by Leo Wong

Created on: July 03, 2007   Last Updated: April 08, 2009

I have lived all my life in the big city. Everything is flat except for the soaring skyscrapers. There is a lake nearby but nothing quite like a beach.

I've been to the wonderful beaches of Mexico. The pristine sands and azure waters make you feel like you have lost every ounce of stress from your body. It really is a place that heralds, "Pick me! Pick me!"

But the question we are talking about is a *summer vacation spot*. Not a winter one. Summer going to Mexico? Isn't it more of a December trip to get away from the winter blues?

My suggestion to you all has got to be the mountains especially if you haven't been there before. And my choice is a long drive from Calgary, towards Banff, and then to Jasper. As I said, I've lived my entire life in the big cities in eastern Canada. It wasn't until I was in my late 20's that I realized how proud I was to be Canadian. My first trip to the Rockies proved to be awe-inspiring and left me with memories of grandeur and incredulity. Sure, I've seen the pictures and the television shows. Sure, Ten Peaks was even on our old $20 bill. But to actually be confronted by this army of behemoths left me speechless. My brain was winded.

Let me give you my first impression. Arriving in Calgary, I found that it was no different from any of the other big cities that I've been to. What's the big deal? We rented a car and stayed the night. Then we headed out the next morning. There is only one road towards Banff. Trans-Canada Highway #1. There is nothing to the left or right of you. Just fields. Ahead of you are some mountains but they look insignificant. Small. You'd swear that the world is flat as you drive west towards your destination. Then the mountain peaks start to grow. And grow. And grow at such a quick rate that your heart starts to beat faster. The pupils of your eyes widen and your mouth becomes mysteriously agape. You wish that you weren't the driver so that you can ingest the beauty with all your senses to its full extent. For a split second, you think that time is suspended and you are the first person to witness this evidence of nature's strength. Then you finally reach the base of the mountains where you have a chance to park the car to catch your breath and take your first pictures. And one word sums out all your thoughts. Majestic.

It was at that moment that I truly felt proud to be Canadian. It's the type of feeling that you'll want to experience over and over again. And it's something that cannot be felt on the beach.

Pack for summer and winter. You'll need shorts for some spots and a parka for others. If we were still living in the dark ages, I'll advise you to bring extra film. As we are not, you know the drill. Telling you to bring extra memory just doesn't feel right. Experience the wonder. Smile. And be inspired.

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