Nature – UNANCHORED EVE

How to Spend a Week in Radium, Britsh Columbia

Published on January 30, 2025January 30, 2025 by unanchoredeveLeave a comment

How to Spend a Week in Radium, Britsh Columbia

It was September 2024. Since my relationship had ended, instead of looking forward to a romantic couples trip, I was en route to yet another summer family vacation. The beginning of September is a great time to visit because while the crowds have left the sunshine has not.

This time were heading to Radium, BC. About a 6ish hour drive from our hometown of Edmonton, Alberta. Radium is a small, quaint mountain town with lots of activities nearby. There are lots of options for nearby hiking or water activities. You are likely to spot Bighorn sheep at some point during your trip.

Here is how our week together unfolded.

Driving in the mountains was the first part of the trip’s fun. It was a sunny day, and stretching out our legs with the mountains as the backdrop was an amazing feeling.

We stopped for an easy hike at Marble Canyon. This was a short easy walk where we were able to eat our lunch outside. It was super hot and we were melting so we sat near the creek to experience a bit of the cold air coming off the water. It had an incredible translucent blue-green color.

Where to Stay

We booked a condo at the Bighorn Meadows Resort. The suite was equipped with a kitchen and a view of the golf course which was located nearby. It had a pool and two hot tubs on site which we frequently visit nightly. In the mornings we would walk ten minutes to grab groceries or coffee and pastries for the day. Once in town, the tourist center provided options for milder day hikes.

The resort contains a golf course. We aren’t into golf, but we had dinner at the clubhouse one night and the views are spectacular. Here is a picture my mom took of me next to the clubhouse.

What to Eat

Our favorite restaurant is Birchwood Restaurant. I’d describe it as an intimate restaurant, upscale but caters to casual attire. Satisfying and fresh cuisine.

After a hot day in the sun, with plenty of cold swims, we ordered Indian takeout to bring back to the resort. We highly recommend The Spice Hut.

However, the ultimate foodie stop is Smokehouse 93. I can never tasted a juicer, more tender slice of brisket and we always order extra to take home for dinner on our drive home.

Hikes

Stanely Glacier

A bit of a drive (under an hour) to get to this hike from our resort but it was well worth it. I have what I’m told by others as “too much energy” and hiking is something that seems to make me feel calm and peaceful. This hike is mild and has a few locations to stop and enjoy snacks or water if someone isn’t up for the full 10 km trek. My mother was shocked at how many wild mushrooms were growing. Picking mushrooms was something that she did as a child so the nostalgia of that brought her back to those times and she was kicking herself for not having a spare bag to collect mushrooms with. I did not remember foraging for mushrooms and am someone who might poison themselves by picking and eating the wrong ones. I know. I’m not a risk taker. I was not as excited by the plentiful of mushrooms, but if you know your stuff about picking mushrooms this is a great trail to do so.

Beach Time

About a fifteen-minute drive from Radium, you will find the town of Invermere. Invermere is a larger city with more amenities and a refreshing clean lake, Lake Windermere. I love spending time on the lake paddle boarding and swimming while taking breaks to read or nap in the sun.

Day Trip

We started our day with a short hike, the Hoodoo Trail, then planned on going to a natural hot spring and relaxing near a beautiful remote lake that was tucked deep in the mountains.

Next, we ventured to WhiteSwan Lake Park, which, FYI was after a bumpy gravel road, do not recommend it unless you have a durable vehicle! This road leads you to Lussier Creek Hot which contains a natural hot spring,

The hot springs were a nice way to relax after our morning hike and we alternated between hotter and colder pools of water.

After we finished our warm dips we drove on to stop at a lake. The lake contained a small camping stop and we parked at an empty lot and brought snacks and books to the dock where we enjoyed some more R&R. The lake had almost a neon blue color and being in such a remote area felt luxurious.

Other Activities

We usually go to the Radium Natural Hot Springs, but the timing didn’t work out for this trip. It was closed or we were too tired and opted for our resort pool and hot tub instead. It’s a nice place to soak and alternate in the swimming pool.

