By Jie Gu | Written in 2023 | Revised and released June 2026
Since I became more and more passionate in Taijiquan and competitions, my way of traveling has changed. Destinations are no longer chosen randomly for entertainment or sightseeing, but often align with where competitions are held. In a way, it feels like following the principle of Yin and Yang, practice and relaxation, are no longer separate, but merged into a balanced flow.
After I found it out in the spring of 2023, the 4th Pan American Kungfu and Taiji Championships is going to be held this summer in Ontario, Canada, I embraced the idea of “acting according to circumstance” in Taiji philosophy, and planned a combined itinerary of competition, sightseeing, and visiting relatives for a family of five.
The trip ultimately unfolded in three parts: an RV adventure through the Canadian Rockies, the competition accompanied by sightseeing, and visits with family and relatives. Together, these three chapters created a journey that blended natural beauty, personal achievement, and family connection.
Twin Jack Lake
Rockies RV AdventureDay 1 – Twin Jack Lake
Rockies RV Adventure – Day 1 Route
✈️ Toronto → Calgary
🚐 Calgary Airport → Fraserway RV
🛒 T&T Supermarket (Harvest Hills)
🏕️ Two Jack Main Campground
Driving Distance: Approximately 145 km
Overnight: Two Jack Main Campground
On the morning of July 27 (2023), we landed in Calgary. Our first stop was Fraserway RV, Canada’s largest RV rental company, where we picked up our reserved 25-foot motorhome. From there, we headed to T&T Supermarket to stock up on supplies for the next six days.
Right upon the arrival,we were surprised to discover we could not find disposable tableware to pack with since we had thought it would be available everywhere. Fortunately, T&T’s prepared meals exceeded expectations—the beef stir was better than what we could usually find in a restaurant in Louisiana. we loaded our stomach then loaded the RV with supplies, then we officially began our 1st day journey. Our only destination that day was Two Jack Lake, which is great stop point toward Canadian Rockies.
Along the drive, we were impressed by Canadian’s environmental consciousness. wildlife overpasses appeared regularly above the highway. They seemed to embody a kind of Yin-Yang balance between human development and nature—allowing roads and wildlife to coexist rather than sacrificing either one.
It was not sunny, temperatures barely reached the mid-60s Fahrenheit. Having escaped weeks of triple-digit heat warnings in Louisiana, we felt as though a childhood dream had come true—spending summer inside a refrigerator. We parked the RV, grabbed our backpacks, and switched into hiking mode.
According to my weather app, the air quality index was just 1—about as close to pristine air as one can imagine. Trailheads seemed to appear everywhere, yet many lacked signs. Perhaps that was environmental minimalism at work. We picked a random path and wandered into the forest.
The woods were quiet and empty. Before long, we reached the lakeshore. The water was crystal clear with a subtle emerald tint. Cedar trees lined the shore, backed by layers of mountains, while dark clouds rolled overhead. The entire scene felt cool, refreshing, and almost unreal. At some point, a bright red canoe drifted into view. A father and two children paddled across the lake, laughing as they glided over the calm water. The image was unforgettable—a splash of red against the green water and misty mountains. They were an essential part of the lake’s joy, and perhaps we were an equally unusual sight along the shore. We exchanged cheerful greetings and then returned to our own worlds. They paddled their canoe; we followed our path.
When we reached the point where the two Jack Lakes seemed to meet, the landscape suddenly opened before us. Clouds and mist drifted among the mountains, revealing and concealing the peaks in turn. The mountains appeared and disappeared like brushstrokes in a traditional Chinese painting. A small parking area sat nearby with only a handful of vehicles and no people in sight. With the place nearly to ourselves, we took photos freely, posed without embarrassment, and simply enjoyed the moment.
As we followed the shoreline trail, we soon came upon a wide, level clearing. For a Tai Chi enthusiast, this was the perfect training ground.A flat surface, breathtaking scenery, fresh mountain air—what more could one ask for? Ever since falling in love with Tai Chi, I have developed a habit of evaluating every beautiful open space as a potential practice site. This one passed the test immediately. So we stopped. Together with my children, we warmed up, stretched our legs, and practiced several forms. As our bodies gradually warmed, we continued along the trail.
In Tai Chi, Yin and Yang are never separate. The stillness of the mountains and the movement of the clouds, the quiet lake and the red canoe, the solitude of nature and the laughter of family—all existed together in perfect balance. It was only our first day in Canada, yet already the journey felt exactly as it should.
