Sunday 21-Oct-2007
Ottawa River – Main Channel
Water level: -3.5 according to others
It was a great day for paddling. The weather was sunny and absolutely gorgeous.
There would only be four of us in our group today. Wayne, Jason, Anna, and myself. Wayne managed to scrounge some gear for Anna as her boating stuff was still in Colorado. I stopped on the way to borrow a drytop from Jen which was very much appreciated.
We started to get ready and did a quick shuttle. We ended up giving Jennifer a ride back to the putin as she was just sitting in her vehicle at the takeout hoping someone would be coming soon. Anna ended paddling in Jason’s boat as it was more her size. They were very creative in re-outfitting the boat to make her tight in the boat. Anna found it difficult to move in the PFD she had on but would live with it as she was happy to be boating as it has been eight months since she had done it last.
We headed off to McKoys. We ran into Luke who was heading back to the putin as he was done playing for the day. I looked at his PFD and asked him if we could borrow it for the day. He agreed he swapped with Anna who was now very happy and comfortable. Wayne did the thread the needle. Jason ran the right hand line to show Anna where to go. She decided to walk this one. I did my run through McKoys down the right side and I did it with the bow of my boat pointing in the right direction. Jason played at Centre Horseshoe while I took pictures of him and the fall colours.
He headed of to the Lorne. I ended up swimming after getting side swiped at the third wave at Garb. I did a quick self rescue and paddled back up in the eddy to the boof ledge. Jason and Anna ended up run the ledge. Jason did a couple of rides at Garb and headed down river. I peeled out above Moby Dick and ran right through Garb with no problems at all. I am not quite sure how I can swim the first run and not swim doing the peel out.
Push Button wasn’t too busy. There were maybe eight people or so. Wayne, Jason, and Anna managed to get in a few good rides before we headed down river. Everyone made it down through Butchers Knife no problem at all.
I ended up swimming at the top of the Normans at the last wave before the boils. I decided to run the middle left line as I had never done that before. I self rescued in a nice little alcove, got back in my boat, and peeled out. It wasn’t until after we all ran the left side of Coliseum that Anna found out I swam. She thought I stopped to take pictures again. Everyone in the group were quite surprised at how fast I can self rescue and swim with my boat and get back into it with out losing any of my gear. I learnt a new expression today. I was not swimming … I was just out of my boat going pee!
We all ran Dogs Leg with no problem and headed off to Blacks. Jason spent a bit of time playing there. I was busy taking pictures of him and the fall colours. I took some pictures just before the takeout on the small rocky shoal islands that would normally be under water. The little green bushes were now a brilliant yellow. I don’t know how she did it but Anna managed to be able to float in her boat over the very little water there was flowing over the rocky shoals. The rest of us had to get out and walk.
We headed back to Little Picky lodge after we changed and loaded up the vehicles. I was hoping to transfer my pictures of the camera and give them to Anna and Jason but I did not have my cable. Anna is quite the tightrope walker. She started walking across the line they had strung up between the deck and tree. I said my goodbyes and it was time for me to go back to my dads. I had to drop off the drytop and the PFD we had borrowed earlier.
Pictures:
Part 01
Part 02
Part 03
Fall Colours
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Ottawa River
Saturday 20-Oct-2007
Ottawa River – Main Channel
Water level: -3.5 according to others
I was the first of our group to get to the putin. I drove right down to the river dropped off my boat off. I left all the paddling gear I needed in my boat and drove back up to the parking lot. Jason from Colorado had just pulled in as I came up the hill into the lot. He had never run the river before and was only in town for a few days. He got hold of me through BoatWerks and asked if he could tag along.
I then ran into Dave and Sean. They decided to join our group. Wayne saw my post and decided to come out for a paddle. We did a quick shuttle. And then there was the late comers Laura, Brent, and Ellen.
We all head off to McKoy’s. I had already decided I was not running Phil’s today as this was my first day paddling since the Gull river race back at the beginning of September, Dave and Sean ran the right hand line close to shore. Jason and Wayne did the thread the needle.
I decided to run the same line as Jason and Sean. I ended up getting spun on the eddy line just above the last rock with the pour over. I decided there was no way I was going to spin the front of the boat in time back down river as it had already bumped the wall. I spun the boat around and ran the chute backwards and then spun it the right way around and eddied out at Corner Wave in order to head back up to take pictures. Brent, Laura, and Ellen all took the right hand line.
After some swims (names to remain anonymous) we all headed down to The Lorne. I ended up swimming when I started to change my angle too soon to head over behind Moby Dick. I ended up having too much downstream lean when I hit the top of the Garb wave sooner than expected. I self rescued and paddled back up the eddy in order to get out on Moby Dick to take pictures. The others made their runs. Jason was having a blast trying to get onto Garb and other various places around it. I don’t think anyone else tried to get on Garb as the level was not prime. I managed to get a front surf on the diagonal wave you have to get out on in order to slide onto Garb. It was frickin amazing and I was happy.
We then headed down to Push Button where I finally met Paul for the first time ever. I also met Kyle for the first time as well. I tried to surf Push Button but today was not my day. Dave hopped into my boat and had a couple of great rides. Wayne got in a few surfs as well. There were 26 people at Push Button when we were there and more were showing up as we headed down river.
Next was Butchers Knife. Most of us took the left line. It was kind of hard to tell by looking up river as I went first. Some of the group played in the whirlpools at Brain Douche before heading to the Normans.
I tried catching the most upper right eddy above the ledge but missed it and end up going over the ledge into the hole backwards and I swam for my second time of the day. I self rescued and swam with my boat to the big river right eddy before Coliseum and got back into my boat. I did have to throw my rescue bag out in order to tow someone into shore but the good thing was nobody was hurt. Laura was quite surprised at how the boils grabbed her boat. I warned her and the others about the boils so they would not be caught off guard.
Some people got out to scout Coliseum. I just ran the left line and waited in the eddy below. Dave and Jason were having fun trying to surf the river left hole. Everyone else finally made it down. Ellen elected to walk this one. Everyone went through Dogs Leg fine and then came Blacks.
