Last of the First

We visited Persephone brewing on Thursday night to fill up the growler, this one was from the last keg of the first batch of Goddess Ale, the next batch being ready to roll. It seems that it will also be available on tap down at Gramma's today, will have to investigate...

Skyped

As Microsoft continue to work their magic on the Skype program they are determined to destroy, we managed a few hours with the New Zealand faction of the Glee club. We drank the new beer, from our new brewery "Persephone" here on the coast, a delightful lager called "Goddess" that we had bought in the afternoon. All is well.

On our way Home

On the early afternoon Horseshoe Bay to Langdale ferry after an excellent drive back from Kelowna, that's the last long drive on the tires which now have 68k on them, so time for new rubber before the next long trip. Here's old faithful sitting at the back of the boat, waiting for a deserved rest on the driveway.

On a Mission

It was beer club Tuesday and all pints were $5.55 at the new Mission Tap House, which was actually a converted pub that we had visited a year ago. we drank a few very fine craft brewed beers and then moved on, an afternoon swim at the hotel and then an evening out, drinking wine of all things.

Tree Brewing

What a great way to start a day of drinking, visiting a palace of drink making, Tree Brewing in the Industrial Area of Kelowna. We had multiple tastings of their best beers, great atmosphere as well and the lady gave us directions to a great new bar in Mission.

Western Painted Turtles

Yes, those things again...

Rotary Marsh Park

On a visit to Kelowna, a morning walk down to the Waterfront Marsh Park is essential, lots of wildlife to see in this protected environment, here, a couple of ospreys who gave us quite a show with their hovering and calling.

Kelowna

Kelown first night, we went to Joey Kelowna's bar and grill and then onto the Cactus Club for some lovely beers. It's the last stop on our vacation and we booked an extra night just to make it feel more like a stop and not just a stopover.

Glacier National Park

A photo through the windscreen as I took a long rest as Karen drove us through the Glacier National Park on the journey through the Rockies to our next destination, Kelowna. Amazing views with big objects everywhere. The windscreen shows evidence of a few of the many bugs that met their doom on the way, fortunately, they were the only things we collided with.

Hola Amigos!

After all that walking, it was only fair that we stuffed ourselves silly with some good food. We visited the long established Magpie & Stump and enjoyed their guacamole, salsa and fresh baked chips as a starter, then both had a taco, rice, black beans and salad. Of course, there were cerveza's, served in jam jars. The drive back to Canmore was quiet as we were rather full, both experiencing that "bowling ball" feeling.

Banff

Our visit to Banff was a good one, however, it really was only good because we went off the beaten track and explored the area (and suffered the mosquitoes) to see some of the views that the trekkers would see. The town center feels somewhat of a theme park, far too crowded with thousands of tourists searching through the various shops (filled with foreign goods) for some souvenir of the town or the Rockies. Regardless of all the tourist madness, we used our GPS and avoided most of it, walked five or six miles and had a great day!

Wabbits

Along with all the other wildlife, there are Wascally Wabbits everywhere...

Canadian Rockies

It is incomprehensible to imagine the vastness of the mountains even when you're standing beside them, so a two dimensional photograph does a lot less, nevertheless, here is the view looking down the Bow River towards Banff.

Bow River

Karen, investigating the Bow River that flooded a month or so ago, impressive backdrop has been photo-shopped on to give picture balance.

Douglas Sqiggle

This little guy allowed me to get about four feet away from him, he posed nicely for a photo.

Walking Day

Yes, we walked our little legs off today, exploring the local area of Canmore, which, apparently was the victim of major flooding in June, although you would not notice as the community has done an amazing job of cleaning up. Here we are, near the train tracks, about to stroll into the path of an oncoming Canadian Pacific Locomotive.

Cleanup on Aisle three

All done, time for a little bit of sweeping and polishing and we were back on the journey to Banff and Canmore.

Take a Break

A well deserved break from the driving through the Canadian Rockies as the maintenance crews force a rock avalanche to make things safer, there were four guys up on safety lines, poking about, this dust storm was the result of a rock the size of a volkswagen coming down onto the road.

Columbian Ground Squirrels

On the hills in Sun Peaks, these little critters were absolutely everywhere, popping up as sentries to warn each other as we walked along, it was funny later (as we enjoyed dinner in Masa's) to watch them tease numerous dogs and puppies, popping up like whack a mole figures and vanishing in the nick of time, good exercise for the canines.

 

Sun Peaks

Days one and two up at Sun Peaks resort, fantastic place in the summer, boy was it hot yesterday but of course, to cool down there were ten dollar jugs of Grasshopper beer out on the patio with the hummingbirds, Columbian ground squirrels on the hill, wine in the hot tub in the evening (fingers and toes like prunes) so we're managing through it all.

Crab Cake

No Mister Bond.....I expect you to die......muhahahahahaaaa!

Back on dry land

Of course, water is far better when it is served as an ingredient in beer...

Cheeky...

Just to prove that Karen, and her sister Sue, have also been in the Pacific, here they are, down at Robert's Creek.

Sea Cavalcade

It was the Sea Cavalcade weekend last week, a different cavalcade than normal as it evolves. One of our paddle club members, Diane, joined the Keats Swim, swimming the vast distance from Keats Island to Armours Beach, of course, myself and the goodly wife were mere spectators in such athletic endevours, often we will swim, for short periods of time, but spending over an hour in the water, even at this time of the year, brrrrhhhhh.....

Cheeky Chappy

Amazing little things these birdies...