Yesterday I had a lovely time going through the Charles M. Schulz (spelled correctly now) museum. It was so much fun to read some of the early comics. See how he put them together and what the process was for some of them and also see what a humble and giving man he was.
Though not political he sometimes had a slant like that in his work or an educator but he also taught so much with his comics. He is also known as a child behaviouralist and observer of the joys of play and development in young people. So fascinating. I would suggest this visit to anyone who visits the Sonoma Valley and the wine country here.
As I'm not a wine person per se I didn't do a "wine tour" but enjoyed learning about the art of wine making in this area in downtown Santa Rosa. Very similar to the Ontario version but the air and mountain sides that the grapes are grown on are supposed to be superior to anything that we have. I guess that's one side's opinion. It's all very pretty to me and seeing the hills covered in vineyards is neat.
Santa Rosa is a divided town. The highway (101) divides it in "old" and "new" but is easily accessed from each side by tunnels. There is a junior college here and their hockey team (yeah! Hockey!) the Polar Bears, plays at the Redwood Empire hockey arena that Charles Schulz had built due to his love of hockey. The little cafe, the Warm Puppy, is right inside the door with lots of good viewing of the rink. The rink itself looks like it should belong in the centre of the Austrian Alps with lots of mock ups of Austrian chalets on the end walls and huge murals of the Alpan countryside. It's really quite fascinating (pictures later friends, I'm on the hotel computer). There was an "old guy" team that was playing when I was there and they were pretty good. Mr. Schulz played with this same team that was playing I later found out. He loved hockey. As did his Peanuts characters.
He spent a lot of time at the rink and at the Warm Puppy Cafe and had his "usual table". That table now has a "reserved" sign on it, as it always did, but now it has no chairs around it and just a vase of flowers on it. Very touching I thought.
Santa Rosa is a railway town as well and I think, like many places out here, that's how it came to be. It's now really supported by the wine industry and the off shoots of that (hotels, restaurants etc) but it's just a little town in the middle of California.
Surprisingly I haven't seen any of my tie dye clad hitch hikers around. I guess they don't do wine country. The hitch hiking in California is next to a sport I think. There are so many of them all over the place. I don't know where they are all heading but most of them have zero money and just moving on. The economy in this town appears to be good, sort of the first place I've noted that, the other's not so much.
Today I am heading to the coast again for a few days. Where I'm going I hear there's a surfer museum, a long board walk and a nice beach. I'm looking forward to that!
Oh yeah, the tree I thought was a lime tree is actually a lemon tree and I found a pretty good fruit to take and try. I'll check it out tonight and see if it's really edible. Okay, okay, I know for a tourist like me I think it's pretty exciting but really... a lemon tree! Right out side my door. Cool.
Yesterday I saw a Kiwi plant in the gardens I was visiting. Very neat too. I like this area. Everything grows here!
Right folks so it's off to stick my tootsies in the surf and see if I can find any sea lions or seals. I haven't seen those yet. I have seen huge herds of elk that are starting to gather for the winter. Quite a sight.
Later dudes!
(Hey, I'm in surfer country, I have to get that in!)
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Friday, October 7, 2011
Giant trees to Vineyards and Palm trees
This state truly has everything in it. This morning I woke up to the fog and mist rising up off the Pacific and the waves and now I'm in the middle of the vineyards of the Sonoma valley. I have checked out the Avenue of the Giants. Seen huge piles of the biggest seaweed I've ever seen and elk on the move getting to their winter feeding areas.
I've seen over 2 dozen hitchhikers (4 I saw repeatedly as they got lifts to where I ended up stopping) some decked out in very interesting outfits. Yes, there were the dudes in tie dye!
I'm settled in my nice hotel for a couple of nights where I have a palm tree outside my patio door and the pool is just steps away. Oh yeah, there's a lime on the tree around the corner. How cool is that!
The crashing waves of the Pacific this morning were interesting because they were muffled in their sound. The foam on the top of the waves was so thick that I think that dampened the sound. It was really different to hear. The waves were very powerful despite the fact that there was no wind. There were many warnings over it.
The drive continued to be twisty but there were also warnings about having headlights on at certain points. Not a problem for me (Canadian cars) as my headlights are always on and come on automatically full if it gets darker. There were times today, driving in the morning with the sun out that my headlights came on because the TREES were blocking out the sun. The huge, gy-normous, towering redwoods blocked out the light. The road was slick from the heavy rain we had last night and it was dark and just weird to drive through that area but oh so beautiful. I opened the windows a bit to get the scent of the forest. So clean, and clear and fresh smelling. Fantastic.
Out of the trees the ocean was the attraction. At the Redwood forest information place I checked out the beach and the weird stuff that comes up on the waves. First of the waves can be very unpredicatable and there are things called "sneaker" waves. Guess they come along and sneak up on you and take you down and sweep you out to sea! Love the name!
California rocks dude!
I've seen over 2 dozen hitchhikers (4 I saw repeatedly as they got lifts to where I ended up stopping) some decked out in very interesting outfits. Yes, there were the dudes in tie dye!
