Chasing Views: Exploring Glacier National Park and Banff - Tips, Trails, and Tasty Stops

In this episode of The Bold Route Podcast, we sit down with Rachel, an avid traveler and nurse from Kentucky, to talk about her breathtaking journey through two of North America's most iconic destinations: Glacier National Park in Montana and Banff, Canada. Rachel shares her travel experiences, the trails that took her breath away, and her favorite food stops—making this a must-listen for anyone planning their own adventure to these stunning wilderness areas.

Rachel’s journey takes us through awe-inspiring views, challenging hikes, and cozy eateries that fuel the soul (and taste buds). She reveals not only the natural wonders but also some insider tips that make navigating these parks easier and more memorable. Whether you’re dreaming of seeing Grinnell Glacier or exploring Lake Louise in Banff, this episode has everything you need to plan an unforgettable trip!

Topics Covered in This Episode:

• Exploring Glacier and Banff's Highlights: Dive into the trails that left the biggest impressions on Rachel, from the incredible Grinnell Glacier in Glacier National Park to the jaw-dropping Lake Agnes Trail in Banff.
• Must-See Stops and Hidden Gems: Discover Rachel’s recommended viewpoints, off-the-beaten-path treasures, and lesser-known spots that add extra magic to these already spectacular parks.
• Foodie Finds Along the Way: From huckleberry pie in Whitefish, Montana, to cozy mountain cafés in Banff, Rachel shares her top places to eat that every traveler should try.
• Travel Tips for Glacier and Banff: Get Rachel’s insights on navigating park passes, packing essentials, and planning ahead to make the most out of your trip.
• Surprising and Inspiring Moments: Hear about the unexpected moments that left a lasting impact on Rachel, including a memorable bike ride and pushing her limits on a glacier hike.

Whether you’re planning a trip to these parks or just daydreaming about mountain views and alpine lakes, this episode is packed with practical tips and inspiration for your own Bold Route.

Tune in, get inspired, and be ready to add Glacier and Banff to your bucket list! 🏔️

Rachel also shared these Links to other Resources with me after the interview:

-Lake Agnes Tea House

Two Apps she said were helpful on her trip:

-All Trails: Hike, Bike and Run

-Recreation.gov

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Transcript

Interview with Rachel McKenney

Brooke: Welcome to the Bold Route Podcast, where we empower your journey to live life to the fullest. I'm Brooke, a former public school teacher turned mompreneur, here to inspire you to chase your dreams, embrace new adventures, and challenge the status quo. Join me as we explore entrepreneurship, travel, and the pursuit of passions, all while lifting each other up along the way.

Let's take the bold route together. Today on the bold route podcast, we're taking you through epic landscapes and unforgettable adventures as we dive into Glacier National Park in Banff, Canada. Get ready for top travel tips, hidden trails, and a taste of some local must try spots. Hi Rachel, how are you today?

Good, how are you? I am good. So I like to start out every episode with how my path has crossed with the person that I'm interviewing. Some people I've never met before, but this interview is going to be different because this is actually one of my childhood friends. Um, I, Went to school with Rachel, and [00:47:00] we have been friends for many years, and I know that she has had some interesting, uh, adventures lately, and I want to get into that in a little bit.

But first, Rachel, just tell us a little bit about yourself and some of the things that you are passionate about. I am a 38 year old, uh, nurse working in Lexington, Kentucky. Um, I am a Christian. I love the Lord. Passionate about loving and serving him and, um, loving and serving my family and my friends. Um, I love reading good books.

I like going on trips. Um, and I just like being around my people. Okay, so we're going to focus our interview today mostly on your trip to Glacier National Park and Banff, Canada. But I know that you've had a chance to travel to some other amazing places. So tell us a little bit about some of those places that you visited [00:48:00] and what you have loved most about your travel experiences.

Yeah, I've actually had an opportunity to go to some really cool places. Um, I didn't grow up, um, taking vacations as families, uh, as a family, uh, much. My dad was a farmer, so he worked during the summers when we were off school, and neither him or my mom were really, um, big into traveling, so, um. I kind of got the travel bug once I started traveling and got the opportunity, um, to travel to different places.

Um, I think seeing the world is very interesting. So, um, my 1st trip out of the country was to the Dominican Republic. And when I was in nursing school, I did a medical mission trip there. And that was very interesting. Just seeing, um. The poverty and like the level of poverty and other countries, um, just kind of with no government or governmental structure that could like, help them and it was a medical mission [00:49:00] trip.

