#the sky bison one is one of my faves

[bleuflowerfields]

I DO NOT TRUST YOU ON THAT ONE THAT SONG WAS NOT AT ALL A MASTERPIECE

mtp is tho. i hope i'll get through the first season lmao currently i am three episodes in!!!

alsooooo what language do u speak? if ur not comfortable sharing then that's cool :)

and of course a hug <3333 not a sky bison one i'm afraid nope we've got a swan hug!!!

gn !!! :)

IT WAS. HOW ABOUT TO LISTEN TO FELIZ YAOIDAD NEXT???? OR LAST SEME???? COME ON NOW.

alsoooo i agree it is banger!! i'd like to hear ur thoughts on the second ep sometime because it's one of my faves :) glad u like it

my native language is tamil btw! south indian rep lmfaoooo

thank you for the hug now, and gn!!

[vintagelacerosette]

I think I'm too late for this but for the Fandom game (your blorbo etc), how about Avatar the Last Airbender 🥰

😘

Hiii Donna darling thanks for the ask!! 🥰 I'm gonna add in Korra characters bc that the most recent one I've watched so their characters are fresher in my mind 😅

Blorbo (favorite character, character I think about the most)

My badass earthbender Toph

She's so damn cool

Scrunkly (my “baby”, character that gives me cuteness aggression, character that is So Shaped)

It's totally Appa & the baby sky bisons in Korra 🥹

Scrimblo bimblo (underrated/underappreciated fave)

HE CAN LAVA BEND

Glup shitto (obscure fave, character that can appear in the background for 0.2 seconds and I won’t shut up about it for a week)

It's gotta be our Prince Wuko getting carried out bridal style there 💚

(It's the bodyguard/prince shipping potential for me besties lmao)

Poor little meow meow (“problematic”/unpopular/controversial/otherwise pathetic fave)

Dunno know how problematic or all the other stuff she is, but I wish her the world: Ty Lee my poor little meow meow 🩷

Horse plinko (character I would torment for fun, for whatever reason)

I mean probs Wuko bc we don't have much of his character lol & the angst is great for ship scenarios XD

Eeby deeby (character I would send to superhell)

This fucker

Send me a Fandom to answer these questions ✨️

[tamras-shieldmaiden]

Jinora and Ikki, for the character asks please! Oh, and Opal too! :D

Bob cut squad

1: sexuality headcanon 

Okay, so Jinora. I don’t have a defined sexuality headcanon for her but she strikes me as demisexual while I believe Ikki is ace. I think Opal is bi/pan but at the present she identifies as straight.

2: otp 

Jinora’s OTP is Kai. They look very cute together and I think they complement each other well. I don't have a romantic OTP for Ikki. For Opal, although I think her romance with Bolin is cute, I actually like the Korra/Opal pairing since their interactions while Korra was in Zaofu were brief but nice, but I’m not sure if it would be an OTP, so at the moment, her OTP is Bo.

3: brotp 

Jinora in canon has a great relationship with her aunt Kya and in a canon divergence AU, I believe she would strike an unexpected friendship with Kuvira because as I mentioned in my Kuvira headcanon, Kuvira enjoys the company of smart people and Jinora certainly fits the bill while Jinora is perceptive enough to see that underneath the aloof countenance, Kuvira has an awkward side to her that makes her relatable.

For Ikki, her brotp is her uncle Bumi. I think she would also get along well with Wei and Wing Beifong because they share the same carefree, energetic vibes.

Opal is Toph’s favorite grandkid and Toph makes absolutely no effort in hiding this fact, and it's fun to see cranky old Toph being protective and a softie for Opal. I think Opal would also get along very well with Asami. They have a lot in common if we think about it since they’re both rich girls from prominent families who have been underestimated.

4: notp 

Anything remotely incestuous is a big no-go for me for all three characters. I see those and I nope the hell away.

5: first headcanon that pops into my head 

Jiinora has been an avid reader since before she knew how to read well, and she would look at the pictures of the books fascinated. Once she learned how to read, which was earlier than most kids, she would spend hours in the library at Air Temple Island reading so much that she ended up memorizing the complete biographies of Yangchen and Aang. 

Ikki is the main Sky Bison caregiver, no doubt about it. She understands them so well that she can even predict which bison will bond with any Airbender.

Opal will eventually become master airbender and will earn her arrow tattoos before marrying Bolin, and she will eventually lead the new Air Nomads Temple in the Earth Kingdom. 

