tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-195053622024-03-06T23:09:24.902-07:00pole to pole with MEschwartzeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05806891659407415601noreply@blogger.comBlogger131125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19505362.post-42848998974588180382007-02-26T01:05:00.000-07:002008-11-13T18:17:12.511-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga1h2VplF1KNJrsZjWB3ro3ws4s6btTAC44MdCIRMcM59A-UW1aM0iXvheo0-yLzocsevCb9VCEysB4vsbqCR91IAv_7X2mcX32waL81LA5NeitIsR2dTST0irthJTGU8_euFC1Q/s1600-h/February+2007+036.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5035751514766329858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga1h2VplF1KNJrsZjWB3ro3ws4s6btTAC44MdCIRMcM59A-UW1aM0iXvheo0-yLzocsevCb9VCEysB4vsbqCR91IAv_7X2mcX32waL81LA5NeitIsR2dTST0irthJTGU8_euFC1Q/s320/February+2007+036.jpg" border="0" /></a> I finally made it out to the Elizabeth Parker hut near Lake O'Hara. Everybody has been raving about this place for as long as I've been in the Rockies. So many people list it as their favorite location - I figured that there must be something to it! It didn't disappoint.<br /><br /><br />Well, as you can see from the photo above, there was plenty of snow! Our group of seven skiers followed the 11 km road up to this alpine paradise, carrying all of our food, sleeping bags, extra clothing, and any other necessities in backpacks. I packed in a small flask of Scotch, for medicinal purposes only, of course... Our gang took about four hours to struggle up the trail, since we had a number of novice skiers and one complete first-timer along for the trip. I think that it's either brave or totally insane to strap on skis for the first time in your life and commit to a full-on excursion. Our newbie did very well, and hardly complained at all, despite the numerous falls he took while a whole bunch of girls stood around and giggled at him. (Way to go, Steve!)<br /><br /><br />The hut was cozy and warm when we arrived, thanks to some other folks who'd arrived ahead of our party & lit a cheerful fire. We cooked a leisurely supper, played some Scrabble, took a bit of medicine and snuggled into our sleeping bags in the small bunk hut next door.<br /><br /><br />Unfortunately for the people on the top bunk, our efforts to stoke up the fire before bedtime made the cabin into a sauna. The lower bunk was perfectly comfortable, though. Besides, we didn't want to have to re-start a fire in the middle of the night or wake up to icicles on our pillows. By about one in the morning the fire had died down to a couple of embers anyway and it started to get chilly. Thinking that we were doing everybody a favour, we spent about half an hour coaxing the fire to life again - not a popular move with the folks on the top bunk that were just starting to cool down. Oh, well. Boy, I'm glad that we have central heating these days, y'know? In a draughty cabin, it's really hard to find a comfortable temperature using a wood stove.<br /><br /><br />In the end we all got a bit of sleep & I was able to test out my shiny new down sleeping bag (thanks Lorne & Karen! That's what I got with the MEC gift card - love it!!!) See?<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5035757343036950562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrc-74FsGbNnN95i0sbIHC-fEAmR7FBsYcML3hownW8ls24-a6fkK9zvlKn_UDNXhIKXqfWfWNfs9N3asJI04x18i_YDw3z-VgEXUKmwrUPN_k9nOXcsSu-Be0sppic9n0mir-6w/s320/February+2007+035.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />The trek back to the cars the next day was through an extra six inches or so of snow that had fallen overnight. It was a perfect alpine experience. So quiet up there, with big fluffy flakes of fresh powder sifting out of the sky. Can't wait to go back!<br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5035758996599359538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD4zRtqQ-pV8gjE6xEmM-afk21TZImgMBlIQBABVMY8BalJXy_285j510DXb5UnIy2YQ4XYOWZjygfsNInPBg-e5PoQoOPNgbjZ5xdckFWAY1ef0z-R327LKlOsbk-daz_cm_Rqw/s320/February+2007+046.jpg" border="0" /><br />Lunch on the trail. We're perched on the top of a picnic table that's submerged in snow!schwartzeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05806891659407415601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19505362.post-13014992834356470122007-01-29T22:49:00.000-07:002008-11-13T18:17:12.698-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYdH9Dz8NTIYZ95SVGFinKe7-nace38D7W1sILsMG_KfQyraz3ylMZ_QO7APk9uZ-OdUDz_hlKh0Srm4413enj0cQkcEcc6fz2_9YmlEByFWUNPeAwUX2zP4uiVhzMvUAmlg1rbw/s1600-h/January+in+Jasper+2007+038.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5025697129587922594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYdH9Dz8NTIYZ95SVGFinKe7-nace38D7W1sILsMG_KfQyraz3ylMZ_QO7APk9uZ-OdUDz_hlKh0Srm4413enj0cQkcEcc6fz2_9YmlEByFWUNPeAwUX2zP4uiVhzMvUAmlg1rbw/s320/January+in+Jasper+2007+038.jpg" border="0" /></a> Sunset tonight in Banff National Park, as seen from the road to Johnson Lake.