In the last post, we added two more shortcuts to our code navigation arsenal.
Today, we’re diving into two incredibly useful shortcuts that help us quickly navigate to places we've been recently.
As you can see, by learning one shortcut, you can easily build on your knowledge to learn more. This is one of the reasons why JetBrains IDEs are so developer-friendly!
In our last post, we explored how to quickly open any method implementation. Today, we're flipping the script to elevate your code navigation skills with one of my go-to shortcuts: the Show Usage shortcut.
Instead of navigating to see how method is implemented, we now want to go to the places where the method is called from.
Welcome to the grand finale of the Canada Calling Series! What a journey it has been—filled with breathtaking landscapes, heart-pounding adventures, and unforgettable memories. While living through these moments was exhilarating, putting them into words has been a way to make them timeless. I’ve relished every bit of this experience, both in real time and now, as I recount it to you.
So far, we’ve marveled at the magnificent Niagara Falls, glided along the pristine Rideau Canal, and stood in awe of the towering Montmorency Falls. We’ve hiked the winding paths of Johnston Canyon, soaked in the rugged beauty of Banff and Jasper National Parks, and even faced some nail-biting close calls—like nearly running out of fuel and that unforgettable moment when we lost My Son. It’s hard to believe all of this happened in just 20 days!
Here's a snapshot of our adventure so far:
By this point, my thirst for adventure had been more than quenched. As one of my friend would say, I was sufficiently stimulated. All I craved now was some peaceful time with the family.
We had visited Banff so many times in quick succession that I had almost vowed not to return again on this trip. But, as fate would have it, my Gujju instincts didn't quite agree. You see, entering Banff and Jasper National Parks requires a permit—a $40-per-day affair for the car. The previous evening, we had to buy another permit before exiting the park at 8 PM, and it was valid for 24 hours. Naturally, we had to make the most of the permit we'd already paid for. So, off to Banff we went one more time!
This time, we found ourselves at the sprawling Lake Minnewanka—one of the largest lakes in Banff National Park. For over 10,000 years, the deep waters of Lake Minnewanka (reaching depths of about 142 meters in places) have commanded the respect of those who have visited and lived along its wild shores. The lake is cradled between snow-capped mountain ranges, creating a truly majestic sight.
Minnewanka Lake
It's also known as the “Lake of the Spirits.” I believe it's called that because of the serene calmness you feel when you're there. It's as if time stands still—the water is so still that even a single stone thrown in would send ripples traveling far and wide.
Notice the reflection of mountains and how calm the water is!
Next to the lake is a picturesque trail that runs alongside a river, which eventually merges into the lake. This trail is reminiscent of the Johnston Canyon trail we explored earlier—beauty awaits at every corner.
Trail overlooking the river!
The next morning, we visited another nearby park. Here, we discovered a heart-shaped island nestled in the middle of a river. The riverbank was lined with charming houses, and guess who came to mind when I saw this?
Heart island!
Evenings were spent strolling through nearby parks. The landscape was simply breathtaking, with lush grass all around and small houses dotting the distance, while sun rays pierced through the clouds. It was peaceful, relaxing, and far removed from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Notice the sun rays piercing through the clouds!
We also celebrated my birthday while in Canada. Knowing that I would not prefer a traditional cakes, my brother-in-law surprised me with a fruit cake. It was delicious!
Fruit Cake.
One day, we decided to have Dosas. What’s special about that? Well, my mother-in-law’s expression says it all:
A Dosa as tall as me!
As our time in Canada was drawing to a close, we decided to take in the night view of downtown, with all its twinkling lights and vibrant atmosphere. We weren’t disappointed—the city was a stunning spectacle, glowing like a jewel against the night sky.
Night view of downtown - Clagary
This time, there is no next time—at least for this series. This post marks the conclusion of our unforgettable journey. It was a trip filled with highs and lows, and I cherished every moment. Thank you for being part of this adventure; I hope you enjoyed the ride as much as I did!
Until we meet again, happy travels!
Welcome back, fellow adventurers! In our last episode we narrowly dodged a Rs. 27,000 disaster, to a Gujju, that kind of loss is unimaginable, almost as unimaginable as what happened next.
Today, we find ourselves at the stunning Maligne Canyon, where the scenery is breathtaking. This post recounts how we lost my son, before finding him.