We spent quite a bit of time playing here. We ran into Alan and one of his friends (sorry forgot his name). I almost had a front surf before I got out to take pictures. Jason was just ripping it up. Sean and Brent looked like they were having fun. Laura tried a couple of surfs. Dave took my boat out for another ride and was styling it quite fine. He then hopped back into his kayak and styled it some more. I hopped back into my boat and blew a crappy attempt at a front surf. I went back for a shot at a side surf and was there for a bit before getting window shaded and swam. I almost rolled back up. Jason and Laura said it looked pretty cool. Jason figured that I would have not gone over if I had thrown my body weight over to the other side (oooppss).
After that we headed to the takeout. Dave, Sean, Wayne, and Ellen were already there. I loaded Jason’s boat and mine on the car. Wayne was asking what I was doing on Sunday and said I did not have any plans. I then asked Jason what he was doing and the outcome of the conversation ended up we were meeting at 09:30 Sunday to go paddling again! I then gave a couple of drivers a ride back up top to get their cars.
I dropped Jason off at Little Picky and met his girlfriend Anna. I changed into my dry stuff before heading off back to my dads. I made a couple of stops on the way to visit friends.
Pictures:
Pictures Part 01
Pictures Part 02
Pictures Part 03
Pictures Part 04
Pictures Part 05
Pictures Part 06
Ottawa River – Main Channel
Water level: -3.5 according to others
I was the first of our group to get to the putin. I drove right down to the river dropped off my boat off. I left all the paddling gear I needed in my boat and drove back up to the parking lot. Jason from Colorado had just pulled in as I came up the hill into the lot. He had never run the river before and was only in town for a few days. He got hold of me through BoatWerks and asked if he could tag along.
I then ran into Dave and Sean. They decided to join our group. Wayne saw my post and decided to come out for a paddle. We did a quick shuttle. And then there was the late comers Laura, Brent, and Ellen.
We all head off to McKoy’s. I had already decided I was not running Phil’s today as this was my first day paddling since the Gull river race back at the beginning of September, Dave and Sean ran the right hand line close to shore. Jason and Wayne did the thread the needle.
I decided to run the same line as Jason and Sean. I ended up getting spun on the eddy line just above the last rock with the pour over. I decided there was no way I was going to spin the front of the boat in time back down river as it had already bumped the wall. I spun the boat around and ran the chute backwards and then spun it the right way around and eddied out at Corner Wave in order to head back up to take pictures. Brent, Laura, and Ellen all took the right hand line.
After some swims (names to remain anonymous) we all headed down to The Lorne. I ended up swimming when I started to change my angle too soon to head over behind Moby Dick. I ended up having too much downstream lean when I hit the top of the Garb wave sooner than expected. I self rescued and paddled back up the eddy in order to get out on Moby Dick to take pictures. The others made their runs. Jason was having a blast trying to get onto Garb and other various places around it. I don’t think anyone else tried to get on Garb as the level was not prime. I managed to get a front surf on the diagonal wave you have to get out on in order to slide onto Garb. It was frickin amazing and I was happy.
We then headed down to Push Button where I finally met Paul for the first time ever. I also met Kyle for the first time as well. I tried to surf Push Button but today was not my day. Dave hopped into my boat and had a couple of great rides. Wayne got in a few surfs as well. There were 26 people at Push Button when we were there and more were showing up as we headed down river.
Next was Butchers Knife. Most of us took the left line. It was kind of hard to tell by looking up river as I went first. Some of the group played in the whirlpools at Brain Douche before heading to the Normans.
I tried catching the most upper right eddy above the ledge but missed it and end up going over the ledge into the hole backwards and I swam for my second time of the day. I self rescued and swam with my boat to the big river right eddy before Coliseum and got back into my boat. I did have to throw my rescue bag out in order to tow someone into shore but the good thing was nobody was hurt. Laura was quite surprised at how the boils grabbed her boat. I warned her and the others about the boils so they would not be caught off guard.
Some people got out to scout Coliseum. I just ran the left line and waited in the eddy below. Dave and Jason were having fun trying to surf the river left hole. Everyone else finally made it down. Ellen elected to walk this one. Everyone went through Dogs Leg fine and then came Blacks.
We spent quite a bit of time playing here. We ran into Alan and one of his friends (sorry forgot his name). I almost had a front surf before I got out to take pictures. Jason was just ripping it up. Sean and Brent looked like they were having fun. Laura tried a couple of surfs. Dave took my boat out for another ride and was styling it quite fine. He then hopped back into his kayak and styled it some more. I hopped back into my boat and blew a crappy attempt at a front surf. I went back for a shot at a side surf and was there for a bit before getting window shaded and swam. I almost rolled back up. Jason and Laura said it looked pretty cool. Jason figured that I would have not gone over if I had thrown my body weight over to the other side (oooppss).
After that we headed to the takeout. Dave, Sean, Wayne, and Ellen were already there. I loaded Jason’s boat and mine on the car. Wayne was asking what I was doing on Sunday and said I did not have any plans. I then asked Jason what he was doing and the outcome of the conversation ended up we were meeting at 09:30 Sunday to go paddling again! I then gave a couple of drivers a ride back up top to get their cars.
I dropped Jason off at Little Picky and met his girlfriend Anna. I changed into my dry stuff before heading off back to my dads. I made a couple of stops on the way to visit friends.
Pictures:
Pictures Part 01
Pictures Part 02
Pictures Part 03
Pictures Part 04
Pictures Part 05
Pictures Part 06
Sunday, October 14, 2007
2007 Vacation - Day 19 through 23
Day 19 - 09-Oct-2007
I hooked up the DVD player and VCR to the kids computer downstairs. Rachel and Alex were now happy that they could finally watch movies.
I spent some time fixing Michelle’s computer as it had some big time problems. We spent some time shopping at Costco just in time for the hotdog lunch special. I spent some time and showed Michelle how to transfer their pictures off of her digital camera. I also showed her how to back up their file onto the external hard disk drive we picked up at Costco.