<br /><br />HOW...FREAKIN'....GORGEOUS...IS...THIS.schwartzeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05806891659407415601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19505362.post-7956426919430243362007-01-29T22:29:00.000-07:002008-11-13T18:17:12.890-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUfSxX14QqhzuBoStfuLpV-IXD-Ge_TPhzuSnSFcIgl67rkwzIUkcZKM701yZ5OFDg1KZGrXQlzwZ-dY3evhHZp_6XF3kE9J_D91scW6ndLCqaz8Q0yS-ySTb7LrLb_j_vofBzBw/s1600-h/January+in+Jasper+2007+015.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5025692052936578706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUfSxX14QqhzuBoStfuLpV-IXD-Ge_TPhzuSnSFcIgl67rkwzIUkcZKM701yZ5OFDg1KZGrXQlzwZ-dY3evhHZp_6XF3kE9J_D91scW6ndLCqaz8Q0yS-ySTb7LrLb_j_vofBzBw/s320/January+in+Jasper+2007+015.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Liz and I had to show off our amazing figure skating style last weekend on Lac Beauvert at the Jasper Park Lodge. Who knew - both of us from small Manitoba towns, both of Icelandic heritage, and both figure skating whiz kids in our youth. Unfortunately, it had been years since either of us had laced on the blades, so we had to keep the double-axels for another day. To her credit, Liz did a few wee jumps - but the place that rented us the skates at the JPL hadn't sharpened them since the last ice age. Mine were so bad that I couldn't hold an edge for a figure-eight - nevermind anything with any speed! Dull skates and rusty skills don't mix. And is it my imagination, or are they making ice harder these days? </div><div> </div><div>Anyway, we had a fantastic time & took Izzy and Gemma for their first skate ever. Okay, so we put skates on their feet and shuffled them across the ice. It counts, right? </div><div> </div><div> </div>schwartzeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05806891659407415601noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19505362.post-1168844672938916182007-01-14T23:57:00.000-07:002007-01-15T00:04:32.953-07:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/7812/1931/1600/476867/solstice%20party%202006%20028.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/7812/1931/320/916424/solstice%20party%202006%20028.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />When my brother and sister-in-law were visiting just after Christmas, we did the usual post-Christmas thing - sat around and played Scrabble. Of course, there was a considerable amount of red wine involved, which brought back memories of the time that my brother and I tried to beat Grandma at Scrabble by getting her tipsy (didn't work - she played even better than usual). Anyhoo... We coined a new word, which I want all of you to work into your daily lives: "Banfftastic" It works just like the word "fantastic" except that it applies to things that have to do with Banff. Being, as we are, the centre of the tourism universe, I think this term is long overdue. Let me help you start using the word with an example: "Q: How was the skiing on the weekend, Laurie? A: It was Banfftastic!!!" See how easy that is? Now you try...schwartzeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05806891659407415601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19505362.post-1168325734197235662007-01-08T23:55:00.000-07:002007-01-08T23:55:34.203-07:00<a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/18/8922/640/solstice%20party%202006%20023.jpg'><img border='0' style='border:1px solid #AAAAAA; margin:2px' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/18/8922/320/solstice%20party%202006%20023.jpg'></a><br />See the entry from December 31 for the full story... but here I am with our erstwhile Environment Minister, Rona Ambrose, back before Christmas. She's tiiiiiny! (or I'm huge...) Mom, Dad - what were you feeding me?!? <a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' border='0' style='border:0px;padding:0px;background:transparent;' align='absmiddle'></a>schwartzeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05806891659407415601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19505362.post-1168325430586733112007-01-08T23:50:00.000-07:002007-01-08T23:50:30.646-07:00<a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/18/8922/640/New%20year%27s%20and%20Sleigh%20ride%20027.jpg'><img border='0' style='border:1px solid #AAAAAA; margin:2px' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/18/8922/320/New%20year%27s%20and%20Sleigh%20ride%20027.jpg'></a><br />My friend Wendy from Canmore has a team of horses & she's trained them to pull a sleigh. So last week she called me up and we donned fantastic historical Hudson's Bay coats to take the horses for some exercise before they are sent to pasture for the winter. I know it looks snowy, but it was actually about 4 degrees and raining while we took this tour. <a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' border='0' style='border:0px;padding:0px;background:transparent;' align='absmiddle'></a>schwartzeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05806891659407415601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19505362.post-1168240175879049672007-01-08T00:09:00.000-07:002007-01-08T00:17:40.020-07:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/18/8922/640/New%20year%27s%20and%20Sleigh%20ride%20002.