So we went out into, um, the villages and everything. So, um, that was really eye opening, but it was also a very beautiful country. We went to the beach 1 day and just crystal clear blue waters. It was very eye opening, but then also beautiful at the same time. Um, my also I've also gone to Costa Rica. Um, and that was an amazing trip.

We got to see, we walked through a rain forest. Um, we went to Nicaragua and saw like an active volcano, like lava and everything, and it was a beautiful trip, um, as well. Um, those beaches down. Um, in that area are just amazing. Um, and then the biggest trip, um, overseas. I've also been to Austria, um, which was beautiful.

It actually kind of reminded me of Kentucky with like rolling hills [00:50:00] and it was fall. So the leaves were turning. Um, but it was beautiful. I did not know that. Yeah, we went, I went, um, church south and Christian church actually, and we, um, served like a Christian ministry for like a week or two, just kind of like making meals and cleaning and all the things, but, like, we got to kind of walk around the area and then we got to travel, um, to a couple of the cities and.

I mean, the architecture, I mean, I think Europe is amazing. It's just, um, more pedestrian friendly. It's more, um, like fresh foods and, you know, all the things and, um, it's just interesting to see different cultures. Biggest trip was to Israel, Greece, and Italy, and that was a life altering, uh, trip for me in a lot of ways.

Um, [00:51:00] just like, it was a biblical tour, so just like seeing like where Jesus was and being like in the same place as him and Paul and Peter and the disciples and all that. Um. It was kind of a blur because I was, like, trying really hard to, like, soak it all in, but I was trying to, like, write it all down. And I think if I went again, I would just, like, be present and, like, just, like, soak it all in.

But, um, yeah, it's interesting again, just, like, different cultures, you know, I remember, like, in Rome, um. We were like using a public restroom and like people like don't pay attention to lines like they'll just go right in front and they'll kind of skip line and you know us Americans are very much like appalled by just like, wait, where's the structure like we've got rules to follow here people and like, I would say and you lean heavily on that following the rules.

Oh my gosh, yes. Like, I was, like, appalled. I was like, there are rules to follow, you [00:52:00] need to get in the back of the line. And then, like, when you walked in, like, people, like, didn't cut the doors to, like, the bathroom stalls. I was like, oh my god, like, yeah. This is so different. So, like, in every trip, I'm always, like, happy to be back home because like, it's like, I know what to expect.

Like, I know what to expect from people. People know, you know, the overall like cultural rules here, like going other places. I'm just like, it's, it's, it was so great. And it's such a great experience. Every place I've been, you know, a different culture, different languages, different architecture. I mean, like going to Rome.

And seeing like the Coliseum and like stuff that the Sistine Chapel like all the things that like you've seen in Movies or on the internet or whatever and then like you see them in person and you're like awestruck, you know It's like so cool. Um But that trip was Fantastic as well. So those are the ones that kind of stick out for me for [00:53:00] sure Okay, I'll schedule you back for each of these trips.

We'll talk, I don't know that I'm going to remember a lot of details about them, but yeah, we can for sure. The Israel, Greece, Italy. Yeah. I mean, yeah, it was it was a great trip. So, okay. Well, I want to talk focus. Most of our interview today on your Glacier National Park in Canada. This was the most recent trip.

Correct? Yes. Okay. So I know, um, that I've heard a little bit about this, but can you tell our audience what initially drew you to visit, visit Glacier and that area and how did this trip come together for you? Yeah. So I think that I've been wanting to go and see the beautiful places in this country.

Cause like I said, I've had the opportunity to see multiple other countries. Um, and I have been. To like the southeast here a lot. You know, I've been to the beaches down here. [00:54:00] Um, I did take a trip to New York. I've been to LA a couple of times, but like to see like the national parks, I was like, there's beauty here to be seen too.

Um, and so I think recently in the last several years, I've actually twice planned a trip out to Yosemite and just never followed through with it. So this time some of my friends here in Lexington, some of my dear, dear friends. Um, took the, their whole family out west for 30 days in an RV, five kids. I need her number.

I need to call her. Yeah. Yeah. You need to, yeah. We'll need to set up an interview with Carla Barlow cause they've, yeah. Um, I've got multiple friends, like the Ostranders are also another family friends of ours or friends of ours. That's another family. Inspired I think all of us because they have been slowly going out west and doing I mean they hiked the Grand Canyon like toenails falling off hiked the Grand Canyon [00:55:00] like all the way down and all the way back up.

