People flock to the Rockies from all over the world, drawn by our mountains, rivers, wildlife and fresh air: the same perks that attracted us mountain-dwellers here in the first place. Yet, no matter how rewarding it may be to live here, when the tourists start skipping gleefully to the ski-hills and hiking trails, sometimes we locals need a vacation from our vacation destination! (Seriously, how lucky are we?) As Chandra points out, many locals head the Mexico way, a favourite among Canmorites for its relatively short and inexpensive flight and friendly “Bow Valley-esque” atmosphere. – Highline
Just as no self-respecting Canmore Collegiate grad would abstain from taking a year off to travel in Southeast Asia (OK, so I did, but when I found out they were serving jam on pasta for dinner at the World Juniors for skiing in Poland, how could I resist?), it seems that in many Canmore circles, visiting Sayulita, Mexico, has become a real trend. It’s like a little Canmore commune down there, so many of us in the same place for a dose of sun, surf and sand. It’s not as blatantly mandatory as that, but then again, sometimes what you may think you want to do for vacation has little bearing on the magnetic call of the herd.
Devon enjoying a break from snow and getting his snorkel on. Photo courtesy Chandra Crawford.
Despite having chosen the fabulously lucrative profession of Nordic Ski Racer (“um… that’s your job?” – Customs Agents Worldwide) there’s a minute possibility that a garage full of Devon’s size-12 ski boots cannot be considered an old age security pension. So, should I ever fail to make the mortgage payments on my condo, there is one place I could see myself “disappearing” to, and that’s Sayulita.
Same-same, but Fish Tacos
There are few places in the world that I have found to be Bow Valley-esque enough to consider home, but Sayulita is the closest international Canmore look-alike I’ve encountered. And I’m not the only one: the sheer number of Bow Valley locals eating fish tacos there at any given moment is quite staggering.
Lost at Sea, But Not Far From Home
Maya and I chilling and chatting at a beachfront lunch place. Photo courtesy Chandra Crawford.
On our last visit, as I sunk my teeth into the first of many fresh fish tacos and felt the deep satisfaction that can only come from completing a rite of passage within one’s community, I spotted the unmistakable blonde locks of Miss Maya Fish, a stunning Canmore seven-year-old. Soon we were surfing with her family and frolicking in the sun like it was just another summer day at the quarry (minus the icebergs, driving rain and utter lack of warmth).
Later, while our skiff drifted aimlessly, gaslessly on the ocean, and our Mexican “guides” reassured us by shrugging “mañana” at what felt like the worst possible time to invoke such an attitude, Devon and I took the opportunity to heavily lobby Maya’s dad, Canmore town planner, Alaric Fish, to build the town a rubber running track when we got home. In short, home is never far from mind in Sayulita, no matter how physically far away you may be.
Join Our Vacation Cult
All too soon, we were back home in Canmore where I joined the legions of folks who made the pilgrimage (a four-hour direct flight YYC – PVR) to our culturally-sanctioned vacation spot in Mexico. Like the powerful word “Namaste,” in the Bow Valley, the word “Sayulita” will typically invoke a smile, and sometimes just the slightest pang of jealousy.
Devon chatting about fish with Nadia and Maya. Photo courtesy Chandra Crawford.
So sell off those old ski boots, save your pennies and maybe next season we’ll see you in Sayulita, too!