I'm settled in my nice hotel for a couple of nights where I have a palm tree outside my patio door and the pool is just steps away. Oh yeah, there's a lime on the tree around the corner. How cool is that!
The crashing waves of the Pacific this morning were interesting because they were muffled in their sound. The foam on the top of the waves was so thick that I think that dampened the sound. It was really different to hear. The waves were very powerful despite the fact that there was no wind. There were many warnings over it.
The drive continued to be twisty but there were also warnings about having headlights on at certain points. Not a problem for me (Canadian cars) as my headlights are always on and come on automatically full if it gets darker. There were times today, driving in the morning with the sun out that my headlights came on because the TREES were blocking out the sun. The huge, gy-normous, towering redwoods blocked out the light. The road was slick from the heavy rain we had last night and it was dark and just weird to drive through that area but oh so beautiful. I opened the windows a bit to get the scent of the forest. So clean, and clear and fresh smelling. Fantastic.
Out of the trees the ocean was the attraction. At the Redwood forest information place I checked out the beach and the weird stuff that comes up on the waves. First of the waves can be very unpredicatable and there are things called "sneaker" waves. Guess they come along and sneak up on you and take you down and sweep you out to sea! Love the name!
California rocks dude!
The adventure continues in the Sonoma vine valley! Vineyards as far as the eye can see!
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Pacific Coast ...WOW I'm in California now! Dude!
Well everything you've ever heard or seen or read about the drive on the Pacific Coast Highway (by-way!) is true.
It is a challenging, beautiful, breathtaking, overwhelming and AWESOME drive.
I was excited to drive it. It was so fun!
Highway 101 is not a straight road and it was through tunnels, over bridges and around mountains.
The Pacific ocean is so much more majestic than the Atlantic. The waves were simply pounding onto the shores. The shores are weird too. Lots of rock formations in the middle of the shore.
I saw my first pelican!
There are so many look outs along the way that I decided that stopping at every one would mean a really late arrival in Crescent City. I stopped at the most scenic of them and was awed by the whole scene. I can't really tell you how it made me feel. It was breathtaking.
There were some storms that had passed by but no snow on the roads, some in the forests when I was at one of the higher elevations. I guess the area is getting it's fall rain storms and that seems to cause some problems. Hey, I'm used to that.
I am really impressed how the Equinox (all wheel drive, dontcha know) held the road. Some of the roads were quite narrow with no room for error! I was completely confident in the way it held the road.
One of the things I noticed in the west coast is the little Espresso bars all over the place. Ontario has Tim Hortons, here it's little shacks that sell espresso and coffee. Neat!. Okay I'll have to try one of those tomorrow.
After a number of hours of driving (6 or 7 I think) I arrived in Crescent City, California. This is a fishing town and not really a tourist place. It's one of the places that being out after dark is probably not a good plan or at least that's the way I felt. The Quality Inn is clean but not many services and I'm hoping the blog will post. They have a breakfast that sounds pretty good and there's a fridge and microwave too. Other than that there's not much going on here. That's okay, my real goal is tomorrow's destination and checking out all the big red woods around me here!
Well, there's a cold California rain falling outside and I'm hoping the internet here will let me post.
Cheers all!
It is a challenging, beautiful, breathtaking, overwhelming and AWESOME drive.
I was excited to drive it. It was so fun!
Highway 101 is not a straight road and it was through tunnels, over bridges and around mountains.
The Pacific ocean is so much more majestic than the Atlantic. The waves were simply pounding onto the shores. The shores are weird too. Lots of rock formations in the middle of the shore.
I saw my first pelican!
There are so many look outs along the way that I decided that stopping at every one would mean a really late arrival in Crescent City. I stopped at the most scenic of them and was awed by the whole scene. I can't really tell you how it made me feel. It was breathtaking.
There were some storms that had passed by but no snow on the roads, some in the forests when I was at one of the higher elevations. I guess the area is getting it's fall rain storms and that seems to cause some problems. Hey, I'm used to that.
I am really impressed how the Equinox (all wheel drive, dontcha know) held the road. Some of the roads were quite narrow with no room for error! I was completely confident in the way it held the road.
One of the things I noticed in the west coast is the little Espresso bars all over the place. Ontario has Tim Hortons, here it's little shacks that sell espresso and coffee. Neat!. Okay I'll have to try one of those tomorrow.
After a number of hours of driving (6 or 7 I think) I arrived in Crescent City, California. This is a fishing town and not really a tourist place. It's one of the places that being out after dark is probably not a good plan or at least that's the way I felt. The Quality Inn is clean but not many services and I'm hoping the blog will post. They have a breakfast that sounds pretty good and there's a fridge and microwave too. Other than that there's not much going on here. That's okay, my real goal is tomorrow's destination and checking out all the big red woods around me here!
Well, there's a cold California rain falling outside and I'm hoping the internet here will let me post.
Cheers all!
Finally at the Pacific!
Today, this evening I finally touched the Pacific ocean to put part of my goals behind me for my pilgrimage year.