Um, and they said Glacier and Yosemite were their top 2 places that they've ever seen top 2, like, favorite places that they've been to. So the Barlows were going out took a 30 day trip out and they hit like, All of the parts, um, Zion and Grand Canyon and Yosemite and they hit Rainier, but right before they went to Glacier.

So I was like, well, I'll just fly out. I was not going to do a 30 day trip in an RV with 7 other people, but like, I'll fly out. I'll pick a spot and fly out. And, um, a couple of my friends. Also wanted to go and Glacier was a place that they hadn't been to and one of their like Banff and Glacier was like her bucket list top bucket list trip.

So that's what we just decided. We're like, well, we'll just do Glacier. And then they drove back down to Yosemite and to Yellowstone after [00:56:00] Glacier. And then we drove up to Banff. So, okay, so I know that this area is known for breathtaking views and trails. What were some of the must see spots or hikes that really stood out to you?

Or were there any specific viewpoints or hidden gems that you would recommend for someone who is interested in planning a trip? Yeah, there were, um, you know, we were out there. The total trip was about eight days, even with travel days. So we kind of hit probably the most popular spots, but they're popular for a reason for sure.

And I would highly recommend going and hitting them again. If I went out there again, which I wouldn't do in a heartbeat. Um, these are like the trails that I really liked. Um, one of them was Grinnell Glacier that was in. Glacier National Park. Grinnell Glacier Trail was amazing. Like, [00:57:00] normally when you hike, or my experiences with hiking, have been like you go through the woods and then you have some pretty lookouts that you kind of like stop and look out.

This trail was amazing. It was 10 miles, so it was a long trip. It was our longest trail that we did. So it's a good hike. Um, it wasn't super hard until like the very last bit, um, going up. And like at the end, it ends like you see a glacier. So going up to the glacier was difficult because it was switchbacks like pretty, um, you know, like straight up kind of like the last like half of a mile or so.

And at that point, you've already hiked. So, you're pretty exhausted. Um, but, The view, so this trail, instead of like, oh, the woods, and then there's pretty lookouts, like this trail just kind of followed the like, outskirts, um, of the, like, [00:58:00] mountainside, and so the entire time you have views of these turquoise lakes, and like, the green of the mountains, and like, so like the whole time, it's like breathtaking views, like you could just look up the whole time and just watch I am not coordinated enough.

I had to look down, so I wouldn't trip, but, um, yeah, it's like, I'm going to look down because I'm going to trip and fall over this cliff. If I don't, but, like, at one point in time, you, like, walk under this, like, little waterfall. And, I mean, it was just the entire time. The view was amazing because you just, like, we're on that outer edge of, like, this.

You know, cliff, but it wasn't like, super scary or anything either even going up in higher elevations. Like, the trail was wide enough and it was easy enough. You know, it was a trail. It's not like you're hiking through dense woods or anything like that. So, um, the glacier was cool to see up at the top, even if you didn't make it all the way up [00:59:00] to the glacier, like, just hiking up a little bit of the ways.

And I saw people just kind of like take a picnic and like go off on one of the trails on like near one of the cliffs or whatever and just kind of like enjoy the view. Um, but that was my top thing that we did like that trail. I mean, it was one of those things where like you see pictures of things like this and you think that they've been photo, like they've been edited and they have not like, and photos don't even do it justice.

Like it was the most beautiful place that I've ever seen. That was, Okay, share that with me again afterward, and I'll put it in the show notes for people that are kind of planning out a trip so they can do a little research on that. Also. Okay. So, all right. You know, my favorite thing is food. So, when it comes to food, were there any specific places to eat in either in the park?

Is there any place around the park or anything that you would recommend to future visitors? So Fish [01:00:00] Montana, which is outside of the park, um, a little bit outside of the park. So, um, depending on where you're going in the park, it is a little bit of a drive. I think to get to the Grinnell Glacier, um, part, we, um, drove maybe a couple of hours at least, uh, one morning to get there.

Um, but we ate at a place, um, called Tupelo Grill. So good. Whitefish is like such a cute little town, and it's, um, it's a really big skiing town, um, during the winter time. That's how we knew about it, is my friends, the Barlows, like, go up skiing, like, in the winter time there. Um, but it doesn't have, like, any, like, it's all local restaurants.

It doesn't have any, like, Even McDonald's or, you know, Chick fil A or anything like that. Like it's all local. So Tupelo grill was phenomenal. We ate there one night and then we met up with the Barlow's, my [01:01:00] friends, and had a, um, there's a good Italian place called Abruzzo. So we had a good Italian, um, meal one night as well.

