We arrived in Canada after roughly 10 days of travelling. So far we’d been on 4 flights, driven 700 miles across California into the Nevada desert, and on touching down in Calgary, we could not have been more excited to get back on the road and start making our way into Banff.

We arrived under the cover of darkness, so for now it was time to pick up the hire car, find our hotel for the night, and recharge the batteries for another day of adventure.

With a good nights sleep and a healthy, nutritious breakfast the next morning (Thanks Denny’s) we packed up the car and hit the road with a plan of attack and a bag full of snacks!

Admittedly, the plan was rather loose, but consisted of some key bucket list items we plan to tick off over the next few days:

• See Bears! Grizzy, Brown, Black, White, Panda… I’m not fussy, I want to see them all, but this was priority number ONE!

• See the lakes. Bow, Moraine, Peyto, Emerald & of course Lake Louise (anything else was a bonus)

• Drive the scenic roads. Such as The Icefields Parkway.

• Stop for photos. At least every 45 seconds.

• See Bears!

First stop, Peyto Lake. We made the call to hit the furthest away lake possible and work back towards the lodge we would be based at for the next three nights. Arriving at the carpark at Peyto, there is no lakes to be seen in any direction, and soon it becomes clear a short hike is required to get up into the hills and find the famous viewpoint.

On with the boots and the waterproofs, we hit the trails.

It’s peak season in Banff this time of year, so we had a bit of a task wading through the tourists, but this I do not grudge. The scenery is for everyone to enjoy and we ourselves are only tourists. Although one chap did decide to have a rant at the walkers who made their way past the viewing platform as he wanted that perfect photo with no people in it.

Fair or not? I’ll leave that for you to decide.

Moving on from Peyto Lake, we realise it’s getting rather late in the day and we still have a few hours drive ahead to get to our next stop for the night.

With a few more photos on the SD card and a deep feeling of contentment we hit the road once more for the day.

Few words are exchanged over the next couple hours that don’t refer to the blueness of the water, the ruggedness of the mountains or generally just how beautiful Canada is and how grateful we are to finally be here.

It rains sporadically between each point of interest were ticking off the list, and I love it.

The noise of the splashing drops against my jacket and sound of the car tyres crunching over the wet gravel only adds to the experience. It’s gives the sense of atmosphere this place deserves and for once I’m happy to see clouds.

Thats the photographer in me speaking!

We’ve been driving for hours by this point, tired, hungry, but not complaining. I mean who could when this is the view from the front seat of the car.

Its just breathtaking. And these images just don’t do it justice.

(that may be a recurring theme on here)

A little further to go until we reach Golden, we squeeze in one more little stop by a river for a bit of a leg stretch and some snacks before continuing on with the rest of the journey.

As our first day in Alberta comes to end, we are treated to some of the most amazing light I have even seen. From double rainbows in the valley to the gorgeous golden hues cast on the mountains across from our lodge high up in the Golden hills.

It was a stunning reward for a long day travelling and truly felt like a warm welcome to the Canadian wilderness.

I have never felt more relaxed yet excited for what the coming days will bring, and only now I understand I really wasn’t prepared for it.