Do a Three-Sixty and Take it In

Now I’m going to take you away from the busy hustle and bustle of city life, to no place other than the great outdoors, the Canadian Rockies. And the first thing you need to do when you get there is take in a deep breath, let it out slowly and do a three-sixty… just take it all in.

The drive out to the Rockies is jaw dropping in itself. The moment you crest the foothills and get your first real view of those rocky giants, you will be able to understand why this has been called one of the most beautiful places in the world. Your breath will literally be swept away.

At this point, all the things you want to do/see are probably running through your head. What about hiking? Or biking? Or even whitewater rafting? Or if it is winter… downhill skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, dog sledding? The possibilities are endless! You will be like a kid on Christmas morning.

But forget all that business! It can wait. If it is your first time in the Rockies the first thing you need to do is find a patio, grab a beer or pop, and admire that awe-inspiring view. If the weather doesn’t permit, just grab a cup of hot cocoa, cozy up to a wood burning fire, and look out the window at those snow capped peaks.  Just take a deep breath, appreciate where you are, and relax. That’s what the great outdoors is all about… getting back to it all!

Where Your First Stop Should Be

When you take it all in, you have to be in the right place; and the first place on your drive out from Calgary (and the most perfect place) is Canmore, Alberta.

Whenever you hear about the Canadian Rockies you will hear of places such as Banff and Jasper, small towns located directly in the Rockies’ national parks. Banff and Jasper are advertised left, right, and center on tourism sites, which consequently results in these places being the ultimate tourist magnets. You will see tour buses loaded with people from every part of the world. Shops that line the main streets of these towns are identical, all containing the same, pointless knickknacks and souvenirs. Unfortunately they epitomize the typical tourist trap.

To truly get a taste of the Rockies, you need to go somewhere real that will allow you to take it all in. Canmore is that place. It is a small town located only an hour away from Calgary, nestled between two ranges of rocky giants. The people there are sincere, down-to-earth, and fun loving (unlike those found in tourist towns who try to squeeze every nickel and dime out of you). Canmore is filled with people who are friendly and outgoing; almost everyone owns a dog and the average fitness level is impressive. The community is vibrant and the opportunities for activities, restaurants, and just plain wandering around are endless. Main Street in Canmore will take you back, with an old-fashioned candy store and homemade fudge and ice cream shops. Top rated restaurants are sprinkled all over town, some of which hold the best view to the Rockies I have ever seen!

(Photo courtesy of: http://www.photosot.com/albert)

Canmore is THE place to grab that warm cup of hot cocoa or that chilled glass of beer, or pop if you’re a minor (and coincidentally the legal drinking age in Alberta is only 18) AND TAKE IT ALL IN!