Michelle and Rachel started out making peanut butter cookies buts as normal the mom got left holding up the rest of the backing duties.
Calvin and I went out shopping at Staples for a network based multi-function printer. I ended up setting it up and configuring the other two computers to use it.
Day 20 - 10-Oct-2007
I spent some time in the morning going over stuff with Calvin about the new printer. He also asked me if I wanted to come back in the new year and help them get other stuff sorted out with the house. He apparently has a lot of Aeroplan miles to use up.
I left around 2pm and started heading to my friend Mike’s in Leduc. Its been at least six years since I seen him last. After dinner he asked me what I wanted to do. He asked me if I wanted to go blow crap up and I said sure. We headed off to the shooting range with two rifles (M1 Carbine and a 22 pump action that was 90 years old) and two handguns (45 and 357). Its been at least twelve years since I fired a weapon of any type. Mike and I used to be on the shooting team when we were in cadets together. I have not lost my touch. I managed to get six inch groupings at seven yards with both handguns and eight inch groupings at 45 yards. I probably had an eight inch grouping at 45 yards with both rifles.
After a couple of hours it was time to get going. Mike said that I could get my firearms license the next time I came out.
We got back to the house around 9pm and I crashed early at 10pm.
Pictures from the shooting range
Day 21 – 11-Oct-2007
I spent a few minutes looking at one of Mike’s computers. It was running real slow. I cleaned it up a bit and started running a scan for spyware and other stuff. I showed Deb what she had to do after the scan was done. I left just after breakfast as Mike was going to work.
I headed over to see a friend I met earlier back in June. I stop to see Aaron at the seminary. He was in between classes. He gave me the grand tour.
After that I headed over to the West Edmonton Mall. I despise shopping and the mall really had nothing I would be interested in shopping in. I went in to take pictures of the ice rink, ship, and wave pool. After that I headed over to MEC to buy another duffle bag and headlight.
I stopped at the Northgate Shopping Center and had dim sum lunch at this really good Chinese place. It was nice to eat lunch and check emails at the same time. They offered free wireless internet to their customers.
I then headed over to my cousin Tamara place. I walked in through the garage entrance. I startled her friend that was talking on the phone. Tamara came down and gave me my hug. Tamara and the boys had a light dinner as Reg was not home until after 6pm and he would most likely want to go out for Chinese food as Tam is not fond of it.
Riley asked me if I could figure out how to put pictures and music on his cell phone and mp3 player. Tam asked me if I could look at their computer (this would make number six on this trip). I managed to get everything figured out before Reg came home. He walked in the door and asked me if I could figure out getting music on his cell phone. I told him it was all done and that Riley would show him later.
Reg, Riley, and I went out to Smiley’s for dinner. After that it was watching survivor night and discovery channel. They others went to bed around 10pm and finally went sometime after 11.
Day 22 – 12-Oct-2007
I left Tamara place just after the kids left for school. I made a stop in Red Deer to see Kathie. It was kind of strange as I had not seen here in at least 22 years when we were in cadets together. We caught up on life. I would have like to have gone seen her sister Vicki but she lived in Medicine Hat which was out of the way for this trip.
I headed off to Calgary to see Marieke and Anke. I looked around the mall for a bit as they would not be home until 5pm. I phoned my friend Mark back home to see if he would pick me up at the airport but it turns out that he was at the airport flying to Montreal to see the hockey game.
The girls finally made it home. I offloaded all the extra food, rubber maid containers, and cooler that I had from camping. They were quite happy with the donation. We met some of their friends for a birthday dinner at Jamiesons. I treated the girls out to dinner as they have let me stayed at their place for two nights now. We rented the move 1408 which was kind of bizarre to watch and after that it was bed time.
Day 23 – 13-Oct-2007
This would be the last day of my vacation out west. I said goodbye to the girls and got my hug. I told them I hope to see them again in January if things go right. I headed off to the airport to return the car and catch my flight.
I finally got home just before 9pm.
I hooked up the DVD player and VCR to the kids computer downstairs. Rachel and Alex were now happy that they could finally watch movies.
I spent some time fixing Michelle’s computer as it had some big time problems. We spent some time shopping at Costco just in time for the hotdog lunch special. I spent some time and showed Michelle how to transfer their pictures off of her digital camera. I also showed her how to back up their file onto the external hard disk drive we picked up at Costco.
Michelle and Rachel started out making peanut butter cookies buts as normal the mom got left holding up the rest of the backing duties.
Calvin and I went out shopping at Staples for a network based multi-function printer. I ended up setting it up and configuring the other two computers to use it.
Day 20 - 10-Oct-2007
I spent some time in the morning going over stuff with Calvin about the new printer. He also asked me if I wanted to come back in the new year and help them get other stuff sorted out with the house. He apparently has a lot of Aeroplan miles to use up.
I left around 2pm and started heading to my friend Mike’s in Leduc. Its been at least six years since I seen him last. After dinner he asked me what I wanted to do. He asked me if I wanted to go blow crap up and I said sure. We headed off to the shooting range with two rifles (M1 Carbine and a 22 pump action that was 90 years old) and two handguns (45 and 357). Its been at least twelve years since I fired a weapon of any type. Mike and I used to be on the shooting team when we were in cadets together. I have not lost my touch. I managed to get six inch groupings at seven yards with both handguns and eight inch groupings at 45 yards. I probably had an eight inch grouping at 45 yards with both rifles.
After a couple of hours it was time to get going. Mike said that I could get my firearms license the next time I came out.
We got back to the house around 9pm and I crashed early at 10pm.
Pictures from the shooting range
Day 21 – 11-Oct-2007
I spent a few minutes looking at one of Mike’s computers. It was running real slow. I cleaned it up a bit and started running a scan for spyware and other stuff. I showed Deb what she had to do after the scan was done. I left just after breakfast as Mike was going to work.
