Month: September 2010

This is an easy hike with nice views. We wanted to hike somewhere in Kananaskis yesterday, didn’t want to go too far and didn’t want to get snowed on.  We weren’t looking for something challenging.  From Calgary we drove out to Highway 40 then south to Kananaskis Trail Road. (Took somewhere between an hour and an hour and a half.)  Take that to William Watson Lodge.  There is some public parking there.  Find your way to the path that runs north along the east side of the lake.  We walked along the gravelly beach on the way out and the path most of the way back.  The wind was behind us going north so the rain didn’t bother us too much.  When we got to the top end the lake bends to the right and we were out of the wind and could sit, take some pictures and have a very nice view of the mountains to the north.  The yellows of the larches made for a beautiful accent.  We took the path going back south to be out of the wind and rain.  It was a very pleasant walk.  To altitude gain. The path is very easy walking. The walk along the beach is, well, gravelly/rocky.  It was a little slower walking along the beach but it is roughly an hour either way. 

I’m including some pictures of the drive back along Route 40 – The drive alone was worth the trip.  It was stunning!  I know that the colours don’t last that long but if you get a chance to take a drive through when they are out, it is worth it.

Near Entrance to Kananaskis Village

 

Looking South Along Lower Kananaskis Lake

 

Along Highway 40 Alberta

 

Fall in Kananaskis

 

Fall at Kananaskis Village

 

Kananaskis Village view

 

Barrier Lake – Kananaskis

 

Lower Kananaskis Lake

 

View north Lower Kananaskis Lake

 

Lower lake trail

 

The woods off the trail

 

Route 40 Kananaskis Highway

I’ve been wanting a tattoo for some time but wasn’t sure what to get.  At some point I decided that I wanted the concept “Live Life” but didn’t want it in English.  I wanted some sort of stylistic writing.  I mentioned to my friend Leah some months ago what I wanted and she suggested that I get it in Hindi because of my family history.  (My father was a doctor in India for about 30 years amongst other factors.)  I thought that this was a great idea and when I was in Vancouver working in August I had a very nice lady put this phrase on my arm.  I was working at the PNE and she owned a Henna Tattoo booth.  I asked her if she could write Hindi and told her the phrase.  I really wanted to get an idea of what it would look like before I got the real thing. 

It looked great but I was concerned about the lettering – this was going to be permanent so I wanted it right.  I also met Zhilicka at the booth next to ours – she is originally from India and could write Hindi very well.  She was kind enough to send me several different scripts of what I wanted. 

For the first few hours I had the Henna Tattoo I had to keep my shirt off my arm where the henna tattoo was as it was still wet.  I had several Indian people stop to look and one couple actually took a picture!!

I was still concerned about the style of lettering and nervous about actually getting a tattoo – hell, it’s permanent!  I was not only relieved when Stacie-Rae did the stencil of the tattoo that she was going to put on my arm, I was thrilled.  While she was inking me – I didn’t mention that I don’t do well with needles did I? – Stacie was friendly and kept me distracted. 

I absolutely love the finished product.  Stacie you rock!! You are a god!!

If anyone reads this and they note any sort of misspelling, please keep it to yourself.  The tattoo is permanent and I don’t want to go through the rest of my life thinking that it is incorrect 🙂

Thanks Leah, Zhilicka and Stacie for your help on this.

“Live Life”

I like espresso.  Regular coffee is OK in a pinch but espresso rules.  At home we mix espresso with our coffee – we make pressed coffee.  I like my cappuccino and had been looking around for a machine that wouldn’t break the bank when I was visiting a friend in Vancouver and she had a Bialetti.  It is a single cup stovetop coffee maker. 
I looked in all the usual places when I got back to Calgary but couldn’t find.  At the Home Interior Design Show this past weekend at the Stampede grounds I found a booth that had all sorts of electric ones.  I asked the girl there about stovetop espresso makers and she told me they had some at the store.  She was quite nice.  She gave me their card: Myric Electronics – their address is A-13 Meridian Road, SE., Calgary.

I went up there on Monday and found exactly what I was looking for.  The owner was very helpful and also treated me to an espresso while we chatted. 

I also got one of those thingys to froth the milk for my cappuccinos and lattes.  I’ll still do the sit down in some of the nicer coffee places but I think I’ll probably save myself about $100 a month or more.  And it is a nice little ritual that gives me a break while working at home.

And really, I do, now, make a pretty good cappuccino/latte!!

 

From the Tea House at Agnes Lake

It is a couple of hours to drive to Lake Louise from Calgary with the construction and all but well worth it.  We drove up yesterday and went on the hike that took us up to Lake Agnes and the Tea House.  The top is a little over 1000 feet above Lake Louise.  The trail is wide and well kept and an easy walk for the most part except for some muddy sections this time of the year.  It is all upgrade on the way up – no breaks unless you stop.  I think it is about 3.4 km each way.  About half to 2/3s of the way up you will come to Mirror Lake.  At the top we sat outside and had our tea and coffee and took some pictures.  Quite a few people on the trail and at the top.  Languages and accents from all over the world.  The view from the top and some spots on the way up were spectacular.  If you are not hiking regularly, you will likely feel some sore muscles for a day or two afterward.

Tea House On Agnes Lake, Alberta

Working at one of the booths in the Market place selling Thentix last week at Spruce Meadows.  I wanted a capuccino and someone told me there was a Starbucks on the grounds.  I went and waited in line, got my coffee, went back to my booth and took a sip.  What a disappointment.  Tasted like watery coffee, not even strong coffee much less expresso.  I had my co-worker try it just to make sure I wasn’t be too harsh.  Nope!  I went back and told them – the girl told me it was because it was a single.  I didn’t have much hope for the replacement cup at that point.  Anyway, she made another and it wasn’t really any better.  I spoke to another vendor that I work near and she said it is pretty much the same every year.  If you want a Starbucks while you are at Spruce Meadows, get it one the way.