Amy is an professional writer, entrepreneur, parent and experienced outdoor explorer. She has spent most of her adult life chronicling her adventures in the wilderness, finding deep connections to nature and the lands she calls home. Kayaking, hiking, skiing and family camping trips are her go-to's. She shares all her adventures with her young son, and offers travel tips for parents wanting to explore nature with their children.
The drive from Edmonton to Vancouver is one of Canada’s most scenic road trips, taking you through the Rocky Mountains, along rushing rivers and through small towns with unique attractions. You can make the trip in a very long day of driving, but the memories are made when you take the time to stop, explore and enjoy the journey. I know this route extremely well...
Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park, just outside of the town of Lac La Biche in Alberta, is one of our favourite provincial parks to visit. The park comprises eight islands, with the largest, called ‘Big Island’, being home to the campground, facilities, developed trails, and beaches. You can drive to the Big Island via a 2.5 km causeway. The island is nearly...
If you’re planning a trip to the Yukon, Whitehorse is the best and most practical place to start. It is the capital city of the Yukon, but it offers the best combination of small-town charm, endless outdoor adventure, and all the services families travelling with children appreciate. In the summer, the endless daylight hours and warm weather allow you to pack in...
The Skerwink Trail is one of the most scenic hikes we did in Newfoundland, offering mind-blowing coastal scenery around every turn. From dramatic rocky cliffs, unique rock formations and sea stacks, grassy plateaus, rocky beaches and views of the ocean and towns of Trinity and Port Rexton, you won’t be bored or disappointed on this 5.3 km loop. Travel & Leisure...
Watching puffins was on our must-do list while exploring Newfoundland this summer, and there is no better and easier place on the island to do so than Elliston. According to Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism, the Elliston Puffin Viewing Site just outside the community offers the closest view of puffins, from the land, in all of North America. This Puffin Viewing...
If you’re visiting Newfoundland, stopping in Twillingate for a whale watching tour is a must. There are few experiences more magical than watching humpback whales rise to the surface of the water, blowing air and sea spray from their blow holes and diving back down with a wave of their tails. Imagine that with the expansive Atlantic Ocean, dramatic, rugged...
Newfoundland is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places in Canada. Its dramatic coastlines, breathtaking scenery, Maritimes culture and friendly, welcoming people make it a fantastic destination for a summer holiday. It is an island, so unless you’ve booked a flight, the Newfoundland Ferry, operated by Marine Atlantic, is the only other way to get there. I was a...
Kouchibouguac National Park has always been the first “welcome to the Atlantic Ocean” stop on our trips across Canada from the west. It has shady and peaceful campgrounds, sheltered lagoons and stunning white sand beaches. Visitors can enjoy the natural beauty on hiking trails, coastal biking paths and by canoe or kayak. It’s the perfect destination to take an active...
St. John’s, Newfoundland, is one of the most interesting Canadian cities we’ve explored. Canada’s oldest city is known for its lively Maritime culture, colourful row houses and dramatic coastal scenery, and it’s a great landing point for your Newfoundland adventure. We recently travelled to St. John’s, and it exceeded our already high expectations. We were...
Good vibes at Good Spirit Provincial Park If you have a warm summer day or weekend (or week) near Yorkton, Saskatchewan, you’ll want to spend it at Good Spirit Lake Provincial Park. Its wide sandy beaches look like they belong on a tropical island, not in the middle of the Canadian prairie. Plus, the park has thought of everything for a fun family vacation at the...