explore – Two Wild Tides

Adventures in the Rocky Mountains: Our Stay at Chateau Jasper

November 23, 2020 | Leave a Comment

This past weekend was my sister’s last weekend with us in Alberta. We decided to make the most of it and took her to the mountains for a night. We stayed at Chateau Jasper, which is operated by Pursuit’s Banff Jasper Collection. Pursuit has many hotels and attractions in Jasper and Banff National Parks, including the Banff Gondola, which we rode on a few years back. Despite Covid-19 putting a wrench in so many of our plans for 2020 and altering the way the tourism and hospitality industry operates, our stay at Chateau Jasper was excellent.

I’d like to start with a brief comment about how seamless the booking process was. We booked online through Pursuit’s website and availed of their 20% discount for Alberta residents. For a modern, clean, and newly renovated hotel in the town of Jasper, it was incredibly affordable.

Our room was a standard hotel room with two queen beds. It was clean and comfortable. There were plenty of amenities including lots of coffee and tea, a microwave, and luxurious local toiletries. The hotel also has an indoor pool and hot tub which remains open during Covid-19, but you are required to book your time slot upon check-in. Sadly, we forgot our bathing suits.

From the hotel, it was a 10-minute walk to the quaint main street area where we shopped and enjoyed a meal and drinks at Jasper Brewing Company. Check out our post about Canadian breweries for more details about what we ate and drank in Jasper! Of course it’s pretty chilly in Alberta, especially in the Rockies, in November so dress warm!

The next morning, we enjoyed breakfast at the Silverwater Grill & Lounge located in the lobby of Chateau Jasper. Unfortunately, during Covid-19 the lounge is only open for breakfast– but they compensate for their minimal hours with delicious food and warm and friendly staff. I had the eggs benny. So good!

After checking out, we drove around Jasper for awhile, got some pictures, and let my sister soak in all the panoramic views she could lay her eyes on. It was also mine and Mack’s first time seeing the Rockies in the winter which was pretty special. The snowcapped mountains are mystical and breathtaking. We even got lucky enough to see some Big-Horn Mountain Sheep along the way.

Have you stayed at Chateau Jasper before? What is your favourite Jasper hotel? Where should we stay next? What are the best winter activities in the Canadian Rockies? Leave us a comment!

Happy exploring,
char

Canadian Craft Breweries We’ve Been To… So Far

November 16, 2020 | Leave a Comment

If there’s anything we search for while travelling, it’s a good local brewery. Every time. A craft brewery honestly says a lot about a location; the names of the beers reflect local culture, the locals of that community will likely be hanging out there, and the servers tend to know the best touristy and non-touristy places to visit. The craft brewing industry has boomed in the last few years, especially in the Atlantic provinces, and we love it!

Consider this article your guide to Canadian craft breweries (and cideries) from the twowildtides perspective. We’ll come back here and update each time we visit a new one. I’ve decided to keep them in alphabetical order– I can’t rank or choose a favourite, they’re all so good! Keep scrolling!

Newfoundland & Labrador

Bannerman Brewing Co.

Located in an old firehouse on the corner of Duckworth and Ordnance Street, Bannerman Brewing Co. is new to the St. John’s microbrewery scene, but already known as an irreplaceable establishment. Killer food, great beer, and a friendly atmosphere, Bannerman Brewing Co. is the perfect place to chill with pals. I recommend the Scenic Route sour.

Crooked Feeder Brewing Co.

We visited Crooked Feeder Brewing Co. after a day on the slopes at Marble Mountain. While their beer is brewed in Cormack, they have a quaint little gastropub in the lower level of the Millbrook Mall in Corner Brook. I really enjoyed their sour as well.

Dildo Brewing Co.

This place garnered a lot of attention in the past few years, mostly thanks to this brewery (and Jimmy Kimmel). I won’t get into too much here because we already have a full-length blog post all about Dildo and the Dildo Brewing Co. right here. Have a read!

Newfoundland Cider Company

While I haven’t had the pleasure of visiting the Newfoundland Cider Company Tasting Room yet, I was able to snag some Scrumpy Cloudy Cider before it quickly sold out in NLC stores. It was one of the better ciders I’ve had without a doubt. I hope I’ll get the chance to visit their tasting room in Milton next time I’m in NL.

Ninepenny Brewing

Just off Conception Bay Highway in CBS you’ll find Ninepenny Brewing. While the outside of the building doesn’t offer much of a view, the decor inside makes up for it. The brewery has a cool, industrial feel and the selection of board games makes it an awesome hang-out spot for residents of CBS and Paradise. I really liked that Ninepenny offered both growlers and grunters for taking their yummy beer home with you.

Port Rexton Brewing

This was one of the first craft breweries I visited. The perfect stop on a Discovery Trail road trip, Port Rexton Brewing offers delicious beer in a picturesque community. If you’re lucky, you’ll visit on a day when the sun is shining and a food truck is parked outside.

Quidi Vidi Brewery

Arguably the most established brewery in NL (it is the third-largest beer producer, just behind Molson and Labatt), Quidi Vidi Brewery is located in the beautiful small community from which it takes its name. I love their well-known Iceberg Beer which is available nationwide. If you can only make one brewery when you’re in the St. John’s area, make it Quidi Vidi.

