Jasper is the first place I’ve lived where my friends haven’t asked the question, “Why the hell are you moving there?” It’s also the first place my friends have said they’ll visit.

Since graduating from journalism school two years ago, I’ve lived in Fredericton, N.B., Yellowknife, N.W.T. and Rankin Inlet, Nunavut. In all three cases, my friends judged my decision to move to such “undesirable” parts of the country and refused to waste their holidays visiting such locations.

To my friends from the west and from the centre of the universe (Toronto), Fredericton seemed like the middle of nowhere. It was as if New Brunswick was Canada’s forgotten province. No one knew anything about it, so they assumed it must be awful and unworthy of my time, and theirs. 

Their opinions started to change when they saw my photos and heard stories of camping at the Bay of Fundy, kayaking, canoeing, zip-lining through an obstacle course in the trees, Thursday night karaoke and trips to the horse races. 

Suddenly, New Brunswick seemed OK, but it still wasn’t quite worth visiting.

After a four-month internship at Fredericton’s daily newspaper – with not a single visitor – I moved north. To my southern friends, Yellowknife wasn’t a forgotten part of the country, but it was unknown and, in turn, scary. They questioned how I would survive in such an isolated place – a place with no shopping malls. Or, how I could stand bundling up in a Canada Goose parka for four months of the year?

The questions were endless and their doubt was unwavering. Again, that was until I arrived and started sharing my stories of dog sledding, outdoor hockey at -40 C, snowmobiling, ice fishing, 24-hour sunlight, cliff jumping, buying fresh fish off the back of a boat and, of course, the northern lights.

As I posted photos on Facebook or recounted my tales, my friends all told me how wonderful Canada’s north sounds, but again refused to see it for themselves.

So, of course, when I went to Nunavut last summer, the reaction was the same, if not more severe. The idea of being in a hamlet of 2,400 people with dirt roads – none of which connect you to another community – was unfathomable, at least for everyone but me. I was thrilled for the opportunity to learn about and experience Inuit culture, and for the chance to see a part of the country that is virtually untouched. 

Although my friends don’t get it, looking back, I’m thankful I’ve always answered the question, “Why the hell would you go there?” with, “Why not?”

I have had so many incredible experiences across our great country because I haven’t let myself judge a place before seeing it and because I’ve embraced every opportunity that’s been put before me.

And in the long run, all of my life choices are what have led me to Jasper – a place my friends will actually visit. 

It may have taken me two years to find a desirable vacation destination, but in that time, I’ve made dozens of new friendships, which means my recently acquired futon will be in even greater demand.

I’m sure at some point running a hostel out of my apartment will get old, but for now, I’m excited for the opportunity to share this gorgeous mountain town with my friends from coast to coast to coast.

DISCLAIMER: The Last Word is an opinion column, it is meant to provoke thought and debate. As such, any opinions written here are the writer’s own and do not reflect the viewpoint of any other Fitzhugh staff member or the directors of the Jasper Media Group Inc.