by Mary Charleson | Jul 6, 2025 | Canada
I was told I’d be blown away by Saskatchewan. And I was. Quite literally, with hair whipped into a tangled mess, head tipped windward, in defiance. We were here to embrace an Indigenous tourism Saskatchewan experience. But who knew a prairie province, branded as the...
by Mary Charleson | Jun 30, 2025 | Canada
I admit to previously dismissing Saskatchewan as a flat open prairie, with miles of straight roads and grain elevators. My impression was largely formed on a road trip from Ontario to BC, driving the Trans-Canada Highway, back in 1987, when I first moved to Vancouver....
by Mary Charleson | Jun 17, 2025 | USA
I’m excited to announce that this site is now an award winning travel website! On Saturday, June 7, 2025 Carryonqueen.com was awarded second place for Best Self-Published Travel Website at the TMAC 2025 National Awards in Saskatoon. When I launched...
by Mary Charleson | Jun 1, 2025 | South America / Central America
If your time in Costa Rica is limited, and you want to check off several experiences in one visit, La Paz Waterfall Gardens is the perfect half day trip from San Jose. It’s also a great introduction to Costa Rica’s wildlife and natural habitat if you plan to explore...
by Mary Charleson | May 9, 2025 | USA
I visited Island in the Sky Canyonlands National Park, Utah in early April 2025. Warned that even during shoulder season, this region could get busy, I lucked out because of snow. A spring snow storm caused white outs in the park earlier in the day, driving away...
by Mary Charleson | May 7, 2025 | USA
Experiencing Arches National Park hikes in a single day is ambitious, but not impossible. It’s true that you could spend multiple days in the park and still not see everything. But if you have a coveted early timed entry ticket, or are an early riser hitting the...
by Mary Charleson | Apr 24, 2025 | USA
Capital Reef National Park might seem an odd name for a park without a body of water or proximity to an ocean reef. Plus it’s a long way away from any landmark or city resembling a capital. But once you’ve visited the park and understand its unique geological...
by Mary Charleson | Apr 17, 2025 | USA
Although Needles Canyonlands is in the same Canyonlands National Park as the Island in the Sky, these two regions are geographically and visually distinct. Like two different parks really. And that’s the way you should treat them when planning your time. They...
by Mary Charleson | Mar 28, 2025 | Canada
Economic and sovereignty threats from the US have united Canadians in a wave of patriotism. Along with buying Canadian products, and boycotting US holidays, some are choosing ski holidays based on resort ownership which is not American. Enter Sun Peaks Ski Resort,...
by Mary Charleson | Jan 31, 2025 | USA
Updated Jan 15, 2026. A Mother-daughter weekend in New York City is both magical and memorable. There’s something special about witnessing the mature, thoughtful and insightful human your adult daughter has become. Staging the story line for that realization in New...