The is a hike nearby which we got somewhat lost on, then by following the sound of the creek found our way back.

Juniper Loop

The final day of our trip consisted of a quick hike to the ink pots followed by lunch in Banff.

Exploring Nature’s Paradise: A Memorable Day Hike in Kananaskis

Published on June 14, 2023June 14, 2023 by unanchoredeveLeave a comment

Hike: Midnight Peak
Length: 11.9 km
Elevation gain: 990 m
Route type: Out & back

Escape from the Smoke: A Memorable Day Hike Adventure in Kananaskis

My May long weekend was terrible. My hometown city of Edmonton was covered in thick smoke, causing me to cancel plans of spending the day paddleboarding. The long weekend before that, I had spent out of town but was working. I take great pleasure in nature, and the lack of adventure was beginning to feel stifling. What exactly is adventure? The dictionary defines adventure as an unusual, exciting, and possibly dangerous activity, such as a trip or experience.

Joining Forces: How I Found My Hiking Tribe on Facebook

The friends I used to hike with either did not live in proximity or were too busy, but I wasn’t going to let my lack of readily available hiking buddies prevent me from doing something I love. I signed up for a few hiking meetup groups on Facebook. One of the posts I had spied on was of a very fit, beautiful girl holding an intense yoga pose at the top of the gorgeous mountain range. Like me, Jodie was looking for others who shared her passion for hiking. I immediately sent her a private message, and even though over a hundred people had commented on her post, she quickly replied. This is how I set my alarm on a Sunday morning for 4:30 am to join her and another friend for a day trip hike to Kananaskis. Part of me was afraid; it was approximately a four-hour drive to the hike, and spending an entire day with people I’d never met before was daunting, but I held onto optimism. This girl had magically chosen me to accompany her, and I should be grateful—and I was. The trip was terrific.

Embarking on the Journey: Road Trip Excitement to Kananaskis

The sun was bright, the sky was blue, and the air was warm when we met at the parking lot of a Goodlife gym. I finally met my fellow adventure companions, filled with that initial road trip excitement; we were prepared and ready to take on the day. The usually long, dull drive went by quickly as we discussed our hiking experiences and interests. Sean, the driver, was from Ontario and treasured the Alberta mountains for snowboarding in the winter and hiking in the summer. Jodie, who was in the passenger seat, had recently been on a Vietnam trip and had a healthy appetite for adventure. I was in the back, enjoying their descriptions of the places and activities that ignited their souls. Their stories rekindled my desire for risk-taking. We stopped only once for salty McDonald’s breakfast items and refueled on bitter coffee.

Ascending to New Heights: Conquering Midnight Peak in Kananaskis

Once parked at the Baldy Pass parking lot, I was elated. Finally, we made it; the weather was cooperative. We changed from our socks and sandals into hiking boots; the rattle of aerosol cans and the smell of sunblock and bug repellant hung around the car. Finally, we crossed the highway; there was nowhere to go but up. The forest path began soft and forgiving, the scent of pine surpassed our various lotions, and different green-filled branches shaded our eyes. Finally, I’m exactly where I need to be, I thought. We were fortunate; at the same time last year, the path would still be covered with snow.

Eventually, the angle of our accent increased, and we took breaks to sip water. I wondered if everyone else was starting to feel tired like they wished they were in better shape—the wish for ease, for comfort. Sean reminded me about David Goggins, the popular ultra-marathon runner who was able to push his body past its’ perceived limits.

“No matter who you are, who your parents are or were, where you live, what you do for a living, or how much money you have, you’re probably living at about 40 percent of your true capability.” – David Goggins.

Sean had the trail map on his phone. The last portion to the summit was less than a kilometer away, but we were now facing the challenge of a change in elevation and constant vertical movement.

“It’s quite humbling, isn’t it?” Sean mentioned.

He was right. “Remember when we were at the bottom and thought we were in good shape?” I spoke.

