June 03, 2007

Traveling

Tracks

As most of my readers know, I've lived in the same place my whole life. Perhaps that's why traveling always seems so exciting to me. I love to explore new landscapes, investigate other cultures, and imagine what life is like for people and creatures who live somewhere else. Sometimes when my house is quiet, I can hear the trains going by on the railroad tracks at the end of my road. I like to imagine the passengers going past, east and south to the Big City Like No Other, or west to the Big Midwestern City and beyond. When my kids were small, I didn't get to do much traveling – it seems like I was always breastfeeding a child, so we mostly did local camping trips – but now that my kids have gotten older, I take advantage of every opportunity to see just a little bit more of the world.

Tomorrow, I'll be traveling with my husband to the Town in the Canadian Rockies That Sounds Like a Bad Eighties Band. We'll be exploring a mountain region famous for its beautiful lakes, vast icefields, natural hot springs, and incredible vistas. We'll be hiking in mountains that are home to elk and mountain goats, woodland caribou and bighorn sheep, wolves and grizzly bears, cougars and lynx. I'm packing everything from my raingear to my hiking boots to my silkiest lingerie, tossing in dramamine for good measure. I am ready for whatever the week brings.

27 comments:

comebacknikki said...

Have a wonderful trip!

Flavia said...

When I was a kid, one of the things I loved best about visiting the home of my one set of grandparents was the fact that at night you could hear the whistles of trains off in the distance. Since I've been out east, I've lived relatively close to train tracks in three of my four apartments--right now I'm quite close to a stretch of Amtrak and freight tracks--and I'm not sure I could live without those sounds.

Enjoy your trip!

susan said...

Safe and happy travels!!

(And you went to grad school in your home town, too? Wow. I knew you work where you grew up, but I guess I thought you'd left for grad school.)

Linda said...

Have a wonderful trip!

Ianqui said...

Oh man, that trip sounds amazing. I hope you see a lynx. That was the one thing I wanted to see in Alaska last year but didn't.

my15minutes said...

Stunning photo. Enjoy your travels!

PPB said...

Glad you remembered the dramanine!

Todd said...

Have a great trip!

This is an amazing picture.

Hel said...

Have a wonderful time. Your blog inspires me to see Canada for myself.

BerryBird said...

Have a great trip, Jo(e). I look forward to reading about it later.

BeachMama said...

Ooooh, I love the town in the Rockies that sounds like a bad '80's band!! I haven't been in a few years but it never ceases to amaze me. I hope you have a great time, love the fresh mountain air and are treaded to some wonderful Canadian hospitality!

Yankee T said...

I know you'll have a wonderful time. I love the range of clothing required for this adventure.

Anonymous said...

Have fun!

And post lots of pictures of the mountains. Man, I miss the mountains.

Anonymous said...

Okay, this will show my lack of musical knowledge but can you give me an easier clue for the town's name? I should add that I'm Canadian (albeit from Ontario) and have been to the Rockies. But somehow the top 3 towns (Banff, Jasper, Lake Louise) don't remind me of an 80s rock band.

You might want to check out www.cbc.ca/sevenwonders. Canadians have voted on the 7 wonders of our country and I'm guessing somewhere in the Rockies will have at least one spot. (Winners announced on Thursday!).

Have a wonderful time.

bridgett said...

Really? You're going to Moose Jaw?

Unknown said...

Wherever you're going, it sounds great!

Inside the Philosophy Factory said...

I've been there -- a few years ago at this time. We camped from BN state to Baniff... It was amazing.

If you are camping, keep in mind that there is very little darkness this time of year that far north, so prepare to sleep in the equivalent of deep twilight for much of the night.

Also, watch out for the German and Japanese tourists in rented RVs. They nearly ran us off the road more times than I can count. The best trick was to go in reverse on narrow mountain roads if they missed something...

Have a fantastic trip!

Liesl said...

Have a safe and wonderful trip!

Anonymous said...

Hey, MJ, there was an 80s band called Wham so I am guessing she means Banff.

Hope you are having a great trip!

CJ

sam said...

Enjoy! The Canadian Rockies are gorgeous. If you hike to the tea house above Lake Louise, watch out for the marmots--they're accustomed to being fed and are very aggressive in going after whatever you're eating.

Sue said...

Have a wonderful time in Canada jo(e)!!

Silver Creek Mom said...

BEing a Canadain I love that Place in the Rockies. BUT I love more a town just a few hundred KM's north called Jasper. I spent my honeymoon there. Not as touristy but beautiful.

Enjoy...can't wait to hear and see these places. AGAIN

Hugs

Kris said...

Have a fantastic trip! Can't wait to hear about it and see some pictures...

Anonymous said...

that picture is amazing! the lighting, just wow!

Andi said...

Your photo is beautiful. I envy that you get to see all the wildlife. I get to see woodpeckers & a ground hog named Osama Bin Chewin' but I long to see animals different than what I am used to.

halloweenlover said...

Have a fabulous trip! Take loads of pictures!

Lilian said...

JOOO(EEE)!!! How great! This is our family's dream trip, I mean, my brother's, his wife's, my parents and also mine and my husband's.

I can't wait for all the photos -- those that you already posted are awesome!!! I hope we can go someday.