For Facilities Administrative Assistant Wendy Roberts, the outdoors are best experienced through a camera lens. Whether she’s paddling across a quiet lake, riding her e-bike along local trails, or setting off 
on an unplanned Sunday drive, each outing is an opportunity to discover something new and capture a moment that might otherwise go unnoticed.
“I enjoy getting out going for drives, walking, kayaking, and riding my e-bike,” he says. “It doesn’t really matter what I am doing, as long as I have my camera with me.”
That camera has become a passport to exploration throughout the Kootenays, a region she considers one of the best places in British Columbia to experience the outdoors.
Wendy’s adventures rarely begin with a detailed plan. More often, they start with a camera, a bit of free time, and a willingness to see where the day leads.
Most of her outings are spontaneous, shaped by the weather, the season, or simply a desire to get outside. A familiar trail can reveal something new, while a quiet backroad might lead to an unexpected photo opportunity. For Wendy, the destination is often less important than the experience of exploring.
Sundays have become her unofficial adventure day, often leading her to a nearby trail, lake, wetland, or scenic drive somewhere in the East Kootenay.
For Wendy, the outdoors offer a chance to slow down, explore new places, and enjoy whatever adventure the day brings. The reward is simply being outside and discovering something new.
Endless Places to Explore
What keeps Wendy returning to the outdoors is the endless opportunity for discovery. The Kootenays are constantly changing throughout the seasons, offering new colours, wildlife sightings, landscapes, and perspectives to photograph.
“The Kootenays have so much to offer,” she says. “The number of trails, lakes, rivers, wetlands, and other natural areas means I can always find somewhere to go and something to see.”
From the wetlands surrounding Cranbrook to the region’s mountain lakes and waterfalls, Wendy finds inspiration almost everywhere she goes. She also enjoys exploring the towns and communities throughout the Kootenays, where history, culture, and local character often become subjects for her camera.
The combination of wild spaces and vibrant communities means there is always another story waiting to be discovered.
Favourite Local Adventures
Some destinations keep drawing Wendy back. Jim Smith Lake is a favourite place to kayak, offering peaceful paddling and beautiful scenery close to home. More recently, Moyie Falls has become a preferred destination for a drive and hike.
When she heads out on her e-bike, she often follows a route through the Elizabeth Lake Wetlands, toward Idlewild Lake, and into the Community Forest. Each location offers different landscapes, wildlife, and photographic opportunities throughout the year.
Of all the outdoor experiences Wendy has enjoyed over the years, one family kayaking trip remains especially vivid.
“When we first started kayaking and the kids were younger, we took our first trip to White Boar Lake,” she recalls. “The glacier had calved off into the lake, and we were able to paddle close to the ice floating in the water like mini icebergs.”
Looking back, she laughs at the risks of getting too close.
“In hindsight it wasn’t the smartest thing to do, but at the time it was so neat.”
The memory remains a reminder of how the outdoors can create moments that stay with us long after the trip is over.
Spending time outdoors has also shaped Wendy’s perspective on the world around her.
“Living in this area has made me very aware of our environment and climate,” she says. “I am also reminded of how lucky we are to be Canadian as guests on Turtle Island.”
Those experiences continue to deepen her appreciation for the landscapes, ecosystems, and communities that make the Kootenays such a special place to live.
Advice for First-Time Explorers
For anyone new to the region, Wendy encourages taking time to discover all the Kootenays have to offer.
“Go online and research what’s available in each area. You’ll find so many activities to do and places to see.”
Her own approach is even simpler: stay curious, keep exploring, and don’t forget your camera. In a region as diverse and beautiful as the Kootenays, there’s always something waiting around the next corner.
Whether it’s paddling on a quiet lake, cycling through wetlands, taking a scenic drive, or simply walking with a camera in hand, the Kootenays offer opportunities for every kind of explorer.
And sometimes, the best adventures happen when you don’t have a plan at all.