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Alberta

Packing for Tenting (Family Fun Canada)
Have Tent, Will Travel: How to Pack When Car Camping

Originally published April 26, 2021 “Start hauling stuff out of the van, we need to find the tent first.” “No, I don’t know where the flashlights are!” “Where is groundsheet?” “I’m starving – has anyone seen the plates?” Ah, the sounds of making memories… Camping season is just around the corner
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Welcome Home! Canada Sign in Halifax Photo Jennifer Morton
Travelling Your Roots: A Return to Canada

Originally Published March 19, 2019 Returning to Canada after a lengthy absence, Jennifer Morton discovers the joys of ‘coming home’. When I left Canada on a 12-month working holiday to Australia in 2001, I had no idea that I would end up calling Down Under home. But, like a travel
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Marmot Basin - Top of CRE - Photo Credit Marmot Basin
Do Winter Right in Jasper at Marmot Basin

Originally Published Feb 17, 2021 Gliding through the forest following the ski instructor, as we cross from the mountain shadows into a burst of sunlight and open slopes, brings a vivid spark of joy. This is winter at Marmot Basin ski resort, just outside the town of Jasper in Jasper
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Tips to Enjoy Safe Family Skating on Canada’s Natural Lakes & Ponds

Originally published February 10, 2021 I have early memories of my parents strapping BOB Skates onto my bulky winter boots, and letting me shuffle around with my siblings on a natural lake in Southern Alberta. The sense of wonder and freedom I felt at the wide-open space still remains with
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Painted Warriors Bimose Forest Walk - Rebecca (left) learns about tying a clove hitch to secure the tripod for cooking over a fire. Photo Robyn Louie
Painted Warriors’ Bimose Stories of the Forest

We are walking with nature in a sun-dappled forest as we learn about Indigenous healing traditions with Painted Warriors, an Indigenous-owned business near Sundre in the Alberta foothills. Our guide, George, points out a native plant with feathery grey-green leaves, carefully breaking off a small leaf, crushing it to release
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Aidan Hopp follows in his grandfather’s footsteps - Photo Carol Patterson
Ranching History at Bar U Ranch: Photo Gallery

At the annual Chore Horse Competition at Bar U Ranch National Historic Site in September, skilled teamsters (people who drive horses on long reins) harnessed up tons of horseflesh to recreate ranching work of bygone eras. For one afternoon I could sink into the historical connections between steed and horseman,
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Competitors at Chore Horse Competition make it look easy (but It’s not!) - Photo Carol Patterson
When Horses Did Chores: Modern Twists on Ranching History at Bar U Ranch National Historic Site

At the annual Chore Horse Competition at Bar U Ranch National Historic Site in September, skilled teamsters (people who drive horses on long reins) harnessed up tons of horseflesh to recreate ranching work of bygone eras. I come from an era of forklifts and delivery trucks; my father, whose hundredth
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Dine and splash at R&R Wellness Spa - photo Fairmont Palliser
Time to Spa in Southern Alberta

Now that we can venture out again, with safety always top of mind, here are three spas in Priddis, Calgary and Canmore, Alberta to put on your feel-your-best list. Flourish, the LIV Well Spa at Azuridge Estate Hotel, Priddis, AB Semi-precious gems form slowly under pressure given enough time, so
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The Wild, Wild Westley – Calgary’s Newest Boutique Hotel

It took a wagon load of optimism to plan a new boutique hotel in downtown Calgary when 4th  Avenue was as deserted as the main street of a spaghetti western at high noon. But Canadian, family-owned Silver Hotel Group saw potential in a perfectly square, 70’s era, former oil and
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An eagle enjoys a shower after exercising. Photo Carol Patterson
Where the Wild Things are in Southern Alberta

Where can you take your nature-loving youngster once they’ve devoured all the animal videos and picture books in your library? When children express an interest in nature, the next step might be to take them outdoors where they can encounter animals in their natural habitat. That can be intimidating if
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