August 2023 Canlife Correspondence, Our Almost Monthly Newsletter

Canada's National Parks - A Bucket List Full of Memories!
Along the middle spine of our continent, north of Montana and Idaho, lie some of the most iconic and popular National Parks in Western Canada.  Thousands of people daily live out their bucket list goals by reaching one of these special places.  It's not just North Americans of course, but people from everywhere and all walks of life.  Just stroll down the shores of Lake Louise and you'll likely hear a dozen or more languages and see families and friends making lifetime memories.  It's inspiring, even if the canoe rental shocks common sense at CA$140 PER HOUR!

Of course, most folks have heard of Banff, and maybe others know about Jasper, just to the north along the stunning Icefields Parkway, but there are 4 other Parks Canada National Parks in the region.  Yoho, Glacier, Kootenay, and Mt. Revelstoke crowd along the borders of their better known cousins helping to make this area one of the highest concentrations of park land in the nation.  Each park is so different, with every single one worth a visit.  We are up to 14 of 37 Canadian National Parks now...looks like we have some traveling to do!

The crowds are here in the summer months, for sure, and if you intend to visit during the high season, you have to pack along some patience.  But if you don't mind walking a bit further than the trailhead, you can quickly put some distance on the cluster and find your own space to enjoy and wander.  Another tip is to get out early and stay out later in the day...it's just you and the wildlife at sunrise and sunset, and maybe a few other photographers.

Like usual, we didn't make any reservations before we entered Jasper, our first park of the month and we're grateful to learn that Jasper has an absolutely huge "overflow" campground for all of us "wing-it" non-planners.  And despite the demand of the summer months, we've continued to find an open spot for the night (or three) in all of these parks...even in Banff.  

"Yoho" means awe in the Cree language, and it is aptly named.  We were humbled again by what we've explored in this park and the others which surround it.  Awe just about covers it.    Below are just a few highlights from the past 3 weeks in the area; be sure to follow us on social media for much, more more!

• Takakkwa Falls, Yoho - BC's 2nd highest falls is beautiful, but busy.  Continue up the valley along the Yoho Valley Trail for some solitude and spectacular views.
• Radium Hot Springs, Kootenay - Classic hot water soaking in a national park bath house setting.  There are others in the area that are free of charge as well. 
• Moraine Lake, Banff - The hike to Sentinel Pass has jumped onto our top 10 day hikes in National Parks list.  Not for the faint of heart -- you must have calves like a horse and pretend you're a mountain goat.
• Wapta Falls, Yoho - What a surprise!  We took the "back trail" near a place where we boondocked for the night.  Easy and gorgeous with a huge WOW at the end!
• Bald Hills, Jasper - Another top ten contender hike, taking us high above Maligne Lake, which is the most photographed lake in Canada.
• Emerald Lake, Yoho - Aptly named for its spectacular color. Busy during the day, but you can have the place to yourself at sunset when surrounding mountains reflect the last light of the day.
• Illeciellewaet Valley, Glacier - This valley in the famed Selkirk Mountains claims the birthplace of North American mountaineering. 

And just to save something for later, we turned back before reaching Mt. Revelstoke because the wildfire smoke from the south was getting pretty thick; even though the dangerous fires were a safer distance away, we decided not to push it.  Thanks Alberta and BC, we'll be back...again!

In Front of the Mic: America's Largest RV Show in Hershey, PA  (September 13-17, 2023)
In just a couple of weeks, we'll leave the Rocky Mountains behind and travel to one of our favorite RV Shows in Hershey, PA.  America's Largest RV Show is 5 days of thousands of the latest RV models, camping gear, and even more people checking out what's new on the lot. 

We'll be giving 2 daily seminars about a couple of our favorite topics: "RV Solar 101" & "RVing to Alaska."  Click here for details and times.  We hope you come on out and join us for this great show!

Recipe of the Month: OTZI Blog
If you know anything about us, it's that we love to COOK and EAT great food. We've had a number of our delicious camping recipes featured on the OTZI Gear Blog, and though some of these recipes are ones we've shared with you before, there are some other great recipes on this list, including: Deep Dish Blueberry Pancake, Easy Camp Mac 'n Cheese, and Dutch Oven Camp Bread.  You've gotta try these out on your Labor Day camping trip!

Get your own OTZI Grill and save 10% off with our link and promo code "CANLIFE"  

"It's impossible!" said Pride. "It's risky!" said Experience.  
"Give it a try," whispered the Heart. 

- Unknown

Celebrating 11 Years on the Road! - September 3rd, 2023

Next week, we'll celebrate 11 years of road life -- our Nomadiversary as we call it!  This quote found on the inside of a card passed along to us by a friend, strikes a chord with us particularly at this time of year.  During our road life days we have experienced all the emotions and conflicts wrapped up in this little quote.  Indeed, we never would have thought we'd be here 11 years later sending out monthly newsletters, posting images and videos on social media, and bringing our story to audiences all over the country.  We must have just listened to our hearts, because they haven't lead us astray yet.  Here's to another 11 years of Freedom in a Can!  

To celebrate this 11th Nomadiversary, we are launching a video series to answer your burning questions.  Via email or Facebook / Instagram, reach out and ask all those questions you've always wondered about...don't be shy!  We'll be candidly answering some of the best questions we get via our YouTube channel this fall and winter.

Blog of the Month: We Are Go For Launch!
In celebration of our Nomadiversary, we thought we'd share the first blog we published -- just days after we left our old lives behind and rolled out of the Blue Ridge Mountains of NC.  Here's where it all started, enjoy! 

Video of the Month: Renogy ONE Core Monitor
There have been many times when we thought that we had all the solar gear that we needed, then Renogy sends us something else to test out.  This tiny, all-in-one monitor does it all from calculating your battery status and solar charge to RV leveling to smart home automation and security.  With this little space age monitor on Hamlet's wall, it's like 1957 meets 2023!  Check out our video review of the latest and greatest remote monitoring system from Renogy.  We love it!

Parting Shot - Wapta Falls, Yoho National Park, BC

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