Dear Superb Ones,
I had an excellent week travelling and visiting great people. I headed to Kimberley BC last Friday morning to participate in the annual soccer tournament there with my old team from Red Deer: Parkland United. After a lengthy six hour drive, which included a stop at wonderful Wasa Lake, I arrived just in time to experience a massive little storm that shock the camper I was visiting in. The storm was so intense it blew out the power for a day in Kimberley. Nevertheless the weather was grand after that and I slept well in my tent. Being with my old teammates was fun, camping again was fun, playing golf was fun, the soccer however, was not as fun. Playing three one hour games on Saturday without any breaks was a little rough on my 51 year old body. By Sunday afternoon after playing yet another game, my legs were so stiff and sore that I could barely move them. If someone had offered me a walker I probably would have taken them up on it. Yet it was great to be with the team and in the mountains camping again. I also experienced some cold in the evenings. That was rather odd.
Parkland United. We were short players, only 9 when we should have had at least 11, and one was an old man and another was a girl, who actually did ok against the men.
Camping. A Canadian cultural institution. Great way to recover from the stresses of life.
After the soccer tournament was over I made my way to the Crowsnest Pass and visited my great friends Tim and Sheila Juhlin. We have known each other for over 25 years and it was awesome to spend a few hours with them. They feted me with steak and some of Tim's homemade wine. Later I gingerly moved my aching soccer legs on a wonderful walk and talk with Tim. After that grand visit I motored on out of the mountains on to the prairie and headed for Lethbridge to visit my friends Brent and Xing-je Kirchner where I got spoiled once again. I am so fortunate!
Tim and Sheila Juhlin. Great friends, great hosts.
Brent and Xing-je Kirchner. Great friends, great hosts.
Big sky, big prairie, lonely road, how sweet is that?
I spent the night at Brent's and then the next day we headed to Montana and got over the border no problem. I claimed to be from Red Deer, but had the border inspector checked my passport a little more and looked at all my China visas he might have questioned this comment, but you know I kinda of am a resident of Red Deer. Nevertheless we slipped through and headed to Glacier Park and the famous Going To The Sun Road. This road goes up and over a mountain pass called Logan's Pass. It is rather scary since for a good chunk of the trip there is a severe drop off of a few thousand feet. The so called guard rails are rocks cemented together from the 30's. And the road is narrow since it was built in the Depression for Model T Fords. Great.
Originally we wanted to go for a walk to Hidden Lake, which is located near the apex and middle point of the Pass, but alas the parking lot was full and we had to carry on. We went to plan B, which was a walk through a cedar forest to Avalanche Lake. It was great there. There were 9 waterfalls thundering away in the mountains that surrounded the lake. Everyone, including us, sat on the beach of the lake in quiet amazement listening and watching this spectacle in awe.
Making a stop on the Going To The Sun Road.
Glacier Park. The little island is called. "Wild Goose Island."
Along the Going To The Sun Road. The "Weeping Wall."
Avalanche lake. Awesome.
After we hiked back to Brent's vehicle from Avalanche Lake we noticed that the back left tire was rather low. We headed to a gas station and Brent pulled out a five inch nail and the tire went very flat. Thankfully there was a travelling automotive fix up guy in the vicinity and he fixed the tire within 45 minutes. It was a small miracle to get that tire fixed without too much stress and we were both grateful.
After spending the night in Kallispell Brent and I headed to Hidden Lake early and got a parking spot. It was cold however and I was way underdressed. Still it was a nice hike and it was kind of fun to see and touch snow again after a 2 year hiatus.
Hidden Lake. Wonderful.
Snow! Wonderful. I felt like skiing!
Throughout my trip with Brent we observed some wildlife which made the trip even more interesting.
Mountain goat on the Going To The Sun Road.
A Marmot.
Great people. Zak, Krystal, and Anthony.
Well my dear friends I had a great week. I am so grateful. This summer has been wunderbar and once again thank you for your love and prayers. I wish you all the best, may God bless you everyone.
Love adios and peng on!
