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2. Pack and eat our own food the majority of the time instead of eating out for every meal, as well as bringing and using reusable water bottles and coffee mugs.
- Not only is this method more eco-friendly by producing way less waste, but it's cheaper and healthier too!
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3. Avoid buying souvenirs.
All three environmentally-minded. All three easily do-able.
So now, fo' reals this time, it was time to get our asses (& our 3 nifty eco-friendly guidelines) on the road! We were all set.
- Souvenirs are often made with the cheapest and least sustainably-sourced resources and manufactured overseas which then requires even more resources to regularly deliver them. Consuming less and living minimalistically is exceptionally easier on the planet.
All three environmentally-minded. All three easily do-able.
So now, fo' reals this time, it was time to get our asses (& our 3 nifty eco-friendly guidelines) on the road! We were all set.
Canada, Here We Come!
We left Utah on a Wednesday after morning classes had wrapped up and set out on a 7-hour drive to Missoula, Montana, a cute little college town that we'd agreed was the best in-between spot to camp on our way up to and back from Canada (where the bars are conveniently stocked with slot machines).
Thursday morning we were up early for another long, 8-hour day. We drove through some stunning, super autumn-y countrysides. The leaves of trees lining the road were vibrant yellow, orange, and red. Our route took us through adorable towns full of apple and cherry orchards, alongside quaint lake shores, and through misty mountains. We were steadily creeping closer and closer to those magical, mystical Canadian Rockies
It was Conrad's very first time in Canada and the weather was behaving just as you would expect way up north: snowy and overcast. We carefully traversed mountain passes through Kootenay National Park until finally, after 1000 miles of driving in 2 days, we rolled in to Banff, Alberta, the coziest little mountain town within Banff National Park. So since the mountains were all tucked in for the rest of the evening and not visible in the slightest, what better thing to do than posting up in front of a hockey game at a pub and drinking some local beer before curling up in the back of the truck at our campsite?!
We woke up to somewhat clear skies in Banff. However, heavy snow was just setting in along the route to the more northern parts of the Canadian Rockies (Jasper National Park and Yoho National Park). And after stopping into the Banff visitor's center, as well as diligently checking in on the road condition reports, we made the tough decision to forego continuing northward another 4 hours to see more of the Rockies and just make a day of exploring in and around Banff National Park.
After grabbing some coffee at Tim Horton's (a must for first time Canada visitor's), we were off to do some wildlife watching around the Vermillion Lakes, Lake Minnewanka, and Bow Falls. We were lucky enough to see some grazing deer, a large herd of elk, as well as a moose family (quite a rare sight in Banff National Park due to the deadly moose brain worm that's devastated the regions moose populations). One mama and TWO babies! What a treat!
And of course, we had to make a stop at Lake Louise for some guaranteed "oo's" and "ahh's".
Headed Home...
Sadly enough, come Saturday morning, it was time to start making our way back home. It was a long day back to Missoula, 9 hours back through pretty mountain roads lined with mustard yellow western larch and rusty red barns.
However, this time, since we'd missed out on seeing the whole inaccessible northern chunk of the Canadian Rockies, we decided to make a little detour on our way back to Missoula.
GLACIER NATIONAL PARK!
However, this time, since we'd missed out on seeing the whole inaccessible northern chunk of the Canadian Rockies, we decided to make a little detour on our way back to Missoula.
GLACIER NATIONAL PARK!
It was a quick little detour, but TOTALLY worth it. We stopped at Lake McDonald for some good old-fashioned rock skipping (Conrad's favorite pastime...besides skiing) and pictures. Just like everywhere else we'd been on this trip, the leaves were gorgeous and the tippy tops of the mountains surrounding the lake were covered with a light dusting of fresh snow.
After a good night's sleep in Missoula, we were back on the road bright and early for an 8-hour drive back home to Utah.
Like with every trip, I was reminded at every turn of the road (all 2000 miles of it), by such breathtaking sights, to keep persevering towards a more sustainable way of living, to stay mindful of the impacts my everyday actions have on the Earth, and most obviously, to keep traveling. Living eco-consciously helps wild places such as those seen and driven through by Conrad and I to remain wild with healthy, intact ecosystems.
Like with every trip, I was reminded at every turn of the road (all 2000 miles of it), by such breathtaking sights, to keep persevering towards a more sustainable way of living, to stay mindful of the impacts my everyday actions have on the Earth, and most obviously, to keep traveling. Living eco-consciously helps wild places such as those seen and driven through by Conrad and I to remain wild with healthy, intact ecosystems.
Like I mentioned previously, traveling normally isn't the most environmentally friendly activity. That's why it's imperative that you take measures to reduce your impact any way you can.
I mean, don't go overboard and shut yourself up in your home with all the lights and heat/ac off. It's important to travel. And it's important to practice PRACTICAL sustainability. These 3 eco-friendly guidelines will help you incorporate those and maybe even save you a pretty penny or two.
The littlest of actions can have a shockingly large effect. So let's continue to think before we act. Let's continue to practice sustainability and to share our knowledge of this way of life.
I mean, don't go overboard and shut yourself up in your home with all the lights and heat/ac off. It's important to travel. And it's important to practice PRACTICAL sustainability. These 3 eco-friendly guidelines will help you incorporate those and maybe even save you a pretty penny or two.
The littlest of actions can have a shockingly large effect. So let's continue to think before we act. Let's continue to practice sustainability and to share our knowledge of this way of life.
Ponders & Reflections
Can you do more to consciously plan an eco-friendly adventure in the future?
How do you incorporate sustainability into your road trips?
Where is your favorite place to travel to by car?
What are other ways to practice sustainability on a road trip that aren't listed in this post?
This adventure was such a blast and I am stoked for the next one, whatever it may be! Feel free to share your questions/comments/concerns in the comments below! Safe travels!!
How do you incorporate sustainability into your road trips?
Where is your favorite place to travel to by car?
What are other ways to practice sustainability on a road trip that aren't listed in this post?
This adventure was such a blast and I am stoked for the next one, whatever it may be! Feel free to share your questions/comments/concerns in the comments below! Safe travels!!
tread lightly.
live fully.
live fully.
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Hi there, my name's Jennifer! I'm a tree-hugging, adventure-seeking, mid-twenties-something and I'm here to share my story with you! Follow me as I try my best to lead a natural and sustainable both everyday and while trying my best to see the world.
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