I have gone from sea to sea.
Wow!
Today I arrived, in the pouring rain, in Seaside Oregon after an eclectic drive from Surrey BC (after quite the questionning by the lady border crossing lady who wanted to know my complete agenda, I seemed to have satisfied her I guess as she let me through finally).
I have driven through potato farmland, grazing land, over mountains, through dark green forests and even took a little car ferry across the Columbia river. I've seen Mt. Ranier, Mt. St. Helens, the Seattle Space needle, the huge Astoria span bridge over the Columbia river delta, several huge liners ready for loading with grain and crops and tons of different crops and animals being transported to the shoreline. It's been really amazing. The last 2 hours of the drive was pretty rainy but that's been pretty typical for this time of year I've been told.
Seaside, Oregon is really a town on the seaside (really original in the naming of this place) and because it's October it's a little quiet but I still really enjoyed walking the couple of blocks to the beach to check it all out. I'm not too concerned about the stores not being open it's the ocean that I'm totally enthralled with.
This town is also the end of the Lewis and Clark Trail. I'll have to research that a little more but there is a large statue on the seashore. I did drive along the Lewis and Clark trail for most of the day. Perhaps it's where they ended up when they finally made it west! That's neat!
Tomorrow morning I hope to head back down to the shore before I leave to take daytime pictures.
Right, I know, I know I'm driving all along the Pacific coast and I'm going to be seeing this body of water over and over but....it's just so neat to be here.
Ahhhh I made it!!!
There are lots of hotels and motels here and some are right on the ocean and lovely (probably really expensive too) but the good old Comfort Inn is on a river that winds through town and my room as a little balcony overlooking the river and there are some ducks wandering around. It's really neat. I'm only 2 blocks from the ocean too. Oh yeah, there was a good sushi bar a block away too! Nice spot.
This is somewhere I'd like to come back to in the summer time and really enjoy the miles of beach in the nicer weather.
So tomorrow I really start to drive on the Pacific Coast By-way Route (as it's called) and enjoy the sights and sounds of this ocean!
I really can't believe my dream of being here so many months ago has come true. It's so great!
I have gone from sea to sea.
Wow!
Today I arrived, in the pouring rain, in Seaside Oregon after an eclectic drive from Surrey BC (after quite the questionning by the lady border crossing lady who wanted to know my complete agenda, I seemed to have satisfied her I guess as she let me through finally).
I have driven through potato farmland, grazing land, over mountains, through dark green forests and even took a little car ferry across the Columbia river. I've seen Mt. Ranier, Mt. St. Helens, the Seattle Space needle, the huge Astoria span bridge over the Columbia river delta, several huge liners ready for loading with grain and crops and tons of different crops and animals being transported to the shoreline. It's been really amazing. The last 2 hours of the drive was pretty rainy but that's been pretty typical for this time of year I've been told.
Seaside, Oregon is really a town on the seaside (really original in the naming of this place) and because it's October it's a little quiet but I still really enjoyed walking the couple of blocks to the beach to check it all out. I'm not too concerned about the stores not being open it's the ocean that I'm totally enthralled with.
This town is also the end of the Lewis and Clark Trail. I'll have to research that a little more but there is a large statue on the seashore. I did drive along the Lewis and Clark trail for most of the day. Perhaps it's where they ended up when they finally made it west! That's neat!
Tomorrow morning I hope to head back down to the shore before I leave to take daytime pictures.
Right, I know, I know I'm driving all along the Pacific coast and I'm going to be seeing this body of water over and over but....it's just so neat to be here.
Ahhhh I made it!!!
There are lots of hotels and motels here and some are right on the ocean and lovely (probably really expensive too) but the good old Comfort Inn is on a river that winds through town and my room as a little balcony overlooking the river and there are some ducks wandering around. It's really neat. I'm only 2 blocks from the ocean too. Oh yeah, there was a good sushi bar a block away too! Nice spot.
This is somewhere I'd like to come back to in the summer time and really enjoy the miles of beach in the nicer weather.
So tomorrow I really start to drive on the Pacific Coast By-way Route (as it's called) and enjoy the sights and sounds of this ocean!
I really can't believe my dream of being here so many months ago has come true. It's so great!
Monday, October 3, 2011
West Coast Hang out-Monday October 3
Hey gang
It's now October and I can't believe that! What a blast I've been having!
I arrived in Surrey on Wednesday the 28th in the evening after a fun drive through the Fraser Canyon from Salmon Arm BC to Surrey. It was an amazing drive! The land scape was so desolate but so beautiful too and the Thompson River was really moving. The road only had a few points of construction on it so it wasn't too bad but there were times that I think the poor Equinox had no idea what a straight piece of road was. The sun was shining and the breeze nice as I zipped up and down the hills and valleys.
We stopped by the seniors facility where my aunt lives and had a very nice visit with her. She's 91 and still bopping along. She loves her hugs and loves a good story (oh yeah and her trashy National Enquirers too)
We were giggling in this picture because she thought I was nice and warm and snuggly! Hey, what ever works for you when you're 91.
