So I will start with June - PRE-Flood.
Rowan had his year-end Gala for his Junior Musicians Course 2. This is his last year performing and taking classes with Sonata School of Music. Rowan started taking courses with Sonata at age 2 and now at age 7 is moving on. His reasoning is that he needs time to 'really focus on my sports', meaning he would like to play soccer and possibly hockey next year. I will be looking for a music teacher to come in to our home for private lessons for now.
Rowan and his class played Baracarolle (C.M. v. Weber). It was beautiful.
We took a week to camp at Mt. Kidd Campground this year in June. It was amazing. There were very few people there at that time of year. The weather was cool but lovely. We expected one day of heavy rain so planned to spend the day in Banff at the Hot Springs, which we did, but we didn't have any rain.
I had heard from a few different people about the hike going to a place called Troll Falls which turned out to be a 15 minute drive from our campsite so we went. It was very cool. There was an easy hike for about 1/2 hour leading to a beautiful waterfall in the woods. It was like a scene from the Hobbit with trees growing in the water and little caves the kids could climb right in. We climbed right up to the top of the falls which was a bit frightening for me, and very frightening for Rowan but we didn't realize it until after when he burst into tears. I don't blame him - it was a very steep climb in spots until you end up right on the ledge of the falls. We quickly turned around and explored the little caves before having lunch in the trees near the water.
We felt like we were in a little oasis with our perfect little trailer in the trees with not a soul in sight, save the squirrels, magpies, and crows.
We took a day to spend in Banff doing traditional Banff-y things.....candy shop, walk, coffee, and something new for us which was Fondue dinner at the Grizzly House! We have always wanted to try the Grizzly House in Banff but it seemed a bit too luxurious with kids, however this time we decided that was the best reason to go. We had cheese fondue, beef, chicken and lobster fondue, and chocolate fondue for dessert. It was fantastic!
A really unexpected surprise was lunch on the way home at the Boundary Ranch. What a beautiful little authentically cowboy spot! We had a delicious lunch on our way home from our perfect little holiday.
So.....here's part of my reflection on the Alberta Flood of 2013. These places we spent on our holiday were all affected by the flood. Banff, Canmore (where we also spent an afternoon), Mount Kidd, the Boundary Ranch. Bridges were destroyed, houses were flooded and many near destruction or uninhabitable, and much of the pathway and hiking trails were affected ONE WEEK after we left. People were rescued by helicopter from Mount Kidd campground and had to leave their camping equipment behind. Roads are being repaired still at the end of July and some areas will not be accessible this season at all. We feel so very blessed to have visited this part of our beautiful province and so very blessed to have made it home before the danger and destruction of the flood. But, more on that later.
Rowan and Rand wrapped up Soccer Season 2013 at the end of June! It was an exciting year for Rowan and he loved every game and practice of the year. There are no soccer photos of Poppy as she attended two games and decided soccer was not for her.
That is all for now - we have had many adventures since that I can't wait to blog about!
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