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: #aaaaaa 1px solid; BORDER-TOP: #aaaaaa 1px solid; MARGIN: 2px; BORDER-LEFT: #aaaaaa 1px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #aaaaaa 1px solid" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/18/8922/320/New%20year%27s%20and%20Sleigh%20ride%20002.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Here are some HOT MAMAS in my kitchen on New Year's Eve. I had a happy house-full with visitors from E-town and Montreal. Miss Kerri and Miss Reka and I had our 10-year reunion dinner on the 30th. There's nothing to make you feel old like celebrating a decade (except maybe the next 10-year reunion with these chicas). See Miss Nix's site for photos of our big day out skiing near Cascade Mountain: <a href="http://www.ninedoorsdesign.com/Banff/Site/Banff%20New%20Years.html">www.ninedoorsdesign.com/Banff/Site/Banff%20New%20Years.html</a> After the snowy adventures we had a nice soak in the hot springs and mandatory nap time. Yes, I said NAP and it was FABULOUS. So there.<br /> <a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" alt="Posted by Picasa" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" align="absMiddle" border="0" /></a>schwartzeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05806891659407415601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19505362.post-1167807962605276612007-01-03T00:06:00.000-07:002007-01-08T00:20:58.200-07:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/18/8922/640/New%20year%27s%20-%20buffet.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: #aaaaaa 1px solid; BORDER-TOP: #aaaaaa 1px solid; MARGIN: 2px; BORDER-LEFT: #aaaaaa 1px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #aaaaaa 1px solid" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/18/8922/320/New%20year%27s%20-%20buffet.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Swedish meatball, anyone? I rang in the New Year with some of my best friends on this earth. To those of you who were not here for the party, I wish you a very happy 2007. (Photo credit: <a href="http://www.ninedoorsdesign.com">www.ninedoorsdesign.com</a> )<br /> <a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" alt="Posted by Picasa" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" align="absMiddle" border="0" /></a>schwartzeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05806891659407415601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19505362.post-1167586256194100812006-12-31T10:30:00.000-07:002006-12-31T10:30:56.213-07:00<a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/18/8922/640/solstice%20party%202006%20020.jpg'><img border='0' style='border:1px solid #AAAAAA; margin:2px' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/18/8922/320/solstice%20party%202006%20020.jpg'></a><br />I was summoned to Edmonton just before Christmas to be a Bear Guardian for a day. Our Environment Minister (also in charge of Parks Canada) was visiting several Edmonton elementary schools, and we were spreading the good word about National Parks. My job was to talk about bears and administer the "Bear Care Swear" - it was so cute! Each kid got a "Bear Guardian" badge for taking the oath. I absolutely loved talking to the kids. They probably know more about environmental issues than their parents! <a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' border='0' style='border:0px;padding:0px;background:transparent;' align='absmiddle'></a>schwartzeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05806891659407415601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19505362.post-1165996630784956922006-12-13T00:57:00.000-07:002006-12-13T00:57:10.863-07:00<a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/18/8922/640/Lu%27s%20visit%2006%20028.jpg'><img border='0' style='border:1px solid #AAAAAA; margin:2px' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/18/8922/320/Lu%27s%20visit%2006%20028.jpg'></a><br />My cat will do anything for food. Just look at the belly on that one! I think she got a bit of finger in that bite... <a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' border='0' style='border:0px;padding:0px;background:transparent;' align='absmiddle'></a>schwartzeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05806891659407415601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19505362.post-1165907317232311922006-12-12T00:08:00.000-07:002006-12-12T00:08:37.433-07:00<a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/18/8922/640/Lu%27s%20visit%2006%20014.jpg'><img border='0' style='border:1px solid #AAAAAA; margin:2px' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/18/8922/320/Lu%27s%20visit%2006%20014.jpg'></a><br />This is from a recent snowshoe excursion into the wilds of Kootenay National Park with Ronni and Lu. Since we're us, the lovely ruby liquid coming out of that thermos is mulled wine. Fine, so we didn't clock more than 2 km but we know how to live it up! <a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' border='0' style='border:0px;padding:0px;background:transparent;' align='absmiddle'></a>schwartzeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05806891659407415601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19505362.post-1165820384365298192006-12-10T23:59:00.000-07:002006-12-10T23:59:44.370-07:00<a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/18/8922/640/T.O.