#Banff Deep 1 Day Tour

[banfftours]

Discover Banff's Hidden Wonders in One Day!

Ever wondered how much of Banff’s beauty you can experience in just one day? Banff Tours Inc. makes it possible with their Banff Deep 1 Day Tour! Designed for adventurers with limited time, this immersive journey reveals the breathtaking highlights of Banff National Park. From serene alpine lakes to majestic mountain vistas, every stop is a postcard-worthy memory. Their knowledgeable guides ensure a seamless experience, combining natural wonders with fascinating insights. Discover Banff like never before—compact, captivating, and unforgettable!

[vvitchella]

Virtual Visits

I know a lot of us would like be able to visit other places right now. It looks like we won’t be able to do that for a while, but we can at least pretend!

Museums:

Egyptian Museum (Floor 1, Floor 2)

Inside the Louvre (Part 1, Part 2 (also includes Napoleon Apartments))

The British Museum

Natural History Museum, Washington, DC

National Palace Museum in Taipei, Taiwan

Russia’s Hermitage Museum

National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC

Victoria & Albert Museum, London

Sherlock Holmes Museum

Natural History Museum, London

National Museum of Scotland

Libraries:

New York Public Library Tour

Guided Tour of the Library of Congress in 360°

Boston Public Library Tour

Old Library Ambience

Ambience: Being in an Old Library while it Rains

Royal Library Ambience: Rain and Fireplace

Luxurious Study Room/Library Ambience

Study in the New York Public Library

Ambience - Writer’s Library from the 1930′s

University + Study with Me:

Columbia University, Manhattan, NY

University Lunchroom Ambience

Study with a Friend at Columbia University’s Butler Library

Study with Another Friend

Korean Student Study with Me

Walking Around Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut

Oxford in the snow (some talking)

Walk a City:

NYC Museum Mile Walk

Dubai - Marina Waterfront to Jumeirah Beach

Monte-Carlo, Monaco

Amsterdam City Center

Valencia, Spain

Historic Heidelberg, Germany

Ho Chi Minh Nightlife

Hanoi Nightlife

NYC Midtown Manhattan (Part 1, Part 2)

Walking in the Rain in Tokyo

Walking in the Rain in Boston, MA

Downtown Seattle + Top Attractions

Downtown Chicago

Downtown San Francisco

London - Oxford Circus to Bloomsbury

Prague, Czech Republic

Historic Naples

Sydney + Historical Landmarks

Caythorpe Village + English Countryside

Castleton Village + English Countryside

Walk Nairobi, Kenya

Cairo Khan el-Khalili, Market  (skip intro)

Lagos Town Center in the Algarve, Portugal

Grimmelwald Switzerland

St. Ives, Cornwall

Groningen, Netherlands - Martini Tower to Groninger Museum

Walk New Orleans in the Rain

Walk Paris, France

Visit Historical Landmarks:

The Eiffel Tower

Berlin TV Tower

Saigon Skydeck (Bitexco Tower), Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

London Eye, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace

The Empire State Building

Statue of Liberty Tour

Walk of the Taj Mahal

The Colosseum, Rome

The Great Wall of China

Walk the Golden Gate Bridge

Machu Picchu (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3)

Leaning Tower of Pisa + Extra (some talking, mute if needed)

Visit the Roman Forum

Parks + Nature:

Forest Walk - Grand Ridge Trail, Issaquah, WA

Winter Forest Walk

Forest Hike - Baker River Trail & Chain Lake Trail

Forest Walk - Middle Fork Trail in Snoqualmie

Phacelia Flowers Field

Flowery Meadow, Bird Sounds Ambience

Butterflies and Flowers in a Meadow

Relaxing Meadow and Mountains

Scenic Drives:

From Nice to Monaco

English Countryside - Buxton, Blakewell, Matlock Bath

Banff National Park, Icefields Pkwy, Alberta, CA

San Francisco Pacific Coast Highway

Byway 12, Utah (with music)

Miami, FL Drive

Mount Rainier (Foggy, forested roads) (with music)

Furka Pass, Switzerland

Public Transport:

Tokyo Yurikamome Train

Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen Train

Sea to Mountains Train, Montenegro

NYC Subway - 96th to Times Square

Norway Subway from Stortinget to Jernbanetorget

London Bus Ride - Big Ben, Trafalgar Square, Regent Street

Scuba Dives + Snorkeling:

Music and some editing is just unavoidable in these kinds of videos for some reason? Please be ready to mute if needed.

Roatan, Honduras - Half Moon Bay Wall and Dixie’s Place

Florida Keys - Horseshoe Beach

Scuba Diving the Egypt Red Sea

Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia Coral Reef

Maldives Deep South Diving

Triton Bay to Raja Ampat, Kaimana

Hawaii Oahu Scuba Diving

Scuba Diving in Molokini Crater Maui Hawaii

Cafe Ambience:

There’s a lot of these that seem the same, but trust me, they are different.

Cozy Coffee Shop with Jazz and Rain

Rainy Day at Cozy Shop with Jazz

Rainy Night at Coffee Shop with Romantic Jazz

Rainy Day Cafe with Piano Music

Zen, Relaxing Rainy Day at a Cafe

7 Hours of Actual Coffeeshop Footage (with chill music)

Restaurant Ambience:

Romantic, Cozy New York Restaurant Ambience

Restaurant with Background Music

Outdoor Italian Restaurant at Night

Misc. Public Places

Staten Island Mall

The Florida Mall

Mall of America

Dubai Airport

Oceanografic Valencia, Spain (Largest Marine Park in Europe)

Tilburgse Kermis Funfair Carnival

Magical/Other Worlds:

Cozy Medieval Cottage Home with Rain and Fireplace

Magical Potion Shoppe Ambience

Witch’s Lair Ambience

Peaceful Nature Covered Subway with lofi (and cat)

Magical Forest Ambience

Witchy Coffee Shop

A Cozy Home:

Cozy Vintage Home with Fireplace and Thunderstorm

Cozy Winter Ambience with Fireplace and Snowstorm

Cozy Cabin Ambience

Randomizers:

The Secret Door: Tour random places in Google Maps.

Geoguessr: Get “lost” on Google Maps and find where you are.

Also tag yourself I’m “Peaceful Nature Covered Subway with lofi (and cat)”

[fireladybuckley]

A Thousand Knives of Ice

Fandom: 9-1-1 Pairing: Evan Buckley (Buck) x Eddie Diaz  (Buddie) Prompt: Falling through the ice Word Count: 10,661 Summary:  While on a roadtrip through the Canadian Rockies with Eddie and Christopher, Buck attempts to rescue a child with disastrous consequences for his own safety, leaving Eddie to take charge and nurse him back to health.  Rating: PG Author’s note:  I had an absolute blast writing this!  Please let me know in the replies or reblogs if you liked it!  It’s my first Buddie fic, but will most assuredly not be my last. :D

               “You know, I think I’m actually getting used to the cold,” Buck grinned as he hopped out of the SUV, pulling a knitted toque onto his head, a few curls of hair sticking out the front.  “Maybe they’ll make me an honourary Canadian soon.”

             Eddie, who had just gotten out of the vehicle on the other side, rolled his eyes and smiled indulgently at Buck’s enthusiasm.  Less than two weeks ago at the beginning of their month-long trip, Buck had sworn he’d never be warm again and complained incessantly about the cold.

             “That’s because it’s like 2 Celsius,” Eddie laughed, slamming his door and moving around to the back of the SUV.  “It’s unseasonably warm for this time of year.”

             “What’s that in Fahrenheit again?” Buck asked, squinting through the sun and watching a raven fly past them, cawing in its deep, croaking voice.

            “35 or 36,” Eddie replied, pulling open the trunk and watching as Buck bounced on the balls of his feet, clearly itching to go and explore.

             Eddie, Buck and Christopher had been on this road trip for about ten days, driving from Alaska, down through the Canadian Rockies.  Eventually they would head back down into the USA, following the mountains down through Utah and back home to LA.  It had been a blast so far, and Eddie was never sure who was more excited every time they stopped somewhere new: Buck, or Christopher.  Buck hadn’t done much travelling when he was younger and Christopher was obsessed with mountains after doing a project on them in school the previous year, so it had seemed the perfect trip to take.  Christopher had really wanted to see the mountains in winter, so Eddie had pulled him out of school a couple of weeks early before Thanksgiving break.  Eddie knew he really shouldn’t miss so much school, but after everything Christopher had gone through last year or so with moving to California, losing his mom, the tsunami, and everything else, Eddie thought he deserved a special break.  Buck had agreed, and so they’d appealed to Bobby to let them go and flew to Anchorage, where they rented an SUV and began to drive.

             “What’s this place called?” Eddie asked as he dug around in the trunk, pulling out the sled and Christopher’s winter jacket.  He’d lost track of all the places they had stopped in the last few days, first around Jasper and now near Banff, Alberta. 

             “Lake Minnewanka,” Buck read off the nearby sign, pointing at it.  “Ooo, they have boat tours.”

             “Probably only in the summer though,”  Eddie pointed out.  “Pretty hard to boat when the lake is frozen.”

             “Ah.  Right.” Buck seemed disappointed, and Eddie was unable to resist giving him a quick hug as he came around to his side of the SUV.  

             “Sorry Buck,” Eddie chuckled, patting his shoulder.  “I promise, we’ll come back someday in the summer.” 

             Buck laughed and pulled on his jacket as Eddie moved past him to get Christopher ready.  Buck was looking around eagerly, the sight of the large dock in the distance drawing his attention.  He was aching to explore again, but he reigned himself in as he listened to Eddie talking to Christopher.

             “Ready to go down to the docks, bud?” Eddie was asking Christopher, who grinned at him but shook his head.

             “I gotta pee first, Dad,” he said, holding up an empty Gatorade bottle.  Eddie laughed and helped Christopher get out of the SUV, looking over and seeing that Buck was still staring longingly down at the lake.

             “Go ahead and look around,” Eddie told him, steadying Christopher as he stood for the first time in a couple of hours.  “We’ll be a little while.”

             “You sure?” Buck asked, reaching out and ruffling Christopher’s hair fondly, prompting a giggle from him. 

             “Yeah, go on.  We’ll meet you down there in a few.”

             “Okay!  See you soon,” Buck said, leaning over and giving Eddie a quick kiss on the cheek.  Buck stepped back and watched Eddie slowly lead Christopher towards the bathrooms and then began to walk down a long hill towards the docks, face turned upwards, letting the sun soak into his skin.  Considering it was still very much colder here than it ever was in LA, Buck was finally not feeling too cold and he smiled as he walked, thinking he could get used to this.  It was a nice change not to feel sweaty every time he went outside, though he thought he would never get used to the kind of cold they had experienced when they’d landed in Alaska, which had been in the -30s. 

             Buck slowed his walk as he stepped onto the docks, looking around.  The large lake, which curved out of sight in the distance, was surrounded by multiple mountains and the view was breathtaking.  He had seen photos of this place in the summer, when the water was turquoise with glacial dust, but now the ice made the dark blue water beneath seem cold and limitless, and in places there were streams of bubbles that had frozen into white, oblong  spheres beneath the surface.  Making a mental note to point these out to Christopher, Buck continued up one fork of the large T shaped dock, barely even noticing other people around until he heard a scream behind him.

             Buck whipped around at the sound, instantly on edge and alert, scanning the small assortment of people scattered around.  Another scream brought his focus to a small family, a woman and a young boy on the dock, looking out over the lake in horror.  Buck followed their gaze and his eyes locked on a flash of pink, which he realized a moment later was a woolen toque, not unlike the one he was wearing himself.  Adrenaline pumping through him, Buck was already running towards them as the mother screamed again.

             “Help! Someone help! She fell through!”   The mother was clearly panicking, unsure of what to do as she was torn between jumping out onto the ice herself and staying with her younger son.

             “Stay with him,” Buck ordered as he skidded to a stop beside her and looked over to see the girl floundering in the water about thirty feet away, desperately trying to grab hold of the ice and screaming.   Buck lowered his foot over the edge of the dock and found, after putting some pressure down, that the ice was solid, at least this close to the dock.   Carefully, he stepped completely off the dock, arms out for balance.

             “What’s her name?” He asked the mother as he unzipped his coat and pulled it off, intending to use it as something the girl could grab onto.

             “Molly, she’s Molly,” the woman sobbed, clinging to her younger son.  “Please save her!  I can’t swim!”

             “I’ll get her, don’t worry,” Buck told her reassuringly, already edging away from the dock, trying to be careful but also acutely aware that the girl was quickly freezing in the water. 

             About fifteen feet from the dock, Buck felt like the ice was thinning and looked down to see spiderwebs of cracks starting to splinter away from his feet.  A wave of fear shot through him and he cautiously lowered himself down to the surface of the ice, remembering from a training video long ago that it was the best way to spread his weight and not break the ice.

             “Molly, just hang on, I’m coming!” Buck called to the girl, sliding closer to her on his belly, ignoring the chill of the ice quickly sinking through his shirt.  The girl was still screaming and crying, trying to hold on to the edge of the ice she’d fallen through but kept losing her grip.  As Buck got closer he estimated she was maybe seven years old and quite small;  if he could get a good grip on her he should be able to pull her out.

