Planes, trains, and automobiles!

Okay so maybe this post should be titled just "Trains".... with the odd peddle bike thrown in for good measure!

Last week, I bought myself a shiny new bicycle. Admittedly, I was due - my previous bike had rolled many, many miles, and seeing as how I purchased it in mid-1998, it truly had earned a relic status. And since I do quite like peddling, and since I have a place in the mountains, I figured it was time to take the plunge and get myself an actual mountain bike!


My sweet ride is on the left. And yes, the
bikes are in my living room.... LOL!

My new set of wheels is a Rocky Mountain Soul 29 - red, of course - and so far I love it! On Saturday, we rode the Legacy Trail from Banff to Canmore and back. Approximately 53km of loveliness is what it was!

We were the 245th and 246th people to use the trail on Saturday!

Lunch and beers before the peddle home....

 

Great way to spend an afternoon!

 

Now for the "Trains" part.... Ever since I heard about it years ago, I've been saying that I'd like to take the old train from Stettler to Big Valley. And finally on Sunday, we went and checked it out! What a blast!

 

 

 

 

We hung out in the 'bar car' and enjoyed
some fantastic entertainment!

 

 

 

The train was "robbed"! All the loot collected went to
the Alberta Children's Hospital however - nice!

 

 

 

 

As per usual on these types of excursions, we met some really great people and had a grand old time. We were well fed, well watered, and completely entertained the entire day. It was a totally worthwhile outing!

 

Next on the agenda: spend time in Canmore! Hopefully this weekend will bring some biking, hiking, golfing, or all of the above! As long as I get to be outside, I don't care what we do. Love the outdoors!

 

Cheers!

 

 

 

 

 

Every day is Father's Day......

..... and Mother's Day, for that matter! In my opinion, it is totally cool that there are days set aside specifically where we acknowledge how special our parents are.... but if you really think about it, we should be doing that EVERY day, shouldn't we?!

Last week, I mailed my father a card which of course, in my scatterbrained fashion of late, did not arrive on time for the said "Father's Day". And I possibly was tardy with my mom's card back in May as well. Tsk. So, along with continuing to utilize the formal Mother's Day / Father's Day venues, I'm going to take this random opportunity to tell both of the people who are responsible for my being, how much they mean to me! Parents, I love you!

In light of this past Sunday, I came across the following list of "Dad's Favorite Sayings", and it made me laugh so hard.... I'm certain I heard all of these growing up - not only from my Dad, but from my Mom too!

Check out number 7 and number 4..... too funny!

At any rate, I guess my point here is that every single day, whether I say it out loud or not, I adore my parents and appreciate everything they have ever done for me. They are fun, fabulous people, and my Sister and I turned out pretty darn good as a result of having them as our parents!

Taken a few years ago at Bow Falls - one of my fave pics of them!

Selfie with the Parents!

Thank you Duncan and Elinor!

Cheers!

Bikes, bikes, and more bikes!

Can you believe it is almost the middle of June already? 2014 is nearly half gone! Eeeek! I swear that the older I get, the faster time goes by.... scary....

So this past couple of weeks, a few really fun things have happened. You know that I bought a new motorcycle (I was bragging it up in the last post!), and as a result of selling me his, Chris had to buy himself a new one!

Sweet new Street Glide!



On the open road!

We are a two "bagger" family now! LOL!

He picked it up yesterday, and we were able to go for a little spin last night. Sadly, the riding conditions have not been noteworthy - cool, windy, cloudy. But it was still great to get out!

I know earlier I said that there were a 'few' really fun things that have happened..... however, aside from doing a bit of golfing and getting myself a decent peddle bike, the Harleys are actually the only excitement we've had that I can think of since the road trip in May!

Anyway, I'm sure the weather will improve eventually, and then I'll have slightly more interesting things to blog about!

Cheers!

May Long (but not long enough) Weekend

Well. Here it is, the 22nd of May. Still feels like March most days! Ick!

In order to facilitate a more summer-like ambience (in my world anyway), I went and bought a new toy....

Chris upgraded... so I am going to
"look after" his old bike!

I finally did it! I bought a bigger motorcycle. It's a Harley Davidson Street Glide. She is a Big Blue Pearl beauty, and I'm looking forward to getting some miles on 'er! Woot!

And in other fun news.... Chris, Jennifer and I road-tripped out to the Cooke family cabin on Shuswap Lake, where we met up with cousins Shane and Lynne for an extended Victoria Day weekend. There were beach fires, horseshoes, and lots of beer, mixed in with watersports, a few early season chores, and the two cutest kidlets ever.

What a view!

The 12' aluminum is the latest addition to the fleet.

Chris and Jennifer enjoying the sun!

Lynne tries out her new board - nice work!



Shane carves.



The sweetest little peeps EVER!

Good times!

Shane and Lynne did some wakesurfing, and Chris and I toured around in the new little fishing boat. Jennifer was able to soak up some sun and catch up on some much-needed rest - she recently finished a post-secondary program and has been studying and working like a mad woman. And of course there were Alex and Evelyn... they are two of the nicest, most dreamy children I've ever met! I can't wait to see them again!

We had a blast - although it would be hard NOT to have an incredibly enjoyable time out there - and now everybody is back to the grind.

*SIGH*

Oh well. I think I can suck it up for a couple of weeks. I've got some vacation planning to do, which is always a fantastic distraction - we haven't totally decided yet what's up for July, but we are narrowing down the options. Guaranteed it will be an adventure!

Hope all is well for everyone!

Cheers.