Canada, at first I would have told you it probably did not differ much from the country South of it. This though, was far from the truth.
This trip was to visit my partners family, a family reunion many years in the making. We traveled to her parents house the day before the flight. I was nervous, excited and worried. This trip was for me to grow as a photographer and the first step in my decision to focus only on travel and landscape photography.
Our flight, was not too early, it would be leaving San Francisco Airport at 2 p.m. So I had the chance to get plenty of sleep, which I felt was important, because I do not sleep on planes. This has been true since I traveled from Sweden to the U.S. seventeen years ago.
(Though that time I had way to much coca-cola)
Passing through security was faster then we had expected, so I had to find a way to occupy my time until take off. I picked up my phone and set out on a photography adventure.
While this trip was mainly for me to get better at landscapes, people are what I love to shoot.
Once we landed in Calgary and set of on our travels towards The Panorama Mountain Resort it became apparent how different it was.
This greeted us as we stepped of the plane in Calgary. Already a good start to this adventure. | Photo by Deanna Bakker
Maybe it was nostalgia for the green lush forests, reminding me of my childhood in Sweden. Maybe it was all in my head, all I know is I want to go back.
Right away the view was stunning.
The ride to the resort would be a few hours, and cross the border from Alberta to British Columbia. Not one part of the trip disappointed. Glued to the window, staring at the peaks, valleys and trees of the Rocky's as we passed by. I knew we had to make it to the resort, so stopping for photos would have to be kept to a minimum. But one lake had to be photographed, and with the sun setting it was a test for me.
The sun was setting quickly so I had to hurry to capture this photo. If I could have spent more time, I would have loved to photograph the sun setting behind the mountain peaks.
We hopped back into the rental car and said goodbye to the sun, lake and the view. We arrived at the resort around 11 p.m. (10 p.m. back home) and got our key cards, and set out to finding our rooms.
We had room 207 at Taynton Lodge, the upper left corner of the Panorama Resort. We put the key card in and soon discovered a very roomy living space. Big bed and a big tub (all in the same room) sadly no images but I can promise you it was better then many hotels I have stayed at. My partner Talia and I soon went to bed, with thoughts of the adventure laying ahead. But not before we watched some Olympics, GO SWEDEN...ahem..now on to the first full day in Canada.
I woke early hoping for some good photos, but sadly as we arrived so did the rain. This would normally mean for some beautiful clouds but it was just gray and you could not see the mountains. So back to sleep I went, gathering energy needed for the day ahead. I was meeting one half of my partners Canadian family, this was their reunion after all.
To get around the resort there was a gondola which after much arguing was decided is not always a boat. It gave us a great view of the resort and the mountains behind it.
The gondola was a fun way to get around.
The view from the gondola was amazing. :)
The week was full of adventure and exploration. I went on a fly fishing trip which ended successfully. It was catch and release, which was ok because I do not think Talia would have liked me cleaning fish in our room.
It was raining, and the sun was hiding most of the time. But no rain would keep this trip from being fun. The fish where biting and we had a wonderful time.
I made it a goal of this trip to spend the time I had free photographing and I did. Below are some photos I took.
It was simply amazing, waking up early and taking this photo.
The storm clouds, while blocking the light, lent them self to some dynamic images.
On the last full day I got a text from Talia's brother asking if I wanted to hike to the summit of Panorama Mountain. I had originally planned to do it, but felt it was going to be to much work for the short time I had. A voice in my head at first wanted to say no, but I remembered the goal I had set out. "SHOOT SHOOT SHOOT, DO NOT BE LAZY!" So I said yes. I got my knee brace and got ready for a week of knee pain. (It was worth it)
I am so happy I did. Because if i had missed the views I saw, even if I could not photograph them, I would have beaten my self up.
The hike took 2 1/2 hours. It was all nearly vertical and dang it was not easy. The trail was more of a road and easy to navigate. It was the increase in elevation over such a short distance that got you. 4 miles and, a 2,937 foot elevation gain.
The view amazing, but man where we tired.
Wish I had brought a flag of my own.
Once we finished, and got back down (we missed the last lift ride down) we where fortunate to be picked up by Andrew, an employee at the resort who gave us a ride down from where we would have caught the lift (my knee thanked him).
Being able to check this off my list, was amazing. It made the last day wonderful leaving the resort that much harder.
It was an amazing experience. I got to meet great people, stay in an amazing place and experience the outdoors in new ways. I want to go back, I need to go back and I will go back.