             Once he was about six feet away from her, he could feel the ice moving under his weight and slowed to a stop, worried that if he went any further it would collapse under him.  Sucking in a sharp breath as some water that had slopped over the edge of the ice from her flailing soaked into his shirt and against his skin, Buck did his best to ignore the sharp stabs  of the cold and tossed his jacket towards the girl, holding on to the opposite sleeve.

             The edge of the other sleeve fell just short of the hole and Buck swore, creeping closer as slow as he dared, feeling his heart hammering in his chest as he knew the girl was in severe danger of hypothermia the longer he took.  He crept a good six inches closer, then tried to toss the jacket again, letting out a breath of relief as the other sleeve hit the water this time.

             “Grab hold of the sleeve, Molly!” he called to the girl.  “I’ll pull you up!” 

             “I c-can’t!” Molly cried, trying to grab the sleeve, but Buck could see she was losing control of her movements, her muscles no doubt completely seizing from the cold. 

             Steeling himself and thinking he was probably going to regret this, Buck began to edge closer, focusing entirely on the ice around him and the little girl’s face, every sound in the background fading, even the mother’s screams of fear.  Finally, he was only a couple of feet away and he reached out his hand, gritting his teeth as the frigid water splashed onto him, soaking his arm, splashing his face. 

             “Come on, Molly!  Grab my hand!” he shouted to her, trying to stay as far back as he could while still holding his arm out.  “You can do it!”

             Buck was about to call to her again, encourage her, but when he reached a little more, trying to move his hand closer to her without actually moving closer to her, he felt the ice crack below his chest.  Buck immediately froze, trying to decide if he should try to back up again, but he knew intrinsically that it was too late.  He knew a single moment of panic in his mind, as he heard and felt the ice under him crack again, vaguely aware that Eddie’s voice in the distance was calling his name, before the ice completely gave way under him and he was plunged into the dark, icy depths.  

             Buck’s whole body was submerged before he even had a chance to realize the ice was gone and every skin cell was screaming simultaneously in agony  from the cold.  It felt like being stabbed by a thousand knives, like being consumed by fire and ice at once and Buck momentarily couldn’t think or move, his body rigid with shock as all of his muscles seized up.

                                                              * * *

             Eddie had just gotten to the docks with Christopher when he’d seen Buck lower himself to the surface of the ice many feet from the dock and realized something bad was happening.  He’d told Christopher to stay where he was and bolted across the dock past a few other people to where the mother was crouching, holding her other child and sobbing.

             “You!  Call 9-1-1!  And please watch my kid!” Eddie ordered, spinning around and pointing at the person he’d just passed, who was watching everything proceed with a look of horror on her face, then pointing towards where Christopher sat in his sled at the edge of the lake.  She started as Eddie pointed at her, surprised to be addressed, but she nodded and immediately dug for her phone in her purse, moving towards Christopher as Eddie continued to the edge of the dock nearest the hole in the ice.

              Eddie called to Buck multiple times, trying to get his attention, but Buck seemed laser-focused on the little girl thrashing in the water and Eddie realized he wasn’t hearing him.  Adrenaline pumping through him now, Eddie looked around wildly and on the other side of the docks saw a coil of rope hanging on a mooring post where he assumed a boat was usually tied in the summer.   Eddie sprinted towards it, nearly wiping out on a slick patch of ice as he tried to stop too quickly.  The rope was frozen to the post, but with a few good pulls Eddie was able to get it free.  He hoisted it over his shoulder and sprinted back towards the other side of the dock, hoping beyond hope that he’d get back and get the rope out before the worst happened.  

Unfortunately, Eddie has just come to a stop beside the mother when the ice gave way.  Eddie screamed Buck’s name, watching, horror-struck, as Buck’s form disappeared under the surface of the water with a splash.  Fear and panic gripped Eddie’s heart as he waited, terrified, seeing no sign of Buck except his green wool hat floating to the surface.  

                                                               * * *

             Something slammed into Buck’s shoulder as he floated there, suspended a couple of feet under the water, still in shock.  The impact startled him enough that he was suddenly able to move again, and he forced his body to pump his arms so that he could right himself.  After a moment of furiously swiping his arms, his head finally broke the surface and the sound of his coughs and gasps for air reverberated around them.  

             Eddie nearly cried with relief when Buck’s head appeared above the water, and he frantically began unwinding the rope, unsticking it from itself where it was frozen in several places, desperately trying to move as fast as possible. 

             Buck, meanwhile, realized that the thing that had impacted his shoulder was the little girl’s frantically kicking legs.  He was only a few feet from her now and though his entire body still felt like it was being stabbed while simultaneously on fire, he tried his best to fall back into firefighting mode and channel his adrenaline into helping her.  Her movements were quickly weakening and he swam the distance between them, grabbing her around the waist and holding her tight to his chest.

             “I-I’ve g-got you,” he told her, trying to sound confident even though his voice was shaking as he shivered violently.  She clung to him, sobbing and shaking like a leaf, as he struggled to swim sideways towards the side of the ice, every stroke more difficult as the cold quickly ate away at his strength.

             At the edge of the ice, Buck grabbed hold of it, testing how strong it was.  It would definitely not hold his weight, but it seemed strong enough to hold hers.  Desperately kicking in an attempt to keep his blood flowing and to keep them afloat, Buck extricated the girl from around his neck.

             “I’m g-going to push you up onto the ice. You need t-to crawl to your m-mom as soon as you’re up th-there, okay?”  Buck told her firmly, trying to convey how important it was that she do as he was asking, despite his shaking voice.  She was clearly still terrified but she nodded through her trembles, and he smiled at her, trying to reassure her. 

             “You’re r-really brave.  You’ve g-got th-this!” he told her, maneuvering so he was behind her and she was facing the ice, facing the docks.  He took as deep of a breath as he could manage with his tight chest muscles, steadied his grip on her waist and hoisted her as hard as he could.  She didn’t raise up nearly as high as he’d expected her to, his muscles starting to seize up considerably from the cold, and she floundered awkwardly on the ice, her ribs stuck on the edge.  He pushed again, as hard as he could, and felt her move upwards and forward this time.   The momentum of pushing her so hard forced him back down, though, and he choked on the icy water as his head was submerged again.  The frigidity of the water over his head gave him an instant, piercing headache and he struggled to get back to the surface, shuddering as the icy water streamed from his hair down his face and neck.  The next moments were a confusing mess of flailing limbs and splashing water.  Molly accidentally kicked Buck square in the nose at one point as she tried to propel herself forward and Buck noted in vague surprise that his face was so numb he’d barely felt the impact, though seconds later felt oddly warm blood join the water pouring down his face as he rose above the surface again, coughing and spluttering.

             Finally, through joint effort, Molly was completely out of the water.  Buck grabbed hold of her feet and gave one last push as hard as he could, the momentum shoving him backwards.  She slid forward on the ice as Buck fell back into the water, his head submerging below the surface yet again.

                                                              * * *

            Eddie was practically vibrating with adrenaline and panic as he watched Buck trying to save the girl, frantically uncoiling the rope.  He finally managed to unwind it all and ran over to stand beside the mom as Buck tried valiantly to lift the girl onto the ice.  Eddie watched helplessly as Buck had to keeping pushing her upwards, forcing himself back under the water several times in his attempts.   Eddie called Buck’s name again, but Buck didn’t hear him. 

             Quickly and expertly, Eddie tied a large loop in the rope, knotting it tightly.   He slid the loop around his shoulders to make sure it was large enough that Buck could get it over his own and pulled it off, satisfied that it would be the right size.   He urged the mom and her son to move away and planted himself firmly on the dock, knowing he’d get better traction here than on the ice, as much as he desperately wanted to rush forward onto the ice and save them.

             “BUCK!” Eddie yelled in fear and dismay, watching as Buck managed to get the girl up onto the ice, but then disappeared below the surface yet again.  Shaking himself, Eddie wound up and threw the loop towards the girl, who gave a little yelp of fright as it landed right in front of her face.

             “Sorry!  Grab the rope, sweetheart!” Eddie called, trying to focus on the girl while also watching the water, waiting for Buck to resurface.  Molly managed to get an arm through the loop and held on as tight as she could as Eddie began pulling her in.  She was light, even with her sodden winter clothing, and she slid quickly across the ice towards them as he pulled.

             Within moments she was right beside the docks and Eddie reached down to pick her up, looking out at the water at the same time.   The cold water from her jacket stung his hands as he set her down beside her mother, fear gripping him.   Buck had been under too long.  Eddie was just starting to think he might have passed out and was about to leap onto the ice without another though when Buck’s head finally reappeared, and Eddie could hear him gasping and coughing.  Both relief and intense worry set his body alight as he turned to the mother and tried to instruct her as fast as he could. 

             “Get her to your car and get all of her wet clothes off.  Wrap her in a blanket or warm, dry clothes but don’t warm her up too fast or she could go into cardiac arrest.  The paramedics should be here really soon.”

             The woman nodded, clutching her sobbing daughter to her side.  She picked Molly up and began to run along the dock and towards the parking lot, her son trailing behind her.  Eddie spared a momentary glance to make sure Christopher was still sitting where he’d left him, the woman with the cell phone beside him, then turned back to the ice.

             “Buck!  BUCK! Can you hear me?”  Eddie yelled as he gathered up the rope and began to wind it again so he could throw it out to Buck, who was just barely clinging to the edge of the ice and looked like death, even from this distance.

                                                              * * *

             It had been very hard, that last time, to get himself back to the surface.  Buck had been in the water for at least seven minutes by then and his muscles were so stiff he could barely move.  The sensation of a million knives stabbing his skin had slowly been replaced by a numbness so complete he felt like he was barely in his own body anymore.  He’d stopped shivering and struggled to find which way was up.  He swallowed some water as he ran out of breath just as he’d finally broke the surface, coughing violently and choking on the water, awkwardly trying to keep himself afloat and keep his head above water.  He tried to hold on to the edge of the ice, but he couldn’t feel his hands and everything was so slippery that he kept losing his grip, forced to clumsily tread water with his rapidly stiffening limbs.

             It was several moments before Buck realized he could hear Eddie’s voice calling to him and looked around, finally seeing Eddie’s form on the docks a good way away.  Buck’s brain seemed to be lagging behind, processing things slowly, but he eventually managed to focus on Eddie as he clung to the edge of the ice, forcing himself to kick every so often to stop himself completely sinking under the water again.  Buck attempted to heave himself upwards, but he had used so much of his energy getting the girl out that he had none left to hoist himself.

             “I’m going to throw you the rope!”  Eddie shouted, worriedly watching as Buck clumsily tried to hold onto the ice but kept slipping off, everything too slicked with water to hold his grip.  “Put it under your arms!”

             Buck tried to call back to him but felt like he couldn’t get enough air to speak, so he gave a weak thumbs up, letting out a soft cry as he lost his grip on the ice once more and fell back, spluttering as a wave of frigid water splashed over his head.

             Eddie bit his lip in worry and determination and launched the rope with a practiced swing.  It unfurled beautifully in the air, but stopped many feet short of the hole on the ice.  Swearing, Eddie pulled it back as fast as he could, winding as he went, realizing he was going to have to step onto the ice for the rope to get close enough.  The girl had gotten much closer to him before he’d thrown it the first time.

             Buck was rapidly losing control of his muscles as he tried to keep himself afloat.  His arms and legs were so stiff it took all of his effort to move them, all of his brain power to remind himself to kick to keep his head above water.   The only thing that kept pulling his attention was the feeling of the blood still pouring out of his nose.  He was too numb to feel the pain, but his blood felt sickeningly hot as it trickled out of his nose, dripping onto his lips and chin.   He tried to keep wiping it away, but the stark contrast of the scarlet blood on his pale fingers made his stomach churn.

             Eddie could see that Buck was having difficulty holding on and felt his hands shaking as he finished reeling in the rope.  As he adjusted his grip to throw again, he could see Buck slowly tipping backwards as he fruitlessly tried to grip the ice, and Eddie worried that he was starting to black out.

             “Kick, Buck!” Eddie shouted, winding up to throw the rope again.  “You can do this!”

             Relieved as Buck clearly heard him and sluggishly righted himself in the water, Eddie stepped onto the ice and crept a few feet forward, stopping only when he was sure there was enough rope to reach.  He planted his feet as firmly as he could, swung, and released the rope.   Thankfully, this time the rope landed right in front of Buck on the edge of the ice.

             “Grab it!  Under your arms!” Eddie yelled, trying to encourage Buck, who looked absolutely bedraggled and exhausted.   Eddie’s heart broke for him as Buck tried valiantly to grab at the rope and missed several times before his stiff fingers finally caught on the thick cord. 

             Buck tried as hard as he could to be fast, but his muscles were so stiff he could barely lift the rope once he got a grip on it.  He couldn’t feel his fingers or his hands at all, so maneuvering the rope was difficult.  He managed to get it around his neck and under one of his armpits, but he was having trouble bending his other arm enough to thread it up through the loop.  He could hear Eddie shouting encouragement at him, noticed the tone to the words becoming more frantic the longer it took him to move.