6: favorite line from this character 

Jinora: There haven't been this many airbenders in one place for a long time either. We have power together.

From Venom of the Red Lotus

What can I say? Jinora more than earned her Master tattoos here with her initiative and leadership.

Ikki: But, I guess the nice part about a family is they'll always be there for you. Even though Twinkle Starchild and Princess Rainbow fight, they still love each other. 

Book 2 Civil Wars part 2

Ikki, remembering what's most important

Opal: I'm glad you're okay, but it's a little late for "sorry". 

From Beyond the Wilds

Opal giving a piece of her mind to Bolin when he was trying to win her back never gets old. 😆

7: one way in which I relate to this character 

With Jinora is her love for books and learning. With Ikki I share the middle child syndrome, and what I can relate to with Opal is her strained relationship with a sibling.

8: thing that gives me secondhand embarrassment about this character 

Being related to Meelo 🤣

Opal: having to explain to everyone that her brother Baatar and Kuvira, who was raised as a "sister" were engaged. 😬

9: cinnamon roll or problematic fave?

They’re all pure cinnamon rolls  😊

[chocomd]

ATLA rewatch thoughts, Book 1 (eps 15, 16)

I really, truly love the episodes where Aang acts on his emotions, even when doing so is unwise. (Same for Katara, as well as Zuko later on, when his redemption arc is well underway.) These instances give his character a lot of depth because they reveal his vulnerability, fears, and desires in a way that’s impossible to do otherwise. And if you know me, I love digging deep into what makes a character tick 😌

15) Bato of the Water Tribe: There are so many things going on in this episode! This also happens to be one of my faves from Book 1. Ahhh I love Sokka’s arc here!! “Being a man is knowing where you're needed the most.” The flashbacks of Sokka missing his dad and feeling left behind and left out when the older boys and men go off to war. 🥺😭 Then the Gaang runs into Bato, who fills Hakoda’s shoes in taking Sokka ice dodging, the Water Tribe rite of passage for men. Sokka longs to see his dad so much that he gets angry at Aang for hiding the map (and rightfully so). But when he hears the howl of a wolf that was separated from the pack, he realizes where he’s needed the most - which is at Aang’s side in his journey to learn the elements. Sokka isn’t just Aang’s family - Aang is his family, too 🥺 And yes!!! Sokka finally understands what Hakoda said about what it means to be a man!

And now, the main reason I love this episode so much...for the first time, we see Aang struggle with being an outsider in a world where he doesn’t belong. Without Sokka and Katara, Aang is utterly alone. When the Water Tribe siblings and Bato reunite, they are so excited to see each other since all of them have been separated from the rest of the tribe, that they unintentionally ignore Aang. He tries to be understanding and happy for them, but he’s also a kid who just lost his home and his entire people. Maybe the Water Tribe characters could be more welcoming and inclusive to Aang, but they’re understandably too caught up in their own emotions of missing their home and each other. Aang’s grief and fear of being really, truly alone rise up so desperately strong that he hides the map to Hakoda’s location, and he lies about it until his conscience won’t allow him to hide the truth anymore. Did Aang mess up? For sure. Was he terrified of losing the only people in the world who were family to him? Absolutely. I genuinely love this episode for this insight into Aang’s profound sense of loneliness and loss.

Ok now for some not-so-heavy thoughts...omg June is so cool??? Also the fight scenes with Aang vs Zuko and Appa vs shirshu were so much fun!! (Appa fighting!!! Yeah don’t mess with a sky bison mhmm)

16) The Deserter: So much of this episode was about patience, discipline, and restraint vs impatience, recklessness, and looking for shortcuts. You see this contrast in Jeong Jeong vs Zhao, but also in Jeong Jeong vs Aang. The main point of this episode seems to be that firebending (and learning things that are worth learning) must be mastered through discipline and hard work, but I think there’s more to it than that. Discipline and restraint are important, and that’s the lesson that Aang needs to learn at this point in his journey, But he needs something beyond that to truly master firebending. That’s because Jeong Jeong is part of the generation that has destroyed so much of the world with fire in the FN’s mission of conquest. He can only see fire as a force of destruction that requires great restraint to properly control. But ultimately, that isn’t the lesson that Aang needs to learn. He needs to learn from a teacher who sees fire as more than just a dangerous, all-consuming force - the original firebenders, the dragons themselves (and from Zuko, who learns this truth together with Aang). But he doesn’t know this yet, of course. So as awesome as Jeong Jeong is, he is not the right firebending teacher for Aang.