T and I set off for the Skytrain station and downtown. T was having a blast as we boarded and headed off. It was just starting to rain when we got off at Stadium station. I thought I might buy my Lions ticket there but the box offices weren't open. Not to worry I would find some where to get a ticket and the tourist info places would tell me.
I had remembered a really good sushi bar on a street downtown, I couldn't remember which of 2 streets it was on so off we went to find it. Not locating it but hungry we went to a crepe place. Holy Cow! was it ever good. I had a proscuitto, brie and egg crepe and T had a spinach, feta and egg one. Oh yeah, we both had coffee milkshakes too. This was completely awesome! The food was so good and so amazing. We had a blast.
As we exited I found my sushi bar had been in the building across the road from our crepe place but that building was being destroyed! Alas, I was on the right road though!
Fortified we headed off to the water front to the tourist information place and Woohoo! I got my ticket! Being a sole ticket seaker I got one 3 rows from the turf off the 10 yard line right in front of the TSN broadcast stage. How cool is that!
Shopping time now and we headed to Gastown. T wanted to go to the jade store(s) and just be a tourist, I was looking for anything unique. In the jade store I found a necklace with 5 jade peas in a gold pod. It was the cutest thing (on sale too!) and so neat. I had to get it. T got a nice necklace and some earrings too. Very worthwhile stop.
At the beginning of Water street in Gastown there was a native artist store that featured silver jewelry with Haida carvings on it. We were both entranced. They had these silver beads (more like a band of silver) with totems carved into them. Each totem (frog, moon, hummingbird, raven, sun etc) has specific meanings. T was so taken with these pieces and their meaning that she decided we should get one each that "speaks to us". So I now have a silver frog totem bead and she has a silver moon totem bead. The beads are created by artist Travis Henry and mine indicates communication, stability and power of sound. Doesn't that fit me to a "t"?
T's is tranquility, inner peace and guidance. It too is perfect for her.
T was soooo excited that we had done this. It was fun!
After a stop at a coffee shop we parted ways and I headed over to BC Place for the beginning of the whole hoopla before the game. The Premier was there as was the mayor of Vancouver and the first person through the doors to the "new" BC Place was the longest holding season ticket holders. It was nice, the crowd was into it and all was good.
The fans were really into the whole experience inside too, the roof was retracted (where everyone oohed and ahhed) at the beginning of the game (think a huge Russian type blind that retracts into itself) and Sarah McLaughlin sang O Canada! Oh yeah, and the Lions won as well. The concession stands really had a problem but I got my hot dog and pop so I was okay but I know the whole food and beer thing has been a news maker out here. I had fun regardless.
Usually on my tour I don't go out at night but this was a different occassion and T had said it was no problem to pick me up at the Surrey Skytrain station so I was good there.
Just at the end of the game there are folks that throw little stuffed footballs out to the crowd. I had my head turned to make sure I had all my stuff and one bounced off my head into the guys lap in front of me! He said that I had really caught it and gave it to me and he and his wife and I started to chat. Seemed they were heading to Surrey on the Skytrain too and I could walk with them if I wanted. Great! I knew where to go but it was still nice to have a couple of people with me. Off we ventured. Crammed into a Skytrain we picked the right way to go by walking a bit to the first stop on the system so we could get a seat. It was still squishy but at least we were sitting.
It had been a long day. I was pooped! I think I needed a day off! So.... I took a couple! L and I watched sports on the big screen, T and I looked at family pictures and swapped stories and we had tons of good times. A good rest from my travels.
But the travelling bug was buzzing again so yesterday morning I looked at my maps again, planned my strategie and am now set to get on the road again and find new things to look at and enjoy.
I can't express enough my thanks to my western family for having me hang out with them and we've had a blast! It's been great!
It's now October and I can't believe that! What a blast I've been having!
I arrived in Surrey on Wednesday the 28th in the evening after a fun drive through the Fraser Canyon from Salmon Arm BC to Surrey. It was an amazing drive! The land scape was so desolate but so beautiful too and the Thompson River was really moving. The road only had a few points of construction on it so it wasn't too bad but there were times that I think the poor Equinox had no idea what a straight piece of road was. The sun was shining and the breeze nice as I zipped up and down the hills and valleys.
Quite something isn't it! Wow, what a neat drive.
Thankfully the nav system took me right to my cousin's place because the part of Surrey they're in is all numbered street names. I'm okay with those but it's a little confusing in the subdivision they're in. My cousin T was out visiting with a neighbour when I drove in so it was nice to see a friendly face right off the bat. I arrived to a home. It was nice to "move in" for a few days and just hang out with family members I don't get to see very often let alone spend some quality time with. They have two puppies, Monty and Maya who are the cutest things on the planet. Bishon Frisee and Shitzu crosses. So adorable and so loving. They are fun to watch too.