Jasper
Rockies RV Adventure Day 2 – Jasper
🚐 Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre
🚌 Ice Explorer Tour – Athabasca Glacier
🌉 Icefield Skywalk
🚐 Maligne Lake
🏕️ Overnight: Kicking Horse Campground
1st Stop
woke up early in the morning and looked out the RV window to find two elk casually strolling through the campground. It was one of those moments when you realize you’ve truly left the city behind and entered nature’s world. Instantly, life felt slower and more peaceful. Our first adventure of the day was the Columbia Icefield Adventure in Jasper National Park. I had heard that there are only a few places in the world where visitors can ride specially designed Ice Explorer vehicles onto a glacier, so this was high on our must-do list. Since morning light is usually best for photos, we booked the earliest 10:00 a.m. departure. The adventure began with a shuttle bus ride to the glacier’s edge, where we transferred to the giant Ice Explorer.
Our driver was a university student who seemed to know a little bit about everything. During the ride she talked about local history, alpine plants, glacier science, and even beauty secrets. According to her, glacier meltwater is the purest water on Earth and drinking it might help keep you young.
The best part came right before we got off the vehicle. “Please stay within the marked boundaries,” she announced. “If you wander beyond the safe area and fall into a glacier crevasse, the rescue time may be similar to the federal government’s processing time for other applications—about seven to ten business days.” The entire vehicle burst into laughter.
Standing on the Athabasca Glacier was an incredible experience. I had imagined a glacier as a giant field of pure white ice, but its surface was dotted with dark specks. During the ride we learned that much of the discoloration comes from carbon particles deposited from the atmosphere. Seeing it firsthand made climate change feel much more real than any article or statistic ever could.
Up close, where the outer layer of ice had melted away, the glacier revealed stunning blue ice beneath. It glowed like something straight out of Frozen. Nearby, a small stream of glacier meltwater trickled across the ice. Suddenly everyone pulled out water bottles, cups, and whatever containers they had to collect some. If there was even a small chance of looking ten years younger, nobody wanted to miss it. The water was icy cold, crisp, and surprisingly sweet. It tasted incredibly pure. I filled an entire bottle to take with me and jokingly decided it would make the finest tea I’ve ever brewed. The glacier air itself felt just as pure.
After returning to the Ice Explorer, we continued to the Icefield Skywalk. To be honest, it was probably my least favorite stop of the day. The glass platform hangs dramatically above a canyon, but the scenery didn’t quite live up to the hype for me. Since it was included in the ticket package, it was worth a quick visit, but I wouldn’t go out of my way for it.
After a quick Canadian-style lunch back at the Icefield Discovery Centre, we continued our journey toward one of Jasper’s most iconic destinations—Maligne Lake. With a little time to spare before our 4:00 PM cruise, we soaked in the scenery along the way, surrounded by endless forests, towering peaks, and the calm beauty of the Canadian Rockies. As the boat glided across the glacier-fed waters of Maligne Lake, the landscape felt almost unreal—crystal-clear water, rugged mountain backdrops, and a sense of tranquility that made the long drive completely worthwhile.
The day still had one more surprise in store. On the drive back to our campground, we spotted a majestic elk grazing quietly near the roadside, seemingly unfazed by the passing cars. A short while later, a rainbow stretched across the sky above the mountains, adding the perfect finishing touch to an already unforgettable day. It felt like nature’s way of saying goodnight.
3nd Stop – Kicking Horse Campground
I reserved Kicking Horse Campground for two nights. it offered plenty of space and beautiful mountain views in every direction. After dinner, we took a leisurely walk along the Kicking Horse River, enjoying the peaceful sound of rushing water and the lingering daylight.
Although it was still remarkably bright when we returned to our campsite, a full day of hiking, sightseeing, and breathtaking scenery had left us pleasantly exhausted. The mountains, glaciers, lakes, and rivers had filled our day with one surprise after another. Before long, we were all fast asleep, despite the northern summer sun still glowing outside.
Day 2 – more colors, same perfection
Day Two became progressively more colorful. From the crystal ice of the Icefields to the crystal-blue waters of Maligne Lake and the milky turquoise Bow River, each stop revealed a new shade of beauty. We were even fortunate enough to capture a perfect picture of Spirit Island. The day began with quiet encounters with deer and ended with the gift of a vibrant rainbow.
It reminded me of Tai Chi. The journey starts with simple movements, but over time becomes richer, deeper, and more colorful. Yet whether simple or complex, every stage has its own perfection.
Along the Icefields Parkview
Day 3 – Along the Icefields Parkway
🚐 Pyramid Lake
🚡 Jasper SkyTram
🥾 Whistlers Summit Trail
🚐 Scenic Drive along the Icefields Parkway
🥾 Peyto Lake Viewpoint Trail
🏕️ Overnight: Kicking Horse Campground
While the kids were still sound asleep, the early Canadian sunshine streaming through our RV gently woke my husband and me. We drove to Pyramid Lake, where the still morning water reflected the surrounding mountains like a perfect mirror.