Aang gets a lot of criticism in this episode for being reckless with fire and accidentally burning Katara. I see him as a kid who is excited and impatient to learn something new, because finding a firebending teacher who actually will teach him is a one-in-a-million opportunity (and because he’s on a timeline). Aang is also someone who sees fire much differently from the rest of the world. He comes from a world with no war, where fire was not a force of destruction and death. He doesn’t have the same fear or caution of fire that we see in Katara, Sokka, and Jeong Jeong. At this point, he still sees firebending as something he can do cool tricks with - until he loses control and burns Katara. Now the full weight of what firebending means in this world hangs heavy on his conscience, to the point where he can barely summon a flame until he learns the true meaning of firebending in Book 3.

By the way, Jeong Jeong is freaking amazing and I loved the scene with Roku and Aang is such a smartass 😂

[pizacat72]

cloudbabies/airkids headcanons

okay i’ve honestly got so many headcanons about these guys so i figured i’d put em all here. lez gooooo.

The reason Jinora enjoys reading so much is because Kya would read to her when she was little and she’d do all the character voices and sound effects and she loved it. She still asks Kya to read to her, even when she’s older because it always helps her to feel calm and safe, especially after what happened with Zaheer.

Ikki and Kya are super close because middle sapphic kids gotta stick together, am I right? Ikki is the official sky bison calf babysitter and Kya helps her take care of them when they’re sick. The sky bison mamas trust Ikki with their calves because she’s very good with them. The adults pretend to fight over who gets to have breakfast with Ikki and the calves next and it warms her heart to see them so genuinely invested in her interest in the sky bison!

Bumi and Kya always make a point to take each of the airkids on individual trips for some bonding time and the kids really appreciate that and enjoy it. (even if they do fight over who did the coolest thing with whom) Bumi and Ikki go to the Spirit World to have some fun with BumJu and the other spirit critters. Kya and Jinora visit the Spirit Library and read about Air Nation and Southern Water Tribe culture. Meelo and Kya spend a few nights with Toph in the Foggy Swamp just pranking the swampbenders and generally causing chaos. When the airkids get older, they frequently get together to reminisce about those trips.

Bumi figures out the marble trick quickly and comes up with a few variations of it to put on a show for the kids! They all enjoy it and even get in on it. He teaches them to the airbenders and encourages them to come up with their own versions because he loves creativity, just like his dad did.

Meelo gets it into his head one day that he can sneak up on Aunt Kya and scare her. The first time he does it, she doesn’t react other than a oh hi Meelo :) and he’s confused. So he decides to try again later and he gets the same result. He goes for another attempt and she’s just finally like I grew up with Bumi, do you really think I’m the type of person to be jumpy? and this only deepens his resolve to scare her and creates a somewhat one-sided rivalry that she finds amusing. She catches on pretty quick and just knows when he’s going to sneak up on her so before he can, she’s always like hi Meelo ;) and this frustrates him to no end. One time, he goes to scare her and she’s not there and he’s confused, until she creeps up behind him and scares him. He acts all annoyed but he’s secretly pleased he’s found a worthy opponent to do battle with. This evolves into a pretend hero-villain dynamic and they’ll roughhouse with each other.

When they were kids, Kya would make little flower crowns for her brothers. Bumi wore them proudly (and still does) and Tenzin wore them, just when Kya wasn’t around. She comes home from visiting the SWT with Katara and she catches him wearing multiple ones she’s made him and she’s just like awww you love me and he’s embarrassed, but he does love her.

Kya loves to embarrass Tenzin and she’ll coo at him and call him her baby brother because 1. of course he is and 2. just because he’s taller than her doesn’t mean she’ll let him forget it. He secretly doesn’t hate it bc it’s her way of expressing her love but he always hides it bc he’s got a reputation to maintain.

Kya drags Tenzin to her yoga sessions bc that boi is stressed out and needs to chill. He enjoys them and they talk about whatever’s on their mind during them. Bumi comes too and he’s not great at first but he eventually gets really good and helps her with them.

When Kya’s having nightmares about the Fog of Lost Souls or Zaheer, Ikki will come into her bedroom and curl up next to her to comfort her. Sometimes she’ll do silly things to help lift her spirits like pretending to be a kitten.

Meelo and Kya have such an excellent bond. They can talk about gross stuff like bugs and boogers and have burping contests and it’s completely normal. They can go from serious one moment to silly the next.

Jinora and Kya often spend evenings curled up with each other reading and Lin joins them once she marries Kya.

