Nifty ISTE

June 29, 2016

The past 3 days have been a whirlwind. The International Society for Technology in Education Conference (ISTE) was in town and I was one of the 16,000 attendees! There were educators from around the world - teachers, teacher librarians, administrators, and other school professionals who all spoke the same language- technology. There were hundreds of sessions offered every day and it was a struggle to decide which ones to go to. Of course there was a nifty app that the conference provided that helped me locate the sessions, favorite them, and even save presentations and electronic handouts in a virtual toolbox. My toolbox is packed full! It was very overwhelming, humbling and exciting to learn about all the innovative ways educators are engaging students and helping them achieve with the assistance of technology. I hope that I can implement a fraction of what I learned!

On a whim (and possibly because it involved some free schwag) I decided to volunteer at the conference. I was assigned to the perfect job for me, the people pleaser. For two hours today I passed out free ice cream in the lobby! You can imagine the wonderfully warm smiles that I received while passing out delicious frozen treats!

I could go on and on about the great experience I had and some of the people, that I met. Don't even get me started on the Exhibit Hall! All of the companies that specialize in technology or education that you can imagine were there. However, the more booths there are, the more free schwag there was to be had! 

I feel recharged and enthusiastic about the school year ahead and will hopefully reach into that toolbox and create some great ways to help kids learn. Don't get me wrong...I still need a little more summer vacation to really get revved up! But when I do report back to work in August, I will accept the challenge that the closing speaker, Michelle Cordy -an awesome 3rd grade teacher from Ontario brought forward. I will "Show up and refuse to leave!"  

Almost Home Day 8

Saturday, June 25, 2016

Don and I took a vote. We unanimously decided that instead of another 9 hour driving day in order to get home today, we would extend our trip one more day. One deciding factor, a strong one, was that our campsite was right on the Yellowstone river with public fishing access. This, along with Don having to pass up many prime fishing holes throughout our trip, added up to us allowing time for Don to fish this morning. Oh and did I mention that there were two quilting/yarn stores in town? While Don was angling, Maggie and I were shopping. I don't drive his truck often, but I can because the seat will rise up enough for me to see over the dash. I find that other drivers usually keep their distance when it looks like no one is driving! We were successful in finding some treasures and we were back before our prearranged meeting time.

We made our way to Bar Nunn which is just outside Casper, Wyoming....not the most scenic part of our trip! Tomorrow we definitely will be back to reality but I guess it's time...we're out of wine!

Don fishing the mighty Yellowstone River

Back in the USA Day 7

Friday, June 24, 2016

We drove back into the United States today. Going across the border from Canada into the US was a little more intimidating with lots of cameras, barriers, and questions....but there wasn't a wall(!)

We - as in Don - drove 9 hours today. It amazes me that he doesn't get tired but I guess I doze off enough for both of us! We saw a lot of farmland and experienced a few downpours. The rain had already passed by our KOA in Livingston, Montana by the time we pulled in tonight and we were fortunate to see a full rainbow! It was fun to see everyone in the campground stop what they were doing and admire this beautiful gift from Mother Nature.

"Oh Canada" Day 6

Thursday, June 23, 2016

Today is our last full day in Banff so we decided to head up the Icefield Parkway - "the road to the clouds." This famous scenic highway takes you past many glaciers and lakes on your way to Jasper. 

Our first stop was Crowfoot Glacier. It was named for its three claw like formation. Crowfoot Mountain overlooked our next stop at Bow lake. At this stop I realized that I left Maggie's leash in the trailer but fortunately we had a Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital leash in the truck so I guess we'll do a little marketing today!

Along the way we also enjoyed seeing Peyto lake and glacier. All of the rivers and lakes are bright blue because of the glaciers. Fine rock particles called rock flour float in the water, reflecting blue and green light. Canadians must find our lakes and rivers rather boring!

By far the coolest rock formations that we saw today was at Mistaya Canyon. The Mistaya river has carved the limestone over the years to create a valley. This site also has created idiot tourists who like to tempt their fate. I get nervous for these people and their children who walk out to the very edges to take pictures without thinking about their safety. I had to look away when I saw a woman edging her way on the cliff so her husband could take her picture from the bridge. I told him that she was braver than me. He said they were recreating a photo that he took 13 years ago when they were dating but he was more nervous this time because he had more invested!