On Friday I decided to head up to Whistler, the weather was supposed to be good for Friday but not for Saturday and Sunday so back in the good old Equinox and off to the Sea to Sky highway. After getting through the crazy construction on Hwy 1 and over the Mann Bridge I was smooth sailing to Squamish then on to Whistler. The highway, again, didn't have a straight piece in it the whole way. It was a fun drive but I'd hate to think what it's like on a snowy day. Little time for views on the way there but I noted a number of pull out places to stop and figured I'd do that on the way home.
Whistler is pretty quiet this time of year and I enjoyed walking around in the sunshine. The Olympic Plaza was a lovely place to sit and enjoy people watching.
I had hoped to go on the peak to peak gondola ride between Blackcomb mountain and Whistler but that was only running on the weekends weather permitting but no biggie. I loved wandering around the town and enjoying the sights. One of the chairlifts was working taking mountain bikers to the top of Whistler mountain. What a trip that must be coming down. All the riders I saw were very experienced and had all the right equipment and looked like they really knew what they were doing. I watched these guys and some girls too, for quite a while.
The drive home was good and I stopped to take some pictures along the way.
This is the Tantalus mountain range and is quite sacred to the First Nations here in BC. It was pretty despite the sun had gone behind the clouds.
On Friday T and I ventured off to visit my aunt, her mom, and go to downtown Vancouver. This was quite and adventure for T as she says she really doesn't go to Vancouver that often. Surrey has everything she needs. So it was a fun time for her as well. I had been in Vancouver about 5 years ago, maybe 6, I can't remember really but it was fun and I remember the downtown core quite well as I was staying in a hotel there. I remember the Skytrain (transit system) was really a neat way to get around. I also had another goal. Getting a ticket to the BC Lions, Edmonton Eskimos CFL football game. The stadium, BC Place, has been closed for a number of months while the roof was being fixed and the whole place upgraded. This was the opening game for the stadium. I wanted to go. So there was our quest.
We stopped by the seniors facility where my aunt lives and had a very nice visit with her. She's 91 and still bopping along. She loves her hugs and loves a good story (oh yeah and her trashy National Enquirers too)
T and I set off for the Skytrain station and downtown. T was having a blast as we boarded and headed off. It was just starting to rain when we got off at Stadium station. I thought I might buy my Lions ticket there but the box offices weren't open. Not to worry I would find some where to get a ticket and the tourist info places would tell me.
I had remembered a really good sushi bar on a street downtown, I couldn't remember which of 2 streets it was on so off we went to find it. Not locating it but hungry we went to a crepe place. Holy Cow! was it ever good. I had a proscuitto, brie and egg crepe and T had a spinach, feta and egg one. Oh yeah, we both had coffee milkshakes too. This was completely awesome! The food was so good and so amazing. We had a blast.
As we exited I found my sushi bar had been in the building across the road from our crepe place but that building was being destroyed! Alas, I was on the right road though!
Fortified we headed off to the water front to the tourist information place and Woohoo! I got my ticket! Being a sole ticket seaker I got one 3 rows from the turf off the 10 yard line right in front of the TSN broadcast stage. How cool is that!
Shopping time now and we headed to Gastown. T wanted to go to the jade store(s) and just be a tourist, I was looking for anything unique. In the jade store I found a necklace with 5 jade peas in a gold pod. It was the cutest thing (on sale too!) and so neat. I had to get it. T got a nice necklace and some earrings too. Very worthwhile stop.
At the beginning of Water street in Gastown there was a native artist store that featured silver jewelry with Haida carvings on it. We were both entranced. They had these silver beads (more like a band of silver) with totems carved into them. Each totem (frog, moon, hummingbird, raven, sun etc) has specific meanings. T was so taken with these pieces and their meaning that she decided we should get one each that "speaks to us". So I now have a silver frog totem bead and she has a silver moon totem bead. The beads are created by artist Travis Henry and mine indicates communication, stability and power of sound. Doesn't that fit me to a "t"?
T's is tranquility, inner peace and guidance. It too is perfect for her.
T was soooo excited that we had done this. It was fun!
After a stop at a coffee shop we parted ways and I headed over to BC Place for the beginning of the whole hoopla before the game. The Premier was there as was the mayor of Vancouver and the first person through the doors to the "new" BC Place was the longest holding season ticket holders. It was nice, the crowd was into it and all was good.
The fans were really into the whole experience inside too, the roof was retracted (where everyone oohed and ahhed) at the beginning of the game (think a huge Russian type blind that retracts into itself) and Sarah McLaughlin sang O Canada! Oh yeah, and the Lions won as well. The concession stands really had a problem but I got my hot dog and pop so I was okay but I know the whole food and beer thing has been a news maker out here. I had fun regardless.
Just at the end of the game there are folks that throw little stuffed footballs out to the crowd. I had my head turned to make sure I had all my stuff and one bounced off my head into the guys lap in front of me! He said that I had really caught it and gave it to me and he and his wife and I started to chat. Seemed they were heading to Surrey on the Skytrain too and I could walk with them if I wanted. Great! I knew where to go but it was still nice to have a couple of people with me. Off we ventured. Crammed into a Skytrain we picked the right way to go by walking a bit to the first stop on the system so we could get a seat. It was still squishy but at least we were sitting.
