Gordon
Saturday 28 July 2007
Pics For Last Blog
At last got the connection to work so have posted the images relating to the last blog. Hope you enjoy them.
Gordon
Gordon
Big Bar Ranch 2
Well we’re back again! We went riding again! Yehah! Dad continued his bond with Henry and I rode Destiny again. Mum though could not ride Boots as someone else was on her. So mum rode a massive horse called Ghost. She had a lot of trouble getting on! She has a bit of an exiting tale to tell about her ride but I will let her do that! Later on after the riding and after dinner we went gold panning! It was good fun but unfortunately I didn’t become a child millionaire! Although we did find two gold flakes BUT mum threw them out by accident! When we got back we were given cookies and fizzy juice! It was really nice!
My exciting tale is that on day 2 of riding I was riding the very big white (grey) horse called Ghost. This was a more challenging trek that began in the canyon and climbed up above the tree lines. We then cut back into the trees and the horses began to pick their way through a very narrow trail over tree roots and fallen branches. We also had to duck out of the way of tree branches and push other obstacles away from us.
All of this required concentration and I found it scary that I had to totally trust the horse, as I had no idea how to pick my way down the trail. It was all going okay until we reached a more open part of the trail that wound further uphill. I was concentrating on the leaning forward and moving obstacles out of the way stuff when the horse started twitching and leaping and then it took off. Shouting stop didn’t translate but once I remembered whoa and yanked a lot on the reins we came to a twitchy halt.
Crystal the wrangler leapt off her horse and spent time calming me and the horse. It was a bee sting – it would be ok. We then had to continue … I was scared but kept remembering I was meant to be calm so the horse knew I was calm. Heading down a steep rocky bit of scree with the horse sliding sideways as it picked its way down I was so Zen.
The drive from the ranch to Whistler was one of the best although the first 90 minutes on the dirt road with 13% gradient and hairpin bends in the RV was challenging – I did not like looking down the side of the road as of course there were no barriers or anything. Health and safety and the nanny state do not exist here and that is one of the attractions of the place. Perhaps Gordon will add some pics of the drive.
Big Bar Ranch was superb. In some ways to stay longer would have been good. There was just so much more to explore and the opportunity to make specific requests of the staff to go on a photographic safari or perhaps to meet some of the locals we heard about like Tar Paper Tony or Reckless Randy!
Sally and Eilidh have both covered the horse riding but I think I should just add that I am sure I saw Henry toss his main and swish his tail in my direction to bid me fairwell as we left. Calum just may be right to think that there is something in this western riding lark.
On our way from the ranch to Whistler I thing I have, appropriately enough, come up with a new extreme motor sport. Dirt Track RV Rallying! Fantastic, and Canada has a whole network of roads just waiting to be exploited by this sport. We also discovered that maintenance of this network only requires a water truck to soak the “road” and a snowplough type lorry to flatten out the bumps once the road is soaked. In all honesty I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of the short cut we had chosen to take and thankfully didn’t meet any fledgling RV Ralliers going in the opposite direction.
Whistler
At whistler now. It is an amazing place, I absolutely love it! It is full of adrenaline pumping things to do!!!! Today we went zip trekking which is 5 very high up and fast flying foxes!!!!!!!!!! One of them was 2000 feet long and you could go up to 80 km!! I had to get an extra push to make sure I didn’t get stuck in the middle! On the very last one you could go upside down! IT WAS SOOOOOOOO MUCH FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It is also really good because we are here during the mountain bike festival so there is lots going on like live music and of course races and demos! Anyhooow I suppose I better go cos I have still got to do my journal! Xxxx luv Eilidh
Whistler is cool. Yesterday we spent the day soaking up the atmosphere of the place, which is really buzzing. Gordon and I also managed to soak up ciders and beers, as we did not need to drive. Eilidh loves it here as she feels “Whistler equals danger and that is good”. I have to agree with her - it is the adrenaline junkies’ playground. As you walk down the “Stroll” you see zillions of mountain bikers (big big festival called Crankworks on just now) then a couple of skiers and a group of snowboarders, hikers, rafters etc. We had a fabulous meal at Sushi Village and Gordon and I shared a jug of strawberry sake marguerittas – awesome!
