8 of 19

Write now Article Tools

People often equate Canada with cold, hockey, igloos and maple syrup - but few have ever experienced the breath taking beauty of Canada's true north (North of 60).

I remember my first, and only experience of delving into Canada's great wilderness on a last minute weekend trip to Hay River, North West Territories.

As we rolled over the 60th parallel at two o' clock in the morning, the northern lights were dancing brilliantly in a sky unfettered by street lights and office towers.

The next morning I stumbled upon Great Slave Lake. This lake is the deepest in North America, and is the ninth largest lake in the world. Being a prarie girl, I had never seen such a huge body of water (with the exception of the ocean on a childhood trip to British Columbia). I stood on the beach, in the early morning, gawking at the sight of the water and the waves. It was overwhelming to my prairie senses, but it was foreignly beautiful.

The tourist information centre was also a fantastic experience. With a little museum in the loft, I became aquainted with the harsh realities, and isolation of the North West Territories. The phone book for the entire territory was hardly thicker than a magazine. Many areas are only accessible by plane or winter roads. The guide recommended a drive down what they simply call the "Waterfalls Route" which is along the Mackenzie Highway. The name in no way captures the stunning beauty of the many breath taking falls you can see on the way.

I stood for quite sometime at the top of Alexdra falls, and revelled at the sheer power of the water, and took time to appreciate the magnificent forces of nature that have shaped my beautiful country since ancient times. To me, this experience was my definition of Canada. A wild beauty, that cannot be tamed no matter how many sophistacted metropolitan cities grow on her plains, and shores.

Learn more about this author, Jessica Callele.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Places to visit in Canada?
We want to hear your view. Write now!