The Vegabond 9.12.2015 | Page 29

Your next option would be skipping the praries and crossing the border. Check out Chicago and drive your way through the US, you little sneaky pickle, visit Yellowstone National Park whose wonders have made Mexican men cry, and shoot right back up into the magical lands of Canadia through a province that is worth it: AL to the BERTA. If you are a real gypsy and got a few months to half of a year on your hands, you might have snug in some woofing, or workaway, or helpx (yes, these are all amazing networks, read up closely in the article 'Networks'), and it is September or October by now. That is amazing!

If you make it to Alberta before October, the weather will still be pleasant and you can enjoy the majestic rockies on your gorgeous feetsies! Canmore, Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper all offer unforgettable hiking. Canmore is my personal love-affair and my dearest areas are the Grassi and the Spray Lakes. So. Much. Fun. While the hike up to the Grassi Lakes is a moderate but relaxing climb with many overlooks and resting options on the way, looking at waterfalls, then several little 'ponds' that look like Monet's out-pours. It is seriously like staring at a painting. Just that it is nature at its purest self. Ha. On your climb further up, as announced by the famous sign 'Watch for Falling RockStars', you will be able to see a bunch of people climb sections on the rock from easy to advanced. Super fun! And of course there are turquoise lakes on the top and bottom part of this hike. Breath in, breath out. Now go hike it!

Now if you are into snow, make sure to stay put until November, mid or end of November. You will defintiely want to hit Castle Mountain for skiing or boarding in the South corner of Alberta and very close to BC. While you are there, hit Revelstoke & Fernie too. Then do Sunshine and Lake Louise. Skip Norquay and Nakiska! And most certainly skip rabbit hill by Edmonton ;).

End up in Jasper and take Highway 99 if the road conditions allow it. Be aware that the drive between Calgary and Vancouver is possibly the most dangerous one of all Canada in the winter. It takes up to 13, 14 hours through high elevations of the Rockies. One time I did it before Christmas we witnessed an accident per hour! I am not kidding you, be careful and prepared if you are driving this route by car. There is a lot of snow in Canada, for real.

Whistler. Yes, you want to ski/board Whistler. Yes, a day pass is more than a hundred dollars. Yes, you still want to ski/board Whistler. Start early. And go nuts. Storm down the hill like rambo. Because man, you only live once, and more so, every hour costs more than 10 bucks ;-). The huts are amazing and even offer all kinds of (very expensive) vegan options. If you can spend more time in Whistler (workaway, house keeping or serving jobs will do), do it. People love it. You will see many bears.

Vancouver. What shall I say? Of course, it is possibly the best, if not, one of the best cities in the world. North-Vancouver for most of the outdoorsy stuff, but my favorite place is Wreck Beach. Yes, it is a nude beach right next to the university. How wicked is that? But even more than the variety of beautiful boobies bouncing freely (probably not in November though) it is the vistas of nature that make me come here.

Now you just have to end up on Vancouver Island! Not a problem. Bus into the harbor of Tsawwassen (yes, that's a town's name) and ride the ferry over. Victoria is a really cool city and the rest a lush and mysterious looking fantasy island!

Now it is probably December and time for you to go back home because your family is waiting for you under the Christmas Tree. But you licked the ice cream and you want it all?

SOLUTION--->

canada. live it.

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