Glad midsommar!

I spoke to Gunilla this morning who reminded me that today was mid-summer.  Break out the pickled herring!

This is my take on a Swedish midsommar meal.

Lefse bröd, ägg, ost, lax, inlagd sill, jordgubbar, och blåbär

The pickled herring was kindly provided by Lena and Lennart.

By the way, look at our rose..

Clouds

I like these clouds.   They look so fluffy.   I couldn't resist taking them from the car window on the way back from Kananaskis a few weeks ago.

"J" is for "Julie!"

I'd like to say that we did this on purpose, but unfortunately that's not the case...

We appear to be growing some very funny looking vegetables.

             

                                                    

 

Here's more fruits of our garden!  Those yellow flowers on the right are Icelandic Poppies.

              

Highway 40

 Highway 40 is a beautiful stretch of highway that runs between Longview and Kananaskis.  It's where the K100 relay race takes place every year and it's breathtaking.  They close the highway to motorized traffic until June 15 which makes it perfect for biking.  I thought the highway was closed due to snow on the highway but it's actually because there's some sensitive groups of wildlife that pass through the area and the parks are trying not to disturb them.  I guess a bike is lower impact than a car but I did feel a pang of guilt after flying down a hill and scattering groups of elk and mountain goat!  

 I was a little paranoid (as usual) before heading out with my dad that we'd see a bear so I kept my eyes peeled the whole time we were biking and.... it wasn't in vain because we did see a bear... with a cub!!!  I didn't get pictures so you'll just have to take my word for it.  

Here are the photos:

Voici Longview.  Here you can get gas and eat and get directions to Highway 40 if you're lost which we ahem... were not.  

Beautiful expanse of highway just waiting for bicycles!

Oh guilt... guilt.... sorry elk and bear and mountain goat, we really didn't mean to scare you, but you kind of scared us too so I guess we're even.

  

My dad getting ready and on his bike.  He is wearing a lot of clothes because despite the sun, it was pretty chilly out.  

Me..

                    

More scenic highway shots.  That spot on the road is my dad.  

                    

This is where we stopped for lunch.  My dad, sensing my bear fear wisely chose the spot saying that we could hide in the bathroom if a hungry bear wandered by while we were eating.  Thanks dad!

C'est Fini!

So, for those of you who might consider doing this next year, the bathrooms are open along the highway for cyclists to use.  There's also a little gas station and convenience store at the start with a flush toilet and a freezer full of ice cream.  I don't know if it's open all the time, but it was open when we went (perhaps it opens after May long?)

Trip to Calgary

Sorry for the absence, I was away in Calgary/Banff for a week and when I got back I did a 6 day work week and came down with a stubborn cold that I'm continuing to recover from.  Anyways, it's been hot here.  I think it may have hit over +30 degrees celsius today!  We did head out for a bike ride and I was able to use my new bike GPS that Roger bought me last Christmas.  Unfortunately, even with my new Lisa Kona, I still miss my old  Trek Antelope terribly.  I just knew that bike so well.  I guess it will just take some time for me to get to know my new bike.  Sigh.... We also got our basement guest suite all fixed up for some Swedish guests that are coming next week.  We got a mirror and shower curtain rod put up in the bathroom as well.  It's looking pretty cozy down there, and I'm not going to post any photos of our cosy furnished basement, it's something you'll have to see for yourself!

Here's a photo summary of my visit to Calgary and Banff:

Visiting the munchkins:























Getting to see Nikki!

Sorry we weren't able to go hiking this time around Nikki.  I hope our 16 km stroll was a fine replacement.  

Getting to see Little J and Chris too over fondue!  

Fondue was fun, but boy think twice if you have dry eyes!  

                       

Some exotic meats that Roger was brave enough to try.  That is a frog leg.  For those that know me well you might have wondered how I reacted to the frog leg.  Well....I was fine.  My fear of frogs is solely related to the fact that they can unpredictably jump on you at any time.  There was no chance of that happening with this frog.  Nosireee.

  Yes that is Chris on a phone at our table at the restaurant, and it did actually ring when we were there.  Every table had one.  My guess is you see someone cute at another table, flip your placemat over to find out what number to dial, and the rest is history!  Someone must have thought Chris was real cute but she doesn't look impressed.  What a tough nut to crack..

                 

Feels like old times...