I headed over to see a friend I met earlier back in June. I stop to see Aaron at the seminary. He was in between classes. He gave me the grand tour.
After that I headed over to the West Edmonton Mall. I despise shopping and the mall really had nothing I would be interested in shopping in. I went in to take pictures of the ice rink, ship, and wave pool. After that I headed over to MEC to buy another duffle bag and headlight.
I stopped at the Northgate Shopping Center and had dim sum lunch at this really good Chinese place. It was nice to eat lunch and check emails at the same time. They offered free wireless internet to their customers.
I then headed over to my cousin Tamara place. I walked in through the garage entrance. I startled her friend that was talking on the phone. Tamara came down and gave me my hug. Tamara and the boys had a light dinner as Reg was not home until after 6pm and he would most likely want to go out for Chinese food as Tam is not fond of it.
Riley asked me if I could figure out how to put pictures and music on his cell phone and mp3 player. Tam asked me if I could look at their computer (this would make number six on this trip). I managed to get everything figured out before Reg came home. He walked in the door and asked me if I could figure out getting music on his cell phone. I told him it was all done and that Riley would show him later.
Reg, Riley, and I went out to Smiley’s for dinner. After that it was watching survivor night and discovery channel. They others went to bed around 10pm and finally went sometime after 11.
Day 22 – 12-Oct-2007
I left Tamara place just after the kids left for school. I made a stop in Red Deer to see Kathie. It was kind of strange as I had not seen here in at least 22 years when we were in cadets together. We caught up on life. I would have like to have gone seen her sister Vicki but she lived in Medicine Hat which was out of the way for this trip.
I headed off to Calgary to see Marieke and Anke. I looked around the mall for a bit as they would not be home until 5pm. I phoned my friend Mark back home to see if he would pick me up at the airport but it turns out that he was at the airport flying to Montreal to see the hockey game.
The girls finally made it home. I offloaded all the extra food, rubber maid containers, and cooler that I had from camping. They were quite happy with the donation. We met some of their friends for a birthday dinner at Jamiesons. I treated the girls out to dinner as they have let me stayed at their place for two nights now. We rented the move 1408 which was kind of bizarre to watch and after that it was bed time.
Day 23 – 13-Oct-2007
This would be the last day of my vacation out west. I said goodbye to the girls and got my hug. I told them I hope to see them again in January if things go right. I headed off to the airport to return the car and catch my flight.
I finally got home just before 9pm.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
2007 Vacation - Day 18
Day 18 – 08-Oct-2007
I spent the morning with Michelle’s family. I ended up spending three hours fixing their computer and getting their digital camera working with the computer as well. This would make four computers I have fixed for my relatives on this trip. The computer is going to get a memory upgrade tomorrow. I will also most likely end up configuring the new network printer they plan on buying.
After Lunch I headed over to see Adam and Angie and give them the hi-res versions of the car fire pictures I took a few days ago.
I then decided to spend some time see where I used to live as a military brat from July 1975 through July 1977. I was there for grades 5 and 6. It turns out that Canada Lands had sold off most of the old property where the military housing used to be. They moved all of the military personnel and equipment and created a super base further north in Namao.
I had to drive up and over a dirt road to get on the road where I used to live. I am pretty sure we were the second driveway from the end of the street but my dad thinks we where the third. All the houses on our street and others were gone. Only the driveways were left.
The garages across the street were gone. I remember one time when I used to get bullied around all the time by this kid from school. I was out delivering the papers on my route when he came by and kicked me as he was driving by on his bike. My dad saw what happened and told me to take a stand. I ended up beating the crap out of this kid who was way bigger than me and I think I ended up pushing his head through one of the small square panels in the garage doors. I never got bugged at that school again. I do remember I had the same problem in grade 10 where I ended up beating the crap out of the biggest bully in the school in gym class. I never took gym after that day which led to me down my path onto becoming a computer geek
I walked through some of the other housing that was boarded up. I was quite surprised to see my old school still intact. They boarded up a lot of the windows on it. I spent some time talking to a lady across the street from the school. She told me it was still in use but not many kids were enrolled there but this could change as the new residential housing gets built.
After my trip down memory lane I head back to Michelle’s for thanksgiving dinner.
Link to pictures
I spent the morning with Michelle’s family. I ended up spending three hours fixing their computer and getting their digital camera working with the computer as well. This would make four computers I have fixed for my relatives on this trip. The computer is going to get a memory upgrade tomorrow. I will also most likely end up configuring the new network printer they plan on buying.
After Lunch I headed over to see Adam and Angie and give them the hi-res versions of the car fire pictures I took a few days ago.
I then decided to spend some time see where I used to live as a military brat from July 1975 through July 1977. I was there for grades 5 and 6. It turns out that Canada Lands had sold off most of the old property where the military housing used to be. They moved all of the military personnel and equipment and created a super base further north in Namao.
I had to drive up and over a dirt road to get on the road where I used to live. I am pretty sure we were the second driveway from the end of the street but my dad thinks we where the third. All the houses on our street and others were gone. Only the driveways were left.
The garages across the street were gone. I remember one time when I used to get bullied around all the time by this kid from school. I was out delivering the papers on my route when he came by and kicked me as he was driving by on his bike. My dad saw what happened and told me to take a stand. I ended up beating the crap out of this kid who was way bigger than me and I think I ended up pushing his head through one of the small square panels in the garage doors. I never got bugged at that school again. I do remember I had the same problem in grade 10 where I ended up beating the crap out of the biggest bully in the school in gym class. I never took gym after that day which led to me down my path onto becoming a computer geek
I walked through some of the other housing that was boarded up. I was quite surprised to see my old school still intact. They boarded up a lot of the windows on it. I spent some time talking to a lady across the street from the school. She told me it was still in use but not many kids were enrolled there but this could change as the new residential housing gets built.
After my trip down memory lane I head back to Michelle’s for thanksgiving dinner.
