After Yosemite National Park we were on a roll so, after a short cycle in the forest near where we camped, we decided to go to Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks. We drove in through Sequoia National Forest (where you are allowed to wild camp) and instantly saw that, Read more…
So one minute we are on the coast, enjoying the sunshine but needing to grab the jackets to protect from the cold North Westerly wind, the next we are an hour inland and the heat is fierce. Wow! The difference is crazy! After Eureka we drove the Avenue of the Read more…
With no set itinerary, we are now pootling down the West Coast towards San Francisco. This gives us the opportunity of stopping when we see something nice or asking locals where we should go. Yesterday we got both these chances. We had just decided not to pay the entrance fee Read more…
Upon leaving Stout Grove, just down the road we came across Crescent City a sprawly town with a lovely promenade, parks and lighthouse. First we did a visit to Wal-Mart, which is always a cultural experience. This time we saw a truck with a garden shed built in the back Read more…
After one last gym visit and swim we checked out of our hotel in Cannon Beach and said goodbye to the cute bunny rabbits.We stopped briefly to see the residents of the Haystack – the tufted puffins. Through the binoculars we could watch them flying about and heading into their Read more…
Heading South from Seattle we stopped in the “capitol” of Washington State, Olympia. Here we came across a mini White House which is used as the state legislative building. It was pretty fancy pants inside too, with the largest collection of Tiffany chandaliers. We found a great farmer’s market and Read more…
Having left Whistler, we got excited in the Vancouver supermarket to see so much nice fruit and veg. We did some shopping as it has been a bit lacking or very expensive in the mountains. We headed to the Canada / US border – what a pretty place. Unfortunately the Read more…
Before leaving Kamloops, we visited the wildlife sanctuary as we’d heard the grizzly bears were awake for the spring. It was lovely to see them playing together but I wouldn’t want to have a play wrestle with them!There were lots of other orphaned or injured animals (usually hit by cars) Read more…
After an unsuccesful attempt for a US seasonal work visa to work at Lake Superior, we decided to take to the road and explore Canada and Northern USA instead. We purchased a 2007 Ford E150 which has been fitted out with a bed, a small kitchen space, shelving and under Read more…
So things got a bit busy recently as everyone was doing what they needed to prepare for their Level 2 and Level 3 snow board and ski exams. The tension was mounting. We undertook the Level 2 Ski course and were both told that if we worked on a few Read more…
All of a sudden, the daytime temperatures in Sun Peaks have gone crazy from minus 10 degrees to plus 9 degrees and people are shedding layers! It is nice to try and get rid of the tan line from your snood (worn under your helmet for warmth) but it is Read more…
Over the last couple of weeks we have been to our first ever ice hockey match, demo’d some brand new snowboards and splashed out on some spanking new ski boots. It has been a busy time. Quite a few of our Winter Sports guys won ice hockey tickets for the Read more…
So with no formal training and about 15 days in total on skis, we both managed to pass our Level 1 Ski Intructor’s exam. That means we are both now qualified to teach beginner skiers – at least the feeling of being a beginner is totally fresh in our minds! Read more…
After we both got struck down by the lurgy, we had just a week to get our skiing up to standard to start the Level 2 ski training (even though we wouldn’t take our level 1 exam until two weeks after the level 2 training began). No pressure!!!! Luckily, loads Read more…
The day after the exam was very exciting for me as I ventured out of Sun Peaks for the first time since we got here at the end of November. The nearest town is Kamloops which is an hour drive away and costs $40 each way by pre-booked shuttle or Read more…
So finally after five weeks of training with Winter Sports our Level 2 exam was upon us. The weather was the coldest yet and the temperature at the top of the chairlift on Day 1 was minus 47 degrees with the windchill. It is a 4-day exam but it is Read more…
Last weekend I undertook and passed the Level 1 Adaptive Sports. We learned how to guide the visually impaired, used outriggers, had a go in a sit ski (very tricky), tethered people while snowboarding and learned about how to approach teaching those with a cognitive impairment. The instructors were great Read more…
We are now a week and a half into our Level 2 Snowboard Instructors’ course and our bodies are feeling it and our heads are mashed. Pete is carrying a shoulder niggle, I hurt my ankle yesterday in a tree run and I am nursing a sore knee from a Read more…
For the last 2.5 days we have been undertaking avalanche training (AST Level 1). It started with some theory on Friday night in the lecture room while we watched fresh powder fall outside. There were some pretty sobering videos of people getting caught in avalanches. Saturday morning we gathered at Read more…
The three days of the Level 1 course have been quite intense with homework in the evenings, tasks to do over lunch and lots of feedback to be absorbed throughout the day. Day 1 seemed to go pretty well and the rider improvement section was especially enlightening. Day 2 was Read more…
For the last six days we have been training every day so it has been full on. When we’ve had some snow overnight we’ve had mornings playing in the powder but sometimes that is more difficult than you might imagine. For one of our first runs our instructor, Kyle, took Read more…
Our three days off consisted of one day recovering from too many beers and tequila shots for birthday celebrations followed by two days of practicing our technique and riding switch. Our switch riding is definitely improving and starting to feel less bizarre. Monday was really busy on the slopes as Read more…
Day two of training and the weather was amazing. For the first time since we had arrived you could actually see the peaks of the mountains with blue sky and freshly groomed powder. Just amazing. The instruction concentrated on the use of the lower body in your riding and was Read more…
After another pants night of jet lagged sleep, Day 1 of Level 1 training has arrived and to prepare for it a good breakfast was in order. From the buffet I chose the healthy option of porridge and fruit topped off with a yoghurt. Pete selected the hot option of Read more…
We have arrived! We met a few guys from the Winter Sports Company at Heathrow airport and then boarded a nine hour flight to Vancouver during which we actually sat next to one of our fellow snowboarders. We all successfully cleared immigration and took another hour flight to Kamloops. Then Read more…