Photo Blogging Challenge – Empty Nesters (July 2016)

On July 31, 2016July 31, 2016 By GeoKsIn Photography12 Comments

The theme for this month's photo blogging challenge is actually Photographer's Choice. With our oldest son at university for spring semester and our youngest son away at SHAD for 27 days, this was our first time being empty nesters for longer than a few days at a stretch. We opted to enjoy much of our time being out and about, hiking, biking and exploring in Canmore, Banff and Kananaskis Country. The obvious choice for this month's post was to showcase highlights from our empty nester trial period.

Hiking Banff National Park – Sunshine Village to Citadel Pass

On July 28, 2016July 28, 2016 By GeoKsIn Banff NP, Hiking4 Comments

We first hiked to Citadel Pass in 2009. After seven years, two things prompted us to return: first, there's summer weekend gondola service to Sunshine Village; and second, the moderate elevation gain is something I can handle even with a torn ACL. Our late July timing was ideal. The wildflowers were fantastic! We also spotted a male Mountain Bluebird and enjoyed the company of countless Columbian Ground Squirrels. For more than half the day we enjoyed blue skies which meant great long distance viewing of the cone of Mt. Assiniboine - something cloaked by forest fire smoke during our 2009 exploration of this trail.

Hiking the Bow Valley – Three Sisters Creek and Waterfall

On February 22, 2015June 30, 2022 By GeoKsIn Bow Valley, Hiking16 Comments

This short and relatively easy walk near Canmore is a family favourite any time of year. Waterfalls, ice formations, wildflowers, mountain bikers and an old concrete dam add multiple points of interest.

Hiking Banff National Park – Sunshine Meadows

On August 12, 2014October 12, 2019 By GeoKsIn Banff NP, Hiking8 Comments

All through last summer we kept our fingers crossed that we'd be able to use our Sunshine Meadows shuttle tickets during wildflower season. But to our disappointment, the June flood damage was so extensive that the shuttle service didn't run again in 2013. So as soon as online bookings opened for the 2014 hiking season, …

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Hiking Banff National Park – Taylor Lake

On July 10, 2014January 2, 2017 By GeoKsIn Banff NP, Hiking4 Comments

Friends, family and physiotherapists have repeatedly recommended that we hike or snowshoe to Taylor Lake. We finally listened! To be honest, trail conditions also factored into our decision to hike to one of the most accessible hanging valley lakes between Banff and Lake Louise. The posted distance of 12.6 km and 585 m elevation gain …

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