I had been to Alberta once before. For one day. It had all started with a road trip. Quin was driving from Colorado to Alaska with a bunch of photographers and had contacted me to see if I was interested in riding along for part of the journey. Quin was a complete stranger at the time, and I’m still not sure why I agreed, but as I sat on the plane flying back to where it all began I couldn’t help but smile.

That day in Alberta was over a year ago now, and it still doesn't feel real. I’d often wondered if the dream like quality of that day was due to the circumstances surrounding the trip, or if the mountains in Alberta really were a little bigger, the lakes a little bluer, and the sky a little brighter. All I knew is that I had been trying to get back ever since I left.

This trip was bound to be a lot different than the first trip. Quin was no longer a stranger, we would have an entire week to explore, and we were tasked with photographing some less known areas during the off-season. In short, I had no idea what to expect. And I was surprisingly nervous.

The first couple days didn’t exactly go according to plan. The weather was grey, roads were closed, boats weren't running, and light was in short supply. But it didn't matter. There are some places where the earth speaks so loudly that you can't hear yourself think. In other places nature speaks so softly that its whispers still float through the air long after you're gone. And sometimes, somehow, it manages to do both. Alberta is one of those places.

We packed every minute of that week chasing light and iconic views. But it only took about a day for me to realize that the magic of my first trip wasn't due to sleep deprivation, the euphoria of meeting new people, or the adrenaline rush of polar plunges. Alberta really was special. From the most popular views in Banff, to the smallest mountain town in Crowsnest Pass, the experience will leave its mark on you, and before you even leave it will be calling you back.