explore – Two Wild Tides

Adventures in the Rocky Mountains: A Weekend in Jasper National Park

September 14, 2020 | Leave a Comment

A few weeks ago, my partner and I headed out to Jasper National Park for an impromptu weekend in the mountains. I had been to the Rockies once before (Banff, 4 years ago), but Mack had never been. We stayed at an Airbnb in Hinton, about 45 minutes east of the town of Jasper, because it is much more affordable. Hinton is actually a really nice community, so I would recommend staying there if you’re okay with the drive into Jasper.

We didn’t do much planning for this trip, mostly because we just wanted to soak in the sights at this legendary place, rather than be exhausted from a jam-packed schedule.

In the age of Covid-19, there are restrictions and closures to be aware of. As of July 1st 2020, the Miette hot springs were closed. We wanted to hike the Sulphur Skyline Trail, however, the trailhead is 16 km up the same road as the hot springs and the whole road is closed to prevent tourists from getting near the pools. So, this hike is inaccessible unless you want to walk 16 km for an 8 km hike.

We did some strolling around on easy walking/hiking trails; mainly just staring in awe at the jutting and breathtaking skyline. One underrated area for viewpoints/photo-ops, right off the main highway, is called Jasper House. It’s a short walk from the road to the banks of the Athabasca River. This would make a good picnic spot. Punchbowl Falls, right at the base of the road to the Miette hot springs, is another good picnic/lookout spot that we found.

On Saturday evening, we had a delicious meal and some refreshing beers at the Jasper Brewing Company, right on main street Jasper. I tried elk meatloaf– I’m drooling just thinking about it. We spent the rest of the evening popping in and out of some touristy gift shops and eating ice cream cones.

Sunday morning, we ‘stumbled’ on the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge (we knew it existed but had no idea where we were when we first pulled up). The lake at the Lodge is STUNNING. It is one of your classic, electric blue, picture-perfect Rocky Mountain lakes. I was bubbling with excitement from being there. We decided last-minute (as we did with everything that weekend) to pop inside for brunch. I had one of the best caesars of my life and the fish tacos were so tasty. I will be going back there, without a doubt.

Our impromptu weekend in Jasper couldn’t have been better and I can’t wait to explore there some more so I can write about it here on the blog for you folks.

That smile is genuine, believe me.
xoxo, char

East Coast Trail: Biscan Cove Path

August 31, 2020 | Leave a Comment

A few months back, my partner and I attempted Biscan Cove Path; a portion of the East Coast Trail that starts at Pouch Cove and ends at Cape St. Francis. It was early April, so a lot of the snow in the woods hadn’t melted away yet. We strapped on our snowshoes and gave it a go anyway.

The path is 7.3 km, but a little longer if you walk the dirt road from Cape St. Francis back to the parking lot in Pouch Cove. The dirt road is a good cool down after a moderately challenging hike. The terrain isn’t rough, but there are a few steep inclines that help you work up a sweat.

The first part of the trail offers stunning panoramic views of Pouch Cove and the coastline beyond the little town. There are also drastic cliffs that might just take your breath away. The cliffs have always been my favourite part of the NL coast. After soaking in the view from the first bluff, head down into the woods and over some boggy areas. Wear good shoes- it might be a little damp!

Keep an eye out for the Horrid Gulch viewpoint. There certainly isn’t anything horrid about it!

Soon you’ll come to a steep downhill that leads to a little creek and out toward the ocean. If you brought a picnic, this is the spot to eat it– alongside a gorgeous waterfall pouring out into the Atlantic Ocean.

Unfortunately we tried this hike twice over the course of a week and the snow was just too deep. We almost made it to Cape St. Francis, but we bailed out a little early and came back along the same dirt road mentioned earlier. Hopefully we’ll have the good fortune to complete this trail one day.

Have you hiked Biscan Cove Path? What’s your favourite path on the East Coast Trail? Let us know in the comments or on social media (@twowildtides), we love hearing from our readers! And please, check out our other posts about the East Coast Trail hikes that we’ve done:

happy hiking,
char

Hike NL: Burnt Head Path

September 19, 2019 | Leave a Comment

Looking for a moderate, enjoyable hike that won’t take up too much of your time? Just an afternoon stroll to satisfy the need for salty air in your lungs? If you’re on Newfoundland’s Avalon Peninsula, Burnt Head Path in Cupids is perfect.

Cupids is a lovely small town in Conception Bay North, and although I’ve only ever been there for a couple of hours for this hike, I can’t wait to go back and visit again. Cupids is the oldest continuously settled British colony in Canada and was home to our first peoples before that, so it abounds with history. Once you realize how long and rich the history of the area is, walking the trails becomes a hugely humbling experience. It really puts your place in history in perspective.

Burnt Head Trail is a 2.7 km loop that leaves from and returns to Cupids Haven B&B (which looks gorgeous and I’d love to stay there). You can park in this lot for trail access. It’s a moderate hike. I had a bad back the day we were there and was afraid to push myself so this was the perfect hike.

The entire path, although short, offers breathtaking views. You’ll get to see two bays, a few coves, a small waterfall, and an amazing sea arch. There are benches and picnic tables along the trail. Take it all in. No need to rush.

The arch was so surprising. I did not expect to see such a striking feature of nature on this relatively unknown/unhyped trail. The arch honestly makes this path so underrated in Newfoundland tourism. Here I am to let you know that this is here, it exists, and it’s easy to access! Check it out!