Link to pictures
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
2007 Vacation - Day 17
Day 17 – 07-Oct-2007
I got up just before 8am, had a shower, made breakfast, and packed up all my crap by 8:30. I showed Renee and Gail some of the pictures I had taken on my trip. I said goodbye to them and headed up to the Tram to go up the mountain. They wanted 24 bucks to go up. I decided not to spend the money as I had been up quite a few times before.
I headed into town to get some squares from the bakery. It turns out they offered wireless internet for their paying customers. I ended up spending a couple of hours in the corner uploading previous trip reports and pictures as I did not have anything else I wanted to see.
I finally left Jasper and decided to head over to the Miette Hotsprings for a soak. It took me two hours to drive the 60km as I stop to take pictures mountain sheep and Jasper Lake. The lake was really wide and very very low. It was maybe an inch or so where I walked out to it. The wind was going about 60kph and the thin layer of water was dynamically changing its path over the sandbar of a lake.
I also stop to take pictures of Punch Bowl Falls. I finally got to the hot springs and 3pm. I soaked in there for two hours. I noticed people going back and forth into this other pool which turned out to have cold water in it. People were going in for like 20 seconds maximum. I went to check the pool out. I was in there for 20 minutes. It was a balmy 68F which is what my pool is like in late August / September. I got a lot of stares from people wondering how I could stay in that long (what else is new).
I phoned my cousin Michelle and asked her if I could come one night earlier than planned. I stopped a few times at the beginning to take pictures of the clouds. It was a pretty quick trip. The posted speed limit was 110kph. I set the cruise control for 119kph and followed the transport trucks. It was pretty amazing that I did not have to touch the break peddle on the car for 125km on the longest stretch. I did the 320km drive and arrived at her place by 9pm.
We caught up on the family stuff before they headed to bead early. I ended staying up until 1:30 and posted some more pictures up online and caught up on my email.
Link to pictures
I got up just before 8am, had a shower, made breakfast, and packed up all my crap by 8:30. I showed Renee and Gail some of the pictures I had taken on my trip. I said goodbye to them and headed up to the Tram to go up the mountain. They wanted 24 bucks to go up. I decided not to spend the money as I had been up quite a few times before.
I headed into town to get some squares from the bakery. It turns out they offered wireless internet for their paying customers. I ended up spending a couple of hours in the corner uploading previous trip reports and pictures as I did not have anything else I wanted to see.
I finally left Jasper and decided to head over to the Miette Hotsprings for a soak. It took me two hours to drive the 60km as I stop to take pictures mountain sheep and Jasper Lake. The lake was really wide and very very low. It was maybe an inch or so where I walked out to it. The wind was going about 60kph and the thin layer of water was dynamically changing its path over the sandbar of a lake.
I also stop to take pictures of Punch Bowl Falls. I finally got to the hot springs and 3pm. I soaked in there for two hours. I noticed people going back and forth into this other pool which turned out to have cold water in it. People were going in for like 20 seconds maximum. I went to check the pool out. I was in there for 20 minutes. It was a balmy 68F which is what my pool is like in late August / September. I got a lot of stares from people wondering how I could stay in that long (what else is new).
I phoned my cousin Michelle and asked her if I could come one night earlier than planned. I stopped a few times at the beginning to take pictures of the clouds. It was a pretty quick trip. The posted speed limit was 110kph. I set the cruise control for 119kph and followed the transport trucks. It was pretty amazing that I did not have to touch the break peddle on the car for 125km on the longest stretch. I did the 320km drive and arrived at her place by 9pm.
We caught up on the family stuff before they headed to bead early. I ended staying up until 1:30 and posted some more pictures up online and caught up on my email.
Link to pictures
2007 Vacation - Day 16
Day 16 – 06-Oct-2007
I slept in until 8:30am which is a first for me in a long time considering I was sleeping in my tent. It was definitely warmer in Jasper than the previous night at the Columbia Icefields. I met my camping neighbours Rene from Quesnel, BC and Gail from Prince George, BC.
My only goal for picture taking today was Mount Robson. This mountain has its own weather pattern and it is kind of hit and miss for taking pictures as it tends to be clouded in most of the time.
I headed back west and crossed back into British Columbia. The one way trip of 85km ended up taking me two hours as I stopped a few times along the way. I managed to get a few shots of the mountain about half covered in clouds. I decided to wait it out for the afternoon as I had no other pressing engagements. I hauled out the stove and made some soup and noodles for lunch. During lunch I was talking to a couple from Edmonton who used to live in Windsor. I spoke to Dave and Marcie for quite a while as they were waiting for the mountain to come into better view as well.
The mountain was still covered. I decided to do a small hike up the trail by the Robson River where I ended up taking quite a few shots of some really small white mushrooms. I then headed back to the field where I took the previous pictures of the mountain. Things were starting to clear up. I ended up lying down in the field for an hour waiting for the clouds to move and the finally did. I met a couple from Germany who lived near Soest. I told them I lived in Germany as a military brat living outside of Lahr and on a pig farm in Soest.
I also met a professional photographer from Calgary named Anna. We talked about photography for a few minutes while waiting for some of the clouds to shift. I managed to get a few shots with barely any cloud cover. I was very happy and stroked another site to see off my list.
On the way back to Jasper I stopped to take some pictures of a moving train and the Moose and Fraser Rivers. I finally made it back to Jasper and decided to find a wireless connection to check my emails. I headed down to the residential area. I then decided to eat in town at the local Chinese restaurant as the Asian cliental ratio was quite high. The food was excellent.
There were lots of Elk in the town of Jasper itself. It is currently rutting season. A male elm will easily have 20 – 30 females following him around like a harem (lucky guy). The males are very protective. They have been known to go after people or cars that come close to them during mating season.
I went for a walk in the park and ended up at Dave and Marcie’s trailer. We ended up playing a dice game called Rummikub. We had hot apple cider and strawberry rhubarb pie for a late snack. It was very dark out by the time we finished and Dave figured I would run into the wrong four legged creature and drove me back to my campsite.
