Next big trip coming up! I'm heading to Pangnirtung!
Initially it was to go hiking with my mum and visit my uncle there, but he had to go South for an operation. We're still going, but I wont be getting any shooting lessons from uncle Jeff, nor will we have any other company while there :(
We have to over night in IQ which will be nice, Thomas wont be around, but I'll get to see Patricia and have supper with Meeka. Nathaniel will be south with Barb and Bradaen - Barb's having a baby next Wednesday. Hopefully I can get some sewing ideas from the stores there! I'll definitely be hitting up the weave shop in Pang.
I'm pumped for the hiking, there will still be a lot of snow on the ground, but that's ok! We're going to make it up Mt. Duval one day, follow the river another, hopefully head over to Kingnait, and possible out to the sound. I will not be heading into the Park, everyone seems so shocked when I say that. Seriously, there is so mych more to the place than the Park. Been there/done that.
I really hope the weather agrees - last time I tried to make it into Pang I got weathered out in Iqaluit the whole time. Not that it was bad, I had a blast and a half with Patricia and Thomas! But I really am just hoping for nice spring hiking :) It's been pretty steady around 0c for the past week - fingers crossed!!
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Saturday, April 7, 2012
San Francisco
Arrived in San Fran on Thursday night, walked around and had sushi for supper. It was goood. I've only ever had sushi at home, so this was a treat! It came covered in roe which I wasn't expecting, but thoroughly enjoyed. We also accidently ordered random veggies tempuraed, which was also really good, minus the catelope, man I do not like cantelope. But that's besides the point.
We did one of those standard big city bus tours, and it was so sunny out that dad and I both burnt our faces! We took the bus all over - I'm amazed at hoe visually appealling San Fran is, and it's all clean! The houses are so colourful, they actually remind me of parts of St. John's, and therefore I could see myself living here. Ha. I really think that this city is nice though - similar to my admiration of Budapest. Not for for historic reasons, but visual.
The bus tour took us to the Japanese gardens (did you know that San Fran invented the fortune cookie for a fair!? - I know its nothing related to the Japanese gardens) the fisherman's warf where we saw sea lions, to the Full House houses, across the golden gate bridge and just all around the downtown core.Once I again I want to say how pretty this city is!
Last night we went to an Oakland Atheltics game, their homeopener against Seattle. They lost bad.
The game however reaffirmed my descision that if I ever moved somewhere that had a home team in a pro sport I would try and get season tickets. I think baseball is boring, but watching in person is always a good time. Dad even got me a hat to wear for the night :) Plus I got to rack up two new teams to my MLB viewing record. Pus I like how everyone is so into their team and all decked out in their team clothing/colours.
Today we road the cable cars - pretty much like the bus. Maybe if I had road in the open part, or stood on the edge, I would have enjoyed it a little more? It just felt like an old crowded bus. Walked around the warf area again. Checked China Town, which I enjoyed! They had paper lantern things strung across the streets, the buildings were brightly coloured and everything was cheap! I got a beautiful scarf, and I probably could have bought more... but I restrained myself.
Lunch consisted of more sushi! Thought dad would want Chinese food, since we were in China town (and I feel like it would be great here - I equal San Fran to the American Van City). Anyways, it was a sushi bar that had floating boats from which you could pick which ever ones you wanted as they floated by, I loved it! They selection wasnt as varied as at home, but... it was more fun to eat! There was also random jello and hotdogs in dough floating around too. I spent the rest of the day shopping - terrible thing to say, but there were great deals! Thank you Easter.
Speaking of Easter, it's not a holiday in the states. Both Good Friday or Easter Monday. I find this super strange considering how religious America is and because just today I heard people preaching on the side walk about how Jesus is my friend and He will save me and that the American public is going to hell in a hand basket. Blah blah blah.
