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Based in Banff, AB, Meghan J. Ward is an editor, writer, digital content specialist and the co-founder at Crowfoot Media/Canadian Rockies Annual.
We planned for 8km on Day 1, an optional day trip on Day 2 and a 5km exit on Day 3. We ended up doing more like 10km on the first day, another 7km round-trip on the second and then the exit as planned on the third – a whopping 24 km for the five-year-old, who hiked like a champ. People have asked me about how we managed the baby’s needs while hiking (see also “Baby Carrier” and “Nursing”). The hiking portions of the day landed into a bit of a rhythm: big feed, hike through naps/as long as she’d allow me to, play time on my jacket on the ground until the mosquitoes found us, feed (while swatting mosquitoes), and back into hiking again.
It turns out it was the perfect family trip, and here’s why: you’ve got dinosaurs at every turn (what kid wouldn’t be stoked on that? ), a world-class museum that everyone enjoyed, kid-friendly attractions, short driving times, just enough variety, good food, an outdoor splash pad, a great B&B, and at least one decent coffee shop for the adults (thanks Café Olé, this was essential when you’re travelling on the somewhat sleep-deprived side). Drive to Drumheller; walk up inside the World’s Largest Dinosaur; dinner at Vietnamese Noodle House (202 2 St W, Drumheller); stay at MacDougall Lane Bed & Breakfast. : Breakfast; morning at the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology; hike through the Badlands Interpretive Trail; lunch at Bernie & the Boys Bistro; fun times on the Rotary Spray Park near the World’s Largest Dinosaur; downtime at the B&B; dinner at Sublime Food & Wine (109 Centre Street, Drumheller); stay at MacDougall Lane Bed & Breakfast. We weren’t disappointed by the other restaurants we ended up at, including the Vietnamese Noodle House (you can’t go wrong with pho), and Bernie & the Boys Bistro, a burger joint with fun vibes you can tell the locals love.
When you’re travelling while you’re pregnant you’ll no doubt feel some discomfort, but here are my best tips for your trip so that you can have some peace of mind and enjoy yourself. Many do not cover the baby, only the mother, so you’re still facing a risk if the baby requires additional care (and if you’re travelling before 36 weeks, it’s likely the baby will need some extra TLC). This is key in any trimester where you’re facing an increase in swelling in your legs, feet and ankles (especially in the third trimester). While you’re travelling that might mean stretching and putting your feet up while you wait at your gate or placing your feet on your partner’s lap during the flight.
It’s inevitable that your child will go straight for the water, no matter how deep, and as a parent, I love that! But, when it’s at daycare or when we’re on our way to town and it’s not ideal for her to be absolutely soaked, I secretly hope she doesn’t notice the large pools gathering at the side of the road… The KIDORCA Kids’ Rain Boots ($60 CAD) are every kid and parent’s dream come true, with waterproof/breathable gaiters that cinch and come over the knee, a polar fleece lining that can take you through a number of seasons, and a non-slip sole (among many other features). Occasionally, I have felt inside my daughter’s KidORCA boots after extended time outside and they are a touch damp.