%202006%20008.jpg'><img border='0' style='border:1px solid #AAAAAA; margin:2px' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/18/8922/320/T.O.%202006%20008.jpg'></a><br />At the end of November I went to Toronto for a whirlwind weekend to do a show for the Alpine Club of Canada. It was a great time! I managed to skip the coldest weather in the Rockies (-38 C) and skip straight to the balmy Toronto climes (+11 C). Hee hee. My hosts in The Big Smoke did their utmost to keep me entertained. Many thanks to Ian for his couch, and Paul and Sandra for the chauffeuring and trip to the Science Centre (geeks! we're all geeks!) We saw an exhibit based on the science of Marvel Superheroes (X-men and the Hulk, among others). It was vaguely interesting, since they were trying to explain how Spiderman could climb walls and how mutations work, etc. But the whole thing fell flat somehow. Maybe because some of the hands-on stuff was broken. Maybe because there were hordes of screaming children everywhere. Maybe it was a good concept gone wrong. Hm. Anyhoo, the pic is of me being "Storm" from the X-men. Woot. <a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' border='0' style='border:0px;padding:0px;background:transparent;' align='absmiddle'></a>schwartzeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05806891659407415601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19505362.post-1165566812357063732006-12-08T01:33:00.000-07:002006-12-11T00:03:47.960-07:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/18/8922/640/Salmon%20run%20on%20the%20Adams%20River%2012.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: #aaaaaa 1px solid; BORDER-TOP: #aaaaaa 1px solid; MARGIN: 2px; BORDER-LEFT: #aaaaaa 1px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #aaaaaa 1px solid" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/18/8922/320/Salmon%20run%20on%20the%20Adams%20River%2012.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />In late September Mom & I went on a road trip to the West Coast. On the way, we stopped in at the Adams River in BC to witness the salmon run. I caught this pic of a sockeye salmon in full spawning mode. They turn bright red when they're "in the mood" then once the job is done they turn patchy white and expire. Ahh, ain't love grand? <a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" alt="Posted by Picasa" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" align="absMiddle" border="0" /></a>schwartzeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05806891659407415601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19505362.post-1164131131598659352006-11-21T10:45:00.000-07:002006-11-21T10:49:46.550-07:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/18/8922/640/Fort%20Rodd%20Hill%20NHS%20-%20the%20Fugo%203.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: #aaaaaa 1px solid; BORDER-TOP: #aaaaaa 1px solid; MARGIN: 2px; BORDER-LEFT: #aaaaaa 1px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #aaaaaa 1px solid" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/18/8922/320/Fort%20Rodd%20Hill%20NHS%20-%20the%20Fugo%203.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />This odd-looking device is what's left of a FUGO. We found it at Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Site. It intrigued me because the FUGO was used by the Japanese in WWII to attempt to set North America on fire. No kiddin'. This frame you see was set aloft in the Jet Stream by hydrogen balloons made of lacquered paper (yes, you read that right - paper), and counterweighted with sandbags for ballast. A barometer would trigger sandbags to drop when the device sank out of the jet stream. The whole thing was calculated to make its final descent over the west coast of North America, where it would set off a 15 kilogram anti-personnel bomb and magnesium charges intended to ignite forest fires. Wow. The plan intended to divert resources and manpower from the overseas war effort to the mainland. Unfortunately for the Japanese, the FUGO was deployed as a frantic bid for an advantage...in the winter...of 1944. The devices did sail on the jet stream, as designed to do, but when they reached the U.S. and Canada, they did not start fires or cause much damage at all because of the wet and cold winter conditions. In fact, the only mainland casualties from WWII were a family of picnickers who discovered a fallen FUGO and accidentally detonated it. Interestingly enough, the fear of these fires gave rise to the Smokey the Bear program, still in use today. "Smokey says, only YOU can prevent forest fires"<a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" alt="Posted by Picasa" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" align="absMiddle" border="0" /></a>schwartzeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05806891659407415601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19505362.post-1164130366537431562006-11-21T10:32:00.000-07:002006-11-21T10:51:30.993-07:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/18/8922/640/On%20the%20Island%20-%20Wickaninnish%2022.