Category: hiking

Mixed Feelings – Tirana, Albania

On By Rick McIn food, government, hiking, travelLeave a comment

Albania is cool in 2026. Especially the Albanian Riviera.

Almost every tourist online has a lot of praise for Albania.

Once the “North Korea of Europe“, Albania is frantically trying to become the next Greece for tourists.

Inland Berat is great. I hear Gjirokastër is terrific, too.

The capital, Tirana, is NOT one of the tourist highlights. Fly in and leave as quickly as possible. The airport is terrible in 2026, by the way.

Taking walking tours of the centre on a hot day, I concluded this must be the most boring capital city in the world.

The only attraction to write home about is weird and wonderful Pyramid of Tirana. On top is the place to be at night.

Children sliding down the pyramid.

The inexplicable structure was co-designed by daughter of former dictator Enver Hoxha — and nobody has settled on best function. Numerous proposals to demolish the thing have been pitched — but I hope they keep it.

There are some impressive religious buildings.

Resurrection Cathedral, Tirana
The Namazgah Mosque near Skanderbeg Square

This thing was closed.

I did enjoy walking the Grand Park of Tirana close to the city centre.

Tried to go to the Botanic Gardens — which seemed to be closed — so bought a ticket to the animal prison. The zoo is bad, as I expected, needing funds for reparations and animal care.

After a week hiking Accursed Mountains, crossing between Albania, Kosovo, and Montenegro — some of our group finished the trip with an excellent meal downtown.

Food fantastic.

Walking town on Saturday night after dinner, I started to see why tourists like the lively cafe culture, and budget-friendly, high-quality food.

That night I stopped in at the government Flamingo Revolution protest. It started against luxury tourism developments, one backed by American investor Jared Kushner.

Expanding nationwide into an anti-government movement focused on corruption, land rights, protected areas, strategic-investment laws and political accountability. Most of the signs I saw were calling for Prime Minister Edi Rama to resign.

Tourism is booming everywhere in Albania — and I expect things will keep improving quickly.

Don’t count on good toilets or showers. 😀

Visiting Kotor, Montenegro

On By Rick McIn hiking, travelLeave a comment

Dubrovnik, Croatia, is now one of the most overtouristed cities in Europe, with visitors outnumbering permanent residents by a staggering ratio of up to 36 to 1. 

Still … it’s fantastic.

I crossed the border to nearby Kotor, Montenegro, hoping it would be Dubrovnik light.

I found Kotor just as majestic. BETTER for hiking:

But the promised ~40% lower cost looks to be fake news in 2026. I found it equally expensive. Death by cruise ship.

The old city of Dubrovnik is better. But the fortified city of Kotor is great too, also a UNESCO‘s World Heritage Site.

In any case, if you travel to one, you should visit the other.

Traffic in Kotor is worse. I wished I’d taken a boat from Dubrovnik instead of a bus.

I wandered the old city streets for hours.

The highlight for me was all the cats.

I caught the awful local bus to Perast, a charming little tourist trap nearby.

Perast, Montenegro old town in Kotor Bay in the afternoon.

It’s the jumping off point for Our Lady of the Rocks.

My main memory of this lovely place is a confrontation with an asshole local motorbike punk. Happily, he didn’t throw me in the ocean. 😀

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

NEW Honda Element in 2028

On By Rick McIn cycling, hiking, travelLeave a comment

The Honda Element is officially rumored to return, with an anticipated global debut expected to happen sometime in late 2028. 

According to leaked production plans first reported by Automotive News, Honda is reviving the iconic, quirky crossover to target the booming outdoor adventure market.

Personally, I’d love an old (discontinued) USED Honda Element.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Mission Accomplished: SKI ➙ HIKE ➙ BIKE

On By Rick McIn cycling, friends, gymnastics, health & fitness, hiking, travelLeave a comment

Due to Trump’s idiotic Epstein Distraction Forever War, I decided to stay closer to home this Spring.

Made a PLAN … that mostly worked out. 😀

The Skiing was excellent. My best year ever. 12 days at Sunshine.

Hiking great. 17 days in the tent, walking deserts in California and Nevada.

Cycling was the most problematic. But I still made it 11 days on the Trans Canada Great Trail, starting in Vernon and ending up in Fernie (with a busted bike).

What’s next?

Still considering my options.

The only thing fixed for sure is World Gymnastics Championships in Netherlands Oct. 2026.

Cycling the Camino de Santiago

On By Rick McIn cycling, hiking, travelLeave a comment

I cycled the last sections of the traditional Camino de Santiago in 2022.

To my thinking, cycling is even better than walking.

I rented a touring bike. VERY convenient.

If interested, check out the best guidebook:

Cicerone – Cycling the Camino de Santiago: a complete planning guide

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

SKI ✔️ ➙ HIKE ✔️ ➙ … BIKE

On By Rick McIn cycling, health & fitness, hiking, travelLeave a comment

Due to Trump’s idiotic war, I decided to stay closer to home this Spring.