Catch Up on the Adventure So Far:
Our day began with a promising blue sky and the kind of fresh mountain air that makes you want to breathe in deep and never leave. First on our agenda was Maligne Canyon—the deepest in Jasper National Park, plunging over 50 meters in places. But this canyon isn’t just about dizzying heights; it’s also home to mesmerising potholes carved by waterfalls and streams. As we marvelled at nature’s handiwork, little did we know, an adventure of our own was about to unfold.
The canyon can be explored via a trail that stretches about 4 km one way, winding through six different bridges. While the first four bridges are relatively close together, the 5th and 6th are a bit more of a trek. Our group of 12 included 4 seniors, 5 middle-aged adults, one teenager, an almost-teen, and one infant. Given our diverse group, we decided to aim for the 5th bridge as our endpoint, allowing the seniors to turn back whenever they wished and return to the parking lot.
The views from the bridges were nothing short of breathtaking. Imagine standing on a bridge suspended over a vast canyon, surrounded by lush green trees under a clear blue sky. If the photos are stunning, just imagine the real thing—it’s nature at its most awe-inspiring.
As we continued along the trail, each turn revealed another picturesque angle of the canyon, making it hard to resist snapping photos at every step.
Notice the fish bone tree!
After crossing the 4th bridge, we set our sights on the 5th, which was about 1.5 km away. Our large group moved slowly, pausing frequently to capture the beauty around us. But my son, my energetic pre-teen, had little patience for our leisurely pace. He was always ahead—if we were on the 1st bridge, he’d already be on the 2nd; if we reached the 3rd, he was at the 4th. By the time we neared the 4th bridge, my Son had already seen it and was forging ahead. Despite his head start, I could always spot him just a little way in front.
As we made our way towards the 5th bridge, we walked about 250 meters from the 4th when we stumbled upon a small, charming waterfall. The water seemed to burst from a single point before fanning out into an almost perfect equilateral triangle.
We had decided to head back, but My Son didn’t know about this change in plans. By this time, he was well out of my sight. As a group, our pace was no match for his. But I assumed he was only a few meters ahead. I wasn’t too worried—yet.
I told everyone to wait while I went ahead to find him and bring him back. The trail was well-marked and unidirectional, so I was confident I’d catch up to him quickly. I started walking swiftly, scanning the path ahead. But after a few hundred meters, there was still no sign of him.
Now, a mix of fatigue, frustration, and anger started bubbling up inside me. “Why couldn’t He just stay with the group? Why did he have to rush ahead?” The scenery around me was undoubtedly breathtaking, but I was in no mood to appreciate it. My swift walk turned into a jog, and I began calling out, his name hoping my voice would reach him faster than my legs could.
I strained to hear any response, tuning my ears to catch even the faintest sound. But the forest was silent—no voice, no rustling, nothing. I must have covered about 500 meters of rough terrain, and still, there was no sign of him.
My jog turned into a full-on sprint, my calls growing more frantic. Panic was setting in. Just then, my phone rang—it was my wife. She wanted to know why I was taking so long. When I told her I hadn’t found Him yet, I could hear the panic in her voice too. She didn’t know what to do, and honestly, neither did I.
For the first time, the gravity of the situation hit me, we had lost My Son in an unfamiliar country, in an unfamiliar city, on an unfamiliar trail, deep in the woods. He had no food, no water, no money, and no way to contact us. He knew my phone number, but it was an Indian number. For him to call me, someone would have to lend him a phone and allow him to make an international call. I felt utterly helpless, miserable, angry, frustrated, terrified—a bitter cocktail of negative emotions, all swirling around inside me.
I kept sprinting towards the 5th bridge when I came across a group of people. Hearing me shout, they asked, “Are you looking for a young boy in a blue jacket, traveling alone?” My heart skipped a beat. “Yes! Have you seen him?” They nodded, “He’s way ahead of you. You’ll have to hurry.” Relief washed over me—they’d seen him! But then, panic set in again—if he was that far ahead, how would I ever catch up?
I must have covered nearly a kilometer when the unthinkable happened: the trail split. One path led to the 5th bridge, and the other to the 6th. There was a signpost indicating the distance—200 meters to the 5th bridge, 700 meters to the 6th. I had to choose, and the wrong choice could mean losing precious time and making it even harder to find My Son.
Although I wasn’t sure if He would have noticed the sign, I decided to take the path to the 5th bridge, hoping he had followed our original plan.
I was still sprinting and shouting when I spotted another group coming towards me from the direction of the 5th bridge. I asked them if they’d seen a young boy in a blue jacket. “No, we haven’t seen any boy,” they replied. “There’s nothing else on that side—just the bridge and a parking lot. We’re coming from there, so we would’ve seen him if he were there.” My heart sank. I was on the wrong path.
