Pilot Bay Lighthouse – Kootenay Lake, BC, Canada

Took a walk up to the Pilot Bay Lighthouse.  Easy trail, slightly uphill and well worn.  The lighthouse is wood and was used to note the entrance to the West Arm of Kootenay Lake.  It has not been used for many years and is the subject of a historical preservation society.  The light was visible for 30 miles in each direction on the lake.

Pilot Bay Lighthouse
Pilot Bay Lighthouse

This is the view of the lake from the top of the lighthouse.  Spectacular views everywhere in this part of the world.

View Into The West Arm Of The Lake

Fish Creek Provincial Park – Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Discovered this park in the centre of Calgary and will share a few photos.  A beautiful walk in an area surrounded by a million people.

A Dog Day Afternoon
A Dog Day Afternoon
Fish Creek Swimming Hole
Fish Creek Swimming Hole

29 Untouched Corners Of The Earth Where You Can Completely Abandon Civilization

Have you have had the feeling that yo wanted to go completely off grid and lose yourself where you will never (maybe) be found.  The link gives you 29 possible places that you may be able to realize that dream. although several might be a bit to off the grid for even the craziest among us.

 

Distractify | 29 Untouched Corners Of The Earth Where You Can Completely Abandon Civilization.

Flying To Vancouver, BC

IMG_1372Loving flying over the rocks.  I took this in early July of 2013.  Lots of snow.

The World’s Ten Most Famous Streets

england 096

An interesting article from m Readers Digest.  I have done 3 of 10 listed, Bourbon Street in New Orleans, the Champs Elysees in Paris and Abbey Road in London.  How many have you done?

http://www.readersdigest.ca/travel/world/worlds-10-most-famous-streets

Traveling British Columbia – Horseshoe Bay

June 2014, we are off on the next installment in our quest to become sailors..  But…first we have to get where we are going, meaning ROAD TRIP.  What a beautiful way to get where you need to be, a drive from Calgary to Vancouver.  Outstanding scenery, enthralling drive. I won’t bore you with a whack of mountain shots and head right to the point of entry to our sailing, Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal in West Vancouver.  After a lengthy drive, involving an overnight in Revelstoke, BC.  We spent the night at  the Day’s Inn.  The hotel was okay, pretty much normal for this brand.  We headed out for a quick bite and tried a place we had never been to on our past trips, Zalas Pizza and Steak House.  Food was pub fare and good, we would definitely try it again n the future.  Spent a quiet night, then up and at em for the next part of our journey

We arrived at the terminal, only to find that the ferry was full and we would have a two-hour wait until the next one departed.  Tough place to spend a few hours with views like this.

That's Where We Are Going
That’s Where We Are Going

We have to take the ferry as we are heading to the Sunshine Coast.  It is on the mainland, just like Vancouver, just inaccessible by road.  The sailing school is located over there, Gibsons, BC.  Still, we have a few hours to kill.  Off to lunch.  The terminal area is a trendy place, with multiple shops, a marina and many restaurants.  We chose Bay Moorings, a good choice.  The food was good, reasonably priced and served by efficient and friendly staff.  A great lunch, much enjoyed.

Then we hit the ferry.  They definitely cram them in on these boats.

Sardine Can
Sardine Can

Next up, the expected shot from the ship out to the ocean.

Looking out into Howe Sound
Looking out into Howe Sound

And then we were there.  a quick drive into Gibsons, parked the vehicle and there, right in front of us, a piece of Canadian TV history, Molly’s Reach.

Molly's Reach

Next post, we introduce you to Gibsons, BC, where to go, where to stay, what to see.  At least, where we ate, where we stayed and what we saw, then some sailing.

40 Incredible Secret Places Most Travelers Don’t Know About. The Last One Blew Me Away…

Palácio Nacional de Sintra
Palácio Nacional de Sintra (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

Hi everyone.  Been a real busy month, and it is only getting busier.  Off to Candle Lake this weekend, back for a few days, then off to Kaslo.  Also planning our next big adventure.  In case you missed me, i have popped up a quick link for you, showcasing some amazing places.  I am 1 for 40, Sintra being the one. If the other 39 are anything as incredible as Sintra, then they are very worthy to visit.

