Fall travels - part 4d (Edmonton, BC again)

After Jasper, we three headed off to flatter parts of Alberta.  Little bro Richard and brood live on their 20-acre homestead in the middle of nowhere. Like 15 minutes from Edmonton. Crazy rural... how do you even live like that?

We had a nice time with Rich & Fen and the kids. Lily became acquainted with more cousins she'd never known. 'Tis a shame she (or we for that matter) likely won't see terribly much of them as she grows up.

The obvious touristy spot is West Edmonton Mall, and with kids in tow, the obvious destination in the mall is the kid's play park. Richard had so much fun!

The other kids enjoyed it too. Those cesspools called ball pits were among Lily's favourite.

Nearby attractions included carousels (which we shelled out coins for)....

... and arcades (which we didn't... too cheap). It's amazing how engaged kids can be even when they're not controlling the game.

This was a more relaxing part of our holiday. This also means we rarely have the camera on hand, and as a result I'm always ashamed at how few photos we've taken of family and of at-home time. We celebrated Carrie's birthday with overpriced (but yummy) cupcakes. The driveway gave me only one flat tire... better there than on the open road!

Bonding at story time. Shirts optional.

After an extra-long weekend, we packed up once again and headed off to Surrey to visit Carrie's sister Michelle. Lily was reacquainted with her cousin Micah; they got along wonderfully.

Quality time at the pumpkin patch.

Corn maze!

Then decorating their loot back at the house.

How cute are tiny cousins?! Very. Even if one can't pose properly (must have learned that from her dad).

We stopped in Abbotsford to see Lily's remaining great-grandparents. They're always so happy to see us, and it's very rewarding to oblige them.

Then it was back to Vernon for the whole excuse, I mean reason, for the trip west: Carrie's parents' 40th anniversary, with a nice catered dinner and quality family time.

Reading with Grandma.

Around this time, Lily did some more clambering on that chair, and then one time she ungracefully plunged off it. Her shoulder was in obvious pain, and all the smart heads conferred on whether she had broken something. Common sense prevailed, and we let her sleep it off. It still hurt (a lot) the next morning but she could at least move her arm.

Skip to some time later, and the gang went bowling. Here's Lily bravely (but unhappily) trying to bowl, with (what we later learned was) a broken collarbone. Yes, we felt bad! Poor kid.

We did go to the hospital a few days later once we were back in Ottawa. Turns out there was nothing the doctors would have done anyway; she would just have to be careful and use her arm cautiously as the bone healed. Is that about a B+ for parenting?

Anyway, thus ended our extended trip west. And all blogged about within four months! Not bad, me.

Fall travels - part 4c (Jasper)

Following Banff and the Icefields Parkway, we settled in Jasper National Park for a few days. We took in the town and some nearby attractions, such as Maligne Canyon...

...and Beauvert Lake. The lake provides a beautiful setting for a lodge and golf course. A path leads around the lake and affords great views of the surrounding natural beauty. Sometimes you have to keep a sharp eye out though; I nearly passed right by an elk, a mere 10 feet away.

Not the least bit concerned by the presence of humans.

We didn't have many days this nice.

A tree hugging.

Once, on the way to town from the campsite, dad-in-law and I spotted a crowd of vehicles on a side road. We headed over to see what the deal was. Good thing too, as we were rewarded with an epic battle to the death!

Okay, not really. It was strange how careful these two were, as if they knew that if their antlers locked and got stuck they'd be in real trouble. As if they didn't want to hurt each other. As if they knew they needed to put on a good show for the tourists. So while it seemed halfhearted and not at all fast-paced, it made for some great shots. Thanks elkies!

A few days of Jasper, and it was time for Carrie, Lily and me to head to Edmonton to visit my brother Richard and his family. On the way, we stopped in at Miette Hot Springs. The hot springs consists of four pools of increasing temperature. They also, that day, consisted of a whole lot of very loud tourists. Not to single out a demographic, but can't certain people just tone it down a bit? Y'know, be considerate and all that?

On the way to Miette, we had to avoid a few sheep sharing the road with us. And at Miette, right in the parking lot, they just lounged about and made us treat them like an obstacle course.

What is that look on her face? She seems to be busy yanking out a wedgie.

Off to Edmonton! Or close -- Richard lives on 20 acres west of the city.

Fall travels - part 4b (Banff)

Following our Yoho hike, Carrie and I met up with Lily and her grandparents, who were on their way from Vernon with the fifth wheel. We made our way to Banff and set up camp. (By which I mean we opened the camper door. Pretty much anyway. There's something to be said for RVing!)

As we arrived at the RV camp we saw our first real wildlife.

Our time in Banff was relaxing. We all fit in the camper at night so no tenting was necessary (and not allowed, I think, to prevent being eaten alive in your sleep).

Comfy quarters.

I forget if that site had a power hookup (it did have water/sewer) but in the morning we'd wake up to 10 or 15 degrees in the RV, and somehow it got me up early every day, before everyone else. I'd bundle up, grab my camera, and head out to find me some wildlife shots. Alas, that approach never succeeded, but I did run into a sunrise once. Totally worth it!

Psalm 65:8

The weather mostly cooperated, so we explored the area a bit. Surprisingly busy at this time of year (end of September).

Roadside scenery

More roadside scenery. This one caused a slight traffic jam.

Our beautiful little showoff.

All that's missing is yodelling... and goats.

Fairmont has some sweet spots for hotels. This one's in Banff.

One day trip we made was to Lake Louise. It was a weekend and there were about a million people in the area. We spent a ridiculous amount of time circling the parking lot looking for a spot to park. If it was just me I wouldn't have bothered. Perhaps fortunately, less cool heads prevailed.

It certainly is picturesque.

Another Fairmont. Thank the railroad companies for these well-placed digs.

Walking with grandpa.

Later when it was a little less busy, we ventured to Moraine Lake, an equally pretty setting.

The girls climbed a big rock pile beside the lake. Also beside the lake, lots of driftwood...

View from the pile.

Very heartening: obey or be eaten.

Another trip was to Johnston Canyon to see some waterfalls and whatnot.

Don't look down. And, uh, trust the engineers.

Dad gets a break.

Waterfall spotted. It was really more about the walk.

This photogenic raven got an inordinate amount of attention from tourists.

 After three days in Banff, it was time move on. We hit the road, taking the Icefields Parkway from Banff National Park to Jasper National Park. A scenic drive through the Rockies, this route provides great views of glaciers and mountains... if conditions are right.

Conditions were right.

Hilda Peak & Glacier

We stopped at Athabasca Glacier, which is a big fat tourist trap. Nice, but a trap. The huge interpretive centre was overrun by tourists, mostly Asian. They get shipped here by the busload, and then they happily stand in long lines to buy expensive tickets for a glacier tour in a six-wheeled coach bus. At least they don't skimp on spending once they've made their way here! Fascinating money-maker, this operation. I cannot imagine being here in the middle of summer, especially next year when access to national parks is free.

Athabasca Glacier, receding rapidly. That's okay, my freezer still makes ice!

A few of the buses.

Six-wheeled monsters out on the glacier.