So as I promised, here is the story from our adventure to Jasper this weekend. Cooper had been a superstar all day long, but he has hated the rental car seat we've had. Normally at home, he likes to "Go!", but he cried for a few seconds just about every time we put him in the car seat in Canada. Consequently, he was also a little fussier while in said car seat as we made our way across Alberta.
After being on the road for a couple hours Sunday morning, walking all over Jasper and then hiking and riding for 3 hours that afternoon with no nap he was getting a little antsy in the seat as we made our way back to Lake Louise.
Jill has a great method of telling Cooper very calmly about what is going to happen and her expectations for him during these events. So we're rolling down the gorgeous highway and Cooper is fidgeting with books, blankets and other distractions all over the back seat. He would read a book for a bit, then he'd grow tired of it and toss it to the ground.
He was even throwing his Cookie Monster stuffed animal. The first time it went flying, we thought maybe he dropped it so we gave it back to him. 5 minutes later it went flying across the car again.
Jill grabbed it and calmly said "Cooper you threw that on purpose so Cookie Monster is staying with me. When you tell me it was an accident, then you can have it back."
We cruised down the road, Jill and I oohing at the various things. A couple of minutes after Jill's exchange with Cooper, we hear "Acc-e-dent!" yelled out of the back of the car. We both just stopped and looked back at the little smiling face in disbelief. I wouldn't have believed it had I not been there myself. The kid already has us beaten.
The funniest part was that he obviously had been sitting back there with his little brain churning trying to figure out how to muster up that big word. We had pretty much forgotten about the exchange until he spouted it out.
And then Jill promptly gave him Cookie Monster back....
Tuesday, June 01, 2010
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Jasper? I hardly know her.
We continued our mini-vacation with a day trip up to Jasper today. We woke up to a dusting of snow in Lake Louise, but had high hopes from the forecast things would improve as we moved towards Jasper. The drive is a couple hours, but there are lots of things to see and do on the way so Jill lined up our itinerary and we headed out.
Weather wasn't looking great, with low clouds and dark skies but we kept going. We made our first stop to hike down to a secluded lake off the highway. Cooper was glad to be out of the car, and skipped most of the way down to the lake.
Little boy, big mountains
Flurries starting to fly
A make-shift golf club
Then it was time to throw some rocks in the lake
The weather kept getting worse, so we just made fast tracks up to Jasper as it was getting close to lunch time. We grabbed some good pizza, then walked up and down the tourist trap area with Cooper darting into every open store door he could find. As we walked around town, the weather starting to break so we were optimistic that our afternoon might be saved.
We headed out to a "must hike" according to the guide book and thus our adventure started. This was to be a pretty simple hike, at least so the guide book thought, but the guide book doesn't know our propensity to bite off more than we expected to.
Cooper getting some more tee time
Cooper following Jill down the trail
Cooper running across the bridge
Then he had to get a closer look at the water below
Cooper got tired and decided it was time for a ride
It all happened innocently enough. I misread the map and went left when we should have gone straight. What was supposed to be a 2km hike to a lake suddenly seemed long. When I asked Jill about it she told me I had messed up, but she thought that was my intention. Already somewhat committed to our route, we pressed on.
All you have to do is press the key
Finally, we reached the end of the "big" lake out of the 5 lakes and started our way back around. Thankfully, we were treated to some incredible views of a lake with that beautiful turquoise hue that just doesn't seem real. We hiked along the ridge towards the next lake, and the weather held.
This picture in no way does justice to the gorgeous color of this lake
Just a couple kids out for a hike
It wasn't too long before we hit the fourth and fifth lakes, which again had a color that looks like a special effect. We took some pics, and kept pressing on. Wasn't far from this next picture that it went downhill. We missed a trail junction and ended up bushwacking on a tiny trail that went straight up several fall lines. I can't even count the numbers of fallen trees we had to get over or around.
