Wednesday, July 15, 2015
To our boys
As I sit next to you on the plane ride home, I'm reminded that this adventure that Mommy planned so well is in the past.
The memories and experiences, though, will last forever so long as you pass them on. So long as your curiosity and wonder take you on more journeys that we can hopefully share with you.
You're just 6 and 3 years old, Mommy and I 35 and 38. Maybe you'll remember, maybe not, but what's important is the time we spent together.
Riley - You basically taught yourself how to read chapter books this trip. We loved watching you read to yourself at night, in the dark, sounding out words and telling us all about the book over breakfast the next morning. Mommy and I hope you will always enjoyed reading and learning the way you do now.
And you discovered the joys of hiking and witnessing nature do its thing. You're so good with maps and identifying animals and finding waterfalls.
You're such a deep thinker and so cautious. You understand geography so well and even different currencies.
We know that you'll talk to people eventually. For now, let's just get ready for 1st grade.
Lincoln - You're getting so good at tag. I can never catch you. And you're so good at hiding. I can never find you.
You're talking so well and using such big words and sentences. You really know how to express yourself even though sometimes it's only with your body language.
You still need to work on being a better eater, but you sleep beautifully, always the latest to wake up.
Your enthusiasm is contagious - Mommy and I could watch you play all day. We would love to go to Lincoln Land with you one day. It looks so fun.
You both helped us keep house (car) - cleaning up after yourselves, pulling down the shades, popping out, recycling, parking.
You guys were patient. You were creative. You used your imaginations when Mommy demanded electronic free hour on the long car rides.
Most important, you got so much better at being brothers. Respecting each other, sharing and looking out for each other on this unforgettable adventure.
Until the next time, from Ricky and Tricky and Mommy and Daddy, we love you guys!
Monday, July 13, 2015
Last day in Canada, eh
Back in Vancouver where it all started for us about 3 weeks ago.
Spent the last day at this super cool Science World and now waiting to board the bus back to the good ole USA, Seattle WA.
Had an amazing time yesterday w Grandma Janet and Grandpa Bob. They just got off an Alaskan cruise and met us in Vancouver to celebrate Grandmas birthday.
We enjoyed the ferry to lunch and teaching them all about geocaching.
After dinner, we pulled up the geocaching app and found one close to us. As they are all, it was a challenge to find, but we persisted, right Grandpa?!
All the kids are doin it Bobby Dig...check it.
Sunday, July 12, 2015
HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMA!
Thursday, July 09, 2015
Go long on Revelstoke
Say it ten times -
Revelstoke. Revelstoke. Revelstoke.
Revel. Stoke.
Rebel. Stoke.
Rebel. Stoked. - that's what this town is made up of: Stoked Rebels.
Ever since the Gaglardi family bought Revelstone Mountain Resort out of foreclosure 8 years ago, adventure seekers have been coming to Revelstoke and staying.
8 years isn't a lot, it's only Joshy's age, but from what we understand the demographics have changed dramatically.
We saw it firsthand. These rebels are raising families here and the town seems stoked to get after it everyday.
As luck would have it, we canceled our original campground to stay at Williamson Lake. It was the T-shirt shop lady that hooked us up w the recommendation and then the reservation. Since it was sold out and she used to work there, she made a phone call and we had 2 nights locked up on the site host space, #26.
The lake was so fun. The boys played in the water and made friends w anyone that would let them use their net to catch little minnows.
Even Mommy put on her swimmers, but didn't dip past the knees.
For a town of 8,000, Revelstone has a ton of content. When we got to town, we started at the library then went to their amazing rec center with pools, a lazy river, a water slide that goes in and out of the building and a rock climbing wall that's on the edge of the pool so when you fall, you fall in the water. Fun stuff.
On our way out of Revelstoke, we followed the yellow brick road to an adorable place called Enchanted Forest.
Built in the trees, the trails renewed our childhood nursery tales.
Lincoln met the big bad wolf and we even saw the Giant from Jack in the bean stalk.
With just 3 nights left in the house car, we are counting down the days.
About 250km today to Kelowna for 2 nights then one night in a city called Hope before we give her back.
Tuesday, July 07, 2015
REVELSTOKE LIBRARY
Monday, July 06, 2015
Roughing it
From Mommy -
So we are here in beautiful Glacier National Park. Our favorite out of the 4 we have seen so far.