And then we had breakfast and whitefish, um, at a place called Lulu's Cafe and the huckleberries are really big up there. Um, and so we had some huckleberry pie. Um, they're known for like their pies and stuff. So we, it was breakfast, but we still had, we shared a huckleberry pie just to say we did it. But the huckleberries are, they look a little bit like blueberries, they're a little bit smaller, but they're really good.

So that was kind of cool. And then, we haven't talked much about Banff yet, but there's a trail in Banff that leads up to a little quaint, rustic tea house. And, That is a must. I would put that on, like, one of the top things to do if you're in Banff is to hike up to that tea house. It was a very unique experience, um, because they make [01:02:00] everything from scratch.

They have to helicopter in, like, their big supplies a few times a year. And then, otherwise, they're hiking the supplies up themselves. And then people actually, at least, During the summer time in their busy season like sleep there and like stay there like the staff like sleeps there But it's like wood fire grills and they're like making all the breads themselves and all the things So it was a very cool experience Cuz I'm very British, you know, it's like you're in Canada and You hike up which actually was a pretty Um, big elevation change in a small amount of time.

So it wasn't like an easy trail going up there and we were exhausted at that point anyway. But, um, it was like, such a, yeah, it was such a cool experience. So cool. Did you get elevation sickness at all? Anytime? No, I don't think I don't exactly know. So I know the elevation [01:03:00] changes on like the hikes that we did.

Um, weren't like, I think Grinnell Glacier was a couple of 1000 feet elevation change in like 10 miles, but I think the total like, I don't think that it's Glacier isn't like the Rockies. The Rockies are like, yeah, very high elevation. So you've got it, you know, the eights and the tens and like, whatever 10, 000s.

And things that was not glacier. So we did not my roommate had trouble. Um, in Banff. I think Banff's a little bit higher elevation. Um, but it wasn't sickness. Like, it was just and I think again, I think exhaustion at that point just kind of kind of weighed in on her a little bit, but, um, she didn't necessarily get sick.

She just had like. Some she just didn't feel good when we were hiking up to the tea house at one point in time, but I didn't have any problems and I haven't really hiked much or had any experience with elevation. Um, high elevation changes or anything like that. So I did fine. [01:04:00] Okay, what was 1 thing that you didn't expect about glacier?

Um, whether it was a place of you or an experience, what was something that surprised you or inspired you? Yeah. Um, yeah, I don't know. So, I thought, well, this is a hiking trip, and so there really shouldn't be much planning involved, because this place is millions of acres, right? Like, all of middle America can fit into Glacier, you know?

Like, I just like So, but what I didn't realize is, like, because They have such a short, like, warm season. Um, so many millions of people go there, like, all at once. Like, June through August, they have, like, millions and millions of people because past August, they could snow and they've got the trails closed and all the things.

So, um, Um, you actually have [01:05:00] to plan quite a bit, like not only do you need to get a pass into the park, which isn't hard to get that that's not the hard thing to get, but then you have to have passes to be like on the roads on the more popular roads at like certain times. And so those actually open up like four months in advance, which we didn't know.

So, like, we knew to book, like, our rental car. We knew to book our plane tickets. We knew to book our lodging pretty early. And so we did that. We all met together and did that. And then, We sat down with one of our friends who had gone, who I mentioned before, the Ostranders, and Grant, we call him Trip Dad because he can plan a trip like no other.

So we were talking to him, and he was like, oh no, you have to get these passes, and we were like, wait, what? We had to plan this exactly like what roads we're going to be on. Four months in advance, like I'm a planner, but like, that's a lot like, that's so crazy to me. So that was a [01:06:00] big thing. Now you, they do a lot of last minute tickets.

So we ended up being fine, but you have to know when to get on. It's either like 24 or 48 hours. I feel like Grace Glacier was 24 hours before you can get on these certain sites and get tickets for shuttles or get tickets to like be on the road. Um, and then I think Banff was 48 hours before, like, to get, like, shuttles and stuff to places, so you just kind of have to, like, research it a little bit and then know, um, even if you don't do it four months in advance, there are last minute tickets.

You just have to know when to get on and, um, get them. So it was just a lot more planning, like, planning trails and when you're going to be on roads and things like that than I thought it was going to be. Okay, yeah, I would definitely not have known that. Um, that's kind of a travel tip right there, but do you have any other travel tips that you would recommend for people going to this area, other than just planning ahead on that?

