catapult magazine

The wife and kids and I (man I get a kick out of that) are going to be taking a road trip next summer for Amy’s family reunion. They have one every fifth summer, so we’ve been passively planning this for a few years already. Depending on how run-down our house is and how much money we have to play with we’re planning on being away for about a month. I’ve never taken a road trip of that duration before.
The reunion is in British Columbia, so we’re thinking about heading west in the states and heading back through Canada. With all the people we know and parks we’d love to see out west, we could easily turn 1 month to three or four so we have to be disciplined. But with that in mind we do have five, maybe six, weeks. Are there any “Don’t miss” sites inbetween South East Wisconsin and Washington State? I know that’s a loaded question, but I’d like to hear what kind of advice you might have.
I’ve traveled a bit, but am still kind of new to the extended road trip. Any advice about that? especially with two kids under 5 come the summer of 2005?
I’m also interested in other people’s road trips. Where have people gone? Any joys? Trials? Particular moments of inspiration or revelation?
I wonder if the board needs a travel section? I remember a “Where have we been?” thread about a year or two ago.

Jasper is less commercial and just as beautiful. I prefer Edmonton to Calgary, but I think I’m biased because I lived there—they’re both suburban nightmares but Edmonton is built along the beautiful North Saskatchewan River Valley (largest urban forest in the world they say) and has a great Folk Music Festival in August. The downtown sucks. For any kind of pedestrian/restaurant/bar/bookshop action head to Old Strathcona. (“old” in Alberta is 80ish years). Your kind might like the waterpark at West Edmonton Mall.

ooops, that was supposed to be your “kid” not “kind” (Norbert reads German, so I’m sure he’ll believe me when I say it’s an honest mistake. Oh, if you like crowds of wanna-be cowboys, why not try the Calgary Stampede in July? And I forgot to mention the spectacular and less-visited neighbour to Glacier National Park: Waterton Lakes National Park right across the border. Another suggestion: If you have time to wander, skip the interstate highways and drive through small towns, go to little local museums, eat at local diners, and ask the locals where to go and what to do.

The Edmonton Fringe Festival is THE senior Theatre Fringe Festival in North America, and it has a reputation for being consistently the best – most wacky, most fun, most adventurous etc. etc. Definitely worth skipping the West Edmonton Mall for, depending on the timing of your trip. It’s a generally accepted rumour (I haven’t seen the stats) that Edmonton has more theatre activity per capita than New York City. I’m sure there would be something to see regardless of when you go. Calgary has some good theatre too, but maybe not so much in summer.