Our trip began inside a nervous traveler's nightmare. We stepped into Vancouver airport...and all the lights went out! There was a terminal-wide powercut, and as the screens everywhere remained dark and the lines grew longer, civilisation itself began to fray. It was a little bizarre watching security guards cycle around with lights on their bicycles (are bikes part of airport disaster planning?). Pete thought it was great, of course, and applauded with everyone else when the lights came back on. Luckily no crazed passengers had turned to cannibalism in the darkness, and amazingly our flight departed only 30 minutes later than it should have.
Having flown east we drove west, over the enormous plain that makes up most of the Canadian interior. There before us were the Rockies, rising snow-topped on the horizon, just like the Mendips, as we ascended to Canmore. We left Vancouver in rain, of course, but up here it was hot and sunny, and Canmore is mountainous and laid back, boasting a brewery or two and a coffee shop that made nice strong cappuccinos. As I'd been up since 5.30am, this was important.
Tomorrow we'll head higher up, but for now we're in our mountain lodge and Hannah has finished the Chevron-branded chocolates while watching "Say Yes To The Dress". I'm off to read a Stephen King novel in the hot tub. This is what a rugged family outdoor adventure is all about.
What's missing from this picture? Electricity! And therefore civilisation.
Ah, mountains.
No electricity here either.
Rivers and mountains.
Multiple barriers to Pete successfully launching himself into the water.
Rivers, forests, and mountains.
It's a kitchen in our hotel room...without child locks! Pete's best holiday ever.
Chilling on the porch with mummy.