We pressed on as the skies threatened. Thankfully Cooper had a great time and just giggled as we made our way around the last of the lakes. When we got back to the real trail, we realized there wasn't even a "real" trail that went around the lake we had just made our way around. Tired, but glad to have gotten out especially given the fact we were under weather watch all day.
No worse for the wear, Cooper tries his pacifier the other way
Back in the car, we made a couple more stops along our way home. The first was another gorgeous blue lake that once again didn't really show up in the pics due to the angle and wind. The next was Athabasca Falls, which was really cool. You could just feel the force of the water as you stood near it.
Athabasca Falls
Cooper and Jill posing at the Falls
Other side of the Falls
The run-off below the falls. This canyon had such incredible shape from the water's erosive force of thousands of years.
Then on the way home, we started seeing the wildlife. Jill had been disappointed at the lack of "critters", but then the parade started. We saw a big pack of mountain goats (or bighorn sheep). Then slightly down the road we saw our first bear. A beautiful black bear munching on some grass. Then another 30km down the road we got to see another, and the finally a third bear close to home.
The first bear
The second bear
We had another big highlight of the trip courtesy of a very sleep Super Cooper on the ride home. I'll save that for another post, but it had Jill and I both jaw dropped then in stitches for quite some time.
Weather wasn't looking great, with low clouds and dark skies but we kept going. We made our first stop to hike down to a secluded lake off the highway. Cooper was glad to be out of the car, and skipped most of the way down to the lake.
Little boy, big mountains
 |
| From Jasper |
Flurries starting to fly
 |
| From Jasper |
A make-shift golf club
 |
| From Jasper |
Then it was time to throw some rocks in the lake
 |
| From Jasper |
The weather kept getting worse, so we just made fast tracks up to Jasper as it was getting close to lunch time. We grabbed some good pizza, then walked up and down the tourist trap area with Cooper darting into every open store door he could find. As we walked around town, the weather starting to break so we were optimistic that our afternoon might be saved.
We headed out to a "must hike" according to the guide book and thus our adventure started. This was to be a pretty simple hike, at least so the guide book thought, but the guide book doesn't know our propensity to bite off more than we expected to.
Cooper getting some more tee time
 |
| From Jasper |
 |
| From Jasper |
Cooper following Jill down the trail
 |
| From Jasper |
Cooper running across the bridge
 |
| From Jasper |
Then he had to get a closer look at the water below
 |
| From Jasper |
 |
| From Jasper |
Cooper got tired and decided it was time for a ride
 |
| From Jasper |
It all happened innocently enough. I misread the map and went left when we should have gone straight. What was supposed to be a 2km hike to a lake suddenly seemed long. When I asked Jill about it she told me I had messed up, but she thought that was my intention. Already somewhat committed to our route, we pressed on.
All you have to do is press the key
 |
| From Jasper |
Finally, we reached the end of the "big" lake out of the 5 lakes and started our way back around. Thankfully, we were treated to some incredible views of a lake with that beautiful turquoise hue that just doesn't seem real. We hiked along the ridge towards the next lake, and the weather held.
This picture in no way does justice to the gorgeous color of this lake
 |
| From Jasper |
Just a couple kids out for a hike
 |
| From Jasper |
It wasn't too long before we hit the fourth and fifth lakes, which again had a color that looks like a special effect. We took some pics, and kept pressing on. Wasn't far from this next picture that it went downhill. We missed a trail junction and ended up bushwacking on a tiny trail that went straight up several fall lines. I can't even count the numbers of fallen trees we had to get over or around.
 |
| From Jasper |
We pressed on as the skies threatened. Thankfully Cooper had a great time and just giggled as we made our way around the last of the lakes. When we got back to the real trail, we realized there wasn't even a "real" trail that went around the lake we had just made our way around. Tired, but glad to have gotten out especially given the fact we were under weather watch all day.