All in all this was a fantastic trip. I would love to come back here, and I must say that as of right now I think it is better than NOLA. Maybe it's just the weather, or I felt like I did more, or that it is just prettier. I dont know. But I'm sure glad I came :)
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| Full House |
The bus tour took us to the Japanese gardens (did you know that San Fran invented the fortune cookie for a fair!? - I know its nothing related to the Japanese gardens) the fisherman's warf where we saw sea lions, to the Full House houses, across the golden gate bridge and just all around the downtown core.Once I again I want to say how pretty this city is!
Last night we went to an Oakland Atheltics game, their homeopener against Seattle. They lost bad.
Today we road the cable cars - pretty much like the bus. Maybe if I had road in the open part, or stood on the edge, I would have enjoyed it a little more? It just felt like an old crowded bus. Walked around the warf area again. Checked China Town, which I enjoyed! They had paper lantern things strung across the streets, the buildings were brightly coloured and everything was cheap! I got a beautiful scarf, and I probably could have bought more... but I restrained myself.
 |
| Floating sushi |
Speaking of Easter, it's not a holiday in the states. Both Good Friday or Easter Monday. I find this super strange considering how religious America is and because just today I heard people preaching on the side walk about how Jesus is my friend and He will save me and that the American public is going to hell in a hand basket. Blah blah blah.
All in all this was a fantastic trip. I would love to come back here, and I must say that as of right now I think it is better than NOLA. Maybe it's just the weather, or I felt like I did more, or that it is just prettier. I dont know. But I'm sure glad I came :)
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
California
Arrived in California on Monday, got our swank convertible and hit the highway! We drove down to Montery to spend the night. Pretty nice, big waves, but a little on the cool side. Saw fields full of artichokes which was cool. Tried grilled artichoke at supper, surprising good, much better than the ones in the jars, thats for sure.
The next morning we hit up the Monterey Aquarium, so amazing! I really wanted to go, the Jellyfish on the website looked cool, and boy they did impress! It was like floating in space. Even dad agreed that it was one of the best aquariums he's been too. The were touching pools, we I got to touch starfish, sea cucumbers, purple urchins and rays. The rays were soft, the starfish were really grainy. Definitely not how I imagined them to feel. All spiny and bleh. There were otters, and they were super cute, I wanted to cuddle with them! The seahorses were weird. I'm still unsure what I think of seahorses. There were tons of different types too - tiny ones, thin ones, ones that looked like kelp, and big fat ones.
I'm so pleased that dad agreed to go there in the morning. The cannery area of Monterey was nice too, I would have enjoyed walking around there, but we were on a sched.
Highway 1 that follows the coast was closed because of a landslide so we had to drive in the interior. Not what I was expecting at all. It was all mountany. Varied between lush, and sparse trees.
We spent the rest of the day in the Paso Robles area. Very pretty, and over 250 local wineries - heaven or disaster? We went on a vineyard tour of Tablas Creek, up in the hills in the area. Learnt a lot about grapes and the geology of the area - limestone soils is great for Rhone grapes. We then tried seven of their wines, which were great. I hated to leave, it was so beautiful up there - sunny and hot too!
We went back down into the town to the various tasting rooms. We encountered a few people familiar with Yellowknife and Ice Road Truckers.
Honestly, who isnt in the States? I walk in, they ask where am I from, Canada, where in Canada? Northern Canada, by Alaska, have you seen the show Ice Road Truckers? YES!? That's my town. NO WAY! Amazing.
So anyways, we drank galons of wine down in the show rooms. It was you get a sampling of 6/7 glasses of wine for 5-10$, a fee which is waived if you buy a bottle.
This morning I stuggled at getting up, but we needed to get on the go... today we hoped to drive back up highway 1 to get to Carmel. Along the way we went to the Hearst Castle. This random mansion in perched on a hilltop overlooking the ocean. Spectacular view. This guy, Mr. Hearst built this castle by importing parts of castles/monestaries/churches from throughout Europe. A ceiling from here, a fireplace from there. Quite the grand, the pools were the neatest. I wish we could have gone swimming in them :(
We left the castle and drove a ways up, but the road was sill closed from the rockslide. But we did get to see a beach full of seals. We made our way back north to Carmel - Clint Eastwood used to be the mayor, random. We're here tonight, checking out Pebble Beach tomorrow and then heading into San Fran till Sunday.