But we kept going, our boots working in zig-zags around the scales of rock. Our minds tried to determine the path of least resistance that Sean pointed out didn’t exist. The lactic acid in my calves kept flaring up, and as I stopped to take a break, I couldn’t help but think, “Why do I torture myself like this?” When my line of sight reached the summit, this is why. Suddenly, I felt like a pebble in the earth, a speck of dust. Incredible mountain formations stood tall around me, and the astonishing landscape greeted me with 360-degree views. The magnificence of the mountains was all-encompassing. I sat on the rocks and felt, as I hadn’t for some time, at rest, peaceful.

A Taste of Delight: Post-Hike Treats in Airdrie

Back at the car, eager to free our sore feet from the confines of our boots and lose the weight of our packs. Still vibing from our accomplished day, we chatted a bit, and then the tiredness began to take over. Jodie had a fantastic suggestion of stopping in Ardie at a popular bubble tea venue, Bubble Tea Brewers. I got a float with graham crackers and cream cheese. The sweetness of the mango is paired perfectly with the saltiness of the cream cheese. The sugar rush restored my depleted energy stores.

From Peaks to Possibilities: Exploring Beyond Kananaskis

Back in the city, I felt slightly blue but slightly relieved. Back to the pollution, traffic, and anticipation of a weekday, but the comfort of a hot shower, no need to anticipate the aches and pains of traveling up a mountain.

And now the only question remains, where to go next?

Even though I’m no longer on the peak of a mountain, I still carry that feeling of possibility and stillness…

The Vancouver BMO Marathon

Published on July 25, 2022 by unanchoredeveLeave a comment

Vancouver Is the Ideal Place for a Race

I’m pretty impulsive, I see something on social media or hear someone rave about a new travel destination, restaurant, or activity, and I want to try it too! Once I noticed the social media post that the Vancouver Marathon was having its 50th anniversary, I could not miss it! I probably run 1-2 times a week, but I never seriously took the time to train for one. When I twisted my co-worker’s arm into signing up for the run with me, he promptly sent over a spreadsheet with a run schedule. Ooh, structure, I have never had a system before.

Our Run Schedule

Monday: Rest Day
Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday: 5-10 km Runs Days
Friday: Rest Day
Saturday: Long Run 10-15 km Runs
Sunday: Cross-training day (Bike, yoga, weight training, etc.)

This training schedule was adapted from this popular running site.

This schedule was so important to me; I followed about 80% of it. Sometimes work or social events got in the way, and I skipped some of the runs. But the consistency of completing the running made me feel like a superhero. Committing to the runs even when I didn’t feel like it made me realize I could push myself. That, coupled with the runner’s high, seemed to flow into my day-to-day life. Whether it was cold, windy, or if I was sore or tired, I was still pushing myself to get the miles in. I feel like that training reflects how actual life flows; you’re not going to be the best version of yourself daily, but if you keep showing up, that consistent discipline adds up and makes you physically and mentally stronger.

Running Q&A

While I was training, I was asked these questions:

Do you train with anyone?

Immediately I thought I didn’t want to run with anyone, and I didn’t want to hold anyone back; I needed to run at my own pace. There’s no point; I have my headphones, and we won’t be able to talk to each other anyways. However, the curious part of me thought, why not try it and see? So, I asked my co-worker, Michael, to join me for our weekend-long runs. Training with someone was incredible; it always seems easier to suffer from someone than alone! His pace always started faster but ended slower, while I did the opposite, picking up speed near the end of the run, squeezing the last bit of energy left. So, our running dynamic probably balanced and pushed us to be better runners. Also, Michael introduced me to the famous guided run coach from the Nike Run Club, coach Bennett. The free app allows you to choose your running time or distance and have someone chime into “coach” or pump you up during your run. I found this helpful as the encouragement from this virtual coach helped push me to run longer or distract me from running pains.

Are you on a special diet?

No, I ate more carbs (I love baking pastries) during training and drank more water, but I never tracked what I ate. Now that I’m training for yet another run and trying to assess nutrition a bit more. Whether or not fasted runs or eating certain foods before help. I find that running has leveled out my hormones, and I’m not as hungry when I’m consistently running. It’s weird; the lazier I am, the more I feel like eating, maybe because I associate snaking with watching tv, and that habit has been replaced by running! Does anyone sit down to watch a movie or show without eating a snack, or is it just me?

