Keena Elkington Photography

New Orleans, LA

Posted on September 25, 2020by Keena

I have to start this post of by saying how excited I was about going to New Orleans. I mean…Mardi Gras, Voodoo, Jazz & Blues music, Gumbo, Crocodiles, Southern Hospitality, Old Graveyards, World Famous Architecture and the set of Vampire Diaries? Um, yes!

The French Quarter was everything I had hoped it would be with two small exceptions: the shops were far more kitschy than I had expected and Bourbon Street was more of a frat party than a good time. They did have a few cool local stores and a market with artisans selling homemade goods that made up for it though! If you’re like me and like to see how the locals live, try Frenchman Street.

If you find yourself in the area I’d suggest checking out:

Lafayette Swamp Tours
The French Quarter
Cafe Du Monde (it’s kind of a right of passage)
Audubon Zoo
Audubon Aquarium
The New Orleans Museum of Art
Saint Louis Cemetery No. 2 (there’s a cemetery tour for a fee)
Cajun Mike’s
The Shops at Canal Place

Kelowna, BC

Posted on September 18, 2020by Keena

I stopped into Kelowna on route to Vancouver quickly to visit a new friend. While I was there I did get a little time to wander the downtown and see the waterfront. It’s quaint and full of great gems such as the Bohemian Café, the Calowna Costume Shop and Karat Chocolate Boutique. I had a delicious brunch and tried a charcoal croissant with handmade honeycomb and a mocha that was to die for. The locals were super friendly everywhere I went which only added to the trip being a fantastic one. The sunsets around Kelowna on our way through were spectacular!

Waterton National Park

Posted on September 14, 2020by Keena

I’ve been to Waterton National Park twice in the past few months with drastically different weather and it’s been beautiful to visit in both overcast and sunny conditions. It’s a long drive from Calgary, too much for a good day trip so I’m hoping to revisit for a long weekend or on vacation. Two of of the three waterfalls were closed for road construction so I only got to visit Cameron falls. More to do and see next time I wander south.

Inside the city, we found the best fudge I’ve ever had at Welch’s Chocolate Shop and had some amazing dinner at the Lakeside Chophouse and the Royal Stewart Dining Room in the Prince of Wales Hotel. I’d strongly suggest a visit here if you’re looking for a romantic evening in the mountains or quality time with the family alike. Waterton has quickly become one of my favourite spots in Alberta.

Bow River Pathway

Posted on July 2, 2020by Keena

Shortly after hiking the Douglas Fir Trail I revisited the area to wander the much easier terrain of the Bow River Pathway. It was a super hot day and I’d walked a lot so I didn’t get all the way downtown as intended but I did get a couple of cool photos.

This is a nice easy walk for me to complete when the skeeters die off by at least 75% as they are currently at a 15/1 ratio to humans after all the rain we’ve been having. Sigh.

Las Vegas & Death Valley, NV

Posted on July 2, 2020by Keena

Las Vegas is exactly what they portray in every pop culture reference. When I visited I was just beginning on a vacation and was recovering from a nasty head cold and accompanied by someone with a gambling problem so I wasn’t fully able to take in the Vegas experience. I didn’t go to a show, play the slots and party but I got to see the two main strips, enjoy a wonderful and affordable buffet and stay in a bougie old glamorous hotel. Overall a very PC boring night in the city of sin. We even got the luck of running into torrential rain in the desert of Death Valley.

I’ll be back again to take the casino for a run at Roulette and maybe say hello to Penn and Teller or watch Cirque be amazing. A lot of the photos from this trip were taking from the vehicle on a drive through so I clearly need to back to…erm…take better photos.

Lafayette, LA – Swamp Tour

Posted on July 1, 2020by Keena

I left on a trip to New Orleans with only a couple of mandatory stops along the way: a swamp tour in Louisana, wandering the streets of New Orleans and a stop to explore Antelope Canyon in Arizona. The rest of the trip was left to last minute decision making.

I am SO very glad I went on this tour as it ended up being my favourite part of the entire trip. There is little as tranquil as sitting in a small aluminum boat with the motor off surrounded by strangers, gators creepin, frogs and birds singing and the sun peaking through the cypress trees. It takes the lakeside relaxation up a notch. If you go visit New Orleans, do yourself a favour and travel outside and see the local swamps/bayous.

Yellowstone National Park

Posted on July 1, 2020by Keena

Christmas!

Posted on June 30, 2020by Keena

Okay so Christmas is my favourite holiday and I’m a smidge obsessed with the lights. I’m quite possibly the type to have an apartment or house that looks like the nicer side of a Stranger Things episode all year round. Sparkly, colourful celebrations in the snow…what’s not to love?

Whitefish, MT

Posted on June 30, 2020by Keena

I visited Whitefish on a weekend around Christmas just after a heavy snowstorm. Whitefish is one of those small towns focused on skiing and logging and it’s got a charm to it that was only improved by the fresh snow and Christmas lights. It was so romantic and quaint that I just may have squeed a little out loud like a teenage girl at a Taylor Swift concert.

Oshawa, ON & Soper Creek Rescue

Posted on June 30, 2020by Keena

I grew up in Oshawa, ON and there’s not much memorable there in my opinion outside of Lakeshore Park, The Oshawa Zoo and the easy commute into Toronto. It is however worth visiting the Soper Creek Animal Rescue and nearby city of Port Perry with it’s old town charm. Full disclosure: I had a friend who volunteered at Soper Creek and got me into the facility and in with the animals, you’d likely only get outside the cages if you visit officially.