             Finally, after another minute or so, Buck managed to get both arms through the loop and settled it under his armpits.  Eddie immediately began to pull until he felt resistance, as Buck’s chest bumped up against the ice.  Buck reached out slowly, achingly, trying to pull himself up, not having a lot of luck.  Some of the ice broke under the weight of his arms and he cried out as a fresh wave washed over him.

             “Come on Buck, kick! You can do this,” Eddie called to him, his voice cracking slightly with emotion as he watched Buck struggle to the new edge.  “I love you, I’m right here, you can do this!”

             Buck looked up at Eddie through the haze of pain and exhaustion, trying to draw strength from his words.  He could see that Eddie, the man he loved, was clearly scared out of his mind and worried for him, and he knew that somewhere, Christopher was probably scared too.  The thought of the two of them filled him with metaphorical warmth, and he felt a last wave of strength and determination wash over him.

             As Eddie yelled “Pull, Buck!” and tugged on the rope, Buck let out a shout of determination, pain, and anguish and heaved himself upwards as hard as he could, clinging to the rope, using every ounce of his remaining energy.  He heard Eddie let out a whoop of relief as Buck managed to get his elbows out of the water and prop himself on the surface of the ice, which mercifully held him this time.  Eddie dug his heels in and began to pull, hard, nearly slipping on the ice himself but just managing to stay upright. 

“Kick! Kick as much as you can, Buck!” Eddie yelled, his muscles straining as he pulled.

             After an enormous amount of effort on both of their parts, Buck’s upper body finally left the water and he splayed out on the ice on his belly, drops of crimson blood hitting the surface under his face.  Eddie kept pulling, taking a few steps backwards as he did so until he was at the dock’s edge.  He hopped back up onto the wooden surface so he would have better traction and then began to pull Buck in as fast as he could.  Buck was too weak to help, too weak to do much of anything but attempt to hold on to the rope as he was dragged forward, leaving a wide swath of water shining on the surface of the ice behind him.  It felt like hours were passing as he moved across the surface a few inches at a time, and eventually he felt so weak that his head drooped, resting on his outstretched arm.

             “Buck!” Eddie cried when he saw Buck’s head loll, thinking he had passed out, but then Buck moved his legs on his own and he realized he was still conscious.  Still, spurred on by the fright, Eddie pulled as hard as he could, sweat pouring down his face from the effort, and finally Buck was within reach.

             Someone he hadn’t noticed nearby rushed forward and helped him pull Buck up onto the dock and Eddie hit his knees on the wood, pulling Buck into his lap, barely feeling the shock of the cold water soaking into his pants.  Eddie was unable to stop himself touching Buck’s face, pushing his sopping hair out of his eyes, putting his hand around Buck’s head and tilting it towards his, his hands shaking with relief.   Buck moaned, taking fast, shallow breaths, mostly limp in Eddie’s arms, his eyes firmly closed as he stirred feebly. 

             “Buck, Buck!  Stay with me,” Eddie pleaded, as Buck’s eyes refused to open and he moaned softly again, once again scared that he had lost consciousness.  As though through sheer force of will, Buck’s eyelids fluttered weakly and then slowly opened, and his gaze met Eddie’s. 

             “Eddie,” Buck murmured, his voice so soft and breathless Eddie barely heard it.  It wasn’t a question, more like an acknowledgement and Eddie felt tears well in his eyes at how broken Buck sounded.  Eddie stroked Buck’s cheek and leaned down, pressing a kiss to his frozen lips, so thankful to be holding him again that he momentarily forgot everything else.   He hadn’t realized just how scared he’d been until this moment, holding Buck in his arms.  

Eddie had almost lost Buck so many times already; in the fire truck explosion, in the tsunami; hell he’d almost gotten taken out by a driverless, flaming car careening down a hill when they’d gone to Texas.  Almost losing him again had terrified Eddie so thoroughly that his hands now shook uncontrollably as he stroked Buck’s hair, whispering to him that he was okay, that he had him, that he would be just fine.  Buck’s eyes slowly closed again and his head rested heavily on Eddie’s chest, still regularly letting out small gasps for air, clearly unable to take a proper breath.

             After a moment, Eddie shook himself; Buck needed care right now, not emotions.  Swallowing the lump in his throat and blinking back the tears in his eyes, Eddie got to work.  First, he reached down and began tugging Buck’s sodden forest-green sweater off of him, pulling it over his head and tossing it aside.  Buck moaned as his bare skin was exposed to the air, and Eddie shushed him gently, reassuringly.  Eddie quickly stripped off his own jacket and button-up t-shirt, leaving him in just a tank top.  He quickly used his t-shirt to dry off as much of Buck’s skin as he could, feeling horrible for him, his skin icy cold everywhere Eddie touched.  Once he was as dry as Eddie could get him with the t-shirt, he carefully sat Buck up, drying his back as much as possible as well.

             Buck groaned as Eddie sat him up, feeling all his stiff muscles resisting the movement, but he did his best to help stay upright as he felt Eddie pulling his arm into a jacket sleeve.  It was a weird sensation; he could see Eddie pulling the fabric over his arms, but he could barely feel anything.  His skin felt like cold stone, unresponsive to touch.  He could kind of feel the weight of the jacket once it was properly settled on him, but couldn’t really feel the touch of the fabric on his skin.     

             “Come on, Buck, we have to get you up,” Eddie said encouragingly, bending over in front of Buck and reaching for him.  Buck whimpered involuntarily as he clung to Eddie’s arms and Eddie all but picked him up, Buck’s muscles screaming in protest.  He nearly fell over as soon as he was standing, his knees buckling instantly under his weight. 

Buck was breathing fast and shallow and felt dizzy as hell as he teetered on the spot; the only reason he didn’t collapse was because Eddie was holding onto him.  Eddie wrapped his arm around Buck’s waist and pulled Buck’s arm up behind his neck, supporting the vast majority of Buck’s weight as his legs refused to do the job.  With a lot of encouragement Buck was able to shuffle forwards, and Eddie half-carried, half-dragged him slowly along the dock.  He glanced back only once, vaguely noting that Buck’s jacket was laying on the ice, then looking away, focusing instead on where he could see Christopher still sitting on his sled, the woman he’d had call 9-1-1 still standing on the shore beside him.

             It took many long minutes to get Buck even close to the edge of the dock; the farther they moved, the more heavily Buck leaned on Eddie, what little strength he had very quickly leaving him.  Eddie shivered slightly in the cold breeze and felt instantly guilty;  if he was cold in his mostly dry tank top, how the hell did Buck feel?   Eddie’s head and heart suddenly lifted as he heard sirens approaching, and a moment later, an ambulance pulled into view at the top of the hill and parked, killing the sirens.

             “Eddie,” Buck muttered, speaking to the ground because he could barely lift his head, his speech slurred. “Need to stop.  Can’t feel my legs.”

             “Just a few more steps,” Eddie told him, tightening his grip on Buck’s waist and pulling him along.  They were almost to the end of the dock, and there was a bench on the shore that Eddie could sit Buck down on for a moment, just until the paramedics got down there.  Eddie saw the mother waving at the medics and they went over to her car first, where he could just barely see a small figure wrapped in a blanket.

             Buck groaned but did his best to obey, shuffling forward like an old man, his grip on Eddie getting looser instead of tighter as his energy waned and he came dangerously close to collapsing.  They had barely made it to the bench when Buck stumbled and began to fall.  Eddie managed to steer Buck to the side and he collapsed on the bench instead of the ground, Eddie losing his footing as well and nearly falling again.

             “Dad!” Christopher shouted at him as he righted himself, and Eddie realized he’d be so focused on Buck he hadn’t heard his kid calling to him.  “Is Buck okay?”

             “Yeah, mijo, he’s okay.” Eddie made sure that Buck was securely lying on the bench before turning to the woman whom he’d asked to watch Christopher.

             “Thank you so much, I really appreciate you watching him,” he told her gratefully, the stress and mounting worry evident in his voice.  She smiled grimly at him with a nod, then looked over at Buck.

             “Is he okay?” she asked, in a very different tone than Christopher, and Eddie knew she thought he’d been sugar coating it for his kid.

             “He will be, he just needs to warm up and get a lot of rest,” Eddie said, running a damp hand through his hair.  “Can I ask you one more favour?”

             “Of course.”

             “Can you go up there and tell the medics they need to come down here too?  In case the mom forgets.”  Eddie didn’t blame her if she did;  if it was Christopher who had fallen in the water, he would have been laser-focused on him too.

             “Absolutely,” she agreed, nodding.  She started to turn away, then looked back at him with a smile.  “Tell your husband he’s a hero, when he’s feeling better.”  

              Eddie found himself smiling at this, feeling his heart swell as he thought of Buck.  The brave idiot had scared the shit out of him once again, but Eddie swore it only made him love him more.

              “Not husband yet,” he said, looking over at Buck, who was still lying where he’d fallen on the bench, “but don’t worry, I plan on telling him the second he’s coherent.”

              The woman smiled and turned to make her way up the hill, and Eddie pulled Christopher’s sled closer to the bench, sinking down onto it beside Buck.  He gently pulled Buck onto his lap, half-sitting him up so he could lean on Eddie’s chest, holding him close as they waited. Buck gave a very soft gasp followed by a moan and turned his face towards Eddie’s chest, he soaked hair leaving a wet spot on Eddie’s tank top.

              “Did Buck save that girl?”  Christopher asked, pointing in the direction of the water, and then the parking lot.

              “Yeah, he did,” Eddie told him, squeezing Buck to acknowledge him.  Buck, while still conscious, had his eyes closed, and Eddie got the impression he wasn’t really hearing them.  Eddie slipped his fingers down to Buck’s throat and surreptitiously took his pulse as he explained to Christopher a sanitized version of what had happened.   

            Buck’s pulse was slow, slower than he’d expected, and Eddie swore inwardly, worried that he’d progressed beyond light hypothermia into moderate, which was much more problematic.  Eddie looked around to see if the woman had reached the medics yet, and was pleased to see the two paramedics already leading a stretcher down the hill, the woman standing at the top and watching their progress.  She saw Eddie looking and waved, and he waved back, beyond grateful for her help.

              The medics got to them quickly and Eddie briefed them on what had happened.  Buck seemed to have stopped making any effort to sit up or move by that point, so Eddie helped the medics lift him onto the stretcher.  Once he was settled they strapped him in and Eddie gave his cold cheek another stroke before they started to push the stretcher up the hill.  Eddie nearly went with them without a second thought, remembering at the last moment that he still had to get Christopher back up the hill too.  

            Eddie said some words of reassurance to his son, who was upset at seeing Buck being wheeled away on a stretcher, though he wasn’t even sure what he had said as he started to pull Christopher’s sled, following the medics up the hill.  He, too, was upset at seeing Buck being wheeled away, the nightmare of the fire truck explosion and Buck’s crushed leg flickering in his mind as he walked, and it was hard for him to think of anything else.

              When they got to the top of the hill, Eddie saw the medics were checking Buck’s vitals and so hurried over to their SUV.

              “Are you okay to wait here, mijo?” Eddie asked, lifting Christopher up and placing him gently into the backseat.  “I want to go and make sure Buck’s okay.”

              “Yes Dad,” Christopher said softly.   “Tell him I love him.”

              “I will.” Eddie kissed Christopher’s forehead, made sure the engine was running and the heat was on so he wouldn’t get cold, then closed the door and headed back over to the ambulance.

              Buck seemed slightly more coherent, his eyes heavy-lidded but open and trying to speak to the medics, though his words were still slurred and his voice very quiet.  He was visibly relieved when Eddie came into his line of vision and let out a small sigh, looking plaintively up at Eddie.

              “I thought you left,” Buck whispered, weakly reaching for Eddie’s hand.  Eddie, feeling his heart break even more and guilt kick at his insides, pulled Buck’s hand to his face, kissed the back of it gently, then wrapped both of his hands around it. 

              “Of course not,” Eddie told him firmly.  “Never.  I just had to get Christopher into the car.  He says he loves you, by the way.”

              “Love him too,” Buck mumbled, his eyes drifting closed for a moment before he forced them open again.  “He okay?”

              Eddie shook his head, exhaling in both exasperation and a soft, disbelieving laugh.  Even in this state; so cold he could barely move or speak, blood still dripping sluggishly from his nose, icy hair plastered to his head, all Buck could think about was other people.

              “He’s fine, Buck.  He’s just worried about you.  I am too.”

              The medics spoke up at that point, telling Eddie that Buck was stable but that he should get checked out anyway, and asking if they wanted transport to the hospital.

              “What about Molly?” Buck asked, his voice breaking as he attempted to speak.  Neither medic heard him properly, so Eddie repeated his question for him.

              “We advised the mother to take her to hospital.”

              Buck and Eddie both looked over at the car next to the ambulance.  The mother was sitting sideways in the passenger seat with the door open, her daughter sitting in her lap, wrapped in a blanket.  The mother was obviously still extremely distraught, still crying, her hands shaking as she clutched her daughter closely. 

              “Take her instead,” Buck said immediately, his voice a little louder this time, a little more firm.  Seeing the mother so scared and upset seemed to give him some strength, and Eddie squeezed his hand.