Ikki loves to tell Kya secrets and sometimes they make a makeshift tent in the living room and they spend time inside it, just telling each other secrets. Jinora gets in on it too.

[nicastamatis]

wtf trans little dragon kid

[stitch1830]

Ok, so I keep seeing your posts and have had more Zutara thoughts because of them (thank you for that, btw 😊) so I was curious if you have read any fics or like the Mom Friend!Katara and Dad Friend!Zuko trope? It’s one of my personal faves.

Some common things I’ve seen with this are:

Zuko noticing Katara does a lot of the work while staying at the Western Air Temple and stepping up to help, but Katara is rightfully wary of him at that point and gets frustrated for varying reasons

Katara getting sick from constantly doing everything for so long and Zuko helping take care of her and the Gaang while she’s down for the count (usually happens after TSR so they’re slightly awkward friends at this point)

Katara and Zuko late night conversations where Katara isn’t just being Zuko’s therapist, or Zuko isn’t just being Katara’s therapist, but they’re giving each other advice and listening to each other in equal measure overall (even if some nights one is feeling more down than the other and they focus on that for just that night)

Katara and Zuko getting some solid cooking together/doing chores together/bending together content

Katara and Zuko getting teased by the Gaang bc they’ve started to call them Mum and Dad when they’re being extra Momtara and Dadko (you know what I mean lol)

Katara and Zuko working to comfort anyone else in the Gaang over relationship problems (usually Sukka stuff here with misinterpreting stuff and overthinking and all that), childhood issues (Toph and her stuff with her parents), not feeling good enough (Aang, the sweet boi son who is so nervous abt all the pressure on his shoulders), or just war trauma stuff (nightmares and cuddles from Momtara and Dadko - is best with Toph imo)

Toph accidentally calling them Mum or Dad while super tired is the wholesome stuff thing

Idk if you’ve got other stuff that you’ve seen or headcannons you’ve got abt this trope, lmk bc I feel like I don’t seen enough of it lol

Hello! Thank you so much for the ask, and I'm glad you are enjoying the HC's. We all deserve to have Zutara live in our minds rent free haha!

I actually don't think I've read a specific fic with that particular trope, sadly. I'm kind of new when it comes to reading Zutara fics and haven't spent too much time exploring ao3 (There's so much I was shook the first time I glanced at it!). I've seen a few fan art comics with this referenced, that's all though. But, I am totally on board with this headcanon and honestly think it's super accurate. It probably should be explored more!

Both Katara and Zuko seem pretty selfless when it comes to their friends and family, so it would make sense to me that they take care of the others first, either individually or together. And then in turn, noticing when the other is struggling and offering support. It's probably an interesting story to see how they navigate the rough waters, because Katara is probably somewhat skeptical of Zuko still, and Zuko just isn't sure how to handle the situation. They're also two of the most mature members of the Gaang, so it makes sense that they take it upon themselves to take care of the group. (Also the cuddle sessions? Talk about uwu).

If I were to add to this list, I think they would often scold the group if they were only using a single braincell between them all.

Zuko probably stays up the latest in the group to watch for any trouble. Sometimes he notices Katara or another member of the Gaang shivering, so he'll give them his blanket.

I can see them when they're alone complaining to each other about the group's shenanigans and finding comfort in being able to relate to each other.

Katara would scold the group for giving Appa too many treats. But then Zuko sneaks one more apple to the sky bison :)

This might not fit the HC, but maybe if Zuko needs to tell Katara something and he's afraid of her reaction (maybe it's bad news and they're all already stressed), he'll practice his speech on a badgerfrog.

Katara and Zuko definitely spar a ton together and they learn each others moves and tendencies well. That's why they're so in sync during their practice battle.

Those are my immediate thoughts on HC's! Also, if you have a fav fic with this trope, feel free to send it my way! Love reading some good stories haha. Thanks again for the ask, and hope you have a nice day! :)

[stayflaminhotmen]

Tagged by: @penguinsledder @foxy-knowledgeseeker

Thank you for tagging me!

Nicknames: I didn’t put my full name on my page but people usually call me by my full name irl. So I guess my current name could count as a nickname?

Last thing I goggled: “What rhymes with better” because I like to write poetry sometimes!

Height: 5’2

Zodiac sign: Gemini 

Amount of sleep: I track my sleep and I usually average around 6 hours and 30 minutes of sleep. Last night I got 5 hours and 42 minutes of sleep though yikes.

