Our First Road Trip!

Something that we had both really wanted to do whilst my parents were here was to take the drive up to Jasper, a majestic drive through the Canadian Rockies with over 100 visible glaciers between Lake Louise and Jasper itself along Highway 93. The road conditions however, were to make the trip somewhat more interesting as we didn't have winter tyres fitted to the car yet and after fresh snowfall, followed by temperatures down to -15c, it was a bit slippy!

As soon as we got outside the Calgary city limits and the roads became more covered in snow and the driving conditions, although nothing by Canadian standards, was more than we'd been used to. However the snow covered mountains were amazing making the drive all the more amazing. The road between Lake Louise and Jasper had actually been closed the day before!

This picture was taken en-route and you can see by the ice forming on the car window just how cold it was.

The drive from Banff to jasper is one of the most scenic highways in the world with over 100 glaciers visible on the route. The Columbia Ice field was about and hour from Jasper so we stopped off on route. We had brought Domino with us as the hotel where we were staying in Jasper had dog friendly rooms and we knew that she would quite like a little trip to the mountains. We were however slightly worried that with the extreme temperatures it might be too cold to leave her in the car while we went round the glacier.

When we parked up in the car park we made sure we were in the sunlight, then we dressed her up in her t-shirt and coat, then wrapped her up in her bed with a towel, then blasted the car with some warm air. We needn't have worried though, cause when we returned to the car she had moved from under the towel as she was too hot and was fast asleep on the top of her bed and was warm as toast, unlike us!!

This is a picture of the information centre and The Glacier View Inn

In the picture below you can see Nige and my Dad standing next to a rather large layer of ice.

We took a 20 minute ride in the huge ice explorer onto the surface of the glacier.

The surface of the glacier is surrounded by a number of mountains covering an area of almost 325 square km and has a depth of over 350m and when the snow melts the water travels through streams and rivers and on into three different oceans, the Pacific, the Arctic and the Atlantic.

We had booked a hotel for the night in Jasper and after almost 5 hours of driving we were really glad to arrive.

About 45 minutes drive from the Hotel was the Miette Hot springs so on the following morning after a hearty breakfast we took the trip further into the mountains up to the springs. It was surreal to be in a pool of 40 degree water surrounded by snow and a temperature of around -12 so once we'd got our hair wet it kept freezing!

There were also two other pools one of 21 degrees and another of 9 degrees, the idea is to have a dip in the cold pools then get straight into the main pool, get your heart rate going and give your skin a healthy glow.

Me, Nige and my Dad, opted to give the 21 degree pool a whirl, which was certainly 'fresh', however getting back into the hot springs was a great feeling. Nobody seemed to be too keen on going into the other pool, which at 9 degrees, most of us would understand, except Nige that is. Always keen for a challenge, he decided to not only go in once but twice and even tried swimming in it on his second visit, all but briefly, before coming up gasping for his breath. I think he was even more pleased to get back into the springs, with a tingling sensation all over!

Some friendly wildlife up close as they were licking the salt off the road!

BINGES Bar!

When we came out in September we spent some time looking round various show homes and one thing that we both (ok, Nige mainly) liked the idea of was a bar in the basement. After a great deal of research (yep you've guessed it, Nige again) we decided that we would build our own, but as we were renting we would build it so it could be easily dismantled and moved to the next house.

With my parents due to come out and visit soon we were on a deadline and have finally finished our very own bar. Nige still plans to put in beer on tap but we're going to get that finished before christmas, giving us time to find exactly what we want.

So why BINGES I hear you ask. Well we have Nige and our Friend Sonja for that. In the car one day we were trying to think of a catchy name for our bar when Sonja asked what our initials were. Then Nige realized our initials SEG NIB backwards....you get the idea. So here are some pictures of the bar.

Our First Visitors!

Being so far away from home has been difficult at times so we were really looking forward to having our first visitors, and Sophie's parents were the first people to make the trip across the water. They arrived on the Saturday afternoon for ten days and after a quiet cup of tea and a piece of cake, they decided what they wanted to do whilst they were here. With so much to do and so little time we wanted to make sure they got the most out of their visit. Sophie was due to write her Nursing exam on the wednesday so I was going to work a few hours in the morning, but other than that we had both booked the time off.

We had brought Sophie's dad a ticket to see the Calgary Hitmen play hockey on the Sunday, and obviously I had to go and keep him company! so Sophie and her mum decided to head up to a new shopping mall that had recently opened in the North East of the city.

Next on their list was Johnston Canyon. We had been a couple of times before but I don't think it is possible to tire of the amazing scenery.

Sophie's parents at Johnston Canyon

Is that a bear they've just spotted.....................................................................................

