With my Mamiaflex TLR, my 5D, and my 50D by my side the entire drive, I got a chance to document a small portion of my adventure in many different ways. The film portion of my trip will come soon, I'm still developing rolls of film that I shot along the way. I'm really excited to see the final products, based on what I've gotten back I couldn't be any happier!
For the digital segment of the trip I've chosen some shots from a few stops along the way, and anything that caught my eye for one reason or another. I hope y'all enjoy em as much as I do.
Starting off at the Hope Slides Memorial between Princeton and Hope along the Crows Nest Highway. One of my favourite drives in the country; there's an amazing view around each (treacherous) corner. These speed signs are to be treated with the utmost respect.
Tofino Roadtrip I picked up Spenser in Nanaimo on my way to Tofino from Ladysmith where I visited my grandmother for a few days. From there, we made the drive to the far west coast, and easily the most beautiful place on earth in my opinion.
Ever since visiting Tofino for the first time many years ago I've always felt this draw to it. Maybe it's the coast, maybe it's the pounding waves, maybe it's all the hippies and locally owned / run business....
All I know is one day I'm gunna end up living here for some time to keep documenting this amazing region of Canada.
I shot this in MacMillan Provincal Park, or Cathedral Grove, which is an ancient forest located on Vancouver Island located between Qualicum Beach and Port Alberni. We made a stop here to stretch our legs and explore the olds woods a little bit.
I don't think there are many ways to show just how towering these trees really are... You've gotta stop by and see it yourself for a real experience.
Once we arrived at Wickaninnish, the first beach we were going to visit, Spenser and myself got a thorough soaking in a 15 minute downpour as we walked down the beach. Once we found shelter under some trees and shrubbery, the rain started to subside. I was making some 120 shots when Spenser wandered down onto the beach to see what he could see, and I spotted this.
After eating lunch in Tofino, we went to Long Beach. This rock is the first thing you see once you walk down the path to the beach, and it became the subject of many photos produced by myself and Spenser. I noticed this father and son playing around while we were exploring, and they decided to walk out towards the rock and get one last look before they made their trip back home.
On a side note, out of all the trips I've made here in my life I haven't seen this rock with the tide out so far. It was interesting pondering if a walk / swim could have been made out to it. Nasty undertow here though, not worth the risk getting sucked out this time around.
The Long Beach waves, before we made the trip back to the eastern portion of Vancouver Island.
Tofino happened on my second day visiting the Island. The very next day I made a trip to Victoria to buy 120mm film. Fun fact for you fellow photographers, Vancouver Island is pretty hurting on Camera stores. If you ever want to buy film, you're pretty much limited to Victoria or Vancouver. Keep it in mind if you're going to shoot on the island!
Deciding I didn't want to waste a trip down the Malahat for simply film, I stopped at Goldstream Provincial Park and found this towering fall.
Cross Country Touring
The next portion of my road trip would span roughly 2/3 of Canada. It totalled out to be just shy of 6000km when the whole trip was wrapped up at my driveway in Belleville, Ontario.
I was ready to go in the Red Ranger with the entire cab filled with gear, clothes, random gifts, and odds and ends for me take home to Bellevegas.
Starting in Ladysmith, I traveled the Hope/Princeton Highway back to Penticton and spent a final night at my grandparents house before making my way to Banff, Alberta. I chose Banff for its abundance of Provincial Parks. I would have loved to go for a proper hike but running into a few bears down some backroads made me reconsider my plans. Next time I'll be out there I'll be fully prepared to deal with the bastards if I need to!
I stopped in Revelstoke, British Columbia for my last official stop in British Columbia. The view was amazing, I'd give anything to live in a little town like this. Being surrounded by mountains has never tripped me out! I love the sky that the prairies have to offer, but this is truly home to me.
This was also composed as a 120 shot, the frame came out gorgeous in my opinion!
The Lower Johnston Falls, in Banff, Alberta. Water is coloured due to being glacial run off! It was such a neat pale grey / green to see. This will certainly be a stopping point next time through, I missed out on the famous Inkpots due to time constraints!
The middle falls, another pretty scenic view point along the trail to the upper falls. Still can't get over the colour of the water! I also composed this in 120mm, the negatives look pretty awesome!
Ah the ever present random rock structure / inukshuk. Seriously, who the hell builds these things? They're super interesting, and I'd really like to meet someone who does build them. These are a portion of the upper falls, the single fall at the very top wasn't as photogenic as these guys.
Magic Hour. In the Rockies. Nothing more to say. It was an incredible 40 or so minutes of driving. With the sun setting behind me, the golden light cast on the mountains was one of the most awesome spectacles of nature I'd seen in awhile. My only regret was not pulling over with a better view to make a film image. I'm still beating myself up over that... but what's done is done!
Waking up early in Banff was a good call, I caught a little bit of snow along the way, and I found Canmore, where my dad will be stationed for the near future. Congrats on the promotion dad, I'm really happy for you! I'm also incredibly jealous of your new digs, the view was amazing from every part of the little community.
After successfully navigating Calgary traffic (post rush hour) I cruised through the rest of Alberta fairly uneventfully. At last! The homeland!
Driving out to Cupar, spotted a group of cyclists coming while I was watching the sunset, made for a more interesting photograph I think! Human Elements turned into an interesting challenge for me while driving across the country.
Spent time in the 306 working with these homies, climbing anything and everything in sight to make the 306 Rooftop Tour... Photos to come, got three videos and photo edits I'm working on as well as finding a job.
The land of the Living Skies... I love and miss it so much! Fisheye, to capture the entirety of the sky that was around the sunset. Somewhere off of Highway 11.
I didn't get the clearest skies to shoot any star photos, but this right here sure as hell compensated for it.
After spending a quick four days in Regina, I had to get back on the road to Bellevegas. I didn't get to see everyone I wanted to see, nor did I get to spend as much time with everyone as I wanted, but I had a good time none-the-less! The Saskatchewan / Manitoba border crossing. Dryden bound! Three provinces in a single day, quite the trek.
Too bad I ran into engine problems between Brandon and Winnipeg. The folks at the Portage la Prairie Ford dealership got me up and running on the road after a three hour delay, thankfully it wasn't anything major. This delay, along with going in and out of rain prevented me from taking many photos in Manitoba.
Upon entering Ontario, the scenery change is dramatic from the three prairie provinces. The rocks and trees are refreshing after a long drive through flat land. On highway 17 just outside of Dryden this structure stands along side the highway. After catching a fleeting glimpse, I decided to turn around and investigate.
After not getting too many photos the day previous because of weather and then hitting Ontario in the dark, it was nice to get out and get some shots. what wasn't fun was driving between Dryden and Sault Ste. Marie. I'd recommend it for those trying to get across Ontario quickly, but beyond that don't do it. It's long as hell, and you miss a lot. I wish I could have made more stops!
Making one stop outside of Thunder Bay, I found this crazy structure at a rest stop. No idea what it's used for but this architecture was too crazy not to take a photo of.
If anyone's read Stephen King's Cell this makes me think of that book. Nothing else about this really. Day three of driving put me between Sault Ste. Marie, and Bancroft Ontario. Took the backroads home, because there was no way in hell I wanted to deal with Toronto traffic with my truck packed. I pretty much hate the place, and ever since being in Ontario I haven't been too stoked on driving into the city. I'll do it to skate!
After stopping and spending a night in Bancroft it was finally time to get to Belleville. It was an awesome stay in Bancroft! Thanks for the hospitality Alyssa!
Highway 62, in between Bancroft and Bellevegas.