Made a PLAN … that didn’t exactly work out. 😀

The Skiing was excellent. My best year ever. 12 days at Sunshine.

Hiking great. 17 days in the tent, walking deserts in California and Nevada.

NEXT is visiting friends in Kelowna and Vernon. Most probably cycling back to Calgary on the Great Trans Canada Trail.

Check out my GEAR for the trip. Everything but the kitchen sink. 😀

BC Trail – perhaps the best section of the Great Trans Canada Trail

I’m FINALLY a credible Ski Bum

On By Rick McIn health & fitness, hiking, travel2 Comments

For years I’ve been coming to Banff in the shoulder season SPRING for skiing and hiking.

Never a bad day in Banff. Note they moved this sign.

FINALLY in 2026, I bought a Spring Ski Pass – Midweek.

Cost CAD $584.85 for unlimited skiing at Sunshine Monday through Thursday.

Enjoy unlimited access Monday through Thursday to Canada’s Best Spring Skiing starting March 8th all the way until Slush Cup Monday May 18th with a Banff Sunshine Midweek Spring Pass.

I got my money’s worth in 2026 with 12 days on the hill.

Luckily for me Banff Sunshine Village had a historic season with 812 cm (26 feet) of total season snow. 

I usually follow the same sequence of lifts if the snow is good:

  • warm-up run on Angel
  • multiple runs on Standish
  • multiple runs on Wawa (my favourite lift)
  • Banff Avenue to base of Goat’s Eye base. Quick lunch.
  • one or more runs on the Ski Out to the parking lot
  • Goat’s Eye for the rest of the afternoon
  • Favourite run is Eagle Creek – end of day when snow is often softer
  • Ski Out to the parking lot
Eagle Creek

These days my goal is NOT to fall and get hurt, so I stay mostly on Blues and easy Black Diamond.

I try not to have my skis leave the ground. 😀

Happily, I had only one fall in 12 days. No injuries.

When picking up my pass at Sunshine Village, I noticed there is a Senior (age 65+) year long pass that’s even cheaper if you buy it mid-season, and good every day of the week. (It’s no longer advertised this late in the season — but I might buy that one instead next year.)

If I was 45 years younger, with an Aussie accent, I’d fit right in with the real ski bums & snow bunnies spending their winter in Banff.

Sponsored by Helly Hansen and Gorilla Duct Tape 😀 (A.I. photo)

There are 3 hostels in Banff, by far the least expensive accommodation.

I usually stay at Samesun Banff, about CAD $200 for 3 nights in a 6 bed dorm. With breakfast.

Free ski bus picks up and drops off on the same block. So convenient.

Spring is a fantastic time to be in Banff. It’s so beautiful — without the crowds.

No photo editing.

One highlight for me is watching Elk wander town.

When I’m not skiing, I’m HIKING. Spring hiking can be magical.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Hey. On April 16, 2026, Banff Sunshine was named the “Best Overall Ski Resort” for the 2025/2026 ski season by users of OnTheSnow, the world’s most visited snow sports website. 


Upcoming Adventures: SKI ➙ HIKE ➙ BIKE

On By Rick McIn best bike rides, cycling, friends, health & fitness, hiking, travelLeave a comment

“Man plans, and God laughs”

I’m staying closer to home due to Trump’s stupid, unnecessary war.

Starting my 4th week of skiing out of Banff.

I have a permit to backpack a couple of weeks on the world’s best long thru hike – the Pacific Crest Trail. Starting May 26th out of Palm Springs, California.

AND I want to get back to Banff by June 12th (or shortly after) to start the Tour Divide – the world’s most famed long distance cycling route Canada to Mexico.

I won’t be trying for Mexico.

From Missoula, Montana I’ll divert to Idaho. And on to Kelowna, B.C. for a reunion with lifelong friends.

Here’s my cycling itinerary.

What could go wrong? 😀

… I’d say the odds of everything going to plan are about 25%. BUT that’s why it’s adventure.

Wish me luck.

My Apple Watch SE

On By Rick McIn Apple, health & fitness, hikingLeave a comment

For years I refused to wear a watch because TIME AIN’T THE BOSS OF ME.

Then — in 2017 — I saw James make phone calls and answer business texts while drinking wine, soaking in a rooftop hot tub — on his Apple Watch.

I was sold.

I’m now addicted.

I’ve had several over the years. Currently the less expensive Apple Watch SE (3rd Gen, 2025).

My Apple Watch Most Valuable Features 2026

  • Quickly check the time
  • Camera Remote
  • Find my phone
  • Compass
  • Navigation (AllTrails, etc.)

I like the Modular watch face with Camera Remote, Compass, Weather as complications.

There are many other features I use occasionally, but not often.

I control audio with EarPods, not the watch.

Cost was CAD $329 from Apple Canada. That’s with the GPS only, 40mm Midnight Aluminium Case with Midnight Sport Band. Second generation.

From the Apple Store on Amazon.ca it was CAD $280.

The local BestBuy store was $280, as well, where I picked mine up. In stock.

related – David Pogue – What Do You Do with the Apple Watch?