30.12.2009
After an amazing 3-week drive from Calgary, we've finally arrived in Cabo San Lucas. We hadn't really planned to come all the way to the southern tip of Baja California, but the weather further north wasn't that great for camping over a longer period. It was actually pretty chilly at night in Los Barriles. We looked at a couple of campgrounds and settled in one run by a Dutch guy and his Mexican wife. There's a small pool, which is fantastic, and it's a short walk to the beach. The facilities are kind of rough but we found a quiet little corner for our tent and have it set up quite nicely. We're all absolutely thrilled to be warm and enjoying just chilling after the long drive. So far, retired life suits us rather well, lol. Cheers!
Shona
15.12.2009
In search of sun and warmer temperatures, we crossed the border in to Mexico. We travelled the legendary trans-peninsular "highway" (built only in 1973) all the way to the southern point of the Baja California peninsula, Cabo San Lucas. So far the temperatures are "tolerable" :-) at around 20 degrees Celcius at night (25 during the day). Compare that to tomorrow's forecast in Calgary of -31! If it gets too cold we can always take a ferry to the mainland so we can head even further south. Keep warm!
Andrzej
05.12.2009
We got our kicks on Route 66! California-style, of course. What an amazing place to drive around and take photos, hardly any traffic and spectacular scenery, almost otherworldly. We first stopped in the Mojave Desert, before getting a motel for the night. The next day we explored Joshua Tree National Park, which is seriously cool, before heading to San Diego.
Shona
01.12.2009
Las Vegas - for some a wonder of the world, for others a brightly lit, gaudily-painted sewer. It doesn't matter what you think of the place, one thing is for certain ...there's no other place in the world like it.
Andrzej
20.11.2009
It's impossible not to stop in Zion National Park while travelling through the state of Utah. The desert, vivid colours, and impressive big walls as high as those legendary ones in Yosemite. Zion, in the southern part of the state, is a paradise for hikers and big-wall climbers. The best time to visit is late fall or early spring. In the summer the sun is too deadly for any physical activity.
Andrzej
12.11.2009
So, we decided to leave Calgary again, this time for a longer period of time. We were tired of work, the city, and afraid of another crazy winter. We packed up our tent, and a few other things, including Felix (hahaha), and headed south. We might be back but who the hell knows ...the world is an interesting place!
Andrzej
18.10.2009
I spent a few September days scrambling in Kananaskis (close to home). The most interesting ascents were: Mount Bogart (3144 m, the second highest summit in the Kananaskis Range - elev. gain 1650 m) and Mount Allan (2819 m - elev. gain 1360 m) with amazing views of the Lougheed peaks and the summits surrounding Ribbon Creek.
Andrzej
10.09.2009
We recently spent a weekend in Invermere, B.C., at a cabin owned by family friends. Mostly it was to hang out with family but we did manage to see a bit of this gorgeous little town in the Rockies. Plenty of food, wine, and laughter, and a chance to spend some time in nature, the perfect weekend. We would love to have our own cabin there but I'm afraid that's a wee bit out of our reach, lol. One can always dream though!
Shona
31.08.2009
The drive back west was long, tiring, and boring so we decided to take a break for a few days in South Dakota. 95 percent of the state is covered by grassy hills burned by the sun. From time to time, you can find small, dusty and frozen-in-time towns, next to the straight and never-ending highway (in rough shape - crisis in the US of A, I guess).
The only interesting part of SD lies next to the border with Wyoming. Black Hills offers hiking, rock climbing, fishing, and wildlife watching for thousands of visitors to the area, and of course one can't miss the kitschy Mount Rushmore.
Andrzej
25.08.2009
Prince Edward Island is the smallest Canadian province and a popular vacation destination for beach enthusiasts. Connected to the mainland in 1982 by a 13-km long bridge (it will cost you $40 to cross the bridge leaving PEI), the island is full of picturesque fishing villages, large potato fields, and beautiful beaches. Peace, tranquillity, and souvenir stores full of Anne of Green Gables stuff.
Andrzej
20.08.2009
Wow, we finally made it to Nova Scotia! I've been dreaming of visiting the Maritimes since I was much younger. Some minor dental and car problems on the way but it's all good. We absolutely loved Halifax, I would live there in a heartbeat, and Cape Breton is spectacular. The camping was excellent in both places and the people were super friendly and welcoming. And, of course, we enjoyed wandering around Lunenburg and seeing the famous lighthouse at Peggy's Cove. We were actually quite lucky, as it was very foggy and there were hardly any people at the lighthouse. I think that's a pretty rare event, so we're happy it worked out so well. My only disappointment was the visit to the pub owned by the Rankin family, on Cape Breton Island, the band was playing regular rock music, not Celtic music, but what can you do?! All in all, definitely worth the 6000km drive!
Shona
13.08.2009
Quebec City is probably the most picturesque and European city in North America. Surrounded by fortification walls (the only remaining walls north of Mexico City), downtown is full of history, culture, restaurants, and tourists (unfortunately). Every step reminds you about 400 years of French-Canadian history. The jewel of the architectural crown of the city is the Château Frontenac, dominating the city skyline and the Saint Lawrence River.
Andrzej
10.08.2009
Montreal - history, beautiful architecture, jazz, and good restaurants. It's hard to believe we are still in North America. Differences are visible on every corner (you can buy a beer in a convenience store!!!) and yes a lot of locals speak English and they are not rude to tourists, as people in western Canada like to think.
Andrzej
05.08.2009
Our next destination was Ottawa. After crossing the border back to Canada, we stopped at Niagara Falls for a couple of days. The falls are impressive but the town is a typical tourist trap. Thousands of people, lots of crap in the souvenir stores, and everything is overpriced ($55 for a campsite, $20.00 for a parking spot downtown).
We got to Ottawa on Sunday morning. Except some tourists at Parliament Hill, the ugly downtown was deserted. Apparently they have some good museums here but somehow we couldn't get ourselves into a "museum" mood so, after a classic tour of the centre, we were on our way to Quebec.
Andrzej
30.07.2009
Well, we made it to Chicago! We actually quite liked the city, even though traffic on the freeways was insane and it was super hot. We really enjoyed wandering around, there's plenty of interesting buildings and art installations to keep photographers happy. And it's a great place for people watching! We found people to be friendly and we never felt uneasy, even staying at a budget hotel in the city's downtown area. And it wasn't even that windy!
Shona
20.07.2009
We spent almost two weeks in Colorado. The weather was good (windy though), so I got to do some interesting hiking. I succeeded in reaching the summits of eight 14,000 ft mountains. The most interesting was the scramble to the summit of Longs Peak (4345 m), the highest one in the Rocky Mountain National Park, near Estes Park. The rest of the mountains I managed to "conquer" are: Mount Elbert (4399 m - the highest mountain in Colorado and the second, after Mount Whitney, in the continental US), South Elbert Peak (4308 m), Mount Massive (4396 m), Mount Cameron (4340 m), Mount Democrat (4312 m), Mount Lincoln (4354 m) and Mount Bross (4320 m).
Andrzej
30.04.2009
Another excellent skiing weekend on my favorite slopes in Sunshine Village. Good weather, good snow, good company. Thanx Peter.
Andrzej
25.01.2009
I decided that I wanted to splurge for my 40th birthday so we booked a short trip to Nassau, in The Bahamas. We didn't have the best weather but it was still warm and the hotel was right on the water, which was amazing. Mostly we enjoyed lying by the pool and the cozy, colourful cottage on the water, but we did also manage a day wandering around the city. It's a charming place but try to go when there isn't a cruise ship in port. Yikes, so many people!
Shona