After a peaceful stroll along the shoreline, we were drawn to the lake’s crystal-clear shallows. I couldn’t resist reaching out to gently stir the water—watching tiny bubbles rise and disappear instantly, like a child playing by the lakeside. It was such a simple moment, but somehow incredibly calming. In that quiet morning light, everything felt slow, peaceful, and completely unhurried—exactly the kind of stillness you don’t often find in everyday life.
From Pyramid Lake, we continued our drive to the Jasper SkyTram base station to catch the 9:03 tram. The ride itself was smooth and scenic. From the upper station, we began our hike toward the Summit Café, and the weather couldn’t have been better—bright, sunny, and just cool enough to make walking uphill surprisingly comfortable.
But the effort was worth every step. The view kept opening up more and more as we climbed—layers of mountains, endless forest, and soft light stretching across the valley like a painting. At one point, my eldest daughter looked around and said, “Canada feels so fake, it’s too pretty to be real.”
We then continued along the scenic Icefields Parkway toward our next stop, Peyto Lake. The drive itself was part of the experience. Snow-capped mountains stood proudly in the distance, while milky turquoise rivers flowed beside the road, fed by glaciers high above. Around every bend, a new view seemed to appear.
The trail to the viewpoint was a little confusing due to the lack of clear signs, but together with a stream of fellow visitors, we eventually found our way. As the famous viewpoint came into view, we were greeted by Peyto Lake’s astonishing turquoise waters. Framed by mountains and evergreen forests, it looked almost unreal, as if someone had painted the landscape with the brightest shade of blue imaginable.
Mountain hiking turned out to be excellent cross-training. Then Tai Chi time, haha! High kicks, low stances.
Day 3 was a day of mountains and lakes. We climbed higher to take in sweeping views from above, then looked down upon peaceful lakes nestled among the peaks. The contrast between rugged mountains and tranquil waters reminded us of the balance of yin and yang. Neither would be as beautiful without the other; together, they created a harmony greater than either alone.
Although we were not actively preparing for the upcoming competition, the lessons of Tai Chi were everywhere around us. By observing the balance and interdependence found in nature, we gained a deeper understanding of yin and yang. That understanding may not immediately improve our forms, but it will eventually find its way into our practice and performance.
Yoho and Kootenay National Parks
Rockies RV Adventure Day 4
🚐 Natural Bridge
🏞️ Emerald Lake
🥾 Marble Canyon
🏕️ Kicking Horse Campground
Once again, while the kids were still asleep in the RV, my husband and I set out early for Natural Bridge. Towering mountains rose in the distance, while lodgepole pines and Engelmann spruces framed the rushing waters of the Kicking Horse River. The powerful current had carved its way through ancient rock, leaving behind the remarkable natural bridge that gives the site its name.
Everything seemed perfectly balanced—the mountains and river, the trees and rocks, the flowing of the water and the stillness of the morning. It felt like the ideal setting for outdoor Tai Chi. We didn’t need to push ourselves into practicing forms. Nature was quietly demonstrating the principles of balance, flow, and harmony that Tai Chi seeks to cultivate and guided us to a deeper understanding
we then continued to Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park. we decided to take a relaxed canoe ride instead of hiking. The lake looked like liquid jade—soft turquoise water framed by mountains and wildflowers, almost unreal in its beauty. We later learned that scenery in this area appeared on an older Canadian ten-dollar bill,
We split into “girls’ canoe” and “boys’ canoe,” sometimes competing, sometimes drifting off course, but always laughing. It turned into a simple yin-yang kind of balance—effort and ease on the same water.
Afterwards, we had a casual meal at Emerald Lake Lodge. Nothing fancy, but everything tasted fresh and good. One thing we kept noticing on this trip was how consistently satisfying the food was—simple, clean, and never disappointing, which made the whole experience feel even more relaxed.
Our next stop of the day was Marble Canyon, where a well-maintained trail loops along the rim of the canyon and crosses several bridges that offer spectacular views below. Deep within the narrow limestone gorge, milky jade-colored water rushed through the canyon, its color once again shaped by glacial sediments carried from the mountains. The powerful flow created a constant cool breeze that rose from the canyon, making the summer air feel refreshingly crisp. Even on a warm day, the canyon seemed to have its own natural air conditioning. Between the rushing water, towering rock walls, and cooling wind, Marble Canyon offered a kind of summer comfort that is hard to find elsewhere.
Our final stop was Morant’s Curve, a favorite among photographers for its perfect composition of curving railway tracks, evergreen forests, and mountain scenery. We arrived and joined a small group of visitors waiting for the train. Fortunately, it took less than twenty minutes for a bright red train to round the bend, adding movement and energy to the peaceful landscape. That contrast between the stillness of nature and the motion of the train is what makes Morant’s Curve so beautiful—a perfect balance of yin and yang.
