Saskatchewan Yurts

Flora Bora Forest Lodging Yurt - florabora.ca

It may only be because I like the word "yurt", but a friend of mine stayed at the Flora Bora Forest Lodging yurts this summer and highly recommends it.

New experience? Check.

Place I've never been? Check.

... and really, that's all it takes (keeping in mind the fine print)

New experiences will not cause me or any of my companions to break my moral code and probably won't kill anyone

to add something to my bucket list.

My First "Instameet"

My Instagram handle: @drake.anna

Two weeks ago, Vanessa texted me and asked if I was interested in going to an "Instameet" in Regina. I had no idea what that was, but as I am almost always up for trying something new, I said

"Sure! Sounds like fun! ...what is it???"

In response to which she sent me to @instameetyqr, which led me to the discovery of a bluebird migration in Saskatchewan, which is a completely different post.

Eventually, we figured out that we were a week early for the Instameet, but that just meant that we were very ready for this "meeting of Instagram enthusiasts" by Thursday evening.

We met at Wascana Place, I was early enough that I got a t-shirt, and eventually (just as it started raining) we headed to the marina to kick off our walk.

Bluebird Migration in Saskatchewan

Jenn Smith Nelson - travelandhappiness.com

I have been invited to the first Instameet in Regina, and while perusing the "travel + happiness" blog for details, I came across a post about the annual bluebird migration.

Added that to my bucket list of things to do and I'm Very excited about next spring now!

"...flocks of brilliant blue wings flutter across the prairie skyline..."

Jenn Smith Nelson

WELCOMING SPRING WITH ANNUAL BLUEBIRD PILGRIMAGE

So. Excited.

Up Next: Mount Rushmore and Theodore Roosevelt National Park

I have made a decision.

I'm cancelling my September camping reservation for Buffalo Pound Provincial Park in Saskatchewan, and I'm driving across the border to North Dakota, where I'll camp for the weekend in the Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

On Saturday, I'll drive down to South Dakota, visit Bear Country USA, Mount Rushmore, and the Crazy Horse Memorial. On the way back to camp, I'll drive through the Black Hills National Park and check out the Historic centre of Deadwood.

Within the Theodore Roosevelt National Park, there are two scenic drives and multiple easy hiking routes to be explored for the rest of the weekend. Also, Makoshika State Park is nearby, so if I get bored of the TRNP, maybe I'll wander over there.

"There are not many places where you can run the risk of being trampled by a bison and bitten by a rattlesnake at the same time."

I am inspired. Can't wait to explore!!!

Hopefully, I won't get trampled by a bison OR bitten by a rattlesnake...

Photo by North Dakota Tourism/Jim Gallop

Hiking in the Canadian Rockies

Yesterday, a co-worker stopped by for a quick chat and told me all about her upcoming holiday plans which include renting a cabin in Canmore, Alberta and doing a few day-hiking-trips.

...

And part of me said "WHAAT!?!? I could go hiking in mountains that are right next door!? I don't need to travel around the world to do that?!?"

And another, more sane part of me said "You are an idiot for not thinking of that sooner..."

...

I'm mostly ignoring that part of me, in case you were wondering.

Since then, I've done a bit of quick research, and found that in the Banff/Lake Louise area alone there are 16 easy to moderate hikes. I found a down-loadable PDF document that has details on them.

Incredible.