A Paws & Provinces trip journal
Western Canada
Our first summer on the road
Summer 2024
The journey that started Paws & Provinces: Shaun and Tilly finally setting out across Canada after a four-year delay.
When I emigrated to Canada in 2020, my original plan was to take a big road trip across the country later that year. The COVID-19 pandemic kiboshed that idea, and the journey had to wait.
After applying for Canadian citizenship in 2024, it felt like the right time to finally go. Tilly and I packed my Volkswagen Golf and set out to see the country together.
This trip journal will grow into the complete story of that summer, including the cities we explored, the roads between them and the worthwhile places we found along the way.
The journey
Stories from the route.
Each chapter follows a stretch of road, including the places that made the drive worth remembering.
Hamilton to Parry Sound
Hamilton → Parry Sound
A sunny stop at an unusual marine railway, followed by a memorable first night of thunderstorms, generosity and a tornado warning.
Parry Sound to Sault Ste. Marie
Parry Sound → Sault Ste. Marie
An early start, three very different places to stretch our legs, and a comfortable arrival in Sault Ste. Marie.
Sault Ste. Marie to Thunder Bay
Sault Ste. Marie → Thunder Bay
A very long day around Lake Superior, broken up by a waterfall, two northern Ontario icons and one final spectacular gorge.
Thunder Bay to Winnipeg
Thunder Bay → Winnipeg
Fog, four quick roadside landmarks, our first prairie horizon and five nights getting to know Winnipeg with Tilly.
Winnipeg to Regina
Winnipeg → Regina
An unexpected pow-wow, a prairie border crossing and a thoughtful Regina stay connected by pathways to Wascana Lake.
Regina to Calgary
Regina → Calgary
A sparse prairie drive, a hot northwest Calgary stay and days spent following the Bow River with Tilly and my brother.
Calgary to Canmore
Calgary → Canmore
A friendly deer in Cochrane, Tilly's first steps into Lake Minnewanka and a dog-friendly afternoon in Banff and Canmore.
Lake Louise & Moraine Lake
Canmore → Lake Louise
A dog-filled private shuttle from Canmore to two turquoise lakes, with early arrivals that narrowly beat the crowds.
Canmore to Kamloops
Canmore → Kamloops
A pleasant hillside motel and an exceptionally helpful brewpub in a city otherwise covered with no-dog signs.
Kamloops to Vancouver
Kamloops → Vancouver
Highway 5 led to Tilly's happy place at Hadden Beach, followed by Stanley Park, Gastown and relaxed East Vancouver patios.
Vancouver to Kelowna
Vancouver → Kelowna
A riverfront stretch in Hope led to a hot Kelowna stay with an indoor dog-friendly brewery and another off-leash beach.