Lake O’hara
Rockies RV Adventure Day 5
🚐 Lake O’Hara Parking Lot
🏘️ Banff Town
🌄 Tunnel Mountain Viewpoint
🥾 Johnston Canyon Trail
🏕️ Johnston Canyon Campground
Visiting Lake O’Hara requires planning and a bit of luck. In 2023, securing a shuttle reservation felt almost like winning a lottery. With only two inbound buses each morning—departing at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.—the limited seats were claimed within minutes when reservations opened. We were fortunate to secure spots well in advance and arrived at the parking lot in time for the 8:30 a.m. departure. Once at the lake, we followed the Shoreline Trail, a pleasant path that winds along the water through a variety of terrain, including gravel paths, wooden boardwalks, and short stair sections. The hike was as enjoyable as the destination itself. Surrounded by crystal-clear water, wildflowers, towering peaks, and an impossibly blue sky, the landscape felt almost untouched by the modern world. The silence was remarkable. It was one of those rare places where nature seemed so perfect and peaceful that it hardly felt real.
After leaving the tranquility of Lake O’Hara, we continued toward our campsite and stopped in Banff for the afternoon. Stepping into town felt like returning to the human world after days immersed in nature. The streets were bustling with visitors from around the world, yet Banff retained a unique mountain-town charm. The architecture blended rustic timber, natural stone, and alpine-inspired designs.
We wandered through the small shops and cafés before joining the line at COWS, one of Canada’s most popular ice cream destinations. The line stretched out the door, but no one seemed to mind. With flavors ranging from classic vanilla and chocolate to favorites like Maple Walnut and Wowie Cowie, choosing was almost the hardest part. The ice cream was rich, creamy, and made with fresh Canadian dairy. Sitting in the sunshine with our cones in hand, watching the crowds pass by against a backdrop of snow-capped peaks, we couldn’t imagine a more enjoyable way to spend an afternoon in Banff.
Lake O’Hara is difficult to describe. There is no single highlight because beauty is everywhere. No photograph can truly represent it, and there is no one iconic view that defines the experience. Instead, it is the serenity that stays with you. Once there, you instinctively lower your voice, not wanting to disturb the atmosphere.
We spent most of the day hiking to make the most of our limited time before the return bus, leaving little time for Tai Chi. Yet the quietness of the lake taught stillness better than any form could. Even the simple carrot cake from the small lakeside store—voted the best of the trip by my children—felt perfect in that moment. Some places are not memorable because of what you see, but because of what you feel.
Baff National Park
Rockies RV Adventure Day 6
🚐 Lake Louise Ski Resort
🏞️ Moraine Lake
♨️ Banff Upper Hot Springs
🏕️ Overnight: Tunnel Mountain Trailer Court
Due to a reservation mix-up, our family split up for the morning. My husband visited Moraine Lake first and then Lake Louise, while the three kids and I went to Lake Louise before heading to Moraine Lake. After being spoiled by the breathtaking scenery of the previous days, our first impression of Lake Louise was surprisingly ordinary. The shoreline trail was relatively flat, and the famous turquoise lake did not immediately stand out. We decided to hike up to the Lake Agnes Tea House instead.
As we gained elevation, the view transformed. The higher we climbed, the more beautiful the lake became, its color deepening against the surrounding mountains. Perhaps it is true that a little distance creates beauty. By the time we reached the tea house, the line was far too long for a relaxing cup of tea. Not wanting to miss our shuttle to Moraine Lake, we continued on, making a brief stop at Mirror Lake before heading back down.
We then caught an open-top shuttle to Moraine Lake, enjoying the fresh mountain air and unobstructed views along the way. By the time we arrived, it was already around noon, and many visitors were beginning to pack up. Fortunately, the scenery was not going anywhere. We found a spot to enjoy lunch surrounded by one of the most beautiful landscapes in the Rockies. Food somehow tastes better when served with turquoise water and towering peaks as the backdrop. It was also where we reunited with my husband—who, thanks to our reservation mix-up, had now managed to visit Moraine Lake twice in a single day. Haha!
We ended the day at Banff Upper Hot Springs. What an experience! Soaking in the warm mineral water while surrounded by mountain scenery was both relaxing and refreshing. The pool was lively with visitors from all over the world, yet the atmosphere remained peaceful. After days of hiking and exploring, it felt like the perfect way to unwind.
The day’s best capture, however, belonged to my husband. During his early morning visit to Moraine Lake, he took a photograph that instantly became our favorite of the trip. Looking at the picture, you can almost feel the serenity of the lake and the quiet strength of the surrounding mountains. Some photographs record a scene; this one seemed to capture a feeling.
Niagara Falls
Competition Day 0 and Day 1
to be continued……
Montreal and Ottawa
Family Reunion
Thanks for sharing the beauty of your travel experience and how it related to Tai Chi!
What a wonderful journey with family to experiencing the harmony of nature and Tai Chi!