.......errrr.....no, just some comical posing.

some more pictures of the beautiful scenery at the Canyon.

The rest of the week we managed to squeeze in, amongst many other things, a trip to Banff and Sulphur Mountain, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and a leisurely walk around the Glenmore Reservoir, with a few pictures from each below.

Lake Louise

Moraine Lake

We noticed on our walk around the reservoir that something had been having a chew on the path fencing, not sure what but either way we agreed by the size of both the teeth and claw marks we didn't fancy meeting it!

The pathway around the reservoir as it crosses the Elbow River.

Stopping for a rest!

The reservoir, just as a weather front moves in.

The Banff Gondola

Some picture taken from the top of Sulphur Mountain (approx 2500m high)

We had an amazing time and hope its not long before they come and visit us again!It was lovely being able to show others what we love about the place in which we live.

Sunset in Kananaskis Country

On a lovely September evening, we decided to take Domino out for a stroll as the sun was setting.  This area is due West along the 22X from our house, approx' 40 mins away and is a great place to walk, cycle and obviously take Domino.  Very tranquil.

Nice tan their Nige!  You must have some good weather in Calgary during the summer!?

This little fella hardly batted an eyelid at our presence as he enjoyed chewing on his piece of grass.  See video below: 

A quick shot from the car on the way home after a lovely evening stroll in Kananaskis Country!  Very nice.  P.S  Domino was now sleeping in the back of the car.  All that fresh, clean air, crisp water and all that walking had made her feel quite tired.

Ye-Haaa! Ride 'em Cowboy.

Is that 2 Cowboys I see walking along Banff High Street?...............Oh no, it's Nige and Alan!

Not looking too much like Cowboys now eh?  Our day out trail riding in Banff proved to be quite a cold and damp affair, so the Cowboy shirts had to be covered up to preserve some warmth!  This was on Labour Day and the weather had been glorious for weeks leading up to this, then glorious for weeks after!  Typical.  We still enjoyed the day out, but wished we could have had more control over the horses and been able to trot a bit more.  A good introduction for me and Alan all the same as both Sophie and Sonya we're dab hands at it, now I think we're ready to rope some cattle!

The stunning scenery and especially the colour of the Bow river were something to behold.  Quite stunning!

At the end of the trail ride we were also treated to the sight of two Elk playing and grazing near by.  Just before this shot was taken their antlers were locked, however,  my sublime horse riding skills distracted them and they couldn't take their eyes off me!  (well, one of them at least, the other was really really hungry)

It really is a beautiful place, which will soon be white over!

Globalfest Fireworks - China Style!

Soon after we arrived in Calgary, we booked some tickets for the International Fireworks Display which is held annually in Calgary.  We decided to go on the night that China were giving their display at Elliston Park, which is a perfect banked park, overlooking a lake where the fireworks were to be set off.  For $10 each, it was a great night!  Piccies , piccies, piccies!! ...Oh and some video footage too!

Just getting ready for the night's entertainment to begin!

We also managed to get some video footage which we've added below.

A good night had by all!!

A Stroll around Glenmore Reservoir

After planning to take this walk on a number of occasions in the past, we eventually got round to it yesterday while the sun was shining and the mercury was up to 32c!  With Domino in toe and a couple of bottles of water, we set off at about 14:30, expecting to be back by approx' 16:30 as we'd been informed it was about 11km for the loop.

The view as we set off from South Glenmore Park (approx' 10 mins drive from our house):

 

Some of the inquisitive locals we encountered.

Domino cooling of in the Elbow River on the west side of the reservoir.  The water was pretty cold, even though the weather has been hot here for a while now.  This is obviously because it comes from the mountains which in places are still snow covered and with Calgary being 0ver 3500ft above sea level, the water doesn't have long to warm up.  Very refreshing for all 3 of us though!

Not the best picture as we had to scramble to get the camera out, by which time the eagle had got further away after initially passing directly over our heads at out 50ft up!  Fascinating to see these impressive birds of prey!

Domino admiring the view from the area around North Glenmore Park (approximately half way round for us).  This shows the Elbow River meandering into the West side of the reservoir which is quite stunning.

Me and Domino having a well deserved breather before setting off on the rest of the walk.

By this time we had to refill our water bottles as we'd drank the two we were carrying due to the heat.  Once we'd got about 11km into the walk (that's right, not back at the car yet), Domino was limping quite badly as she'd hurt her front leg, so, as Sophie was determined to complete the walk, I stayed with Domino on a nice patch of grass while Sophie walked the final 3km back to the car and came to pick up the wounded soldiers!!  It was further than we thought and due to a few stops along the way, Sophie didn't get back to the car until 18:15 after a great day out.