It had been a long day. I was pooped! I think I needed a day off! So.... I took a couple! L and I watched sports on the big screen, T and I looked at family pictures and swapped stories and we had tons of good times. A good rest from my travels.
But the travelling bug was buzzing again so yesterday morning I looked at my maps again, planned my strategie and am now set to get on the road again and find new things to look at and enjoy.
I can't express enough my thanks to my western family for having me hang out with them and we've had a blast! It's been great!
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Tuesday From Lake Louise to Salmon Arm BC
Today I reluctantly packed up and departed the ever changing world of Lake Louise and drove through the mountains to the head of Lake Shuswap and Salmon Arm BC.
First some pictures from dynamic Lake Louise
Yes, I fulfilled one of my bucket list items and went canoeing on Lake Louise. This is a picture of the Mt. Victoria glacier and the end of Lake Louise.
In the distance is the Chateau, I have hiked to the delta of the Glaciers and behind me is the glacial plaine and the 6 glaciers that feed Lake Louise.
Staying at the Chateau was a real treat and certainly something I wouldn't do every day. It was nice to be in such an international place. There were people from every where! It was nice to re-meet some folks at the breakfast spot too and we had a chance to share stories. I liked that part. Also the staff here are just outstanding as they are expected to be. I did get to know some of the staff too, as a multi-night guest. Everyone was great.
Yesterday I took a "day off". After breakfast I took my crossword puzzle out to one of the benches that overlooked the lake and sat for at least an hour watching people, the lake, the mountains and having a great time. The clouds gathered and I decided that it was time to head inside. There is a spectacular (and huge) reading lounge above the main lobby that had comfy chairs, quiet music playing and a great view of the Lake Louise ski slopes in the distance. Finding a comfy place to sit I continued with the puzzle, dozed a bit and just enjoyed life! At the deli (oh yeah, they have everything) I had grabbed some chicken rice and dill soup (this isn't your run of the mill deli) and enjoyed lunch overlooking the changing view of Lake Louise. Alas it was time to venture down to the spa for my massage. Oh yeah, baby if you're gonna do this all, you're going to do it all! So, scented with bergamot (think Earl Grey Tea) and ylang ylang (I have no comparison for this) I wafted back to my room to rest. Having an aromatherapy massage can be exhausting!
Dinner in the Glacier Saloon (yeah, I liked this place) watching Monday Night Football on a gigantic screen I was a happy camper. Relaxed and content I enjoyed my last night in Lake Louise listening to the odd rumble of the glacier letting some of it's ice go (sounds kind of like thunder but in a different way).
Staying at a place as large as the Chateau (over 500 rooms with an average of 800 people staying each night and 400 staff) it can be a little overwhelming with the sheer number of humanity wandering around. Everyone was nice, don't get me wrong, but I did feel like I was living in a little town. I was geared up to venture out again and continue west. The Pacific coast is so near!
There was some construction on the Trans-Canada that kept the speed down and there weren't too many trucks but the rain that hit every so often did make it a little challenging. I did keep my eye on the temperature but it never ventured below 6 C. Driving through Roger's Pass is interesting because the mountains are so high and really bank the highway on both sides. There are so many avalanches there that they have built tunnels to drive through where the snow can slide over the built tunnel and not close the road. There are many barricades that I can tell are used during the winter to close off the road. The clouds were right down on the road it seemed and the rain came and went. It was certainly a different drive than when I was in Saskatchewan! Man, that seems like an eternity ago!
I stopped in Revelstoke for a pit stop and heard thunder as I got out of the truck. Hmmm. Black to the right of me, rain enveloping the mountain to the front of me and I had just come from the other way. Oh dear.
So I hung out in the Equinox for a bit and watched the different storms decide what they were going to do.
In true mountain fashion they seemed to move off in different directions than I was going so I headed back on the Trans-Canada and made my way to Salmon Arm.
The clouds disappeared, the mountains got smaller, the temperature went up and I was "through" the Rockies, for the most part. Salmon Arm is named after a portion of Lake Shuswap that the First Nations used to fish for salmon (natch) and other fish because it becomes very shallow and good for their way of trapping fish. The lake is huge and has many wings to it. Salmon Arm is at the most southernly portion of it. The town, like many along the Trans-canada is built right beside the railway and the main street (highway) parallels the railway. By the way I did not stop in Craigellachie, where the last spike was pounded into the transcanada railway because it was a MONSOON out and I had a pesky cube van on my tail. I do remember stopping there many years ago when we travelled through on my Guiding trip. So, alas, one touristy thing missed.
I arrived at the Best Western in Salmon Arm to find a lovely accommodation (actually the room is bigger than the one at the Chateau but alas, no view at all. Ho Hum) with a pool and hot tub too. I may change my allegiance to Best Western motels. There was a little strip mall within walking distance where I could fill up on some fruit and granola bars for my travel bag and Kool-a-tron and grab a light snack. Perfect!
