Trans-Canada

Well we made it from Calgary to Nova Scotia, with surprisingly good weather for this time of year (even through Wawa!). We did the drive in short, long burts followed by a few days in both Winnipeg and Ottawa, and then into Halifax.

I'm curious what people consider the worst part of the drive, as I know many of you have done it. For me, the two worst cities to drive through are Calgary and Montreal. Calgary (on the trans-Canada) because even though the route is straight-forward, it's no longer a highway and you crawl along 16th Ave. Montreal because the road is still a highway, but the route is not straight-forward (or well marked) and you have to make some key turn-offs / mergers.

But I'm here now, and I'd say I wasn't going to do it again, but we all know I'd be lieing! Two weeks here, packing and organizing, and then off on the next adventure. More to come...

Merry Christmas all!

What a cold country..

Within 30 hours we went from the Mojave desert to British Columbia, and -40 temperatures. I think it's warmed up to a balmy -10 or so, almost t-shirt weather.

The fall adventure's are over, the climbing was great, saw some great places and met some great people. I'm going to avoid stereo-typing our neighbours to the south, because I'm sure every place has their share of arrogant a$$holes... 'nuff said.

The trip east has started, though I'm not due to arrive for another two weeks our so. Hopefully the weather's good, but then again we are talking about Canada.

I picked up my plane ticket to Ghana the other day, and am getting geared up for that trip. I'm still finalizing some details regarding the trip, but so far 6 weeks in Ghana volunteering and then another 6-8 weeks in Tanzania / Kenya touring and climbing. I leave Halifax in early January, and will be coming back in early April sometime. I'll post more when it's been determined....

City in the desert

What can I say about Vegas...I'm glad we're camped outside of the city. You can still see the glow at night though, and from the top of some of the peaks you can clearly see the city (though it's clouded in haze in this picture).

Jocelyn and I saw Cirque du Soleil on Saturday, I'm still amazed. The performers were incredible, amazing feats from trapeze to strength and balance demonstrations. The stage moved up and down, live music, and a bit of comedy mixed in. I got pulled up on stage and locked in a cage while the clown took my seat to flirt with Jocelyn, and then they spun the cage around to show me! After I got wheeled backstage, and had a brief chance to look around. Quite a show!

We're leaving here in the next few days to drive to Joshua Tree national park in southern California, planning on climbing there for a week or so. Then it's time to head back north, then east. Having a blast though, I'll update as available...

Vegas Baby Vegas!

Bishop to Vegas, a much more manageable drive. Bought a road atlas today, got tired of getting lost on roads that weren't on my map. Ending up on a crappy dirt road in Death Valley added some excitement for the drive.

The simple things are often the greatest. For instance, our new accomodations are a step up from the last. Staying in a campground outside of Vegas, we've got a picnic table (no more cooking / sitting / eating) on the ground, running / potable water (no more filling bottles in gas station bathrooms), and toilets (well, outhouses).

The climbings great, weather's been all right. Lots to see, the 'Strip' is mind blowing, so many lights. Another week and a half here and then we're kicked out of the campground, so after that, we'll see.

Thanks for the comments from everyone so far, I get a laugh whenever I read them. I'll keep updating...

Sweet sweet sunshine!

Now this is living! I took this photo as soon as we got here, without realizing the big ones were in behind. We're camped nearby, with the Sierra Nevadas bordering the valley.

Temperatures have been in the high 20's these days, and not much below zero at night. The climbing's great, (the photo is of the Buttermilk boulders, and the Happys and Sads are down in the valley). Taking a rest day today, more because fingers have no skin left, found a laundromat in town to shower at, and maybe some hot springs nearby. Life is good.

Staying around Bishop for a while, not sure where's next. Either Joshua Tree or straight to Vegas, we'll see...

Down...

Okay, 15 hours of driving from Calgary put us in Smith Rock State Park, Oregon. One day of climbing, followed by a very cold night (1' F, a balmy -17 ' C!!). Everything froze, including us.

As per the title, I love down. Down booties, down jacket, down sleeping bag...but it was not enough. We hurriedly packed, and started driving. Backroads California, Reno and Carson city Nevada, 11 hours later we found ourselves in Bishop.

The adventure continues, I'll post pictures soon...

Another season

Well, the 2006 fire season ended abruptly with a lot of snow in the mountains. Worked Mountain Pine Beetle for a while, finished around Thanksgiving.

Just returned from two weeks climbing in Skaha (Penticton, BC). Regrouping in Calgary, and then chasing the sunny rock south for another month or so.

Long term? (well, long term for me). Back to Nova Scotia for Christmas, flying from Halifax to Africa in January. 6 weeks in Ghana, another 6 or so in Tanzania / Kenya. More on that to follow...