Number of followers: Grateful for all 409 of ya’ll

Song stuck in my head: The Piano Duet from The Corpse Bride because it’s the song I’m currently trying to learn in the piano! I listened to it like a hundred times this week so it’s like currently stuck in my head lol

Favorite instrument: I love love love the piano.

Favorite song: This changes all the time but I think I’m going with Terrible Things by Mayday Parade. It’s a sad song but it was the first song I learned in the piano before I got lessons from a teacher. It just always reminds me how far I’ve gone in my piano journey!

Lucky number: 3

Favorite author: Colleen Hoover. She has some problematic books but she also has some of the my favorite books of all time (that aren’t problematic).

Aesthetic: I really love that pink, marble, white, minimal and feminine aesthetic lol. I am super girl-y.

Dream Job: I’m currently studying to get a BA in psychology and I hope to one day be a therapist! Psychology means so much to me though, I’d be happy to do anything in that field.

Favorite Animal: Can I say sky bison even though this isn’t ATLA related because I just really love Appa and finally got an Appa plushie recently. I never wanted a pet until I saw Appa.

Favorite book: I read like a lot of books lol (currently read 52 books this year so far) and I am super fortunate that a lot of the books I do read are super freaking good so I really can’t pick just one book. From this year though, my top three faves are ‘Every Last Word’ by Tamara Ireland Stone, ‘All Your Perfects’ by Colleen Hoover and ‘Recursion’ by Blake Crouch.

Favorite movie: I watch a lot of movies too and I have a lot of favorite movies, but this year I finally watched Parasite on Hulu and I can’t believe I didn’t watch it last year. That movie is just a masterpiece. Like the cinematography and symbolism in that film is so unique. The commentary about wealth and the socioeconomic status just hits so hard. No movie could ever.

Random: I don’t like pineapple on pizza because I don’t like pineapple in general lol.

Tagging a few peeps on this if they wanna do this too! @shrinkthisviolet @just-one-kid @kataang @lluthiien @prosperas

[attract-mode-collective]

Scorpion Vs. Elon Musk’s Mom: FIGHT

Yes, that is indeed Elon Musk’s mother up there. And no, I do not have a bigger sized version of the pic. Guess we could always ask captain-price-official if one does exist.

Or perhaps make your own? Here’s Elon’s mum by herself (and in higher res)...

And with that, it’s time to see what else I tweeted during the first half of March! So, sticking with fighting games: which Street Fighter character does lighting better? Ryu, via the animated movie (via settei)...

… Or Bison, via the live action flick (via toghomevideo)...

I absolutely love win quotes from rom hacks (via bison2winquote)...

I have a massive backlog of games, yet Tekken 7 just shot straight to the top of the list, thanks to the knowledge that you can accurately recreate Dynamite Headdy characters (via mysterious0bob)...

This Hatsune Miku X Space Channel 5 figure is v. nice (via nendoroidoftheday)...

A friendly reminder to everyone that A. I'm a massive fan of Seaman & B. my birthday is about a month away (via nutastic)...

This scene at the beach with a Figma of Link, from A Link Between Worlds, feels more like Link's Awakening than anything else (via vyntic)...

Toys and models are no longer just for reenacting memorable in-game moments, they can also reproduce famous IRL events that surrounded the games themselves (via 8bitcentral)...

So what's the going rate for ET for the Atari 2600 that was supposedly dug up in for that so-called documentary, Atari: Game Over? Which I recently re-watched and still can't believe people think is real. At any rate, am assuming the autograph from Howard Scott Warshaw gives it some actual value (via it8bit)...

And what's the going rate for Chinese Famiclone karaoke carts, primarily one with Jackie Chan on the label. Am also wondering if it's cuz his songs are included... you are aware of his successful career in music as well, right? (via ulan-bator)...

Been struggling to come up with a zinger for the past 10 minutes, but ain't nuthin gonna beat "Welcome to the Velvet Room y'all!" (via jatayu)...

To be filed under: it's funny cuz it's true (via doctorbutler)...

So the weather has been awful around these parts, lots of rain & snow, which gets in the way of imagining a giant tetromino in the sky (via uvula.jp)...

When playing Super Mario Galaxy 2, please keep in mind that somewhere out there, despite being out of view, is the ghost of Luigi floating through vast stretches of empty space, with zero destination or purpose (via suppermariobroth)...

Speaking of Luigi, and Supper Mario Broth; they’ve taken the adventures he talks about in Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door and illustrated them in the form of a comic that closely adheres to the style of the game...

