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Regional Park

Bertram Creek Regional Park: Where Locals Escape the Crowds

December 27, 2019

Explore this scenic, hidden gem nestled between Okanagan Mountain Park and Okanagan Lake.

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Johns Family Nature Conservancy in Kelowna

Last updated October 12, 2019You’ll be blown away by the beautiful views from Johns Family Nature Conservancy in…

December 17, 2018

Mill Creek Waterfalls in Kelowna

Last updated October 13, 2019Unlike other areas of the Pacific Northwest, the Okanagan is technically a desert. In…

May 15, 2017

Hey, there! I'm Sam

I'm a Canadian hiker, traveler, and outdoor lover based in the PNW. I believe the outdoors are for everyone and can't wait to help you explore the world!

Okanagan Bucketlist

Find me on Instagram

ExploretheMap_

I've found myself reminiscing on past adventures a

I've found myself reminiscing on past adventures a lot over the last few days. It might have to do with the fact that we can't travel right now... but I also look through my photos a lot. Probably a lot more than the average person!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ It would be easy to look back and think "man, I wish I could be there right now", but instead I love reliving the joy of the moment and how much fun (or not) it was! And I always think about the story behind the photo — because there always is one. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ So what's the story behind this photo?⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I was exploring northern BC by motorcycle with my parents last summer. They've been on tons of bike trips but it was my first one. One of the great things about traveling by bike (or tenting) is your choice of campsites. We set up camp right beside the lake and after a dinner of Ms Vickies and fancy brie cheese (dinner of champs, right?), we decided to explore the lake using one of the park's canoes. We paddled around for probably about an hour before we noticed a few angry clouds rolling in. We got back to camp just in time and managed to hide under our tarp just as the rain let out! I’d love to hear the story behind some of your photos! Tag me in your posts so I can check them out ☺️

I recognize that I'm incredibly lucky to live wher

I recognize that I'm incredibly lucky to live where I do, surrounded by nature with almost too many local hikes to choose from. And I also recognize that not everyone is as fortunate. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Despite some of the difficult situations we're in around the world, it's beautiful seeing the heartwarming stories of people reaching out to neighbours and the outpouring of love to health care workers, grocers, pharmacists, supply drivers, and everyone else that works in essential services. When I see those stories, I can't help but realize how generous the world is and that it's really not as bleak as the news makes it out to be.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I also find comfort in the fact that we're all going through this together. And together we'll get through it.

This probably comes as no surprise, but I hardly e

This probably comes as no surprise, but I hardly ever get inspiration sitting at my desk staring at a blank screen. And for running an outdoor blog, I do that a lot more than you may think.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ My best ideas always come when I'm out adventuring and stretching my legs. Nature is an amazing way to reconnect with your own innermost thoughts and really dig deep into your why. And I've been doing that a lot lately.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I've been running my website for quite a few years now and absolutely love it. One of the big reasons I decided to leave my career was to focus on building something I truly loved and after a lot of soul searching, I knew it lay in fostering a love of the outdoors with as many people as I can. I'm not 100% sure where my site is headed, but I know we all need more of nature these days 🌲 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Is there anything you'd like to know about the outdoors right now? Would you like to see more of something on my website? I'm all ears and will do my best to answer your questions so we can all have a little more love and happiness in our lives 💚

There's a lot going on in the world right now. No

There's a lot going on in the world right now. No one has the answer, but with everything shut down this is a great time to get outside! I'm gonna do all I can to help you enjoy the outdoors during this weird time — it's helped me keep my sanity and hopefully it'll help you, too ❤️⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Before you rush outside, please make sure you know how to do so responsibly. A lot of harm can be done if we don't safely explore so, with that in mind, I've gathered a few tips so we can all stay safe together — but at a distance of course! 👇⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ These might change as we learn more and new measures are put in place, so please keep up-to-date on the latest news and use precautions as necessary.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #1: Explore local. This isn't the time to drive hours to check out the mountain you've been eyeing up for years. This is the time to get to know your local area. Discover trails that you've never been on or replay some of your favourites that are close to home.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #2. Pick your trails with intention. Before you head out, choose a few trails you'd like to explore. If there are a lot of people when you get to the trailhead, skip it and move onto your next pick. You can always come back later.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #3. No group hikes. Groups hikes are amazing, but for now only hike solo or with people you already live with. When you come across other hikers, give each other lots of space, turn your back, and keep your mouth closed. It's weird, but necessary.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #4. Play it safe. This isn't the time to challenge yourself in the outdoors. It's easy to hurt yourself and our health care isn't equipped to handle that right now. Take hikes that are well within your skill level. There's no shame in easy hikes.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #5. Be prepared. Before you head out, make sure you have all the right gear, plenty of water, and have done research on your hike. We don't need SAR looking for you right now.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ That's it for now. I have a lot more thoughts on this and will be writing a full blog post soon! Stay safe and get outside 🥾

One of my goals this year is to take my first over

One of my goals this year is to take my first overnight backpacking trip. I haven't decided when, or even where yet, but I'm really looking forward to furthering my skills in the outdoors and challenging myself!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Although I haven't decided on the actual trail yet, I do know I'm going to keep it close to home. There are a ton of awesome trails in BC!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ I took @shedreamsofalpine Become a Backpacking Badass course and man, am I PUMPED! Allison fostered such a beautiful community of like-minded women that it's impossible to not be excited! I've wanted to backpack for years, but for many reasons I never seriously pursued it. No more, though. I can't wait to learn way more about the outdoors and myself as I take on this next challenge! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ What's one of your big goals for 2020?

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