Return to the UK in 3 short months...IMMINENT

I put together pictures of my year, living in England.  Hard to believe it has been 3 years since I left...

Enjoy!

Emily's Video

Why I Do What I Do...

Moments that I share with my students, much like the picture below, is a CONSTANT reminder of why I do what I do.

MONTANA, Baby!!

With a late spring break this year, it was SO nice to get away for a few days and visit Libby, Montana.  I have never been to Montana, despite how close it is to Canmore!  I have to say, the drive down, was extremely scenic, as it hugs the Rocky Mountains.  Driving through Montana in the evening though is not recommended!  Especially through the National Forest section that I found myself in....thinking that wildlife could jump out at any moment.  Alas, I arrived! 

Heading south on Cowboy Trail, Alberta

A large group of friends (and friends of friends, etc) from Canmore had already arrived, so it was nice to be greeted by familiar faces.  The purpose of the trip was to enjoy a RENTED (for my UK friends, HIRED) MOUNTAIN (yes, MOUNTAIN) for the day!  We got the WHOLE thing to ourselves.  It was a truly unique experience, unlike anything I've experienced before.  The drive up to Turner Mountain from Libby, was just under an hour...up the mountain.  It was just a small mountain, but lots of terrain, when you're just there was a few friends :)

We skied for the day and enjoyed a keg at the lodge.  What a way to enjoy a mountain, I have to say.  The amount of powder was incredible, the day was blue skies and sun and the company was unmatched. 

Turner Mountain, Montana [Check out the OLD SCHOOL lifts!]

The day was ended renting out a whole restaurant to ourselves (yep, we were KIND of big deals :))

What a way to travel...fully felt like VIP. 

Driving towards Whitefish, Montana

I woke up the next day and traveled to Whitefish, Montana.  It is a cute little ski town, with CHEAP beer!  I can't wait to go back.  I drove back to Canmore during the day and enjoyed the Montana scenery...only wishing I had remembered to bring my good camera. 

It was a refreshing mini-vacation! 

Atop the kid's play hill looking towards the lodge at Turner

Turner Mountain

Top of Turner Mountain

Fresh turns, ALL DAY at Turner Mountain!

Last views of Montana before the BC border

Fernie, BC

Ohhh the Canmore Life...

Lantern Festivals and Alberta Winter Games...Canmore continues to be a wonderful place in the winter....even at -37 degrees CELSIUS....

 Lantern Festival in Canmore - Dylan, Degju and Erin

 Brrrr - woke up to -37

 Friday afternoon social time with Justine

Outdoor speed skating rink in Canmore - Alberta Winter Games

Movin' On Up!

I've always considered myself average at most sports I've participated in or tackled.  Climbing however, has always been a sport that was never on my radar.  Perhaps due to the lack of opportunities where I grew up (funny...Lion's Head was a mere 45 min away), or just the lack of drive to get into it. 

For my 27th birthday, I was gifted a climbing harness, and slowly acquired all the other necessities to get started.  I started climbing consistently in November 2013 at the climbing gym, going 2 - 3 times per week.  This week however I knocked over a wall that was a long time coming.  For anyone who knows climbing, I started on 5.6, and worked my way up to consistently sending 5.8's in the last month.  I finally tackled my first 5.9 this week, and today I was able to send it!  It felt incredibly good to move past that threshold.  I now have a many new "projects" to work on, in the coming months at the gym. 

I've always excelled at team sports, so this individual thing is all new to me.  Climbing is quickly becoming something I love because it not only challenges me physically, but equally, if not more, mentally.  I'm even working on my fear of heights!! It's slowly improving each time I'm at the top of that wall.  The progression in climbing, especially if you stick with it, is very quick and satisfying. 

Watch out 5.9's!  Here I come!

Climbing outside in June at Grassi Lakes, Canmore

The Mountain Life

The mountain life continues to be all that I had hoped for when moving out here, and then some.  Weekend mountain pursuits are such a dream, that I get to relive every weekend.  Every now and then however, it is good, I think, to be reminded of how beautiful it is out here and not to ever take it for granted.  I try to remember to always verbalize how lucky I feel, but I don't always take the time to feel how I lucky I am to be surrounded by this beauty.  With the snow a bit dodgy right now, I decided to take a drive this weekend and chase the bluebird skis.  While heading west, I was quickly reminded how lucky I feel.  The clouds were just floating below Castle Mountain (in Banff National Park), while the sky could not be any more blue, or more clear.  It was a sight to behold and just take in.  I drove for maybe an hour, and got off the highway, heading for Radium, BC.  Not 1km off the highway, the blue skies had turned into a full on blizzard/white out on hwy 93 south.  Again, I was reminded how incredibly lucky I feel.  Completely different weather systems within seconds of each other.  Amazing. 

 Castle Mountain, Banff National Park

 Coming out of the storm, into the blue skies, Hwy 93 South

 A quick trip into BC, and back again

 Blue skies peeking behind the storm, Hwy 93 South

TransCanada Beauty, Banff National Park