How do you stay motivated?

Honestly, I prefer to take the path of least resistance; I think most of us are. But if someone were going to hand me a pill and say swallow this and that I will be marathon ready in 8 weeks, I wouldn’t want to take it. The most grueling part for me is always just putting on my shoes and going outside. My overactive brain says several things like I’m too tired, busy, sore, hungry, full, etc., to run; however, the reality is that my body is the one doing the work. Your brain doesn’t do the heavy lifting, and nine times out of ten, the days my mind told me I would probably have a bad run because of some narrative that kept me spiraling and procrastinating the runs till the last minute usually turned out to be the best ones. After this pattern repeated itself repeatedly, I just started going out with less trying to analyze whether I should. So shut up, brain. Do your quads burn? Is your breath panting? I didn’t think so. Running is a roller coaster ride; there are up and downs, and the ride will feel different every time you embark on it. I’m addicted to the runner’s high, but my brain often forgets this when getting started. Here is the playlist I made when I was training.

Vancouver Running Playlist

Pre-Marathon

Michael and I arrived three days before the run and didn’t do any more training and chose to eat and bike our way around the city instead. We stayed at the Sutton Place Hotel. It’s a few blocks from the train and a great central location for exploring the city. Also, running the BMO Vancouver Marathon in the spring is the perfect time to see the cherry blossoms blooming all over the city.

Vancouver Food

Here are the restaurants we went to, and I highly recommend them!

Maenam

Maenam

Kokoro Toyoko Mazesoba

Tom’s Sushi

Tom’s Sushi

Linh Cafe

Race Day

Delayed an hour due to a mysterious package on the course, we stood cold and anxious at Elizabeth Park to get started. But once we did, what a race. The weather was cool and mild, slightly overcast with no wind, the ideal temperature for a long-distance run. The city horizon and a calm harbor came into view. We charged across the bridge with several other yellow coral runners (hoping to make it in 2:20 min). Supporters ran bells, cameras clicked, and posters of Ryan Gosling (who else would you want in your cheering squad) brought a smile to my face as I was finally in it. All the training added to that moment. While cruising through China town, a man meagerly pulled his dog through the course while smoking his joint. While the scent wafted through the air in front of me, it caused me to burst out laughing; British Columbia is known for its solid and good weed. The course blended oceanside air, lush greenery, and urban building. Other sights I remember were seniors who had met for their morning coffee and pastries at what looked like a local bakery; others stood in line for what must have been a trending breakfast spot, all while we runners clapped our feet on the pavement past them. In the race’s final leg, I felt entirely warmed up to the run; the crowd’s perfect weather, scenery, and energy made me want to pick up my pace. Soon I could see the 2:20 pace bunny and knew I would beat my un-trained Sea wheeze run. As I began to charge ahead, I knew the work I had done allowed me to be running as a better version of myself. I ended up coming in a 2:08, twelve minutes faster than my previous race!

Final Thoughts

If you’ve never trained for a race, I highly recommend it, regardless of distance or experience. The best part is the journey, the good runs, and even the horrible ones you are most proud of enduring. One time I ran through 40 km wind gusts, and I still laugh when I remember that moment. The most crucial part is that you are moving towards a goal that encourages you to be present while training to get there; enjoy the ride! Vancouver is a beautiful city, and the BMO marathon is such an incredible event; I’m so glad I passed the finish line and recommend this race to anyone looking to run an epic marathon. Vancouver is a beautiful city that is easily walkable and runnable!

What to do in Waterton

Published on June 14, 2022June 23, 2022 by unanchoredeve1 Comment

Summer in Waterton

The juxtaposition of the view is remarkable. First, you may feel the melancholy, fires destroyed approximately 30,000 hectares of land in 2017, but now there is an influx of fresh greenery popping throughout; hope sprouts post-tragedy.

The small town is charming with souvenir shops and restaurants that only span two blocks of the street and a beautiful lake on the other to enjoy pre or post-meal stroll. For me, walkable destinations on vacation are favorable. One, I’m lazy, and two, I want to drink a beer and not worry about the stress of driving, traffic, parking, etc. From the center of Waterton, you can walk to beaches, restaurants, hikes, or rent bicycles to cruise around with.

