human history into geology, glaciers, fossils and enormous Ice Age animals. I was surprised by how much there was to learn and realized I’ll need to return to dig deeper into Alberta’s paleontological history. I finished the day relaxing outside the glass pyramids of the Muttart Conservatory.
Edmonton: Old Strathcona and Whyte Avenue
I spent a Saturday exploring Edmonton's Old Strathcona Farmers' Market and Whyte Avenue, photographing street art, historic buildings and the people I met along the way. There was Falun Dafa, a pedal-powered pub, Georgian dumplings and plenty of unexpected conversations before I finished the day photographing the Edmonton skyline and Walterdale Bridge from Queen Elizabeth Park.
Drive To Edmonton, AB
The drive south from Dawson City to Edmonton meant long days and hundreds of miles through the Yukon and northern British Columbia. I stopped at Five Finger Rapids, passed through Whitehorse and followed the Alaska Highway south before wildfire smoke, heavy rain and poor visibility made the final drive to Hythe one of the more difficult stretches of the trip.