Going to another country does not have to be expensive

     We live near San Francisco and it is a fairly expensive trip to Europe. We still go every year. But, what if you want to explore another country at on a smaller budget? One great place is Alberta, Canada. A flight from San Francisco via Seattle to Calgary is about $500 (RT) on Alaska Airlines. A rental car is about $35 day. Leaving Calgary and stopping in Banff  or actually cheaper to stay in Canmore, take the road to Jasper. You will see lakes like that above. (You can stop at Lake Louise and have lunch, but staying there is expensive, except in the hostel.) On the return trip stay in Calgary as it is a a nice city. With food this trip is not prohibitive. The USD is strong. The only big expense is alcohol as it is heavily taxed in Canada. You may catch the bug to visit other countries, so start saving now.