Link to pictures
I slept in until 8:30am which is a first for me in a long time considering I was sleeping in my tent. It was definitely warmer in Jasper than the previous night at the Columbia Icefields. I met my camping neighbours Rene from Quesnel, BC and Gail from Prince George, BC.
My only goal for picture taking today was Mount Robson. This mountain has its own weather pattern and it is kind of hit and miss for taking pictures as it tends to be clouded in most of the time.
I headed back west and crossed back into British Columbia. The one way trip of 85km ended up taking me two hours as I stopped a few times along the way. I managed to get a few shots of the mountain about half covered in clouds. I decided to wait it out for the afternoon as I had no other pressing engagements. I hauled out the stove and made some soup and noodles for lunch. During lunch I was talking to a couple from Edmonton who used to live in Windsor. I spoke to Dave and Marcie for quite a while as they were waiting for the mountain to come into better view as well.
The mountain was still covered. I decided to do a small hike up the trail by the Robson River where I ended up taking quite a few shots of some really small white mushrooms. I then headed back to the field where I took the previous pictures of the mountain. Things were starting to clear up. I ended up lying down in the field for an hour waiting for the clouds to move and the finally did. I met a couple from Germany who lived near Soest. I told them I lived in Germany as a military brat living outside of Lahr and on a pig farm in Soest.
I also met a professional photographer from Calgary named Anna. We talked about photography for a few minutes while waiting for some of the clouds to shift. I managed to get a few shots with barely any cloud cover. I was very happy and stroked another site to see off my list.
On the way back to Jasper I stopped to take some pictures of a moving train and the Moose and Fraser Rivers. I finally made it back to Jasper and decided to find a wireless connection to check my emails. I headed down to the residential area. I then decided to eat in town at the local Chinese restaurant as the Asian cliental ratio was quite high. The food was excellent.
There were lots of Elk in the town of Jasper itself. It is currently rutting season. A male elm will easily have 20 – 30 females following him around like a harem (lucky guy). The males are very protective. They have been known to go after people or cars that come close to them during mating season.
I went for a walk in the park and ended up at Dave and Marcie’s trailer. We ended up playing a dice game called Rummikub. We had hot apple cider and strawberry rhubarb pie for a late snack. It was very dark out by the time we finished and Dave figured I would run into the wrong four legged creature and drove me back to my campsite.
Link to pictures
Monday, October 8, 2007
2007 Vacation - Day 15
Day 15 – 05-Oct-2007
I got up at 6:30am and it was frickin cold. It had snowed that night and the car windows were frosted up. I had to let the car run for a bit to warm it up while I packed up my tent and sleeping gear. I wanted to be at the base of the ice field for sunrise pictures. I was out there for almost two hours freezing my a$$ off. I let the camera sit in the cold for abit before I started to use it. I decided to you a tripod and my electronic remote this time as I would have most likely been shaking too much to take the pictures. The camera was doing some really weird things. Some of the pictures had kind of a purple tinge to them which kind of looked neat for a special effect.
I only had a 100km of driving to do today as I was only going as far as the town of Jasper but I knew it would take me the whole day to do it by the time I got to the campground.
I managed to get some nice reflection shots at Beauty Creek. The water was smooth as glass. I stopped at the picnic area at Sunwapta Falls and hauled out the stove to make breakfast. At least it was warmer here due to the lower elevation. I did get a few funny looks from some of the other people but I didn’t care as I was hungry. I managed to get a few nice shots of the falls.
Next stop would be the Athabasca Falls. I spent about an hour here walking up and down the trails taking pictures. Afterwards I took some more pictures of the Athabasca river in various places on my way towards Jasper.
I remembered from a previous trip that Horseshoe lake was a nice spot to stop at. I did the short hike in an managed to take some half decent reflection shots. The water had a nice blue colour to it.
I finally reached the town of Jasper at 2pm but I still had other places to see before going to the campground. The weather was great as it was sunny and warm relative to where I had been. I was walking around in just my tee-shirt and crocs where others were in fleece and hiking boots.
I headed off to the Maligne river canyon route. The canyon itself was a really cool place as it starts out really narrow at the top and supper wide at the bottom. I spent almost two hours hiking around the trails in my crocs but did not have any problems at all.
I stopped at Medicine Lake for a bit to take some pictures and decided to come back near sunset on the way back to take some more. Shortly after I seen this RV pulled over. There were people on the rode trying to take pictures of this red fox on the run. I put on my zoom lense and put the window down. I did a drive by shoot pictures with two hands and drive with the knees and managed to get great pictures of the fox while he was running. I drove a bit further up the road and got out of the car. I managed to get some shots of him as he was coming towards me.
I made it to Maligne Lake. It was almost 5pm. I hauled out the stove and started cooking dinner. While dinner was on simmer I headed over to the lake and took some pictures. After dinner I managed to take some pictures of moose and deer.
I headed back to Medicine Lake to take more pictures during sunset. I managed to take some pictures of Elk near the town of Jasper before heading to the campground.
I set up the tent and had a quick shower before heading back to town for a movie night. I saw the Kingdom as I am a Jennifer Garner fan. I went to bed around midnight but at least it was warm out.
Link to pictures
Pictures part 01
Pictures part 02
I got up at 6:30am and it was frickin cold. It had snowed that night and the car windows were frosted up. I had to let the car run for a bit to warm it up while I packed up my tent and sleeping gear. I wanted to be at the base of the ice field for sunrise pictures. I was out there for almost two hours freezing my a$$ off. I let the camera sit in the cold for abit before I started to use it. I decided to you a tripod and my electronic remote this time as I would have most likely been shaking too much to take the pictures. The camera was doing some really weird things. Some of the pictures had kind of a purple tinge to them which kind of looked neat for a special effect.
I only had a 100km of driving to do today as I was only going as far as the town of Jasper but I knew it would take me the whole day to do it by the time I got to the campground.
I managed to get some nice reflection shots at Beauty Creek. The water was smooth as glass. I stopped at the picnic area at Sunwapta Falls and hauled out the stove to make breakfast. At least it was warmer here due to the lower elevation. I did get a few funny looks from some of the other people but I didn’t care as I was hungry. I managed to get a few nice shots of the falls.
