yourfinesthour: August 2009

Sunday in Grande Prairie

I can't tell you how drained I felt today. All the sun yesterday really had a way with me. Still somehow I woke up at 7:30 a.m. sharp and went about my day at slow.

I played tennis with Jeanne. Rather I ran around and around while flopping my racket around helplessly. Must Google: how to play tennis without looking like a complete fool.

Sara and I went for a nice walk tonight.

I tossed a coin. And tomorrow I am off to Slave Lake. If the weather is willing and the beach beautiful, I may spend a couple days. It's less than four hours to drive.

On top of Mount Stearn!

Yup that's where we went! There were six of us: Mike, Richard, Terri, Teacher Crystal, myself and Jackie.

And this is where ended... you don't see them but there were thousands of flying ants everywhere. I ate three. And when I had a shower last night I found another two or three in my hair. Not fine.

Mike was the only one who stood close enough to get a decent picture. Yes, the flying insects were that bad.

Crystal and I needed a stamp. We fought our way to through the bugs and it paid off!

We ham it up up and up on top of Mt. Stearn!

Because this is what you do on top of a mountain. Terri is missing in this photo and obviously, I am too.

Jackie and Crystal M strike a pose.

Jackie shows she has skill. Honestly, I don't want to know where she uses this skill. Wink, wink!

Look! I did make it to the top! Mike nearly fell here so that's why you see me half-heartedly holding on to him.

Mountain Air gets to Mike!

Almost there...

And we begin our hike...

simplicity

I don't know this shrub. It caught my eye - so pretty. When you stumble on little things like this, it's nice to pause and take in the beauty.

The bark had interesting designs which popped out. If you let yourself, you could get lost in all the zig zags and patterns.

I want a puppy!

In Grande Cache we stopped before tackling Mt. Stearn. Look who we saw! These adorable pups were lazing around in this orange truck while their owners shopped. What cuties!

Terri looks studious on a recent visit. I was trying to take a portrait pic of Asia, the adorable little puppy. Like most adults, she couldn't help but stare directly into the camera lens. Hear this people, we like natural shots - not posed!

I am on vacation until Sept.8. Yesterday I slept until 11 a.m. and only showed at 4 p.m. It was a great way to start my holiday. When you're as busy as I am on a daily basis, sometimes it's cool just to slow down.

I went for a power walk with Richard at the Wapiti Trails this morning. Tomorrow I am off to go hiking in Grande Cache. On Sunday, I am either heading north or south. I'll probably flip a coin.

Road trips ... here I come.

In the Red, GP's annual Red Dress Walk/Run

I went to the Red Dress Run/Walk 5K thang at Wapiti Nordic Trails. I didn't pony up and buy a red dress. It looked like a lot of fun though. I only stayed long enough to do the run and snap some photos..

they say

Oh here is Jean and her eldest son, Cameron. Jean asked me to take a couple pictures last night. Well here they are Jean!

headshots of Grande Prairie mom

Wild raspberries are awesome.

Pretty Pebbles

Cutbank Falls

I joined this foursome for a light hike to Cutbank Falls. It was a beautiful day to be outside. It was just what I needed to get over my "cold" this week. Good times.