Kootenay NP had its own charm but we pretty much went there to take a dip in the thermal hot spa there (which was amazing).
Jasper and Banff, the most well know NP's here were beautiful and fun but different than we expected.
Who knew there were booming small towns in both. We spent more time in the towns than hiking around.
But they did have wonderful lakes and views that we visited. There were bus loads of tourists in most spots too.
But now we are in quiet Glacier. We are "roughing it" because we don't have any hook ups here so in RV terms that means no electric and no water.
Our wooded spot backs up to a river that's fed from the glacier. It's amazing to drink the running water straight from a waterfall off the glacier!
We've really enjoyed sitting around the fire each night and thank gd there's a cool mountain breeze so the no AC hasn't been a problem.
The boys are loving the simple campground without any playgrounds and mini golf that we are used to.
Each night here there's a little activity and tonight Ri and I tried out geocaching. It was super fun - kind of like the amazing race but in the woods with a small GPS system.
I'm excited to have my coffee tomorrow without using a fire for hot water and for a hot shower but I'm definitely sad to leave here.
We are headed to a small town called Revelstoke and don't really know what to expect.
We realized we are 2 weeks into the trip and are trying to map out our route back to Vancouver from here.
It's been nice to be here for two nights but back on the road we go!
Sunday, July 05, 2015
Canadian National Parks
These national parks in Canada can reduce your perspective.
The massive mountains ranges and glacier fed lakes and rivers become ordinary until you take that minute to stop.
It's during those times that dreams blur into reality. All you can do is let the experiences unfold.
We had been searching for the perfect hike. In Kootenay National Park, we found it. Or Amanda did.
Marble Canyon, an area devastated by a forest fire for 40 days in 2003, left in its wake a new landscape among territory long considered new.
What was definitely new for us was seeing a rainbow in a canyon:
At the end of the hike, there was a heavy waterfall to enjoy. I asked Riley if he thought the strong water created these cracks in the earth, but he thought the fire was so hot that it cracked the earth and then the water came in.
Sounds good to me.
As customary, we put on our swimmers and enjoyed the hot water pool, but waited til after dinner since it was so hot during the day and it doesn't get dark here until like 11 at night.
Finally though, we arrived at Glacier National Park today. Our speed.
After popping in the rapids, we participated in a sing along before making our own camp fire.
Australia, Netherlands, Switzerland, First Nations, Baltimore, 305 STAND UP.
All represented here at Ranger Larry's event. It was sweet.
Staying another night.
Friday, July 03, 2015
Lake Louise
Wednesday, July 01, 2015
CANADA DAY
Happy 148th.
She turns 150 in a couple years and you better book her National Parks now.
We enjoyed the parade through the town and all the friendly and proud Canadiens wishing each other Happy Canada Day. 
But we struggled today with finding a place to sleep.
Persistently scouring the Internet while doing some laundry, we lucked out on Wapita's campgrounds (we're actually on a parking lot) where we were able to make our first fire.
Earlier today, in celebration of Canada Day and finally finding a campground, we discovered Lake Annette, an absolutely serene setting that balanced out our stressful morning.
Jasper National Park is absolutely beautiful. I don't know how else to describe it. You gotta check it out.
Prior to Jasper, we made our way northeast from Whistler to Pemberton to sleepy Liloleet to Cache Creek, where we stayed the night.
The next day we spent an afternoon in the suburb of Kamloops. There, we went to Chapters, our equivalent of Barnes and Noble, Bed Bath and Beyond and Walmart - all in preparation for our foray into the wilderness.
Canada retails just like us.
Headed up Route 5, we stayed at our first KOA this trip in a town called Clearwater.
Located just outside the massive Wells Gray Provincial Park, we popped in the park for a waterfall before road tripping up to Jasper, a 3hr drive, where we are now.
Banff National Park tomorrow for a few nights. Also a challenge to get reservations.
Hope they dont mind our online error in submitted a rezzy for an RV site less than 21ft when ours is closer to 30ft.
How were we supposed to know Canada Day Weekend would threaten to leave us homeless?
Oh and we saw a bear today. We've seen a few animals, but that's a real bear. We think it's a baby.
We kept driving when Lincoln said he wanted to hug it.
