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Driving across Canada has been on my bucket list for years. There is just so much open space and each province seems to offer a different view. Taking the Trans Canada Highway is one of those must-do adventures.
The east coast offers gorgeous views and boasts some of the best fish and chips that can be found. Don’t forget to pop into a few local restaurants to try the catch of the day.
Montreal is one of those cities that is unique to Canada. They speak a different language, have the best poutine (a must-try when visiting Canada), and has a culture that is so open to community, music and the arts. Be sure to check the events calendar to see what is going on in the city as you’re passing through.
Toronto, it’s one of my favorite cities. The food, the sights, the different cultural districts, The CN Tower, the Skydome (yes, I’m still calling it the Skydome), the museums, the nightlife, the life, the city of love.
Niagara Falls is also one of those places that is worth the detour off of the Trans Canada to see. The small town is quaint and the falls are boastful.
If you’re looking for a place to camp or do some canoeing on your trip, Algonquin Park is the place to stop.
Continuing on the drive, northern Ontario is an experience with the twisty, rolling hills and colorful rocks. Just beware of the type of year as the bugs can be out of this world! Stopping in Sudbury to check out the Big Nickel and grab some lunch is also a great treat.
Manitoba and Saskatchewan offer golden fields that stretch for miles. Cities pop up out of nowhere and you really start to feel how much land Canada has to offer.
Alberta offers your first glimpse of the Rocky Mountains. They are an eye-opener. Towering in the background as you come upon them. Stopping in Lake Louise and Banff are a must. The ski towns offer year-round adventures and standing in the mountains is an experience that must be done!
The drive between Calgary, Alberta and Revelstoke, British Columbia through Glacier National Park, and Rogers Pass is my favorite stretch of the Trans Canada Highway. There’s just something about driving through the mountains that speaks to me. There’s nothing else like it.
If you’re looking to have a meal on the top of a mountain, stopping in Revelstoke and visiting Mount Revelstoke National Park is a must. You can drive almost to the top and walk the last 1 km to summit the mountain. At the top, there is a short half-hour hike through Meadows in the Sky that provides views of the mountain ranges that are a must-see.
Completing the coast to coast journey, taking the ferry to Victoria, BC is a must. The island is gorgeous and if you keep a lookout you can see the whales playing in the water beside the ferry. It’s a perfect way to finish off an unforgettable trip!
What is your favorite stretch of the Trans Canada? We’d love to hear all about your adventures! And don’t forget to enter our photo contest for a chance to win a $100 gift Amazon gift card! Just send in a photo of you camping or RV’ing for your chance to win!
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One of the best things in life, I find, is getting outdoors. Seeing and surrounding yourself with nature. It’s uplifting, energizing, and extremely peaceful. People are generally happier in nature and actively seek out the cottage lifestyle to get away from the busy buzz of the bright city lights.
Being surrounded by lakes, mountains, trees, wherever you are, I always feel the need to leave everything as it is while I spend my time outdoors. As traveling is such a passion, what better way to travel through nature than by unplugging and going completely off-grid? There are no distractions, you can soak in the stars and learn to truly appreciate your surroundings.
So, what are some tips and tricks to going Off the Grid, Boondocking, Off the Cord, Dry Camping, or a favorite of mine, Wild Camping (because camping in the wild… fun!)?
Showering and Faucets: Switching to low flow faucets and using aerators are a big water saver. If you’re looking for something other than a cold shower, take a look at the variety of solar showers available and soak up some warmth at the same time!
Greywater: Greywater can fill up faster then you’re prepared for. Make sure to switch to biodegradable soaps and cleaners for everything you use. This makes reusing the water to water your plants or keep the dust down around the campsite easy as pie – just use a watering can. Remember that dumping your greywater and leaving a giant puddle behind is illegal, so reusing the water or investing in an evaporation pond is the way to go.
Blackwater: Dealing with blackwater can be a bit of a tough one. Converting your toilet to a composting one can be done and is an excellent option, check out this article on converting your toilet here.
By far the most important thing to keep in mind when going off-grid is to remember to leave no trace. That means, picking up and packing out everything that you bring with you. Your campsite should be left as if you weren’t even there. Many parks and wilderness areas are being destroyed by people simply not picking up after themselves. It’s such an easy thing to do and cutting back on trash can be easily accomplished by using reusable containers and eating fresh foods.
Have you tried RV’ing off-grid? If not, what are you waiting for? The best of the outdoors is waiting for you and camping locations are free. What more could you ask for!
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I love music festivals. Discovering new artists, being in a crowd of people thoroughly enjoying the pumping tunes coming out of the speakers, and singing along to my favorite songs being sung by the artists themselves, is a feeling of freedom. From Coachella to Lollapalooza, to Shambhala, to Osheaga, each offers a slightly different feel and experience. While Lolla happens in the fabulous Grant Park in the Windy City, Chicago, they offer the ultimate line up of artists right on the water, right downtown. Fun! Shambhala Music Festival brings the electronic groove to Southern British Columbia, Canada. You’ll be dancing the night away in a beautiful slice of forest and farm for the best outdoor experience. Osheaga is the mini if you can call it that, sister to Lollapalooza and Coachella. Offering epic music in downtown Montreal in Jean-Drapeau Park. And then there is Coachella, with its two-weekend, three-day music and arts festival. Located in the Inland Empire’s Coachella Valley in the Colorado Desert. No where else can you find the perfect variety of music, in a hot sunny desert with so many options for fun!
When getting around to all of these fun and fab music festivals there are many ways to live in comfort while not having to slog around in the mud and use public toilets. You can actually have that long-desired shower before the end of the festival.
Enter the RV. Recreational Vehicle. Motor Home. Whatever name you choose the luxury it offers while camping out at a music festival is great. Here are a few great benefits to going to a music festival with an RV:
1. Setup. Everything is already set up and ready to go when you arrive, and takedown is super easy.
2. Privacy. You have your own private toilet, toilet paper, and best of all SHOWER!
3. Location. You can stay right on the festival grounds, or nearby, which saves on taxi rides or additional car rental and parking costs.
4. Cleanliness. Your sleeping area is much easier to keep clean.
5. Food. You can easily cook your own food with nearly full-size appliances.
6. Safety. All of your belongings are safely locked away.
7. Comfort. There’s nothing like sleeping in a comfy bed instead of on an air mattress.
8. Weather. If it rains, or snows, or is extremely hot or cold, you have a safe haven.
9. Sound. If the show goes all night and you’re ready to crash, an RV provides some sound protection.
10. Convenience. It’s like a hotel room where ever, whenever you want.