Tour Guide Jackie

25/07/2024

It's devastating to think our beloved Jasper is burning.

Grateful that my group and I were able to evacuate safely late Monday evening. Fortunately I had enough time to warn most of my guests while we were still on evacuation alert. But then suddenly it went to an evacuation order. My group moved fast and worked as a team, but sadly some left their luggage behind.

Understandably, it took awhile to get out of the town (see photo), but once on the highway cars moved. Sad to see many stranded on both sides of the road, with no where to go.

We are thinking of and praying for all our friends in Jasper.

14/07/2024

How many did you see on your trip to Banff National Park?

09/07/2024

Glaciers are no place for a walk in the park!

Walking on the Athabasca Glacier is not safe. The ice at the toe of the glacier is hollow and is collapsing. The underlying water is extremely cold and fast moving.

Over the years several people have died from falling into crevasses. These ice cold cracks in the ice are hidden below a thin covering of snow that may collapse under a person’s weight.

Only travel on the glacier in a guided party or if you have the necessary experience, skills and equipment needed to travel safety.

09/05/2024

It's calving season in Banff National Park!

23/04/2024

Travelling dinosaur exhibition hits Vancouver next week!
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29/03/2024

Vancouver cherry blossom season!

19/03/2024

Johnston Canyon in winter:

12/03/2024

Here in the 'très charmant' City of Quebec for company training & collaboration labs with one of the companies I'll be working for again this season.

Quebec City is Canada's 2nd oldest settlement after Port Royal (Acadia), present day Nova Scotia. In 1608, French Explorer Samuel de Champlain built a fortress here, and it became the capital of 'New France.'

In 1985 the city was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site as a "coherent and well-preserved urban ensemble, the Historic District of Old Québec is an exceptional example of a fortified colonial town and by far the most complete north of Mexico."

Many tour operators run escorted tours through Eastern Canada, which includes Québec. And/or you can also visit Atlantic Canada aka the 'Canadian Maritimes.' What are you waiting for? Book now!

My hope is to be one day leading tours in the eastern and Atlantic parts of my country.

I'm the meantime, here are a few night shots of Quebec City's 'upper (old) town' and surrounding scenic stops and villages, including Montmorency Falls. Feel free to share!

15/02/2024

This was a really sad headline to read back at the beginning of February. I hope for our partner wineries' sakes, something of a season can be salvaged.

01/02/2024

Check out these beautiful snow carvings that were created as part of Banff's Snow Days Festival 2024:

12/01/2024

BRRRRRRR! Canada is experiencing a major cold snap! Check out the current and forecasted temperatures below. (Aren't you glad you explored Alberta and British Columbia during the other seasons???!!)

Note, these temperature are in Celsius, not Fahrenheit.....

19/12/2023

Wouldn't this be something to see while on tour?!!! (I don't think it's a common occurrence!)

Apparently shot in Northern Alberta.

📸 Watch this video on Facebook https://fb.watch/p10NsLwzL6/?mibextid=v7YzmG

04/12/2023

Who remembers Jimmy Simpson's hexagonal, red-roofed 'Num-Ti-Jah' lodge near the shore of Bow Lake?

Num-Ti-Jah means 'pine marten,' the critter that inhabited the area en masse back in Jimmy's time. Now, they are elusive.

Cute little fella, isn't he?

Have you ever caught a glimpse of a pine marten? There are nearly 600 species of wildlife roaming in Alberta's parks, but consider yourself lucky if you spot one of these little guys. They're elusive!

*Please note that a photographer took this photo. Never leave your vehicle to observe wildlife, never feed wildlife, and always maintain at least a 100-metre (328-feet) distance away from large animals.

Photo by Dan Schykulski Photography.

23/11/2023

Remember the story of Calgary's Peace Bridge? It looks like it's been repaired:

08/09/2023

Emerald Lake - Yoho National Park, BC (Canadian Rockies)

Taken on two separate visits, 2.5 weeks apart.

27/08/2023

Telegraph Cove on northern Vancouver Island. Started out as a one-man telegraph station, and in later phases was home to a fish saltery, a cannery and a sawmill village.

Today, it's a major ecotourism destination. On our grizzly viewing tour up Knight Inlet on the mainland, we saw a momma bear and her two first-years (so, about 7 months), another momma with her 3-yr old, eagles, porpoises, sea lions and a lone black bear. We also learned a lot about bears today through the onboard naturalists.

Sadly, we were too far away for my iPhone to capture closeups of the wildlife. But do enjoy some scenery shots!

Tomorrow: whale 🐳 watching!

21/08/2023

And....that's a wrap! The Hope Chainsaw Carving Competition comes to an end today. Check out photos of the final products!

See you in Hope in 2025!

19/08/2023

Time for the biennial chainsaw carving competition in Hope, BC!