The next morning we hit up the Monterey Aquarium, so amazing! I really wanted to go, the Jellyfish on the website looked cool, and boy they did impress! It was like floating in space. Even dad agreed that it was one of the best aquariums he's been too. The were touching pools, we I got to touch starfish, sea cucumbers, purple urchins and rays. The rays were soft, the starfish were really grainy. Definitely not how I imagined them to feel. All spiny and bleh. There were otters, and they were super cute, I wanted to cuddle with them! The seahorses were weird. I'm still unsure what I think of seahorses. There were tons of different types too - tiny ones, thin ones, ones that looked like kelp, and big fat ones.I'm so pleased that dad agreed to go there in the morning. The cannery area of Monterey was nice too, I would have enjoyed walking around there, but we were on a sched.
Highway 1 that follows the coast was closed because of a landslide so we had to drive in the interior. Not what I was expecting at all. It was all mountany. Varied between lush, and sparse trees.
We spent the rest of the day in the Paso Robles area. Very pretty, and over 250 local wineries - heaven or disaster? We went on a vineyard tour of Tablas Creek, up in the hills in the area. Learnt a lot about grapes and the geology of the area - limestone soils is great for Rhone grapes. We then tried seven of their wines, which were great. I hated to leave, it was so beautiful up there - sunny and hot too!We went back down into the town to the various tasting rooms. We encountered a few people familiar with Yellowknife and Ice Road Truckers.
Honestly, who isnt in the States? I walk in, they ask where am I from, Canada, where in Canada? Northern Canada, by Alaska, have you seen the show Ice Road Truckers? YES!? That's my town. NO WAY! Amazing.
So anyways, we drank galons of wine down in the show rooms. It was you get a sampling of 6/7 glasses of wine for 5-10$, a fee which is waived if you buy a bottle.
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| Elephant seals sun bathing |
We left the castle and drove a ways up, but the road was sill closed from the rockslide. But we did get to see a beach full of seals. We made our way back north to Carmel - Clint Eastwood used to be the mayor, random. We're here tonight, checking out Pebble Beach tomorrow and then heading into San Fran till Sunday.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Spring snowboarding
I used up lieu time from work to come down to Calgary and go snowboarding with Marcena! Super exciting!
Came down on thursday and went to see my old roommate Ashley from university. I wish we coulda hung out more but she had school obligations and I had little time :(
Friday morning Marcena, her friend Chelsea and I drove out to Sunshine for a day of snowboarding. The drive was nice but by the time we got there, the weather was atrocious! It was non stop snowing, at one point hailing. The wind at the top of Standish was unreal! I was super nervous at first. I took a snowboarding lesson in grade 8, but that was just one, and I've never been snowboarding since. It was pretty adventurous of me to go again without a lesson in 10+ years. But... I did it anyways.
Getting off the chair lift was terrifying, but I never fell getting off!! First good sign. Made it down without hurting myself - second good sign. The rest of the day went smoothly, minus the awful weather.
After a day of big falls and somersaults down the various runs, my wrists really hurt, but it was a very successful day and I was so pleased with myself! Turning on to my toe was probably the hardest part, and I questioned the direction I chose to ride, both felt pretty comfortable. I've realized I get unsure over my handedness in lots of things. The snowboarding I was certain I was goofy cause of skating, when I got up there I wasnt sure... and even after a couple runs I was unsure... but i stuck with it, I rotate to the right in skating, sooo turning to the right only makes sense.
That was a lot of rambling.
We stayed the night in Canmore, then headed out to Lake Louise the next day. We got stuck behind a car accident for a good hour which cut into our time on the hill. When we got there, it was beautiful and sunny! The runs were a lot longer there, I liked that. Cause all three of us are beginningers, and Marcena and Chelsea had been there before, we only stayed on a couple runs they were familiar with. I say that was the one drawback from skiing. I could go all over skiing!
