The Banff by EVRentals

... we saw lots more elk and we saw a male Mule Deer which was cool because I'd only seen females. The females look a lot like small donkeys - hence the name.<br><br>Banff is a beautiful place. I'd like to come back here at a different time of the year, maybe Spring or very early Summer. I don't think I'd like it so much at the height of summer when you would be elbowing people off the pavement just to have room to walk. There are lots of lovely ...

I landed in Miami, Florida with Shannon after leaving Ecuador. We spent a few days on South Beach in the most partiest of partying hostels I have ever stayed in. We pretty much partied and shopped whilst in Miami, so it was very expensive!. Miami is the typical 'America' you see in movies - set with palm trees, beaches, skimpy outfitted babes and tranny's.. and not to mention the group of trolley clad hobo's - even some legless ones in wheelchairs! (Not that I was excited ...

... Historic Site. An old railroad hotel, it was built as a stop on the cross country train route in order to get tourists to the area. (The railroads in the USA did the same thing. Hence, the beautiful old lodges at Yellowstone, Brice Canyon, Glacier, etc.) It is a huge complex built of stone, and elegant inside and out. The last stop of the day was the Cascades of Time Garden surrounding the park administration building. The ...

... covered in snow. We had our first snowball fight! We ate lunch in the cafe at the top of the mountain, looking out at the beautiful view. Then we took the gondola back down and headed for the hot springs. We felt the water but didn't go in as we wanted to go to Lake Moraine, another green and gorgeous lake. It was snowing there too! Tonight we walked around Banff town and admired the quaint little shops. We love it here and really don't want to leave! Its back to the bar again tonight!!!

... mineral rich warm waters are reknowned throughout Canada for curing rheumatism, arthritis and other ailments. All I know is it felt damn good after hiking all day long! I thought the day could not get any better, sharing these experiences with new friends and then having time to relax. Then upon returning to the hostel I met my new Irish friend and namesake in the hall, who said "will ya be goin downstairs for a pint?" I had to catch my bus early in the morning ...

On Day 2, we drove south towards Athabasca Falls, then headed up a rocky, unpaved road to hike the Geraldine Lakes trail. We made it past the first lake and midway towards the second, finally turning around at a massive rockpile. Afterwards we went into Jasper for a dinner of Japanese food. Details in the photos!

In July, Arvin and I came back to Edmonton for a friend's wedding (hi, Cynthia and Ray!). While I was in Alberta, I took the opportunity to go on a road trip to Jasper with two other friends, Anke and Christine. Hurrah! I should mention here that at this point my younger brother Mikkel had just left to go to a French language program in Jonquiere, Quebec (sorry no accents). His blog can be found at http://www.intrigueblue.com - he's got ...

... the banks of the Athabasca River, and around a number of beautiful lakes (especially Lake Annette and Lake Edith, which were stunning with their clear green and blue water, lined with forest trees and with the Canadian Rockies as a backdrop). In total we walked between 15-20km, but it was well worth it. In the evening we went for food at a restaurant called 'Evil Daves'. It was really good food. Really good.

The last couple of days in Mexico were good but I got really sick again. On tuesday we wanted to go to Teotiuacan but Jesse opted out because he wasnt feeling good either. I decided to go even though I felt like ****, so I went with a tour. I got to see the shrine of Guadalupe and the miracle piece of cloth. We also went to a local familys' house in a village where they make mezcal and tequila and it was very customary for us to try everything. oloagblah... When we got to ...

... we have almost 2grand to spend between the 2 of us for 2 weeks. I think that will be fine. lol. I know we could have done it for a third of what we have, but, we will be the ones having the most fun down there. I want to go kayaking for sure, surfing for sure, hiking, I want to visit Teotihuacan and Monte Alban, and I want stay in some funky places and eat some amazing food, and of course, come back with alot of stuff. So ya, I will keep ya posted.