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Outdoor adventure travel in Western Canada & beyond.

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Why you should visit Halcyon Hot Springs, Nakusp

by Karen Ung September 10, 2017

September 10, 2017

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Après Destinations
Experience Mount Norquay’s Sightseeing Chairlift and Cliffhouse Bistro

by Karen Ung July 25, 2016

July 25, 2016

For epic views without the crowds, and divine dining, hit up Mount Norquay’s Sightseeing Chairlift. Mere minutes from Banff, this…

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About Me

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Hi, I'm Karen. I was born in the mountains (where the wild things are) and grew up granola. Although my home is in Calgary, you can usually find me on the trails or road tripping around Alberta. I started this blog in 2013 to share our outdoor adventures and travel stories, and help readers get outside and have fun!

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About Me

Karen Ung is a travel writer and blogger, and frequent guest on CBC Radio. You may have heard her summer Alberta Road Trips column (2017-2019) or seen her on CBC's Gem streaming TV!

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Cannondale's Quick 4 is a swift, sporty bike that's perfect for getting a workout, city... [More]

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Hello! I noticed a LOT of new followers today (tha

Hello! I noticed a LOT of new followers today (thank you @explorecanada ❤️) so I thought I'd introduce myself and my little family.

I'm Karen and I've been blogging about outdoor adventures in Southern Alberta since 2013. Prior to that, I studied Geography 🌎, taught English in Japan 🇯🇵 for a couple years, and worked in Human Resources. Although I loved Japan and learning about my roots (I'm half Japanese, and the other half is English/Scottish/Irish/Swiss), I missed the Rockies and wide open spaces, so I was happy to return to Calgary.

When I met my husband, Kheang, on a backpacking trip I led in Banff, we hit it off INSTANTLY 👩‍❤️‍👨. I thought we would be together forever, but he died of lung cancer in 2019 (despite never smoking). 😭His loss turned my life (and our kids') upside down, and we still have moments of sadness, but feel grateful we have many wonderful memories of time we spent together. We'll never forget all the roadtrips and adventures near & far - and his BIG smile! 😁

My girls (11 & 9 yrs old) bring me so much joy and are the reason I stay (mostly) positive. Of course, getting out to the mountains helps too. 🏔️ It's my happy place! I think the best thing about time in nature is that it is simultaneously invigorating and calming at the same time!🌱 If you ask my kids, they'll put it less eloquently: "Mommy's like a husky dog. She needs to be taken for a walk every day or she gets cranky." 🤣 I think Kheang would be so proud of how the girls are growing up.. kind, strong, clever, and funny.

We are still grieving (it comes in waves, it isn't a linear process) but are full of hope for the coming year. My word for 2021 is Resilience. 💪What's yours?

Image credit: @annavafadar

#ABparks #ABparksambassador #explorecanada #explorealberta #outdoorwomen #albertaadventuregirls #kananaskis #hogarthlakes #mykcountry #kananaskiscountry #yukoncharlies #snowshoeing #hikealberta #mountainculture #mountainlife #radgirlslife #feelalive #goodtimesoutside #playoutside #outdoorfamilies #outdoorkids #kidsoftheoutdoors #getoutstayout #goadventuretogether #beautifuldestinations

🌲🌲🌲 "And into the forest I go, to lose my

🌲🌲🌲 "And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul." - John Muir 🌲🌲🌲 #ABparks
#ABparksambassador
#albertaadventuregirls #mockingbirdlookout #hikealberta #explorealberta #imagesofalberta #outdoorfamilies #raiseawildchild #kidsoftheoutdoors #nature #hikingadventures #mountaingirls #goldenhour #yycblogger #goodtimesoutside #feelalive #waiparous #mountainsarecalling #playoutside

Am I the only one who's making summer plans alread

Am I the only one who's making summer plans already?? We really wanna spend more time around Abraham Lake this year. There's great hiking, fishing, and paddling around the lake - plus amazing views. 😍 In less pleasant news, a lot of land around this pristine reservoir is up for Open Pit Mining (where the tops of mountains are removed.. devastating to the environment and everything / everyone downstream). If you disagree with this decision (the Coal Policy of 1976 was rescinded recently), please write your MLA and the Premier, and sign the petition at chng.it/CV9FL5dm

#saveourheadwaters #davidthompsoncountry #ABparks #myairheadlife #ABparksambassador #abrahamlake #explorealberta #explorecanada #goodtimesoutside #stayandwander #albertaadventuregirls #bluelagoon #albertaroadtrips #travelalberta #wanderlust #bucketlist #summerdreaming #throwback #albertablogger #travelwriter #imagesofalberta #hikealberta #wildernessculture #beautifuldestinations #mountainlake #mountainculture #lakelife

2021 Goals: 1. Work smarter, not harder 🧐 2. W

2021 Goals:
1. Work smarter, not harder 🧐
2. Watch more sunsets 🌄
3. Don't sweat the small stuff 🦆
4. More sleep, less coffee 😴 (I've had trouble sleeping since my husband passed away but getting better little by little)

What are you working on this year?

#goals #borninthemountains #kuhl #outdoorwomen #playoutside #albertaadventuregirls #yycblogger #getoutstayout #sunset #yyclife #yycliving #yyclocal #myview #calgaryisbeautiful #capturecalgary #keencanada #makemoments #lovelifeoutside #freshair #winterwalks

The days are getting longer (yay!) but we're still

The days are getting longer (yay!) but we're still digging the early sunsets. 😍 #mybanff #lakelouise #sunset #fairmont #chateaulakelouise #adventurehere #explorealberta #explorecanada #imagesofalberta #winterfun #beautifuldestinations #banffnationalpark #kidsoftheoutdoors #feelalive #goodtimesoutside #myheatholders #makinglifewarmer #mountainview #truenorthcanada #parkscanada #canadianrockies #stayandwander

When you cross country ski and skate in the same d

When you cross country ski and skate in the same day & the kids ask if they can snowshoe. (Next time! 🤣) #activekids #goodtimesoutside #outdoorfamilies #feelalive #kidsoftheoutdoors #playoutside #mybanff #lakelouise #banffnationalpark #explorealberta #iceskating #mountaingirls #lovelifeoutside #mountainculture

Skiing looks a little different this season, but i

Skiing looks a little different this season, but it's just as fun (especially with your sister / BFF). ❄️❤⛷️ Discover why you should #skicastle in our latest blog post. #linkinprofile👆 #castlemountainresort #wondersofwinter #snowseekers #bucketlistAB #wearamask #weareinthistogether #explorealberta #goskialberta #swalberta #explorethepass #skiing #skifamily #goodtimesoutside #feelalive #outdoorfamilies #raiseawildchild #kidsoftheoutdoors #albertaadventurekids #snowlovers #mountaingirls #choosemountains #canadianrockies #projectactivefamily #playoutside #activekids

When you have a sister, you have a friend for life

When you have a sister, you have a friend for life. ♥ #sisters #outdoorfamilies #kidsoftheoutdoors #outdoorkids #albertaadventurekids #playoutside #yycliving #yycnow #nosehillpark #capturecalgary #getoutstayout #calgaryparks #goldenhour #projectactivefamily #takemeoutside #1000hoursoutside #feelalive #goodtimesoutside #sorelstyle #winterwalk #calgarywalks #vitaminN #goodtimesoutside #makememories

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