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Living the Cottage Life at Clear Lake, Manitoba

When my wife and I moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba for the summer of 2015, I was told that we were entering the cottage country. There’s plenty of jokes about Winnipeg, ranging from that flat landscape to the harsh winters but when it comes to lakes and cottage life, there’s no better place to be.

Experiencing some of the lakes was on my must-do list and when my parents came to visit for a weekend, I did some research and found Clear Lake, which is nestled inside Riding Mountain National Park. This is one of only two national parks in Manitoba and although the mountains are nothing compared to the Rockies, the wildlife and serenity is unmatched.

Five Reasons to Travel to Edmonton

By Matthew G. Bailey 6 Comments

Although Edmonton might not come to mind when one thinks of visiting Canada, there are actually a lot of things to do in Canada’s northernmost major city. From world-class shopping to world-class festivals to beautiful snow-capped mountains just a few hours away, Edmonton has something for everyone and this guide will help you get the most out of your trip. [Read more…] about Five Reasons to Travel to Edmonton

Five Must-Do Activities in Vancouver, BC

By Matthew G. Bailey 1 Comment

Known for being one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Vancouver offers a lot of activities to experience. From mainland Vancouver to magical Vancouver Island, the list is endless, but this article will get you started with five must-do activities to consider on your next trip to Vancouver. [Read more…] about Five Must-Do Activities in Vancouver, BC

Flying High Over the Canadian Rocky Mountains

By Matthew G. Bailey 5 Comments

“Look to your right,” the Pilot said as we passed some mountain sheep resting high up on the cliff. It was amazing to fly so close to the mountain peak and witness these amazing creatures in their natural habitat. They were basically resting on the peak of a mountain! I fell in love with helicopters as we soared up high and over some of the most magical scenery in the world.

It was only a few minutes prior that I was sitting in the office of Alpine Helicopter Tours, listening to a quick safety video and anticipating the adventure ahead. It was a beautiful day with blue skies and sunny weather. It’s incredible how quickly you can go from being at the base to being above the Canadian Rocky Mountains.

Whale and Puffin Watching in St. Johns, Newfoundland

By Matthew G. Bailey Leave a Comment

A trip to Newfoundland just isn’t complete without a look at the famous Puffin. Small funny-looking birds with bright-coloured beaks like a parrot can be found in many windy seaside areas of Newfoundland. They are simply awesome to watch and cute of course.

Puffins are also very interesting. They feed by diving into the water (up to 60m I was told) and are better swimmers than they are flyers. They’re nests consist of burrowing a hole into the soil and they even go as far as to have two separate rooms; one for resting and one for pooping. Although they don’t fly extremely well, they can flap their wings up to 400 times per minute and they stay in windier areas where it can assist them in flight. Smart.

We saw thousands of them on a whale-watching tour we took with Mullowney’s Puffin and Whale Tours. Located in Bay Bulls, just 30 minutes from the famous city of St.Johns, Mullowney’s is a small outfit with a lot of charm and a great track record with their customers. We love supporting companies like this and we’re thrilled to hit the seas with them.

Become a Cowboy or Cowgirl Amidst the Beautiful Backdrop of the Canadian Rockies

By Matthew G. Bailey 7 Comments

I honestly thought that I knew everything about the Canadian Rockies. Okay, maybe not everything, but after living in Calgary for the last 10 years, I’ve had my fair share of Rocky Mountain experiences. I’ve spent a lot of time camping near beautiful mountain lakes, enjoying world-class skiing, snowshoeing, tubing, hiking, and even riding in a helicopter for a birds eye view of one of the most incredible places on earth. I really did think I had experienced everything the rockies had to offer. That is, until I heard about Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies. This non-profit group, which has been around for more than 90 years, takes customers for six-day journey’s on horseback through the backcountry of the Rockies. [Read more…] about Become a Cowboy or Cowgirl Amidst the Beautiful Backdrop of the Canadian Rockies

Enjoying a Warm Dip in Radium Hot Springs

By Matthew G. Bailey 3 Comments

I wish I was sinking into the pools at Radium Hot Springs right now.

This past weekend, my family and I travelled to Radium Hot Springs to enjoy a 2-night stay at Bighorn Meadows, some ice fishing with Reel Axe Adventures, skiing at Panorama Mountain Resort and spending some much needed relaxation time in the neighbouring hot springs.

There was something special about fishing all day on a frozen lake and then driving out to Radium Hot Springs for a warm (or even hot) dip in the developed natural hot springs. Walking out into the cold weather and feeling the warm sensation of the water when it first hits your feet is a delicious experience.

We ended up visiting Radium Hot Springs twice, thoroughly enjoying the deep relaxation caused by hot soothing water and surrounding mountain scenery. As I sat in the warm waters, I’d look to my right and see a frozen waterfall backlit by bright colours and when I looked to my left I’d see the cliff of a mountain with trees standing tall and covered in hoarfrost. It was magical.