Also a friendly reminder of that rift between Mario & Luigi for a few years (they'd eventually make up & resume doing games together, as everyone knows) after Mario discovered his brother being all friendly with the enemy in Super Mario World (via peazy86)...

Yet another obscure Mario factoid: the move he uses to defeat Bowser in Super Mario 64 originates from an old furikake commercial that predates the game by about a decade (via suppermariobroth)...

Yet another random gif of Mario from the 80s, this one from a video guide from Super Mario Bros; I miss the days in which his look was not yet standardized (via suppermariobroth)...

And here we have a completely unlicensed Dr. Mario, unless Nintendo gave him the OK to brush up on his doctoring skills by assuming an alias at a family clinic in Houston TX (via suppermariobroth)...

It's funny how, when it comes to obscure Mario games, everyone brings up Mario Is Missing or Hotel Mario, but what about Super Mario Bros. & Friends: When I Grow Up? (via kazucrash)...

Mario gets his own breakfast cereal.

Luigi? Booze. (via @carolynmichelle)

A question that I posed on MAR10Day (via retrogamerblog)...

It's not Super Mario Bros, but simply…. Bros (via therubberfruit)...

I've never wanted something "bootleg" to be official as much as as this Dark Souls fan art. And if the actual game somehow looked like this, that would be... gladly welcomed (via gamefreaksnz)

Oh God, Nier is amazing and all, but I would SO be down for a yelling & screaming match with Yoko Taro on this point (via @Avisch_)...

Behold my fave Twitter thread in recent memory: "You see, that was taken from Africa, but it belonged to the Keyblade Masters. Imma take it off your hands for ya."

"Nah, It was taken by British soldiers in Africa but it's actually from Gaia. A sword far heavier than any sword has rights to be, yet a true 1st Class will wield it with ease. Don't trip, I'm gonna take it off your hands for you."

"Nah, It was taken by British soldiers in Africa but it's actually from Hyrule. Originally crafted by the goddess Hylia herself. Only a true hero that is pure of heart and strong of body is capable of wielding the sacred blade. Don't trip, I'm gonna take it off your hands for you."

Naturally the star of Home Alone 1 & Home Alone 2 has both a NES Classic and Famicom Mini, like all Hollywood bigwigs (via @SimonParkin)...

While discussing Ready Player One with a colleague, was reminded of the dude who was so inspired by the book that he turned his apartment into an arcade (and then his fiancé broke up with him; via nydailynews.com)...

Recently there was some kind of event at Sega HQ, I think? Details are basically nonexistent due to the language barrier, but far as I can gather, 16 super fans were invited to come by & party (via @SEGA_OFFICIAL)...

... If you check out #セガ公式アカウントオフ会 you'll see numerous pics from the get-together, though the one thing that stands out is the assortment of Sega hardware (via @KK__Cy)...

... MIA, cuz no variants were on display, is my fave alt ver. of the Mega Drive: the Wondermega. But @yu100s took one of his own… with the ugly ass US Sonic 1 NOT FOR RESALE cart inserted, Jesus fucking Christ...

The Sega logo in katakana looks pretty hawt (via @Exciteless)...

... Yet the Sega logo in Arabic which is official, is even hawter (via boingboing.net)...

Please enjoy your daily recommended dosage of an erotic hospital-management sim (via @topherflorence)...

NCSX makes the fidget spinner comparison, though the fidget cube seems a bit more appropriate; behold the fidget game controller...

Toy Fair recently took place, and naturally I took tons of pictures. You can find all of them on my personal Instagram, though a few are worth re-posting here. Like the latest in NECA's line of classic movie characters, as they appeared in video game adaptations...

Though in the case of their take on the Alien vs. Predator arcade game, they even included Capcom's original characters...

Unpainted, pre-production figures from Reflection's upcoming Ghost 'N Goblins line, sporting the oh-so popular Kenner-eqsue retro look...

Pint-sized arcade cabs, available this fall for $400. They’ll come unassembled, though dead simple to put together; the construction of the assembled mini cab was surprisingly sturdy, plus the screen wasn't bad (contrary to the picture that my iPhone's camera paints). Though the controls were shit; no word on whether the parts can be swapped or not...

Was delighted to not not only see Cuphead merch at Toy Fair, but more than just one instance (though this was the only time I was allowed to take a picture)...

Came across a producer of infant goods that had a selection of Super Mario baby bibs...

