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Whistler; apres Christmas

We headed to Whistler with our camper for Dec. 27 - 30, with all our snow sport gear, lots of food and warm clothing, only to fall sick for the entire 4 days! We barely left the camper, only for a long walk or two each day, other than that we were either sleeping or reading. Fortunately we had a quiet spot to park near a junction of several trails and were only a short walk from the village. It sucks to get sick on your vacation, but the photos will show we made the best of it! (We didn't have the same bug - Andre had a terrible stomach bug and I had a bad cold)

Dec 27, 2011

Photos: 18

Las Vegas; September 25 - 29, 2011

I accompanied Andre on a business trip to Las Vegas. We stayed at The Encore, the sister tower to The Wynn.

Sep 25, 2011

Photos: 40

Widgeon Lake; Sept 3-5, 2011

This was probably our 12th trip to the lake. The mission this long weekend was to repair the canoe, and lo and behold we found another one as well! So including the dinghies we brought, we had 6 boats for 4 people! Our canoe needed some repair, but we had fiberglass resin, cloth, buckets for mixing, brushes and gloves along. (The canoe was hauled up via the trail 4 years ago - NOT via plane, and I'm sorry I can't disclose its location) We had absolutely spectacular weather, couldn't have been better.

Sep 3, 2011

Photos: 67

Jasper / Maligne Lk / Berg Lk - Mt. Robson; Summer 2011

Staying true to ourselves, we packed in lots of adventure and even more photos in to a 12 day trip to the Jasper area, July 28 - August 9. We used our camper as a mobile cabin base, moving it to where we needed, re-supplying from it, having the odd hot shower, and resting. Oh wait - I think we forgot to rest. We spent 2 days paddling Maligne Lake, day hiked the Bald Hills above the lake, a 3 day hike at Mt. Robson, a 2 day hike to Geraldine Lakes, with various bike rides, walks and paddles scattered in to the mix as well.

Jul 29, 2011

Photos: 197

Sunshine Coast; Canada Day Long Weekend

Andre and I took our camper, canoe, and bikes ot the Sunshine Coast for the July long weekend, July 1 - 4. We enjoyed some long beach walks in the Gibsons and Robert's Creek areas, some canoeing on Sakinaw Lake and in Pender Harbour, a hike up Mt. Daniel, some biking in Searget Bay Park, and swimming in Hotel Lake and Garden Bay Lake. We also met up with our friends San and Dan along with their 2 girls at their place near Halfmoon Bay. A superb long weekend, but just not long enough!

Jun 30, 2011

Photos: 35

Whistler Weekend; May 28,29

We drove up to Whistler for the weekend after work on the 27th. Parked the camper at a local trailhead parking lot overnight, and enjoyed the days cycling, paddling and bear watching. Lots of bears in the valley this time of year munching on dandilions.

May 30, 2011

Photos: 15

Easter Weekend in Ucluelet

We spent Easter Weekend (April 21 - 25) in Ucluelet. In the winter I'd spent quite a bit of time looking for a beach front cabin that didn't cost an arm and a leg and came across The Cabins at Terrace Beach, which share a property and buildings with Terrace Beach Resort. The cabin was absolutely amazing, with an incredible view over a small beach and rugged west coast bay. It was just the perfect size for the two of us, and the best feature was the jacuzzi tub in the loft with a window that overlooked the grand view! The first two days the weather was spectacular so we went whale watching in the Broken Group Islands and did a 20 km beach walk. Our third day was wet and cold so we walked the Wild Pacific Trail right from our cabin, then went to Tofino for lunch and a quick, cold walk on Chesterman Beach (followed by a lengthy soak in the tub!). Our last day we took in the amazing Aquarium in Ucluelet, then walked the boardwalk from the Wick. Interp. Centre to Florencia Bay.

Apr 26, 2011

Photos: 58

Back Deck Renovation

This is actually more than just a back deck demo & rebuild, it involves removing the old rotten hot tub and surrounding walls, the siding from around the office enclosure and replacing the office windows. The deck and siding on the addition has been in dire need of replacement since we bought the house in late '04, but it's a pretty ugly, sizeable project and being out of sight from everyone but us we've focused on other projects over the years.

