Happy Canada Day - East to West

Happy Canada Day!

Yes, today is a national holiday for those of us up here in the Great White North.

We've been all across Canada. Several times, actually. So we have lots of photos that were taken in Canada. (We've never been to the northern territories). It's tough to choose, but today we're going to show you ten of our favorite pictures of Canada...one from each of the ten Canadian provinces...

Starting on the east coast, and working our way west...

Canadian provinces and their capital cities.

First up, we have Newfoundland. We've only been there once, back in July of 1994 when we took our kids (then 8 and 6) on a two week tent camping trip to "The Rock", as it is affectionately known here in Canada. Apparently there are more moose in Newfoundland than there are people. We never saw one the whole time we were there! We'd love to go there again and take Sherman (our motorhome) with us. 

July 18, 1994. Hiking Gros Morne Mountain in Newfoundland. 

Next up in Nova Scotia. We've spent a lot of time in Nova Scotia because our daughter and her family lived there for several years so of course we visited quite a few times. And, we've toured the province twice in our motorhome. Nova Scotia has some of the best free boondocking spots in Canada! And, it also has one of the most scenic drives in the world, the Cabot Trail on Cape Breton Island.

The Cabot Trail on Nova Scotia's Cape Breton Island.

Heading west, we come across the tiny Canadian province of Prince Edward Island. Often simply called PEI, it is home to red sand beaches, lighthouses, and an interior of fertile farmland growing the best potatoes in Canada. I once rode my bicycle all the way across PEI when I was 14 years old! We also rented a cottage there for a week back in 1997 as our summer vacation. And we spent six weeks there in the summer of 2008 work camping at a KOA campground.

The red coastline near Cavendish Beach in Prince Edward Island National Park.

New Brunswick. We haven't really spent a lot of time exploring New Brunswick. We've never made a point of going there specifically, it's always been to drive through on our way to or from Nova Scotia. The most interesting thing we've seen so far in New Brunswick is the famous Hopewell Rocks...

Ruth, standing on the ocean floor at the tide worn rocks at The Rocks Provincial Park, New Brunswick.

Next up is Quebec, Canada's politically divisive province. There's always some movement afoot to take Quebec out of Canada, and it almost happened with a referendum back in 1995. The results of that referendum had the highest voter turnout in Quebec history (93%) with the "No" side squeaking through with a victorious 50.6% vs 49.4% for the separatists. We've spent a fair bit of time in Quebec, and we think the best city to visit there is Quebec City itself! Definitely worth a visit. The closest you can get to Europe without leaving Canada!

Quebec City skyline and the historic Chateau Frontenac Hotel.

Ontario is where we were both born and raised. We spent most of our lives in Ontario, and I think we've been just about everywhere in that province. Ontario has two major cities...Toronto, and Ottawa. Toronto is the capital of the province of Ontario, however Ottawa is the capital of Canada! We've spent most of our lives in Ottawa. It's certainly the best place to spend Canada Day...what a great party they put on in the downtown area today!

The Canadian Parliament buildings in Ottawa, Ontario.

Manitoba is another province that we haven't spent much time in. Again, it's usually because we're passing through in our way to another part of the country. I'd like to see a little more of the northern part of that province, especially Churchill, Manitoba where it's famous for polar bears. We'll make it up there some day!

Downtown Winnipeg. Affectionately known as "Winterpeg" due it's brutally cold winters!

Saskatchewan... our current home province! My father was born in Saskatchewan in the city of Moose Jaw. Saskatchewan is home to wheat fields and prairie grass. And also the most dedicated group of Canadian football fans in the whole country! Seems that when the Saskatchewan Roughriders have a game the entire province must be watching it. It's a big deal here, and good for them for being such enthusiastic supporters.

A freshly harvested hay field in Saskatchewan.

Next up is Alberta. Most well known around the world for it's beautiful Canadian National Parks. Home to the Rocky Mountains, oil, and a zero percent retail sales tax! There is a lot to see in Alberta and you could spend a lot of time exploring. 

Near Jasper National Park, Alberta.

The furthest western province in Canada is British Columbia. Most Canadians simply call it B.C.. Also known as "God's Country" to the people who live there. My father's family is spread around B.C., and as a family we had several vacations out there when I was a child. I still have aunts and uncles and cousins spread around that province and we're going to have a plan a visit there one year soon to see some of the family that we haven't seen for a while.

The Fraser River Valley at Dunster, B.C.. My grandfather farmed here in the 1950's and 60's. What a beautiful place.

We've never been to the northern territories, but we'll make it there some day. When we're not working anymore during the summer, we want to take the motorhome up there.

So that's our Canada in ten pictures! Happy Birthday, Canada!

A great deal on a selfie stick on Amazon.com. This one is top quality and I've never seen it this cheap!

Selfie Stick, One-piece U-Shape Self-portrait Monopod with built-in Bluetooth Remote Shutter.

And in Canada, this expensive Kitchen-Aid mixer is on sale today only...

KitchenAid Power Plus Stand Mixer, Empire Red