I asked the rep if this was their first foray into video games and the answer was "Yes." And when asked who's been mostly buying them, was told "Video game collectors, who don't even have children… it's so bizarre!!!"

Sticking with bibs, here's a set that tied to Dragon Quest (via miki800.com)...

... I asked on Twitter what they said and @alexfkraus was kind enough to provide translations, here and here.

Was so inspired by @MinusWorld listing which characters he'd like to see in the next Super Smash Bros that I decided to cite a few of my own:

- Mona from WarioWare - Nester from Nintendo Power’s Howard & Nester comics - Link from that Japanese A Link To The Past commercial - A deck of Hanafuda cards

... BTW, had no idea Ollie also mentioned a Hanafuda; I only saw his initial four, initially! Anyhow, my second round of choices:

- Ashley from Another Code - The "who are you running from?" guy in the Game Boy Camera - Lucas from The Wizard - The 4WD from Stunt Race FX (since Fighters Megamix with the Daytona USA 2 car clearly ain't ever happening)

I alas forgot to include BoxBoy, much like how I got these Uniqlo shirts when they were on sale last year (via minusworld.co.uk)...

Here we have my fave reaction on Tumblr to the Nintendo Direct with the Smash 5 reveal, if only for the punchline (via mendelpalace)...

And here we have my fave reaction on Twitter (via @redford)...

This one is also great because wrestling (via @SteveYurko)...

Speaking of wrestling, remember that time Tazz, while commentating for Smackdown, was also playing a game of Final Fantasy X-2… or so he thought? (via defjamvendetta)

"hey quick question whoever's developing the wwe games now: what the fuck"

"It helps him eat small fish"

"better question: why isn't this an option in every game ever"

"FAIR POINT" (via snoozlebee)

Whereas most publishers in Japan, during the 80s & 90s, had festivals (or carnivals) centered around shmups, Asmik's was based on women's wrestling (via oldgamemags)...

It's not for a video game, though the illustration is by someone who has been involved in a few; it's by Satoshi Yoshioka, of Snatcher and Policenauts fame (via videogamesdensetsu)...

It's not for a video game that actually exists, but is instead a completely fictional instructional manual, one that makes you wish it was real (via tomeccles)...

Just when you think you've seen every ultra, wacky & obscure video game box art there is to see out there (via @CoolBoxArt)...

I have a serious soft sport for the usage of video game imagery among early 80s musicians (via siryl)...

... What the final product looks like BTW/FYI...

A. so there's a VR version of Fruit Ninja, did not know that, & B. if you like watching people play it (for whatever reason), yet wish you could actually see a person swinging a sword and not just some abstract swiping motions… here ya go (via prostheticknowledge)...

Playing games in VR is so 2017… Handling your collection of games in VR? Now THAT is very 2018 (via mendelpalace)...

Lots of friends are playing the new DBZ fighting game, though I'll give it a shot once it hits the arcades and is also in a cab like this (via @Fotosdecomics)...

I absolutely need to get my hands on this S.H. Figuarts Shinya Arino (via tinycartridge)...

Available right now, some Altered Beast, Bare Knuckles, and Rent-a-Hero resin kits (via miki800.com)...

Cursed? More like blessed amirite (via @Pretzel_Pup)...

I know Yoji Shinkawa is best buds with Hideo Kojima, but would he be open to doing another gig at Konami? Cuz him art directing a reboot of Twin Bee would kinda be the best (via @SESKOU)...

There's money on the table with this Metroid X Pepsi mash-up, am confident of this (via ryangilleece)...

Cuz even someone like Samus Aran needs a good stretch every once in a while (via jon-bliss)...

And this third piece of Metroid fan art in a row is very much related to Metroid 3, aka Super Metroid (even though it technically depicts the ending to Metroid 2; via mmillus)...

Awakening indeed (via brookietf)...

For those who have asked, yes, I have seen the hack that connects the Switch to an itty-bitty black & white TV...

Though I'm only really interested in tiny b&w CRT TVs if I can play Duck Hunt on them (via arcade-crusade)...

I not only dig teeny-tiny displays for light gun games, but also for driving games as well (perhaps some of you might remember the following from this)...

Back to tube displays; seeing Zelda on a CRT also reminded me of how Dark Souls look on a CRT, aka CRT Souls or 480i Souls (which again I'm hoping regular readers of the blog remember, especially since the original post has fallen victim to a Tumblr bug)...

"while playing king's field just now i died in the magic cave of fire and when i warped back there were beautiful graphical glitches everywhere" (via mendelpalace)...