              “Buck, you need to go to the hospital,” Eddie told him, though he could already tell by the look in Buck’s eyes that Buck would literally argue this until he passed out from exhaustion if he had to.  Sighing, Eddie rubbed his eyes, feeling a distinct pain in his head behind them as the medics reiterated to Buck that he needed to go to the hospital. 

              “My boyfriend is a medic,” Buck insisted, trying to sit up, clumsily pulling at the strap over his chest.  “He can take care of me.”

              Eddie sighed again, but knew there was no point arguing.  Plus, he had to agree with Buck’s assessment of the mother of the girl.

              “Look, he’s right,” Eddie said, gesturing to the car beside them.  “She’s in no fit state to drive.  Take the girl, I can bring Buck to the hospital myself.”

              “I don’t need the hospital,” Buck told him, but since he spoke so quietly it was easy for Eddie to pretend he hadn’t heard.  The paramedics looked at each other a bit uneasily.

              “Are you sure?  He should really get checked out as soon as possible.”

              “I’ll bring him straight to the hospital,” Eddie promised, ignoring Buck’s wordless noise of protest.  The medics had Buck sign a form declining care, and one of the medics began to unstrap him as the other approached the mother.  

            Eddie suddenly felt the enormity of all of this slam into him at once as he watched the paramedic undoing Buck’s leg straps  and felt unbearably exhausted, actually having to shift his weight to stop himself falling over.  Seeing Buck on this stretcher like this, blood on his face, his hair plastered to his head, paler than Eddie had ever seen before; it was suddenly more than Eddie could handle.  Goosebumps erupted on his bare arms as a cold breeze ruffled his hair and made the water on his shirt feel even colder, but Eddie refused to let his feelings get the better of him and took a few deep breaths, looking away from Buck for a moment and shoving away his weakness into a dark corner of his mind.  Buck needed him to be strong, capable Eddie right now and that’s what he was going to get. 

              Eddie helped Buck sit up and then carefully held him tight as he stood, his legs still as weak and wobbly as before, but at least they didn’t have the daunting hill stretching before them this time.  It was easy enough for Eddie to lead Buck to the SUV, and once he was settled in the front seat, Eddie quickly dug through their suitcase in the back until he found a dry sweater for Buck, tossing the wet one in a corner of the trunk.   He helped Buck take off his jacket and get the sweater on, as it would warm him better than the jacket, pulling the coat back on himself before hurrying over to the driver’s seat.     

              “I don’t need to go to the hospital,” Buck said almost immediately as Eddie got into the vehicle and closed his door, tossing the key hub into the dash tray. Eddie reached over past Buck and pulled his seatbelt down, buckling him in, ignoring the look Buck was giving him. 

              “You’re going to the hospital,” Eddie said, pulling out of the parking space and driving off. 

              “Eddie, I’m fine,” Buck said in a pleading tone, his voice cracking.  “Please… I really don’t want to go.”

              Buck tone was one of desperation and Eddie glanced over at him for a moment as he waited to turn onto the highway.  Buck looked very upset, and Eddie could only imagine what he was going through as all the memories of hospital visits in the past rushed through his head. Eddie didn’t blame him for not wanting to add another one, especially in another country.  Especially when they were on vacation.  But still, Eddie was worried about him.

              “Buck, you were in that water for a long time,” Eddie said, unable to banish the uncertainty from his voice, shaking his head as he pulled out onto the highway and began to accelerate back towards the townsite. 

              “And you’ll take care of me.  Right?”  Eddie glanced sideways to see Buck give him a ghost of a smile and sighed as he felt his will crumbling, rolling his eyes at his own weakness.  He was quiet for a while, going over Buck’s symptoms in his mind, well aware that Buck was still looking at him.

              “Fine,” Eddie relented, and sensed rather than saw Buck sag with relief.  “But with a caveat,” Eddie continued immediately.  “If you feel worse or get any new symptoms you have to tell me, and it will be up to my discretion whether we get you checked out or not.  Got it?”

              “Okay,” Buck agreed in a small, breathy voice, leaning back against the seat, clearly exhausted.  Now that they were on the highway at a stable speed, Eddie let go of the steering wheel with one hand and reached for Buck’s, wrapping his warm fingers around Buck’s frigid ones.  Buck made a soft noise that Eddie wasn’t entirely sure was happy or sleepy, but either way, Eddie held Buck’s hand until they had to turn off the highway about twenty minutes later.  Their hotel was thankfully very close to the turnoff, and Eddie parked, darted in to check in, and then came back out.

              Eddie realized Buck had fallen asleep in the front seat and Eddie hopped back into the driver’s seat, reaching across to take Buck’s wrist.   Eddie settled two fingers over his pulse point and counted, satisfied that the rate was higher than it had been before, which hopefully meant he was stabilizing.  After watching Buck sleep for a moment with a small smile on his face, Eddie decided to take Christopher up to the room first, not having the heart to disturb the poor guy just yet. 

              Fifteen minutes later, Eddie had brought Christopher and all the luggage up to the room and came back for Buck, who was still sleeping peacefully in the warm SUV.  Eddie opened Buck’s door and slipped a hand up to Buck’s neck, gently stroking there before moving upwards and stroking his cheek gently instead, trying not to startle him.  He noticed that Buck had started shivering again and was glad; it meant he was slowly getting warmer.

              “Buck, come on,” Eddie said in a gentle, quiet voice as Buck stirred, slowly opening his eyes and blinking sluggishly at Eddie.  “Let’s get you upstairs.”

              Buck was very sleepy and still weak, so Eddie took his sweet time helping Buck out of the car and into the building, into the elevator and down the hall a short ways to their room, attracting a curious glance or two from the couple of people they passed. 

             Without telling Buck, Eddie had upgraded their basic room to a King Deluxe suite, so there was a separate master bedroom with a king sized bed and a wonderful ensuite bathroom, with a double bed in the living room for Christopher.  Buck looked around in faint surprise as Eddie led him into the room, smiling weakly as Christopher cheered their arrival and waved.   Christopher immediately got up and padded over to them, wrapping his arms around Buck’s middle as Buck steadied himself on the wall so he didn’t fall over onto him.

              “Glad you’re okay, Buck,” Christopher said into Buck’s sweater, and Buck smiled, weakly rubbing his back, his hands trembling.

              “Thanks b-buddy.  I’m g-glad too.”

              Eddie got Christopher settled in front of the TV again with a snack and led an exhausted, shuddering Buck into their bedroom, closing the door behind them. 

              “We need to warm you gradually,” Eddie said, as he noticed Buck looking longingly over at the large jacuzzi tub.   “No hot bath until you’re at a stable temperature for a while.” 

              Buck sank sadly down onto the bed, hoping he would at least be allowed to sleep if he wasn’t allowed to have a bath or go in the hot tub.  His shivers were unending and Buck stared down at his shaking hands, his eyes slowly closing even as he sat there.  

            Eddie came over with a warm, wet cloth and took Buck’s face in one hand, gently dabbing at the drying blood on Buck’s skin with the cloth until it was clean, his touch as light as possible to avoid hurting him.  Buck let out a soft noise of distress and pressed his cheek into Eddie’s hand.

              “Come on, let’s get those wet clothes off of you,” Eddie said placatingly, giving Buck’s cheek a stroke before tossing aside the cloth and helping Buck take off his soaked boots, socks, pants and boxers. As much as Eddie wanted to comfort Buck, getting him warm was more important.  

             Eddie helped Buck into a pair of warm, dry underwear, and then pulled back the blanket on the bed.  Confused, Buck was too weak to protest as Eddie gently pulled Buck’s shirt off, Buck immediately crossing his arms over his pecs in an attempt to feel warmer. 

 “What are you-” Buck started, watching with growing confusion as Eddie peeled his own t-shirt off, leaving him bare chested. 

              “Body heat is the best way to gradually warm someone,” Eddie explained, flashing a brilliant smile at Buck that would have made him weak in the knees had he not already been weak in the knees.   “Come on.  We have an hour until Christopher’s movie is over.”

              Buck smiled faintly as Eddie helped him lie down, his body feeling extremely heavy the moment he was horizontal.  He was absolutely exhausted, and his eyes were already closed by the time Eddie joined him in bed and pulled the blanket over them. 

              Eddie let out a loud, involuntary gasp as he pulled Buck close, Buck’s chilled skin pressing against Eddie’s warm chest, the chill shocking him more than he’d expected.  Buck let out a very small laugh at the sound of his gasp, and Eddie felt Buck relax in his arms as he snuggled up against Eddie’s front.

              Within a few minutes, Buck began to shiver harder.  Buck whimpered and Eddie held him even closer as he shook, his whole body twitching.  Eddie had been expecting this, but clearly Buck hadn’t, if the way he curled up tightly against Eddie’s chest was any indication.

              “W-why n-now?” Buck asked, shivering so violently he could barely speak, his teeth chattering and his hands trembling as he reached up to push his hair off of his forehead.

              “Because before you were too hypothermic to even shiver,” Eddie explained, leaning forward and kissing Buck on the forehead, reaching up to stroke his hair.  “I know it feels shitty, but I promise it’s a good thing.  It means you’re warming up.”

              Buck let out a small groan and ducked his head, resting it on Eddie’s arm, letting out a long, shaky breath.  Eddie pulled Buck to his chest and held him close as he trembled, as he let out small gasps and moans as the shivers wracked his body.  Eddie’s heart felt like it physically hurt as he listened to Buck’s ragged breathing, his weak gasps and whimpers as the convulsions continued. Eddie wished nothing more than to be able to take away the horrible feeling from him, to be able to protect Buck from everything in the world. 

              “You’re a hero, you know that?” Eddie murmured after a while into Buck’s damp hair, kissing the top of his head.  “You saved that little girl.”

              “You w-would’ve d-done the s-same,” Buck replied shakily in a muffled voice, his head still tucked down against the crook of Eddie’s shoulder.   Eddie shrugged.

              “Yeah, but I didn’t.  You did.”

              “O-only because you w-weren’t th-there f-first,” Buck protested, and Eddie laughed softly, kissing Buck’s forehead again.

              “Just take the compliment, Buck,” Eddie said in quiet exasperation, shaking his head.  “You’re a damn hero.”

              Buck didn’t say anything else, but Eddie felt him smile against his bicep.   Eddie kept up a slow, gentle stroking of Buck’s back to comfort him and within a few moments, Eddie felt Buck’s weight press more heavily into him.   He continued to shiver, but not as intensely, and Eddie could tell that he’d fallen asleep.  Knowing that he’d likely be out for a while, Eddie gently extricated himself, gave Buck a quick kiss and covered him with the blanket, tucking it all around him so he was nice and snug. 

              Eddie pulled a long-sleeved shirt on and headed out into the living room so Christopher didn’t feel abandoned, watching the rest of the movie with him and playing a round of Kids’ Trivial Pursuit with him.  A couple of hours later, Christopher was cheering his victory against Eddie when Eddie heard Buck’s soft voice calling.  Eddie laughed, ruffling Christopher’s hair, and hurried off to check on Buck while Christopher reset the game.

              “How are you doing, Buck?”  Eddie asked, coming into the room to see Buck propped up on the pillows, looking somewhat more alert than he had. 

              “S-still c-cold,” Buck shivered, pulling the blanket up to his bare shoulders.  “B-but I’m h-hungry and don’t want to l-lie here anymore.”

              Eddie smiled and came over to Buck’s side of the bed, sitting down and taking Buck’s hand, sliding his fingers over Buck’s pulse once more.   Buck looked at him with a bit of a sad, vulnerable expression on his face, which melted Eddie’s heart and made it hard to concentrate.  He was pleased to feel that Buck’s heart rate had increased again and felt stronger than it did before. 

              “Come on.  Let’s get you some food,” Eddie said once he was done, shifting to take Buck’s hand and pull him into a standing position, realizing belatedly that he was still mostly naked.

              “I sh-should probably p-put some c-clothes on,” Buck said, crossing his arms over his chest again to try and keep warm as the cool air of the room wafted over his skin. “D-don’t want to scar C-christopher.”

              “Right,” laughed Eddie, rifling through their suitcases and finding Buck some sweatpants, a t-shirt and a hoodie and helping him get dressed.   Once he was dressed and standing unsteadily by the bed, Eddie took his hand to lead him out into the other room.

              “Wait,” Buck said, as Eddie started to pull him forward.  Eddie stopped, turning back to him curiously.  “I… I didn’t get to say anything b-back there, but I h-heard what you said.” 

              “What do you mean?” Eddie asked, though he thought he knew.  Back when he was trying to pull Buck in, when he was trying to encourage him, he’d been shouting all kinds of things, not even really aware of what he’d been saying, though he suspected he knew what he’d said. 

              “You… you said you love me.”  Buck said quietly, biting his lower lip a little, suddenly bashful.  “Did… did you mean that?  O-or was it just because you were afraid I w-was dying?”

              Eddie looked down at him for a moment, thoughtful, then reached up with both of his hands and took Buck’s face gently in them.  Eddie leaned in as Buck’s eyes fluttered closed and pressed his lips to Buck’s, stroking Buck’s cheeks with his thumbs as he kissed him.  Eddie felt Buck melt into his embrace and smiled into the kiss, slowly pulling away many moments later and looking down as Buck’s eyes opened to meet his.