Next stop would be the Athabasca Falls. I spent about an hour here walking up and down the trails taking pictures. Afterwards I took some more pictures of the Athabasca river in various places on my way towards Jasper.
I remembered from a previous trip that Horseshoe lake was a nice spot to stop at. I did the short hike in an managed to take some half decent reflection shots. The water had a nice blue colour to it.
I finally reached the town of Jasper at 2pm but I still had other places to see before going to the campground. The weather was great as it was sunny and warm relative to where I had been. I was walking around in just my tee-shirt and crocs where others were in fleece and hiking boots.
I headed off to the Maligne river canyon route. The canyon itself was a really cool place as it starts out really narrow at the top and supper wide at the bottom. I spent almost two hours hiking around the trails in my crocs but did not have any problems at all.
I stopped at Medicine Lake for a bit to take some pictures and decided to come back near sunset on the way back to take some more. Shortly after I seen this RV pulled over. There were people on the rode trying to take pictures of this red fox on the run. I put on my zoom lense and put the window down. I did a drive by shoot pictures with two hands and drive with the knees and managed to get great pictures of the fox while he was running. I drove a bit further up the road and got out of the car. I managed to get some shots of him as he was coming towards me.
I made it to Maligne Lake. It was almost 5pm. I hauled out the stove and started cooking dinner. While dinner was on simmer I headed over to the lake and took some pictures. After dinner I managed to take some pictures of moose and deer.
I headed back to Medicine Lake to take more pictures during sunset. I managed to take some pictures of Elk near the town of Jasper before heading to the campground.
I set up the tent and had a quick shower before heading back to town for a movie night. I saw the Kingdom as I am a Jennifer Garner fan. I went to bed around midnight but at least it was warm out.
Link to pictures
Pictures part 01
Pictures part 02
Sunday, October 7, 2007
2007 Vacation - Day 14
Day 14 – 04-Oct-2007
I was up and gone by 06:30ish. I knew it would only be about 200km of driving but it would be a long one with all the places I wanted to stop at to take pictures. I was heading eastward to Banff National Park. I had decided during the planning of my trip to avoid the town of Banff as it was nothing but a concrete jungle and not worth visiting for me.
I made a quick stop at the Spiral Tunnels. This was basically a set of tunnels that spiraled through the mountain sides to decrease the amount off grade on the railway line through the Kicking Horse Pass.
I then reached the lovely village of Lake Louise. I avoided all the touristy stuff and headed right up to the lake. I spent about an hour taking pictures and walking through the Chateau Fairmont hotel.
After that it was off to Morraine Lake. Personally I think this lake is more beautiful than Lake Louise. It has more of a turquoise colour but you have to be at the right angle to see it. I managed to get some really nice reflection shots while walking alone the beach shoreline.
I stopped off at Bow Lake for a snack break and then off to the Bow Summit trail which leads to Peyto Lake. The elevation is about 7000 feet and you are definitely in the snow line. Luckily I had my fleece and winter boots with me. This lake is supposed to be the most turquoise colour of all the lakes in the Banff/Jasper Park system. On the way back down the trail I met a nice young lady from Spain who asked me to take a picture of her with her camera. I said sure why not. I took a picture of her later on with my camera just before she slipped and fell coming down the trail.
I was just about to leave the parking lot when this guy comes up to me and says my car is on fire just around the corner. He wasn’t kidding. The funny thing about this story was that Adam wanted to take his moms van but she told him to take his sisters car as the van might break down. Angie was from Portland Oregon and was visiting her boyfriend Adam from Edmonton. He decided to take her on a trip through the Rockies.
I decided I was not going to miss a great photo opportunity and decided to stick around. The ranger finally showed up and started asking Adam questions about what happened. I asked Angie if she would be interested in a hot chocolate and fired up the stove to make her one.
It took the fire department a half hour to come from Louise Louise. By that time the car was basically crispy crittered. It was a 2001 Grand Prix. I was surprised in all the time it was burning that the gas tank did not blow at all. One of the fire fighters wanted his picture taken after it was all put out. I will put a DVD with all the pictures on it and send them to the fire department when I get home. I gave Angie my email address and will email her the pictures later.
I continued my journey northward and reached Sakatchewan Crossing. I took some pictures in various spots of the river with water in it and some time next to nothing in it. I also managed to take some pictures of some goats.
I reached the Columbia Icefields campground around 6pm. The temperature was starting to drop and it was supposed to hit -10C. The only other people in the campground were Louis and Louise from Gatineau Quebec. I made dinner and a fire in the wood stove in the dinning shelter. I should the other couple the pictures from the car fire. They were quite impressed. After that is was an early night as it was going to be a cold one.
Link to pictures
Pictures part 01
Pictures part 02
Pictures part 03
Pictures part 04
I was up and gone by 06:30ish. I knew it would only be about 200km of driving but it would be a long one with all the places I wanted to stop at to take pictures. I was heading eastward to Banff National Park. I had decided during the planning of my trip to avoid the town of Banff as it was nothing but a concrete jungle and not worth visiting for me.
I made a quick stop at the Spiral Tunnels. This was basically a set of tunnels that spiraled through the mountain sides to decrease the amount off grade on the railway line through the Kicking Horse Pass.
I then reached the lovely village of Lake Louise. I avoided all the touristy stuff and headed right up to the lake. I spent about an hour taking pictures and walking through the Chateau Fairmont hotel.
After that it was off to Morraine Lake. Personally I think this lake is more beautiful than Lake Louise. It has more of a turquoise colour but you have to be at the right angle to see it. I managed to get some really nice reflection shots while walking alone the beach shoreline.
I stopped off at Bow Lake for a snack break and then off to the Bow Summit trail which leads to Peyto Lake. The elevation is about 7000 feet and you are definitely in the snow line. Luckily I had my fleece and winter boots with me. This lake is supposed to be the most turquoise colour of all the lakes in the Banff/Jasper Park system. On the way back down the trail I met a nice young lady from Spain who asked me to take a picture of her with her camera. I said sure why not. I took a picture of her later on with my camera just before she slipped and fell coming down the trail.
