Tag Archives: landscape

Skier lodges at Big White Mountain, tucked in between the Okanagan Highlands and Monashee Mountains, British Columbia

big white mountain kelowna british columbia okanagan highlands monashee mountains

This is what fresh powder looks like hanging from trees! Sun setting after a ski day at Big White.

Toronto’s CN Tower framed by apartments

toronto cn tower appartments

Iconic for Canadians and many people globally, I really like how a community has grown right around Toronto’s CN Tower. Without counting I’d guess 50 to 60 apartment buildings in the area. These two are the closest, framing the tower so perfectly on this cold December evening. The picture is taken from Canoe Field on the West side, a turf soccer pitch easily identifiable by a larger than life red canoe next to it.

are you craving beach time?

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Looking out upon the Sea of Cortes, San Jose del Cabo, Mexico

This is getting closer to the top of my bucket list right about now! I usually like adventure vacations however even a day at the beach would be great this week. Warm breeze, hot sand, fresh water. Maybe start the day with an early morning long walk, then some sun after lunch, and perhaps star gazing after sunset. Throw in a margarita or two… Are you with me on this one?

Watching the Ice Melt is a Canadian Pastime of Spring

watching the ice melt is a canadian pastime of spring
A seat in the sun as winter comes to an end.

Who is ready for spring? This was not the harshest of winters to live through however it did feel like the longest due to the pandemic. We are hardy people and have gotten through it – yay! The Oxford English Dictionary says a pastime is “a diversion or recreation which serves to pass the time agreeably; an activity done for pleasure rather than work…”. That kind of sums up the scene here. Grab a hot chocolate, sit in the sun, and watch the ice melt.

Maui’s Pu’u Kukui volcanic mountain summit is your dinner ocean view at sunset

pu'u kukui volcanic mountain maui ocean dinner sunset
Maui’s Pu’u Kukui volcanic mountain summit is your dinner ocean view at sunset

Who wouldn’t love a dinner setting like this right about now? Most of us are craving a nice meal out with friends and no masks. Happy to have this photo to remind us of what is not too far off once again. Wish I could say this was our dinner spot back in 2018, but alas, we walked past this wonderful table for 6 as we made our way to another location. No complaining allowed… it was warm, the food good, and we were having fun as a family.

Vancouver Sea Village Featuring Houseboat Homes Along False Creek

vancouver sea village houseboat homes false creek
People’s houseboat homes along Vancouver’s False Creek

Time to begin virtually traveling the world while we all take a pause and self-hibernate (sometimes I do feel like a bear hanging out in his den waiting for spring!) First stop is beautiful Vancouver and a look at Sea Village, a lifestyle community of houseboat homes along False Creek. These folks have the best of both worlds… living in the city and on the water. I gather keeping 6ft apart while walking on the dock to get groceries is difficult, however picture sitting at the end of the dock in front of your place watching life slowly pass by!

A Monashee Mountain Range Sunrise at Big White The Day Before Ski Hill Closes

sunrise big white ski mt arthurs monashee mountains range british columbia
Sunrise after 7am on morning #1 of what we were hoping to be a 6 day ski trip with family. The conditions on this first day were even better than the sunrise – clear and sunny, -5 deg C, great snow – and so we thought far away from the COVID-19 developments occurring back home. Day 2 (another amazing day outdoors) ended with a thud when Big White announced it was closing immediately and we had to clear out. Now that’s a shocker! This was the same day provinces implemented limitations of groups greater than 50 people. In hind sight a week on now, it was the right thing as we all needed to get home and hunker down.

Willemstad, Capital Of Curacao, a Dutch Caribbean Island

willemstad capital of curacao dutch caribbean island
What’s there not to like about colorful buildings lined up at attention? Arguably the photo is a little cliche in that you will find multiple similar images if you google Willemstad Curacao. The buildings in traditional Dutch style line what I will call the touristy area with all the stuff to buy from major brands that you could actually get back at home. Now please walk beyond that and look for the places to dine for they are all local, unique, and delightful. The food is simply delicious! Favorite on the island was Shelterrock (tried Lionfish for first time), plus a direct from the ocean to your plate fish lunch at Purunchi Koredor (look it up on Tripadvisor… this place has soul!).

Day break over 16 Mile Creek

daybrake sunrise 16 mile creek oakville canada
We are a few minutes after 8am on Saturday October 26, standing on the Dundas street overpass looking south down 16 Mile Creek. The sun came over the trees about 15 minutes ago, slowly bringing light and life as the birds got going. Mist from the creek rose and a sun haze stretched out across the tree canopy.

Daybreak over Mt. Arthurs and Finlayson Ridge, Monashee Mountains, B.C.

mt arthurs finlayson ridge monashee mountains british columbia
The morning views across the Monashees deliver most every time.  Because the peaks hide the sun, the sky will lighten an hour before it rises over the horizon producing a myriad of colors (purple, pinks, reds, and orange all mashed together!) and finally fading to yellow as the sun climbs.