              “I love you,” Eddie said simply with a light shrug, smiling and taking Buck’s hand once more.  Buck seemed momentarily stunned, but then his face lit up, his grin nearly as bright as it usually was despite his continued shivering.

              “I love you too.”

                                                            * * *

              A few days later, Buck was enthusiastically ready to leave the hotel once again.  He had slept a lot over the last few days, and he hadn’t stopped shivering until well into the night the day of the incident.  Eddie had extended their stay by a few days so Buck could rest, and he’d been alternating between sleeping in the king-sized bed with Eddie or napping on the couch, often with Christopher snuggled up beside him, watching (or sleeping through) a movie.  They played board games several times, as Buck could sit, wrapped in a blanket, and be perfectly comfortable.  Eddie had taken a quick trip to a nearby grocery store for snacks and had been ordering meals so that Buck didn’t overtax himself going out, which was nice the first two days but was starting to irk him by the third, as he was starting to feel a little suffocated.  

            The only major downside to his recovery had been discovering how sensitive his skin was after being so cold for so long, especially his fingers.  When Eddie had finally cleared him to have a nice warm bath, Buck had yelped as he sank into the water and submerged his hands; they felt like they were burning, the same sensation as having a hot shower with a sunburn. This meant the hot tub was out of the question and Buck had sulked about that for a while, wanting nothing more than to submerge himself in hot, bubbly water. 

              Thankfully, the sensitivity had subsided over the last few days and now they were, finally, heading out for a day’s sightseeing.  Their first trip was to a nearby hot springs, on Buck’s insistence that he was better.  It was snowing and the effect was magical as they watched the snow melt as it hit the steamy barrier floating up from the springs pool.  Christopher was mesmerized and Buck was mostly just pleased that he was able to soak without (much) pain, finally feeling like his old self again.  

            The only obvious sign that anything had happened was the purple bruises under either of his eyes from when the girl had kicked him in the nose.  Eddie had insisted that they weren’t as obvious as they felt, but Buck still felt self conscious about them, trying to avoid looking people in the eyes when he met them.  It also made kissing Eddie a little more difficult; Eddie’s nose had accidentally bumped his despite Eddie being as careful as possible just that morning and the sudden pain had taken Buck’s breath away. 

             Buck and Eddie followed behind Christopher as he led them up and down the town’s main street, going in and out of gift shops, buying souvenirs and fudge, getting an ice cream from a famous ice cream shop, even though it was cold outside.  Eddie pulled Buck into an outdoor supplies shop and bought him a comfortable new jacket and a teal knitted toque like the one he’d lost, getting both Christopher and himself the same hat to match, upon Christopher’s excited request.

             They stopped to have lunch at a cute little pub with great Irish food and were just stepping away from the door when something collided with Buck’s leg.  Buck looked down in surprise to see a young girl, who threw her arms around his waist.  He looked around, confused, until he saw the girl’s mother approaching with her small son in tow, and realized this must be the girl he’d pulled from the water.

             “Hi Molly,” Buck said, smiling, patting her on the back as she clung to him.  She said nothing, but her grip on his waist tightened as he said her name.

             “I’m so sorry we didn’t get to thank you the other day,” the mother said to him as she came level with them.  “Thank you so much.  I can’t even begin to repay you for what you did, you nearly died for a little girl you’ve never even met.”

             “It’s alright, ma’am,” Buck said, feeling his face flush as he felt rather than saw both Christopher and Eddie watching them.

             “We’re firefighters,” Buck said, gesturing to Eddie and himself.  “It’s what we do, I didn’t think anything of it.”

             “Cool!” The little boy behind his mother poked his head around her side to stare at Buck and Eddie.  “I wanna be a firefighter when I grow up!”

             Eddie grinned and high fived the little boy, who seemed star struck to meet two real-life firefighters.  They spoke with the mother and her kids for several minutes, until Christopher started to shift uncomfortably, feeling cold from standing in one place for too long.

             “Well, we won’t take any more of your time,” the woman, Eleanor, said.  “Thank you, again.  Both of you.  If there’s anything I can ever do to help you in any way, please, don’t hesitate to call.” 

             Eleanor pressed a business card into Buck’s hand so he would have her phone number and peeled Molly from Buck’s side, where she still was, refusing to let go. 

             “Thank you,” Molly said in a tiny voice, looking up at him, before dashing back towards her mother and hiding behind her, suddenly shy.  Buck laughed, then waved as they walked away, Molly looking back him several times and giving him a small wave before they disappeared around the corner.

             “Told you,” Eddie said, taking Buck’s hand as they walked slowly in the opposite direction back towards their car.  “You’re a hero.”

             Buck felt himself blushing again as he tried to wave off Eddie’s words, but as Christopher cheered in agreement and Eddie pulled him over to give him a kiss, Buck had to admit it felt pretty good to know that he’d saved that girl and he was no worse for wear besides the bruises on his face.

             “Fine, fine,” Buck said gruffly after Eddie had pulled away from the kiss as Christopher let out an “ewwww!” and they all laughed. 

             They got back to the car and Buck helped Christopher into the back seat, buckling him up before closing the door.   Buck turned around to see a squirrel bounding across the sidewalk right near him and watched, wrapping his arms around his chest as he shivered a bit in the cold air, even though he was in his snug new jacket. 

             “I thought you were an honourary Canadian?” Eddie teased, coming around the side of the car to see what he was looking at.

             “I was, until I spent twelve minutes in a freezing lake,” Buck lamented, and Eddie made a noise somewhere between concern and a laugh.  “I will never complain about being too warm in LA ever again.”

             Eddie actually laughed then, and clapped Buck on the back.  They both jumped into the SUV, Buck behind the steering wheel this time as Christopher excitedly asked where they were headed now.  They’d had quite the misadventure here but they were ready to continue on their journey as a family, just the three of them.  

                                                         * * * 

Thank you so much for reading!  Please let me know what you thought!

 If you would like to be added to (or removed from) my tag list for any fandom in particular, or all of my fics in general, please send me a message or an ask! <3

Tag list:  @outside-the-government​​ @littlecarowrites​​ @star-trekkin-across-theuniverse​​ @stormsnevercometostay​​ @southernbellestatues  @mad-girl-without-a-box​​ @reading-in-moonlight​

[travelaussie]

What are the Best Places to Travel?

Wondering where to go in 2020?

We’ve collected this list of the top destinations, you should consider traveling to for your next trip. Whether you’re looking to use those holiday days, rest during the holidays, traveling to the most interesting and relaxing places is something everyone should go occasionally to revive your life. But that all-important question surely arises - Where to go in 2020?

TravelAussie

put together this list of some of the greatest travel destinations of 2020 that will give you some ideas about where to

make your next trip

. We’ve narrowed it down to the top 10 best places to visit in 2020.

Top Travel Destinations 2020

Below are the top 10 spots to visit in the world for 2020. Each destination was evaluated based on scenic excellence, charges, security, meals and cuisine, as well as many other factors that go into choosing the ideal vacation getaway. Hopefully, these vacation trips will inspire you to take your next holiday trip!

1) Penang, Malaysia:

Grab your travel backpack; it’s time to go to Malaysia. Penang is one of the only thirteen states that make up Malaysia in Southeast Asia. It’s located on the northwest side of the Malay Peninsula and in close vicinity to the Thailand Border. Penang Island sits just off the mainland and is residence to the state capital of George Town. The food culture is like nothing you have ever felt. It all seems in Penang’s many markets and restaurants. If you’re a food lover, then this is the best place for you. The central location of Penang makes it a hub for spices and food from many different regions including India, Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Most of the best food dishes are either steamed in or served on pandan leaves. Nasi lemak is tasty spicy coconut rice and a national staple. Other activities in Penang include visiting the cultural museums and architecture in George Town, beach resorts on the island, and exploring the Penang national forest.

Best Time to Visit:

November to January

2) Bali, Indonesia:

Bali has always been a top travel destination due to its grace, but even so, there are still hidden gems away from the main tourists’ spots that offer seclusion with a feeling of peace and an amazing atmosphere. One such place is the island of Nusa Lembongan, which is situated off the southeast coast of Bali in the Nusa Penida district. Available by boat only, the island has a feel to it like few in South East Asia. Here, you won’t have to bother about crossing busy roads since there isn’t any traffic, and you won’t be teased while at the beach by people constantly trying to sell you things. Chill with your sunglasses and swimsuit on the beach and rest. Nusa Lembongan is the classic small island to rest and enjoy the beach or the many mangrove areas that encompass the eastern end of the island, but it’s also a great dive destination. One tourist attraction is the underwater Big Buddha which has been set by locals as a source of business. It also makes for a great snorkelling and underwater photography and one of the best vacation places for couples. Check out Nyuh Gading Homestay for a great place to visit on Nusa Lembongan. It’s right on the beach and has very good Wi-Fi.

Best Time to Visit:

May to September

3) Auckland, New Zealand:

Auckland is a coastal city in New Zealand known for its spectacular landscapes and wonderful beaches and islands. It’s also a famous northern hub for exploring other regions of New Zealand. The nearby Mount Eden (or Maungawhau) is a volcanic mountain you can climb and travel. It offers an incredible view of the coastline. Auckland has many beautiful beaches for day trips and surfing just minutes away. They range from white sand beaches to black sand beaches vary due to past volcanic action in the area. With the many hiking trails, viewpoints, beaches, and cultural places, Auckland has many activities to keep you occupied.

Best Time to Visit:

March to May

4) The Island of Skye, Scotland:

The Isle of Skye in Scotland is a hiker’s heaven and ranks high out of all the 2020 Top Travel Destinations. The picturesque and rugged landscape has a charm that is all it is own. From medieval castles to quiet fishing villages, the Isle of Skye is an ideal laid back vacation spot. The town of Portree is the hub of the island, which is a network of coastlines, lands, hills, and grassy swales. The island has a deep history that can be seen at the many museums and two medieval castles that you can tour. If you’re into hiking or walking, camping, bird-watching, or just remote areas, the Isle of Skye is the place to get on and get off the beaten track.

Best Time to Visit:

May to June

5) Banff, Alberta, Canada:

2020 travel doesn’t have to mean travelling on a 13-hour flight. For U.S. travelers, Banff is a quick getaway with some of the most beautiful views in the world. Nestled in the northern portion of the Rocky hills in Alberta, Canada is the small town of Banff. Most people outside of Canada have seemingly never even heard of it, but that’s what makes it so special. With the mountain range dominating the horizon, the views in Banff are second to none. Château-style hotels, eateries, and some boutiques line the downtown area making things very easy and one of the best family vacation places due to the abundant activities available. Visitors can ski on the hills of Mount Norquay or ride the Banff Gondola up Sulphur Mountain to swim in the Banff Upper Hot Springs which gives a great view of the countryside.  With 6,500 square kilometers of parkland encompassing Banff, the amount of hiking, climbing, a bike journey, and walking trails are limitless. Several Finger Lakes, such as Moraine Lake, offer a large view of the surrounding mountain range and postcard views.

Best Time to Visit:

June to August

6) Sa Pa, Vietnam:

At number 6 on the top spots to go in 2020 list is Sa Pa, Vietnam. The town of Sa Pa is located in the northwest portion of northern Vietnam in the Hoàng Liên Son hills. Famous for its terraced rice fields that are built into the sides of the hills, it makes for an awe-inspiring view and wonderful holiday destination. Locals, consisting of a mix of several diverse hill tribes, let you feel Vietnam in a way that visiting Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City just can’t achieve. If you love hiking, there are many trails leaving Sa Pa which take you to outlooks with magnificent views. The scenic waters, Buddhist temples, and the highest mountain in Indochina, Fansipan, are waiting to be explored. For a really cool area to stay in Sapa check out Miku Chill House located in Hau Thao village. The Mountain View can’t be compared and it’s such a peaceful place to chill for a few days.

Best Time to Visit:

March to May | September to November

7) Chiang Mai, Thailand:

There’s something about Chiang Mia that always leaves me more excited. Yes, the food is marvelous, but the city has a feel unlike any other in Thailand or Southeast Asia for that matter. The old quarter of Chiang Mai is enclosed by a moat and outer retaining wall that helped bolster the cities defenses in the early days. The wall has since been restored to its former beauty and adds a certain cultural appeal that most city centers lack. Chiang Mai nightlife is comparatively quiet compared to Bangkok and other party cities, but that’s not certainly a bad thing. The night markets are a great place to eat and buy, while the nearby mountains offer hiking and day trips away from the town. Chiang Mia is the digital nomad epicenter, with good internet and infrastructure for working out of a foreign hub. Just be aware of the farmers do burn their fields at certain times of the year and it can create foggy conditions. Regardless, Chiang Mai should be at the top of your 2020 holiday idealist.

