25 Sep 2012
Posted by Dave under Dave's Thoughts,Family,Photos
This morning, heading into work, I was driving east on 9th Ave in downtown Calgary. The sun had just cleared the horizon and, as it is so close to the equinox, was essentially due east. There has been a little haze in the air the past day or two and this was the view.
On recent mornings, when the skies have been clear, this same situation with the sun shining directly down the roadway has made for quite challenging driving!
15 Sep 2012
We got the whole family up in a hot air balloon this morning. We’ve joined the folks from the Calgary Balloon Club for their fall fly-in that they have each September in Drumheller. It was really quite amazing to be drifting over the town and along the Red Deer River. At one point were were floating along the river not more than 18 inches from the surface of the water – it was incredible. About halfway through the flight we landed briefly in a small field and swapped passengers – Steven and Mark jumped into the basket while Alyssa and I jumped out. As soon as we’d switched, the pilot gave a long blast on the burner and off the balloon went for the second leg of the flight. That was cool.
A trip in a hot air balloon has been one of the things that Brenda has wanted to do for a long time. A couple of years ago we purchased a balloon flight for two at a charity auction, but it was in the fall and we couldn’t line up weather and schedules. The months went by, we got busy but tried again last year with the same result.
Through Brenda’s work at the museum, she realized that the balloon that we’d been trying to get a flight on was owned by the president of the balloon club. He invited us out this weekend to join the club and we’ve been having a great weekend. We had dinner with the club members last night when we got to Drumheller, flew this morning and had brunch together afterwards. We’ll help out with the flights planned for tonight and tomorrow as well.
What a great weekend!
02 Sep 2012
Posted by Dave under Dave's Thoughts,Family
My brother-in-law, Ronny asked me if sleeping in a teepee was on my bucket list. I had to say that it wasn’t. Now that I’ve survived a night in a teepee (it was damp, but not raining fortunately and down to about 5C). In fact we all survived and, having done so, I guess we can brag about it.
We were all very ready for a giant pancake, bacon and sausage breakfast once we came to. Now we are off to check out some of the activities at the RMH historic site.
01 Sep 2012
Posted by Dave under Dave's Thoughts,Family
The annual summer birthday bash for all of the cousins on Brenda’s side of the family is today. We are at the Rocky Mountain House Historic Site and will be camping in a teepee tonight.
The kids have had their gift exchange and we are sitting around the fire enjoying the quiet and watching the North Saskatchewan rolling by. Tonight we are having some kind of traditional Metis dinner.
Hopefully it’s not too chilly tonight!