I made a quick U-turn and started running towards the 6th bridge. My phone rang again—again my wife. She was in tears when I told her I hadn’t found Our Son and that the trail had split. I could hear the fear in her voice.
I sprinted another 300 meters towards the 6th bridge when I came across an old man. He asked if I was looking for a young boy. When I said yes, he told me he had seen the boy near the 5th bridge. Thanking him, I made another U-turn and sprinted back toward the 5th bridge, about 500 meters away.
On the way, I ran into the same group that had told me they hadn’t seen My Son near the 5th bridge. They were now heading towards the 6th bridge. One of them suggested that I give them my phone number so they could call me if they found My Son at the 6th bridge. I thought it was a great idea and quickly handed over my number before sprinting again towards the 5th bridge.
As I reached the spot where the trail split, still shouting his name I suddenly heard a familiar voice: “Yes, what is it?” It was My Son. Relief flooded through me, quickly followed by anger. Now I was sprinting and shouting, “WHERE ARE YOU? YOU’RE IN BIG TROUBLE!” His voice, growing stronger as I closed the distance, responded, “I’m here. What happened?”
I finally reached the 5th bridge and saw him—cool as a cucumber, gazing at me in surprise. He wasn’t hurt, worried, or in distress - that was all me. He looked at me, puzzled, as if wondering why this man was running and screaming like a lunatic. When I got close enough, the thought of scolding him crossed my mind, but instead, I pulled him into a tight hug. It had been the longest 45 minutes of my life, not knowing whether I would find my son or not.
After catching my breath, I asked him why he had gone so far ahead. I told him I’d been shouting for him, but he couldn’t hear me. He replied, “We had decided to go to the 5th bridge, right? So I came here and waited. What’s my fault in this? If you guys decided to turn back, that’s on you.” He was partly right but also very wrong, so I explained how group dynamics work and how risky it was for him to go so far ahead. I told him he could have gotten lost or, worse, kidnapped. That day, we set some ground rules—he could stay ahead, but always within earshot. He agreed.
As my anger faded into relief, I called my wife. She was still crying, but I guessed those were tears of joy. As we made our way back to the group, I was curious to know how he had managed to stay out of sight. I asked him what he did after reaching the 5th bridge. “I needed to take a dump,” he said, “so I went to the restroom near the parking lot at the 5th bridge.” Suddenly, it all made sense. No wonder the group hadn’t seen him—they must have missed each other while he was in the restroom! I should have guessed it—My Son is like a dog, marking his territory at every new place he visits!
I’m incredibly grateful to all the people who helped me along the way, confirming that He was ahead of me, and especially to the old man who eventually put me on the right track. My relief was turning into joy as we walked back through the beautiful trail, finally able to appreciate its beauty.
About 500 meters from our group, I received a call from Park Canada. “Hello, I’m calling from Park Canada. Did you lose your son? Are you at Maligne Canyon? How can we help?” I told them I had found Him and thanked them for their concern. It turned out the group I had given my number to had informed a Park Canada official, asking them to help me find My Son. I was amazed at how quickly they responded and how much they cared.
When we finally reunited with my wife and the rest of the group, they looked visibly relieved. They all reiterated how risky His actions had been and how close we had come to disaster.
As we left the excitement of Maligne Canyon behind, it was time to head towards Calgary, our base for the night. The journey was nothing short of magical, with postcard-perfect scenes unfolding at every turn. The light was just right, the weather was crisp and clear, and the scenery—breathtakingly perfect!
The road stretched endlessly before us, winding through the stunning landscape, making every moment feel magical!
We ended this eventful day with a cozy family dinner in Banff town. The restaurant was on the pricey side, but the Indian food was absolutely delicious, worth every penny.
As our adventure nears its end, we’ll visit the picturesque Minnewanka Lake and explore a few hidden gems around Calgary. Stay tuned for the final chapter of our Canadian journey!
Welcome to the seventh post in our Canadian adventure series! Previously, we left off with my heart racing at the sight of "No network coverage for 287KM" while the fuel gauge flirted dangerously with the 15% mark. It was a moment of sheer panic, but we survived to tell the tale. This time, join us as we venture to the stunning Athabasca Glacier, a visit that almost didn't happen.
The story so far:
It was a beautiful day weather-wise, a perfect mix of sunshine and the crisp promise of snowfall later on. Our first stop of the day was the magnificent Athabasca Falls.
