Saturday, October 18, 2008

Family, Friends, Fun

We have a "boat load" "O" fun wth these electric skateboards. This has become a family fun time, pass time. We cruze to parks, to go get slurpees, or just cruze the neighborhood for the fun of it..... Lovin' it!


Nola and I went to Lethbridge to visit with Mom & Dad. They are in a nice lodge and are comfortable and enjoying the comradrie, and environment in their new home.


Dixie and Darrel had a feast at their place to celebrate (our nephew) Cameron's departure on his mission to Toronto. Good food a'plenty, plus family equals a great afternoon making memories.



Cameron Navratil will be "Elder Navratil" for the next 2 years, "good luck" and work hard Elder.



Family gathered around a fire cooking hotdogs and making smores = more great memories.

Hangin' out is great, thanks .... !

Great Adventure...

We started the day as a motorcycle ride/adventure to go from Calgary to Highway #40 "Kananaskis", then south to Longview and on to points beyond. Greg Wilson made the initial suggestion to ride on Saturday... I put the word out and Richard Clark said yes. So it was to be a 3 musketeers trip or is that 3 stooges? I'm not sure I guess it depends on who you ask. We planned to meet at my place and take off at 9 am, thinking that by then it would warm up a bit. Greg called at 9 and said he was running late and would meet us at Longview around 11am.

As we traveled out of Calgary on 22X, temperatures drop and it gets pretty cool. By the time we reach Brag Creek temperatures are hovering around freezing. Richard and I look over the situation and decide to continue into the Kananaskis on HWY 66 and take Powder Face trail ( a gravel pass ) that will connect with Highway #40 after it wiggles around the mountains a little. We're game for a little excitement and adventure.

As we left Bragg Creek area I said "Are you up for a little snow and gravel mixed?" We thought for a moment and of course neither one of us was about to say no to "A little Adventure".... So we're off. After a few close encounters with the local critters "deer" we got to the gravel road. Temperatures are now just below freezing and snowing lightly...


The scenery was ... as usual... tremendous. Even with the intensity of really slippery conditions it was just fantastic to be out "adventuring"...

Is it just me or does this remind you of "gorillas in the mist?"
I'm just asking! And I mean that in the nicest way!.... Bless his heart ;)

One of my auxilliary lights needs a little love after I slipped on one of the steep icy down hill sections... What's an adventure without a bruise or two?


Not super deep here, however there were places where the snow got deep and as it warmed up during the morning .... the tire tracks got ICY! Now that's sport..... a 700 lb motorcycle on snow, ice and gravel... What were we thinking.... ?

Powder Face took a lot longer than I expected! Consequently we (I) didn't make it in time to meet up with Greggy Wilson.


My day ends well. Hwy 40 is mostly clear, so I wick up the throtle, and rip it to Longview. Greg had called me 2 minutes before I arrived in Longview so I called him back but he was no longer available on his phone. So we missed eachother. Greg "I'm really sorry we didn't get to rip it today, I was looking forward to hangin' with you."

Marks Musings.... Today, I'm just plain grateful. Nature is amazing... We were able to stay warm... We were safe... on the edge a little but safe. We had a great adventure, saw some amazing scenery. Had some "yikes" experiences where your heart skipps and unusual language automatically comes into your mind and sneeks past your lips before you can say "Bob's your uncle". Gotta work on that. The equipment we had worked flawlessly, bikes were amazing as usual, layers of quality gear kept us warm and cozy. As they say in the Raymond news paper, "A good time was had by all."

Friday, October 3, 2008

Fall time in Calgary

End of the summer ..... time to squeeze in a few more adventures...

Nola and I took off for the weekend. We ended up logging in over 2,000 km around and through the interior of BC... Nieeece. Great time
Isn't she lovely, isn't she wonderful! Luckee...

Here we are ready to take off.

Nola is a really great motorcycle riding buddy. We really have a great time hangin' out.
Mom and Dad have moved into a lodge in Lethbridge, this picture was taken outside of the eatery where we had a family dinner after the move in. Mom and Dad are doing great, they have tons of issues but comment and complain rarely, and they do their best to look at the positive side of everything. They are shining examples to all who know them.

A trip to the 7-11 with Grandma & pa. The world is a good place, we enjoy each others company, and have a lot of fun and laughs together.
Marshal & Grandpa.... the 'midget' really likes to skateboard. When we ask him if he wants to go he will give a 'full body' nod of the head. Very cute, we like hangin' out together.

We went for a short ride early in the afternoon and ended up covering 300 km of beautiful fall colors, warm nice fall weather, even got up in the foothills on some great gravel roads. We ended the day @ Phoenix Grill and had a nice meal, before retiring. Great day with my bride.
Isn't she beautiful.....
The evidence of Fall is everywhere.

Even in our own backyard... Nieeeece!

It's been a wonderful Fall, Nola and I have been empty nesters for the past month or so. We have loved our time together unmolested by much of the stress and tension of the world. Austin is in Utah as an assistant to the director (read...... Go-fer) for a movie shoot that is taking place in SLC area as we speak. Carter is in SLC at LDS (every one knows your) Business College. We talk with the boys often and they tell us they are doing great. Girls are doing very well also. Holly is here in Calgary and Dylan is in the Atlanta area. The world moves along at an astonishing pace. Kids grow up and leave home, grandkids spring up .......and we still feel like we are newly weds (one of us even acts like they are 21). Odd isn't it? Maybe this is my que to "grow up".... I don't think I'd make a very good grownup ... so ...... Sorry to break it to ya, but I'm not ready to be a grownup yet. Maybe one day, but not any time in the foreseeable future. So in the mean time yer just gunna have to deal with it..... mark
Oh and "Happy Birthday Dear" luv mark...

Summer....

No blogging 'cuz ...

We bin' bizi'....

Bin "Bikin'"
Bin "Boardin'"
"Tandem"
Rock Bandin'

Jumpin' bikes

& Swimin'

Bin a great summer. We were all bizi doin' what we do, and havin' fun.
I am a blessed man. Wonderful wife, strong family, love and plenty right here in our own home... How cool is that?