The zip trekking was a total high in all meanings of the word. I did not think I could walk off the platform and head down the 2000 ft line as you could not see the end only the trees and the creek very far below. We did it and by line 5 were letting go and trying to hang upside down. Gordon was the best at this but as he had the camera we didn’t snap it but there are some pics below.
Gordon and I think Eilidh is gaining a liking for extreme sports. So far she has not persuaded us to bungee jump but she and Gordon are going Hydro Broncing tomorrow… she plans to have a word with Uncle Robin when we get back so she can go power boating, kayaking, mountain biking and anything else fast and dangerous.
Whistler is cool but the whole surrounding area known as the Sea to Sky Corridor is just as cool. Everything is geared to this outdoor lifestyle, public buses have racks for bikes on the front and skies on the side. Not all of it is at break neck speed. A lot of emphasis is given to the opportunity to kick back and enjoy the uniqueness of the surroundings as well.
The spectacle of the bike festival is well worth seeing even if you are not participating. Tomorrow I hope to take some shots that capture the event and also catch the Led Zeppelin tribute band A Whole Lotta Led, which the waiter at our table recommended. Then it is off to Vancouver Island and another whole new experience.
Due to the rubbish Internet connection we have at the campsite we have been unable to upload the pictures. Watch out for a bumper pack of pics in our next instalment.
Well we’re back again! We went riding again! Yehah! Dad continued his bond with Henry and I rode Destiny again. Mum though could not ride Boots as someone else was on her. So mum rode a massive horse called Ghost. She had a lot of trouble getting on! She has a bit of an exiting tale to tell about her ride but I will let her do that! Later on after the riding and after dinner we went gold panning! It was good fun but unfortunately I didn’t become a child millionaire! Although we did find two gold flakes BUT mum threw them out by accident! When we got back we were given cookies and fizzy juice! It was really nice!
My exciting tale is that on day 2 of riding I was riding the very big white (grey) horse called Ghost. This was a more challenging trek that began in the canyon and climbed up above the tree lines. We then cut back into the trees and the horses began to pick their way through a very narrow trail over tree roots and fallen branches. We also had to duck out of the way of tree branches and push other obstacles away from us.
All of this required concentration and I found it scary that I had to totally trust the horse, as I had no idea how to pick my way down the trail. It was all going okay until we reached a more open part of the trail that wound further uphill. I was concentrating on the leaning forward and moving obstacles out of the way stuff when the horse started twitching and leaping and then it took off. Shouting stop didn’t translate but once I remembered whoa and yanked a lot on the reins we came to a twitchy halt.
Crystal the wrangler leapt off her horse and spent time calming me and the horse. It was a bee sting – it would be ok. We then had to continue … I was scared but kept remembering I was meant to be calm so the horse knew I was calm. Heading down a steep rocky bit of scree with the horse sliding sideways as it picked its way down I was so Zen.
The drive from the ranch to Whistler was one of the best although the first 90 minutes on the dirt road with 13% gradient and hairpin bends in the RV was challenging – I did not like looking down the side of the road as of course there were no barriers or anything. Health and safety and the nanny state do not exist here and that is one of the attractions of the place. Perhaps Gordon will add some pics of the drive.
Big Bar Ranch was superb. In some ways to stay longer would have been good. There was just so much more to explore and the opportunity to make specific requests of the staff to go on a photographic safari or perhaps to meet some of the locals we heard about like Tar Paper Tony or Reckless Randy!
Sally and Eilidh have both covered the horse riding but I think I should just add that I am sure I saw Henry toss his main and swish his tail in my direction to bid me fairwell as we left. Calum just may be right to think that there is something in this western riding lark.
On our way from the ranch to Whistler I thing I have, appropriately enough, come up with a new extreme motor sport. Dirt Track RV Rallying! Fantastic, and Canada has a whole network of roads just waiting to be exploited by this sport. We also discovered that maintenance of this network only requires a water truck to soak the “road” and a snowplough type lorry to flatten out the bumps once the road is soaked. In all honesty I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of the short cut we had chosen to take and thankfully didn’t meet any fledgling RV Ralliers going in the opposite direction.