My shoulders, forearms and neck were really sore, so I only did a couple runs - probably for the best, it was packed there and the snow picked up so it was hard for me to read the snow and i was getting more and more nervous over falling because I was so sore. All in all it was a great couple days! It was really nice to go with others who are also beginners. I'm sure if I was skiing it wouldnt have been as fun cause I would have been doing runs alone. I cannot wait to come back next year!!
Came back to Calgary Saturday night and didnt meet up with anyone I had planned to, haha, Marcena and I just vegged out because of exhaustion. On Sunday I met up with Ben for lunch, then Marcena and I biked to the zoo to see penguins! We saw everything except penguins as we missed the last line by 5 min - we stopped to get hot chocolates and a penguin cookie. Drat. But it was still fun! They had glass walls of flutterby pupas and cacoons, some were emerging while we were there - bugs are cool!
We spent the rest of the night watching Mad Men and Game of Thrones - nerds.
Off to California in the morning!
Friday morning Marcena, her friend Chelsea and I drove out to Sunshine for a day of snowboarding. The drive was nice but by the time we got there, the weather was atrocious! It was non stop snowing, at one point hailing. The wind at the top of Standish was unreal! I was super nervous at first. I took a snowboarding lesson in grade 8, but that was just one, and I've never been snowboarding since. It was pretty adventurous of me to go again without a lesson in 10+ years. But... I did it anyways.
Getting off the chair lift was terrifying, but I never fell getting off!! First good sign. Made it down without hurting myself - second good sign. The rest of the day went smoothly, minus the awful weather. After a day of big falls and somersaults down the various runs, my wrists really hurt, but it was a very successful day and I was so pleased with myself! Turning on to my toe was probably the hardest part, and I questioned the direction I chose to ride, both felt pretty comfortable. I've realized I get unsure over my handedness in lots of things. The snowboarding I was certain I was goofy cause of skating, when I got up there I wasnt sure... and even after a couple runs I was unsure... but i stuck with it, I rotate to the right in skating, sooo turning to the right only makes sense.
That was a lot of rambling.
We stayed the night in Canmore, then headed out to Lake Louise the next day. We got stuck behind a car accident for a good hour which cut into our time on the hill. When we got there, it was beautiful and sunny! The runs were a lot longer there, I liked that. Cause all three of us are beginningers, and Marcena and Chelsea had been there before, we only stayed on a couple runs they were familiar with. I say that was the one drawback from skiing. I could go all over skiing!
My shoulders, forearms and neck were really sore, so I only did a couple runs - probably for the best, it was packed there and the snow picked up so it was hard for me to read the snow and i was getting more and more nervous over falling because I was so sore. All in all it was a great couple days! It was really nice to go with others who are also beginners. I'm sure if I was skiing it wouldnt have been as fun cause I would have been doing runs alone. I cannot wait to come back next year!!
Came back to Calgary Saturday night and didnt meet up with anyone I had planned to, haha, Marcena and I just vegged out because of exhaustion. On Sunday I met up with Ben for lunch, then Marcena and I biked to the zoo to see penguins! We saw everything except penguins as we missed the last line by 5 min - we stopped to get hot chocolates and a penguin cookie. Drat. But it was still fun! They had glass walls of flutterby pupas and cacoons, some were emerging while we were there - bugs are cool! We spent the rest of the night watching Mad Men and Game of Thrones - nerds.
Off to California in the morning!
Thursday, March 8, 2012
More AWGs
Day 6!! What a busy week... the past couple days I have been drowning in volleyball, arctic sports and snowboarding.
I have been having a fantastic time here in Whitehorse with all the sports. My girls volleyball has been doing well, they played their long time rivals (long time as in from Westerns this summer, ha) in the semi finals. Sadly they lost and will be playing Nunavut in the Bronze ulu match tomorrow. The boys have semis tonight against Yukon too - fingers crossed for them! The volleyball has been good - the boys very close!