Yeah, I mean, you [01:07:00] know, just plan early, but then also, like, as far as packing and stuff, you know, I, this is my first kind of adventurous trip in like, You know, not like laying on the beach or doing like a mission trip or like, it's kind of, you know, even like Israel, Greece, Italy was like pre planned for me.

I just had to like, pay the money and like, yeah, I knew like, we were told when to get on the tour buses and we were told when to get up in the mornings and we were told when the plane tickets, you know, so, um, but this was like my first, like, hiking, like, active for doing, you know, Active things all the time type trip.

Um, so just like packing layer packing, um, layers and wearing layers. Um, obviously, good hiking boots is important if you're going to be hiking too. Um, but it was, um, Perfect weather for hiking, but it was in the 40s and 50s when we started and because we started pretty early. That's another probably tip is [01:08:00] the parking lots around the area.

So it's pretty off grid. Like, the parking lots are not big. It's not well developed. Right? I mean, you're going into a national park. That's. Millions of acres that they've tried to preserve. Right. And like, kept wild. So, um, we got up really early to get to the parking lots because they fill up at 7 30. Um, so you kind of have to start out early where pack layers and then, um.

I packed way too much water. Actually, that's another thing to kind of figure out. I think everybody's different. Like, how much water you're going to need for like a 10 mile hike and my 1 of my friends was like, we need to pack for like a leader an hour. And I was like, well, I cannot pack gallons of water.

So, having said that. Um, I'm also weird and have a fear of like, running out of water, like dehydration is like, my [01:09:00] biggest fear for some reason, like, you know, this, like, I've had everywhere I go. So I packed, like, way too much water. So that also was like, hard, like, carrying all this water up. So just like stuff like that, that you kind of have to figure out there's probably people who listen to this who hike more than I do.

But, um, yeah, just stuff like that. Um, just making sure what you. Like being diligent about what you pack, making sure it's like lightweight stuff, and then just not probably over packing all the things. And obviously packing snacks, I didn't even think about that. But I'm glad I went with two other people who had kind of done things like this before, but we packed like peanut butter sandwiches and just like chips and stuff.

Like I was asking the Ostranders when I met with them, like, what do we pack for this? As far as food goes and he's like salt salty things because if you're sweating Like your body needs salt and he's like and that's what you're gonna crave So we packed like salt and vinegar chips, you know, like salty things And [01:10:00] we packed ours protein bars and things like that, too And I'm diabetic so I was kind of like why can't just like Eat sugar the entire time, you know, and carbs entire time, but you're burning so many calories, you know, hiking all that way and all the things.

So, yeah, pack salty things apparently is the thing that I learned too. So interesting. Yeah. Okay. Can you share the most memorable part of your trip? What stood out to you and why? And then I know that we have already talked about this. I know it wasn't exactly a good memory, but I would like for you to share that, that whole experience that.

Of that trip. Yeah. Okay. Well, so obviously, we are talking about Grinnell Glacier. That trail was memorable, um, probably my favorite part. The Tea House in Banff, as I've already talked about, um, and Lake Louise in Banff is a really popular spot. Um, gorgeous, gorgeous lake. Um, [01:11:00] Again, like, turquoise water, clear blue, like, you've never seen this type of beauty before, um, going to the sun road is a road that kind of snakes around, um, a cliff.

And so the views the entire time there, that's a really popular spot. The views the entire time there. are amazing and then it goes up to the slogans pass that is also breathtaking and you can hike a little trail there to this hidden lake place and it just overlooks this beautiful i mean it's just literally like beautiful lake and mountains after beautiful lake and mountains and like the wildflowers were everywhere it was just beautiful so those are definitely memorable Good memorable places for me.

So, the, uh, most, I don't know. I still have a little bit of PTSD from the bike trip that we decided to take. So, Brooke knows this, like, I am not a bike person, [01:12:00] okay? We have stories. I want to tell this. We were in high school and we have a friend half as far as Milford, like seven miles, okay? And it's downhill.

Like we were on the good part of it. That was like almost all downhill. And we decided that we were going to ride our bikes to my friend's house, and we made it what? Three quarters. And Rachel's like, I can't do this any longer. I'm like, well, what are we going to do now? And she's like, I will call my dad.

So we pulled off into this house. We found a house with someone we knew and we pulled off there and we called her dad. He brought his truck and we loaded up our bikes and went back home. So whenever you tell this, I was just thinking about that trip. I love to hear about your. Bike ride as an adult and now that you have proof that I'm not a bike person from birth apparently So my roommate was [01:13:00] like the other two girls I went with like biking and they're like Well, this is this legacy trail and it's paved and I mean we have a legacy trail here in Lexington Which I've actually never been on, but I was just like, oh, it's just this paved trail.