Best Time to Visit: November to February

[tamboradventure]

How to See Alberta: A 10-Day Suggested Driving Itinerary

Posted: 7/6/20 | July 6th, 2020

Dalene and Pete Heck, the duo behind Hecktic Travels is also the team at Road Trip Alberta! Dalene and Pete are Alberta raised and currently living in the province’s third-biggest city, Lethbridge. Alberta is one of the most scenic provinces in Canada and, today, Dalene shares a driving itinerary hitting many of her favorite Alberta sights.

Arguably Canada’s most beautiful province, Alberta is known primarily for the mountain hub of Banff National Park. Millions descend annually on Calgary airport and then high-tail it west for an hour and a half to visit this gem of the Rockies. The draw of Banff is entirely warranted but many of these visitors often miss out on everything else that Alberta has to offer.

Its cities are dynamic, other mountain towns are just as gorgeous and with fewer tourists, the southeastern side of the province is home to a trove of dinosaur bones, and the north is covered in lush forests and teeming with wildlife and outdoor adventures eager to be had.

As a born-and-raised Albertan, I left in my early thirties to see more of the world, craving exploration. When I returned almost a decade later, I did so with fresh eyes and an appreciation for the land that shaped me.

This article outlines a ten-day road trip itinerary shares some of my favorite spots in the province that will help you see more than crowds of tourists in Banff!  

Day 1: Calgary

Dubbed “Cowtown” due to its roots in the cattle industry, Calgary is Alberta’s largest city (1.37 million people). Balancing modern urban architecture with friendly, small-town vibes, Calgary is a curious melting pot of folks from many backgrounds. It’s also home to an array of activities and a trendy food scene that will ensure that your days and tummies are full.

Start Downtown Explore the Bow River’s network of walking and biking trails. See the prime photo spot of the Peace Bridge. For another prime photo op and to gaze upon an architectural wonder, don’t miss the Calgary Public Library, which was named one of the 100 Greatest Places of 2019 by Time magazine.

Not far from the library is Prince’s Island Park, which is a hub for cultural events. It’s home to the Calgary Folk Music Festival (in late July) and the esteemed River Café (a pricey restaurant but well worth it), and near to Eau Claire Market, which has some mouth-watering eats and specialty merchandise.

Fuel Up on Good Eats Don’t miss out on Tubby Dog for a cheap, delicious, and fun meal? Play some classic arcade games while you try the Sumo (a dog with pickled ginger, Japanese mayo, wasabi, and seaweed salad) or the A-bomb (a dog with all the classic trimmings, plus a healthy dump of potato chips right on top). Another one of my faves is Native Tongues, which offers upscale Mexican food in the city center.

Consider Planning Your Visit Around These Festivals The Calgary Stampede — also known as “the greatest outdoor show on earth” — takes over the city for ten days in early July. The world-class rodeo is just one facet of the event. There’s also a spectacular grandstand show plus all the rides and deep-fried festival foods you would expect. It’s also a giant, messy party too.

Beakerhead, held annually in mid-September, brings together the worlds of art, science, and engineering. Imagine a massive party filled with fire-shooting robots, an interactive science lesson on how to make the best chocolate chip cookie, and playing a giant life-sized version of Snakes & Ladders. It’s the best nerd party of the year.

Where to stay in Calgary

Canada’s Best Value Inn Chinook Station – Located near the Chinook LRT Station, this hotel features a continental breakfast, with rooms available starting as low as $49 CAD/night.

HI Calgary City Centre – If you happen to be a member of HI Canada, consider this hostel, located in the downtown core, just a two-minute walk to the C-train (local transit) station.

Hotel Arts – For more upscale and eclectic lodging near downtown, this hotel has top-rated amenities for a reasonable price.

  Day 2: Banff

Next, head from Calgary to Banff, which takes about an hour and a half by car.

Note: You’ll need to purchase a park pass upon arrival at the gates just outside of town, or you can buy one online. The current daily rate for an adult is $9.80 CAD, and it will expire at 4:00 pm the following day.

If you’re planning on visiting multiple parks, you might consider a Parks Canada “Discovery Pass” for $67.70 CAD, which can be used for multiple days and will grant you entry to all Canadian national parks for one full year.

There are too many amazing hikes to list, but start with the iconic Johnston Canyon. Keep it short with a 30-minute walk to the Lower Falls, or plan for a full four-hour trek all the way to the Ink Pots. (For more info, read this guide to hiking in Banff.)

To really get the adrenaline pumping, head to Mt. Norquay for the Via Ferrata hike. Cross suspension bridges and climb ladders on the edge of a mountain, all while safely harnessed and led by an experienced guide.

There are also plenty of options for canoeing, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding on a number of nearby lakes. Visit the Banff Canoe Club in town for rentals.

Winter is a prime time to visit if you’re a ski bunny. Three mountains in the area known collectively as Ski Big 3 (Banff Sunshine, the Lake Louise Ski Resort, and Mt. Norquay) are all world-class.

Be sure to take the Banff Gondola up Sulphur Mountain for some epic views. It’s open year-round, and it has an impressive interpretive center and scenic boardwalk at the top, and even two restaurants.

Nearby is also the stunning Banff Upper Hot Springs.

Where to Wat Wild Flour Bakery, known for its nourishing baked goods and good coffee, is an excellent stop to fill your tank at any time of day.

Eager to try some Canadian wild meats? Head to the Grizzly House to cook up your own bison, elk, or a number of other options using a hot stone at your table. The decor is severely outdated, but the experience is a must-do. Not a meat-eater? Head to Nourish Bistro for the best plant-based food in Banff.

Where to Stay in Banff

Banff International Hostel – Just a few blocks from the heart of downtown, this hostel is a comfortable place to rest your head after a long day of exploring!

YWCA Banff Hotel – The perfect hideaway in the mountains for those looking for a comfortable and budget-friendly accommodation.

HI Banff Alpine Centre – If you’re a member of the HI community, you may want to stay at this location, the largest hostel in Alberta.

  Day 3: Banff and Lake Louise

If you’re an early riser, head 15 minutes north to Two Jack Lake to catch a gorgeous sunrise. If it’s a clearer morning, bright red, orange, and purple will stain the sky and lake, silhouetting the mountain and creating a truly epic sight.

If there was anything left on your to-do list from the day before, finish that up now, but plan for almost a whole day around Lake Louise.

While in Lake Louise…. The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is the major draw in the area, and walking its halls is a must before you venture on any number of outdoor activities.

If you are there in summer, consider the Lake Agnes Tea House hike for its views and the unique experience of taking tea on top of the world (remember to bring cash, as they don’t have other payment options on-site). It is a short 2.2mile (3.5 km) hike, but you can also continue on to Lake Agnes itself.

Feeling adventurous? Then take “the Tea House Challenge” and visit the other one, too, The Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House, for a 9 mile (14.5 km) total hike on the Highline Trail.

If you are there in winter, skating, snowshoeing, dog-sledding, sleigh rides, and more are all available from the hotel. You will have no problem filling your day in one of the most beautiful spots in all of Canada.

Dining options are fewer in the very small town of Lake Louise, but find the Trailhead Café for a budget-friendly and supremely delicious meal. There are also several options inside the Chateau itself, but I recommend Alpine Social for its laid-back atmosphere and hearty food.  

Day 4: Driving from Banff to Jasper

Drive from Banff to Jasper via the Icefields Parkway. The drive itself is about 3.5 hours, but I suggest that you plan for a whole day as there are lots of stops to make along the way.

The Icefields Parkway is breathtaking. Take it slow and stop often to really absorb the beauty of this day. (Do, however, consult the weather forecast and road conditions, as it can often be closed in winter.)

Making the Drive Fill up the car with gas and pack a picnic lunch before leaving Banff, as there is only one place to stop for snacks en route (Saskatchewan River Crossing) but it is closed in winter. But once you are safely on your way, here are just a few of the stops you can make:

Leave early to catch sunrise over Vermillion Lakes, just outside of Banff as you begin your journey north.

Peyto Lake is a must-see. You have undoubtedly seen its image before; now it’s time to see it for yourself! From your car it’s just a short walk up a hill to get to the viewpoint and take in that stark aquamarine water from above.

The Columbia Icefield, just an hour before Jasper, is the largest in the Canadian Rockies. You can take a tour to walk right on the glacier and/or take a stroll on the glass-floored Icefield Skywalk lookout to see everything from above.

There is much more to see! This Banff-to-Jasper article maps it all out for you.

Where to Stay in Jasper

Jasper Downtown Hostel – Conveniently situated in the heart of downtown Jasper, this modern hostel won’t break the bank; its private rooms start as low as $63 CAD/night.

HI Jasper – Just a short walk to downtown, the HI Hostel Jasper was opened in June 2019. Choose between private rooms, shared rooms for four, and family rooms.

Maligne Lodge – Conveniently tucked at the edge of Jasper’s main street, where the mountains end and the town begins, this is a great budget-friendly hotel.

  Days 5 & 6: Jasper

Jasper is the largest park in the Canadian Rockies and one of fifteen UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the country. Rougher around the edges than its southern brother Banff, it’s the spot to hit if you’re craving fewer crowds and small-town charm.

Spirit Island is one of the most photographed spots in Canada. You can canoe out there and reach this spot on Maligne Lake in half a day. If you don’t feel like doing that, boat cruises are available too!

Moreover, take advantage of your remote location and book a tour to see some iconic Canadian wildlife (bears, elk, mountain goats, moose, and more). While such encounters may occur by chance on your visit, a guided tour will increase your chances and is a great way to gain local knowledge.

Additionally, in October, the Jasper Dark Sky Festival takes place.The park has ideal conditions for this given that there is so little light pollution. If you can’t make it there, the Jasper Planetarium is open year-round for star viewing.

There are so many hiking options. Start with a short jaunt to Athabasca Falls (less than an hour round-trip), and then ramp up according to your fitness level. (See this article about best Jasper hikes to decide what comes next.)

Just north of town is Maligne Canyon, and in winter, you can walk on and explore the frozen river (be sure you have ice cleats on). In the summer, you can hike in the canyon, and the winding trail has six suspension bridges spanning the gorge.

Take a load off and ride up the Jasper Skytram to experience the best mountain views. On a clear day, you can even see peaks in neighboring British Columbia. Enjoy the seven-minute ride up and have a bite at the Summit Restaurant at the top.

Must-Eats Stop at the Bright Spot Family Restaurant for the big country breakfast, which will stick to your bones and give you energy for your day. Whistle Stop Pub is also good for a pint and snack. Canada’s very first national park brewery, Jasper Brewing Company, is also here. Along with six signature brews that are made on-site, the large restaurant offers elevated pub fare.  

Day 7: Driving from Jasper to Edmonton

The four-hour drive from Jasper to Edmonton is not the most exciting (the scenic views drop off quickly outside of the national park), but there are a couple of stops you can make along the way to spice it up.

If you don’t hit up Miette Hot Springs during your stay in Jasper, then it’s an easy stop on the way out of town. It is home to the hottest spring water in the Canadian Rockies! It requires a little detour off of the main highway, but the drive through the Fiddle Valley alone makes it worth the trip.

An hour into your journey, you can make a stop in Hinton to see the most iconic of local wildlife: the humble beaver. Stretch your legs along the nearly 2 mile (3 km) Beaver Boardwalk, and hopefully, you’ll spot Canada’s national animal.

This is also a great place to plan to have lunch: The Old Grind has an extensive menu that includes vegetarian and vegan options.

Arriving in Edmonton Depending on what time you left Jasper, the driving conditions you encountered (add more time in winter!), and how many stops you made along the way, you may arrive with extra time to explore Alberta’s capital city. And my guess is that those car-bound legs are going to need a stretch.

As you drive into the west side of Edmonton, this would be the perfect occasion to take a long walk in the largest mall in North America. West Edmonton Mall is home to over 800 stories and services, and it contains theme parks, multiple movie theaters, a ridiculously fun indoor water park, and even a large skating rink.

Enjoying the mall can easily take up the rest of your day (and the next one, if you are a shopper).  

Days 8 & 9: Edmonton

Teeming with history and culture rich as hot chocolate, Alberta’s capital city is the perfect way to finish off your tour of the province. Edmonton has been dubbed “the festival city” on account of its year-round cultural festivals, so you’ll never be short on things to do here.

The Fringe Festival is the biggest and oldest of its kind in North America and offers a dynamic theater experience. Running annually for ten days in the middle of August, it often attracts more than 1,500 local, national, and international artists, who give well over a thousand performances across the city.

The Silver Skate Festival is becoming one of the premier events in Alberta to celebrate and embrace winter. One highlight is the opening of the ice castles in Hawrelak Park, typically several weeks before the February festival. During the ten days of the festival itself, expect snow sculpting, skate races, helicopter tours, and more.

If you aren’t in Edmonton during a festival, take time and stroll through the grounds of the Alberta Legislature. Not only is “the Ledge” an architectural journey into the past (construction was started in 1907) but you can also learn about the Canadian government, Alberta’s political history, and the art and architecture of the building by taking a free tour.

Edmonton’s river valley is the largest urban park in North America, with 100 miles (160 kms) of maintained paths. So you don’t even have to leave the city itself to explore nature! Walk and cycle as far as you like, taking in any (or all) of the 20 city parks along the river.

Head for the Neon Sign Museum one night. This collection of 20 functional historic signs tells the story of Edmonton’s neon past al fresco. This exhibit is completely free and open 24/7.

