Waking in the middle of the night to a dwindling fire, a few hours’ ride by horse from civilization in a small cabin in the bush, photographer Steve Van Diest was struck by the sudden insight that he was essentially alone in the wilderness and that he had only himself to rely on for his own comfort.

When summer slips into fall, two-wheel adventures enter a new level of awesome. Whether you're into extreme mounting biking or cruising down a scenic path, cyclers rule the shoulder season!

As someone who lives in an area known for mountain biking, I didn’t know what to expect when I arrived in Hinton to ride the local trails. As a passionate rider, I love exploring new trails and seeing how communities have been embracing the sport. Well, after my visit, I can tell you that this town on the edge of the Northern Rockies has the mountain bike scene dialed and then some.

Nestled below the towering peaks of Alberta’s Northern Rockies amid the rolling foothills, you will find the town of Hinton. Surrounded by dense forest, endless lakes and powerful rivers upon the traditional territory of the local Indigenous First Nations, the region holds mesmerizing beauty.

On a normal summer day, enjoying his passion for dinosaur fossil hunting in the valleys and river bottoms of the Pipestone Creek near Grande Prairie in 1974, Al Lakusta unearthed something that would transform the landscape of paleontology in Alberta. His discovery of one of the most massive fossil beds would put the Peace Region in northwestern Alberta on the dinosaur map.

Years ago, I recall driving through Grande Cache on Highway 40 and loving the thick forests as I passed by. But I didn’t really know what was waiting to be discovered just out of view.

As you step into the cozy gazebo, the earthy aromas of freshly cooked pizza, lasagna, rhubarb crisp, and bread waft in the air of the gazebo where Vermilion’s community oven is a hive of activity.

Angus Cockney stalked the sunrise over the lake like a cougar tracking a deer in the forest, his strides long and quiet, his gaze intent. The dreamiest times for a photographer like Cockney are dawn and dusk. It's all about the glimmering light that plays on the landscape.

Canmore-based Inuit photographer Angus Cockney recently went on assignment for ZenSeekers #TakeItToTheLake expedition, exploring the beauty and culture of the vast Athabasca Region. His photos evoke solitude and wide-open spaces, and convey a real sense that the people who live here love and enjoy their backyard. 

Clucks and whinnies greet Caitlyn Chernish and Toni Shenfield as they walk towards the bright red barn. From the moment you step onto the Leaning Tree ranch, there is a sense of well-maintained order and tranquility, of nature in harmony with humanity. 

Fiddle song dances play lightly over the patio at Métis Crossing as Sameer Ahmed and his wife Salma do their best to match their steps to the beat. Soha, their daughter, joins in too. Brianna Lizotte, the fiddle player, is teaching them a Métis jig, with the basic 3-and-1 step and a couple of changes. 

Buzzing envelops us as Rob Wicker holds out a panel of his honeybee hives for us to see. There, in front of us, are a handful of worker bees, ignoring us working like, well - bees on their honeycomb. Wonder overpowers us all.

Vast as Cold Lake is, you don’t have to go far to find fish. In just over an hour, Greg and Lisa Folliot have reeled in (and released) three good sized lake trout. Our fishing guide, Kim Grey of Angler’s Fishing Tours, says that this is a slow day. Not that anyone minds.

Grinning ear to ear and spraying a fan of water behind him, Josh Meredith skims past on a Sea-Doo. Nikki Hallows is close behind, cutting across his wake and goosing the engine to launch herself into the air. Engine hum fills the air as they rev around Baptiste Lake in Athabasca County, Alberta.

The cafe, the cheesemaker, the craft cocktail maker - it’s not a nursery rhyme, it’s an afternoon in Vermilion. Afternoon indulgences are the kind of thing that are often best shared with friends. For example, strawberries with chocolate smeared on toast, a sampling of fine cheeses or a three o’clock cocktail.

Folks in Alberta’s northeast may be more humble and less self-promoting, but they are equally as deserving of attention.

To help drive some attention to these very deserving creative spirits, FestivalSeekers & ZenSeekers are expanding our #TakeItToTheLake efforts by bringing you a new festival!

Dewy purple and magenta bursts of berries hang pendulously from the branches of eight-foot high Saskatoon bushes at Rocky Meadows Country Getaway, just outside Bonnyville. The Robson family walk the rows, filling buckets in a hushed, zen-like industriousness. 

As she bends over to look into the windows of the tiny church, Rosalie Subchuk sighs. Memories from her childhood have awoken on this visit through Plamondon, in Lac La Biche region, Alberta. Subchuk grew up on a farm in the 1960s and 70s not far from the hamlet.

There’s nothing quite like the moment – driving between Ucluelet and Tofino – when you first turn that corner and are met with a glimpse of the ocean, bathed in the shimmering golden light of a coastal sunset.

Situated on the southwestern coast of Vancouver Island is the tight-knit community of Bamfield, home to the Huu-ay-aht First Nations, and access point to the ancient Kiixin Village – the only known traditional village site on the coast of southern B.C. to still contain standing structures.

Looking for summer activities that will let you relax and unwind? Here are a few BC-based activities to help you relax. 

Now that the sun and warmth have arrived, it's the perfect time to find a little peace of mind and unwind. Here are a few activities that will help you relax this summer in Alberta. 

How can we act as good allies when we travel and explore in Western Canada?

In Alberta, there’s no shortage of stops to make if you’re planning on taking some day trips this summer. Less than 2 hours south east of Edmonton, you’ll come across the Village of Heisler in Flagstaff County, with a population of just 160 Albertans and some must-see businesses and attractions.

To a lot of us, sharks and bears have a lot in common. Both of these magnificent creatures can evoke fear and curiosity just by talking about them. There is confusion about what to do if you encountered one, and how to better protect them in their natural habitats.

For World Oceans Day, ZenSeekers' own Doc Pow had an oceanside chat with shark scientist, videographer, and conservationist Justin Blake.

After months being at home, a road trip sounds pretty good right about now. Dream of fresh air and good times with this round-up of BC spots where you can explore wide-open outdoor spaces.

For a lot of us, 2020 has been a whirlwind of social distance anxiety and confusion. Let's change that. Get lost in Alberta's wide-open, outdoor havens close to home to recharge and rejuvenate your soul.

With all of us staying home from work and school because of the pandemic, we have more free time on our hands than ever before. While some work from home and others try their hand at new hobbies, like baking and painting, our canine companions are living in the lap of luxury.

My former self, a passionate juggler with constant balls in the air lived a pretty frantic life. But these days, because of meditation, my coping mechanism from the collective jolt of COVID reality has led me into a place of calm and a grounded perspective. 

In today’s world, many of us are arriving at a new understanding of what matters. The reality is we are moving through some challenging days. Being optimistic means that, yes, these are challenging days, but there is a brighter future on the other side of it all.