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: #aaaaaa 1px solid; BORDER-TOP: #aaaaaa 1px solid; MARGIN: 2px; BORDER-LEFT: #aaaaaa 1px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #aaaaaa 1px solid" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/18/8922/320/On%20the%20Island%20-%20Wickaninnish%2022.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />So...catching up over the last few months... At the end of September, Mom & I went to the West Coast to visit with family & friends out there. It was a 10 day road epic. We covered a lot of ground and drank a lot of Timmy's (me: double doubles. Mom: green tea) I know, I know, the left coast is the land o' Starbucks, and we did stop at a few of those, but apparently Timmy's puts a teensy bit of crack in their drinks, because we were both addicted. Being environmentally aware, I brought along a travel cup in which to enjoy my numerous coffees to go. Mom had unfortunately lost hers just before leaving home, so the first order of the trip was buying her a new one. Well, with our "sippy-cups" in tow, we fit right in around Vancouver. I swear those folks are going to have to grow another pair of arms. The ones they have now are always occupied with a cell phone in one hand and a Starbucks cup in the other. P. S. This photo was taken on Wickaninnish beach, Vancouver Island. <a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" alt="Posted by Picasa" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" align="absMiddle" border="0" /></a>schwartzeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05806891659407415601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19505362.post-1157421637374829372006-09-04T20:00:00.000-06:002006-09-04T20:00:37.443-06:00<a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/18/8922/640/IMGP1567%20-%20crop.jpg'><img border='0' style='border:1px solid #AAAAAA; margin:2px' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/18/8922/320/IMGP1567%20-%20crop.jpg'></a><br />Well, the summer season is over for Mountain WIT, and the guys have gone back to their schools (Ian to Ryerson, Thomas to Red Deer) and I am left to fend for myself through the winter. It's been a truly great summer, though, including a helluva treasure hunt that had Ronni and I running around town to retrieve 26 different clues to get back a precious item of mine that had been kidnapped. This was our stop at Canada Place in Banff. The adventure did include a real canoe ride, plus riddle-solving, feats of endurance and a malicious beaver. I'm making a movie about it. <a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' border='0' style='border:0px;padding:0px;background:transparent;' align='absmiddle'></a>schwartzeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05806891659407415601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19505362.post-1156305220424916062006-08-22T21:53:00.000-06:002006-08-22T21:53:40.790-06:00<a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/18/8922/640/IMGP1522.jpg'><img border='0' style='border:1px solid #AAAAAA; margin:2px' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/18/8922/320/IMGP1522.jpg'></a><br />This time, I dragged my mother to the summit of a mountain. She got the idea some time ago that she just "had to" climb this peak. The peak in question? Ha Ling (formerly known as "Chinaman's Peak") which is one of the mountains overlooking Canmore. Sure, we took some time dawdling in Canmore, looking for a good peak-bagging hat for Mom, but once we were on the trail, it was all business. See, Mom had been training for this event for a few months now. She had to admit that the hills around Red Deer were not as steep or as long as Ha Ling. But with a bit of cajoling and the promise of some premium-quality chocolate, she did it! Mom's first summit. I'm so proud! <a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' border='0' style='border:0px;padding:0px;background:transparent;' align='absmiddle'></a>schwartzeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05806891659407415601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19505362.post-1155360498395377012006-08-11T23:28:00.000-06:002006-08-11T23:28:18.493-06:00<a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/18/8922/640/Rodents%20on%20Rundle2%20Aug%201%2006.jpg'><img border='0' style='border:1px solid #AAAAAA; margin:2px' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/18/8922/320/Rodents%20on%20Rundle2%20Aug%201%2006.jpg'></a><br />When will the incessant summit-bagging stop, you ask?!? "When my knees give out!" I say. My knees very nearly gave out on this scramble: Mount Rundle. It's a steep slog up the sloping back of the mountain. Unrelenting up up up. Guess that's how you get to the top, but geez! It winded me. Plus it was freakin' cold up at the top! So our celebratory lunch was confined to a few bites of chocolate for form's sake (must have celebratory chocolate) and a hasty retreat to warmer climes. Really, the forecast was for clear skies and 21 degrees (celcius, if you're wondering) which could have made for pleasant picnicking at the summit. Nope! Never trust the peaks. They'll getcha. Especially if you've forgotten to bring gloves & a toque. Dumbass. I left the peak with my extra pair of socks over my numb hands. Bliss. <a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' border='0' style='border:0px;padding:0px;background:transparent;' align='absmiddle'></a>schwartzeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05806891659407415601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19505362.post-1154569877437081772006-08-02T19:51:00.000-06:002006-08-02T19:51:17.510-06:00<a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/18/8922/640/Mrs%20Parker%20on%20Steam%20Train%20%20July%2015%2006.jpg'><img border='0' style='border:1px solid #AAAAAA; margin:2px' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/18/8922/320/Mrs%20Parker%20on%20Steam%20Train%20%20July%2015%2006.jpg'></a><br />For those of you who knew me when I had really long hair - rejoice! It's easy to get it back...just put on a wig! Here I am, portraying one of the founders of the Alpine Club of Canada, Mrs. Elizabeth Parker. I was fortunate enough to garner a ride on a classic steam train through the Rockies to Rogers Pass in July, all the while in disguise as Mrs. Parker. The show has been going over very well. I've performed it at several Alpine Club of Canada functions, including one at Stanley Mitchell Hut where I packed in the costume and props in my backpack & performed by kerosene lamplight, I think that was my favorite so far, since the audience was made up of climbers who had just spent the day on the peaks and were feeling a real emotional attachment to the mountains. We all ended up a little weepy and sentimental. It was beautiful. <a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' border='0' style='border:0px;padding:0px;background:transparent;' align='absmiddle'></a>schwartzeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05806891659407415601noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19505362.post-1152115674948500462006-07-05T10:07:00.000-06:002006-07-05T10:07:55.046-06:00<a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/18/8922/640/summer%202006%20013.jpg'><img border='0' style='border:1px solid #AAAAAA; margin:2px' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/18/8922/320/summer%202006%20013.jpg'></a><br />One of the best things about living in the Rockies is the opportunity to climb those big chunks of rock that obscure the sky. Yesterday, the Dam Big Rodents (plus our roommate, Kim) reached the summit of Cascade Mountain. For anybody who has been to Banff, that's the big peak that looms at the end of Banff Avenue. It was a brilliant day for a climb. We started at about 7:30 am to take advantage of the cool morning. By early afternoon, it was quite warm, but then came some nice, poofy clouds to give a bit of shade. The summit, which at just under 3000 metres above sea level can be particularly cold and windy, was actually pleasant and warm. We spent a while up there to rest and eat a well-earned lunch before trekking back down. Thanks to modern technology, there is perfect cell phone reception at the top of the mountain. I know it may offend some alpine purists, but I couldn't resist calling Mom & Dad from the summit. Too much fun! <a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' border='0' style='border:0px;padding:0px;background:transparent;' align='absmiddle'></a>schwartzeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05806891659407415601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19505362.post-1151121975580292232006-06-23T22:06:00.000-06:002006-06-23T22:06:15.586-06:00<a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/18/8922/640/History%20Stinks%20024.jpg'><img border='0' style='border:1px solid #AAAAAA; margin:2px' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/18/8922/320/History%20Stinks%20024.jpg'></a><br />Mmmm, pond scum... This lovely image was extracted from the Cave and Basin, where we did a little show tonight called "History Stinks!" all about the sulfurous hot springs that made Banff what it is today. Wowee. So if you want to say Banff is slimy, you are quite right! <a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' border='0' style='border:0px;padding:0px;background:transparent;' align='absmiddle'></a>schwartzeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05806891659407415601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19505362.post-1150689815838740902006-06-18T22:03:00.000-06:002006-06-18T22:03:37.666-06:00<a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/18/8922/640/Ottawa%20017.jpg'><img