Feb 6, 2011

Photos: 94

Hawaii 2010

Jan 23, 2011

Photos: 154

Halloween 2010

The annual Halloween bash at our house was yet again a smashing success! I'd put on the invites, "...just make sure we won't recognize you", and many people took that to heart. There were at least 3 people that for the life of me I could not figure out who they were, no matter if they were an extremely close friend or family member!

Oct 29, 2010

Photos: 24

Thanksgiving in Kelowna

On Friday, October 8 we drove to Kelowna to spend Thanksgiving weekend with Ashley, Sarah and baby Mira at their new house. We all went to the big Farmer's Market Saturday morning, then Andre and I went for a walk in the afternoon. Sunday, Andre and I rode our bikes to Knox Mountain and hiked up to the peak via Paul's Tomb, and on the way back had a quick bite to eat at The Pita Pit. Sarah's parent's had arrived from Toronto, and that evening we were joined by another family and had a great big feast! The biggest hit was Andre and my vegan lasagna! On Monday, Andre and I went for a 30km bike ride in the sunshine before heading home where we stopped at Falls Lake for a short stretch-the-legs walk through the woods to the beautiful lake.

Oct 8, 2010

Photos: 17

California 2010

On September 3 we departed Bellingham, WA, early in the morning for an 18 day trip through the mountainous north-eastern region of California. We drove straight down I-5 to Yreka, where we stopped in to see an old "forgotten" friend, spent a day hiking the Shasta Crags, then headed east and south on Hwy 89. Highlights included McCloud Falls, Burney Falls, numerous hikes and features in Lassen Volcanic National Park, hiking in the Lakes Basin area near Graeagle, and last but not least, exploring the Lake Tahoe area by bikes and foot.

Sep 4, 2010

Photos: 140

Broken Group Islands; August 14 - 21, 2010

Paddling the Broken Group Islands in Barklay Sound, on the west coast of Vancouver Island. The group consisted of Andre and myself, Reimar (Andre's dad), our good friends Ian and Paul, and two "new" friends, Jeff & Katy.

Aug 14, 2010

Photos: 166

Stein Alpine - Blowdown Access; July 30 - August 2, 2010

The Blowdown FSR just east of Duffey Lake gives great access to the alpine area in the Stein above Blowdown Lake and the Gott Peak area. Fantastic ridges can be walked / scrambled in virtually any direction and easily accessed base camping opportunites exist at Blowdown Lake and in the meadows below the east side of Blowdown Pass (our personal choice). We first explored this area in mid-July 2005 for 5 days.

Jul 30, 2010

Photos: 39

Lions Bay Beach; July 24, 2010

The usual group of extended family and friends gathered at Lions Bay beach for a late afternoon and evening picnic and swimming. The weather was absolutely perfect and the water so nice and warm. Most of us adulst swam at least once while the kids spent hours on end in the water. Who all was there: Andre, Trudel, Ian, Reimar, Chris, Sonja & Kevin with Marissa, San & Dan with Alicia, Addie and San's mom, Patrick & Genie with Emily, Matthew and April (cousin), and Ashley & Sarah with Mira. Dan's son Stephan (24) and his girlfriend stopped by briefly as well. We stayed until the sun set, then Andre, Ian and I headed to Dundarave to watch the Symphony of Fire fireworks taking place in English Bay.

Jul 24, 2010

Photos: 21

Okanagan Mountain Park Canoe Trip; July 9 - 12, 2010

Okanagan Mountain Park is a little known area that takes up a substantial amount of waterfront on the east side of Okanagan Lake south of Kelowna and north of Naramata. It has 6 official campsites, but many more beach camping opportunities as well. There are also numerous long trails throughout the park that allow you to hike in and camp at 3 of the beach campsites. In past years we've backpacked in twice and boated in twice, and this time decided to take our canoe. We launched from Bertram Creek Park, just south of Kelowna and paddled south along the park, past Rattlesnake Island and Squally Point to the small site at Buchan Bay which we've used twice before (it's one that you can hike into). We enjoyed a day hike to Good's Creek Campsite on our second day, and an afternoon at Van Hyce Beach on our third day (we'd camped there twice with the boat; boat access only). The weather was very hot, mid 30's (low 90's) and ideal for swimming, which was our main passtime.

