Labor Day Weekend 2014

Labor Day Weekend is billed as summer's last hurrah so my family took the motor home to our favorite KOA in Fillmore for some fun and relaxation.  I had such a great time!  While we were there we took a day trip to Capitol Reef National Park (which was a bit farther than we anticipated but definitely worth the drive).  I had never been there before and I loved all of the red rock formations (they reminded me of Zion National Park).  We were able to go four-wheeling through the gorge and that was pretty spectacular!

It was a great way to end the summer!  Now I am looking forward to fall which is my favorite season!

Yellowstone 2014

When I got home from Jordanelle, I had just enough time to do laundry and shop for provisions before I headed out again for a week at Yellowstone National Park (about a five hour drive north from Salt Lake).  I love Yellowstone and I have been planning and looking forward to this trip since April.  Since I am pretty familiar with the park, I had a plan for my time there.  On my first day I visited all of the geysers and hot springs.

Lower Geyser Basin

Midway Geyser Basin (my favorite feature in the park is the Grand Prismatic Spring)

Lower Geyser Basin (I really love the Sapphire Pool)

Old Faithful

West Thumb Geyser Basin (I liked the Blue Bell Pool)

Norris Geyser Basin (I hiked all around the Porcelain Basin which was about two miles)

On my second day in the park I went on several scenic drives.  It was so beautiful!

The Yellowstone River

The Lower Falls

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.  So Spectacular!

I was able to see lots of wildlife!  You're not really supposed to get this close to the buffalo but I just kept walking towards them!  On a Yellowstone trip when I was ten, I walked right up to a buffalo to get a close-up picture and it freaked my Dad out.  He couldn't yell at me to stop because he was afraid of spooking the buffalo.  If I recall correctly, the picture I got was blurry...

I stayed in a cabin at the West Yellowstone KOA and it was so much fun!  The people in the cabins were outdoorsy, adventurous, and very friendly with lots of stories to tell around the campfire.  I enjoyed sitting on my porch reading.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Yellowstone.  Next time I visit I want to go fishing!

Note:  For two nights I drove into West Yellowstone to see productions at the Playmill Theatre.  On Monday night I saw Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, which was fun as always, and on Tuesday night I saw Les Miserables, which was absolutely amazing!  It is a small and intimate theatre and the performers lead you to your seats and chat with you for a few minutes.  They all recognized me when I returned on Tuesday (I sat in the same seat both nights); one of them kissed me on the cheek and another one hugged me.  I really enjoyed both shows and I highly recommend them if you are in the area this summer.

Go here for more information and to purchase tickets.

Canadian Rockies

When I landed in Calgary on Canada Day in 2011, the customs official took one look at my passport and exclaimed, "Welcome home, young lady."  I immediately burst into tears.  It felt so good to be back in the country of my birth.  While this trip was a sort of homecoming for me, I had never actually been in western Canada before (I am from Ontario). What I saw was absolutely amazing!  Here are a few highlights.

Two Jack Lake in Banff National Park

Lake Minnewanka in Banff National Park

Moraine Lake in Banff National Park

Valley of the Ten Peaks surrounding Moraine Lake

Chateau Lake Louise

Lake Louise in Banff National Park  (quite possibly the most beautiful place on earth)

Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park

Natural Bridge

Crowfoot Glacier in Banff National Park

Peyto Lake in Banff National Park

Athabasca Glacier in Jasper National Park

This is how we got to the Athabasca Glacier.  It cost millions of dollars!

Athabasca Falls

White water rafting on the Athabasca River (Do I look terrified?)

Medicine Lake

Maligne Lake in Jasper National Park

Spirit Island in Maligne Lake

Maligne Falls

I took the Rocky Mountaineer from Jasper to Vancouver.  Total luxury for two days!

I took a ferry to Vancouver Island for a day trip to Victoria which is absolutely charming!

I visited Butchart Gardens, a series of gardens created in a former limestone quarry, while in Victoria.

In my opinion, Canada is absolutely beautiful and the scenery on this trip took my breath away on multiple occasions.  It was one of the best trips I have ever taken and I would love to return to Lake Louise!

African Safari