Mountain Hike

On the last day of our July holiday the kids and I decided to go for a hike. Our plans were to go up to the highest peak in Beauvais Lake Provincial Park but we got lost on the trail system and instead climbed to the summit of a smaller peak, which was probably a good thing since the kids were worn out once we reached the top!

The kids with their walking sticks posing in front of a beaver pond.

A break half way to the top.

The last push to the summit.

Whew! We made it! What a view! This is the same area that I had run into a black bear a few weeks prior. No bears today however we did find an old set of grizzly tracks down near the beaver pond.

Looking past the kids you can just make out some of the wind turbines down on the prairie near Pincher Creek.

Pooped out and ready to go home.

Afternoon on Waterton Reservoir

One afternoon we met some friends at Waterton Reservoir and spent it on the lake. As you will see it was a beautiful day but the water was cold!

The kids looking not too enthused, yet!

Carolyn enjoying the boat ride.

Dad had to get in to see how cold the water was. It was so cold I think I lost something!

The girls having a good visit.

Blair wanted to try wake-boarding but we convinced him to try the knee-board first; he was a natural!

The kids ready for a ride in the tube.

You can tell by Erinn's toothless grin that she really enjoyed it!

As cold at the water was we couldn't keep Erinn out!

Blair jumping off the end of the dock.

Playing on the beach. As you can see this was a beautiful place, that's Chief Mountain in the background.

Gopher Slayer!

Since I've been in Pincher Creek I've heard a lot about the superior gopher hunting, in fact hunters come from as far away as Ontario and the U.S. to hunt gophers in the area.

I got my partner, Perry, to finally take me out to one of his hot spots and we weren't disappointed. Blair was especially excited since he has been eyeing up 'big reds' ever since his first trip to Pincher Creek.

Blair with one of his first trophies, by the end of the day he was bragging that he had slayed 31!

My new .17 HMR proved to be an excellent calibre for reaching out to 100 yards to get these little vermin. Here I've got a Richardson & a Colombian ground squirrel laying side by side for comparison. The one field we were in had both species and the hills were literally crawling with them.

My hunting partners at the end of the day; we had to quit because we had run out of ammo! I think the tally at the end of 5 hours was 300 kills! The boys are standing around a very productive hole where Perry had killed four!

Trip to Waterton Lakes National Park

We went down to Waterton Lakes National Park for a day when the family came for a visit.

This kids sitting on a rock at the lookout with Waterton Park in the background.

The Prince of Wales Hotel, a historic landmark in Waterton.

The kids with Waterton Lake and the townsite in the background.

It was a cool day.

We seen lots of mule deer with little fawns.

Cameron Falls.

Carolyn & I recreating a photo from 20 years ago!

Lunch in the park.

Riding the Surry bikes.

Erinn had the best seat!

A tee pee at the information centre.

Mmmm ice cream on main street.

The kids weren't the only ones enjoying ice cream!

We brought pizza & wings home, it was a good end to a good day.

School's Out for Summer!

The kids finished school, baseball & soccer and now are ready for summer holidays!

Erinn kicking the ball during track & field day; notice the footwear?

Blair showing good form during the ball-between-the-legs-hopping-race!

Kirby helping out at the kids "Track and Field Day" since she was already done school!

Erinn ready for something to happen.

Blair's soccer team.

A Day in the Mountains!

Before the family left to head back to Medicine Hat on Father's Day I took them out to the mountains where we tried our luck on Butcher Lake.

Blair looking more & more like a little mountain man!

Kirby, fashionable even when she's fishing.

Erinn & dad catching all the fish!

A herd of bighorn sheep on the road into the valley.

A little barbecue lunch on the back of the truck while enjoying the fresh mountain air!

Another stop to get a photo with the sheep before heading back down to the prairie!

Father's Day with Dad!

Sorry to all my fans for not getting an update out there sooner, but I haven't been home for almost a month and I'm unable to do updates from afar.

So, I will back up and start the updates! Hopefully I will get you caught up before I have to head back to work.

Carolyn and the kids were out for Father's Day weekend, we enjoyed beautiful weather which we took advantage of, of course.


Blair trolling for a big brown on Beauvais Lake.

Where's Carolyn & Erinn?

Oh, they're hanging around at the park!

Finally dad catches a fish!

Which Erinn promptly kisses and releases back into the lake!

The captain and his 1st mate!

Dad showing off some of his high-tech bear finding equipment.

Our evening ritual; sitting by the fire eating smores.