What I'm finding with accommodations is the bonus of having a little fridge and even a microwave is really nice. Everywhere has internet these days so that's not a decision maker but a pool is nice. I'm certainly getting good at picking some nice places to stay.
I haven't looked at anything in the US yet, that will come. I do have a route though and that's half the battle, then I can plan where I'll stay. I'm looking forward to being near the ocean again. Weird, I've been in the mountains for a while now I'm looking forward to the ocean. There is so much to see, so much to do. What a great trip!
What a great pilgrimage!
First some pictures from dynamic Lake Louise
Staying at the Chateau was a real treat and certainly something I wouldn't do every day. It was nice to be in such an international place. There were people from every where! It was nice to re-meet some folks at the breakfast spot too and we had a chance to share stories. I liked that part. Also the staff here are just outstanding as they are expected to be. I did get to know some of the staff too, as a multi-night guest. Everyone was great.
Yesterday I took a "day off". After breakfast I took my crossword puzzle out to one of the benches that overlooked the lake and sat for at least an hour watching people, the lake, the mountains and having a great time. The clouds gathered and I decided that it was time to head inside. There is a spectacular (and huge) reading lounge above the main lobby that had comfy chairs, quiet music playing and a great view of the Lake Louise ski slopes in the distance. Finding a comfy place to sit I continued with the puzzle, dozed a bit and just enjoyed life! At the deli (oh yeah, they have everything) I had grabbed some chicken rice and dill soup (this isn't your run of the mill deli) and enjoyed lunch overlooking the changing view of Lake Louise. Alas it was time to venture down to the spa for my massage. Oh yeah, baby if you're gonna do this all, you're going to do it all! So, scented with bergamot (think Earl Grey Tea) and ylang ylang (I have no comparison for this) I wafted back to my room to rest. Having an aromatherapy massage can be exhausting!
Dinner in the Glacier Saloon (yeah, I liked this place) watching Monday Night Football on a gigantic screen I was a happy camper. Relaxed and content I enjoyed my last night in Lake Louise listening to the odd rumble of the glacier letting some of it's ice go (sounds kind of like thunder but in a different way).
Staying at a place as large as the Chateau (over 500 rooms with an average of 800 people staying each night and 400 staff) it can be a little overwhelming with the sheer number of humanity wandering around. Everyone was nice, don't get me wrong, but I did feel like I was living in a little town. I was geared up to venture out again and continue west. The Pacific coast is so near!
There was some construction on the Trans-Canada that kept the speed down and there weren't too many trucks but the rain that hit every so often did make it a little challenging. I did keep my eye on the temperature but it never ventured below 6 C. Driving through Roger's Pass is interesting because the mountains are so high and really bank the highway on both sides. There are so many avalanches there that they have built tunnels to drive through where the snow can slide over the built tunnel and not close the road. There are many barricades that I can tell are used during the winter to close off the road. The clouds were right down on the road it seemed and the rain came and went. It was certainly a different drive than when I was in Saskatchewan! Man, that seems like an eternity ago!
I stopped in Revelstoke for a pit stop and heard thunder as I got out of the truck. Hmmm. Black to the right of me, rain enveloping the mountain to the front of me and I had just come from the other way. Oh dear.
So I hung out in the Equinox for a bit and watched the different storms decide what they were going to do.
In true mountain fashion they seemed to move off in different directions than I was going so I headed back on the Trans-Canada and made my way to Salmon Arm.
The clouds disappeared, the mountains got smaller, the temperature went up and I was "through" the Rockies, for the most part. Salmon Arm is named after a portion of Lake Shuswap that the First Nations used to fish for salmon (natch) and other fish because it becomes very shallow and good for their way of trapping fish. The lake is huge and has many wings to it. Salmon Arm is at the most southernly portion of it. The town, like many along the Trans-canada is built right beside the railway and the main street (highway) parallels the railway. By the way I did not stop in Craigellachie, where the last spike was pounded into the transcanada railway because it was a MONSOON out and I had a pesky cube van on my tail. I do remember stopping there many years ago when we travelled through on my Guiding trip. So, alas, one touristy thing missed.
I arrived at the Best Western in Salmon Arm to find a lovely accommodation (actually the room is bigger than the one at the Chateau but alas, no view at all. Ho Hum) with a pool and hot tub too. I may change my allegiance to Best Western motels. There was a little strip mall within walking distance where I could fill up on some fruit and granola bars for my travel bag and Kool-a-tron and grab a light snack. Perfect!
What I'm finding with accommodations is the bonus of having a little fridge and even a microwave is really nice. Everywhere has internet these days so that's not a decision maker but a pool is nice. I'm certainly getting good at picking some nice places to stay.
I haven't looked at anything in the US yet, that will come. I do have a route though and that's half the battle, then I can plan where I'll stay. I'm looking forward to being near the ocean again. Weird, I've been in the mountains for a while now I'm looking forward to the ocean. There is so much to see, so much to do. What a great trip!
What a great pilgrimage!
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Lake Louise and the Chateau-Saturday to Monday
Well folks I've reached the pinnacle of accommodations in Canada.
