Jasper, Alberta Canada Adventure.

Morning canoe ride on Lac Beauvert, Jasper Park Lodge

My son and I have been doing our annual summer trip to my home country of Canada since he was born. Occasionally dad will join us but most often he cant (my hubs works in television and the season usually starts back up in the summer) We were so excited when the Canadian government finally opened up the borders on July 5^th to fully vaccinated citizens (no quarantine necessary) We booked our flights to visit my hometown, Calgary, immediately.

One of dozens of waterfalls along the road to Jasper

When she heard we were coming, my childhood friend Jen suggested we do an overnight trip to Jasper National Park in the Rocky Mountains which I have been wanting to do forever. I have always had it in my head that Jasper is really far away and was an uncomfortably long drive. I was pleasantly surprised that its only about four and half hours driving straight through from Calgary but don’t rush because the drive is a major part of the adventure.

Bridge Number Three (I think) of Six at Maligne Canyon

We stopped constantly to take in the mountain views, wildlife casually hanging out on the side of the road and the endless waterfalls and lakes along the way. I was expecting it to be beautiful but what we experienced was beyond breathtaking I was often moved to tears by the immeasurable beauty of this wonder of nature.

Just some of the wildlife we encountered along the way, not pictured: Bald Eagle, Deer & Elk

We stayed right in town at a cute little lodge with an en suite fireplace (perfect for winter stays) and walking distance to numerous restaurants and souvenir shops. When we return, yes I’m already planning on returning next summer with my husband for a longer trip, we will definitely stay at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge.

Lac Beauvert at Jasper Park Lodge

With colorful Adirondack chairs overlooking the crystal-clear lake and little cabins scattered across the property I immediately got Dirty Dancing vibes here. We loved the Jasper Park Lodge so much we came back for breakfast the next day as well as a canoe ride across Lac Beauvert. They also have a golf course and horseback riding on site as well as two other lakes which are considered the warmest in the area.

The Columbia Ice Field, check it out before it totally melts away!

We packed in as many hikes and photo opps at waterfalls, glacier lakes and the ice field as we could in 48 hours but we barely scratched the surface of what Jasper National Park offers. If you are a nature lover I cannot recommend putting Jasper (as well as Banff) on your travel bucket list strongly enough, its definitely top ten in my books!

My son Hunter and I getting sprayed at Athabasca Falls 

I hope this post has inspired you to pack a bag and visit a new place, travel is the best thing we can do for our mind and soul. This was definitely an adventure my son and I will never forget!

xoxo ~Zia