Athabasca Falls
Known as one of the most powerful falls in Jasper National Park, Athabasca Falls doesn't just tumble over rocks; it carves through them, creating intricate features like potholes and a stunning short canyon. The sheer force of the water is mesmerizing.
Potholes
Take a look at this pothole. Notice the cuts in the rock from the top all the way down to where the water rushes? These formations are the result of water's relentless power, swirling in a centrifugal dance, slowly chipping away at the rock to create deep, circular pits. It's nature's own sculpting at work.
Canyon
And the canyon! It's a masterpiece where the river, canyon walls, trees, and mountains come together in a breathtaking panorama. It's like standing inside a postcard.
The Trail
One of the best parts of visiting Athabasca Falls is the trail along the water's edge. It winds down to the very bottom where the waterfall merges with the river, offering a scenic hike with views that make every step worth it. Imagine walking alongside the roaring water, feeling the mist on your face, and being surrounded by such raw natural beauty. Need I say more?
Our excitement was palpable as we approached our next adventure: exploring the Athabasca Glacier! To get there, we would ride in a giant Ice Explorer—a monster truck designed specifically for glacier exploration.
The Ice Explorer - Notice how the wheel is almost as tall as an human!
We had booked our tickets well in advance to avoid any last-minute rush. The Ice Explorer and the Skywalk were bundled together in one ticket package, and we were all set. At the Columbia Icefields Discovery Centre, where the tour begins, we showed our booking confirmation to the ticket attendant. She printed out our tickets, but as I glanced at them, I noticed something odd: they only mentioned the Skywalk, with no mention of the Ice Explorer.
Not too worried at the time, I shrugged it off. Our bus was about to leave for the Skywalk and Ice Explorer, and I saw that some people had two sets of tickets—one for each attraction—while we had only one. I figured the attendant might have missed printing our second set, but with the bus about to leave, there wasn’t much I could do.
The Columbia Icefield Skywalk is a thrilling glass-bottom bridge suspended 280 meters above the Sunwapta Valley. Walking on it is like floating in mid-air, with nothing but glass between you and the valley below. The experience was breathtaking, but I couldn’t shake the nagging thought about our missing Ice Explorer tickets.
View from the Skywalk
As we finished the Skywalk, I shared my concerns with the group. We decided to head back to the Discovery Centre early to sort out the ticket issue and make sure we didn’t miss out on the Ice Explorer.
Back at the Discovery Centre, we approached the ticket attendant. After reviewing our situation, she delivered the unfortunate news: our Ice Explorer tickets weren’t booked. I protested, explaining that I had paid $40 per ticket and had specifically booked both the Skywalk and Ice Explorer. She replied, “Exactly! You paid only $40, which is the cost of the Skywalk only. The combined Ice Explorer and Skywalk ticket costs $120.”
I was stunned. Despite having double-checked my booking, it seemed I had mistakenly booked only the Skywalk.
We pleaded with her to let us take the Ice Explorer as well. She agreed, but said we’d have to pay the full $120 per person, as there were no separate Ice Explorer tickets. This meant $40 we spent earlier was going to get wasted, a total of around 27,000 Rs for our group of 11!
Feeling heartbroken over the blunder, we reluctantly paid the additional cost and got tickets for the next available slot. The weather outside was stormy and snowy, matching the gloominess of our mood.
Then, my father-in-law spotted an Indian man who looked like he worked at the Discovery Centre. He urged me and my half-brother to speak with the Indian employee, hoping he might help. Though hesitant, I agreed. The man turned out to be the Food and Beverage Manager. He couldn't help directly but offered to introduce us to the Ticket Manager.
With nothing to lose, I spoke to the Ticket Manager, explaining our predicament. She informed me that because we booked through a third-party website, she couldn’t offer any discounts. I persisted, and after a tense ten minutes or so, she made an offer that sounded like music to my ears: $900 for 11 people for the Ice Explorer!
Relieved and thrilled, I accepted immediately. She refunded our newly purchased tickets and issued new ones for the Ice Explorer at approximately $80 per person.
We were overjoyed and thanked both the Ticket Manager and the kind Indian employee who had helped us. With 45 minutes to spare before our Ice Explorer slot, the weather miraculously cleared up, turning sunny and pleasant. It felt like the universe was finally on our side!
Our Ice Explorer driver shared a fascinating tidbit: there are more astronauts in the world than Ice Explorer drivers! That’s right—his profession is incredibly rare.