Whistler
At whistler now. It is an amazing place, I absolutely love it! It is full of adrenaline pumping things to do!!!! Today we went zip trekking which is 5 very high up and fast flying foxes!!!!!!!!!! One of them was 2000 feet long and you could go up to 80 km!! I had to get an extra push to make sure I didn’t get stuck in the middle! On the very last one you could go upside down! IT WAS SOOOOOOOO MUCH FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It is also really good because we are here during the mountain bike festival so there is lots going on like live music and of course races and demos! Anyhooow I suppose I better go cos I have still got to do my journal! Xxxx luv Eilidh
Whistler is cool. Yesterday we spent the day soaking up the atmosphere of the place, which is really buzzing. Gordon and I also managed to soak up ciders and beers, as we did not need to drive. Eilidh loves it here as she feels “Whistler equals danger and that is good”. I have to agree with her - it is the adrenaline junkies’ playground. As you walk down the “Stroll” you see zillions of mountain bikers (big big festival called Crankworks on just now) then a couple of skiers and a group of snowboarders, hikers, rafters etc. We had a fabulous meal at Sushi Village and Gordon and I shared a jug of strawberry sake marguerittas – awesome!
The zip trekking was a total high in all meanings of the word. I did not think I could walk off the platform and head down the 2000 ft line as you could not see the end only the trees and the creek very far below. We did it and by line 5 were letting go and trying to hang upside down. Gordon was the best at this but as he had the camera we didn’t snap it but there are some pics below.
Gordon and I think Eilidh is gaining a liking for extreme sports. So far she has not persuaded us to bungee jump but she and Gordon are going Hydro Broncing tomorrow… she plans to have a word with Uncle Robin when we get back so she can go power boating, kayaking, mountain biking and anything else fast and dangerous.
Whistler is cool but the whole surrounding area known as the Sea to Sky Corridor is just as cool. Everything is geared to this outdoor lifestyle, public buses have racks for bikes on the front and skies on the side. Not all of it is at break neck speed. A lot of emphasis is given to the opportunity to kick back and enjoy the uniqueness of the surroundings as well.
The spectacle of the bike festival is well worth seeing even if you are not participating. Tomorrow I hope to take some shots that capture the event and also catch the Led Zeppelin tribute band A Whole Lotta Led, which the waiter at our table recommended. Then it is off to Vancouver Island and another whole new experience.
Due to the rubbish Internet connection we have at the campsite we have been unable to upload the pictures. Watch out for a bumper pack of pics in our next instalment.
Thursday 26 July 2007
Big Bar Ranch part 1
Big Bar Ranch, Back of Beyond, Clinton area.
After a fascinating drive northwest we made it to Clinton – a typical one street Canadian town that looks like it has seen better days. We checked the map and headed off on the last 45 minutes of the journey. Well not quite as this was a dirt track gravel road and RVs and these do not go to well. We made a steady 20km an hour and rattled and shook ourselves for 90 minutes. But it was worth it once we got there. There were only three families camping and we had lots of room, fabulous views and the opportunity to have big fires. On Sunday night we discovered Smores, courtesy of the Chung family. You take two biscuits and sandwich chocolate and marshmallows inside the biscuit, wrap in foil and bake on fire.
Monday afternoon, 2pm it was time for our first ever foray into Western style riding and trail riding. My horse was Boots, Eilidh had Destiny and Gordon had Henry. Gordon became quite fond of Henry, even if he did keep walking off when he had let go of the reins to take a photo. We all stayed on and traversed a fairly steep and interesting trail. There was nothing to it – we could do it. We were so enthused we signed up for the morning ride even if it meant being up and dressed for 9.30 am.
That night cowboy Gordon cooked Steaks, corn and potatoes on the open fire, which was delicious, and apart from the dust due to big winds we were fine. No mosquitoes because of the wind. There were some huge dragonflies and grasshoppers but these only clicked and buzzed and did not bite.
Yeehah! This time I have two things that I must write about, the more obvious of the two about the ranch and secondly after a request from Rachel another spoon update!! I think I will start off with the all important spoon update!! Recently I think mum may becoming clueless as she is beginning to give me spoons at all the wrong times, dad though has managed to stay clear of what I call mad spoon disease! I am worried in case it is contagious. I may have to consult a doctor about that! Although I do have some good news. I have now been to two places where I have had dessert I have been given the right spoon! Hallelujah!