border='0' style='border:1px solid #AAAAAA; margin:2px' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/18/8922/320/Ottawa%20017.jpg'></a><br />I guess this blog has evolved into the travels of Mountain WIT this summer. We had a great time in Ottawa/Gatineau, performing at the Museum of Civilization for the CEO of Parks Canada's awards. Couldn't resist goofing a bit in the very posh dressing room. <a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' border='0' style='border:0px;padding:0px;background:transparent;' align='absmiddle'></a>schwartzeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05806891659407415601noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19505362.post-1149984373329112622006-06-10T18:06:00.000-06:002006-06-10T18:13:02.426-06:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/18/8922/640/Ottawa%20004.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: #aaaaaa 1px solid; BORDER-TOP: #aaaaaa 1px solid; MARGIN: 2px; BORDER-LEFT: #aaaaaa 1px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #aaaaaa 1px solid" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/18/8922/320/Ottawa%20004.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Me and my fellow "Dam Big Rodents" (as we like to call the theatre troupe) are in Ottawa this weekend, sampling all of the culinary delights of the nation's capital. (oh, and we're going to be doing a little show here on Monday). We started the day at the Byward Market, where you can find nosh from any part of the globe. We opted for some fruit and chocolate brioche, followed by a hefty wedge of brie laced with black truffles and "pain du bois" which translated somewhat awkwardly to "wood bread." I don't think that they intended to imply that the bread was made of wood... Anyhoo. <br /><br />One of the famous delicacies of Ottawa is the "Beaver Tail"(see above) - a platter of fried sugared dough served hot & fresh from street vendors. That'll be breakfast tomorrow, if the weather decides to cooperate. It's no fun eating street food if it's being blown from your grip by a soggy northern gale. I thought Ottawa was supposed to be stinkin' hot in the summer! (grr)That's it - I'm going back to the Rockies on Monday. <a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: 0px" alt="Posted by Picasa" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" align="absMiddle" border="0" /></a>schwartzeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05806891659407415601noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19505362.post-1149467814993190562006-06-04T18:36:00.000-06:002006-06-04T18:36:55.073-06:00<a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/18/8922/640/flowers%20in%20the%20Rockies%20008.jpg'><img border='0' style='border:1px solid #AAAAAA; margin:2px' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/18/8922/320/flowers%20in%20the%20Rockies%20008.jpg'></a><br />June in the Rockies means flowers & lots of 'em. These beauties are Calypso Orchids (related to the yellow Lady's Slipper) found on the trail up to Cascade Lookout. It was perfect hiking weather today: overcast but not rainy, calm and about 15 degrees. It's such a pleasure to have all of this beauty right out my back door. It almost makes up for the dearth of quality available men around here. Sigh. <a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' border='0' style='border:0px;padding:0px;background:transparent;' align='absmiddle'></a>schwartzeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05806891659407415601noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19505362.post-1148446517148421392006-05-23T22:55:00.000-06:002006-05-23T22:55:17.226-06:00<a href='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/18/8922/640/wedding%20-%20Dorset%20001.jpg'><img border='0' style='border:1px solid #AAAAAA; margin:2px' src='http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/18/8922/320/wedding%20-%20Dorset%20001.jpg'></a><br />Ahh, another very serious day at the office... The Mountain WIT gang recently had a special command performance in Toronto, so naturally, we took in some of the sights as well. Here are my two beloved work-mates, giving a smooch to our totem - "the Dam Big Rodent" - symbol of Canada - one side of the nickel - in short, the beaver. This one was found at the Royal Ontario Museum, in the Natural History section. It was labelled "Please Touch" to differentiate it from all the rest of the exhibits that were strictly verboten. Thomas quipped, "This is probably the most-fondled beaver in Toronto..." (then he blushed furiously) <a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' border='0' style='border:0px;padding:0px;background:transparent;' align='absmiddle'></a>schwartzeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05806891659407415601noreply@blogger.com0