October 11th arrived before I knew it… and tears started to form as I walked into the security line with baby boy in hand… waving my husband Good Bye.
We’ve done this before… but this time… we were leaving the country to go half way around the world, alllllll by myyyyself, WITH a 10 month old. Was I mad???
Hahaha Well so many people would think so, and I absolutely had moments of freak out before departure with normal questions like “Can I really do this?” “What if… this… what if… that?” “How on earth do I carry all my bags and a baby and passports and and and and and…” *and breatheeeee*
They didn’t last long … they couldn’t, the fact was, I’d made the decision to take this trip.. and all there was to do was be as prepared as I could be… and then to just gooo with the flow! … After all, I’ve travelled overseas every year since I was 20. #10years. I CAN DO THIS! …

Guess what? …. I did it!!! … And I’d do it again, not because I want to travel without Doug… but because I CAN!!!! And that’s the attitude I’m rolling with!! <3

The excitement of Canada was truly in the air… Isaac and I started our trip from Christchurch – Auckland – Vancouver – Calgary where our beautiful friend and Bride to be, Jill picked us up to travel a further hour and a half to the beautiful town of Canmore.

I quickly learned how to carry our multitude of bags (after smacking several business class members in the head with camera and baby bags on the one shoulder and kicking baby feet on the other hehe WHOOPS). We experienced a beautiful side of Humanity throughout our travels to Canada. There wasn’t a single person that wasn’t willing to help out this single travelling mother by offering to hold Isaac while I went to the toilet on the plane, to carrying bags for us. I experienced a huge amount of kindness both there and back and it’s a big part of the trip I’ll always remember!!

HELLO Canada… How very wonderful to be acquainted with you once more… We’re on the road to the Rocky Mountains!!

We had 8 days on the ground in this spectacular place. Snow has fallen several days prior, washing away a lot of the Autumn colour but providing glorious snow capped mountains that Canmore is visually encased in. The first full day, we hiked through this gorgeous wonderland!

Meet Jill, Marshall and their fur baby, Friday! They are the reason we are here in this majestic land! As October 17th marked the day of their wedding! <3

Frozen waterfalls!!! <3

Sensational reflections! Reminds me of the Northern Lights… but alas, that is still on my Bucket List!! hehe

We had a lot of day time to ourselves to explore every inch of Canmore! And it was such a pleasure and incredibly therapeutic to have no where to be and nothing in particular to do! THAT NEVER HAPPENS!!!! … We soaked it up!! hehe

Beautiful condos on the river front in central Canmore! Soooo incredibly beautiful!

Within this view you’ll find the Three Sisters and Chinaman’s Peak… This glorious view greeted us every morning from the back of our lodge and it doesn’t seem to matter where you are in Canmore… they are there waiting to greet you!

Later that morning….

The snow came and went and the sun came out to play for the rest of this glorious day where we went exploring along the Bow River.

The older little lass who stole Isaac’s heart hehe. It started with a cuddle and ended with open mouth kissing by Day 3. hehe Ohhh young love!

The wedding photographer’s gown is on the far right, dubbed “Naked Bride” as it fell around her ankles…. Trust me with your wedding photos ladies and gentleman, not dress making! :) haha

Pumpkin Latte for the win!

This little cherub was born just 12 days prior… in New Zealand. Little globe trotter already! <3

Ophelia … you had me at hello!

We’ve been doing this since we met in South America 8 years ago!! …

Isaac got up close and personal with these gorgeous Norweign Fjord horsey mi do’s! :)

Scrubbing up for the wedding of the year! *Ahem* And first ever wedding for this little guy!!

This little stud brought his A game!

The hug after the kiss!! Jill and Marshall, just got married! Wohoooo!

Must.taste.PUMPKIN!

Had to!

I had the utmost pleasure and sneaking in a few photos with these guys! … It’s awesome following through with a comment 5 years previous, that I would do photos at Jill’s wedding. I think this was right before she met Marshall!! … These guys were meant to be from Day 1!! <3

A day after the wedding, I showed Marshall this photo on the back of my camera and he looked at his new wife and exclaimed how beautiful she is with such a humbling tone! …. It’s such a blessing to love and be loved! …

There are no shortage of beautiful scenes in the town of Canmore! And this wee stream, so perfect for these two, is literally a 2 minute walk from Jill’s parents home!

Getting my daily intake of Pumpkin Latte from the Rocky Mountain Bagel Co!

It’s so that case. This happy boy smiled ALLLLLL trip long, at strangers, at friends, at anyone who gave him a look or a smile, a wink or a nod….. but when it came to Mama wanting to take her pretty photos in Canada with maybe an inclusion of a smile here and there… HAHAHAHAHAHA Ohhhhhh you’ve gotta be jooooking!!!! “Sorry Mum, I’m far too busy stuffing rocks down my throat for that sort of carry on!!” … My boooy! Haha I love him!!!

Walking along the Bow River towards Canmore’s Engine Bridge…

Channelling Doug’s take on travel photography… And he looooves the sun flare!!

My dear friend and Maid of Honour to the Bride, gave birth to this little darling just 11 or so days before jumping on a plane to join her bestie on her wedding day. RESPECT!!!!! Total RESPECT!!! Beautiful Ophelia will know both the comforts of Canada and New Zealand as her home. Lucky lass!

You’ll notice this set of mountains in a multitude of photos… Chinaman’s Peak sits to the right and can be seen from soooo many different areas of Canmore. It’s a beautiful sight for a mountain range like this to follow you around…

Walkin, walkin, walkin…. we walked EVERYWHERE! It was wooonderful!

We are so grateful for the hospitality that was shown to us from soooo many different people both friends and family of our Jill and Marshall…. Especially to these guys, who took to Isaac like their own flesh and blood! … Thank you Pam and James! :)

Had to! … Travelling to North America during their pumpkin season…. Just had to!!!

Winner winner, chicken dinner!!! I am so proud to be the Mama of this gorgeous wee man!

And then I told him a truth fact….

“Mum, say it isn’t true? Do we really have to leave Canada today?”

Congratulations to our friends, genuine, loyal and down to earth… Thanks for having a wedding so we had the BEST excuse to come see you! … We love you so much and wish you the raddest time on your honeymoon roadie!! Mwah xoxox

The Calgary Airport Show.

Strutten his stuff for his stranger friendy’s!

Travelling is in his blood! It’s clear… because he is a champion traveller already, expressing nothing more than the normal and light 10 month old upsets. He chatted, and giggled and played with all those that surrounded him on the plane! But hooow rude, that I would not walk him up and down the plane during the wee hours of the morning while everyone slept. Bad Mummy!!! lol.

It was an INCREDIBLE experience to take my boy half way round the world and I experienced new and exciting things that pushed my boundaries and brought me even closer to earth! It was a further example and experience that proved to myself, that I CAN DO IT! … And no matter how little or large the thing I may doubt sometimes …. I CAN DO IT! And SO CAN YOU!!! <3

Thanks for adventuring along side us on our Canadian Travels! … If photos aren’t proof enough, we TOTALLY recommend this glorious area of the world!!!

Peace, Love and all things encouraging…
Heather & Isaac xoxoxo