O Canada!

As some of you may have picked up in the previous posts, we just got back from a little vacation in Vancouver, British Columbia. Andrew had a work-related conference to attend, so Peter and I decided to tag along - and we had a wonderful time! It was nice to escape the heat for a few days as well.

Peter turned out to be a wonderful traveling companion. He spent most of the time strapped to me in his wrap carrier and even managed to take a few naps that way. The rest of the time he looked for people to charm with his huge smile.

In fact, he charmed the ladies so well at a little market we had been going to that they bestowed him with gifts everytime we came around - including a very messy chocolate cupcake! I wish I could have taken this picture before I cleaned him up a little, but my hands were covered with chocolate as well, so we had to hose down before leaving the store...

I think Peter mostly enjoyed having us to himself for a few days. He was sleeping in a playpen in the hotel room and we kind of created a blockade with the bedspreads so he wouldn't see us, but there were a couple of nights when he wasn't tired enough to fall straight to sleep. We'd hear him rustling around a little and then his little head would pop up over the edge of the crib and he'd peer around with a big grin on his face when he caught our eye.

Mountains + Water = Beauty

What is it about mountains and water that just amazes my senses? I love the Grand Tetons for just this reason - maybe it's the reflection of all that majesty in the depths of a lake or ocean. Both are beautiful on their own, but taken together they are almost overwhelming!These photos don't get even close to doing it justice, but this is a look across to Vancouver Island.
The weather has been absolutely beautiful - hot by Canadian standards, but I'll take 70 degree sunshine any day! Apparently we brought summer with us when we came.

What Kind of Car Do You Drive?

For all those who like to talk on their cell phone while driving...
to remove all those annoying distractions - like other cars.

And this one is for all those backseat drivers out there...

I couldn't really get a good picture of the interior because of the reflective tint on the windows, but inside were two captains chairs back to back - each looking out one of the side windows.

Transportation Vacation

Traveling is our destination

East or West, we don't care
'Cause as soon as we leave, we're already there.

-Joe McDermott

Did you know? To get to Vancouver you need to take...

a plane,

a taxi,

a ferry,

a train,
the light rail,
your feet,
and a bird.
Okay, maybe not that last one, but you get the picture...

Children's Day Art Park

The Austin Symphony hosts this wonderful children's activity almost every Wednesday during the summer. The teach the kids about the instrument of the day and have a couple of musical performances (this week was a local children's singer Joe McDermott). After the performance there is an instrument petting zoo and art projects and face painting - all for 50 cents! The kids have a lot of fun, but I almost think their favorite part is riding the bus to get there (it's downtown and sooo hard to find parking so I prefer the bus). We love the Art Park!