| Snow Snow Snow |
a snowmobiling adventure
|
|
 |
Early in the year, we had lots of snow. Louise and I made several trips around the lake and to the pub in New Norway. Unfortunately, we had a big melt in January, so the fluffy snow turned as hard as rock. It wasn't as much fun after that...
We are hoping for better snow next year. |
| Yuma - visiting Bernie and Carmen |
|
|
Just like last year, Louise and I headed down to Yuma in March to visit Bernie and Carmen. We flew into Pheonix, and then rented a Honda Gold Wing motorcycle, and rode it to Yuma. This year we did a little diversion up into the hills so we could enjoy some "Turns"
and winding roads. We stopped for lunch in the town of Yarnell, and read about the devestating fire which had occured there the year before, destroying part of the town and killing 19 local fire fighers.
The scenery was beautiful, and there WERE lots of curves in the road.
Our visit was short, but full of adventure. Bernie and Carmen took us to Mexico, to some California Sand Dunes, to the End of the Columbia River (It literally ends, as all the water is used for irrigation), to a Date farm, and on a tour of downtown Yuma.
It was a very nice visit. Bernie and Carmen were in the process of packing and getting everything ready to head home shortly after we left.
|
Some good motorcycle roads...
|
Shopping in Mexico |
California Sand Dunes
|
Ted and Louise at the end of the mighty Columbia River |
Ted
|
Louise |
Sitting on the porch by Bernie's Motorhome.
|
Visting a Date Farm |
The moon between the palms - in Pheonix
|
Louise by the Motorcycle Shop |
| Riding with Friends |
|
Louise and I enjoyed a few motorbike rides over the summer. To be honest we are "Fair Weather" riders, but our friends Jim and Anita as well as Mike and Brenda got us out a few times. |
Jim and Anita stopping by for a visit! |
Louise suiting up for a ride! |
| Windsurf Friends |
As usual, I headed down to Hood River Oregon with our windsurfing group for a week in June, and then again in September. They are a great bunch. These trips are always hilights of my year, and a great relief from the pressures at work.
You can read about the trip on my blogs and see more photos on my flickr site....
Spring Gorge Trip Photos - Fall Gorge Trip photos
Spring Gorge Trip Blog - Fall Gorge Trip Blog.
Remember that you have to read the blogs from the bottom up as the last post is the one at the top...
|
We always enjoy sailing with Dale - even if he is just blasting through our site. |
My long time sailing partner Andreas! |
Blaine |
Kent |
Most of the gang - enjoying breakfast at our usual hangout - Bette's |
| Vist from Ashoro Japan |
Each year in September, the town of Ashoro, Japan, sends a delegation of students and teachers to Wetaskiwin, where they are boarded with local families for a few days. It is an amazing exchange of culture.
Because the kids all stay with different families for a few day, many have totally unique experiences. Some are taken quading, some to Edmonton, some to Drumheller, some experience farm life, while other stay around Wetaskiwin. There are many tears when the kids are brought back to the bus on Monday morning and spearated from their families for their return to Japan.
Louise and I were honoured to host the High School Principal, Mr.Nishibori. His English was quite good (much better than my Japanese), so we were able to communicate quite well with a mixture of speech, sign language and google translate.
On the Saturday before they left, we also hosted all of the Japanese adult visitors and their host families for boat rides and a weiner roast. It was a cold day, but I think everyone had fun.
|
Mr. Nishibori after his boat ride! |
Ted and Louise with Mr. Nishibori |
Taking the other shaperones and their host for a boat ride. |
We took Mr. Nishibori on a tour of the Reynolds Museum on the last afternoon! |
Supper with our Japanese Friends |
Friends Ian and Mayumi. Ian was the Canadian/Wetaskiwin rep in Ashoro for the past few years, and Mayumi is his Japanese counterpart and translator. I got to know both well when I went to Japan in 2012. |
The Ashoro Delegation and Chaperones |
| In Memory |
Harold Wiesenbourn 1957-2014 . |
Harold Wiesenbourn was a good friend and fellow sailer. Harold lost a multi-year battle with cancer, and passed away February 7, 2014 at the young age of 56.
Harold was one of our Gorge Windsurfers. On his last sailing trips to the Gorge, Harold and I stumbled on wind at Sandpoint. We had a great sailing session together, which is a memory that I will treasure.
Harold kept his sense of humour to the very end. Harold Anderson, another sailor in our group, spent a lot of time with Harold during his last year. In Harold A's words, when Harold W couldn't downhill ski, he took up cross country skiing. When he coudn't do that he walked.
Harold and his wife Sandy ran the Sunridge Ski Area in Edmonton along with Harolds partner Ian Bakker. He also managed some of the outdoor Edmonton swimming pools in the summer. Harold and Sandy enjoyed traveling, and saw a good part of the world.
We will all miss Harold's company and sense of humour.
|
|
|
|
|
Harold sailing at Sandpoint in 2012
|
