Mountains, Cheap Flights, and EV Disasters: A Trip to Alberta

Leaving the Flatlands Behind

I recently returned from a summer trip out West. We flew into Calgary for a family visit. We also made sure to see the major sights. We visited Banff. We stopped by Lake Louise. We saw everything we could.

Growing up in Ontario, you get used to flat ground. Toronto is mostly concrete and skyscrapers. Landing in Alberta was a completely different experience. The mountains there are massive. They tower over the horizon. Every direction looks like a painting. It really puts your size into perspective.

Budget Flights and Sibling Rivalry

Let’s start with the journey itself. We booked tickets on a discount airline. You know what to expect. There was very little legroom. We paid extra just to bring a backpack. The seats were incredibly stiff.

But it was perfectly fine. It gave me four uninterrupted hours to tease my brother. I made jokes about him the entire flight. I pointed out every little thing he did. He did not stand a chance. That alone made the flight worth it.

The Great Electric Car Fiasco

After landing, we picked up our rental car. We wanted to be environmentally friendly. We chose an electric vehicle.

This turned out to be a hilarious challenge. We spent half of our trip driving. The views from the road were incredible. We drove through enormous, sweeping valleys. The car itself, however, was another story.

We could not figure out how to charge it. It sounds ridiculous, I know. We are perfectly capable people. Yet, we found ourselves standing at remote charging stations. We stared at different plugs. We frantically searched for video tutorials on our phones. The battery percentage kept dropping. My brother was quietly panicking. I was laughing the entire time. It was a memorable travel moment.

Banff and Famous Pastries

Eventually, we arrived in Banff. It is a popular tourist destination for a good reason.

The downtown area is beautiful. You are surrounded by giant rocky peaks on all sides. The atmosphere is fantastic. We walked around, bought some souvenirs, and took it all in.

We also made sure to eat. We stopped for BeaverTails. If you are unfamiliar, it is a large piece of fried dough shaped like a beaver's tail. It is covered in cinnamon sugar. It is delicious.

The Blue Waters of Lake Louise

Next on our list was Lake Louise.

The water really is that blue. It looks almost unnatural. It is a stunning, bright turquoise color.

The area was crowded with tourists. It did not matter at all. You just find a spot, look up at the massive glacier, and relax. It is completely peaceful. We took countless photos. Naturally, I ruined half of my brother's pictures by jumping into the frame.

Wrapping It Up

After our time in nature, we headed back into the city. We spent our remaining days with our Calgary family.

It was a relaxing end to the trip. We ate wonderful food. We caught up on life. It was the perfect way to unwind after the charging station chaos.

Overall, the trip was wonderful. The Rocky Mountains are unmatched. The budget flight was completely fine. The electric vehicle struggles just made for a good story.

If you have not visited Western Canada yet, you should go. Just do me one favor. Learn how an electric vehicle charging station works before you leave the airport.

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