weekend worship

This is not what the weather is supposed to be like in Vancouver in February! Okay, my friend Jacqui warned me that there was going to be more snow and more cold this month, but I looked at the cherry blossoms and daffodil buds and thought to myself, "Don't think so!" She was right! It is freeeeezing outside and even a bit cold inside (we live in an old building) and I want to do nothing but watch movies and drink coffee this weekend.

But, for Lola's sake and my own sanity, this morning we went on a long dog walk with my friend Emily and her dog, Hazel. We mostly stuck to the forest where the big trees kept us sheltered from the wind and snow. Hardly anyone was on the trails, we ran into just a few joggers. I suppose everyone is hiding under blankets at home waiting for Hockey Night in Canada to start. Our walk ended by the ocean, so grey and epic and beautiful. We found this strange shrine at the end of our walk. We've been finding weird things on the beaches of Vancouver together these past couple of weeks. Here are some photos for you so that if you live in Vancouver you know what it looks like out there but you won't actually have to go out yourself. Isn't Hazel adorable? I like her attitude about life: happy and excited! Stay warm!

mountain time

This post is going to be a little image-heavy to show you what Jeff and I got up to yesterday and this morning. We're so lucky that Calgary is just a very short drive from Banff National Park and we headed up there yesterday to see the mountains, check out some tourist traps, and go to my favourite rock and gem shop. It was really busy in Banff yesterday, lots of people dragging themselves and their skis back to their hotel rooms. Many a dream catcher was for sale, too. We also came across a mummified merman at the trading post. If you think you can handle it I could share that picture tomorrow. It's kind of gross though.

looking down Banff Avenue to Mount Rundle

Real winter finally arrived and I was very thankful for a touque that my sister knit me and some mitts that my mom made me, considering I forgot to bring a scarf, gloves, or a hat with me. The high tonight is supposed to be -18ºC, with a windchill somewhere in the -25ºC range. Check out the crazy road conditions that we endured on the way back to Calgary. There were lots of cars in the ditch and though visibility wasn't bad, things were slippery and snow was blowing. I wish everyone traveling today safe journeys home. We're headed back home tomorrow and I have to say, I'm sad to be going back so soon. We've been loving the snow, not minding the cold, and generally just feeling a lot more relaxed than we've felt in Vancouver for a long time. I have to try to hold on to this mindset for my next and final semester of school.

cleveland lighthouse encased in ice

Have you seen this yet? This is a lighthouse near Cleveland on Lake Erie completely encased in ice. Bitter cold and crashing waves caused this and other structures to be covered in ice last week. I think it's pretty amazing. Is it cold where you are?

source

More great photos can be found via Albino's photostream on Flickr. It's worth a look.