If you didn’t get your wildlife fill in the Rockies, then head a short distance outside of the city to Elk Island National Park. Elk Island is the only fenced national park in Canada, a conservation effort to help bring the bison population back.

And you didn’t think I’d go this entire post without mentioning a hockey game, did you? The Edmonton Oilers play in one of the newest arenas in the NHL, so catch a game if you can, especially if they are playing their provincial rivals, the Calgary Flames.

If you are visiting in summer, you can also watch a heated Canadian football (not soccer) battle between the Edmonton Eskimos and the Calgary Stampeders.

Can’t-Miss Food and Drink Stop at Duchess Bake Shop. This Parisian-inspired café blends some of Alberta’s favorite flavors with French pastries, all made from scratch daily. It’s regularly mentioned as one of the best cafés in the city.

Hathaway’s Diner has quality food at reasonable prices. And who doesn’t love old-school-diner kitsch?

A few years ago, Alberta’s tax system changed up the way it categorized breweries, which resulted in an explosion of craft beer across the province. Don’t miss a stop at Craft Beer Market as it offers up Canada’s largest selection of craft brews.

Where to Stay in Edmonton

HI Edmonton – Located just off of Whyte Avenue in Edmonton’s historic Old Strathcona neighborhood, this hostel is right near the river valley park system (also many bus stops to get to other destinations).

Days Inn Downtown – Conveniently located in the downtown core and only minutes away from local attractions, this hotel is an excellent option for those not wanting to give up comfort while staying on budget.

  Day 10: Driving to Calgary

It only takes three hours to drive from Edmonton to Calgary on a busy highway. Use your last day to visit more of Calgary.

If you have time, visit the Heritage Ranch near Red Deer (about halfway through the drive). A rancher will drop you off in the middle of the wilderness with a map and a compass (or a GPS). Your goal is to remain at large and capture four designated flags within an hour. All the while, you are being hunted by a man on a horse. It is terrifying and exhilarating and everything in between!

A little closer to Calgary, you can turn off the main highway into Torrington and find the Gopher Hole Museum. Gopher overpopulation is a problem in the area, and so the residents wanted to create something quirky to bring in tourists. The museum is one small room of taxidermied rodents staged in a variety of scenes that highlight local life (think curling gophers, beautician gophers, etc.). It will take no more than a half-hour to visit, but it is well worth the detour for all the WTF moments to be had.

***

Alberta is a very big province. By comparison, Texas is only 2% bigger. If it is the mountains that call you here, then that is rightly so, but I hope you will also take the time to explore other parts of this land rich in attractions. They will keep anyone and everyone entertained for ten days and beyond!

Dalene Heck and her husband Pete are behind the blog Hecktic Travels, which chronicles their journey since selling all their belongings in 2009. They’ve recently started the website Road Trip Alberta to encourage people to visit their home provence.

Book Your Trip to Canada: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay elsewhere, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

World Nomads (for everyone below 70)

Insure My Trip (for those over 70)

Looking for the best companies to save money with? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel – and I think will help you too!gho

Want More Information on Canada? Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on Canada for even more planning tips!

The post How to See Alberta: A 10-Day Suggested Driving Itinerary appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

from Nomadic Matt's Travel Site https://ift.tt/2VSn9Z7 via IFTTT

[topfygad]

Top Activities & Attractions for a Worthwhile Break in Banff

Generally, it comes to a degree the place my thoughts and physique are nearly prepared to surrender and, irrespective of how a lot I need to, I can not operate to one of the best of my skills—that’s till the thought of an adventurous trip to a brand new place hits me.

As we speak’s vacation spot: Banff, Alberta.

An unbelievable place to spend a hard-earned and long-awaited vacation, a trip to Banff, Alberta is a superb place to get pleasure from numerous journey actions and issues to do. Situated inside Banff Nationwide Park, it’s a resort city with 6,500 sq. kilometers of parkland that’s residence to wildlife resembling elks, and grizzly bears. Banff is a part of a UNESCO World Heritage Web site: the Canadian Rocky Mountains.

The vacationer city is a part of the oldest nationwide park in Canada. It has quite a few museums for me to discover, together with the Banff Park Museum and the Buffalo Nations Luxton Museum. Alternatively, websites such because the Banff Higher Scorching Springs make approach for pure leisure.

The city additionally options Banff Avenue and Bear Avenue which have actually all the things—from real Canadian items to authentic artworks to random trinkets and knick-knacks. In fact, it’s additionally a dependable place to seize necessities and discover adventuring gear.

However I’m not right here to speak about buying and museums and pure spas (irrespective of how tempting that sounds). I teamed up with Expedia.ca to share the a number of adventurous actions and issues to do in Banff that the nationwide park’s vacationer city has to supply. Buckle up and take a look at the actions, which I’m certain different adventurous souls will even get pleasure from amid a stupendous skyline, towards the hanging slopes of Mt. Rundle and Mt. Cascade.

1.) Spend High quality Time in a Canoe

Everybody desires a peaceable afternoon on occasion, proper? The city lets vacationers expertise that by canoeing in Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, the Vermilion Lakes, or the Bow River.

Should you’d relatively benefit from the view, various actions embrace driving the Banff Gondola or fishing on Lake Minnewanka. Belief me, Lake Minnewanka is a stunningly breathtaking lake with fairly the backstory.

2) Go to the Cave and Basin Nationwide Historic Web site

Get to know the pure and historic historical past of Canadian nationwide parks whereas having fun with a guided tour within the mountains by visiting the Cave and Basin Nationwide Historic Web site. Along with having essentially the most large system of protected areas on the earth, the location can also be Canada’s first nationwide park.

Discover the extraordinary structure, the beguiling mineral waters, and the underground cave.

3) Go Whitewater Rafting

Banff is residence to quite a few rivers, making whitewater rafting simply accessible to water journey seekers resembling myself. The most effective half is that friends could select between calm waves and roaring rapids however, both approach, the exercise is extra fulfilling due to the gorgeous river and mountain views. Not satisfied but? Check out how thrilling my whitewater rafting journey with Alpine Rafting was!

4.) Hike the Tunnel Mountain Path

The Tunnel Mountain Path is a famend vacationer spot on the town, so I’d say to not miss climbing the 4.3-kilometer path. On the finish of the hike is a panoramic view of the city and your entire valley, a spectacular picture that can stay in your thoughts for fairly a protracted whereas.

5) Camp Out in Banff Nationwide Park

In fact, what’s an journey journey with out tenting? It lets individuals escape from on a regular basis tasks and ditch civilization so I’m up for that particularly when “actual life” begins to really feel a bit poisonous.

A tenting journey inside Banff Nationwide Park is an effective method to recharge the thoughts and physique in addition to to expertise what the Canadian Rocky Mountains have to supply. And let me let you know, the view that the Canadian Rockies has to supply is unbelievable.

6) Commune with Nature by Snowshoeing

The vacationer city permits you to discover the mountains and deep trails on snowshoe. Snowshoeing runs from December to April. I don’t find out about you, however the reward of a spectacular view throughout the bushes and into the mountain clearing is sufficient encouragement for me to leap on board this exercise.

7) Benefit from the View with Cross-Nation Snowboarding

Canadian winters are chilly, to say the least. However you possibly can nonetheless hit the outside and get adventurous. Snowboarding, snowboarding, and guided sleigh rides are a given in ski resorts; cross-country snowboarding is an effective way to boost the holiday. The nationwide park options a wide range of skiable terrain, so rookies and consultants alike will get pleasure from exploring the slopes and soaking within the setting at their very own tempo.

8) Spend Time with the Canine whereas Canine Sledding

Whether or not you like doting in your pet again residence or get pleasure from interacting with canines within the park, I like to recommend canine sledding within the slopes and forests of Banff. It showcases the great thing about nature all whereas spending time with a pack of Alaskan Huskies. You gained’t lose, I let you know.

9) Take part in Ice Sports activities

In the identical approach, excessive water sports activities have tamer actions, resembling canoeing and fishing, to steadiness them out, winter sports activities embrace extra relaxed actions. Curling and ice skating are each Canadian favorites, so ice rinks should not exhausting to return by. Naturally, if you end up concerned in a sport of outside ice hockey with the locals, that is one thing you simply can’t move up!

10) Go on a Meals Hunt

Lastly, it is probably not as adventurous as the intense sports activities on this listing, however I extremely counsel a foodie journey in Banff. The day’s actions will burn off power, so the easiest way to finish it’s with a meals journey. I like to recommend exploring the regionally-sourced Rocky Mountain meals, the native pubs, and the energetic evening spots on Banff Avenue with companions, new pals, or each!

A Vacationer City for a Worthwhile Trip

Banff, Alberta is a vacationer city by and thru. Locals are heat and alluring; they are going to eagerly level out one of the best locations to go to and discover.

Historic because the city is, it’s not a solitary or remoted place. It’s a spirited city steep in journey and marvel, the place vacationers get pleasure from strolls alongside the colourful streets, visits to spectacular museums and artwork galleries, and exploration of breathtaking pure sights.

The most effective half is that the city is small, so getting round is straightforward and transportation is accessible identical to it’s on a trip in Aspen. I can merely stroll, cycle, or use the general public transit system Roam to get to the sights and actions that the city has to supply.

Touring to Banff isn’t sophisticated both. It’s an hour-and-a-half drive west of Calgary—the place worldwide vacationers typically arrive by way of Calgary Worldwide airport—or a four-hour drive south of Jasper.

If I have been you, I’d begin planning a worthwhile trip within the historic Alberta city at present. Which Banff attraction or journey exercise would you prefer to go on most whereas vacationing in Alberta?

from Cheapr Travels https://ift.tt/3b08gK1 via https://ift.tt/2NIqXKN

[passportrequired]

5 Best Cold Places To Travel In Winter

Winter is coming!

For the past five years, I’ve successfully avoided the intense cold that comes with winter, skipping over to Johannesburg to soak up the heat and a little bit of rain every so often, or even just a puddle skip to Los Angeles where I can wear shorts with my sweatshirt because it really isn’t that cold. This year, however, after spending a few April days in Denmark and surviving on hot soup, hot chocolate, electric blankets, and a stranger’s body heat, I’m thinking of grabbing my passport, finding a few beautiful wintery wonderlands, and doing some very hot things!

After all, travel is usually cheaper to cold destinations, and deep, inexplicable love and unfathomable creativity are born in winter. Why miss out on that?

1. Tallin, Estonia: A beautiful coastal town in spring, summer, and autumn, this capital city is one of the most beautiful in the world during the winter when the snow has fallen and the homemade soups begin to boil. In the winter, tourist life slows a bit and you’re able to stroll around to gaze at the snow-cover architecture, the lights fighting their way through the snowy mist, and smell the burning wood that reminds us all of better moments.

Things to do: Write the next great novel; Read your favorite writer’s entire catalogue; Kick-sledge hike with a group; Sweat away the day in a sauna.

Food To eat: Lamb Soup with Cabbage.

2. Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada: I didn’t make it in the summer as I hoped to take a dip in Moraine Lake, but I’m sure beauty like that doesn’t die with the season. In fact, the mountains reflecting in the water will look even more majestic while snow-capped.

Things to do: Hike a frozen waterfall; Catch an early sunset; Attend one of the many festivals Canada is known for. Travelling within Toronto just got easier with some amazing party bus rental offerings from http://www.partybustoronto.ca that include limo buses for up to forty five passengers. They are the perfect vehicle for getting around Toronto in style and complete relaxation.

Food to eat: Alberta-raised steak (my recommendation is the Wagyu beef if you have a few extra coins in your pocket)

3. Hallstatt, Austria: Often ranking as one of the most beautiful villages in the world, this small village looks like a place in which I’d like to close out every chapter of my life. It’s impossible to not be amazing when you have a mountain, a lake, and a forest to boast about and this this place knows that. Hop on a heated boat with your ace boater license or simply stand at the base of the mountain and be grateful for the gorgeous view.

Things to do: Ice diving in the lake; Thermal spas; Enjoy the markets.

Food to eat: Käsekrainer with Pumpkin Soup

4. Bern, Switzerland: When Tina Turner relinquished her American citizenship for Switzerland, I knew this country awesome, and after seeing it flourish in winter via social media, I don’t believe “awesome” is big enough a word. The Boutique hotel switzerland world’s most Instagrammed hotel, this Swiss town is full of eye-gasmic charm and style.

Things to do: Stay overnight in an igloo; Snowshoe tour.

Food to eat: Älplermagronen

5. Bethel, Maine: For those artists, dreamers, magic bean buyers, intellectuals, and slope lovers. It’s small enough to walk the entire town, but big enough to return repeatedly to discover newness. Come, meet the locals and the visitors, the artists and philosophers, and discuss the meaning of life. Also, it’s Maine! Not many can say they’ve come!

Things to do: Host a dinner with amazing folks; Ice fishing; Outdoor swimming in a heated pool

Food to eat: Bibimbap from ChoSun

Find a travel partner with a loud laugh, good jokes, and great taste in music and with whom you wouldn’t mind being trapped in a cabin. Check your favorite bookstores for the books that’ll keep your emotions properly tuned. Grab a thick coat, a scarf, gloves, thick socks, and insulated shoes and go enjoy.

