Hiking in Kananaskis

Here are some pictures of our hike on the weekend.

Ryan and the kids. It was a warm day... warm enough to go shirtless for a while.

Darcy and Brad

Brad and Max at lunch.

Katy and I

We walked along Ribbon Creek.

Didn't see any bears though!

Diablog

As I am having some technical issues with Google and Blogger, it will take me a while longer than usual to get photos posted. In the meantime, please check out more pics from my Weekend Away in the Rockies with the Calkins family on Brad's Blog!

Hardcore Photographer!

K Country

This weekend, we have enjoyed a fabulous family vacation to the Rockies! We stayed at the Kananaskis Lodge. We hiked in glorious weather and swam in heated pools, ate great food and shared the best company!

This is the view from our window!

Birch trees and mountains

Breakfast of Champions

The only thing missing is the bacon and/or pork sausages!

In Cowtown

I arrived in Calgary on Thursday, and the big event of the day was Allison's birthday, celebrated in the park with many children!

Dawn made a gorgeous Chocolate Ganache cake for Allison.

Sam and Max hung out on the monkey bars.

In the evening, the adults went to see the new Cirque de Soleil show, KOOZA. Crazy, mind-blowing acrobatics, contortionists and tightrope walkers!

Darcy & I

How to Have an Awesome Day with Lori

• Have a tour of her new home renovations. (Beautiful!)

• Hang out with Aubrey. (Tallest, smartest, most polite and funny 4 year old ever!)

Me and Aubrey

Lori and Aubrey at Daycare

• View potential lighting fixtures and door handles on line. (Legion!)
• Wander downtown shops. (Old favorites and new ones.)
• Try on shoes. (Practical ones and frivolous fun ones !)
• Lunch at ReBar. (Yummy!)

• Talk and talk and talk and laugh and cry. (The best.)

Trip to Saltspring

We enjoyed a visit on Saltspring Island with my Aunt Phyllis on Tuesday. 

We brought over a picnic lunch and some birthday cake to share.

Hippy Trippy Morningside Café. I'd like to know where they're surfing on Saltspring! That's likely why they make good signs.

 ubiquitous prayer flags

 Fulford Harbour views off the government dock

Kitsch Fuel

Carousel Ride

I’ve never been on one before. How’s that?

Appropriately, my first time on a carousel was with my parents.

I didn’t ride a Lipazaner or a Black Stallion. I rode a grizzly bear with salmon hanging out of his mouth.

I could have chosen to ride a killer whale, but that was just a bit too West Coast. 

Ways to Combat Jet Lag:

1. Wake up and stay up.
2. Head to a mall where tinny muzak and artificial lighting are abrasive enough to continue to stimulate your system... and buy a pre-pay mobile phone so you can send and receive international text messages. 
3. Spend the afternoon at Butchart Gardens with the parents.
4. Ride a carousel.
5. Go for a run, even if your iPod craps out after the first three songs and you run for only half the distance you'd normally go.
6. Appreciate Canadian Geese flying in formation, manic squirrels chasing each other up tree trunks, and brilliant sunsets over the inlet.
7. Enjoy Triscuits and soup for dinner.

Dad & I at lunch at Butchart Gardens

 Lots of hugs

English Roses are my favourite!

You don't see trees like this in Oz.

Back with the Fam

Mom and Dad have moved in the last year from Cordova Bay to Brentwood Bay. The view from their deck is gorgeous: Todd Inlet, part of the Brentwood Bay Marina and the Malahat in the background.

The jam line-up was impressive on my first morning in Brentwood Bay, but I made a special request for Smush, a special hot cereal concoction dad has made for us since we were little.

Birthday in Lorne

I spent my birthday down in Lorne with Andrew. We had a fantastically yummy dinner at the Maple Tree Restaurant on Friday night, a lovely stay at the Great Ocean Road Cottages, and a great day hanging out in Lorne on Saturday. The sun shone during breakfast and, luckily, while we surfed.  

As we walked along the beach, we saw this little seal on Lorne Point. He must have been recovering from the massive swell (8-12 ft) the day before.

Blue Surge Cast

They're lovely and we had a great ride! We enjoyed drinks and some more frickin' awesome times at BAR NANCY  on the High Street in Westgarth before parting ways.

Almost everyone including Michele, our producer and Daniel, our designer. 

Daniel

Justin and his partner, Steph

The wonderful Eloise

Eloise, Holly and Trent.

Cassie and I 

...again. 

Trent.