I have been having a fantastic time here in Whitehorse with all the sports. My girls volleyball has been doing well, they played their long time rivals (long time as in from Westerns this summer, ha) in the semi finals. Sadly they lost and will be playing Nunavut in the Bronze ulu match tomorrow. The boys have semis tonight against Yukon too - fingers crossed for them! The volleyball has been good - the boys very close!
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| Kids practicing the head pull at Arctic Sports |
Yesterday I spent the day watching halfpipe snowboarding. Two of Team NWT snowboarders medaled, which is terrific! Especially considering there is no half pipe in the territories! It was a chilly day up there, but tons of new snow!
After that I came down the mountain to catch some of the arctic sports - Alaskan High Kick. Man, if I had the chance to do sports over again I would have totally wanted to do arctic sports. It's like one big party. Everyone hanging out in the gym. Everytime you attempt something, you fellow competator and other coaches come up to give you advice on how to make it next time. So cool!
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| Veronica's one foot high kick at 6 feet 8 inches |
So, I watched the Alaskan High Kick yesterday and then the one foot high kick today. Holy it is amazing! Our girl Veronica sadly missed a medal today for the High Kick :( missing the 6 feet 10 inches mark, but the open category for women broke a new record! So that was cool.
Tomorrow is the second last day :( it feels like everything's flown by, whereas on Tuesday if felt like I had been here for ever! I'm sad that it's ending, I've had a blast and cannot wait to submit my application to come in 2014!
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Arctic Winter Games 2012
So it's now day 2 of competition at the Arctic Winter Games here in Whitehorse. I must say it is a beautiful city!! I'm volunteering here with Sport North as mission staff for volleyball and snowboarding. What a time! Sure is fun! I love these huge events and it's neat to be on the other side... No longer an athlete. We had opening ceremonies on Sunday night... Same as always, lots of standing :(
And crazy uniforms, which I love... Wish our orange pants fit!
And crazy uniforms, which I love... Wish our orange pants fit!
Spent yesterday up at Mount Sima cheering on the NWT snowboarders while they did the runs in slopestyle boarding. Pretty sweet, I don't know anything about snowboarding but had a blast... One of our boys narrowly missed 3rd place :(
Today I'm spending the afternoon at the Canada Games Centre. I heard the Russian figure skaters are busting out triples! At AWGs!!?! Then it's the rest of the night in the gym section with my volleyball teams! Go NWT!
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Travelling in 2012
Well, I feel like writing, even though I am not going any where for another month. Come one month though, I'll be a travelling machine! I'm actually really excited for March. It's going to be jam packed!
The first week of March I'll be in Whitehorse working for the Arctic Winter Games. I get to watch my volleyball girls play, without all the time consuming coaching which drained the life out of me this summer. Hopefully get to work the Arctic Sports venue as well - that's my favourite!
After Whitehorse, I come home for one day and then fly out to Fort Simpson and drive over to Jean Marie River for work. I'm excited for that. I've got real responsibility at work! I'll be running a workshop to help the community submit their traditional place names for recognition as Official Geographic Names to appear on federal maps. Fingers crossed on some moose meat too. I've been working on scheduling this trip since October, so I'm glad it's going to happen - means more work for me in the future!
On St. Patrick's Day I'll be doing the Frostbite 45 again. This time on my own; Jane and I did it together two years ago. Sadly I couldn't find anyone crazy enough to split it with me, so I'm going to attempt the whole 45km myself this year. I've been snooping around for more tips and going to get a couple more lessons prior to the event this year. Plus better clothes so I'm not soaked at the causeway.
The last weekend of March I'm going to go down to Calgary to get some skiing - possibly snowboarding? - in with Marcena! My old housemate, Ashley, lives there too and I've been trying to get her to join us. As of right now I have very low expectations of that happening, let alone her finding time to see me. I will keep hustling her! I only have a one way ticket booked for now. I have to take a break in service from work so that I can keep working through the summer (and not have to volunteer to do field work) and that requires a break. I've got the week leading up to Easter off and no clue what to do with it! I have had a few ideas - go visit Jane and Eric in Toronto with a side trip to St. Thomas to see my nana; go to Vancouver, never really been there; go to Newfoundland but the weather in April blows; or go somewhere with my dad like Chicago. Who knows.
