Summer 2012--Banff to Vancouver...and back

Wednesday:  Ultimate highlight of our trip!  Wednesday we went white water rafting down the Kicking Horse River near Yoho National Park.  We were on a raft with 6 other people and a guide.  We started at their basecamp….or at least where the basecamp used to be before it was washed down river a week earlier.  Because there had been so much rain in the area for about a month, the whole river was shifting and growing, and was especially full and fast—perfect for a fun ride.  As we started we asked how big the rapids would be.  There are 6 classes of rapids, 1 being moving water, getting progressively more fast and strong until you reach 5, which means “your middle name is Danger”, and 6 which means “you’re an idiot, you’re going to die”.  We were going to hit class 3 and 4, which turned out to be some pretty awesome rapids!  The raft slammed up and down through a stretch, soaking everyone with waves of shockingly cold water, and nearly sucking Jordan out to sea.  The water was freezing—“just melted this morning”—so I’m glad we managed to stay in the raft til the end.  Seriously amazing trip! 

Thursday:  We’d set up camp the previous night in Yoho, so Thursday we drove through the park to see he sights.  First stop, the town of Field, for real coffee.  Next we stopped at Emerald Lake, found a shady little nook and spread out to read with a perfect view of the mountains and turquoise water in front of us.  Then we headed up to Takkakaw Falls, once the tallest falls in Canada.  I dunno how other ones became taller…but it’s their claim to fame, and it gives some perspective on what Jordan proceeded to do.  As we walked up the path towards the scenic lookout people passed us muttering, “…like a shower…a really freezing, cold shower.”  We made it to the look out, got misted by the very cold water, then began to climb up to the base of the falls.  I made it about another 200 meters, before I gave up.  I was slipping on the loose rocks, soaked to my underwear, and the gusts of wind from the falls were strong enough to send me looking for shelter behind a big fallen boulder.  But not Jordan.  He made it another 200 meters, all the way to the very base of the falls, where for a few heart pounding moments, he disappeared from view.  He came back down soon after, drenched and shivering, and very proud.  I’m so glad I was not his mother.  Props, Kim.   

Emerald Lake--the gorgeous view while we read

Jordan hiking to the base of  Takakkaw Falls

Our setup in Yoho

mmm...re-fried spaghetti...

Friday:  Friday was another driving day, and we made it all the way out to Vancouver to stay with the Harskamps.  What an incredibly hospitable couple—we were immediately sat down with a glass of wine and a beer, then served a delicious salmon dinner. 

Saturday:  We explored a corner of Vancouver by bike, touring around Stanley Park, stopping to enjoy an hour on Third Beach, the “hipster beach”.  We managed to blend in, although we forgot to bring a joint.  Wow.  We spent the other half of the day on Granville Island, checking out Buskerfest and the market, particularly appreciating the donuts.  That night we headed over to Burnaby to visit Alaina, Greg and to meet Owen, who is 2 months old and about as adorable as they come.  They served us an amazing meal, (which we appreciated after some of the dinners we had at camp) and I think they appreciated having a couple of friends who know how to play euchre.  Al and I kicked the boys’ asses, in case you were wondering. 

Biking the seawall in Stanley Park

Sunday:  We joined Al and Greg for church and got to see where he works as a pastor at Willingdon.   We headed into Vancouver afterwards to explore Gas Town a little bit, an area lined with cobblestone streets, and unique shops and restaurants.  We curled up in a snazzy coffee shop to read.  We also spent a couple hours at the Vancouver aquarium, which was another high light.  There were so many types of fish!  One of them was the biggest in the world, and was probably as long as our car.  These other one were tiny eels that burrow their tails in the sand and then poke their heads out.  All in a row they looked like adorable blades of grass with tiny eyeballs.  So many strange and cool sea creatures, loved it.

Gas Town, Vancouver

Cutest eels ever, right?

Monday:  Said good-bye to the Harskamps and the Rockies, and drove all day to Calgary.  We rolled in to meet Jesse for dinner and drinks.  He took us around his neighbourhood, showed us where he works and hangs out.  It was great to catch up, since it’s been a couple years.  Also, he has an amazing cat.  It’s like a baby leopard crossed with a genius house cat.  It can jump and it’s smart.

Heading east for the first time

Morning drive out of Vancouver, clouds climbing the mountains

Enjoying the view of the Rockies one last time

Tuesday:  drove all day to Estevan, Saskatchewan.  Fairly uneventful. 

Salt flats in Chaplin, Saskatchewan

Happened upon Dog River and Corner Gas

Wednesday:  drove all day to Minneapolis to visit Anneke.  She and her boyfriend, Jeff, took us out to a local pizza place, and then an amazing “make your own Sunday” bar.  But better than the great food was catching up after another half year of not seeing each other.  It made me wish for a rainbow bridge from Hamilton to Minneapolis, because it sucks having to go so long without seeing a good friend.  We enjoyed it for the 10ish hours it lasted though.

Getting flatter, still pretty

Thursday:  drove all day to Hamilton.  It was long.  And our 4^th anniversary. 

An amazing trip, all in all.  I feel spoiled to have seen so much of Canada, and even more, to have done it all with my best friend.  To many more years of adventures and anniversaries, love!

My best friend