Some landscapes, filled with beauty and mystery and terror, are accidental (see: the graphical glitches from before)… whereas others are completely deliberate, as in the case of Atlantia (via obscurevideogames)...

Once again, I REALLY need to figure out a way to play some PC88 games (via obscurevideogames)...

Here we have a semi-common Space Invaders sighting for the time, in an episode of Battle Fever J, one of the earliest Super Sentai shows (via himitsusentaiblog)...

And here we have a rare Game Gear sighting, in old OVA anime, Starship Girl Yamamoto Yohko. Hell, it’s a rare Game Gear in anything sighting; the only other example that comes to mind is Rumble In The Bronx (via @TheOtaking)...

And an equally rare Sonic on the runway sighting (via kotaku.com)...

I normally watch a video in its entirety before making a recommendation. Yet when it came to this overview of Last Bronx's legacy in Japan (and lack thereof in the West), hearing the main theme to Beat Takeshi's Violent Cop near the 3 min mark was all I needed (have since watched the whole thing, and as expected, it's another awesome Kim Justice production)...

And finally, a friend notes: "subzero's right arm is real close to trump's spinal column

just sayin" (via @jbillinson)...

[highly-opinionated-nerd]

Oooook, I just finished Tiger and Bunny, here’s literally all my thoughts about it.

(I put it under a cut because it ended up really, really long. I have a lot to say about this show.)

Good good worldbuilding throughout this whole show. A few people start to develop superpowers, and the media swoops in and says, ‘we control this whole thing now!’ Painfully accurate. I like the city, too, it’s an interesting melting pot.

The end of season two was? Horrible??? Like, in the middle of season one, Barnaby and Kotetsu get blackout drunk together in Barnaby’s apartment, and by the beginning of season two they’re finishing each other’s sentences in interviews, and you expect me to believe that they just leave each other for a whole year?! That right there is not good writing.

Those two are in love and nothing you say will convince me otherwise. It’s a beautiful relationship, really, that develops over the course of the whole show. Let them kiss, you cowards!

There already exists a lot of fan content for this show. Lots of it in the forms of sexy doujinshis and fanart. Take that info and do what you will with it. I’m just stating the facts here, folks.

The short about the heroes playing in a band together? I have watched it three times. It is. The Best. I love it so much.

Here we go with the character bullets: Kotetsu is my favorite. I don’t usually pick main protagonists as my faves, but Kotetsu is perfect in every way and I adore him.

I didn’t like Barnaby much at the start, but I really like him now. He had nice development. Also he has very nice hair and I’m jealous

Blue Rose is alright I guess. She’s the original “the cold never bothered me anyway” ice girl. It’s kinda weird that no one says anything about her falling for a man that’s like almost twice her age, but hey, to each their own. 

Fire Emblem is great. Canon genderqueer character? Whose friends accept and support him?(her? them???) Sign me the heck up for that. He has one of the boldest fashion senses in the entirety of anime, if you ask me, and that’s saying a lot.

Dragon Kid is another one out there destroying gender roles and getting away with it. Also her lightning is better than Azula’s could ever hope to be. You go girl, keep doing your thing

Sky High is wonderful. I love his character, and I think he’s a very capable hero. But are we not going to talk about the time he fell in love with a robot, later destroyed said robot without knowing it, and then went back to wait for the girl??? Because it is never addressed again in canon... That is so sad! Kieth deserves so much better!

Rock Bison- meh. No strong feelings, except the strong wish that he would stop wearing that ridiculous cowboy outfit.

Origami Cyclone is extremely relatable for two reasons: he has a lot of self-confidence issues, and he is really short. Same, Ivan. Same.

Ryan? I would die for him. More than that, I would probably let him kill me if he wanted. Characters like him are something of a guilty pleasure. He looks a lot like Gilgamesh from the Fate/Stay verse, doesn’t he? They have the same taste in weird earrings. I love them both. Gosh darn it why do I always fall for the jerk characters

I even like Lunatic. I think his story is very interesting. As a big fan of American comics, there is some outstanding symbolism in his design that’s not readily visible unless you’re trained to look for that kind of thing.

There’s some good side characters too. Kaede is good. Ben is good. Saito is great. But Agnes is not good. I don’t like her at all.

Overall I just really liked this show and I’m very glad I watched it. It’s been a while since I got this into something so quickly. Highly recommend. Don’t be put off by the weird cgi. It’s on Netflix if you haven’t seen it. Go watch it so I have someone to talk about it with.

[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!

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