Dirk
I had an excellent week travelling and visiting great people. I headed to Kimberley BC last Friday morning to participate in the annual soccer tournament there with my old team from Red Deer: Parkland United. After a lengthy six hour drive, which included a stop at wonderful Wasa Lake, I arrived just in time to experience a massive little storm that shock the camper I was visiting in. The storm was so intense it blew out the power for a day in Kimberley. Nevertheless the weather was grand after that and I slept well in my tent. Being with my old teammates was fun, camping again was fun, playing golf was fun, the soccer however, was not as fun. Playing three one hour games on Saturday without any breaks was a little rough on my 51 year old body. By Sunday afternoon after playing yet another game, my legs were so stiff and sore that I could barely move them. If someone had offered me a walker I probably would have taken them up on it. Yet it was great to be with the team and in the mountains camping again. I also experienced some cold in the evenings. That was rather odd.
Parkland United. We were short players, only 9 when we should have had at least 11, and one was an old man and another was a girl, who actually did ok against the men.
Camping. A Canadian cultural institution. Great way to recover from the stresses of life.
After the soccer tournament was over I made my way to the Crowsnest Pass and visited my great friends Tim and Sheila Juhlin. We have known each other for over 25 years and it was awesome to spend a few hours with them. They feted me with steak and some of Tim's homemade wine. Later I gingerly moved my aching soccer legs on a wonderful walk and talk with Tim. After that grand visit I motored on out of the mountains on to the prairie and headed for Lethbridge to visit my friends Brent and Xing-je Kirchner where I got spoiled once again. I am so fortunate!
Big sky, big prairie, lonely road, how sweet is that?
I spent the night at Brent's and then the next day we headed to Montana and got over the border no problem. I claimed to be from Red Deer, but had the border inspector checked my passport a little more and looked at all my China visas he might have questioned this comment, but you know I kinda of am a resident of Red Deer. Nevertheless we slipped through and headed to Glacier Park and the famous Going To The Sun Road. This road goes up and over a mountain pass called Logan's Pass. It is rather scary since for a good chunk of the trip there is a severe drop off of a few thousand feet. The so called guard rails are rocks cemented together from the 30's. And the road is narrow since it was built in the Depression for Model T Fords. Great.
Originally we wanted to go for a walk to Hidden Lake, which is located near the apex and middle point of the Pass, but alas the parking lot was full and we had to carry on. We went to plan B, which was a walk through a cedar forest to Avalanche Lake. It was great there. There were 9 waterfalls thundering away in the mountains that surrounded the lake. Everyone, including us, sat on the beach of the lake in quiet amazement listening and watching this spectacle in awe.
Making a stop on the Going To The Sun Road.
Glacier Park. The little island is called. "Wild Goose Island."
After we hiked back to Brent's vehicle from Avalanche Lake we noticed that the back left tire was rather low. We headed to a gas station and Brent pulled out a five inch nail and the tire went very flat. Thankfully there was a travelling automotive fix up guy in the vicinity and he fixed the tire within 45 minutes. It was a small miracle to get that tire fixed without too much stress and we were both grateful.
After spending the night in Kallispell Brent and I headed to Hidden Lake early and got a parking spot. It was cold however and I was way underdressed. Still it was a nice hike and it was kind of fun to see and touch snow again after a 2 year hiatus.
Hidden Lake. Wonderful.
Snow! Wonderful. I felt like skiing!
Throughout my trip with Brent we observed some wildlife which made the trip even more interesting.
A V8 Hog.
Travelling with Brent was excellent and after another good rest at his home I headed back to Calgary to spend time with O and O and Nicholas, Justine, and Colin. Eli dropped by later and we spent some time at a pool. Later we compared feet. Note the distinct genetic quirk we all share. Thanks Oma!
The "Heuer" feet.
Finally on Thursday after two long years I spent time with my little men Zak and Anthony. Since they were really small I have taken them swimming or a playground, once a week for a few hours, so their mom, Krystal, can have a break and go to Bible study or just collapse. The little men remembered all the routines we established. Getting out of the car through the window, getting hurled by me in the water, and always a snack afterwards. It was a sweet time.
Well my dear friends I had a great week. I am so grateful. This summer has been wunderbar and once again thank you for your love and prayers. I wish you all the best, may God bless you everyone.
Love adios and peng on!
Dirk
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