I was just about to leave the parking lot when this guy comes up to me and says my car is on fire just around the corner. He wasn’t kidding. The funny thing about this story was that Adam wanted to take his moms van but she told him to take his sisters car as the van might break down. Angie was from Portland Oregon and was visiting her boyfriend Adam from Edmonton. He decided to take her on a trip through the Rockies.
I decided I was not going to miss a great photo opportunity and decided to stick around. The ranger finally showed up and started asking Adam questions about what happened. I asked Angie if she would be interested in a hot chocolate and fired up the stove to make her one.
It took the fire department a half hour to come from Louise Louise. By that time the car was basically crispy crittered. It was a 2001 Grand Prix. I was surprised in all the time it was burning that the gas tank did not blow at all. One of the fire fighters wanted his picture taken after it was all put out. I will put a DVD with all the pictures on it and send them to the fire department when I get home. I gave Angie my email address and will email her the pictures later.
I continued my journey northward and reached Sakatchewan Crossing. I took some pictures in various spots of the river with water in it and some time next to nothing in it. I also managed to take some pictures of some goats.
I reached the Columbia Icefields campground around 6pm. The temperature was starting to drop and it was supposed to hit -10C. The only other people in the campground were Louis and Louise from Gatineau Quebec. I made dinner and a fire in the wood stove in the dinning shelter. I should the other couple the pictures from the car fire. They were quite impressed. After that is was an early night as it was going to be a cold one.
Link to pictures
Pictures part 01
Pictures part 02
Pictures part 03
Pictures part 04
2007 Vacation - Day 13
I finally found a internet connection so here is another report.
Day 13 – 03-Oct-2007
I slept in until about 8ish. I guess I must have been tired from all the driving I have done the day before. O looked out the window and all I saw was two bus loads of Japanese tourists taking pictures of the snow. I finally got my but moving around 9:30ish as I had a long day ahead of me and many pictures to take in Glacier National Park.
I drove back to the west side of the park and started working my way back taking pictures of the various spots. I managed to get some great shots at the Hemlock Grove, Rock Garden Trail (lots of neat vegetation), and the Loop Back Trestles (old abandoned railway trestles).
I spent some time taking pictures of the trains. Man they are long ones out here. I fount the Mount MacDonald Tunnel entrance and took some pictures there but no trains were going through it at the time. I am sure I was probably trespassing but I don’t remember seeing any signs.
I finally made my way back to the Rogers Pass Summit. It was very pretty with all the snow that fell the night before.
I started heading eastward on my journey to Yoho National Park. I wanted to be in the town of Field before sunset. The drive through the Columbia valley just west of Golden was beautiful. I stopped for a quick bite to eat and gas in Golden before heading onward.
I managed to make it to Field in time. I headed up to Emerald Lake and the Natural Bridge to take pictures before the daylight was gone. I did a bone head move and lost my pair of sunglasses somewhere at the bridge. I went back but they were no where to be found. I am sure one of the Japanese tourists from the two buses that pulled in just as I was leaving has them. That would be the first pair I have lost this summer plus the three that I broke. Crap happens.
I headed off to the campground. I met a couple from Switzerland. We were the only two groups of people camping there that night. It turned out the camping was free as it was now a winter camping zone. Saving money is good. The only downside was there was no water but I had lots with me. I keep refilling my two litre pop bottle every chance I get.
I started a fire in the wood stove during dinner. The other couple were going to San Francisco via Calgary as they had a friend to pickup. They were not sure of which way to go to the USA. I showed them different options with my map program on my laptop.
After that it was an early night in bed.
Here are some links to pictures
Pictures part 01
Pictures part 02
Pictures part 03
Pictures part 04
Pictures part 05
Pictures part 06
Day 13 – 03-Oct-2007
I slept in until about 8ish. I guess I must have been tired from all the driving I have done the day before. O looked out the window and all I saw was two bus loads of Japanese tourists taking pictures of the snow. I finally got my but moving around 9:30ish as I had a long day ahead of me and many pictures to take in Glacier National Park.
I drove back to the west side of the park and started working my way back taking pictures of the various spots. I managed to get some great shots at the Hemlock Grove, Rock Garden Trail (lots of neat vegetation), and the Loop Back Trestles (old abandoned railway trestles).
I spent some time taking pictures of the trains. Man they are long ones out here. I fount the Mount MacDonald Tunnel entrance and took some pictures there but no trains were going through it at the time. I am sure I was probably trespassing but I don’t remember seeing any signs.
I finally made my way back to the Rogers Pass Summit. It was very pretty with all the snow that fell the night before.
I started heading eastward on my journey to Yoho National Park. I wanted to be in the town of Field before sunset. The drive through the Columbia valley just west of Golden was beautiful. I stopped for a quick bite to eat and gas in Golden before heading onward.
I managed to make it to Field in time. I headed up to Emerald Lake and the Natural Bridge to take pictures before the daylight was gone. I did a bone head move and lost my pair of sunglasses somewhere at the bridge. I went back but they were no where to be found. I am sure one of the Japanese tourists from the two buses that pulled in just as I was leaving has them. That would be the first pair I have lost this summer plus the three that I broke. Crap happens.
I headed off to the campground. I met a couple from Switzerland. We were the only two groups of people camping there that night. It turned out the camping was free as it was now a winter camping zone. Saving money is good. The only downside was there was no water but I had lots with me. I keep refilling my two litre pop bottle every chance I get.
I started a fire in the wood stove during dinner. The other couple were going to San Francisco via Calgary as they had a friend to pickup. They were not sure of which way to go to the USA. I showed them different options with my map program on my laptop.
After that it was an early night in bed.
Here are some links to pictures
Pictures part 01
Pictures part 02
Pictures part 03
Pictures part 04
Pictures part 05
Pictures part 06
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