On our way back to Banff we took the more scenic Bow Valley Parkway. This took us past Castle Mountain and then to Johnston Canyon. We took the short hike through the canyon to the lower falls. Unfortunately we didn't have enough time to hike to the upper falls. 

We ended the day with dinner in Banff and shopping- the stores stay open until 10! Tomorrow, sadly, we have to head home but I will say "see ya later" to Alberta because I would like to come back and explore some more!

Note: Due to the large number of parking lots and restrooms that we saw at the popular attractions, I suspect that they get thousands of tourists in the summer. We lucked out and visited before the rush so if you are thinking of visiting, come in June.

Crowfoot Glacier

Bow Lake

Glacier feeding into Peyto Lake

Mistaya Canyon

Mistaya Canyon

Castle Mountain

Johnston Canyon

Lower falls

I call these "nature's window boxes"

"Oh Canada" Day 5

IWednesday, June 22, 2016

Hiking was the activity of the day....lots of it! We drove to the amazing Lake Louise which is spectacular due to its surrounding mountains but also because it is a beautiful blue turquoise color. There  is a huge parking lot because it is a main attraction. You can get away from most of the crowd by hiking the trails nearby and we picked the Plain of the Six Glaciers trail (3.4 miles).This took us above Lake Louise, through the dense forest, and then farther up into the glacial ravine near the glaciers. The very best part was that at the top is a tea house. Yes! This small little tea house was built in 1927 for the Swiss mountaineering guides and their clients that they took up there. We enjoyed sandwiches made on homemade bread and a pot of tea. All of their supplies are flown in by helicopter, brought up on horseback or carried up by staff. The customers are asked to pack out their own trash. The staff all looked pretty young and I think the reason why is that they have to hike up to work, work 5 days while staying in staff cabins, then hike down and have 4 days off before hiking back up for their next shift. One of the women working there was from Basalt Colorado. She was busy so I didn't get to ask her how she ended up on top of a mountain in Canada! 

After our tea we decided to trek across the mountain to Lake Agnes. It was a little rainy but my motivation was..you guessed it..there was a tea house there too! This trail was about 3 miles through a beautiful forest. We didn't have much company on this trail so I rang my bear bell a lot! I kept an eye out for bear scat- Poop that smells like pepper spray and has bells in it- but didn't see any. The pot of tea was just what we needed because it was a little chilly. Maggie was in high alert there because the chipmunks ran rampant! She definitely thought she should be off the leash to do some policing. 

Back on the trail we went to go down to Lake Louise which was around 3 miles. The closer we got to Lake Louise and the fancy Fairmont Chateau Hotel

which is at the lakeshore, the more I felt like a mountain women reemerging from the wilderness. Fashionably attired people who smelled nice were passing us walking up the trail for a little stroll. Then we passed by a cocktail party and a bride and groom taking photographs..I sure hope I made it into their album! 

 

When exiting the restrooms at the parking lot, I saw Don visiting with a family like they were long lost friends. They were from Wheatridge and Don found that out by talking to the boy wearing a Bronco shirt. It's funny how you have an instant bond with people from your neck of the woods when you are far away from home!

Needless to say we were totally wiped out by the time we got back to the trailer. We figured we conquered 10 miles and two pots of tea with nothing worse than what Advil can cure!

Lake Louise

Beautiful torquoise water

At the other end of the lake looking towards the Fairmont Chateau Hotel

Entering the glacial ravine

This mountain I called "funnel cake"

The first tea house 

Dense green forest

Lake Agnes

Tea house number 2

No pine beetle here!

One of many land bridges for wildlife to safely cross the highway.

"Oh Canada" Day 4

Tuesday, June 21

We woke up to rain so I thought it was going to be a soggy, cold day of sightseeing. Surprisingly, by the time we had breakfast and puttered around getting our essentials together, the sun had come out. We took advantage and did a short little hike by the campground to see the fantastic scenery and some hoodoos (rock formations). 