No worse for the wear, Cooper tries his pacifier the other way
 |
| From Jasper |
Back in the car, we made a couple more stops along our way home. The first was another gorgeous blue lake that once again didn't really show up in the pics due to the angle and wind. The next was Athabasca Falls, which was really cool. You could just feel the force of the water as you stood near it.
 |
| From Jasper |
Athabasca Falls
 |
| From Jasper |
Cooper and Jill posing at the Falls
 |
| From Jasper |
Other side of the Falls
 |
| From Jasper |
The run-off below the falls. This canyon had such incredible shape from the water's erosive force of thousands of years.
 |
| From Jasper |
 |
| From Jasper |
Then on the way home, we started seeing the wildlife. Jill had been disappointed at the lack of "critters", but then the parade started. We saw a big pack of mountain goats (or bighorn sheep). Then slightly down the road we saw our first bear. A beautiful black bear munching on some grass. Then another 30km down the road we got to see another, and the finally a third bear close to home.
The first bear
 |
| From Jasper |
The second bear
 |
| From Jasper |
We had another big highlight of the trip courtesy of a very sleep Super Cooper on the ride home. I'll save that for another post, but it had Jill and I both jaw dropped then in stitches for quite some time.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Weekend Retreat
Well Summer is almost officially here. We've been hearing reports from friends and family in Colorado and Oklahoma about the 90 degree temps and general heat wave they've been having. Seems we went from Winter to Summer. Meanwhile, Jill, Cooper and I are up in Calgary for a couple weeks where we've gone from Winter to 2nd Winter. The good weather has passed and today as we drove out of Calgary headed up to Banff National Park it was 1 degree Celsius, dumping snow and starting to accumulate. Yep, that is Calgary weather for you, where Summer just means more Winter.
Not to be deterred, we headed west and things started looking better. Temperatures started slowly rising as we made our way, and looked generally better than it did in Calgary. Not perfect weather, but certainly workable. As we sit in our nice accommodations looking up towards the peaks that encompass Lake Louise, a light snow is falling and creates a pretty peaceful environment for a much needed weekend mini-vacation.
We did get out enough to explore the area around Lake Moraine today, and I have to agree with some other's opinions that I've heard and say I think Lake Moraine is just a beautiful as Lake Louise. The nice part about the less than perfect weather was the crowds were very light, making it easy to park and get around. Cooper was quite anxious to get out of the car and run around, so we hiked around for a bit.
Cooper storming up the stairs to the overlook
We got the wild child to stop long enough for a picture with Momma
Cooper makes friends with everyone on the trail, calling out "Hi!" repeatedly until they acknowledge him.
Not thawed, but still gorgeous
Family picture
Suited up and ready to hit the trails (Dad's hat is a bit big but it kept him warm)
We found some cute huskies at Lake Louise that Cooper got to play with
Happy to be out of the car and free to roam
The canoes on Lake Louise will get a late start this year. As we walked around Lake Loise, a light snow started to fall.
After walking around Lake Louise for a bit, we went into the super fancy Fairmont ($500 and up per night) hotel on the banks to walk around. The employees there showed Cooper up to the desk where they had steps and a "Kid's checkin". He promptly made his way up the stairs and socialized for a bit. Then they led him around behind the desk, opened up a big chest full of toys and told him to pick one out. Jill told them we weren't staying at the hotel just looking around, but they insisted he pick one out anyway. Of course, he picked out a wind up puppy dog toy. He carried it around proudly. Certainly a very nice gesture from their staff.
Tomorrow we continue our journey westward, heading another couple hours up to Jasper. Lots of things to see on the way there plus the weather looks better the further west you go, so we're hoping for some warmer temps and blue skies tomorrow.
We've got a really nice place with two rooms and a big, soft bed that Jill appreciates so things are good. After a long work week, feels great to be somewhat unplugged from everything and just enjoying hanging out with Super Cooper and Jill. Despite the cool temps, we're off to a good start.
