Last days in Canada...

Well, hello everyone!

It's been a while but we've had a wonderful time here in Revelstoke.

Being snow chasers, on our first day here we went as far up Mount Revelstoke as we were allowed and we did indeed catch our second glimpse of snow. Only this time it was more than a glimpse :o) :o) We were only allowed to go 16km up the mountain but that was fine for us! Although it was raining as we drove up, it was snowing properly by the time we got to the 16km mark. We got out of the car and went for a run and play in the snow (obviously, I was wearing 6 layers of clothing and 2 pairs of trousers ... Adam only had on a T-shirt and his thick coat !) Anyway, it was so beautiful to feel the snow falling on our faces, to try and catch it on our eyelashes and not hear it as it fell to the ground (or on the trees) but only see the whiteness it left behind. It was just FANTASTIC!! We went for a little walk along the road leading to the higher part of the mountain just relishing the cold and softness of the snow. Ahhhhhhh :o)

Newlyweds!

Adam: Isn't my wife BEAUTIFUL!?!

Kate: Isn't my hubby-poos gorgeous!?!

The motel at which we're staying has free passes to the local Aquatic Centre – this has a sauna, a steam room, a hot tub and a very cool water slide. So we spent a good couple of hours there warming up after the morning's mountain adventures. Unsurprisingly, Adam particularly enjoyed the water slide :o) (It was cool, I enjoyed it, too!) We also spent a good while staring in horror/ admiration as kids jumped off the diving board backwards and doing somersaults with absolutely no fear whatsoever.

Another day and... Hot springs – what a blessing!! (Unfortunately, we have no photos , as we only used the video camera whilst we were there.) They were fabulous though. We'd intended to visit 2 different hot springs that day, but during our visit to Halcyon Hot Springs, a few people told us they were one of the nicest hot springs around and that they used no chemicals in the water, just the existing natural minerals. So, we decided to just spend longer at that place. There were 3 outdoor pools – one of 42 degrees, one of 38 degrees and a cold plunge – of 12 degrees. The temperature that day was 6 degrees – walking to the pools was so cold, our feet felt like they were burning and it of course made the water excruciatingly hot. However, that was easily surmountable and we were even brave enough to enter into the cold plunge – twice ... and then get back into the hot pools!

It's amazing to be engulfed by so much beauty at all times – tiny waterfalls trickle down the side of the roads we drive along; pebbly streams surrounded by huge trees line the other side of the road and mountains are always all around us... I could really go on and on – we're constantly being bowled over by what we see.

What a view! "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas..."

That reminds me, in our last blog entry we mentioned visiting Rearguard Falls – here's a photo, it really doesn't do the waterfall justice. The colours and the cleanliness were amazing. Adam's also quite fascinated with squirrels (he clearly didn't grow up in the UK) and he was very pleased to see some around that area as well!

Rearguard Falls

That's all for now, we'll email again in a couple of days when we will be in our new destination...

Kate and Adam

PS. These are genuine potatoes. 3 different kinds.

Red, Yellow and ... Blue

Banff, Jasper and the Rockies

Hi everyone

This is us in Banff

Our first adventure in Canada is almost over and we’re moving from one place in the Rockies to another about 6 hours away which will give us an opportunity to see more of the area with less day by day travel. I (Adam) have been sick for a few days and although I’m now feeling much better, I’ve passed the virus on to Kate. I had some things from a UK doctor to take for mine, but Kate is having to tough it out with paracetamol and TLC from me.

One of the things that stands out most to both Kate and I about Canada is the kindness of the people here. Everyone is polite and helpful and they go out of their way to help you. If you’re walking by the street and need to cross, the cars (even on major roads) will stop and let you cross with a friendly wave. I’m very glad about this laid back attitude as I’m sure I would have been honked several times for driving strangely here. Do I give way to the right or the left here? I just give way to both...

On the way to Lake Louise, we stopped off to climb a hill! Just for fun!

Here are some highlights of our adventures in this part of Canada (other than relaxing in our log cabin with wonderful mountain views):

On the first day here, we drove along a river bank to a place where there was a large mound in the river. The mound was covered with sticks and plants and looked to us like a natural island in the river, but we had been told to be on the lookout for beavers as this was their beaver-made home! We parked the car quite far from the dam and walked quietly to see if we could spot the beavers. With video camera rolling, we were blessed to see a beaver pulling a branch down the river and then disappearing under the water into its home! That was all we saw, but it was great! We were told that at this point in the river one can also normally see lots of moose, but they all know it’s hunting season here at the moment and they are all in hiding. We didn’t see any.

