Explore the journey — one trail, museum, meal, and memory at a time.
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.
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.
Leavenworth, Snowqualmie Falls, & Trains
An early morning walk through Leavenworth led to coffee shops, quiet streets, and unexpected conversations before continuing west to Snoqualmie Falls and the Northwest Railway Museum. Between roaring waterfalls, nurse trees, hydroelectric history, and rusting steam locomotives slowly being reclaimed by the forest, this became one of the most visually interesting days I’ve had in Washington.
San Xavier del Bac Mission
I drove south to San Xavier del Bac Mission and stepped into one of the oldest churches in Arizona. Inside, centuries-old artwork still covers the walls. Outside, a nearby cemetery reminded me this is still an active parish, not a museum. I ended the day camped on BLM land in Ironwood Forest National Monument, surrounded by desert silence and open sky.
The Wizard of Oz at Sphere
From a quiet morning coffee to walking the perimeter of Allegiant Stadium, the day unfolded at a measured pace. Sphere delivered one of the most immersive entertainment experiences I’ve seen, pushing spectacle into something physical and unforgettable. Dinner at Nora’s grounded the evening with familiar flavors before a final walk through the hotel revealed a strange, perfectly Vegas detail overhead.