Sixteen carvers will be participating in this year's competition, at least one coming from as far away as New Zealand!

Some of you may remember our 'picnic lunch in the park' in Hope, BC, enroute from Kelowna to Vancouver. There we saw many carvings--including Rambo--from previous competitions.

19/08/2023

The province of British Columbia is facing the worst wildfire season in its history. As of August 17th, there are 366 wildfires burning in our province, many of these considered 'out of control.' In fact, today our Premier declared a Provincial State of Emergency.

Currently, the city of West Kelowna is battling a huge wildfire that has already consumed several structures. As well, the city of Kelowna has issued evacuation alerts for several areas. For those of you who were on the GCT 'Best of the Canadian Rockies' trip, you will recall we spent two nights in Kelowna.

The attached photo, taken near the visitors centre in Kelowna on Thursday night, captures the horrifying scene across the lake in West Kelowna. (Coincidentally, I flew over this fire a few hours earlier. Even from cruising altitude, my eyes caught a flame in the forest down below.)

Here in Vancouver, we are okay and the smoke hasn't travelled down quite yet.

I am unaware at this time if tour companies are cancelling upcoming departures, and certainly there will be re-routes for some tours in progress. I do know that Rocky Mountaineer has been impacted, as there are fires burning very close to the tracks in various areas.

To keep up-to-date on the current BC wildfire situation, check here: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status

📸 credit: cbc news

15/08/2023

For the first time, I had the opportunity to stay at the historic Mount Royal hotel in Banff. Originally opened in 1908, it has undergone many changes as a result of two main fires, the latest being December 2016. Today's hotel is a unique blend of historic and contemporary.

My room was in the 1960s wing. The room was rather simple, with no view, but the sense of history makes it worth it.

There are historical photos throughout, a library and more, but what I really love about this place is the outdoor hot tubs on the rooftop! Unfortunately I didn't get a chance to go in, but no matter--it was still hot out at 945pm anyways.

13/08/2023

Many of us have visited Lake Louise and maybe even snuck into the hotel, Fairmont's Chateau Lake Louise. But what's it like to actually *stay* at the hotel as a guest?

Stay tuned to find out!

01/08/2023

A popular activity to enjoy on the iconic Lake Louise is renting a canoe.

Come with bulging wallets, however: an 1/2-hr rental is $145 CAD/ $155 full hour.

24/07/2023

Tonight's adventure:

This evening I went for a little walk, setting out for Vermillion Lakes.

I only got so far before I came to a 'roadblock:' a mama elk and her young one grazing on the grass about 100m in front of me. Like any mother, they are very protective of their young, and you don't want to get too close. Finally they moved off the trail, but they were still alongside the trail.

Then some locals came along: one discouraged me from going (and in fact turned around with her dog), but the solo male that came next didn't seem too concerned. So I asked if I could tag along with him for safety, and he readily agreed. So off we went, but on a different trail than the elks.

Not only did I feel more safe with another body, but it was a gift to hang out with a local for a bit who was also up on his birds. We parted ways, but I will most certainly reach out to him next time I'm in Banff.

So I carried on to the road and walked to the dock at the first Vermillion Lake, and was blessed with these beautiful reflections of Mts Rundle and Sulphur. Just as I was thinking it's going to get dark soon and I should turn back...off trots a coyote on the hill immediately behind me. Oh great, now what? Do I take the trail back to the road, or do I stick to the road?

Hoping I might see some animals--but also terrified at the thought--I opted for the trail following the creek to get back to the road. And yup, sure enough I see a coyote (or wolf?) in the woods in the distance. I called out/made noise to let him know he should be afraid. (Lol.) He kept his distance, but he was watching me.

A short walk and I was back to the road...only to be greeted a few metres later by another elk.

A short but exciting adventure on many levels! Enjoy the photos.

23/07/2023

It was a perfect day to go for a float down the Bow River in Banff!

21/07/2023

Today we took a city tour of Calgary by coach, and one of the 'sites' I like to take my groups to is Peace Bridge.

Peace Bridge, designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, opened in 2012. It is used by pedestrians and cyclists only. Sadly, the bridge is still under repair since last year, as the result of one individual who vandalized aka 'smashed' 70 of the windows, causing over $1 million in damage.

Later I did my own 'walking tour' of sorts on my way back from picking up some supplies. I always enjoy a stop at the 'Wonderland' and 'Family of Man' sculptures, and never tire of catching the Telus Sky building from new angles.

16/07/2023

If you like going river 'rafting,' but without the fast water, currents and splashes, then you may want to check out this gentle 'float' experience in Banff.

(Something I like to help coordinate for my travellers in advance, to avoid the disappointment of tours being sold out amd to avoid the work of trying to arrange it on their own....)

Discover a family fun rafting adventure on the Bow River that is not on white water! This easy sightseeing activity is a top thing to do in Banff National Park.