I am staying at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. I have a lake view room that is so spectacular. The lake is green then pale green then dark green. The sun sets over the mountains and the glaciers are dark against the dark rock. This is a truly special place on earth.
I left 3 Bars Guest ranch with tons of memories, lots of new skills and friends. I said good bye to Bailey the donkey and the rest of the animals that I had befriended, shared email addresses with the 3 other girls I met there and said so long to the staff that had been so good and patient with me. In a way it was hard to leave but on the other hand it was time to get back on the road. The last night at the ranch was a campfire and sing song night where one of the guests plays guitar and we had a great time singing silly songs. There was a large contingent of Irish who were in Canada for golf and the rocky mountains. They asked to hear O Canada since some of them had never heard it in person. So, I fired up my pipes and off I went. Alas, it was a solo as the other Canadians in the crowd stated they were tone deaf. Yeah right. Then they asked if I knew the American anthem, so off I went again. The guests were so impressed and so thankful to hear such a beautiful song in the rockies. The american one they thought was rather war oriented and liked the Canadian one better. It was a fun night and the stars were something to see too. I forgot that I was in the middle of a place that had really no artificial light. What a sky!!
Everything packed into the Equinox and it was a nice drive up to Golden then across to Lake Louise. The weather was fantastic and even a little warm at 27 C.
Emerald Lake really is emerald colour and the rockies in the back ground are awesome too.
Okay, I know you're all looking for pictures but I've run into the same old snag again with my posts and this system will not allow me to post pictures. The Chateau is quite fancy but their internet has a lot of blocks on it. One of these days I'll make a post of my favourite pictures. I'll just have to remember to do that.
Anyway, I arrived in Lake Louise and it was so hot and I was so road weary from the mountains, looking around, the construction on the trans-canada and the heat I was so glad to arrive at the Chateau. What a place!!
They give you a map of the chateau along with your room key. That's a great idea!
My room is on the fourth floor overlooking the lake with a beautiful view. A spectacular view. A postcard view. No a view from a jigsaw puzzle. It's unbelievable how much it changes too.
I moved into my room and found all the things around me (the pool, the spa, the 5 restaurants) and what was in my room (coffee maker and kettle and refridgerator) and what was outside (outstanding views). I needed to find out when breakfast was (I had that included in my room charge) and what the canoes cost to rent. I ventured off to the Glacier Saloon to watch some CFL football and have an early dinner.
This morning I awoke to see the sun hitting Mt. Victoria and the glaciers. What a sight! I decided that an early morning start would be in order because the weather was supposed to change this afternoon. After breakfast I hiked the 5 km round trip to the end of the lake, where the glacier pours in, and back. So neat to see the Chateau from the other end of the lake. It looked soooo small. The water coming from the glacier is quite milky from the disolved rock, or rock flour, in it. The lake is 70 meters deep and the rock flour is diluted by the vast quantity of cold, cold water in the lake that the whole thing doesn't appear milky. The very fine particles of rock flour reflect the light in certain ways to make the lake appear green or blue or deep emerald as it is now.
As I glance out my window the sun has set but there are big clouds coming over the mountains and it's snowing at the higher elevations. It's neat to see it falling on the peaks. Kind of like strings connecting the cloud to the peak. We had a thunderstorm go through this afternoon and the sound of the thunder going through the canyons around here was really something. So deep and booming and then it would echo around the area. Again, all a neat experience.
Closer to the lunch hour I rented a canoe for an hour. I so wanted to take a canoe out and just paddle around. So I did! It was so special to canoe to the other side of the lake (where there isn't a hiking path) and look around and then to be in the middle of the lake and take some pictures and just float around and let the breezes push me around and look at the majestic mountains all around me. Something that I won't forget for a long time. It was just starting to rain really hard when my hour was up and I walked away from the boat house all satisfied that I had crossed another thing off my list.
On this tour I have:
tomorrow's another day!
Cheers from beautiful Lake Louise, Alberta
I am staying at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. I have a lake view room that is so spectacular. The lake is green then pale green then dark green. The sun sets over the mountains and the glaciers are dark against the dark rock. This is a truly special place on earth.
Okay, I know you're all looking for pictures but I've run into the same old snag again with my posts and this system will not allow me to post pictures. The Chateau is quite fancy but their internet has a lot of blocks on it. One of these days I'll make a post of my favourite pictures. I'll just have to remember to do that.
They give you a map of the chateau along with your room key. That's a great idea!
My room is on the fourth floor overlooking the lake with a beautiful view. A spectacular view. A postcard view. No a view from a jigsaw puzzle. It's unbelievable how much it changes too.
- ridden a horse and become rather proficient
- fly fished
- skeet shooted
- fired a 22 calibre shot gun
- fired a 12 guage shot gun
- fired a 20 guage shot gun
- stayed at the Chateau Lake Louise with a lake view
- driven through the rockies safely
- met new people
- canoed on Lake Louise
tomorrow's another day!
Cheers from beautiful Lake Louise, Alberta
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