"Elk Jam" Evening Walk

The surest sign of spring is the elk in downtown Banff this week. I have seen them on every walk I have taken.

Last night we took Santiago for a walk and there was a young bull elk on the meridian boulevard of Banff Ave. Here the traffic jams are named for the animals that cause them...as so many cars stop so people can take photographs.

So there was a major "Elk Jam" and especially

at the end when the elk decided there was too much commotion and so he crossed the street.

There was also a sidewalk "elk jam" because so many pedestrians stopped to take photos - including me.

The photo with the elk looking right at us - is when the elk was checking out Santiago. Santi is such a good dog she never barks or does anything to upset the animals (well, unless it is a red squirrel or a columbian ground squirrel - like prairie dogs - then I have to hold on tight.

who said Spring?

So is this the first day of spring?

Well that means a snowfall in Banff.

But the Raven was singing and talking as though he knew spring was on its way.

Snow Shoeing today

We went snow shoeing today around Johnston Lake - just outside of town. Took an 90 minutes.

Darryl and I went but Charley had to go to work. (Charley & Daryl worked together at Neptune and now work together at the Centre)

For those of you who know what an outdoors guy Charley is (not) this was a big (not) disappointment for him.

It was a wonderful day and the walk was great. Sometimes we snow shoed on the lake and sometimes in the woods. Such a gorgeous place!

I was very excited to see an American Dipper - the small dark grey bird that dives below the icy water for its food....but it wasn't dipping today when we saw it.

3 of my favourite photos I meant to include from the Abbey

More of our intrepid outdoor adventures...the 2nd photo is my favourite.

The snow was so deep the tobogganers could not get up the hill and this photo shows the weary, wallowing in snow, and I can't tell you how much we laughed.

Only at the Abbey would the shadow on the wall look like an angel

(talking to a rabbit).

Abbey Adventures and BRRRRRRR! back in Banff

Back in Banff after a marvellous journey of more than 2 months - filling my heart with family and friends.

These are a few photos of my stay at the Abbey in Rogersville with the gang.

17 years! we have been going to the Abbey on our "retreats".

What a blessing this time was for me.

Friends!!!!!

Lots of snow and storms kept bringing more snow while we were there.

Snowshoeing, walks, tobogganing (almost impossible in the too deep snow). J.J. the gorgeous dog.

I forgot the jellyfish & octopus

At the Vancouver Aquarium I was mesmerized by the 3 different species of jellyfish. I could have stood by the tanks for days - I took a zillion pictures - though they are not creatures you want to meet in water - they are spectacularly fascinating to watch behind glass - balletic, zenlike,

delicate and surprisingly beautiful.

It is -25 % today and we are about to take Santiago for a walk. BRRRR.

Vancouver Flora and Fauna Holiday

Long time No Blog

Busy gallivanting around with friends.

Took a fabulous road trip through BC to Vancouver with our friends Don and Linda - laughed all the way.

Ate all the way as well.

BC = lush vegetation. Very overwhelming after 2 years in the semi-arid area of Banff with pine trees and grass. BC is like a tropical forest.

Saw dear old friends in Vancouver after a long gap of years - it was as if we hadn't missed any time between visits.

The heron made me think of the East coast.

The turtle was at the Aquarium. LOVED Stanly Park.

We walked every downtown & loved the Sylvia Hotel on English Bay where we stayed.

Charley in a tree trunk.

A Coot - look at its feet - you can tell it's a water bird. It's a coot and I am an old coot.

Swan in the rain - oh yes it rained the whole time we were there but it didn't stop us from loving everything. Raccoons in Stanley Park begging for food from people.

Had to laugh that I was taking pictures of them - since my brothers would both say they are int he backyards all the time - knocking on the patio doors.