Confessions of a YYC Travel Junkie

[Fuzz]

Here's the burn map, so just cross reference it with trails of interest to you.


https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/ab/jas...asper-wildfire


Looks like Edith Cavell would still be great, but probably many others too.

[puckedoff]

The burnt out areas may be more interesting to see, would be cool to go now and then do the same hikes in 10 years and see the changes.

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by puckedoff

The burnt out areas may be more interesting to see, would be cool to go now and then do the same hikes in 10 years and see the changes.

That's actually a really cool idea that I might steal when I'm back in Alberta this August

[icarus]

Originally Posted by 8 Ball

We will be there October 9th to the 13th, so I will definatley look into this.

If you do go to the Expo, I highly recommend making pavilion reservations on the Expo app as early as it will let you in order to minimise the amount of time spent waiting in line. Especially if it's the final week, it might be busy.

[WideReceiver]

Is the Philip Currie dino museum in Grande Prairie worth the trip? Can you visit the dig? The lady I called at the visitor centre isn’t sure.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by WideReceiver

Is the Philip Currie dino museum in Grande Prairie worth the trip? Can you visit the dig? The lady I called at the visitor centre isn’t sure.

I liked it when we went. It's small but high quality.

We weren't able to visit the dig site but went during the pandemic. On their website it says school groups can go to the dig (minimum 15 people at $10 each). I'm wondering if they'd just let you pay the $150 for a family.

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by puckedoff

The burnt out areas may be more interesting to see, would be cool to go now and then do the same hikes in 10 years and see the changes.

Waterton (granted a few more years after the fire) was transformed. I expected to see burnt out forest, which i did, but it opened up amazing views of the mountains.

[WideReceiver]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

I liked it when we went. It's small but high quality.

We weren't able to visit the dig site but went during the pandemic. On their website it says school groups can go to the dig (minimum 15 people at $10 each). I'm wondering if they'd just let you pay the $150 for a family.

We’re looking into it today. You can be a palaeontologist for a day and take a guided river raft trip where the guide talks about the “river of death.” Our family usually does a week-long stay somewhere every summer so maybe Grande Prairie. Anyone know of a house rental? Likely not.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by WideReceiver

We’re looking into it today. You can be a palaeontologist for a day and take a guided river raft trip where the guide talks about the “river of death.” Our family usually does a week-long stay somewhere every summer so maybe Grande Prairie. Anyone know of a house rental? Likely not.

If you decide to do this I'd love a PM on how it went. My youngest is super into dinosaurs...

[WideReceiver]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

If you decide to do this I'd love a PM on how it went. My youngest is super into dinosaurs...

If you DM me it’ll help me remember otherwise I’ll forget.

[Lubicon]

Originally Posted by puckedoff

The burnt out areas may be more interesting to see, would be cool to go now and then do the same hikes in 10 years and see the changes.

There was a fire along Hwy 93 between Radium and Castle Junction in 2004. It is fascinating to drive through each year and see the changes as the forest regrows.

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by Lubicon

There was a fire along Hwy 93 between Radium and Castle Junction in 2004. It is fascinating to drive through each year and see the changes as the forest regrows.

How do you distinguish between that one and the massive one in like 2014?

[icarus]

Originally Posted by WideReceiver

If you DM me it’ll help me remember otherwise I’ll forget.

Just post here because I'm also curious about it and might want to visit one day.

[WideReceiver]

I will if I remember. I should.

[fotze2]

Trying to Rent a car for Costa Rica. Reserved one that seems way too cheap at Budget but now second guessing.

My buddy's concierge lined up a Toyota Fortuna for a little more money but will be less last minute charge sketch (I assume) since he is setting it up.

What the hell is a Fortuna? Anyone have any idea what this is? Like a Forerunner?

That good enough?

[Winsor_Pilates]

Resort recommendations for Cabo or the West Coast of Mexico?
Not all inclusive, and something with a good kids club but not a run of the mil family resort?
Higher end but maybe not quite the Ritz/Four Seasons type tier.

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

Resort recommendations for Cabo or the West Coast of Mexico?
Not all inclusive, and something with a good kids club but not a run of the mil family resort?
Higher end but maybe not quite the Ritz/Four Seasons type tier.

We went to Puerto Vallarta last year and had an amazing time. We used points and stayed at the St. Regis Punta de Mita and it was off the hook good. The food was incredible, the Kids Club was so fun for my daughter (she was 5), beach was amazing, hotel rooms were large. I can't say enough good things. But maybe that's at the Ritz/Four Seasons tier.

We did five days there and three at the Westin Puerto Vallarta which was also nice. We liked that it was closer to the city and we spent a lot of time walking around the old town, the boardwalk, etc. The pool there is fun (they have I think 3 pools all massive). Beach was small but great. Al pastor taco stand at the beach was on point and inexpensive.

The kids club there wasn't quite as good but they did have some fun activities.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by Sidney Crosby's Hat

We went to Puerto Vallarta last year and had an amazing time. We used points and stayed at the St. Regis Punta de Mita and it was off the hook good. The food was incredible, the Kids Club was so fun for my daughter (she was 5), beach was amazing, hotel rooms were large. I can't say enough good things. But maybe that's at the Ritz/Four Seasons tier.

We did five days there and three at the Westin Puerto Vallarta which was also nice. We liked that it was closer to the city and we spent a lot of time walking around the old town, the boardwalk, etc. The pool there is fun (they have I think 3 pools all massive). Beach was small but great. Al pastor taco stand at the beach was on point and inexpensive.

The kids club there wasn't quite as good but they did have some fun activities.

Thanks!
That's right up our alley.
Looks to be $1000+/night, which might be a little high this year, but it hits all the right marks.
I hate anywhere you have to fight hillbillies at 7am to mark your territory pool chairs.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Still a year or so away from doing it, but looking at going to Europe next fall for the first time with the wifey. Only going for about 10-14 days (would like to go for longer but can't). One thing I kind of was interested in doing was something like a 7 day cruise that hits Italy, Greece and Croatia. Anybody do something similar before, is it a good idea? Doesn't seem super expensive and looks like a quick way to hit 3 countries we really want to see. Then might spend 3 days or more just on land somewhere, probably Italy (Amalfi coast?). I'm guessing someone here has done a quick cruise like that and talked about it in here but I didn't see the post(s).

[WideReceiver]

Best source for that advice is Cruise Critic.