Not to be deterred, we headed west and things started looking better. Temperatures started slowly rising as we made our way, and looked generally better than it did in Calgary. Not perfect weather, but certainly workable. As we sit in our nice accommodations looking up towards the peaks that encompass Lake Louise, a light snow is falling and creates a pretty peaceful environment for a much needed weekend mini-vacation.
We did get out enough to explore the area around Lake Moraine today, and I have to agree with some other's opinions that I've heard and say I think Lake Moraine is just a beautiful as Lake Louise. The nice part about the less than perfect weather was the crowds were very light, making it easy to park and get around. Cooper was quite anxious to get out of the car and run around, so we hiked around for a bit.
Cooper storming up the stairs to the overlook
 |
| From Lake Louise Weekend |
We got the wild child to stop long enough for a picture with Momma
 |
| From Lake Louise Weekend |
Cooper makes friends with everyone on the trail, calling out "Hi!" repeatedly until they acknowledge him.
 |
| From Lake Louise Weekend |
Not thawed, but still gorgeous
 |
| From Lake Louise Weekend |
 |
| From Lake Louise Weekend |
Family picture
 |
| From Lake Louise Weekend |
Suited up and ready to hit the trails (Dad's hat is a bit big but it kept him warm)
 |
| From Lake Louise Weekend |
We found some cute huskies at Lake Louise that Cooper got to play with
 |
| From Lake Louise Weekend |
Happy to be out of the car and free to roam
 |
| From Lake Louise Weekend |
The canoes on Lake Louise will get a late start this year. As we walked around Lake Loise, a light snow started to fall.
 |
| From Lake Louise Weekend |
After walking around Lake Louise for a bit, we went into the super fancy Fairmont ($500 and up per night) hotel on the banks to walk around. The employees there showed Cooper up to the desk where they had steps and a "Kid's checkin". He promptly made his way up the stairs and socialized for a bit. Then they led him around behind the desk, opened up a big chest full of toys and told him to pick one out. Jill told them we weren't staying at the hotel just looking around, but they insisted he pick one out anyway. Of course, he picked out a wind up puppy dog toy. He carried it around proudly. Certainly a very nice gesture from their staff.
 |
| From Lake Louise Weekend |
Tomorrow we continue our journey westward, heading another couple hours up to Jasper. Lots of things to see on the way there plus the weather looks better the further west you go, so we're hoping for some warmer temps and blue skies tomorrow.
We've got a really nice place with two rooms and a big, soft bed that Jill appreciates so things are good. After a long work week, feels great to be somewhat unplugged from everything and just enjoying hanging out with Super Cooper and Jill. Despite the cool temps, we're off to a good start.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Not our normal Rocky Mountains.
As best as I can count, Canucks get about 34 - 36 holidays a year and Monday was one of those days. "May Long Weekend" means nothing to us in the states, but to the people in Calgary its a Monday off and when in Calgary take the day off like the locals. Despite a less than optimal looking weather forecast for the mountains, we loaded up and headed up with a first stop of Banff.
I had been to Banff a couple of times, and it doesn't disappoint. Sure its a bit over-touristed and kitschy, but step a block off the main through-way and the serene setting makes you feel a long way removed from all that. We walked around Banff along the main drag, stepping into the traps that caught our touristy eye or the one's that Cooper ran into yelling "Yah. Yah. Yah".
It didn't take us long to shed the touristed areas and find a nice park for Cooper to run and play in. It didn't take him long to find some other kids about his age to play with. We were talking to one of the kid's parents, who was asking us if we lived around the area when he told us he lived in Banff. That prompted me to ask "How does one afford to live in Banff?" His response, which I think range quite true was "It is really a lifestyle choice." which I interpreted to mean "We may not be able to retire at 60, but man its cool living here".