With only 23 Ice Explorers operational globally, 22 are stationed at the Columbia Icefield, and 1 is deployed for research in Antarctica. These monster trucks are truly a marvel.
As we climbed aboard our Ice Explorer, we were driven across the Athabasca Glacier, a colossal ice field that has been around for about 240,000 years. Did you know it takes around four years of fresh snowfall for snow to become glacier ice? It's incredible to think about.
On the way to the Glacier
The glacier stretched out before us, a vast expanse of ice and snow. We spent about 30 minutes exploring and had a blast. The sheer scale and beauty of the glacier are something that photos just can’t capture fully.
Enjoying the peace at the Athabasca Glacier!
All in all, the day turned out to be a fantastic adventure. Despite the ticket fiasco, everything eventually fell into place, and we ended up having a memorable experience.
In our next post, get ready for a real cliffhanger: we’ll recount the time we lost my son for 45 minutes—no joke!
This is the 6th post in our series. In the last post, we met the Fuel Guzzler and trekked the breathtaking Johnston Canyon. Now, our adventure continues as we dive deeper into the stunning Canadian Rockies.
Our three-day escapade to the world-renowned Banff & Jasper National Parks was about to begin. We were a spirited group of 11 adventurers, split between two trusty fuel guzzlers. Our first destination: the iconic Lake Louise.
Lake Louise, nestled in Banff National Park, is famous for its mesmerizing turquoise waters. A quick Google search will flood your screen with stunning images like this one:
Lake Louise
But our experience? Let's just say it was far from picture-perfect. No turquoise hues greeted us, nor did we meet the serene lady gazing wistfully at the lake.
The weather was downright nasty. Rainy, cloudy, and cold—Mother Nature threw her worst at us that day. At one point, as we sat huddled in our cars in the parking lot, we seriously considered skipping the lake entirely. But perseverance is a hallmark of any great adventure, and after an hour of waiting out the storm, the weather grudgingly improved just enough for us to venture out.
Lake Louise is surrounded by majestic, snow-capped mountains. Of course, we couldn’t see any of them; they were shrouded in a thick blanket of clouds. Imagination had to suffice.
Frozen Lake Louise
90% of the lake it was frozen solid. We could literally stand on it.
Standing on the frozen Lake Louise
After bidding farewell to Lake Louise, we set off towards Hinton, our homestay for the night. The distance was about 450 kilometers, and our car had enough fuel for roughly 280-300 kilometers. I figured we’d fill up the gas somewhere along the way, maybe after 30-40 kilometers. Confident in our plan, we followed Google Maps and soon found ourselves on the Icefields Parkway—a road that slices through the heart of Banff and Jasper National Parks. The scenery was indescribably beautiful, making it hard to decide where to stop for pictures.
But my mind was elsewhere. We had already covered about 25 km with no gas station in sight. Then, the unthinkable happened.
A giant sign loomed ahead: “No Cellular Service for Next 287 KM!” My heart skipped a beat. Our fuel gauge showed we had only 15% left, enough for about 250 kilometers, but our destination was still over 400 kilometers away. Panic set in as I realized I had no idea if there were any gas stations along this remote stretch.
I couldn’t keep this to myself any longer. With a car full of anxious passengers—including four seniors and my wife—I blurted out the problem. Panic spread quickly, with everyone offering suggestions. Someone even proposed stopping to ask for directions, but there wasn’t a soul in sight. Our travel companions in the other car had already driven ahead, and with no cell service, we were completely cut off.
I considered turning back to Lake Louise to refuel. Meanwhile, my wife, surprisingly calm amid the commotion, pulled out a paper map of Banff and Jasper National Parks. She scanned it and announced that the nearest gas station was at Saskatchewan River Crossing, about 87 kilometers away.
I just turned the car around and headed back towards Lake Louise, now 35 KM behind us. I wasn’t about to gamble on a distant gas station that might not exist.
Back at Lake Louise, we filled the tank to the brim. Relief washed over me; I could finally relax and enjoy the stunning scenery without the looming fear of running out of fuel. It was a small victory, but it meant the world at that moment.
We saw many beautiful smaller lakes with turquoise clear waters along the way. The greenish patches floating on the lakes weren’t algae—they were thin layers of ice!
Turquoise clear waters
Eventually, we reached Saskatchewan River Crossing after about 120 km, and there was indeed a fuel station there. My wife smirked and said, "See, you panicked for no reason." In my mind, I devised a winning strategy to respond to this and when I opened my mouth these words came out: "You were so right!" and the discussion ended - victory!
