Author Archives: Carol Patterson

Viewing the Churchill, Manitoba Northern Lights: A True Canadian Bucket-List Winter Expedition

Churchill, Manitoba is one distinct region of three in Canada famous for offering incredible sights of the aurora borealis. Carol Patterson shares her experience seeing the Northern Lights with Frontiers North Adventures, and offers insights into how travellers can view them, too. Some say Northern Lights make noise. I was learning they do, but in […]

Discover The SnowDays Winter Festival In Banff and Lake Louise, Where Snow Days are Fun Days!

SnowDays Winter Festival Banff Lake Louise

Discover the magic of SnowDays winter festival in Banff Lake Louise! Immerse yourself in a wonderland of ice sculptures, outdoor activities, and breathtaking scenery. Read on to explore the ultimate guide to this unforgettable event, filled with tips, highlights, and must-see attractions. You might remember when snow days were an excuse to stay home from […]

The Fundy Biosphere Reserve and Stonehammer Geopark: Two Incredible UNESCO World Heritage Sites in New Brunswick’s Bay of Fundy

The Fundy Biosphere

New Brunswick has a rightful reputation as a province with a remarkable array of natural phenomenon, and that’s easy to see when you’re setting eyes on the the Fundy Biosphere Reserve and Stonehammer Geopark. That’s precisely what We Explore Canada contributor Carol Patterson did, and she gives you all the details and background you need […]

Viewing the Grouse Lek in Saskatoon: Enjoy Saskatchewan Bird Watching at Its Finest

Courtship displays of Sharp-Tailed Grouse are becoming harder to find with habitat loss

A grouse lek, for those who don’t know, is when a group of male grouses put on remarkable, striking (and very competitive) displays to woo any observing females. The sharp-tailed grouse courtship displays are extraordinary, and coming to Saskatoon to see them offers birders one of the world’s great birding opportunities. Carol Patterson did just […]

Exploring Indigenous Culture and Experiences on Manitoulin Island: The World’s Largest Island on a Freshwater Lake

At the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation, Steven Fox-Radulovich talks about the island's history and culture

Manitoulin Island is the largest freshwater island in the world and is located in Lake Huron. Its history is rich and spans thousands of years, with Indigenous peoples playing a significant role in shaping the island’s culture and heritage. Carol Patterson shares her experience on the island, when exploring its past, present, and future through […]

A Bird Watcher’s Guide to Alberta’s Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park

A song sparrow pauses between songs next to a spider's web at Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park

Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park is located nearly in the heart of the province of Alberta, about a 3 hour drive northwest from Edmonton. It’s known for its natural beauty, and the Marten Mountain Viewpoint, but it’s known best for being one of Canada’s most remarkable birdwatching locations. Our resident birdwatching expert, Carol Patterson, is […]

Exploring Armstrong, British Columbia Through Agritourism: Home of Flower Festivals and Farmers’ Markets

More than 25 tulip varietals are on display at the spring Bloom Flower Festival

Armstrong’s population is only about 5000 strong, but when it comes to agritourism, they know how to pack a punch. Carol Patterson visited to check out the Bloom Flower Festivals, farmers’ markets, as well as shops and cideries. Read all about how you can embrace this growing city, where they clearly know how to grow. […]

Driving to the Arctic Circle via The Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk Highway (and Dempster Highway)

The drive from Dawson City, Yukon to Tuktoyaktuk, NWT is one of Canada's best road trips.

Driving to the Arctic Circle is one of Canada’s great adventures (and road trips)! Carol Patterson walks us through what you need to do to prepare for the trip, and where to stop along the way. My hands grasped the steering wheel so tightly my knuckles turned white. The road was a twisting, gnarly swirl […]

Discovering the South Canadian Rockies: Small Towns and Big Mountains

South Canadian Rockies

As the South Canadian Rockies notes, “history runs deep in our Rocky Mountain towns, and our towering mountains provide a four-season playground that lets you go beyond the ordinary.” Carol Patterson visited to this region to get a pulse on how a rise in tourism has affected the region, and how you can visit, responsibly. […]