It'll be great. You know, and, um, there's a couple people that she knew from our church, um, that had been to Banff. And so they suggested this bike trail and it. Um, from Canmore, which is just a city outside of Banff, which is where we stayed. We got an Airbnb in Canmore, and then, um, it goes from Canmore to Banff and back.

So it's 16 miles one way. I did not know what that meant on a bike. Um, but it's a long way and . So we also knew that we needed to do Canmore damp first because. Ew, it's more uphill. That, [01:14:00] that's The context that I had, I did not know it was going to be uphill the entire 16 miles to Banff, and I mean like, all, like, there is no downhill at all, like, ever, like, when you're going, and so, um, and then like, you also, and it's like pretty far away, but there's electric fences that are up.

keeping the wildlife off of the roads. So that was slightly terrifying to me because I'm like, I'm totally gonna wreck into these electric fences. I don't know, like, I just, you know, like the last time I've been on a bike prior to that, I wrecked into a barbed wire fence. Like, I don't, you know, like, it's just like, I don't know, this is gonna happen.

So I'm like, tense the whole time. And we're going and we start out and the lady at the bike shop was like, you, if I were you, I would get an electric bike. And the other two girls were like, no, I think we'll be fine. And I was like, okay, we'll be fine. Like, sure. [01:15:00] And so I did, you know, that's another lesson from this.

If the lady at the bike shop says, get electric bike, get an electric bike. Lesson number one. Okay. So we go and it takes me forever. I mean, like it is, I'm thinking there are some hills that I literally think my quads are ripping into, like I am literally. And so. At one point in time, one of the girls was like, well, you can turn around.

And I'm like, no, I'm not turning around. Like, this is silly. Like, it's just going to take me a while, but I'm going to do it. But I would tell you it, I was miserable the whole time and I'm not happy about any of it.

And I have some pictures to prove it. Pictures with facial expressions to prove how unhappy I was the entire time. But it was miserable. So we get to Banff and you can actually start writing once you actually get into this town. [01:16:00] proper, the Banff, like, city, proper, um, you go on the roads, like, with the traffic, you start riding, and I was like, no, no, no, like, I do not trust myself enough to be around cars on this bike, okay?

So I get off, and like, we pick a restaurant to go to, and it's like a 20 minute walk, but I'm like, I don't care, y'all go on your bikes, I'll meet you there, like, give us a table, but I'm walking this bike, so I walk the bike on the sidewalk, The entire two, I can't cross band to the, to the restaurant. And we sit down and I'm like, give me all the calories ever, because I am so white to this point.

And. Then it comes time, you know, so we eat, we get a little bit of rest. We kind of walk around Banff a little bit, uh, which is actually a really cute little city. Um, and then it's time to get back on because we're like, well, the bike shop closes at five and we might not make it if it took us this long to get there.

And I was like, well, I don't [01:17:00] know. Like they can come and find their bike. I don't know. Like, I don't know. Luckily in the trip, Back to Banff or back to Canmore from Banff was way easier, right? It's downhill. You're hardly pedaling, you know, besides the fact that I was so sore from being on the bike and, but it was like, such, it was a way more pleasant trip on the way down.

So, what makes this like, oh, and at one point time when we're, um, in Banff, they were like, well, maybe we think that maybe you should get an Uber. Like, maybe you should just get an Uber on the way back, and like, you can just put the bike in the back, and like, and I was like, no, I am, I'm doing this, like, I'm doing this, like, I'm gonna be miserable about this the entire time.

I'm gonna be miserable, I'm gonna let you know that I'm miserable the whole time, but I'm doing it. Okay, and so, But anyway, [01:18:00] luckily, like I said, the trip back was like, so much easier, and I was in such a hurry, I was like, yes, finally, I did this, you know, whatever. So then what makes this story even worse, or more funny to everyone else, um, is that, so the next morning, we are on a shuttle to go up to Lake Louise.

And there's, we're sitting there talking about the bike ride and they're like, laughing at me, you know, whatever. And I was like, well, yeah, whatever. And then they're like, well, at one point in time, I forget which one said that, but one of them was like, well, at one point in time, I looked over and like, you were in the 7th gear of your bike.

Like, did you change that ever? And I was like, I don't know. Like, no, I've never changed it. I don't know anything about gears on bikes. I've never had to change gears on bikes. So, I literally rode 16 or 32 miles in the 7th gear, which is maybe not as big a deal on the way down, but on the way up, like, that's what my quads [01:19:00] were ripping into.

