13 September 2005
Zip lining through the Forest
Another major highlight of our Canada trip. We drove up into the mountain forests and climbed wooden staircases into the canopy of a 90 foot high tree. Then, attached to a cable, we zip lined at heady speeds down and along a river canyon to another tree over 900 feet away. A total adrenaline rush - and beautiful views too of the forest canopy. In total, we zipped 4 times between 5 different trees. This was our first experience of zip lining. Mike and Trish had done it in Mexico on their last trip and it was thanks to them that we tried it out. Would highly recommend it!
12 September 2005
Exploring Whistler
We spent our last couple of days in Whistler, a 6 hour drive from Vernon. We drove up with Trish and Mike and Keira travelled up by bus from Vancouver to join us. Whistler is North America's premier skiing destination in the winter and will host the winter olympics in 2010. It also happens to be the courting ground of Mike and Trish during their first few years together (when it was a whole lot less developed.) It has now become an extremely yuppie spot with multi million dollar condos overlooking the ski slopes. A very scenic place with snow capped mountains, beautiful forests and lakes and lots of outdoor summer activities like biking, white river rafting and zipping.
On Saturday, it rained quite a bit but that wasn't going to scare us from exploring. We put our rain gear to the test and visited some of the local forests and stopped by the Lost Lake. I love the shot above of me in Silhouette, taken by Ally, at the lost lake. In the second shot, the girls are standing on a rather wobbly and high suspension bridge.
In summer, biking is the primary sport around Whistler. Mountain bikers hurl themselves down the ski slopes at crazy speeds, with extra ramps along the way to spice up the experience. The famous Whistler 24 hour bike race was being held while we were there. Bikers speed around a large course over and over for 24 hours non stop - from 11 am to 11 am right through the cold night - the ultimate endurance bike event. I've never seen such muddy, bedraggled creatures as those that sped past us in the muddy conditions, and the night hadn't even started yet. Some people are serious masochists!!
On Saturday, it rained quite a bit but that wasn't going to scare us from exploring. We put our rain gear to the test and visited some of the local forests and stopped by the Lost Lake. I love the shot above of me in Silhouette, taken by Ally, at the lost lake. In the second shot, the girls are standing on a rather wobbly and high suspension bridge.
In summer, biking is the primary sport around Whistler. Mountain bikers hurl themselves down the ski slopes at crazy speeds, with extra ramps along the way to spice up the experience. The famous Whistler 24 hour bike race was being held while we were there. Bikers speed around a large course over and over for 24 hours non stop - from 11 am to 11 am right through the cold night - the ultimate endurance bike event. I've never seen such muddy, bedraggled creatures as those that sped past us in the muddy conditions, and the night hadn't even started yet. Some people are serious masochists!!
11 September 2005
Columbia Icefields
One of the highlights of Rockies was our trip up into this glacier by specially adapted "glacier buses".
The adventure started with the "sheerest descent in North America" (according to our petite female driver) straight down the almost verticle slope of a Moraine and then a chug up the ice on powerful "snow wheels".
The glacier is enormous, covering close to 400 square kilomters. It was a weird feeling getting out of the bus onto the glacier knowing that there were hundreds of feet of ice below us.
The water running off glaciers is the purest you can get - 75% of the world's fresh water originates from this source. Legend has it that drinking it can decrease your age by up to 20 years, so of course we all gulped greedily from the stream!
The adventure started with the "sheerest descent in North America" (according to our petite female driver) straight down the almost verticle slope of a Moraine and then a chug up the ice on powerful "snow wheels".
The glacier is enormous, covering close to 400 square kilomters. It was a weird feeling getting out of the bus onto the glacier knowing that there were hundreds of feet of ice below us.
The water running off glaciers is the purest you can get - 75% of the world's fresh water originates from this source. Legend has it that drinking it can decrease your age by up to 20 years, so of course we all gulped greedily from the stream!
The Laughter of Old Friends
I love this photo. Taken at Helen's wedding, it shows mum with friends who have been so since before I was born. That's 35 years of friendship. Very special indeed. Reminds me of a poem I was sent the other day. In fact mum, I think it was you who sent it.
A friend is someone we turn to
When our spirits need a lift
A friend is someone we treasure
For our friendship is a gift.
A friend is someone who fills our lives
With beauty, joy, and grace
And makes the world we live in
A better and happier place.
10 September 2005
Cory Pass and Edith Path hike
Mike led us on this gruelling but absolutely spectacular hike through thick pine forests to a wind swept, barren alpine path that climbed over a snow sprinkled ridge and back down into forests culminating in a gorgeous lake view.
Ally was a stalwart and slogged her way up the steep climbs like a trooper. Unfortunately, I had a streaming cold that broke in the middle of the hike so wasn't too strong on the way down.
This was one of the most scenic hikes I've ever done - long will it remain in our memories.
Trish unfortuntely was still on crutches due to her poor foot so was unable to make it but fortuntely she had done the hike before so was able to relate to all our stories when we returned to base.
Ally was a stalwart and slogged her way up the steep climbs like a trooper. Unfortunately, I had a streaming cold that broke in the middle of the hike so wasn't too strong on the way down.
This was one of the most scenic hikes I've ever done - long will it remain in our memories.
Trish unfortuntely was still on crutches due to her poor foot so was unable to make it but fortuntely she had done the hike before so was able to relate to all our stories when we returned to base.
8 September 2005
7 September 2005
6 September 2005
Banff Town
The town of Banff at dusk with it's beautiful mountain backdrop. Mike loves outdoor camping and adventure stores as do I, so we had fun perusing the fleeces and other goodies. Ally found us a worthy new addition for the printer's tray to symbolize our Canada trip - a little, jade bear.
London Mood Shots
Photos of the London Eye taken (at speed) from the tube on the way home. Nice to see London in a moment of grace. We left Vancouver at 10 pm Sunday night and arrived in London Gatwick at 5 pm Monday evening. Then a two and half hour train trip back to Cambridge. Now for a good nights sleep - to be fresh for work tomorrow.
A big thank you to our lovely family in Canada
In the top photo, doing what Canadians do best - enjoying a delicious cup of coffee (at Whistler). No-one makes coffee better than the Canadians. In the photo below, we're enjoying Vancouver's best hamburgers by the ocean on our last day. Trish, Mike, Keira and Kyle were absolutely fantastic hosts and it was thanks to them that we enjoyed so many great sights and experiences. Thanks guys - you were wonderful. We can't wait to see you all in Australia and show you around there.