 

40 Incredible Secret Places Most Travelers Don’t Know About. The Last One Blew Me Away….

To Sail Or Not To Sail – BC Edition

Gospel Rock Panorama - Gibsons Landing, Sunshi...
Gospel Rock Panorama – Gibsons Landing, Sunshine Coast, BC, Canada (Photo credit: Daniel Peckham)

And we are off.  Road trip from Calgary to Gibsons, BC, via Vancouver through the beautiful Rocky Mountains.  Then we sail.  Four days of lessons on a 36 footer in Howe Sound, then a more road trip up the Sunshine Coast.  From there a ferry to Vancouver Island, then back to Vancouver and home.  Building more memories, the most important thing in life. Hope to post a few quick posts along the way.

Travelling Manitoba – Lake Winnipeg

We were in Winnipeg on the weekend of May 17 for a high school reunion, (which is another story) and spent some time with family.  My brother and his wife live in Gimli, Manitoba, which is a town on the shores of Lake Winnipeg.  The lake is the 10th largest in the world.  It is now suffering many trials and tribulations, and is in effect, very sick.  More on that later, but first a bit of a story.  On our there for a visit, an hour so north of Winnipeg, we decided to stop in the town of Winnipeg Beach and take a look at the lake.  Surprisingly, the ice was still on the lake.  We later told that it was highly unusual for this late in the year, and  could be the latest breakup in memory.

 

Lake Winnipeg, May 18, 2014
Lake Winnipeg, May 18, 2014

 

I took this with my iPhone in panorama.  Looks very cold, and it was.  The wind was coming in off the lake and was biting.

 

The lake, as I mentioned earlier, is in big trouble.  From zebra mussels to huge algae blooms (visible from space), there are a myriad of issues threatening the life of this great body of water.  I have dropped a couple of links here, and, if you are interested, click them and find out more about the struggle to save this place.

 

Enhanced by Zemanta

Travelling Alberta – Vulcan

After a rather lengthy hiatus, it is time to get back on the beat.  Took a few months off to concentrate on some other things.  Had some fun, picked up on skiing again, made some decisions on the future and started to move forward on those plans.  One of those plans included a new vehicle, one that can pull a boat or a trailer.  Mission accomplished.  No trailer or boat, yet, but a very nice, sparkling new Nissan Pathfinder.  We intend to make use of it this summer while we work out the next part of our plans.

Making use of it will create a new offering, Travelling Alberta (or Saskatchewan, BC or wherever we end up).  The first instalment, a trip to Vulcan, Alberta.  Vulcan is a town of 2,000 people, 130 km south-east of Calgary on Hwy 23.  Why Vulcan.  Let’s think Star Trek.  Yes, little Vulcan has one the best Star Trek museums around.  Forgot to take a picture of the museum,, no snow the day we were there.  The name of this gem, the Vulcan Tourism and Trek Centre.

Visitor centre in the town of Vulcan, Alberta,...
Visitor centre in the town of Vulcan, Alberta, Canada (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

Inside are many treasures, many donated by past cast members of the various franchises. The town holds an annual event “Spock Days” which highlights appearances by various cast members.  This year’s event goes from June 13 to June 15, 2014 and features Nana Visitor (Major Kira Nerys on Deep Space Nine) and Rene Auberjonois (Odo on Deep Space Nine).  Tickets for the event are available at this link.  A nice road trip for a shakedown cruise.  We did manage to remember to take a few pictures.

Bilingual Welcome Sign
Bilingual Welcome Sign

 

Enhanced by ZemantaThey know how to be friendly.  They have even built a replica of the Enterprise.

The Enterprise

And, after a quick coffee at the Town Cafe on Centre Street, we are off to Calgary.