One Week (2008 Film) Road Trip
"One Week" is a 2008 Canadian drama film directed by Michael McGowan and starring Joshua Jackson as Ben Tyler, a man who discovers he has terminal cancer and decides to take a motorcycle trip from Toronto to Tofino, British Columbia. The movie showcases beautiful Canadian landscapes and various tourist attractions along the way.
Itinerary
This itinerary will take through a journey inspired by Ben Tyler in "One Week" from Toronto to Tofino, experiencing Canada's diverse landscapes and attractions along the way.
"One Week" is a 2008 Canadian drama film directed by Michael McGowan and starring Joshua Jackson as Ben Tyler, a man who discovers he has terminal cancer and decides to take a motorcycle trip from Toronto to Tofino, British Columbia. The movie showcases beautiful Canadian landscapes and various tourist attractions along the way.
If you're looking to recreate Ben's journey from the film, here's a suggested 7-day itinerary:
Day 1: Toronto, Ontario
- Start at the CN Tower and explore downtown Toronto
- Visit the Royal Ontario Museum and the Art Gallery of Ontario
- Enjoy the Distillery District and grab a meal in Kensington Market
Day 2: Toronto to Tobermory, Ontario (290 km, approx. 4 hours)
- Drive north and stop at Bruce Peninsula National Park
- Explore the Grotto and Indian Head Cove
- Take a boat tour of Fathom Five National Marine Park and Flowerpot Island
Day 3: Tobermory to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario (480 km, approx. 6 hours)
- Drive along the scenic northern shoreline of Lake Huron
- Stop at Pancake Bay Provincial Park for a beach break
- Explore the Soo Locks and the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre in Sault Ste. Marie
Day 4: Sault Ste. Marie to Wawa, Ontario (230 km, approx. 3 hours)
- Drive along the stunning coastline of Lake Superior
- Visit the Agawa Rock Pictographs in Lake Superior Provincial Park
- Explore Wawa and take a photo with the famous Wawa Goose landmark
Day 5: Wawa to Thunder Bay, Ontario (460 km, approx. 5.5 hours)
- Continue along the Trans-Canada Highway, admiring the beautiful Lake Superior shoreline
- Stop at Ouimet Canyon Provincial Park for panoramic views
- Explore Thunder Bay, visiting Kakabeka Falls and the Terry Fox Monument
Day 6: Thunder Bay to Winnipeg, Manitoba (700 km, approx. 8 hours)
- Drive through the picturesque Canadian Shield landscape
- Stop at Kenora, Ontario for a break by Lake of the Woods
- Explore Winnipeg, visiting the Canadian Museum for Human Rights and The Forks
Day 7: Winnipeg to Regina, Saskatchewan (570 km, approx. 6 hours)
- Head west through the vast prairies
- Visit the Royal Saskatchewan Museum in Regina
- End the day with a walk around Wascana Centre Park
Day 8: Regina, Saskatchewan to Calgary, Alberta (760 km, approx. 7.5 hours)
- Drive west and stop at the popular roadside attraction, the Moose Jaw Tunnels Continue to Medicine Hat, Alberta, and visit the Saamis Teepee, the world's tallest teepee
- Arrive in Calgary and explore downtown, visiting the Calgary Tower and the Glenbow Museum
Day 9: Calgary to Banff, Alberta (130 km, approx. 1.5 hours)
- Drive to Banff National Park, stopping at Canmore for a break
Explore Banff townsite and take the Banff Gondola up Sulphur Mountain - Relax at the Banff Upper Hot Springs and visit Bow Falls
Day 10: Banff to Jasper, Alberta (290 km, approx. 4 hours)
- Drive along the Icefields Parkway, one of the most scenic drives in the world
- Stop at Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, two iconic Canadian Rockies destinations
- Visit the Columbia Icefield and take the Glacier Adventure tour onto the Athabasca Glacier
- Arrive in Jasper and explore the town
Day 11: Jasper to Kamloops, British Columbia (470 km, approx. 5.5 hours)
- Spend the morning exploring Jasper National Park, visiting Maligne Lake and Athabasca Falls
- Drive to Kamloops, stopping at Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies
- Explore Kamloops and visit Riverside Park
Day 12: Kamloops to Vancouver, British Columbia (350 km, approx. 4 hours)
- Drive through the scenic Fraser Canyon, stopping at Hell's Gate for the airtram and suspension bridge
- Arrive in Vancouver and visit Stanley Park, Granville Island, and Gastown
- Enjoy the evening in downtown Vancouver
Day 13: Vancouver to Victoria, British Columbia (115 km, approx. 4 hours, including ferry)
- Drive to Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal and take the ferry to Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island
- Visit the world-famous Butchart Gardens and the Royal British Columbia Museum in Victoria
- Stroll through downtown Victoria and explore the Inner Harbour
Day 14: Victoria to Tofino, British Columbia (320 km, approx. 5 hours)
- Drive along the Pacific Marine Circle Route, stopping at Sooke Potholes Provincial Park and Cowichan Bay
- Visit Cathedral Grove in MacMillan Provincial Park to see the ancient Douglas fir trees
- Arrive in Tofino, explore the town and enjoy the sunset at Chesterman Beach or Long Beach
Toronto
Tobermory
Wawa
Thunder Bay
Winnipeg
Saskatchewan
Calgary
Banff
Jasper
Kamloops
Victoria
Tofino
British Columbia
In the movie "One Week," the main character, Ben Tyler, embarks on a motorcycle journey that eventually leads him to British Columbia (BC), a province known for its natural beauty, vibrant cities, and diverse outdoor activities. Some interesting regions of British Columbia visited in the movie include:
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Vancouver: A bustling city on the west coast of British Columbia, Vancouver is known for its stunning parks, such as Stanley Park, and diverse neighborhoods. With a multicultural population, Vancouver offers a rich arts scene, a thriving food culture, and numerous outdoor recreation options, including hiking, mountain biking, and skiing in nearby mountains. The city's coastal location also makes it a gateway to exploring the surrounding islands and inlets.