Crypt Lake Hike

Our first hike was to the famous Crypt lake. This trail is only accessible by boat, and can often be fully booked, so plan ahead. It’s a long hike that requires a lot of water and sunscreen as we attempted it in the middle of summer. Crypt is the Greek word for “secret” as the hike reaches its end, the secret is revealed beyond a tunnel and steep hill. This last part terrified my mother, so this “secret” lake remains as such for me. Oh well, perhaps just an incentive to return and do it again? Book the shuttle here:

https://www.watertoncruise.com/2022.php

Bertha Lake

Bertha Lake is an excellent medium-intensity 8 km hike; you walk from town to the base near the campground.

Red Rock Canyon

Paddleboard or kayak: I brought an inflatable paddle board that was the perfect break from sweaty days of hiking. A lot of people out on kayaks too. (You can easily rent these in town if you don’t have your own). The water was on the cooler side but still suitable for a quick swim.

Bike- rent or BYOB 😊

Eats

Pearls is my favorite breakfast food; this café had terrific coffee and delicious food. Pearls
Wieners of Waterton, what else would you want to eat after a day of hiking? http:/www.wienersofwaterton.com/
Treat yourself to a nice meal, I love the short ribs at: Lakehouse Chophouse & Wine Bar.

Stay Bear Mountain Hotel: Clean, cheap, and close to everything! Bear Mountain Hotel

Waterton is Incredible!

The Best Vancouver Island Road Trip!

Published on June 7, 2022July 4, 2022 by unanchoredeveLeave a comment

After two canceled trips to Mexico, I racked my brain for places to recharge that would be adventurous and relaxing for a family vacation with my parents. However, horror stories of stranded travelers and increased costs prompted me to consider a local trip instead. Having driven to Vancouver Island from Edmonton, I knew the distance and rise in gas prices couldn’t compete with Flair’s $100 flight to the island.

While Victoria, British Columbia’s capital city, is most often sought out with direct flights or ferries and shuttles. However, I decided to take advantage of the lesser-known Comox, which offered a cheaper & less busy flight and a rental car; book one in advance; the checkout counter had a sign that said they were sold out! I spent a few days exploring Qualicum Beach, Parksville, Nanoose Bay, Coombs, Ucluelet, and Tofino. It sounds like many destinations, but these are quieter, smaller towns with most people found content on a beach with a picnic.

Qualicum Beach

We chose the longer ocean route to get to our hotel and stopped to have lunch on the beach. My mother packed us an entire lunch of sandwiches and fruit, which I swore we would have to throw away at security, but we were able to keep to our luck! This town has a Saturday market to check out if you fly on this day, but we were eager to check in to our resort and enjoy a drink in the sun.

Parksville

We stopped at a grocery store to pick up more snacks, smoked salmon, cheeses, and fruit. We then headed to Rathtrevor Provincial Park, a lovely park with a nice beach full of kites and picnic tables. We came here once for a walk and then the following day for a 5km run through the park before heading for lunch.

Nanoose Bay

We stayed at the Pacific Shores Resort, which was great. It has an indoor pool, hot tub, and sauna, which we enjoyed each night. My dad and I also borrowed ping pong paddles and played a few games to give my mother a break from us for an hour! There were the most beautiful sunsets in the evenings, and with outdoor propane firepits, it was a charming way to end the evening. Several families brought smore kits and roasted marshmallows with their kids. We snacked on the meat, cheese, and beer we bought in Parksville.

Activities:

Rathover Park- 5km loop to run or walk
Nanoose Loop – 2.9Km loop that we choose to run, nice gravel trail.
Notch Hill Loop Trail- 5 km loop with a view of the bay and a swing!