The next day, three days ago, Kate and I went on an ATV tour up into the mountains. We drove the quad bikes for 4 hours along rough tracks stopping along the way to see the wonderful views and to learn about the Canadian wildlife. Our tour guide was very interesting. I was following him as he led the way and every so often he would slow down his ATV and look at the ground and then speed up again. As I drove past I looked down too and saw that he was looking at poo! I found this entertaining and disturbing at the same time and then realised that the poo he was admiring was bear poo and he was tracking what bears were in the area and what they had been eating lately to see if they were in a good mood or not! I’m quite glad that he was taking the time to make sure that Kate and I were safe!

Kate and I in our ATV gear.

Bear poo aside, the tour was great! We saw the prints of a black bear, stopped by the side of a river at a trappers lodge, ate lunch in grizzly bear country and talked about land rights in the Canadian Rockies, all under the lovely shadow of snow topped mountain peaks.

Two days ago was a very eventful day! Very important. It was laundry day! We had a lazy morning and went into town in the afternoon.

Yesterday we did a small bit of sightseeing. After lunch we went to visit Mt Robson and to see the Rearguard Falls. Mt Robson is the highest mountain in the Rockies and we were the only people in the car park – the visitor’s centre is closed for the season. We did get some good photos however. Rearguard Falls were lovely, only a 5 minute walk from the road and really beautiful. We have been in the habit of drinking water from every fresh water river we come across (Lake Louise, Small River – on the ATV tour and here) so Adam dutifully drank from the bank, Kate caught it on video – we may put it up on this blog later if we can work out how!

Mt Robson

Today we drove south to Revelstoke, the next stop on our honeymoon adventure! Hot springs and more wonderful views await us. It was dark by the time we arrived here so I can’t tell you what it looks like. We’ve got internet access in our accommodation here so we should be able to update you some more – perhaps with pictures.

We’ll let you know how it goes.

Adam and Kate

CANADA!!

Here we are in surprise destination number 2!

My husband’s taking me to the one place I've always wanted to go – Jasper and Banff National Parks in Alberta and British Columbia, CANADA :o) :o) :o)

We’re heading off to the shops to buy some groceries to take to our log cabin in the mountains. We will be living in relative isolation for 5 days in our cosy cabin (without internet access etc) but with lots of mountains, rivers, icefields and hills to explore. We’ve rented a car WITH GPS and it must be said, I really could do with one in our car in the UK!

It’s cold and sunny at the same time which is making it really crisp and fresh. We’ve been warned that we’re likely to experience all 4 seasons in one day whilst we’re over here.

Everyone loved our ‘Adam’s wife’ and ‘Kate’s husband’ t-shirts – they got quite a few giggles :o)

Adam’s taking videos of nearly everything – the plane, leaving the airport, our accommodation... *Sigh* Boys with their toys. Maybe he’ll take the rented car today with its GPS!! ;o)

Oh well, we should be going now as the sunshine beckons. Adam’s really looking forward to driving on the other side of the road..... tee hee!

We’ll bring back souvenirs of berry picking black bears, we hear they’re around at the moment. Oh sorry, I mean postcards of berry picking black bears

Bye for the next week!

Kate and Adam

Married and on honeymoon!

WE’RE MARRIED!! HOORAY!

For four days, actually :o)

Been on honeymoon for those four days now and enjoying every minute of it. For those who have been eagerly awaiting news of our honeymoon destination, our first port of call was.... the Langham hotel where we enjoyed 2 fantastic nights in 5 star luxury (with chocolate dipped strawberries, no less!)

A quick visit with both families and we were off to our second destination. (This bit was a surprise for me (Kate), i.e. I knew what area we were going to but nothing else.)

We’re staying in a lovely B&B on the Isle of Wight. It’s in quite a secluded area in a plain with a surrounding forest (YAY - trees!) Today we had a delicious cooked breakfast and soon we’ll head off to see some of the local sights, including an historic lighthouse. We’ll also go to ‘The Needles Park’ and probably (weather permitting) have a ride in the chairlift and use our new video camera in the process.

On Friday, we fly overseas to surprise destination number 3...

Kate and Adam