A Summer Road Trip in Canada, Guided Though Taiji (Editing)

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.

Rockies RV Adventure Day 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.

A Perfect beginning

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.

Day 2 – Jasper Explorer

🚐 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

A Perfect Day, Continued

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.