# The Young Legacy > A WISE Way of Living ## Posts - [Banff](https://theyounglegacy.net/banff/): Our last full day in the Canadian Rockies kicked off with a ride up the Banff Gondola to the top of Sulphur Mountain — named for the hot springs bubbling at its base. - [Icefield Parkway, Glacier Skywalk (Jasper) / Peyto Lake, Bow Falls, Hoodoos (Banff)](https://theyounglegacy.net/jasper-banff/): Sept 1, 2026 - Day 9 (A long day!) - [Maligne Lake & Skytram, Jasper](https://theyounglegacy.net/jasper/): Today's scenery didn't just impress — it stole the show. - [Columbia Icefield Parkway/Athabasca Glacier/ Jasper](https://theyounglegacy.net/columbia-icefield-parkway-athabasca-glacier-jasper/): We departed the Columbia Icefield Parkway for the drive to the Columbia Icefield in Banff National Park, a UNESCO site. - [Lake Louise, Banff National Park, Canada](https://theyounglegacy.net/lake-louise-banff-national-park-canada/): Our day kicked off with another lecture from Dr. - [Whitefish](https://theyounglegacy.net/aug-28-2026-day-5/): This morning we rode chairlifts up Whitefish Mountain Resort's "Big Mountain" — nearly 7,000 feet up, and host of the 2001 U.S. Alpine Skiing Championships. - [Glacier National Park / Whitefish](https://theyounglegacy.net/glacier-national-park-whitefish/): Today was a bucket-list day: we boarded one of Glacier's legendary Red Jammers — vintage buses rolling since the 1930s, roll-back canvas tops and all, named for the sound early drivers made jamming the manual transmission into low gear on the steep grades. - [Glacier National Park](https://theyounglegacy.net/glacier-national-park/): We kicked off the day with a crash course in all things ice, courtesy of Dr. - [Waterton Lakes National Park/Glacier National Park, Montana, U.S.](https://theyounglegacy.net/going-to-the-sun-road-st-mary-lodge-montana/): We traveled straight south to Waterton National Park before crossing into Montana. - [Calgary - The Start of Our Northern Rockies Adventure](https://theyounglegacy.net/the-northern-rockies/): We arrived in Calgary on August 24th to begin The Northern Rockies tour with Smithsonian Journeys, guided by Darcie Reynolds of Odyssey and Maria Banks — a contract educator for Smithsonian who is also a NASA scientist by day and a Broadway harpist by night and weekends. - [Kyoto (Day 4)](https://theyounglegacy.net/kyoto-day-4/): Six hours in Wazuka with Masae, and every minute earned its keep. - [Kyoto (Day 3 night tour)](https://theyounglegacy.net/kyoto-day-3-night-tour/): We wrapped the day with an evening food crawl — tempura, drinks, dessert, three stops, zero regrets. - [Kyoto (Day 3 morning)](https://theyounglegacy.net/kyoto-day-3-morning/): July 21, 2026: The Kobo-ichi Market is a massive flea market held on the 21st of every month at To-ji Temple — over 1,000 stalls of antiques, vintage kimonos, and street food. - [Kyoto (Day 2 morning tour)](https://theyounglegacy.net/kyoto-day-2-morning-tour/): July 20, 2026: Our most educational day yet — four tours and a headful of wisdom from our guide Miji. - [Kyoto (Day 2 afternoon tour)](https://theyounglegacy.net/kyoto-day-2-afternoon-tour/): We dove into Nishiki Market — Kyoto's "Kitchen" — led by a cheerful 20-year-old guide Saki from Osaka. - [Kyoto (Day 1 night tour)](https://theyounglegacy.net/kyoto-day-1-night-tour/): July 19, 2026: After the morning tour, we treated ourselves to the best unagi of the trip at Unagi Yondaime Kikukawa — the name literally means "fourth generation," reflecting nearly 90 years in the eel business. - [Kyoto (Day 1 morning tour)](https://theyounglegacy.net/kyoto-day-1-morning-tour/): July 19, 2026: Our 6:45 am tour kicked off with Mokoto — our wonderful 21-year-old guide (Scottish dad, Japanese mom), humble and friendly — plus a young couple from Brazil along for the ride. - [Kyoto (arrival)](https://theyounglegacy.net/kyoto/): July 18, 2026: Two-plus hours on the train from Tokyo landed us in Kyoto, where we checked into an Airbnb right across from Toji Temple — steps from the station, couldn't have been easier. - [Tokyo](https://theyounglegacy.net/tokyo/): July 16-18, 2026: Our week-long trip — meticulously planned by Jason, with David lending a hand — kicked off in Tokyo: a short, jam-packed stay hitting the Tokyo National Museum, some shopping, and the main event, the Toyosu Tuna Auction. - [New Zealand Trip Summary (4/7/26-4/20/26)](https://theyounglegacy.net/new-zealand-trip-summary-4-7-26-4-20-26/): Just