Jul 9, 2010

Photos: 31

Friends and Family Day; June 27, 2010

Two events in one day: First we were off to a friends & family event at the house of close friends of ours in Lynn Valley. Then in the mid afternoon Andre and I headed over to my parents where there was a final gathering with a cousin of mine from Austria who was visiting for a week with his son.

Jun 27, 2010

Photos: 14

Indian Arm; May 19-20, 2010

Almost every spring since 1992 we've headed up Indian Arm to camp for one night. The vessels have changed, from inflateable canoe to tiny zodiac to hardshell kevlar canoe, and the campsites have changed from various spots right at the end of the Arm to various spots around Bishop Creek. Bishop Creek is now one of the official camping areas and for the past many years there have always other paddlers camped there with us. The forest is tall, lush and grown in whereas back in '92 the trees were tiny, spindly little things hardly taller than Andre. Our favorite spot the past few years has been a landing spit, the opposite end of the more popular camping area. The views are closer in looking directly across to Kroker Island and there is always some great eagle, raven, goose, seal and otter action to witness.

Jun 19, 2010

Photos: 11

Scootering Salt Spring Island; June 12-14, 2010

A beautiful, sunny 3 day weekend trip to Salt Spring Island, the largest of the southern Gulf Islands that lie just east of the southern end of Vancouver Island. We transported the scooters to Delta with our truck and left the truck in a gravel lot near a community centre, then rode the scooters, loaded with all our camping gear, onto the ferry. We caught the last bit of the famous Salt Spring market, then headed to Ruckle Provincial Pk to set up camp for the 2 nights. We enjoyed ocean scenery, farm walks, a trip up to the viewpoint up Mount Maxwell, and of course lots of scootering!

Jun 12, 2010

Photos: 37

Kelowna; May 21-24

Visiting Ashley, Sarah and baby Mira over the holiday weekend. This was the first time Andre and I had met Mira, and what an absolute little doll she is!

May 21, 2010

Photos: 18

Alouette Lake; Overnight Canoe Trip; May 8-9, 2010

This was an impromotu overnight canoe trip on Alouette Lake, in Golden Ears Provincial Park (Maple Ridge, BC). The weather forecast for the weekend looked solid, so we quickly packed up and were off by 11am. We parked at the Gold Creek parking lot, then portaged the canoe down Gold Creek and put in just before the lake. There were some dark clouds lingering overhead giving us the odd light shower, which was frustrating as we'd left pure sunshine behind in the Lower Mainland. We found a great camping spot on the eastern shore of the lake, near the narrows. The next morning we woke to clear skies at 6am and were off paddling up the second portion of the lake, beyond the narrows, by 7:45am. The water was smooth as glass and our sleek canoe made hardly a ripple. As this is a dammed lake, there are a huge amount of cut off trees along the shoreline, and just under the surface of the water as well. Just a tad creepy! After a full day of sun we were back at the car by 3pm.

May 8, 2010

Photos: 17

Easter Weekend at Desolation Resort, April 2010

A 5-day getaway (April 2-6) to a beautiful cabin at Desolation Resort, just 10 min. SE of Lund on the northern Sunshine Coast. A 40 minute ferry trip from Horseshoe Bay took us across to Langdale, then we drove north to Egmont where we caught the second ferry, also a 40 minute trip, to Saltry Bay. We drove north through Powell River, then another half hour north to arrive at our destination.

Apr 3, 2010

Photos: 36

Natural Products Expo West; March 2010

Our second year attending the giant Natural Products Expo West trade show in Anaheim, California. This is the world's largest natural & organic products trade show. We thought last year was busy, this year people knew we were there and were ready for us! Where last year we had 2 people preparing & serving food non-stop, this year we had 4. Where last year we served 7,000 slices of pizza over the 3-day show, this year we served over 14,000!

Mar 11, 2010

Photos: 9

Halloween Party; Oct.24.09

Our almost-annual Halloween bash

Oct 24, 2009

Photos: 19

August 2009 Vacation

August 1 - 17, 2009 This was the longest, hottest summer on record and we began by driving through the hottest area of BC while wildfires burned all around us making the air thick and smoky. We stopped whenever possible to swim, so travel quickly we did not! Our first mini-trip was a 3 day paddle on Murtle Lake in Wells Gray Provincial Park. This was followed by hiking to the various spectacular waterfalls in the park while camping in our Bigfoot. Then we travelled to the Kootenays which were choked full of wildfire smoke, and then finally spent a few days in Kelowna (where it rained - go figure).

