Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Skokalicious I

An impromptu visit from Ash made for the perfect excuse to stay in the mountains for a few days. Despite snow the day before, the Skoki Valley greeted us with sunshine and spectacular high alpine meadows. Pretty great bang for your buck!


Surprisingly, the flowers were still blooming in August.


Break time overlooking Ptarmigan Lake.


Nice view of Fossil Mt. in the background.


The lake was way to cold for a swim, really had to talk Heady out of it!


The valley was massive leading to Deception Pass.


Over the pass.


Ash was pretty stoked for the downhill into Skoki Valley.


Despite spending the last 3 years apart, they still talk, act, and reason the same. Frightening!


Heading into the valley.


Old wheelbarrow leading against Skoki Lodge. As per Aric's recommendation, we stopped for cookies.


Our first campsite in Merlin Meadows. We had the whole place to ourselves.


Sunrise over the meadow.

Skokalicious II

The next morning, we left the packs at the lodge and hiked up to Merlin Lake.


The beginning of exposure therapy. How soon Heady and I forget that Ontario is really flat.


Pretty sweet spot.


Therapy con't...


A rare shot of the photographer herself.


Second campsite at Baker Lake.


Sunset at Baker Lake.


Yeah apple cheese pancakes. Breakfast in style.


Hike out of Baker Lake. We were still hoping to see some bears (in the distance). I think we were the only party on the hike that didn't see them.


Asters below Fossil Mt.


Back towards Ptarmigan Lake.


Secret package inside. Shhhhh....

Friday, August 15, 2008

Cottage Time...

Heady and I travelled back to the homeland for some well deserved time at the cottage... 2 weeks with nothing to do.

Best attempt at contemplative/introspective model face. We got all dressed up for Heady's birthday dinner at Bigwin.
Deb and Ian treated all of us to an amazing meal!

The dining room brought back a few fond memories from the wedding.

Master builder hard at work. Who ever thought that a ceiling fan could be so complicated.


Ash is back and healthy on the ski.


Typical morning breakfast on the dock.


Heady tearing it up.


Knee was solid - thanks Paddy!



I climbed up a cliff just outside the bay and took some shots.

After a relaxed week, Matt and Chelsey picked us up in TO and we headed for the ranch. My folks in the death trap of a boat named "Leon."


The crew fearing for their lives in the stern.

Appies on the dock.


Best invention ever! There's just something hillarious about launching a root vegetable from a PVC canon.