Split Rock Brewing Co.

Located in scenic Twillingate, Split Rock Brewing Co. has a great selection of beers and a low-key atmosphere. I’ll never forget the fun day I had with some of my best friends, playing cards and laughing until we cried. Twillingate has some awesome tourism opportunities, so we definitely recommend making a trip and including Split Rock as one of your stops!

Yellowbelly Brewery

A St. John’s staple, Yellowbelly Brewery is housed away in a massive heritage building downtown St. John’s. Known for their excellent beers, yummy food, and top-notch event space. Yellowbelly always nails their seasonal selections, so much so that you’ll dearly miss the beers as the seasons change. During the Covid-19 lockdown, they even had a “Stay Where You’re At” beer available by curbside pick-up only, paying homage to the Come From Away musical.

Nova Scotia

Annapolis Cider Company

In linds’ old stomping grounds, in Wolfville’s downtown area, is the Annapolis Cider Company. Linds was drinking Annapolis cider way back in 2016 when twowildtides started and highlighted their delicious cider in a blog post. I had the pleasure of visiting their taproom last Fall and it was a fantastic experience. Ciders are my favourite, especially these!

Church Brewing Co.

This is honestly one of the most unique venues for a brewery I’ve visited. Every aspect of this old church in downtown Wolfville has been adapted to house a friendly, wholesome brewery and restaurant. All around good vibes and awesome food and beer. A must-visit on a NS holiday.

Lake City Cider

Lake City Cider in downtown Dartmouth has a vibrant atmosphere and even more vibrant ciders. Take the ferry across from Halifax with your bffs just like I did and enjoy a fun evening on the other side of the harbour. They’ve recently debuted hard sodas which I cannot wait to try.

Ontario

Flying Canoe

Linds had the pleasure of interviewing the founder of Flying Canoe and visiting their cidery. Check out the full post:

Ottawa’s First Hard Cider with Pete Rainville

Alberta

Banff Ave Brewing Co.

Nestled right in the heart of Banff, Banff Ave Brewing Co. has an exciting and modern environment. It’s the perfect place to grab a beer and a few appetizers after a long day of hiking and exploring.

Jasper Brewing Co.

Another mountain town, another awesome joint to grab a beer and a bite after a day of exploring. Jasper Brewing Co. has the best Blueberry Vanilla Ale (available in liquor stores across Alberta) and their elk meatloaf is to die for. I also recommend the Jasper Trail Session IPA, Rockhopper IPA, and their Korean BBQ wings.

Valley Brewing

In quaint downtown Drumheller, you’ll find Valley Brewing. Their logo pays homage to the hoodoos found in the Canadian Badlands, a spectacular sight to follow with a flight of craft beer. I highly recommend the Discovery Raspberry Ale.

British Columbia

Backcountry Brewing

Backcountry Brewing is in the industrial part of Squamish. Honestly, if we weren’t at the Ford dealership picking up a new truck, we wouldn’t have found it, or probably even bothered to visit that part of town. But it is so worth the quick cab ride out that way. I recommend the Forager Pizza and the Asking For A Friend Raspberry Smoothie Sour. (Have you noticed that I lean towards fruity beers and sours?)

Three Ranges Brewing Company

Aptly named for its location in the valley of three breathtaking mountain ranges, this brewery was the perfect hang-out spot during our camping trip in Valemount. I loved their cider and I bet you would too.

Snapshots of St. Maarten, St. Thomas, & Nassau, Bahamas

November 9, 2020 | Leave a Comment

Over the last few weeks, I have been reflecting on photos from past trips, all the way back to my childhood. I decided to edit a few snaps from a family cruise I went on back in 2013 (I love making my inexperienced, poorly planned snapshots from when I was a teen look a little more interesting) for your viewing pleasure. Let’s all dream about Caribbean vacations, shall we? We sailed aboard the Norwegian Epic, which was an absolutely spectacular ship. Our stops were in St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and Nassau, Bahamas.

St. Maarten

St. Thomas

Nassau, Bahamas

Where is the first place you’ll go when the pandemic is in our rearview?

Adventures in the Rocky Mountains: Camping at Two Jack Lake in Banff, AB

October 19, 2020 | Leave a Comment

I cannot wait to tell you about this campground in Banff National Park. It ticks all the boxes. I even have a specific site recommendation for you so you’re guaranteed a perfect experience. Keep reading!

Two Jack Lakeside Campground is located about 15 minutes from the Town of Banff and very nearby Lake Minnewanka in Banff National Park. Two Jack Lakeside Campground should not be mixed up with the main Two Jack campground; the Lakeside campground is just that– lakeside.

The campground only has 23 sites and a few O’Tentiks. It is small, private, and absolutely serene. It has centrally-located bathrooms, showers, and a kitchen (the kitchen is currently closed due to Covid-19) that are only a short walk from every campsite. The sites have fire-pits and while we were there, firewood was free.

Any site at Two Jack Lakeside Campground will be wonderful due to the small size of the grounds, however, for the best experience, choose site #42 or #44. They are located right on the shore of Two Jack Lake and have a spectacular view of the lake and surrounding mountains.

