Elk Antler Auction

We timed our visit back through Jackson in time to see the annual elk antler auction. Quite the scene ...

I was hoping to get a big elk rack to mount on the CRV for the rest of the drive cross-country, but Carrie wasn't too excited about that idea.  I still think it would look pretty good parked on the streets of Brooklyn next week. Maybe next time.

These seemed especially fitting for the day of the rapture ...

ABCs (part 2): Adventures (in) Banff & Calgary

Our adventures continued on into Alberta with a stop in Banff and Calgary. After entering Banff National Park, we came upon a small, furry, brown blob on the side of the road. As we approached, we realized it was a small cub! (It was great to have a bear-sighting while in the car). We drove on to Lake Louise, a tourist destination (the lake) and a large ski hill. After driving through the electric fence that surrounds the ski resort, we found out the snowmobiles on the mountain were putting up the rest of the bear fence. So we decided not to hike up and ski down. And we drove on to the town of Banff. The town of Banff is a picturesque, quaint town surrounded on all sides by the Canadian Rockies. We enjoyed a hike up Tunnel Mountain (which actually doesn't have a tunnel) and a trail run out past the Hoodoos (funny shaped rock formations). After Banff, we headed to the big city of Calgary. We spent our time in Calgary visiting family and friends ... and eating really, really good food (thank you, Amanda!) We then headed South and back to the States ...

Photo Catch Up

A quick roundup of the last two weeks in photos. Its been quite the loop!  We are back in Jackson, Wy for a few days, before making the long-haul back east.

A late afternoon ski tour on the flanks of shasta with our host Nathan.  Nothing like a few days in Dunsmuir hanging out with Nathan to get inspired for the trip, and brush up on our gardening chops!

Making our wedding rings in Portland! Thanks to Michael and Anne for showing us a wonderful time, and to Spike for the guidance and help in ring-making ...

 

Its always nice to enjoy some family hospitality ... Kelowna, BC.

 Skinning up Whitewater resort in Nelson BC.  The skiing wasn't great (mostly due to a very late start on our part, but neat to see the mountain)

 View of Kootenay lake

 View from the free campsite on the shore of Kootenay Lake. Not bad.

 Carrie making some tasty indian food for dinner on the shore of Kootenay Lake.

 Breakfast of champions on the Kootenay Lake ferry.

 View from the ferry.

 Skinning up to the Ripple Ridge Hut on Kootenay pass, where we spent the night.

 View on the skin up.

 The backcountry hut system in BC is incredible - fully stocked with a fireplace, wood, and a furry little friend (mouse) to keep you awake at night.

 View from the base of Kimberley Resort. Pretty impressive.

 Searching for my ski bum roots at Kimberley ...

 Lake Louise.  The turquoise water is a little hard to make out through the ice ...

 Banff

Mammoth hot spring at the north end of Yellowstone.

 Lower falls on the Yellowstone river.

 Baby Bison!

 Papa Bison!

 Papa Bison ... very close!

ABCs: Adventures (in) British Columbia

After spending a couple nights in Kelowna, BC with Pete's cousin, Penny, we traveled southwest to the mountain town of Nelson, situated on the west arm of one of the most gorgeous lakes I've ever seen. (Pictures to come!) Kootenay Lake is nearly 65 miles long, has mountains jutting up from lake level, and is completely undeveloped. After backcountry skiing on nearby Whitewater, we drove along the lake shore and ended up at the Ainsworth Hot Springs. The (free!) campground we stayed at for the night was on the beach on the lake, and make for a spectacular sunset. We earned our tourist name by taking the ferry across the lake on the morning commute. (Pictures to come!) The ferry is the longest, toll-free ferry in the world! After a drive down the east side of the lake, we found ourselves (no surprise here!) on a mountain pass, perfect for more backcountry skiing. The bonus with this find - a hut an hour hike up the mountain! We stayed the night in the little hut (Ripple Ridge Hut), complete with a wood-burning stove and a furry friend (mouse). The skiing wasn't the greatest, but well worth it for the hut experience. We drove down from the mountain pass and into springtime in the little, European-like town of Kimberley. Pete's dad had spent a ski season in Kimberley many years ago, working to install the first chairlift. We made our way up to the ski hill to have a picnic lunch, and found one of the best views of the Canadian Rockies. (Pictures to come!)

We then headed east to Alberta for more adventures ...

ABCs: Adventures (in) British Columbia

After spending a couple nights in Kelowna, BC with Pete's cousin, Penny, we traveled southwest to the mountain town of Nelson, situated on the west arm of one of the most gorgeous lakes I've ever seen. (Pictures to come!) Kootenay Lake is nearly 65 miles long, has mountains jutting up from lake level, and is completely undeveloped. After backcountry skiing on nearby Whitewater, we drove along the lake shore and ended up at the Ainsworth Hot Springs. The (free!) campground we stayed at for the night was on the beach on the lake, and make for a spectacular sunset. We earned our tourist name by taking the ferry across the lake on the morning commute. (Pictures to come!) The ferry is the longest, toll-free ferry in the world! After a drive down the east side of the lake, we found ourselves (no surprise here!) on a mountain pass, perfect for more backcountry skiing. The bonus with this find - a hut an hour hike up the mountain! We stayed the night in the little hut (Ripple Ridge Hut), complete with a wood-burning stove and a furry friend (mouse). The skiing wasn't the greatest, but well worth it for the hut experience. We drove down from the mountain pass and into springtime in the little, European-like town of Kimberley. Pete's dad had spent a ski season in Kimberley many years ago, working to install the first chairlift. We made our way up to the ski hill to have a picnic lunch, and found one of the best views of the Canadian Rockies. (Pictures to come!)

We then headed east to Alberta for more adventures ...

Parting Ways & New Adventures

Monday was a sad day for team PCB.  P&C dropped B off at the train station in Portland where he was hopping on a train down to Dunsmuir, CA while P&C prepared to head north to British Columbia, and then eastward.  Its been a good run, and just may have to be repeated ... team PCB will strike again!

Fear not gentle reader, the adventures will continue. And we will continue to do our best to get them up on here!

Up next, check out the map below for the general route eastward from California to Georgeville that we are going to be exploring over the next few weeks.  We are headed from Portland to Kelowna tomorrow, and then will refine the details on the rest of it as we go.  Let us know if you have any suggested places to check out or stop at along our way.

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