Paddling can be a hard skill to learn, so before we leave on trips, we have to teach people how to paddle. With one of the groups I was leading, this took the form of an afternoon paddle down the Battle River, which barely has any current at all, into Driedmeat Lake. We were canoeing around a swampy island when we heard a crashing and then a big splash. We had startled this moose, and it swam across the channel in front of us, ran up the bank and disappeared into the forest.

This series is during spring 2020, when all my trips are likely going to be cancelled for this next summer due to COVID-19.

Warm days on the river are the best – just watch out for sunburn and drink lots of water!

This series is during spring 2020, when all my trips are likely going to be cancelled for this next summer due to COVID-19.

Getting up early is usually a challenge for me. My sleeping bag is cozy and mornings are cold. But I’m almost always thankful when I do make the effort.

This series is during spring 2020, when all my trips are likely going to be cancelled for this next summer due to COVID-19.

On the trips I guide, before we leave, we often talk about what we want out of the trip. With one of the groups, they really wanted to see wildlife. While you can never guarantee anything with wild animals, they are generally most active around sunrise and sunset and these are your best chances to see them. We decided to take long breaks at lunch, canoe into the evenings, even if it meant setting up camp in the dark. It paid off! We saw a herd of elk grazing by the river, we saw a black bear scramble up a steep cliff, plus lots of smaller wildlife. I never knew red squirrels could swim, but I have now seen two of them swimming across the North Saskatchewan River through fast, choppy water. They get to the other side, shake themselves off, and scurry up the bank.

This series is during spring 2020, when all my trips are likely going to be cancelled for this next summer due to COVID-19.

My tent set up at a beautiful campsite on the North Saskatchewan River. I took this late at night after the family I was guiding had gone to sleep. Guiding means late nights, early mornings and hard work, but it pays off in beautiful places, good conversations, and enjoyable challenges.

This series is during spring 2020, when all my trips are likely going to be cancelled for this next summer due to COVID-19.

This is the last night on the Nordegg to Rocky Mountain House trip. On the last night there’s always a bit of sadness that the trip is coming to an end and bit of excitement for the post-trip burger.

This series is during spring 2020, when all my trips are likely going to be cancelled for this next summer due to COVID-19.