Aug 1, 2009

Photos: 46

Basement Renovation

Time to get rid of the pet stained carpeting in the basement stairway and hall. While we were at it, we figured we may as well go all out and trim out the 4 doors in the tiny basement hall, the window in the landing as well as replace the hideous oak frame at the top of the stairs. A new paint job helped as well. I lightened up the stone colour, and added a dark colour in the areas that show more wear and dirt. We began this project early October 2008 but only finished in Feb. 09 - our smallest and slowest project yet.

Apr 24, 2009

Photos: 26

Trade Shows March 2009

Our first two trade shows, Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, California (the world's largest natural & organic products trade show) followed by Intertational Pizza Expo in Las Vegas. Both shows were extremely successful, more so than anyone had ever expected or even hoped. We also won our first award, Best of Show for Best New Vegetarian Product, by the largest Veg publication at Expo West.

Mar 14, 2009

Photos: 19

Christmas Eve 2008

Christmas Eve at Big Brother's house

Dec 24, 2008

Photos: 12

December 08 Snowfall

Dec 22, 2008

Photos: 12

Widgeon Canoe

Oct 11, 2008

Photos: 15

Deck Renovation; Before & After

Sep 9, 2008

Photos: 13

Waterton Lakes; Aug.08

Aug 22, 2008

Photos: 123

Winchester Peak; Aug. 16-17 2008

Aug 16, 2008

Photos: 29

Heather Meadows; July 17 - 21, 2008

Jul 17, 2008

Photos: 50

Deck Renovation

Jun 21, 2008

Photos: 47

The Raindancer Trail

May 31, 2008

Photos: 19

Indian Arm; May 2008

A short little overnight paddle up Indian Arm on the hot May long weekend.

May 17, 2008

Photos: 12

Long Beach / Tofino; March 2008

A 4-day get-away with our camper on Easter weekend to the Tofino / Ucluelet peninsula.

Mar 21, 2008

Photos: 33

YummyVegan Slideshow Photos

Photos from my recipe blog, "The Yummy Vegan" (http://www.theyummyvegan.blogspot.com/).

Mar 7, 2008

Photos: 61

Farwell Canyon

Farwell Canyon is about 25 km south from Riske Creek on Hwy 20; west of Williams Lake. Just south of this spot, the Chilcotin River flows into the Fraser River; this spot is knows as The Junction and is the namesake for Junction Sheep Range Provincial Park.

Sep 29, 2007

Photos: 20

Petroglyphs; Bella Coola

Sep 26, 2007

Photos: 22

Chilcotin Holiday; September 2007

A two week holiday during the last two weeks of September, 2008 in the Chilcotin area of BC. These photos encopass the area between Clinton, Williams Lake and Bella Coola, with the majority of the photos being south of Hwy 20, "The Freedom Highway" which connects Bella Coola to Williams Lake.

Sep 16, 2007

Photos: 77

Favorite Scenes & Wildlife

A collection of my favorite photos selected from the last few years of my albums. They are not in any particular order, and one picture (Blue Gentian) was not taken by me but by my brother-in-law.

Aug 19, 2007

Photos: 24

Flowers

I love taking pictures of flowers - here is a collection of my favorites.

Aug 18, 2007

Photos: 14

Cats; 1996 - present

An assortment of my favorite photos of Oscar & Grover. Oscar and Grover both came to us from the neighbour living below us. Oscar wandered into our yard as a kitten and decided to stay, then in his absence the owner bought a new kitten. However, a couple months later Andre and I went away for a week and during this time Oscar moved back in with his old family and became best friends with the new kitten. Not wanting to separate the two kitties, and not wanting to own 4 cats and a dog, the owner asked if we would take both cats. And we did!

Jun 5, 1996

Photos: 12

Ernie; 1993 - 2006

A collection of my favorite photos of our little brown guy. We got Ernie from the North Vancouver SPCA on December 7th, 1993. He was the joy of our lives for 13 years, a super spunky, active, alert and smart little guy. He passed away late in the evening of October 24, 2006, 2 days after my 32nd birthday.

Dec 7, 1993

Photos: 16

Trudel
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