May 13, 2012 - Day 19, Crossing to Canada

Happy Mother’s Day to my mom and all you other mothers who may be reading this. We crossed the border at Sweetgrass. Interesting process. Cops will be cops and can’t go anywhere without a weapon. Because no one can take a handgun into Canada, Rob went out and bought a shotgun to bring. So at the border, we had to fill out all this paperwork and pay $25 to take the shotgun. We had to park the bus and go inside to answer more questions including whether we had ever been in jail. We looked at each other and laughed and told the lady “only to...

Apr 23, 2012 - Back To Our New Home

After our trip down memory lane we drove right to Calgary, just in time to meet Lloyd, Cam and Michele at Lloyd's golf club for dinner after their first round of the season (golf course opened that day). We stayed the night at Lloyd's in Calgary and drove home today. Time to unpack our boxes and settle in. As much as we can in the next week until we head out again, this time to Peru for a month! Despite the snow on the mountains, it is definitely sprig in the Rockies. It was 24C today, the very pregnant Elk are brousing in the meadow, the...

Mar 30, 2012 - Home!

It's official! We are now full-time Canmore residents. Saying goodbye to our beautiful house (and view) in Calgary was sad but we're happy to finally be settled in Canmore. Well almost settled. We still have boxes of stuff waiting to be put away somewhere. But that will have to wait because we're heading back to Palm Desert to drive Lloyd's van home. We'll hang out for a few days, play some golf and spend Easter with Lloyd and Christina. Then head East and North, stopping for some hiking, more golfing and a little road riding along the way....

Feb 4, 2012 - On Canmore Pond

Pam's sister Laurie called today to see if we were free to meet her, Tom, Eva and Maggie for a little skating. It was a beautiful day and after 5 days of skiing, an easy skate on the pond in Canmore sounded like a great idea! As it turned out, the girls' skating has gotten so good that after a couple of vigorous rounds of "tag, you're it", we were ready for a beer and lunch at the pub.

Sep 22, 2011 - The Elk Rut

It is elk rutting season and the Bow River Valley is filled with the screams of bugling males challenging each other for rights to the harems of females. If you haven't heard the sound of bugling elk, check out this website: www.elktalkin.com. A large heard of females and young of year were hanging out by the creek near our place in Canmore, guarded by an agitated male with a big rack. It was the perfect photo op so Pam set out with her 100-400 lens to take some photos and enjoy the show. A good lens is a must, you don't want to get too...

Sep 16, 2011 - Golf

Yes, we're actually playing golf; both of us. This is Dale's 3rd season and Pam took it up in June. Dale is starting to make big improvements, Pam is sill very much a beginner (but having a golf pro in the family helps!). Now that we have more time on our hands, it is great to have an activity that enables us to do something relatively active outside that counts as "recovery" (instead of 100km rides, long runs and difficult hikes). Going for a walk in a beautiful setting isn't such a bad thing!

Aug 15, 2011 - Traveling to Canmore AB

Monday we made the 200 mile drive on Highway 1 from Revelstoke to Canmore. We went through Lake Louise and Banff but did not stop to see the area. We had that planned for a return trip on Tuesday. Highway 1 was a four lane freeway for most of the trip. There were a couple of rest stops/view points along the way to do some walk –arounds and take photos of the mountains. We were also intrigued by the animal crossings that were along the highway. There were a couple under construction that allowed a good insight into construction. They have...

Aug 6, 2011 - The Inuvik Invasion

The Inuvik branch of the Jenks Clan were in Banff for a few days of their summer holidays and stopped in for a bbq and visit. Lorie and Terry drove out from Calgary for the occasion. It was great to catch up with Gene and Anick and get re-aquainted with the kids. One of these days we may even make it to Inuvik! Lorie and Terry stayed out overnight and the next morning we played 9 holes of golf at the Brewsters Kananaskis Ranch course. We didn't get eaten alive by mosquitos and we came home with more balls than we started with - a great...

Aug 1, 2011 - Canmore Folk Festival

The Canmore Folk Festival is held on the August long weekend every year and we wouldn't miss it! The weather is usually good, the setting is unbeatable and there is always an eclectic mix of music. Barb, Don, Alicia and Phil joined us this year for a fun and relaxing weekend.

Jul 6, 2011 - The Good Life

Now that summer is really here, we've been able to get out and do all of our favorite activities. Some road cycling, mountain biking, hiking, running, volunteer work, photography, writing, golf (yes, really) and even some time in the hammock. Retirement, just as we planned it! It has also been an unusually good couple of weeks for wildlife viewing. Chikadees nesting in our bird house in Canmore, Swallows in the birdhouse in Calgary, Mule Deer in our Canmore yard and along pathways while we're walking, Bull Elk and Big Horn Sheep along our...

Mar 31, 2011 - Day 2 in the snow

Went on the snowy owl dog sledding in Canmore today. Paul/Caitlyn in one sled v's Jaxan and I in the other. The track was about 10KM long and we went for about an 3 hours. It was the most fantastic thing, crisp clear day with white fluffy snow and crystal clear river and pine trees covered in snow. It also was very hard work, you have to help the dog to pull or they will not run. If they don't feel you pushing on the hills they will stop. After the ride we had hot cider and fresh choc chip cookies. They let one of the pups out to run around...

Feb 21, 2011 - Family Day Weekend In Canmore

What better way to spend the Family Day weekend than with families! First, a family of deer came for a visit in our backyard. Then Catherine, Ian and Elise came for a visit and all of us hooked up with Laurie, Tom, Eva and Maggie for brunch. Later, after blowing the dust off our ice skates, we laced up for the first time in over 20 years and managed to do a few laps around the Canmore Pond without doing any damage. Pam also got out with her camera and new tripod to take some photos around town.