apologize for the lack of posts recently. Between summer vacation, back to school, and other events, my focus was elsewhere. However, I am ready to dive back into blogging with renewed vigor!
This year, for our family vacation, we decided to venture further north than ever before. We headed straight to the spectacular Northwest Territories. In late August, we packed our carry-ons and boarded an early morning plane from Pearson Airport. Originally, we were booked on a flight from Waterloo Airport by WestJet, but unfortunately, that flight was cancelled due to forest fires in the area.
So, we ended up departing from Calgary instead. On the tarmac at Calgary, we could see and smell smoke in the air and haze on the horizon from the ongoing forest fires. It was a sobering sight to see and I sincerely hope that all fires are now extinguished.
Despite this setback, we made it to Yellowknife without any further issues and settled into our accommodations for the duration of our trip. We had a fantastic time exploring the beauty of the Northwest Territories and experiencing all it has to offer. From stunning natural landscapes to unique wildlife, we were constantly amazed by what we saw and experienced.
Overall, our family vacation to the Northwest Territories was one for the books. It was a great escape from our daily routines and allowed us to reconnect as a family while also enjoying some much-needed downtime. We can't wait to plan our next adventure together!
Yellowknife, North West Territories - Canada was delightful. As soon as you enter the cozy airport, you know you are in the North as you are greeted by a huge statue of a polar bear on the ice, chasing some seals. There are furs and antler prominently displayed. And very down home, friendly people.
We stayed at an AirBNB condo right on Great Slave Lake that was maybe a seven minute drive from the airport. It was in Old Town, where some of the original cabins and shacks are still standing. A lot of things were in easy walking distance; great food at places like the Dancing Moose Cafe, Bullock’s Bistro, The Wildcat Cafe and the North's only brewpub, the Woodyard Brewhouse where we also got a growler to bring back to our condo. A few streets away was the famous Ragged Ass Road; you can buy replicas of the street sign so please dont steal the real ones!
One of the highlights to visit in this area is the Bush Pilots Monument. It is a local monument that pays tribute to bush pilots from past and present, who played a vital role in opening up northern Canada to the rest of the world. This impressive monument sits atop "The Rock", a six-story rock hill located in the heart of Old Town. Once you reach the top by climbing up hundreds of steps, the view from there is nothing short of breathtaking. You'll often spot float planes taking off or landing on Great Slave Lake, adding to the charm and allure of this stunning location.
We made several trips into downtown, including dining at Coyote's Bistro on Franklin, where we were treated to delicious food and excellent service (thanks again to owner Ed But and his team for their hospitality). Our main purpose for visiting the area was to stock up on groceries and supplies, as well as explore the town. We had the opportunity to discover the school my wife attended during her time living in this area. Interestingly, we found out that there were only six traffic lights in total throughout the entire municipality! Even at night, these lights would simply flash yellow.
My youngest daughter is a geophysicist who works in the field of exploration in the North. Recently, she flew in from Whitehorse to spend a day with us and show us around as well. Her crew bunkhouse was conveniently located only a few minutes away from where we were staying. During her visit, she took us on a tour of Weaver and Devore, a trading post and outfitters that has been established since 1936. This establishment provides customers with high-quality outdoor clothing and gear for working in the North, making it an ideal destination for those looking to explore the region's natural beauty.
We had a fantastic time exploring the places my daughter had previously mentioned to us, including the colourful houses and houseboats situated on the lake. The experience was truly remarkable, and I'm grateful to have spent this day with her. It allowed me to appreciate the hard work and dedication that goes into the field of exploration and gain a newfound respect for those who pursue it. Overall, it was an unforgettable experience that will remain etched in my memory forever.
During our trip to Banff National Park we took advantage of the great weather and did a lot of outdoor adventuring. One of the highlights was kayaking on Lake Louise (trying to avoid a bush plane!) - it's a beautiful lake with lots of room for exploring, but be sure to check out the wildlife from a safe distance as you paddle around. We also drove out about 45 km on the Ingraham Trail to Hidden Lake Territorial Park. There we took a half-hour hike to Cameron Falls (see the picture at the top of this post). It was worth the effort though - the scenery was breathtaking! We spent a good bit of time exploring the falls and then crossed over a footbridge upstream to the other side to explore some more. The Canadian Shield rocks and bush in the area reminded me a lot of Northern Ontario where I grew up, but the trees in Yellowknife were much smaller. Overall, the natural beauty of Banff is truly awe-inspiring.
Yellowknife, Canada is a wonderful place to spend a week and recharge your soul. It offers a slower pace of life, cleaner air, and no visual pollution from billboards. The locals are known for their laid-back and friendly nature, making it easy to feel right at home. Although the best time to witness the Northern Lights (also known as Aurora Borealis) is in late August, if you go later in the fall or during winter, you can experience this awe-inspiring natural phenomenon. I highly recommend visiting Yellowknife, especially if you are an outdoor enthusiast.
In addition to enjoying the outdoors, having reliable communication is important. During my stay in Yellowknife, I had no problems getting a strong cell phone signal everywhere I went, including while hiking on the Ingraham Trail. While not always available, the 3G service was adequate. Additionally, our AirBNB included satellite TV and high-speed WiFi internet, which allowed us to stream movies without using too much data from our hosts' plan. We also brought some downloaded movies on our computer for family entertainment at night instead of streaming from the internet. Overall, Yellowknife provided us with everything we needed for a comfortable and enjoyable stay.
In conclusion, I would like to express my gratitude to Curtis Shaw. During this year's Canadian Telecom Summit, I had the pleasure of meeting him, and he generously shared some great tips and restaurant recommendations with me.