We took a short drive to a scenic overlook of the Bow River and Bow Valley Falls. We stopped took in the views, snapped some pics and Cooper proceeded to roll around in some dirt and get himself filthy. Pretty much standard issue stuff.
Mandatory "Big Arms"
From Banff, its a pretty quick 30km up to Lake Loise so we decided that since the weather had turned out gorgeous that we'd take advantage and head further West. We found a still frozen Lake Loise not ready to show its incredibly turquoise hues quite yet this season, but it won't be long.
We did a nice little 5 mile hike around the lake, taking in the views as we went. Cooper got a free ride in the backpack and was a big hit. I think he likes being up high where he can see everyone and he exchanged loads of hi's with the passers. I bet we heard "Oh isn't that cute" in about 10 different languages. Living in Boulder County, we sometimes forget that not everyone totes their toddlers around all over in a backpack.
Self portrait
Looking back at the Fairmont. Lake has a lot of filling to do with the impending meltoff
Some color starting to peak through
Jill at the southern end of Lake Loise
A couple of days of work in Calgary, and then a couple more days off and some more time up in the mountains. Hoping for warm temps all week to give us some melt on Lake Loise so we can get a glimpse of the colors I've always seen and been envious of in countless pictures.
I had been to Banff a couple of times, and it doesn't disappoint. Sure its a bit over-touristed and kitschy, but step a block off the main through-way and the serene setting makes you feel a long way removed from all that. We walked around Banff along the main drag, stepping into the traps that caught our touristy eye or the one's that Cooper ran into yelling "Yah. Yah. Yah".
 |
| From Banff & Lake Louise |
It didn't take us long to shed the touristed areas and find a nice park for Cooper to run and play in. It didn't take him long to find some other kids about his age to play with. We were talking to one of the kid's parents, who was asking us if we lived around the area when he told us he lived in Banff. That prompted me to ask "How does one afford to live in Banff?" His response, which I think range quite true was "It is really a lifestyle choice." which I interpreted to mean "We may not be able to retire at 60, but man its cool living here".
 |
| From Banff & Lake Louise |
 |
| From Banff & Lake Louise |
 |
| From Banff & Lake Louise |
 |
| From Banff & Lake Louise |
 |
| From Banff & Lake Louise |
We took a short drive to a scenic overlook of the Bow River and Bow Valley Falls. We stopped took in the views, snapped some pics and Cooper proceeded to roll around in some dirt and get himself filthy. Pretty much standard issue stuff.
 |
| From Banff & Lake Louise |
Mandatory "Big Arms"
 |
| From Banff & Lake Louise |
 |
| From Banff & Lake Louise |
 |
| From Banff & Lake Louise |
From Banff, its a pretty quick 30km up to Lake Loise so we decided that since the weather had turned out gorgeous that we'd take advantage and head further West. We found a still frozen Lake Loise not ready to show its incredibly turquoise hues quite yet this season, but it won't be long.
We did a nice little 5 mile hike around the lake, taking in the views as we went. Cooper got a free ride in the backpack and was a big hit. I think he likes being up high where he can see everyone and he exchanged loads of hi's with the passers. I bet we heard "Oh isn't that cute" in about 10 different languages. Living in Boulder County, we sometimes forget that not everyone totes their toddlers around all over in a backpack.
 |
| From Banff & Lake Louise |
 |
| From Banff & Lake Louise |
Self portrait
 |
| From Banff & Lake Louise |
Looking back at the Fairmont. Lake has a lot of filling to do with the impending meltoff
 |
| From Banff & Lake Louise |
 |
| From Banff & Lake Louise |
Some color starting to peak through
 |
| From Banff & Lake Louise |
Jill at the southern end of Lake Loise
 |
| From Banff & Lake Louise |
A couple of days of work in Calgary, and then a couple more days off and some more time up in the mountains. Hoping for warm temps all week to give us some melt on Lake Loise so we can get a glimpse of the colors I've always seen and been envious of in countless pictures.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)