The lakeside has a small beach area which is perfect for picnics, swimming (although it is cold!), and launching your canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards.

Two Jack Lakeside Campground is in a great location relative to the town of Banff. It is far enough away that there is limited traffic noise, but close enough that you can scoot in for a walk, tour, or meal with ease. We went into town several times, twice for meals and once for a tour that didn’t happen…

On our first day in Banff, it was 26 degrees and sunny. We enjoyed drinks and appetizers from the best rooftop in Banff that we stumbled on by accident. The Rose & Crown was hidden by scaffolding from ongoing exterior renovations and there was no lineup to attest to its excellent location and menu. Since we couldn’t get in to any of the more popular restaurants without a reservation (i.e. Grizzly House, Park Distillery, Balkan), we took a chance on the Rose & Crown. It really paid off. (The caesar was amazing.)

On our second night, we visited Banff Ave Brewing Co. The beer was amazing, the ‘ninja’ was amazing, our appetizers were amazing, Mack’s steak was amazing, and the atmosphere was amazing. But, my bison burger was awful and it made me feel sick. Definitely visit Banff Ave Brewing, but maybe pass on the bison burger.

Finally, on our third and final day, we drove back into Banff from Two Jack Lakeside campground for a trip up the Sulphur Mountain Gondola. Remember how it was 26 degrees on our first day? Well, it was -1 degree and snowing on our last day. The weather can change quickly and drastically in the mountains– and while it makes a good story, do not take this for granted. There was zero visibility at the top of the mountain and we could reschedule our tickets, so we passed. I had done the gondola once before, but Mack hadn’t, so it’s too bad he missed it. Hopefully we get to go to Banff again soon so he can have this cool experience.

Have you ever been camping in Banff? Where did you stay? Let us know in the comments!

Happy adventures,
char

Adventures in the Rocky Mountains: Hiking to the Lake Agnes Tea House

October 12, 2020 | Leave a Comment

Way back in 2016, around the same time twowildtides began, I stumbled on an Instagram post about the Lake Agnes Tea House. I had a notebook of ideas for articles and places I wanted to go. The Lake Agnes Tea House was always at the top of that list. Last month, I made it happen. And I felt the thrill of crossing something really important off a bucket list– a feeling that is pretty rare during pandemic-times.

The Lake Agnes Tea House can only be accessed on foot or by horseback. The trail leaves from the shore of Lake Louise, right in front of the Chateau Fairmont Lake Louise. I had also never seen Lake Louise before, so on top of all my excitement about the Tea House, I had the wonderful experience of laying my eyes on those bright blue waters for the very first time. Not even the postcards do this place justice.

As you are probably aware, Lake Louise is a major tourist destination. Millions of people per year visit the lake. Parking is crazy and you should arrive early to get a spot (although we did luck into one just before noon, so it is possible). And while I certainly don’t mean to take away from the romance and wonder of Lake Louise, it is worth noting just how busy it is there. The canoes, for example, cost $115 + tax per half-hour and $125 + tax per hour, and the line-up was enormous. The images below are meant to be a heads-up, not a deterrent.

Keep in mind that right now there are no international tourists because of Covid-19.

Let’s get to the hike:

As I mentioned, the trailhead is on the shore of the lake. If you’re looking out over the lake, it will be to your right. There is a sign marking the trail.

The trail involves what I would describe as a medium-grade, steady incline. I definitely felt the burn in my legs, but didn’t find myself getting too winded. There were many older individuals and young families enjoying the hike. Do what feels safe for you. The trail is well-beaten and not treacherous, although there are some areas with steep drops along the sides of the trail. It is an out-and-back trail, so you’ll be steadily descending on your way back. The scenery is spectacular.

About three-quarters of the way up, you’ll find Mirror Lake and The Beehive. There is a separate, longer trail you can take to hike The Beehive, which I hope to do in the future. Can you guess why this mountain is called The Beehive?

Just before you reach the top, there is a small waterfall and lookout point at the base of the trail’s only set of stairs- these stairs are your last push before the Tea House.

The total ascent was about 400 m over 3.5 km, which we tackled in about 50 minutes.

Lake Agnes and the Tea House was even better than I imagined. A log cabin on a lake in the mountains with a breathtaking view. Honestly, if it started to snow, it would have been material for a Hallmark movie. It was busy, but we lucked into an outdoor table with another couple from Ontario, who were celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary. We enjoyed tea (of course) and a delicious peanut butter bar. The menu is extensive and very fairly priced. Patrons are responsible to bring their own garbage down from the mountain. We learned that the staff, who are mainly young people, have bunks near the Tea House where they live for a few days at a time. So cool!

I didn’t want to leave. I could have stayed there all day. Not kidding.

But the sky clouded over and the temperature dropped, so after about an hour and a half at the top, we headed back down. The descent took about 40 minutes.

On our way down from Lake Louise, we did a quick stop into Moraine Lake, another well-known, picturesque, bright blue lake. Definitely worth the time and the drive. I’d recommend as a top-notch picnic destination.