Welcome to Saskatoon, the most populous city in Saskatchewan! This city is referred to as the "Paris of the Prairies" for its numerous bridges along the Saskatchewan River. This destination is the perfect city escape as it's approachable, walkable, and bountiful from all the local farms! It's an underrated region that still feels exotic compared to the more discovered corners of Canada.
We check out the various neighborhoods including Riversdale and River Landing, as well as the top things to do.
1. The Meewasin Trail
This nature trail is the perfect way to take in the city of Saskatoon. It runs over 80km on both sides of the river and contains multiple launch points for kayaking and canoeing.
2. Farm to Table Comfort Food
Did you know that Saskatchewan is the world's largest exporter of lentils, peas, durum wheat, mustard seed, canola, flaxseed, and oats? Many of these ingredients are used in local foodie restaurants, such as the ever-changing menu at Hearth. Here we try the spicy pierogi pasta, a colorful plate of savory dumplings. Other restaurant recommendations:
3. Beauty of the Prairies
In Saskatoon, you are almost always surrounded by natural beauty. While the prairies my be flat, the grasslands dance in the wind. The horizons also seem to go on forever as it is the "land of the living skies". The gradients of colors, from yellow to green is mesmerizing to watch even while driving.
4. The Remai Modern
This is one of Canada's top contemporary art museums and an iconic architectural gem of the city. It features multi-levels of art including Picassos and local artist galleries celebrating the beauty of the prairies. The sweeping staircases and atrium are awe-inspiring, and the rooftop deck can be reserved for special events.
5. Creative Brewery Scene
One of our favorite parts about visiting Saskatoon (and Saskatchewan in general) is the creative brewery scene! Here you can find lentil beer, a refreshing take on the usual hops. There's also beer made from Saskatoon berries, durum wheat, and spicy szechuan peppers! One of our favorites, Nokomis Craft Ales, is found in an unlikely rural location and features a number of unique brews including a Kettle Berry Sour that is refreshing and tangy! Other breweries to try:
What are your favorite parts of Saskatoon? Comment below!
After months of being in the city and postponing our international travel plans, it was time to search within our own country for something fresh and unexpected. We spent the weekend in Idaho, a state that I mostly knew about for its famous potatoes, but had no idea that the natural wonders were on the scale of a national park but without the crowds.
Nicknamed the "gem state", Idaho challenges you to look beyond the surface and uncover what you may have overlooked. There are ancient volcanic landscapes, canyons, waterfalls, and natural hot springs that seemingly appear out of nowhere. As one of the least populated states in the US, Idaho offers plenty of wilderness and space for social distancing. â1. Staying at a creekside cabin resort
The first night we woke up to the sound of a babbling creek at the peaceful Billingsley Creek Lodge in Hagerman, located an hour and a half south of Boise. This unique accommodation features cozy fully-equipped cabins nestled in a tree-lined pastoral landscape. The creek outside the cabins is fed from the natural springs from the Snake River Aquifer. The water is 58 degrees year-round and has been underground for hundreds and thousands of years.
â2. Swimming in natural springs: Next, we visit the waterfalls in Ritter Island State Park, which is filled with natural swimming pools and waterfalls. The water is so clear that it looks drinkable.
3. Malad Gorge
Be sure to leave your fear of heights behind when stepping on to this next landscape. The Malad Gorge seemingly appears out of nowhere. Stepping on to the flat arid terrain, the faint sound of a waterfall seemed like the last thing I would see in this area. I approached a rocky area off the side of the I-84 interstate. As I climbed over the large black basalt boulders, suddenly the ground revealed a sudden drop to an expansive volcanic canyon floor and river with a waterfall billowing out of the freeway overpass.
â4. Box Canyon State Park
The Box Canyon State Park is an unexpected landscape reminded me of Iceland, only with sun. The volcanic terrain drops 200 hundred feet to reveal rivers, waterfalls, and natural springs that are pure aquamarine blue. It looks like an oasis in the middle of the pastoral landscape.
5. Shoshone Falls
Adventuring around the Niagara Falls of the West! The Shoshone Falls are actually taller than Niagara Falls at 212 feet and are truly spectacular. The numerous walking paths around the falls provide a mesmerizing view of the water power.
Clothing featured in this video:
Looking for a summer travel destination where you can safely practice social distancing and enjoy nature? Wyoming is one of the least populated states where you will likely find more wildlife than people. We venture to America's first National Park, Yellowstone to get a dose of untouched nature and national treasures.
Before visiting this wild and vast park, there are a few things you need to know about the wildlife, accommodations, and precautions. Check out our latest vlog to find out more!
1. Look but don't touch!
The geothermal and hydrothermal areas in Yellowstone are filled with colorful, bubbling, steaming hot ground. The water here can reach over 160 degrees! Be sure to stay on the walkways and trails.
2. Plan a few days in the park.
Yellowstone is vast - nearly 3,500 square miles of land. It takes between 3.5 to 4 hours to drive the distance from north to south. While you can see many sights in a day, it's best to spread it out over a few days so you can properly enjoy and take in the sights.
3. Visit Old Faithful
If you are short on time in Yellowstone, be sure to see Old Faithful first. It erupts every 90 minutes or so, and the Park Rangers list the time estimates in the park at the Visitor's Center. The geyser is one of the wonders and iconic symbols of the park, and the eruption lasts between 1.5 - 5 minutes. If you arrive early, hike to the Observation Point for a bird's eye view to see just how far the water reaches at full blast! The Beehive is another geyser in the area that is lesser known but is quite a show to watch. The blast projects 130-190 feet high! (shown below).
4. Observe the Animals from a Safe Distance
The park is known for its abundant animal viewings. During our trip, we saw grizzly bears, elk, bison, deer, and a number of the 300 species of birds that call the park home. In fact, Yellowstone is home to the largest concentration of mammals in the lower 48 states. âBe sure to view the wildlife from a safe distance so as not to startle them. The rule of thumb is to stay at least 2-3 yards away. In fact, you may be able to get your best photos from the car.
5. Bring your camera gear and portable wifi hotspot
The park's natural wonders make for perfect photography subjects. Bring your telephoto lens to capture the animals from a safe distance, and a portable wifi hotspot since the park offers very limited internet service.
What are your favorite features of Yellowstone National Park? Comment below with your tips!
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Published Travel ArticlesWelcome to Run The Atlas!
We are two adventurous young professionals who turned our passion for travel into a blog to help others travel more.
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