Tag Archives: Summer

Yellowstone Vacation — Calgary to Yellowstone

I've wanted to visit Yellowstone National Park for years (as long as I can remember really) and Louise and I have often talked about going there. Every time it came up we ended up deciding that it was a little bit too far away and too ambitious a trip. But when we had some unplanned vacation time to use up this summer, and when Louise kept telling me that she wanted to do more camping this year, the conversations kept returning to Yellowstone. We finally decided to just do it. Uncharacteristically for us, we made the decision little more than a week in advance, … Continue Reading ››

Late Summer Vacation

We were fortunate to be able to take a summer vacation in late August this year and we took the opportunity to take a drive through Western Canada to see my sister Heidi and her family in 100 Mile House, BC. Yes, it's actually called that, and it was named because it was located 100 Miles from Lillooet, BC, which was Mile 0 of the Cariboo Wagon Road.  That's even funnier since Lillooet is at least 100 Miles from Nowhere!!! It was a pretty relaxing trip and Melanie and Andrew got to hang out with their cousin Hannah and her brand new baby … Continue Reading ››

Flashback to May – Weekend in the Mountains

We went for a family weekend in Lake Louise and kicked it off by having a picnic lunch and going hiking in Banff on the way. We had lunch at the end of the parkway at Vermillion Lake with a nice view of Mt. Rundle in the background and a posse of Columbian Ground Squirrels nearby, and then we went for a short hike up Silvertip Creek to Silverton Falls.  This trail is only a few kilometers away from Johnston Canyon, but it is almost unknown and doesn't see anywhere near the huge crowds that travel to … Continue Reading ››

Hiking at Sunshine Meadows

We went hiking at Sunshine Meadows with the Nott Family and Monica (and Kenneth). The day started off great as we came across a timber wolf on the road into the base of the mountain. He was out for a morning stroll and completely ignored us while we stopped to a take a few pictures… We met up with the rest of the gang at the base and boarded the first bus up to the day lodge. During the ski season there is a gondola running between the parking lot and the ski lodge, but in the summer you have to take an old school bus up a long, windy, and … Continue Reading ››

Pelican on the Bow River

We had our first Pelican sighting of the year today. These American White Pelicans arrive in Calgary in late April, hang out on the Bow River all summer, and then take off to Florida before it gets too cold... Sounds like a good plan to me! It was a pretty ugly day today with plenty of snow and rain, but we both had the day off and took advantage of it anyway. We went for a really nice walk along the river and saw plenty of birds including ducks, geese, and a Hawk soaring high above.