Coombs

A quick stop, most people come to see the goats that walk on the roof of the building; however, there is much more to discover at this stop. This pit stop was the liveliest place we found on our trip. We enjoyed a fabulous lunch at an Italian restaurant, Cuckoo. I bought some fresh doughnuts from Billy G’s doughnut shop and more snacks from the market, which was quite ample. There, were picked up heart-shaped truffle cheese, the tastiest sausages, and an apple galette. I would also recommend the cheese bread and pies if we had time and more real estate in our stomachs!

Ucluelet

We stayed at the Blackrock Resort. It is a picturesque place on the ocean, with an outdoor hot tub, and is steps away from the West Pacific trail. There is also a beach where some people had made fires and cozily eaten near- something to plan for the next time we go! We opted for a room with a kitchenette to cook breakfast in (eating out every day isn’t ideal for us); the room had high ceilings, a nice balcony to sit out and listen to the ocean on, and a large soaker tub. It is also dog friendly if you planning to bring a furry family member.

Tofino

We went to Tofino to do a bear tour via boat. Unfortunately, the covered boat was not available, so we ended up with these bright red spacesuit-looking overalls in an open boat. We have several bears in Alberta, so the sightings weren’t too eventful. But my mother wearing the red get-up was priceless. If I went again, I would do a seaplane tour, as it would be cool to see the beaches from that unique vantage point. We stopped at Shelter for lunch, which had a lovely, heated patio with a fireplace and a great view.

Tofino Eats

The catch of the day, cooked over an open fire at the Zedd hotel was our best meal of the trip!

Activities:

Atelo– recommended by our guide for seaplane tours
Ocean Outfitters– who we chose for a Bear Tour
Long Beach- nice walk, lots of surfers
Chesterman Beach-Nice beach for walking and watching surfers
Wild Pacific Trail

Road Trip Pit Stops

To break up our drive, we visited Cathedral Grove and Qualicum Falls, and they were the perfect easy hiking spots! Hope you enjoyed this post and are inspired to take your own trip to the majestic Vancouver Island!

The Route:

Comox via Flair – pick up Enterprise rental car
Stop at Qualicum beach for lunch
Stay: 3 nights in Nanoose Bay at the Pacific Shores Resort
Stay: 3 nights in Ucluelet at the Black Rock Resort
Stay: 1 night in Courtney- Bayview Hotel– close drive back to the airport

10 Reasons to Visit Jasper in the Winter!

Published on February 22, 2018June 20, 2022 by unanchoredeveLeave a comment

Ski Marmot Basin, the parking lots are staggered up the mountain so if you want to bring a cooler and come back to your car for snacks or wardrobe changes it’s convenient. Or take a shuttle from the hotel so you can enjoy some spicy Cesar’s with your lunch!

Ski Marmot Basin

2. Stay at the Whistler’s Inn, is located in the center of town and has two rooftop hot tubs.

Stay in Whistler’s Inn

3. Visit Jasper Park Lodge for Sunday buffet brunch. I’ve stayed here a few times; it’s quite the treat, but also quite the expense. If you can afford it, treat yourself! If not, pop in to enjoy their amenities, go to the spa and enjoy the outdoor heated pool, rent skates and do some loops, or enjoy a Sunday breakfast brunch. The hotel has a rustic charm and it worth visiting just to walk the grounds with a hot chocolate and enjoy a cocktail in the lounge.

4. Visit Pyramid Lake for pictures where a tight group of trees sits on a remote island circled by mountains. We went early and were lucky to get the private little island to ourselves. Strike a pose and re-create it in each season!

Pyramid Lake

You can also pick up cross country ski’s, skates or snowshoes at Pyramid Lake Resort.

5. Participate in a hike on the Maligne Canyon, make sure you purchase foot covers for the walk. You are walking on sheets of ice, pick some up at the store in town, they are worth the money. Or, if you are feeling extra adventurous, try ice climbing. I’ve visited the canyon three times now and never miss it; each visit is unique with the amount of snow or colors exposed to the frozen water. It’s an easy trek that will take about an hour, depending on how many pictures you stop to take…

Maligne Canyon

6. Spot the locals! Jasper is known for elk, bighorn sheep and moose roaming close to the roads.

Local Jasper Residents

7. Satisfy your sweet tooth at Candy Bear’s Lair . There’s a great candy shop for your sweet tooth’s with fresh fudge and chocolate bear paws.

