nature, Photography

Throwback: Spring in the Mountains

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When we lived in Northwest Territories we usually took at least two road trips a year to our second home in the Okanagan (2200 km or 1367 miles south by road) to enjoy warmer weather, visits with family and friends and to also stock up our truck with all kinds of food for our large northern freezer amid many other supplies. These photos are from one of our last spring road trips through NWT, Alberta and British Columbia and traversing the Rocky Mountains.

On this trip, a friend’s very sweet northern dog came with us. She loved to put her head between the two front seats so that she could watch the road. Riding shotgun was definitely her thing! To give me a rest, my wonderful M did most of the driving.

The mountain peaks were snowy but the skies were clear and spring was certainly underway.

We did encounter some weather because after all, it was the mountains in March!

This is the entrance to Mount Robson Provincial Park in British Columbia.

It’s known for its fabulous backcountry hiking and camping. Since it’s somewhat overshadowed by the nearby and more famous Jasper National Park, it tends to be a bit overlooked, but it’s well worth a visit.

Because we were so familiar with this route, we knew where to stop for a relaxing evening  before continuing on the next day. A glass of wine and a book next to the fireplace was primo!

59 thoughts on “Throwback: Spring in the Mountains”

  2. Beautiful road trip. I’m sure it helped keep up your spirits when you were heading back north to know that you had a retirement plan waiting for you farther south. Great photos of our beautiful country.

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    1. Thank you very much, Anneli. Yes, we have some amazing and gorgeous scenery. It definitely did help to have a timeline in place and since M was already retired, he looked after so many, many of the details and the work involved (we bought a new place just a year before I retired and he did all the organising, moving and reorganising. It was a lot of work). Cheers.

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  3. Awesome scenery, Lynette! That first photo made me smile. sometimes a friend picks me up on my way to t’ai chi, and his little dog, Chalky, sits exactly like that (after she’s licked me!) xx

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    1. This dog doesn’t do any licking but she loves a good cuddle. And of course, she loves to watch the road. She’s such a great dog and we’re happy to look after her for our friend. Yes, that drive takes you through the glorious Rocky Mountains; they really are awesome.

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    1. Thank you very much, Allan. Yes, those trips were somewhat onerous on the prep and organisation end (making sure we checked all our equipment and had a working charger, tire with rim, med kit, sleeping bags, etc, etc) and then there was the potential poor weather. And in the north that always started much earlier of course. That said we always enjoyed those trips as we were in a sort of bubble with no phone calls and always enjoyed our stops. Cheers.

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  13. I love those amazing photos and nice to see your husband and that dog putting his head between the seats to see out. Our Leonberger dog Bronco used to do the same thing. It is very cool that you have a second home. This is a practice that is common in Sweden too (where I am originally from), but not here in Texas.

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    1. Thank you very much, Thomas. Those are the Rocky Mountains, including the highest peak, Mount Robson. Nanuuq is our friend’s dog and we love taking care of her. We don’t have a second home now that we’re both retired but we did while I was still working in NWT. It is indeed common practice among northerners to have a second home somewhere in southern Canada, especially southern British Columbia.

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        1. Yes, very often northerners will have a southern home on the coast, too. Often Vancouver, Vancouver Island or the Okanagan Valley where I live (which doesn’t have a coast but a big lake instead). These areas have mild winters and can provide a nice break from -40C Januarys in Yellowknife or points further north!

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          1. Yes 40 below is cold. I’ve experienced that in northern Sweden (Swedish-Finnish border) a few times but not often. I’ll bet Yellowknife, and what is the other capital, Whitehorse, experience 40 below every now and then. I’ll bet a little house by the coast on and near Vancouver island would be nice.

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          2. -40C (and even -45) is a very average temperature for both Yellowknife and Whitehorse from December to February; it’s definitely not an exception. I remember my eyelashes freezing during my seven-minute, -40 walk to work and it felt like the air was cracking, too (which it sort of was). Today’s temperature in YK is -26, which is about right for March, also. No early spring there! Yes, lots of northerners love Vancouver Island; it has such a perfect climate.

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          3. Wow, “-40C (and even -45) is a very average temperature for both Yellowknife and Whitehorse from December to February” I remember 40 below in the army in northern Sweden. They gave us milk to drink, which froze as you held the cup. Unlike ice water, frozen milk will upset your stomach so we had to drink it fast. 40 below happened but was not typical. I can’t imagine it being typical.

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          4. When I was in the military I was posted to Ellesmere Island (80.7504° N,
            72.6652° W) where it would at times reach -50C. Exposed skin can freeze in 2-5 minutes. It was very, very cold! 🥶 I’ve never heard of drinking milk like that while in training in Arctic conditions (or any conditions, really). Interesting.

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    1. You’re very welcome, Tricia. 😊 My pleasure. Yes, M always planned, organised and did almost all the driving for these trips; he really is wonderful and yes, our loaner dog was wonderful to have along, too. The Rocky Mountain portion of that drive is stunning no matter the time of year. We always loved it. Cheers.

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  19. The Rocky Mountains in spring must be such an amazing sight. I love the image of the dog happily riding shotgun and watching the road. And ending the day with a glass of wine and a book by the fireplace sounds just perfect. Thanks for sharing these lovely memories! 😊

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    1. You’re very welcome. 😊 I’m glad you enjoyed them. They are impressively beautiful at any time of year but probably more so in spring. We had that route worked out pretty well and knew where to stop for a good meal and a good evening. Cheers.

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      1. That sounds wonderful. Having a favorite route and knowing the perfect spots to stop along the way must make the journey even more special. The Rockies really do seem magical in every season. Cheers! 😊

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  22. Absolutely stunning scenery. I visited BC once in winter and it was fabulous. The dog is beautiful, and sufficiently wolf-like to fit right in, and a book and a glass of wine make the perfect end to any day!

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    1. The Rocky Mountains are gorgeous at any time in my humble opinion but the whole province is beautiful, I think! Nice that you’ve visited. Being able to drive through the Rockies in spring was amazing. Yes, Nanuuq is a lovely dog. A very tall, leggy girl and with a beautiful personality. She’s a dream to look after. We knew that route well and had our spots where we could relax and sleep well. Cheers.

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