The little town of Banff is similar to Vail and other ski towns and just as busy! Actually, it is less busy as it will be soon because Canadian schools are still in session. We walked all over town and out to the famous Banff hotel, The Fairmount.   It is in the same spot as the original hotel built in the 1800's and the outside looks like a castle. Although fancy, they still welcomed Maggie to come inside and snoop around with us. We then followed the trail along the Bow river with its beautiful  turquoise water and powerful Bow Falls, back to town. 

After lunch we visited the Cave and Basin which is the site of the first hot springs discovery that resulted in the creation of the Banff - the first National Park in Canada. You can't swim there now because they are protecting the little snails that live there and that are essential to the ecosystem. 

Since the weather was cooperating and it wasn't raining, we decided to take the Gondola up the mountain to take in the views. Maggie got to go but she was not quite sure if she liked it. She really didn't  like what happened next. No sooner did we exit the Gondola, but a storm came over the mountain and it poured rain and small hail! There was no shelter because the observation building is under construction so Don, Maggie, and I huddled under a small roof overhang with 10 of our new BFF's from China! It  was miserable. We waited it out and when the mass Gondola exodus died down we boarded to go back down. The weather was fine at the bottom but it looked like they did get some rain.

After all of this we needed some healing waters so we visited the Upper Hot Springs and enjoyed a delightful soak to unwind from the day.

Fairmount Hotel

An amazing view from the hotel

Bow river

Cave and Basin

Riding the Gondola

Rainbow end to a fun day!

"Oh Canada" Day 3

Monday, June 20, 2016

We were up early today to get on the road for our final journey into Canada. We were only a few miles away from the border and I was sure that we were in for a thorough search when they saw...1. We were from that weed loving state Colorado and 2. We were hauling a big trailer. Well, I was surprised that after

answering just a few questions, we were through! No search and they didn't even ask for Maggie's papers! I guess it was a good thing that we left our Grateful Dead t-shirts at home! We met up with one of Don's work associates who lives in Calgary, for lunch and then arrived at our campsite in the Banff National Park mid- afternoon. 

We are boondocking which means we have no hookups- no electricity, no water,no cable(!) Actually, it is quite peaceful this way and the campsites are a little more scenic and not right next to your neighbors. We haven't done this in awhile so Don and I have some things to get used to. For instance, we will have to dust off the percolator to use in the morning instead of the Mr. Coffee and I have to hang out in the campground bathroom to charge my phone (pathetic- I know!) The weather was

perfect today but I think tomorrow may not be so nice. Regardless, we are going to check out the little town of Banff tomorrow come rain or shine.

"Oh Canada" Day 2

No Service

We traveled 10 hours today - through Idaho and then into Montana. We drove through beautiful countryside along the way including the Idaho side of the  Grand Tetons and lots of farmland. Unfortunately, Don didn't feel that we had the time for him to fish but saw two places which I understand is like the Mecca for fly fishermen/women - Henry's Fork and the Madison rivers in Idaho. It was another day of "No Service"  but at least now we have Internet (somewhat) at the KOA outside Glacier National Park. Tomorrow we head into Canada and I doubt that we will have Internet or phones which is quite frankly giving me the shakes! Going off the grid is not easy for this iPad, iPhone, iWatch girl! I guess it will be good for me to not Google, text, call, or Message for a few days.....! I will blog everyday and post when I can so stay tuned. 

Fun Fact: We drove through another Boulder today - Boulder, Montana population 1,298. I guess our pioneers were fond of the name!

 

 Our view from our campsite tonight. It was chilly but we still got ice cream and believe it or not, this photo was taken at 9:30pm!

"Oh Canada!" 30 Year Anniversary Trip Day 1

We're off on our anniversary trip to Alberta Canada with the Tajma- Haul. We had smooth sailing through Wyoming where the antelope roam...but not our phones! Apparently Sprint does not know that Wyoming exists because we had "No Service" all day until we arrived in Jackson this evening. Oh well, it is comforting to know that the world kept revolving without us being connected! We are camped right outside the Jackson Hole ski resort and it is very scenic here with the Grand Tetons surrounding us.  This RV Resort has several cute little cabins that I can imagine are very popular during the ski season - too bad it's so far away. Tomorrow we push on to Idaho and Montana. Don thinks there may be fishing in his future......

Fun Fact: There is a Boulder, Wyoming - population 75!

  Cute cabins

 Ski area is in the background

 Nice night to dine "out"!