Adventure Awaits

Victoria, British Columbia of Vancouver Island has so many different activities to choose from. The city is beautiful and one could easily spend hours just sightseeing in the downtown area. You can do anything from visiting the oldest Chinatown in Canada to spending the afternoon on a tour of Craigdarroch Castle. I was in the city for less than a day and decided to visit Butchart Gardens, which is just a short drive outside of the city. Butchart Gardens is a 55 acre set of gardens which was brought to life by Jennie Butchart. What started in 1912 as a passion project for Jennie has turned into a magnificent, must see, garden oasis. The gardens have a long and interesting history. On our trip to the gardens we were given many different facts and tidbits about Butchart Gardens as well as what encompasses the greater area of Victoria.   One of the more fascinating stories we heard was about the founders of the gardens. While Jennie Butchart, the real proprietor of the gardens...

If you want to visit a town which is off the beaten path, then Haines, AK might just be the place for you. It is a small town which is not as touristy as some of the other towns you may encounter in coastal Alaska. Here you can check out a local brewery, raft down the Chilkat River, or visit one of the many museums located in town. Haines was by far the coldest of the Alaskan towns I visited, so if you plan on being here on a rainy day definitely pack your raincoat and beanie. Haines has activities suitable for both young and old. If you are over 21 years of age and whisky and spirits are what you desire, than the first stop you should make is to the local distillery company Port Chilkoot Distillery. Taste some of the best Alaska has to offer with Icy Straight Vodka, 50 Fathoms Gin, or Green Siren Absinthe. Fun Facts: Haines is the location of both popular television shows and movies. If you are a fan of the Discovery show Gold Rush Alaska, you will be pleased to find out that much o...

The second stop on our Alaskan adventure was Ketchikan. A small fishing town, Ketchikan is known for The Tongass National Forest, Creek Street, and its many Totem Poles. In Ketchikan walking is highly encouraged. Creek Street is a must see stop for many. Although it is now a popular shopping destination, it was once known as the red light district of Ketchikan. Located near the Married Man's Trail, it is known as the place "where both men and salmon came upstream to spawn". Don't forget to visit the salmon ladder located at the end of the Married Man's Trail. Creek Street During our visit to Ketchikan, we decided to partake in the Rainforest Island Adventure. An excursion which was offered through our cruise ship outings. The adventure began when we hopped on the Seahawk, a yellow rigid-hull inflatable motorized vessel. Along the way we saw many forms of wildlife. From the smallest of sea stars to the largest of ocean whales. Keep your eyes peeled for Bald Ea...

If you are interested in visiting Alaska, a cruise is a great way to set sail. Although not the most adventurous of ways to get there, it provides a chance to see some of the most memorable towns. Departing from San Francisco, CA, my family and I made the 10 day journey of Alaska on the Princess Cruise Line. The first stop was Juneau, AK. Juneau, the state capital, has an array of activities to choose from. From shopping, to eating, to hiking the Mendenhall Glacier. The more adventurous soul could choose to zip-line through the forest or fly to the top of the majestic Mendenhall glacier on a helicopter. I chose a 2 mile round trip hike, at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center, that allowed you to get a more up close look at Mendenhall Glacier, Nugget Falls, and the surrounding wildlife. The visitor center is located about 15 to 20 minutes outside of Juneau. Bears, Mountain Goats, and Beavers are known to roam, so be on the lookout. Also, remember that there is no food or drink, othe...

Thanks for joining me! “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”― Mark Twain