Moving on! The ranch was just amazing, I absolutely loved it! The riding was really good and the scenery was stunning! The pony I was on, Destiny was very nice. When we tried jogging it was good fun. I wish we got to lope though………..
Bye for now Eilidh xxxxxx
This is always how I saw things in my head when being a cowboy at North Milton! Huge open skies, tree lined mountains, dusty trails, cattle and men on horse back in denims. I have tried to capture this in my photos, but fear that I have failed. I will post some on the second instalment of the Big Bar Ranch. For now we have had a request from Fergus and Annie for more pictures of Eilidh so those are added below.
The Ranch was staffed by a a fantastic group of people who were only too happy to assist but you did have to ask. I have found this to be very much the norm. Ask and you will get excellent advice and or assistance, stay quiet and you will be left to figure things out for yourself.
It is hard to fully explain how remote we were on the ranch and in reality we were only on the fringes of the BC wilderness. The closest I can come, is to compare it to being in the most remote area of the highlands. In-fact in many aspects there was a lot of similarities in the lifestyles and characteristics of the areas. More of this in part two.
After a fascinating drive northwest we made it to Clinton – a typical one street Canadian town that looks like it has seen better days. We checked the map and headed off on the last 45 minutes of the journey. Well not quite as this was a dirt track gravel road and RVs and these do not go to well. We made a steady 20km an hour and rattled and shook ourselves for 90 minutes. But it was worth it once we got there. There were only three families camping and we had lots of room, fabulous views and the opportunity to have big fires. On Sunday night we discovered Smores, courtesy of the Chung family. You take two biscuits and sandwich chocolate and marshmallows inside the biscuit, wrap in foil and bake on fire.
Monday afternoon, 2pm it was time for our first ever foray into Western style riding and trail riding. My horse was Boots, Eilidh had Destiny and Gordon had Henry. Gordon became quite fond of Henry, even if he did keep walking off when he had let go of the reins to take a photo. We all stayed on and traversed a fairly steep and interesting trail. There was nothing to it – we could do it. We were so enthused we signed up for the morning ride even if it meant being up and dressed for 9.30 am.
That night cowboy Gordon cooked Steaks, corn and potatoes on the open fire, which was delicious, and apart from the dust due to big winds we were fine. No mosquitoes because of the wind. There were some huge dragonflies and grasshoppers but these only clicked and buzzed and did not bite.
Yeehah! This time I have two things that I must write about, the more obvious of the two about the ranch and secondly after a request from Rachel another spoon update!! I think I will start off with the all important spoon update!! Recently I think mum may becoming clueless as she is beginning to give me spoons at all the wrong times, dad though has managed to stay clear of what I call mad spoon disease! I am worried in case it is contagious. I may have to consult a doctor about that! Although I do have some good news. I have now been to two places where I have had dessert I have been given the right spoon! Hallelujah!
Moving on! The ranch was just amazing, I absolutely loved it! The riding was really good and the scenery was stunning! The pony I was on, Destiny was very nice. When we tried jogging it was good fun. I wish we got to lope though………..
Bye for now Eilidh xxxxxx
This is always how I saw things in my head when being a cowboy at North Milton! Huge open skies, tree lined mountains, dusty trails, cattle and men on horse back in denims. I have tried to capture this in my photos, but fear that I have failed. I will post some on the second instalment of the Big Bar Ranch. For now we have had a request from Fergus and Annie for more pictures of Eilidh so those are added below.
The Ranch was staffed by a a fantastic group of people who were only too happy to assist but you did have to ask. I have found this to be very much the norm. Ask and you will get excellent advice and or assistance, stay quiet and you will be left to figure things out for yourself.
It is hard to fully explain how remote we were on the ranch and in reality we were only on the fringes of the BC wilderness. The closest I can come, is to compare it to being in the most remote area of the highlands. In-fact in many aspects there was a lot of similarities in the lifestyles and characteristics of the areas. More of this in part two.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
