The Yukon
August/September 2023 – 15 days
Yukon is located in northwestern Canada and is bordered by Alaska and the Northwest Territories. While the Yukon is the smallest of the three territories, its home to some of the largest mountains in the country and features vast wilderness and an abundance of wildlife. It also has a rich history of mining and is known for having the greatest gold rush in Canada.
Places: Alaska Highway (Dawson Creek to Haines Junction), Kluane National Park and Reserve, Whitehorse, Dawson City, Tombstone Territorial Park and Alaska Highway (Whitehorse to Dawson Creek)
Alaska: Skagway
Ontario | Georgian Bay Islands National Park
August 2023 – 1 day
Georgian Bay Islands National Park is located in the world’s largest freshwater archipelago and is the smallest national park in Canada. It contains 63 islands that are scattered around the southeastern part of Georgian Bay. The largest of the islands is Beausoleil Island, which was protected for its rich ecological diversity. The southern end of the island contains dense deciduous forests while the northern end features rugged outcrops of the Canadian Shield.
Ontario | Algonquin Provincial Park
July 2023 – 4 days
Algonquin is considered the crown jewel of Ontario’s provincial park system. It is one of the largest parks in the province and contains hundreds of interconnecting lakes, ponds and rivers, creating endless opportunities to explore the backcountry by canoe. Every summer we plan a different route into the interior. This year we decided to explore the eastern section of the park through Barron Canyon, which is reputed to offer the most scenic paddling in Algonquin.
New York | Buffalo & Rochester
July 2023 – 3 days
Buffalo is located along the eastern shores of Lake Erie close to Niagara Falls. It was named after the Buffalo River, rather than the animal, although there are several bison statues located throughout the city. It’s known for its historic architecture, industrial past, lively entertainment and for being a popular spot for cross-border shoppers from Canada.
During our long weened getaway to Buffalo, we stayed in Rochester for a change of scenery and to explore another city in New York.
Ohio | Cleveland & Cuyahoga Valley National Park
July 2023 – 3 days
Cleveland is located on the southern shores of Lake Erie. It’s the second largest city in Ohio and is considered one of the major cities in the Great Lakes region. After the completion of the Ohio and Erie Canal in 1832, Cleveland became known as an industrial and commercial center, helping transport goods and people across more regions. While the canal was later abandoned, today it is known for its museums of art, music, history and culture.
While in Cleveland we also made a day-trip to the nearby Cuyahoga Valley National Park to do some hiking and learn more about the history of the Ohio and Erie Canal.
Ontario | Killarney Provincial Park
May 2023 – 2 days
Killarney Provincial Park is nestled in untamed wilderness near Georgian Bay. It is open all-year round and provides plenty of opportunities to soak in the scenery of La Cloche Mountains, as well as many wetlands and lakes. There’s also a range of trails from multi-day backpacking to short and strenuous day hikes.
Pacific Coast | Washington, Oregon and Northern California
April 2023 – 10 days
The Oregon coast showcases breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, dramatic scenery of the rugged shoreline and windswept sandy beaches. There’s a paved highway that spans nearly 585 kilometers along the coastline, creating perfect conditions for a road trip with plenty of opportunities to explore. We packed our bags and hit up the (not so wet) West Coast in early spring to soak in the sights and explore a few national and state parks in Washington, Oregon and northern California.
Places: Seattle, Olympic National Park, Oregon Coast, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, Portland and Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
Ontario | The Cabin
April 2023 – 3 days
It’s finally starting to feel like spring here in southern Ontario with warmer weather and a lot of sunshine. But it’s only a matter of time before the mosquitoes become active. So for the Easter long weekend we decided to head up the cabin to enjoy the bug-free outdoors for the time being. We also hit up Presqu’ile Provincial Park and Frontenac Provincial Park to take advantage of the nice weather.
Ontario | MacGregor Point Provincial Park
March 2023 – 3 days
MacGregor Point Provincial Park is located along the sandy shores of Lake Huron. It is open year-round and offers a variety of activities depending on the season. It also offers roofed accommodations such as yurts and rustic cabins, to keep you warm and cozy during the off-season.
Ontario | The Cabin
February 2023 – 2 days
We planned to visit the cabin at the beginning of January to celebrate the New Year, but due to a series of mishaps, including a fierce winter storm over the holidays and us forgetting our snowshoes, we had to make alternative plans. And so with a free weekend in February, we decided a return trip to the cabin was in order. For real this time.
Ontario | Windy Lake Provincial Park
January 2023 – 2 days
Windy Lake Provincial Park is located northwest of Sudbury and is open year-round. In the winter, Windy Lake offers a variety of winter activities including cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and ice fishing. It also has roofed accommodations available for a comfortable and cozy camping experience.
Utah (and a bit of Arizona, California and Nevada)
January 2023 – 10 days
We Canadians can deal with the cold, but the heat not so much. So what better time to explore the desert than in the middle of winter with lower temperatures and fewer crowds. So we packed our bags and flew into Las Vegas to take a road trip through southern Utah to explore the “Mighty Five” national parks, along with a few other nearby national and state parks
National Parks: Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, Arches, Grand Canyon and Death Valley
Other Places: Snow Canyon State Park, Antelope Canyon and Nevada
Ontario | Ottawa
January 2023 – 2 days
Ottawa is the capital of Canada and is situated in eastern Ontario along the Ottawa River. It is home to Parliament Hill and contains many historic sites, landmarks and national museums. This vibrant city also offers year-round opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, including skating on the Rideau Canal in the winter and hiking one of many trails in or around the city.