5 Best Cold Places To Travel In Winter was originally published on Passport Required

[topfygad]

Top Activities & Attractions for a Worthwhile Break in Banff

Generally, it comes to a degree the place my thoughts and physique are nearly prepared to surrender and, irrespective of how a lot I need to, I can not operate to one of the best of my skills—that’s till the thought of an adventurous trip to a brand new place hits me.

As we speak’s vacation spot: Banff, Alberta.

An unbelievable place to spend a hard-earned and long-awaited vacation, a trip to Banff, Alberta is a superb place to get pleasure from numerous journey actions and issues to do. Situated inside Banff Nationwide Park, it’s a resort city with 6,500 sq. kilometers of parkland that’s residence to wildlife resembling elks, and grizzly bears. Banff is a part of a UNESCO World Heritage Web site: the Canadian Rocky Mountains.

The vacationer city is a part of the oldest nationwide park in Canada. It has quite a few museums for me to discover, together with the Banff Park Museum and the Buffalo Nations Luxton Museum. Alternatively, websites such because the Banff Higher Scorching Springs make approach for pure leisure.

The city additionally options Banff Avenue and Bear Avenue which have actually all the things—from real Canadian items to authentic artworks to random trinkets and knick-knacks. In fact, it’s additionally a dependable place to seize necessities and discover adventuring gear.

However I’m not right here to speak about buying and museums and pure spas (irrespective of how tempting that sounds). I teamed up with Expedia.ca to share the a number of adventurous actions and issues to do in Banff that the nationwide park’s vacationer city has to supply. Buckle up and take a look at the actions, which I’m certain different adventurous souls will even get pleasure from amid a stupendous skyline, towards the hanging slopes of Mt. Rundle and Mt. Cascade.

1.) Spend High quality Time in a Canoe

Everybody desires a peaceable afternoon on occasion, proper? The city lets vacationers expertise that by canoeing in Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, the Vermilion Lakes, or the Bow River.

Should you’d relatively benefit from the view, various actions embrace driving the Banff Gondola or fishing on Lake Minnewanka. Belief me, Lake Minnewanka is a stunningly breathtaking lake with fairly the backstory.

2) Go to the Cave and Basin Nationwide Historic Web site

Get to know the pure and historic historical past of Canadian nationwide parks whereas having fun with a guided tour within the mountains by visiting the Cave and Basin Nationwide Historic Web site. Along with having essentially the most large system of protected areas on the earth, the location can also be Canada’s first nationwide park.

Discover the extraordinary structure, the beguiling mineral waters, and the underground cave.

3) Go Whitewater Rafting

Banff is residence to quite a few rivers, making whitewater rafting simply accessible to water journey seekers resembling myself. The most effective half is that friends could select between calm waves and roaring rapids however, both approach, the exercise is extra fulfilling due to the gorgeous river and mountain views. Not satisfied but? Check out how thrilling my whitewater rafting journey with Alpine Rafting was!

4.) Hike the Tunnel Mountain Path

The Tunnel Mountain Path is a famend vacationer spot on the town, so I’d say to not miss climbing the 4.3-kilometer path. On the finish of the hike is a panoramic view of the city and your entire valley, a spectacular picture that can stay in your thoughts for fairly a protracted whereas.

5) Camp Out in Banff Nationwide Park

In fact, what’s an journey journey with out tenting? It lets individuals escape from on a regular basis tasks and ditch civilization so I’m up for that particularly when “actual life” begins to really feel a bit poisonous.

A tenting journey inside Banff Nationwide Park is an effective method to recharge the thoughts and physique in addition to to expertise what the Canadian Rocky Mountains have to supply. And let me let you know, the view that the Canadian Rockies has to supply is unbelievable.

6) Commune with Nature by Snowshoeing

The vacationer city permits you to discover the mountains and deep trails on snowshoe. Snowshoeing runs from December to April. I don’t find out about you, however the reward of a spectacular view throughout the bushes and into the mountain clearing is sufficient encouragement for me to leap on board this exercise.

7) Benefit from the View with Cross-Nation Snowboarding

Canadian winters are chilly, to say the least. However you possibly can nonetheless hit the outside and get adventurous. Snowboarding, snowboarding, and guided sleigh rides are a given in ski resorts; cross-country snowboarding is an effective way to boost the holiday. The nationwide park options a wide range of skiable terrain, so rookies and consultants alike will get pleasure from exploring the slopes and soaking within the setting at their very own tempo.

8) Spend Time with the Canine whereas Canine Sledding

Whether or not you like doting in your pet again residence or get pleasure from interacting with canines within the park, I like to recommend canine sledding within the slopes and forests of Banff. It showcases the great thing about nature all whereas spending time with a pack of Alaskan Huskies. You gained’t lose, I let you know.

9) Take part in Ice Sports activities

In the identical approach, excessive water sports activities have tamer actions, resembling canoeing and fishing, to steadiness them out, winter sports activities embrace extra relaxed actions. Curling and ice skating are each Canadian favorites, so ice rinks should not exhausting to return by. Naturally, if you end up concerned in a sport of outside ice hockey with the locals, that is one thing you simply can’t move up!

10) Go on a Meals Hunt

Lastly, it is probably not as adventurous as the intense sports activities on this listing, however I extremely counsel a foodie journey in Banff. The day’s actions will burn off power, so the easiest way to finish it’s with a meals journey. I like to recommend exploring the regionally-sourced Rocky Mountain meals, the native pubs, and the energetic evening spots on Banff Avenue with companions, new pals, or each!

A Vacationer City for a Worthwhile Trip

Banff, Alberta is a vacationer city by and thru. Locals are heat and alluring; they are going to eagerly level out one of the best locations to go to and discover.

Historic because the city is, it’s not a solitary or remoted place. It’s a spirited city steep in journey and marvel, the place vacationers get pleasure from strolls alongside the colourful streets, visits to spectacular museums and artwork galleries, and exploration of breathtaking pure sights.

The most effective half is that the city is small, so getting round is straightforward and transportation is accessible identical to it’s on a trip in Aspen. I can merely stroll, cycle, or use the general public transit system Roam to get to the sights and actions that the city has to supply.

Touring to Banff isn’t sophisticated both. It’s an hour-and-a-half drive west of Calgary—the place worldwide vacationers typically arrive by way of Calgary Worldwide airport—or a four-hour drive south of Jasper.

If I have been you, I’d begin planning a worthwhile trip within the historic Alberta city at present. Which Banff attraction or journey exercise would you prefer to go on most whereas vacationing in Alberta?

from Cheapr Travels https://ift.tt/3b08gK1 via IFTTT

[topfygad]

Top Activities & Attractions for a Worthwhile Break in Banff

Generally, it comes to a degree the place my thoughts and physique are nearly prepared to surrender and, irrespective of how a lot I need to, I can not operate to one of the best of my skills—that’s till the thought of an adventurous trip to a brand new place hits me.

As we speak’s vacation spot: Banff, Alberta.

An unbelievable place to spend a hard-earned and long-awaited vacation, a trip to Banff, Alberta is a superb place to get pleasure from numerous journey actions and issues to do. Situated inside Banff Nationwide Park, it’s a resort city with 6,500 sq. kilometers of parkland that’s residence to wildlife resembling elks, and grizzly bears. Banff is a part of a UNESCO World Heritage Web site: the Canadian Rocky Mountains.

The vacationer city is a part of the oldest nationwide park in Canada. It has quite a few museums for me to discover, together with the Banff Park Museum and the Buffalo Nations Luxton Museum. Alternatively, websites such because the Banff Higher Scorching Springs make approach for pure leisure.

The city additionally options Banff Avenue and Bear Avenue which have actually all the things—from real Canadian items to authentic artworks to random trinkets and knick-knacks. In fact, it’s additionally a dependable place to seize necessities and discover adventuring gear.

However I’m not right here to speak about buying and museums and pure spas (irrespective of how tempting that sounds). I teamed up with Expedia.ca to share the a number of adventurous actions and issues to do in Banff that the nationwide park’s vacationer city has to supply. Buckle up and take a look at the actions, which I’m certain different adventurous souls will even get pleasure from amid a stupendous skyline, towards the hanging slopes of Mt. Rundle and Mt. Cascade.

1.) Spend High quality Time in a Canoe

Everybody desires a peaceable afternoon on occasion, proper? The city lets vacationers expertise that by canoeing in Lake Louise, Moraine Lake, the Vermilion Lakes, or the Bow River.

Should you’d relatively benefit from the view, various actions embrace driving the Banff Gondola or fishing on Lake Minnewanka. Belief me, Lake Minnewanka is a stunningly breathtaking lake with fairly the backstory.

2) Go to the Cave and Basin Nationwide Historic Web site

Get to know the pure and historic historical past of Canadian nationwide parks whereas having fun with a guided tour within the mountains by visiting the Cave and Basin Nationwide Historic Web site. Along with having essentially the most large system of protected areas on the earth, the location can also be Canada’s first nationwide park.

Discover the extraordinary structure, the beguiling mineral waters, and the underground cave.

3) Go Whitewater Rafting

Banff is residence to quite a few rivers, making whitewater rafting simply accessible to water journey seekers resembling myself. The most effective half is that friends could select between calm waves and roaring rapids however, both approach, the exercise is extra fulfilling due to the gorgeous river and mountain views. Not satisfied but? Check out how thrilling my whitewater rafting journey with Alpine Rafting was!

4.) Hike the Tunnel Mountain Path

The Tunnel Mountain Path is a famend vacationer spot on the town, so I’d say to not miss climbing the 4.3-kilometer path. On the finish of the hike is a panoramic view of the city and your entire valley, a spectacular picture that can stay in your thoughts for fairly a protracted whereas.

5) Camp Out in Banff Nationwide Park

In fact, what’s an journey journey with out tenting? It lets individuals escape from on a regular basis tasks and ditch civilization so I’m up for that particularly when “actual life” begins to really feel a bit poisonous.

A tenting journey inside Banff Nationwide Park is an effective method to recharge the thoughts and physique in addition to to expertise what the Canadian Rocky Mountains have to supply. And let me let you know, the view that the Canadian Rockies has to supply is unbelievable.

6) Commune with Nature by Snowshoeing

The vacationer city permits you to discover the mountains and deep trails on snowshoe. Snowshoeing runs from December to April. I don’t find out about you, however the reward of a spectacular view throughout the bushes and into the mountain clearing is sufficient encouragement for me to leap on board this exercise.

7) Benefit from the View with Cross-Nation Snowboarding

Canadian winters are chilly, to say the least. However you possibly can nonetheless hit the outside and get adventurous. Snowboarding, snowboarding, and guided sleigh rides are a given in ski resorts; cross-country snowboarding is an effective way to boost the holiday. The nationwide park options a wide range of skiable terrain, so rookies and consultants alike will get pleasure from exploring the slopes and soaking within the setting at their very own tempo.

8) Spend Time with the Canine whereas Canine Sledding

Whether or not you like doting in your pet again residence or get pleasure from interacting with canines within the park, I like to recommend canine sledding within the slopes and forests of Banff. It showcases the great thing about nature all whereas spending time with a pack of Alaskan Huskies. You gained’t lose, I let you know.

9) Take part in Ice Sports activities

In the identical approach, excessive water sports activities have tamer actions, resembling canoeing and fishing, to steadiness them out, winter sports activities embrace extra relaxed actions. Curling and ice skating are each Canadian favorites, so ice rinks should not exhausting to return by. Naturally, if you end up concerned in a sport of outside ice hockey with the locals, that is one thing you simply can’t move up!

10) Go on a Meals Hunt

Lastly, it is probably not as adventurous as the intense sports activities on this listing, however I extremely counsel a foodie journey in Banff. The day’s actions will burn off power, so the easiest way to finish it’s with a meals journey. I like to recommend exploring the regionally-sourced Rocky Mountain meals, the native pubs, and the energetic evening spots on Banff Avenue with companions, new pals, or each!

A Vacationer City for a Worthwhile Trip

Banff, Alberta is a vacationer city by and thru. Locals are heat and alluring; they are going to eagerly level out one of the best locations to go to and discover.

Historic because the city is, it’s not a solitary or remoted place. It’s a spirited city steep in journey and marvel, the place vacationers get pleasure from strolls alongside the colourful streets, visits to spectacular museums and artwork galleries, and exploration of breathtaking pure sights.

The most effective half is that the city is small, so getting round is straightforward and transportation is accessible identical to it’s on a trip in Aspen. I can merely stroll, cycle, or use the general public transit system Roam to get to the sights and actions that the city has to supply.

Touring to Banff isn’t sophisticated both. It’s an hour-and-a-half drive west of Calgary—the place worldwide vacationers typically arrive by way of Calgary Worldwide airport—or a four-hour drive south of Jasper.

If I have been you, I’d begin planning a worthwhile trip within the historic Alberta city at present. Which Banff attraction or journey exercise would you prefer to go on most whereas vacationing in Alberta?

source http://cheaprtravels.com/top-activities-attractions-for-a-worthwhile-break-in-banff/