Let us know what you think of Burnt Head Trail! Have you stayed in Cupids before? Comment the best places to stay and eat! We want to spend a night or two! I recommend checking out E&E’s Drive-In for an ice cream, slushy, or deep-fried treat after your hike if you’re in the mood to treat yourself.

Happy trails,
char

How To Spend A Rainy Day in YYT

September 16, 2019 | 1 Comment

Newfie word of the day: RDF – an acronym used by Newfoundlanders to describe our frequent weather conditions: rain, drizzle, and fog.

Overcast skies and drizzly days are no stranger to us here in St. John’s. I applaud people who can enjoy a hike in the most dismal weather, or stroll around the streets downtown with an umbrella or road trip despite the downpour. Myself, however, I want nothing to do with it. I try to make the best of all situations, anything Mother Nature throws my way, but instead of being a trooper and bundling up in waterproof clothes, I find indoor adventures that allow me to remain warm and dry.

The following are my favorite ways to spend a drizzly day in YYT.

Mochanopoly. Located on Water Street (near the courthouse), Mochanopoly is St. John’s’ premier board game cafe. The warm, friendly atmosphere is a great place to spend a few hours with friends on a damp day, playing any board game you can imagine. Try the Nutella latte, it is literal heaven!

Escape Quest. Head down to Duckworth Street and challenge yourself to escape fun and intense rooms with NL themes. This is such a fun experience to try with friends, family, classmates, or coworkers. Let us know if you escape in time!

QEII. The Queen Elizabeth II library is located on the Memorial University campus. I know MUN students are probably groaning while reading this, but I enjoy coming here on a rainy day to catch up on homework, read a good book, or explore the stacks to see what I can find. Yes, I am a geek. #sorrynotsorry

The Clay Café. This place is a little out of the way (it’s located in Mount Pearl, on Commonwealth Avenue), but it is a great place to burn a few hours and flex your creative muscle when it’s raining outdoors. The premise is simple: pick out one of their premade ceramic objects (a plate, mug, figurine, etc.) and paint it however you like. They bake it and you pick up your creation a few days later! They also offer Cork and Canvas nights. You bring a bottle of wine, they teach you how to paint a masterpiece- how great does that sound?

The Rooms. I think this one is my favorite. The Rooms is our provincial museum, and it has so much to offer. They have an art gallery, gift shop, historical and cultural exhibits, and a lovely cafe. The best way to experience The Rooms when it’s wet out? Stroll around the exhibits then enjoy lunch with the best view in town. The “Warm Root Vegetable Salad” is a must!

G-Force Funderdome. Located in Paradise off Corisande Drive, the Funderdome is a super fun place for an adults day or night out when it’s less than pleasant outside. They have hi-speed go-karts, glow-in-the-dark mini-golf, Jack Axes axe-throwing, arcade games, pool, and, yup, a bar complete with local beers.

Give back. RDF got ya down? Spend the day giving back to your community. Not only will it benefit others, but it will lift your spirits as well. Volunteer a few hours with The Gathering Place in their soup kitchen; clean out your closet and donate what you don’t wear to the Salvation Army; play with cats at the SPCA; become a conversation partner with RIAC and help a newcomer to Canada improve their English (you can sign up by emailing esl@riac.ca); or, if you don’t have that much time to commit, grab lunch at the Hungry Heart Cafe– this lunch location is operated by Stella’s Circle, they employ vulnerable adults who may have trouble getting a job anywhere else and give them skills to work in the food service industry.

How do you spend rainy days in your city or hometown? We would love to hear about it!

Exploring Newfoundland’s West Coast: Western Brook Pond Boat Tour

August 29, 2019 | Leave a Comment

This post is a long time coming! On Canada Day Weekend (yup, months ago) my friends and I took a road trip to the west coast of Newfoundland. We mostly just chilled in the RV, played lawn games, and had some drinks, but we did find the energy to venture up to Western Brook Pond to do the boat tour through the world-famous, breathtaking fjords. I was slightly under-prepared so, unfortunately, the photos are only iPhone photos!

We booked our tour through BonTours, which is the only tour company operating in Western Brook Pond. It was about $65 per person and we did not have to make a deposit to book our tour in advance. I would definitely suggest you book the tour ahead of time as it can be quite busy in the summer.

To access the tour, you’ll need to walk about 3km from the parking lot to the dock. It’s a relatively easy walk and takes about 30-45 minutes depending on your fitness level. I suggest bringing a bottle of water and a snack as the food at the tour facility is quite pricey.

The boat tour was fantastic. It’s about two hours long. We stood at the front of the boat the entire time so our views were fantastic. There is seating on top of the boat, at the back, and inside. The tour guide was great. He was friendly and informative. On the way back, he even played a few local tunes and everyone sang along.

There are so many remarkable facts about Western Brook Pond. What particularly stands out in my mind are the tales of huge chunks of the cliffs falling into the water, once even causing a 100-foot tsunami. The pond also carries extremely low levels of electrical charge compared to other bodies of water, meaning it is unable to support much marine life and therefore the water is pristine.

I know my pictures aren’t much. You might even be wondering after reading this post, “why would I bother going all that way for a boat tour in a little pond?”

Well, words and photos will NEVER demonstrate the magnitude of the fjords. To give you an idea, the CN Tower is 553 meters tall, and the tallest rock face in Western Brook Pond is 600 meters. It’ll blow your mind!

Have you been to Western Brook Pond? My goal is to snowmobile it next, and hopefully hike it someday. Let us know what you thought of the experience in the comments below or by reaching out on social media, @twowildtides!

Check out our other adventures on the west coast of Newfoundland: