For my mom’s 60th birthday, our whole family came together for something she’s always dreamed of – a ride on the Rocky Mountaineer across the Canadian Rockies. It was an unforgettable trip packed with jaw-dropping landscapes, eye-opening history, and some seriously good food.
It was Summer and me, my parents, my sister Emma, and her boyfriend Jonah – a full family crew ready for adventure.
Banff: Lakes, Mountains & Glacial Blues
We flew into Calgary and took a scenic shuttle ride into Banff, where we stayed at a gorgeous hotel nestled in the heart of the mountains. Banff was absolutely spectacular – everything you’d expect from a postcard and then some. We explored Banff National Park, took the gondola up for panoramic views, and spent time soaking in the little mountain town’s charm – boutique shops, local breweries, and some of the most scenic walks I’ve ever taken.
But the real standout was Lake Louise.
Lake Louise is this surreal turquoise lake formed by glacial runoff, and its color is like nothing I’ve ever seen before. Hiking the trails around the lake to find quieter, more private viewpoints was my favorite part of our time in Banff. It felt like stepping into a dream.
The Rocky Mountaineer
Then – the main event – we boarded the Rocky Mountaineer. Our seats were on the upper level in a glass-domed car, giving us a full panoramic view of the incredible terrain as we traveled from Banff to Vancouver with a stopover in Kamloops.
The ride was slow, scenic, and immersive. Watching the landscape change over two days – passing through Glacier National Park, over rivers, across towering bridges, and through long, dark mountain tunnels – was pure magic. There was even an outdoor viewing platform on the train where we could take it all in with the wind in our faces and the rhythm of the tracks beneath our feet. Standing outside, looking down through the metal grates while crossing a bridge, was especially thrilling.
Kamloops: Beauty & Brutality
We spent one night in Kamloops, a town with a complex and often painful history. One of the most haunting parts of the trip was learning more about the Kamloops Indian Residential School, one of many schools in Canada where Indigenous children were forcibly removed from their families and subjected to cultural erasure and abuse. Between 1890 and 1969, the Catholic Church operated these schools in the name of “assimilation.” In 2021, the remains of 215 Indigenous children were discovered in unmarked graves on the school grounds – a chilling reminder of the legacy of colonialism and the ongoing trauma Indigenous communities face.
It was a sobering moment in an otherwise joyful trip, and one that gave us all a lot to reflect on.
Kamloops itself has deep historical roots. Established in the early 1800s as a trading post for the North West Company and later the Hudson’s Bay Company, it became a key hub at the intersection of two major railways. Its evolution into a modern-day city is closely tied to the development of Canada’s trade routes – both by river and rail.
Vancouver: Nature Meets City
From Kamloops, we continued west into Vancouver – a city I’ve always wanted to visit. It absolutely delivered. The food scene was fantastic, the natural beauty surrounding the city was incredible, and the balance between urban life and green space was something I really admired.
We spent time exploring Stanley Park, a massive urban park that makes you feel like you’re miles from the city even though you’re right in the heart of it. It was a stark contrast to most U.S. cities – the intentional effort to keep nature intact inside city limits is something I wish we’d emulate more back home.
One moment that really stood out was passing through a small but noticeable homeless encampment in the middle of the city. It wasn’t tucked away like in most U.S. cities – it was right there, central, visible. There was no heavy policing or obvious containment, but it did feel like an area that had been quietly accepted as theirs. It made me think about the structural and cultural differences in how homelessness is addressed – or ignored – across borders.
Vancouver is one of those places I could easily see myself living in, if not for the cost (and that’s coming from a San Diegan). I’m already dreaming about coming back for a Whistler ski trip and maybe exploring more of the coast.
One Last Stop: Seattle
The final leg of our trip took us down to Seattle. We took a bus across the U.S. border and spent the day playing tourist – mostly for the benefit of my family, since Summer and I have been there many times.
We hit the Space Needle, the waterfront, the Seattle Great Wheel, and indulged in a crab feast near the water. Even after visiting so many times, it’s always fun to walk those iconic spots and soak in the views of the Sound.
Usually, Summer and I extend our family trips for a little solo adventure – but not this time. I had to hop on a flight early and head straight to Los Angeles for the beginning of my next chapter…
Grad School Begins
The very next day, I arrived in LA for orientation at USC’s Marshall School of Business, where I was about to begin the Executive MBA program as part of Cohort 38.
More on that in the next post – but what a way to end one journey and begin another.