8. Dance party? If you still have the energy to shake it at night, go to the 4peaks Night Club.

9. Enjoy a great beer at the Jasper Brewing Company, and I like the Blackeye Blueberry Vanilla Ale.

10. Um, I like photos, of any kind, go if only for the photo opportunities!

Tacos and Tequila, A Mexican Christmas!

Published on January 17, 2018 by unanchoredeve1 Comment

This year my family and I escaped the cold and commercialism of Christmas and fled to Playa Del Carmen for 2017. My mother was thrilled to avoid spending hours waiting in line-ups and traffic for Christmas presents, ingredients for indulgent meals and unpacking boxes of Christmas decorations.

Playa Del Carmen

We stayed at a beautiful Airbnb just a few blocks walking to the beach and right behind the Mexican version of Walmart, Mega, which my father adored since his favorite tequila was a third of the price there! My favorite restaurant was Nativo; you can get a liter smoothie for under $2.00, I got one stuffed with celery, parsley, and fresh orange juice. Also, a great place to eat local food for cheap.

Tours:

One day was spent on a tour we booked through our Airbnb to take a catamaran trip to Isla Mujeres.

Isla Mujeres

We planned another small daytrip, for $10, we took a taxi to go to the day club, Grande Coral Beach. The beach was clean and beautiful, and you get a change of scenery from the busy, crowded beach near 5th ave.

Grande Coral Beach Club

A bit of a further trek, but well worth it, we took the ADO bus to Tulum, this was a neat jungle-like an oasis. If you are the adventurous type, book a kitesurfing lesson. We stayed for drinks and breakfast at La Zebra, a posh boutique hotel on the beach. It costs $25/per person for food or beverages to park here for the day, but well worth it, as to stay in this boutique hotel is $700/night! There was a mixologist from New York making the drinks.

Tulum

Getting from -30 C to +30 C was the best present this year. You just can’t get a bow-tie around the sun! Anyone else have any interesting destination for the holidays? I need help planning next years escape!

A Photo Throwback To Mendoza

Published on January 4, 2018January 4, 2018 by unanchoredeve1 Comment

Wine tasting in the birth place of the Malbec. The layers of landscapes are a perfect pairing for wine tasting in the remarkable region of Argentina.

Vacation in Jasper

Published on September 7, 2017June 22, 2022 by unanchoredeveLeave a comment

A family Vacation

The idea may scare you! Thoughts of your parents taking the wheel, following the speed limits, playing terrible music, and nagging you all day, did you use bug spray, is your seat belt fastened, are you hungry, do you need to pee yet? Sitting in the back of a car, getting to crack into a new book takes me back to my childhood. The idea for this Jasper trip was a present to my father for his 58 birthday. I booked an inexpensive motel in Hinton and a day tour of the Columbia Icefields and Skywalk. Here are a few images from our weekend away.

After the hike, we ended up at the Miette Hot Springs. We ended up waiting about 10 minutes in line, and it was well worth it. We spend about 2 hours here, dipping from hot to cold pools to stimulate our mitochondria and revive our stimulated muscles. Upon our drive down, we had to slow the car to let none other than a black bear pass.

The ice fields were spectacular, be sure to take an empty water bottle to gather a bottle of cold glacier water. What surprised me the most was all the cotton-topped (white-haired tourists). It makes me realize not to wait until you get old to travel; start doing it now; there are plenty more places to visit. At the end of the trip, I discovered that my Father’s best part was reaching the top of the mountain, and my mother’s was getting an up-close view of Mr. Grizzly. Mine was that I had a great vacation with my parents, and I was happy to have planned it. There were no fancy restaurants with our heads down scrolling through cell phones; my parents still don’t have phones with data on them; bless their souls!

After the hike, we ended up at the Miette Hot Springs. We waited about 10 minutes in line, and it was well worth it. We spend about 2 hours here, dipping from hot to cold pools to stimulate our mitochondria and revive our stimulated muscles. Unfortunately, upon our drive down, we had to slow the car to let none other than a black bear pass.