Like, because I was in seventh gear the whole time and I was like, well, why don't you like, if I say like, I know nothing about bikes, I know nothing about bikes. Like, I'm not joking. That is not a joke. Like, please the next time, tell me if I'm in seventh gear.

And I kid you not, the Olympics were going on when we were, and they had cycling on and I was like, turn it off. See a bike ever again, and I haven't yet to get on a bike. My friends have a stationary bike I used to work out on. No. Oh, thank you for sharing that. You may have just saved someone who is like you and Does not want to do that.

Maybe they will get an e bike and do that trip. So you may have just saved someone. I love it. All right. We are going to take a quick break to do a commercial. And, um, when we get back, I'm going to do some spitfire questions for you. Uh, just traveling and travel experiences. And [01:20:00] I know I gave you some to think about, but I have one that I did not give you time to plan about too.

So I'm excited about that. I know you are so excited. So excited about me throwing a question like that at you. So we will be right back for, uh, some, our questions.

At Bold Route, we're all about equipping travelers with tools that make trips easier and more enjoyable, but don't just take my word for it. Each week, I'm excited to bring on one of our customers to share how our products have made a difference in their travels. Hi, I'm Will Thurmond and I bought my Bold Route steering wheel tray over a year ago.

I use it all the time. I work in the construction industry. I spend a lot of time on job sites in my truck. Uh, the steering wheel tray allows me to stay connected with both my iPad and my laptop to check emails and send and receive field reports. Um, it also makes having lunch on the job site much easier regardless of What the weather is outside.

[01:21:00] Uh, I can also carry my laptop into buildings and, uh, set up this tray table, uh, for convenient workstation. It's stories like these that remind us why we do what we do. If you're ready to upgrade your travel gear, head over to theboldroute. com. You can also check out the show notes for an easy link to explore our full line of organizers and accessories.

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Okay, we are back and we're going to do some spitfire questions for Rachel about traveling. So are you ready, Rachel? Are you ready for my question that I'm going to throw at you that you didn't have time to plan for? I did this just for you. Okay, so first of all, when traveling, what's the best meal that you've ever had and where was it?

So this is for like In general, you have been out and all these places that you've visited best meal that you've ever had. I love that. I know [01:22:00] but it's so hard for me. I have actually had the opportunity to eat at really good places. Okay, so This question is very difficult, but I will say there's a couple that stood out.

Um in charleston downtown charleston, south carolina, which is one of my favorite cities in the united states, um There's a restaurant called Slightly North of Broad and they call it Snob for short. Um, yeah, it's so cute, but it was a great Um, really good eating experience. I remember it to this day and then Ocean Room in Kiowa, which is also out of Charleston was a very bougie experience for me.

Like, they even brought a little stool to put my purse on. Oh, wow. And then if you ever go to Costa Rica, you have to get some milkshakes there because for whatever reason, their ice cream is like the best ever. Very interesting. Love it. Okay. Most unforgettable travel experience that you've had to date.[01:23:00] 

Definitely Israel, Greece, Italy. That trip was, yeah. And then what's one thing that you have learned through travel that has changed the way that you live your everyday life? Yeah, I think every trip has Uh, been a little bit different in that regard. Um, just the things that, like, I've learned, I think just getting out and, like, seeing other people, other cultures, even people in other states, um, doing different experiences.

Um, like all of my, you know, my trip to Dominican was very eye opening and just like the poverty and like the, You know, like places without running water, things like that, and just the medical, you know, the lack of medical care in different places like that has been, um, just really, yeah, like I said, just eye opening as far as like how other places have been just experiencing different cultures, like I was talking about earlier, has been interesting.

The [01:24:00] history in Europe is crazy. I think you could dig anywhere in Israel and find something of, David, you know, King David's or whatever. Um, but just the history that we don't have here. Um, and Europe was um, also great, but also just like with this glacier trip and other places that i've been like god's creation is incredible like seeing the things that the lord has created just draws me closer to him and um You I just think like in nature, that's when I feel the closest I feel like to the Lord, when like, it's not man made things.

It's definitely things that he's made and just, they don't even compare to the things that man have man has made. Um, it just reminds me how big God is and how small I am and just, um, yeah, draws me a little bit closer to him. So I love that. I love that answer. Okay. Here's my [01:25:00] question. All right. We're leaving tomorrow.

