Started the day with a very wee bit of new snow and a ton of fog up high. The lower runs basically suck, unless you like skating more than skiing. Did find some decent runs off the Toby lift. Late start so only got 6 or 7 runs in. Took a couple of pics
We move up to number 345 in this edition of Canada’s Best Music. We have another entry from the Spoons, some classic rock, some new rock from Billy talent and a song from a Canadian staple known as The Tragically Hip, who are, well, hip. Nice set if you like rock.
The Spoons were in my last post, Part 31. An 80’s hairband, they had several hits back in the day, including this one in 1983. Not a great video, but, hey, pretty lucky to find it at all, I’d say.
Winnipeg band, The Watchmen had a string of hits in the mid 90’s, including this song off their 1994 album “In the Trees”. Very good band in their time.
Billy Talent has been around since the early 90’s (known as the Pezz until 1999), but struck it big over the last couple of years, earning a deserved world-wide following. Turn Your Back is from Billy Talent III, released in 2009. They have been nominated for Junos every year since 2004, winning 7 times. The video is a live version. Great rocker voice.
5440 has been rocking Canadians since the 1980’s, releasing albums as recently as 2011. One of my favourite bands at one point. Still enjoy hearing them.
A legend to many Canadians, The Hip consistently release quality material, time after time. This tune was released in 1991 on their Road Apples album. Great song.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t on this day trip (had to work), but Lori was, along with her brothers and Cec. They caught Mama Bear and Baby Bear on the side of the road at Waterton Lake National Park. Nice shot.
Got into Kaslo yesterday evening. Terrific drive and had a nice supper with a spectacular view.
Staying at a 3 room hotel called Beach Gables. More at this link
Hard to argue with a view like this out the room’s window.
One of my favourite places is also an unlikely choice, We lived in Saskatchewan for many years and only left with trepidation and regrets. Having said that we made many life friends there, and a joyous occasion caused us to make the trek to our old home. The daughter of some very close friends was married in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan and most of our old group of friends were in attendance.
The first part of our journey was a 7 hour drive to Martensville, Saskatchewan, guided by my son’s intrepid guide dog, Vader.
He led us to Kindersley, Saskatchewan, where we stopped for lunch.
Garden spot isn’t it. Actually a very nice town, with a typical highway frontage. Nothing to see here.
Vader did eventually lead us to the wedding in Prince Albert, where we had a great time, catching up with many old friends.
The next morning, Vader took us to Candle Lake, and the lakefront cottage of some friends. Great time, and I’ll let some pictures do the talking.
Sunset At Candle Lake
We ran into a local trapper.
Vader even got his opportunity to get in some beach time with his new buddy, Mowgli.
Today’s tune, “I’ve Got Your Fire” is by Prince Edward Island born, Halifax based singer song writer, Jenn Grant. I seem to be posting a lot of Canadian maritime singers and bands lately, which is indicative of a thriving music scene in this beautiful part of Canada. She is a recording veteran now with 2 EP’s and 4 albums since 2005, including her latest, “The Beautiful Wild” in 2012. The featured song is off that album. In all honesty, when CBC began playing this several months ago, I didn’t care for it all that much, but, it eventually grew on me. Give it a listen and tell me what you think.
This week we have “Weekly Photo Challenge: One Shot, Two Ways”. An interesting concept. With digital cameras, most pictures we take are multiple shots of the same vista, done in different ways. This makes it very hard to come up with the perfect set. We’ll give it a go though.
I took these shots at Waterton Lake, Alberta in Canada. They are of a 1920’s vintage railway hotel known as the Prince Of Wales Hotel. Quite a stunning site. Waterton is part of the Canadian National Park System. It straddles the Canada-USA border and borders Glacier National Park in Montana. It was created in 1895m as Canada’s 4th national park. It was October when we were there and it was not a classic weekend weatherwise. Added to the photos though.
A shot of the view of Slocan Lake at New Denver, British Columbia. Drove down to this area from Revelstoke on August 4. Beautiful drive with lots of terrific scenery.
This week WordPress has “Weekly Photo Challenge: Foreshadow”. They suggest a storm or a flower budding out. I chose some photos from our trip into the Laurentian Mountains in the Canadian province of Quebec. We planned the trip for mid-October when the fall colours would be approaching their height, landing in Ottawa and renting a car for a cruise into Quebec City. Our route would take us into Mt. Tremblant, then on to Montreal, Quebec City and back to Ottawa. A spectacular trip it was.
In a week or two, the brilliant foliage will have fallen and then the area awaits the snow and the arrival of the many skiers.
Blackie and the Rodeo Kings are a Canadian alt-country group. I enjoy them as the country is more of a country blues sound. The group has been going strong since the early 1990’s and, in addition to the groups many record, has spawned many solo albums by its members, Colin Linden, Stephen Fearing and Tom Wilson. A great group to follow as there is some exceptional talent here. The song I have for you is a live version of “Got You Covered”, which was released as a single in 2011 and was featured on their album, “Kings and Queens”, also released in 2011.
Blackie and the Rodeo Kings home
Blackie and the Rodeo Kings on iTunes
Blackie and the Rodeo Kings on CBC