Amy is a 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-tos. She shares all her adventures with her young son and offers travel tips for parents wanting to explore nature with their children.
The first time I camped at English Bay Provincial Recreation Area on Cold Lake’s northwest shore in Alberta, I immediately felt it was special. There was a lot to take in: the quiet rustling of aspen and birch leaves in the lake breeze, the wide-open expanse of Cold Lake, and the dense boreal forest along the gold-sand shoreline. I felt instant peace and could...
Alberta’s Lakeland Region offers abundant campgrounds near quiet lakes and a welcome escape from city life. With dozens of lakes, provincial parks, municipal campgrounds and forested recreation areas, it’s a popular destination for families, paddlers, anglers and anyone looking to slow down for a few days. We’ve visited several campgrounds...
Moose Lake is a sandy-bottomed lake located in northeast Alberta. In the heart of the Lakeland Region, this lake is popular for its sandy beaches, multiple campgrounds, fishing and boating opportunities. The lake is fed by Thin Lake River and flows out via Moose Lake River, which enters the Beaver River Basin and eventually empties into Hudson Bay. Needless to say...
Métis Crossing offers a hands-on cultural learning experience. It’s located a 1.5-hour drive northeast of Edmonton, near Smoky Lake, Alberta. The grounds sit on the edge of the North Saskatchewan River, on the original river lots of Métis settlers. It is the first and only Métis cultural interpretive centre in the province, welcoming visitors to learn about and...
Hooké is a Canadian outdoor brand that equips outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers with apparel and gear. They are lovers of wild nature, encouraging adventure and endorsing sustainability in all outdoor pursuits. When a Hooké representative contacted Northern Explorers about trying out their apparel on one of our adventures, we could see that their brand and values...
The hike to Eva and Miller Lakes is an out-and-back day hike in Mount Revelstoke National Park, British Columbia. It offers hikers beautiful vistas of the surrounding mountains and valleys, green meadows alive with wildflowers, boulder fields home to chirping pikas and marmots, and remarkably picturesque alpine lakes. Because you start at the top of the Meadows in...
Getting out on the water is one of the best ways to experience nature. In a kayak or on a stand-up paddleboard (SUP), you can enjoy the weather, spot wildlife and get some exercise. If you don’t own a kayak or paddleboard, paddle gear, or the right vehicle to transport them from lake to lake, accessing these activities can be difficult. West Country Rentals has the...
Paddling the Ucluelet Inlet – Mirage Sun Long Sleeve Tee from Hooke. Ucluelet, BC, is located on the west edge of Vancouver Island. It’s an end-of-the-road town that provides the perfect home base for outdoor endeavours, including paddling, hiking, wildlife viewing and surfing. The town is perched on a peninsula and completely surrounded by water. Its location...
The Sunshine Coast is true to its name. The sunshine glimmers on the Salish Sea, forests stretch down to rocky ocean shorelines, and smaller coastal communities invite you to slow down and explore. For families who like an active holiday, there are beaches to comb, lakes to swim in, forest trails to hike, and plenty of places to launch a paddleboard or kayak. One of...
Few outdoor reality shows have had the impact of Alone. This televised survival competition drops contestants into the remote wilderness with limited gear. We watch them rely on their knowledge, resourcefulness, and ability to adapt. The series has introduced millions of viewers to bushcraft and wilderness survival skills that many people might otherwise never have...