Best of 2020.

The beginning of 2020 feels like yesterday but also feels like it was five years ago. I know I'm not the only person that feels this way. So much has changed this year for everyone, and we're all still processing those changes. From lost jobs to lost loved ones, it's been an emotionally rough year.

Over and over, I kept saying that we couldn't have been "stuck" in a better place. Besides the one month that the parks were closed across Canada, we have been able to safely explore the Canadian Rockies here in Alberta and we enjoyed every minute of it! We wished every day that our family and friends could be here in person to enjoy it too, but thankfully social media allows us to share our experiences virtually and get people pumped to come and visit (hopefully) in 2021!

With that said, here are my top 10 outdoor moments in Alberta in 2020:

1. Seeing a moose at Maligne Lake in Jasper National Park.

I remember my first in-person moose encounter a little over four years ago when we were backpacking Isle Royale in Michigan. I was so overwhelmed (and kind of scared) that I really didn't get to enjoy the moment. Our trip up to Jasper this summer gave me another opportunity to see a moose in the wild and safely enjoy the peacefulness of nature in its authentic state. We had just gotten done hiking and decided to go down by the lake for a few minutes just to sit and enjoy the view. I looked over and a mama moose and her babe came strolling over the dock and went into the water. We just sat there in awe watching the little family enjoy the sunshine and the water. It was an amazing moment.

2. Summiting Mist Mountain at 10,300 feet.

This summit was the hardest mental challenge for me but with the sickest reward at the top. When we first started this hike, we walked through these green rolling hills that felt like we were in Ireland—no joke! Once we reached the rocky part of the trail, it got tricky. Thank god for our helmets, because there was a lot of loose rock moving around as we climbed steep sections. Before we got to the final (long AF) push, we passed like five or six people who said they turned around because of the wind and cold. We kept going because the weather still looked good and we didn't come all this way to turn around. After fighting tooth and nail with scree (very very very loose rock along the top of a mountain), we made it to the top, and I truly felt like the Queen of the mountain. Can't wait to tackle an 11K summit in 2021! (Hi, who wants to babysit???)

3. Hiking Paradise Creek to Giant Steps.

This was the longest hike we went on (13 miles) but was probably the most beautiful one we did. We were invited on a group hike with some people from Enterprise and their friends, so that made the long trek even more fun! Copper joined us too! The hike took us through the woods for a while but then opened up to this valley where we were surrounded by mountains covered with snow at the top. Avalanches could be heard in the background as we kept going, which is a great reminder that the mountains have NO CHILL 365 days a year. Our final destination was at the Giant Steps—a large rock area that legit looked like giant steps with water flowing down it to a waterfall. One of my favorite lunch spots!

4. Camping at Rampart Creek.

We stopped at this campground on our way to Jasper National Park in August. What we loved the most about this one was how secluded it was—and the lack of people camping there. We were tucked back in the woods and a quick walk over to the creek. We grabbed some beers and a blanket and made our way over to the creek to hang out for a bit. As we strolled along the creek, we turned the corner and it opened up to beautiful mountain views!!! It was the most serene spot we've ever spent time in, and there was literally no one around—except probably a bear debating whether we were worth approaching or not. Don't worry, we always had our bear spray handy!

5. Laying in a hammock at Boulton Creek Campground.

Our first camping adventure was at the end of June out in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. It was the first time we took a couple of days off of work and was a much-needed mini-vacay for all four of us. After months of lockdown, my work completely flipping upside down from covid and the sparked BLM protests, and James dealing with the biggest hailstorm damage in Canadian Enterprise history, we needed this break. Our campground was so far out in the mountains that we didn't have cell service!! So this moment of me swaying in my hammock, wrapped up so cozy in my sleeping bag, in the middle of the woods, with no cell service, definitely makes the top ten list for this year. Take me back, please!

6. My first solo hike in the Canadian Rockies.

My hiking addiction was REAL this summer, so one weekend when James was busy with hail damage at work, I decided to venture out and solo hike! Ok, I guess it wasn't totally solo, because I had Copper, but nonetheless, I was by myself. Of course, the trail I chose had bear sighting signs up at the trailhead, so I was pretty nervous as we made our way into the woods. I just kept talking loudly to Copper and made some friends later on the trail to make me feel a little more at ease. It's still a big accomplishment to solo hike in grizzly country and I actually did a second solo hike not long after that day. You have to be prepared, be loud and have that bear spray right at your chest in case you ever need to use it.

7. Lake Louise in the winter.

Everyone gushes over the blue water surrounded by mountains and the Fairmont Chateau at Lake Louise, but there is so much beauty there in the winter that can be overlooked. Our first winter experience at Lake Louise was in January at the Ice Magic Festival. This was pre covid, so we walked around looking at ice sculptures, had a warm rum and cider from the outdoor bar, and roasted a marshmallow at the communal fire pit. It was really dreamy to be surrounded by snow-covered mountains and falling snow that made you feel like you were in Narnia. We've been lucky enough to visit Lake Louise a few different times this year, and ugh, yeah I know it's touristy, but it's unbelievably gorgeous and worth the visit every time!

8. The first summit of my pregnancy.

I was (and still am) bound and determined to keep hiking and climbing mountains throughout this pregnancy—as long as my body allows. After we got back from Michigan and finished quarantine, I was ready to hit the trails again. We tackled Sulphur Mountain in Banff, and holy shit was it hard for me!! I was still in my first trimester, and I swear to you, I felt so out of shape making the climb on a trail that pre-pregnancy would be a breeze for me to complete. I'm thankful that James didn't get frustrated but was very understanding and made the most of it with me. The view at the top was spectacular, and we got a free gondola ride down so it wasn't so bad. I'm so proud of my strength and drive as this baby grows. My body is changing in ways that I'm still not totally at peace with yet, but I'm still getting to do the things I love, and that (plus my health) is what matters most!

9. My first ski lesson.

I felt like a true badass taking a lesson at age 30 surrounded by the most beautiful mountains I've ever seen. Yeah, I was also surrounded by children kicking my ass on the bunny hill, but I wasn't complaining. James has been snowboarding for years, so I wanted to give skiing a try since we have some of the best ski hills in North America here. It can be tough, and a little embarrassing, trying new things in your 30s, but life would be so boring if you didn't keep learning and trying new things.

10. Enjoying all these adventures with James.

I still don't know how I got so lucky to find my perfect life partner. We took a huge risk moving out here a year ago, but the trust we have in each other and the support we have for each other is what makes us feel confident enough to take on big life decisions like this. We have had the best year we could possibly have given all the shit that was thrown our way, and I know that 2021 is going to be full of more adventures!

Honorable Mention: San Diego

Ok, so this adventure wasn't in Alberta, but I have to give a shoutout to the last beach vacation I took—San Diego. One of my best friends, Elise, and I were lucky enough to get a trip back in February before everything shut down, and it was the girls' trip I didn't know I needed so bad. I wish it was longer because we had THE BEST TIME together!! From the white claws, laying out on the beach, watching "Love is Blind", and coffee chats on the front porch of our Air BnB, I'm so thankful I got to spend that time with her.

Cheers to 2021 and saying "BYE BITCH" to 2020.

xo, Stef