Oh What a View

We had a fantastic day skiing yesterday. Unfortunately the only pictures are on my phone and I have no way to get them onto my iPad. I had a blast skiing in the powder but it was very tiring so I could only manage a few runs. Yesterday there were some groomed trails so I could just relax and cruise. It was great.




It finaly cleared enough for me to see the mountains. The sun rises on one side of the house and sets on the other so we can't see the actual sunrise or sunset but we do get an amazing glow on the mountains.
Unfortunately it doesn' reproduce well in images.







The top image was last night and the bottom two were this morning. They were taken through the window. I would never tire of this view.




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Took a Hike

Alex and I decided to hike up to Malkow Lookout. It would normally be an hour and a half return trip but we were in hiking boots and it was hard work trudging through the snow.


I bailed less than half way up. I blamed it on my not being used to the altitude but Alex had the grin that he has when he is humouring me so I don't think that I was fooling anyone.


We managed to get up to a clearing with remnants of an old log cabin and a magnificent view of Hudson Bay Mountain. The clouds cleared just enough for me to see the peak through an opening.






Alex and Amanda were out in the evening so I sat, sipped wine and watched the glow of the sunset reflected off the Babine Mountains. The views from the windows here are absolutely breathtaking. There is no way that a camera can do them justice.


Smithers as seen from the front room. Good night.


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Happy Trails

It was cloudy and snowing all day. Still no view of mountains.




My back was sore this morning so I elected not to ski today. Alex took me for a drive. On a cross country ski trail.






The snow was at least two feet deep and we managed to go a couple of km before Alex drove off the track to show me how deep it was. That was the first time that we got stuck. Alex claims that we weren't stuck becauese he got us out by letting some air out of the tires to increase the footprint. Apparently if you don't have to use the winch it doesn't count as being stuck.




Another couple of km and we got stuck. This one counted. The snow was so deep and the track so narrow that Alex had to use the winch to turn the Jeep around.






The well earned victory pose.
Needless to say we made it out safe and will survive to move on to a new adventure.
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Skiing at it's Best

What a great day. I lazed around and went for a walk in the morning.


This is the house and part of the .3 km drive. That is only a hill in the background. It is still snowing like this so I still can't see much.









This is the view out the window this morning.



























The upside to the lack of view is the skiing. We skied in boot top powder yesrerday. At least Alex did. I had a blast skiing in it a bit but I am in no shape to ski it well so after a couple of runs I looked for the well traveled path. After four runs I had absolutely nothing left. I could hardly get my skiis off.


Do I look like I am having fun? It was soooooooo good to be skiing with Alex again.

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Smithers at Last

I arrived in Smithers last night. Just. About half way between Vancouver and Smithers the pilot announced that it was snowing and we might not be allowed to land. That Dash 8 flight is not one that I will soon forget. Very loud and very bumpy.




It was dark when we arrived but this is the view that I woke up to. It is the view from their front room.
I got the grand tour of Smithers this morning. Alex's work place is impressive and his co-workers seem really nice. We picked up skis for me. It has been snowing for almost 24 hours so the skiing should be great tomorrow.




Their home is amazing. Four levels built down the side of a hill.
This is their house taken from the road.
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Pre Smithers

I feel guilty because I should be with Debbie after the passing of her mother and I will be missing the funeral of a much loved aunt however I am looking forward to spending time in Smithers with Alex and Amanda.

I haven't decided whether to take my oils with me so I may or may not post paintings during my week out west.  I really want to paint out there but I often feel that way before a trip and I always take my paints and I never find time to use them.  Oil paints are tougher to travel with so I may leave them behind but then again how many chances will I get to paint in the mountains?

I can't wait to see Alex and Amanda and their new home and new workplaces.  It has been exciting watching from afar and it is going to be fantastic being there.