We're not, I'm not going to tell you where we're going. We're going on an adventure. What three things would you pack? Like you can only pack three things or what would the three things that you would have to have in your bag be? So, three things, not three suitcases full of things. Wait, what? Three things.

I'm not, just, I'm telling you, we're going on an adventure. Pack your bag, pick three things, go. I am trying, uh, I need my phone. Okay. I need some water. I knew you were going to say water. And I need a jacket. Okay, because you don't like to be cold. We don't. Right. Yeah. You never know. We may be going to somewhere near the equator.

You might not need it, but you're going to have it. Well, I [01:26:00] will use it as a blanket for my bottom on the sand. I don't know. That's what I use. I love it. Okay. Thank you very much for that. And all right. Our bold route mission is all about empowering people to take bold steps in their journey, whether through adventure, chasing dreams, or breaking out of their comfort zones.

What would you say has been the boldest thing that you have ever done either on this trip or just in life in general? Yeah, I, Brooke, obviously, you know this, but like, I am not a bold person. I am a, um, calculated planner. Preparer, cautious personality. Um, but I will say like looking back, I have done some things that were out of my comfort zone and they were very rewarding.

Um, and sometimes life changing, but I think the biggest, the most bold thing that I can think. Of right [01:27:00] now just off the top of my head kind of is, um, that Israel trip, the Israel Greece Italy trip, I took not knowing anyone. I was in Bracken County at the time. It was a, it was a church in Lexington that I was not going to.

I kind, I obviously knew of the church and when I lived in Lexington, I had gone there a few times. Um, And I kind of knew the pastor a little bit. Like, I don't think that he would have known me, you know, but like, I didn't know anyone going on that trip and I saw it online and it was like, my 30th birthday was coming up and I was like, I'm going to do this and I did it.

And it literally changed kind of. The trajectory of my life because it's the reason that I'm in Lexington right now. Um, and have stayed in Lexington. You know, just the people that I've met on that trip have been kinda lifelong friends now. So yeah, that was a bold [01:28:00] thing for me to do. . Definitely. Well, thank you for saying that.

I would, I know that you are cautious. I know that you are well planned, but I would, I would also say that you are bold and, um, I appreciate you sharing that. So thank you very much. And then, um, okay, what's next for you? Any trips that you already have planned and then any bucket list trips that maybe you don't really have planned out, but like you're dreaming about?

Yeah, I don't have any big trips planned, um, right now. I do have. Several places that I would love to go like I would love to see more of the national parks. Um, I, like I said, I think I said this earlier, like, have planned a couple of times to go out to Yosemite and then kind of drive up the California coast and see like the Redwoods.

And, um, then the Barlows, when they took their 30 day trip out West, they said like Mount Rainier in Washington was like one of their favorite spots. So just like the [01:29:00] Northeast, I think would be great to see. Um, and I would love, I haven't gone to Hawaii yet. And I think that would be beautiful because you've got so much beauty there and so much different things to see there.

So you can do like adventure, you can do relaxing beach, you can do a bunch of different things. And so I would love to see that. And then As far as, like, outside of the country, I would love to see Switzerland. I would really love to see, like, the Alps and all the things. I've heard it's just so beautiful and I've had people, friends who have gone to Europe and they just say it's so beautiful there, so that would be a place I would want to go.

Well, okay, we are, for our viewers, I'm going to tell our, you've already said your age though, but we are going to be 40 soon. And yeah, on our 30th birthdays, a bunch of us that graduated high school together, we were all together on each of our 30th birthdays, and we kind of just did a little Little things for our 30th, but we were all together and we decided that um [01:30:00] for our 40th We're going to pick one date to celebrate everyone's birthday and we're going to go somewhere.

So if you all have any Comments for us some good ideas of places that we could go for a trip, um a group of girls all different interests something that would be Uh good for all of us. Let us know in the comments. Uh what you your suggestions are for that And rachel I have known you Almost all my life and I have learned more about you today.

So I am glad for that and I'm thankful for our friendship and thank you so much for sharing your bold route and your story with us today. Thank you friend. I love you. I love you too. We'll talk to you all soon. Have a good rest of your day.

for listening to Mommy's Podcast. Thank you for listening. I hope today's episode inspired and encouraged you on your own bold journey. And if you're gearing up for your next adventure, [01:31:00] don't forget to visit our shop. Head over to theboldroute.com for innovative solutions that enhance your travel experience.

We believe that every trip is an opportunity for bold exploration, encouraging you to embrace new experiences and create lasting memories along the way. Until next time, keep living boldly and chasing those dreams. Have a good day!