One night we stayed in the hot springs for two full hours, only leaving because our skin was getting very wrinkled.

There are plenty of things to do in the town of Radium Hot Springs including nearby skiing, snowmobiling, ice fishing, snowshoeing, golfing, white water rafting and much more. After partaking in the suite of adventures in the area, there’s nothing better than swinging by the hot springs to sooth those tired muscles.

As I sit here typing away, I simply cannot wait to be surrounded again by the mystical steam of Radium Hot Springs as I soak in the hot waters.

Bliss.

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Our trip to Radium Hot Springs was graciously sponsored by Bighorn Meadows. This in no way influences my opinions of any activity. My readers are everything and I am always 100% truthful.

A Luxurious Stay at Bighorn Meadows, British Columbia

By Matthew G. Bailey 4 Comments

Opening the door to our 2-bedroom condo at Bighorn Meadows was a true delight.

Massive soft-carpeted hallways opened up to a breathtaking living room with plenty of windows letting in the sunshine and breathtaking scenery. The main bathroom was humungous and even had a dual shower for those romantic nights. The main bedroom also had it’s own shower and jacuzzi tub and the kitchen had everything you’d ever need.

We were really impressed. While I normally travel the world in budget accommodation, we decided on the 2-bedroom condos at Bighorn Meadows as my parents were joining Karla and I. We wanted to be able to make delicious home-cooked meals and be able to play games and watch movies just as we would at home.

Everyone was impressed. The colours of the condo were dark and sexy and the furnishings were luxurious. I wish my condo in Calgary looked like this place. We were only staying two-nights so we didn’t make use of the washer and dryer but it would sure come in handy for longer trips.

Our large balcony opened up to impressive views of the neighbouring mountains and the golf course, which was covered in snow at the moment.

We felt super comfortable. Walking into the bathrooms with their heated tiled floors felt amazing on bare feet. Turning on the fireplace and watching a movie on the flatscreen proved to be relaxing after a long day of adventures. Simply crawling into the massive king-size beds felt fantastic.

It felt like home, which was very nice considering a normal hotel room would have been small and stuffy. In between soaking in Radium Hot Springs, Ice Fishing for rainbow trout and skiing at Panorama Mountain Village, we were able to BBQ our own thick steaks on the outdoor Barbecue, play card games on the massive kitchen table and rest our legs on the comfortable leather couch.

We didn’t really want to leave but alas, check-out day came and we had to go back home.

I can just imagine the beauty of this place in the summer as well, especially if you’re into golf. Wake up, throw on some golf clothes and walk to the course. Breathtaking scenery, world-class golfing and no car = Sign me up!

Our 2-bedroom condo slept 6 people. Bighorn also offers 3-bedroom condos, which sleep 8. By the time you divide the cost, Bighorn Meadows certainly offers MUCH better value than a hotel.

Whether you’re looking to golf in the summer or ski in the winter, Bighorn Meadows comes highly recommended. It’s also a 4-minute drive to the famous Radium Hot Springs if you’re looking for a nice soak.

Visit BighornMeadows.com for more information.

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Follow me on Instagram for mouth-watering photography. You can find me at instagram.com/matthewgbailey

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This 2-night stay was graciously provided by Bighorn Meadows as part of a media visit. In no way does this shape my opinions. I always keep everything real and 100% honest. My audience is everything to me. I highly recommend Bighorn Meadows for a beautiful, luxurious and comfortable accommodation.

Ice Fishing at Whiteswan Lake, British Columbia

By Matthew G. Bailey 2 Comments

It was dark outside. A slice of moon glowed above us as we made our way to the Tim Horton’s in Invermere, British Columbia. At 7am sharp, we pulled up in the parking lot to meet up with Rylan and Chris of Reel Axe Adventures who were taking us out to Whiteswan Lake for a day of ice fishing for world-class rainbow trout.

We were told this lake is much more of an adventure than lake Windermere, which would have been much closer. Whiteswan Lake is situated 1.5 hours away from Invermere in the backcountry of interior British Columbia. The road to get there is an active logging route and as the light came out to expose the beautiful mountain scenery surrounding us, we didn’t mind having to wake up at such an early hour.

Fabulous Skiing at Panorama Mountain Village

By Matthew G. Bailey 5 Comments

One of my favourite feelings in the world is soaring down a mountain on skis, going as fast as I can and then making sharp turns so I can almost touch the snow like a surfer touching the water in a tube wave.

I had plenty of those moments this past week at Panorama Mountain Village. The ski runs are fantastic. The views are incredible. The amenities are plentiful.

One of my favourite runs was at the top of the champagne chairlift, which is almost the peak of the mountain. From there, it was 6 or 7 minutes of all-out speed as I raced down the mountain with nothing but jaw-dropping scenery in front of me. Even the ride up the chairlift itself is fabulous with tree after tree covered in hoarfrost.