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Tofino: Located on the remote west coast of Vancouver Island, Tofino is a small coastal town surrounded by temperate rainforests, sandy beaches, and the Pacific Ocean. Known for its laid-back atmosphere and strong connection to the ocean, Tofino is popular for storm watching, surfing, and whale watching. The area also offers opportunities for hiking in the nearby Pacific Rim National Park Reserve and exploring the unique ecosystem of Clayoquot Sound, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
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Pacific Rim National Park Reserve: Situated on the southwestern coast of Vancouver Island, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve is a region of rugged coastal wilderness, featuring long stretches of sandy beaches, rocky headlands, and temperate rainforests. Visitors can explore the park's three distinct sections: Long Beach, the Broken Group Islands, and the West Coast Trail. The park offers opportunities for hiking, wildlife viewing, and immersing oneself in the rich cultural history of the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations.
These regions of British Columbia visited during the trip in "One Week" showcase the breathtaking beauty, diverse landscapes, and rich cultural history that the province has to offer. The journey through British Columbia serves as a backdrop for Ben Tyler's self-discovery and a testament to the transformative power of nature and travel.
Memorable Quotes
| Name | Quote | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Ben Tyler | "What would you do if you knew you only had one day, or one week, or one month to live?" | Ben reflects on the decisions he's making in light of his recent terminal cancer diagnosis. |
| Narrator | "Sometimes we make decisions, and sometimes decisions make us." | Narration about how the choices we make, and the circumstances we face, shape who we are. |
| Ben Tyler | "If you can't be happy in the face of certain death, when can you be?" | Ben ponders the meaning of happiness and the importance of living life to the fullest. |
| Samantha | "You can't just run away from your life because you're scared, Ben." | Samantha, Ben's fiancée, tries to make him realize that he can't just leave everything behind. |
| Ben Tyler | "I think I'm lost. And I don't just mean geographically." | Ben admits to feeling lost in life, not only on his motorcycle journey but also emotionally and mentally. |
| Narrator | "It's not the destination that defines us, but the roads we take to reach it." | The narrator suggests that the journey we take in life is more important than the end goal. |
| Ben Tyler | "This is the moment I've been waiting for my whole life. Right here, right now." | Ben realizes the importance of living in the present moment and cherishing his experiences. |
| Old Man | "You know, most people live their whole lives...without any real adventure to call their own. Don't let that be you." | An old man Ben encounters during his trip encourages him to embrace the adventure and live life fully. |
Interesting Facts
| Name | Description | Interesting Fact | Culture |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN Tower, Toronto | Iconic tower in Toronto offering panoramic city views | Once the tallest free-standing structure in the world (553.3 m / 1,815 ft) | A symbol of Canadian achievement and a popular tourist destination |
| Bruce Peninsula National Park | Scenic park in Ontario featuring limestone cliffs and turquoise waters | Home to the famous Grotto, a sea cave with a pool of blue water | An area of great natural beauty and biodiversity; popular for hiking and exploring |
| Lake Superior Provincial Park | Picturesque park on Lake Superior's northern shore | Contains the Agawa Rock Pictographs, ancient art left by the Ojibwe people | A place to appreciate the natural beauty and the rich history of Indigenous people in Canada |
| Wawa Goose, Wawa | A famous landmark in Wawa, Ontario - a giant goose statue | Commemorates the completion of the last link of the Trans-Canada Highway | A quirky roadside attraction representing the spirit of Canadian small towns |
| Terry Fox Monument, Thunder Bay | A memorial statue dedicated to the Canadian hero Terry Fox | Terry Fox attempted to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research | A symbol of courage and perseverance in the face of adversity |
| Banff National Park | Canada's oldest national park in the Canadian Rockies | Home to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, two iconic Canadian destinations | A pristine example of Canada's natural beauty, popular for outdoor activities |
| Vancouver, British Columbia | A vibrant city on Canada's west coast | Known for its beautiful parks, like Stanley Park, and diverse neighborhoods | A multicultural city with a strong arts scene, food culture, and outdoor recreation options |
| Tofino, British Columbia | A small coastal town on Vancouver Island known for its beaches and surfing | Popular for storm watching, surfing, and whale watching | A laid-back town with a strong connection to the ocean and the surrounding wilderness |