That is just one month! I'll continue my brief summary of trips...
I obtained a free trip for two anywhere Canadian North flies to use by June, so I am taking my mother to Pang to see uncle Jeff et al. and so I can do some hiking. I don't plan on going into the park. I know, how can I say that! Easily. The ice won't be out of the fiord yet and there is equally nice hiking over to Kingnait or up the Kuulik. The benefits of having a mother from there who I'm dragging along with me is that she knows where to go. I'm super excited for it though. I wish I could go in August, when all the colours will be on the land... but I got it for free so I cannot complain.
Come June I'll hopefully be back at Ekahli Lake (see Jean Marie River take 2 and I love my job) for work. I'm hoping that I will be in and out of town with field work, but we'll see. I seem to have pretty bad luck at work of trips falling through.
Then in September, mum and I are going on another trip! To Russia! We just go our passports in the mail and now the planning begins.
Anyways, that's my rough plan for 2012 travelling. March is going to be hectic, but it'll all calm down come mid April. Regardless I'm excited now!
The first week of March I'll be in Whitehorse working for the Arctic Winter Games. I get to watch my volleyball girls play, without all the time consuming coaching which drained the life out of me this summer. Hopefully get to work the Arctic Sports venue as well - that's my favourite!
After Whitehorse, I come home for one day and then fly out to Fort Simpson and drive over to Jean Marie River for work. I'm excited for that. I've got real responsibility at work! I'll be running a workshop to help the community submit their traditional place names for recognition as Official Geographic Names to appear on federal maps. Fingers crossed on some moose meat too. I've been working on scheduling this trip since October, so I'm glad it's going to happen - means more work for me in the future!
On St. Patrick's Day I'll be doing the Frostbite 45 again. This time on my own; Jane and I did it together two years ago. Sadly I couldn't find anyone crazy enough to split it with me, so I'm going to attempt the whole 45km myself this year. I've been snooping around for more tips and going to get a couple more lessons prior to the event this year. Plus better clothes so I'm not soaked at the causeway.
The last weekend of March I'm going to go down to Calgary to get some skiing - possibly snowboarding? - in with Marcena! My old housemate, Ashley, lives there too and I've been trying to get her to join us. As of right now I have very low expectations of that happening, let alone her finding time to see me. I will keep hustling her! I only have a one way ticket booked for now. I have to take a break in service from work so that I can keep working through the summer (and not have to volunteer to do field work) and that requires a break. I've got the week leading up to Easter off and no clue what to do with it! I have had a few ideas - go visit Jane and Eric in Toronto with a side trip to St. Thomas to see my nana; go to Vancouver, never really been there; go to Newfoundland but the weather in April blows; or go somewhere with my dad like Chicago. Who knows.
That is just one month! I'll continue my brief summary of trips...
I obtained a free trip for two anywhere Canadian North flies to use by June, so I am taking my mother to Pang to see uncle Jeff et al. and so I can do some hiking. I don't plan on going into the park. I know, how can I say that! Easily. The ice won't be out of the fiord yet and there is equally nice hiking over to Kingnait or up the Kuulik. The benefits of having a mother from there who I'm dragging along with me is that she knows where to go. I'm super excited for it though. I wish I could go in August, when all the colours will be on the land... but I got it for free so I cannot complain.
Come June I'll hopefully be back at Ekahli Lake (see Jean Marie River take 2 and I love my job) for work. I'm hoping that I will be in and out of town with field work, but we'll see. I seem to have pretty bad luck at work of trips falling through.
Then in September, mum and I are going on another trip! To Russia! We just go our passports in the mail and now the planning begins.
Anyways, that's my rough plan for 2012 travelling. March is going to be hectic, but it'll all calm down come mid April. Regardless I'm excited now!
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