2009 - Greendrop & Lindeman Lake, Flying, Hiking and Photography, in the Rockies & U.S

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Greendrop and Lindeman Lake - Chilliwack River Valley
Location of Greendrop Lake

Paula Panek & Alan Lizee

I had been thinking about this hike for some time as I thought it would be enjoyable and quite easy, so Alan Lizee, Paula Panek, and I headed off in mid August for Lindeman and Greendrop Lakes. It was another dry summer season and campfires had been banned for some time but it made you shake your head to see some people still thinking about making campfires on the shores of Lindeman Lake.
The trail to Lindeman is just under an hour long and it is steepish but the trail is good. The trail beyond to Greendrop is just plain rocky. I found in my out of shape state that it took quite a bit of extra effort just because the trail was so rocky. When we got to Greendrop Lake, I found it a bit underwhelming. It's nice, but it is just another small mountain lake without any distinctive or impressive mountain backrop. Lindeman is more picturesque. It has the towers north of Flora Peak as a backdrop and the colour of the lake is very attractive. If people would only clean up after themselves at the campsites!


A Flight from Boundary Bay - Fraser Valley
Boundary Bay Airport

Lynn contemplates the valley.

Karen and Jason Rodd had given us a Christmas present of a plane ride from the Boundary Bay airport and at the end of August we took advantage of the gift. An instructor took us up for an hours flight. We chose to fly over the new Golden Ears Bridge, Pitt Polder, and Widgeon Lake. We then hopped over to Coquitlam Lake and then over down town Vancouver. It was pretty cool to then fly directly over YVR and look straight down on all of the jets parked at the airport. A very enjoyable flight. At the end, we were given a gift basket that contained wine and chocolates. Thanks again to Karen and Jason. :-)

 Lanny's 60th Birthday - Oliver
Location of Lanny and Julie's Stoneboad Vineyards

Ken Willis, Keith Rajala, Lanny Martiniuk, Alan Lizee

Julie and friends put on a surprise 60th birthday party for Lanny and a number of the Lobsters were able to be there for it. Now Lanny is not an official Lobster, but I'm sure if he lived down in the Fraser Valley he would have been. He has made quite a name for himself in growing high quality grape plants, being on the first board of directors for the VQA, recently creating is own winery (Stoneboat) and garnering awards for that, and perhaps most importantly, having a wonderful family. It was nice to be part of the birthday celebrations.


Canadian Rockies Hiking and Photography - Alberta

Location of the Lake Louise campground

Chuck and Ken enjoying a wee dram.

In September of 2008 Ken and I had spent a week in Lake Louise hiking and doing photography. It was wonderful. The weather had been good and to have the time to do as one wanted in the Canadian Rockies was a luxury to be appreciated and if possible, repeated. So it was in September 2009 the newly retired Chuck McCafferty joined Ken and I in a repeat of last September. As it turned out, Chuck and I met Ken at Lake Louise giving us the option of doing different things as we had two cars.
One of the first things we did was to drive up the Icefield Parkway and do the hike into Lake Helen. It was a fine day and the views were very rewarding. It was surprising to meet so many tourists from other countries even on the trails. Then again, perhaps it is not surprising considering the draw that nature provides.
Chuck and I went up to Lake Louise for sunrise, and we also spent part of a day doing photography along the shores of Moraine Lake. After a few days, we moved camp up to Sunwapta Pass near the Icefield Center. We spent part of a day doing photography along Parker Ridge and were disappointed about not being able to get into Wilcox Pass due to blasting on the north end of the trail that goes through the pass.
We moved on to Jasper planning to go up to Mt. Edith Cavell to do some photography only to find out that the road up there was closed off for road repair! With that and the good days we had under our belt, we decided to drive to the cabin at Sheridan Lake, enjoy a nearby pub, and then drive home.
A great time with great friends and worthy of repeating next September!

Photography and Hiking in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, and Arizona

Chuck and Ken exploring a cinder cone in Craters of the Moon National Monument

We were all retired, two of our wives were working, we could stand one another's company, we enjoyed hiking and photography, and most importantly we like the same liquid refreshments. :-) So off we went in the CRV on a road trip to explore the wonders of various places like Indian Tunneland the views from Inferno Cone in Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve, the Brianhead Ski Resort where we spent a week in a timeshare, Cedar Breaks National Monument, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, the Grand Canyon where Ken and Chuck did the rim to rim, the natural wonders around Page Arizona, Monument Valley, and Arches National Park. Well somebody had to do it!

The Grand Canyon Lodge on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon
Chuck treated us to a pint of fine ale with a million dollar view!

Go to my flickr site for more pictures of our trips to these areas.