There was a small restaurant and gift shop at the stop, so we took a break to stretch our legs, refill our water bottles, and use the washroom.
Then, out of nowhere, we spotted it: a fully grown black bear.
It was huge and right outside the restaurant. We watched in awe from behind the restaurants glass windows, marveling at the incredible sight of this wild creature so close to us!
As we continued towards our destination, the weather took a magical turn—it started snowing. This was our first snowfall in Canada, and it couldn't have been more perfect. We drove through thick tree cover, with everything blanketed in fresh powder. The trees glittered with radiance, partly green and partly white. It was a scene straight out of a winter wonderland, unlike anything we had seen before.
Snowfall
Snow covered greens!
And it looked like this till the farthest point the eyes could see in all directions. We were drowning in natural beauty!
Just like that, the weather changed again. The snowfall was behind us, and we were greeted with clear, beautiful skies.
Clear blue skies
Around 6 PM, we reached our homestay—a large, independent house with five bedrooms, two halls, and a kitchen. It was spacious enough for all of us to stay comfortably.
The journey so far had been nothing short of magical. We had seen frozen lakes, experienced the panic of almost empty fuel tanks, marveled at turquoise clear waters, and enjoyed fairy-tale-like snowfall.
We'll explore more of Jasper National Park and share the story of visiting the stunning Athabasca Glacier, a visit that almost didn't happen!
This is the 5th post in our series. So far, we've had some interesting moments, including a backstory, a frustrating IVR experience, and the fuel mystery. We've also enjoyed spectacular sights like the majestic Niagara Falls and the Rideau Canal. This time, we continue our journey westward to explore the arguably more scenic part of Canada.
Alright, so now we were at the Montreal airport, checking in and dropping off our bags. An airline attendant approached me and asked if I could relay a message in Hindi to a fellow passenger who didn’t understand English. The passenger, a young Punjabi fellow, hadn't completed his web check-in and needed to pay $28 to check in. I was surprised by this charge and asked if he could complete the web check-in now, but she refused. I conveyed the message to him, and he didn’t object, wanting to get on the plane quickly. He took out cash, but the attendant said only cards were accepted. I thought he would just pull out his wallet and hand over a card, but he did something unexpected:
She swiped the card, it went through, and he then reversed all those steps. I suggested he keep his card in his wallet, as in Canada, you can't get very far without easy access to your card!
The flight from Montreal to Calgary is about 4.5 hours long—Canada is a huge country. The ticket was reasonably priced at around 4500 Rs or $55, but the cost of baggage was another story. Checking in one bag cost an additional 8300 Rs or $100! Believe it or not, the cost of bags was almost double the cost of the human passengers!
We arrived in Calgary and were warmly greeted by my brother-in-law and sister-in-law. We were especially excited to see our very young nephew for the first time!
The next morning, we headed to a car rental place and rented a 7-8 seater Dodge Durango.
Don't be fooled by its looks—this car is massive. Inside, it feels like you're driving a mini-bus. It has other mini-bus-like characteristics, too, including a huge fuel tank. At one point, I filled it with about 95 liter of petrol! Its fuel consumption is equally impressive, making it feel like I was driving from one fuel station to the next with barely any stops in between. On a full tank, it barely goes 700 km!
One striking difference in Canada is the building materials used for houses. In India, we are accustomed to steel and concrete houses with brick walls. If you bang your head against these walls, it's usually the head that breaks, not the wall.
In Canada, however, houses are made predominantly of wood and a thick cardboard-like material. The frame is solid wood, but the walls are made of this thick cardboard-like material.
I’m sure there are numerous advantages to this, but it doesn’t feel solid. If you bang your head against the wall, or even bump into it with some force, the wall might break, and you could end up in the neighbor's living room!
One of the days, we visited the Royal Tyrrell Museum, a dinosaur museum. If you remember, the ROM in Toronto had dinosaur exhibits, but this museum has two main differences:
It is dedicated exclusively to the study of ancient life, particularly dinosaurs.
It is located where dinosaur fossils were actually discovered.
The museum features actual dinosaur fossils, some of them displayed in full-scale, life-like forms. It's incredible to walk among the giant creatures that once dominated the planet!
If you look carefully, you'll notice people in some of these pictures, highlighting the humongous scale of these creatures. Just one limb measures 12 feet tall—more than twice my height! I'm glad I wasn’t around when these giants roamed the Earth.
Here’s the skeleton of a fully grown mammoth, smaller than a dinosaur but much bigger than an elephant!
