What I Did on My Christmas Vacation

After the celebration died down, we got ready to say good bye to Jacob. He has been here since July, getting ready to continue his college education. He is off to BYU-I to study Business Communications, and if all goes according to current plans, from there on to Law School. W enjoyed the time he was home, and we are grateful for the opportunities he will have to Date, and study, and Date, and learn, and Date, and get a job, and Date, and do other things, like Date. Not that we are pressuring him, we just want him to date a little before he starts to seriously look for a wife. So, Jacob, wherever you are, ask someone (a girl) out on a date, and pay for it, and enjoy the time you have to socialize.

We were so sad at Jacobs departure, that we went on vacation to Banff. Check out www.skiBanff.com. We stayed in Canmore and met a man from New York, and his wife (originally from Atlanta) who were there for the sights. He said they lived above a Deli, and I'm going to guess that they own and operate the place. We took their picture, and they took ours.

Canmore is a very old town, and it looks very much like down town Danville. The biggest thing to happen in Canmore was the 1988 Olympic Nordic Skiing events. Joseph got to ski some of the trails there, and watch a few racers, some preparing for the 2010 Games in Vancouver, that were there for a weekend of races. This is the same course that Joseph will ski on for the Provincial Biathlon event in March.

We were encouraged to ride the gondola to the top of a mountain in Banff from which you can see for miles and miles up and down the Bow River Valley. The view was breathtaking, as was the temperature. Think cold, as in relaxing in a tub of ice water. That would have been warmer than the top of the mountain.

On Saturday Joseph and Samuel enrolled in Ski School. Joseph learned to Alpine (down hill) ski, and Samuel learned how to board better. At the end of the day, after the lesson, Samuel said, "I think I will be able to carve the turkey next Thanksgiving, that is how good I am now." (carve, as in turn and cut on one's snowboard gracefully and without injury)

The boys did not want to let Michelle choose the restaurant for dinner that night since she chose Thai the night before. We found out about this little place, "The Eddie" from the owner of a local business, "Three Wild Women." TWW is a boutique that caters to the eccentric and whimsical in clothing and accessories. But they were right about the burgers - absolutely great! Joseph ordered sliders, 3 small burgers any way you want. Joseph tried Alberta Beef (really good), Lamb (also from Alberta), and Kobe Beef. Michelle tried the Buffalo, and I had the 1/2 Kobe on a brioche roll.

On the way to Canmore, we saw the Olympic Ski Jumping "hill" from the Calgary Games in '88. On the way home, we stopped. On certain winter weekends, you can actually get a ride on a bobsleigh on the track of "Cool Runnings" fame. Now there is a half pipe, and a bunch of other winter sports areas. The ski hills were not open yet due to a lack of snow in the landing zones. The track is open, and for a mere $165 you can enjoy the rush and ride. Unfortunately, the track did not open for 3 more hours on that particular day. Maybe next time...

Here is a better look at Samuel's hat. It didn't come with a tail.

There is a tape loop playing all the normal sounds of the Olympic games at the top of the hill. It was amazing how hard the boys had to concentrate pick out the starter over the other distracting sounds.

On the way back to the frozen north, where temps hovered around -35 waiting for us to get home so they could drop to -45, Michelle was a bit sad, and wishing she had some good New Mexico chili. Lo and Behold, the next day, here comes a box from her friend, Diane, in Albuquerque, NM with green chili, tortillas, Biscochos, and red chili powder. It was fantastic, and a perfect end to a long weekend.

Happy New Year everyone.

Hugs and Kisses,

Alan and Michelle