back from two weeks in New Zealand with Alfred, Kat, Michael, Jessie, and David - and I’m still unpacking it all, literally and emotionally. - [Auckland](https://theyounglegacy.net/auckland/): April 19, 2026 - These past few days have not been easy - fever this morning, yet we pressed on through downtown Auckland, strolling the marina, climbing the Sky Tower, letting the city unfold beneath us. - [Rotorua to Auckland](https://theyounglegacy.net/rotorua-to-auckland/): April 18, 2026 - On our way back to Auckland, we stopped at the Agrodome — a highlight of the journey. - [Tauranga, Rotorua & Taupo](https://theyounglegacy.net/tauranga/): April 15, 2026 - Eight days and 890 miles later, we said goodbye to the South Island and touched down in Auckland. - [Christchurch](https://theyounglegacy.net/christchurch/): April 14, 2026 - Hagley Park, the Botanic Gardens, Victoria Square, the Art Gallery, a little shopping, and dinner at King of Snake - a day that moved at an unhurried pace. - [Timaru to Christchurch](https://theyounglegacy.net/timaru-to-christchurch/): April 13, 2026 - Left Timaru in the rearview. The road back to Christchurch wound past Farmers Corner, where sheep and alpacas roamed like they owned the place. - [Lake Tekapo to Timaru](https://theyounglegacy.net/lake-tekapo-to-timaru/): April 12, 2026 - We began the day at the Church of the Good Shepherd on the shores of Lake Tekapo. - [Queenstown to Lake Tekapo](https://theyounglegacy.net/queenstown-to-lake-tekapo/): April 11, 2026 - On our drive north from Queenstown to Lake Tekapo, we stopped at the Remarkables Market and happily stocked up on peach-sized apricots - fresh and dried - for the road. - [Christchurch to Queenstown: A Scenic Drive](https://theyounglegacy.net/christchurch-to-queenstown-a-scenic-drive/): April 7, 2026 — Arrived in Christchurch via Auckland, where I met up with friends Alfred, Kat, Michael, and Jessie before we set off toward Hokitika. - [Queenstown](https://theyounglegacy.net/queenstown/): April 10, 2026 - Queenstown delivered from the moment we arrived. - [Puerto Vallarta, Mexico](https://theyounglegacy.net/puerto-vallarta-mexico/): After visiting relatives, we joined the Norwegian Bliss for a seven-day cruise from LA to Mexico. First stop: Puerto Vallarta - and it won us over immediately. - [Mazatlán, Mexico](https://theyounglegacy.net/mazatlan-mexico/): First time in Mazatlán — home to a 13-mile Malecón, perfect for a half marathon. Wide, open, and right on the sea. - [Sydney, Australia](https://theyounglegacy.net/sydney-australia/): Second trip to Sydney and I thought I'd shake things up with a wildlife adventure. - [Brisbane, Australia](https://theyounglegacy.net/brisbane-australia/): Brisbane - another modern and charming city. - [Melbourne, Australia](https://theyounglegacy.net/melbourne-australia/): Though we spent just one night in Melbourne, the city made a lasting impression - modern, vibrant, and full of life. - [Cairns, Australia](https://theyounglegacy.net/cairns/): The weather dashed our hopes of reaching the Great Barrier Reef - the world’s largest coral reef system - leaving us, especially David, disappointed. - [Darwin, Australia](https://theyounglegacy.net/darwin-australia/): The highlight of Darwin was seeing saltwater crocodiles. They still give me goosebumps, reminding me of my first encounter nearly three decades ago in Thailand. - [Crystal Serenity](https://theyounglegacy.net/crystal-serenity/): My heart was still full even two weeks after our journey on the Crystal Serenity. - [Bali, Indonesia](https://theyounglegacy.net/bali/): We stayed in a villa at the W Hotel in Bali for three nights after our cruise ended. - [Komodo Island, Indonesia](https://theyounglegacy.net/komodo-island/): Komodo dragons ✔️ A bucket list moment for David - less intimidating than expected, but still a highlight. ## Pages - [Thank You](https://theyounglegacy.net/thank-you/): Thank you for contacting The Young Legacy. Your message has been received, and we’ll be in touch soon. - [Banff](https://theyounglegacy.net/journal/banff/) - [Journal](https://theyounglegacy.net/journal/) - [Home](https://theyounglegacy.net/) - [Privacy Policy](https://theyounglegacy.net/privacy-policy/): The Young Legacy is Amy Young’s personal journal of faith, wellbeing, learning, service, travel, and the arts. [comment]: # (Generated by Hostinger Tools Plugin)