Pictures of a vacation - 07.16.99 - 07.31.99

Ah, the three words everyone loves to hear: Two weeks off. Images from the western provinces grace these pages. The plan was originally to visit the places that were missed last year; unfortunately, Qu'Appelle Valley in Saskatchewan -- which, I hear, is perfectly gorgeous -- has this thing about not actually being where the map says it is (that or I can't follow directions. I, however, am adamant about the former explanation). I did make it to most of the other planned destinations, as well as some unplanned places. The first few days involved Cypress Hills in Saskatchewan (note to all: It is where the map says it is), Medicine Hat, Drumheller (Dinosaur Country!) and Edmonton (my god...the Waterpark in West Edmonton Mall! Go there! Now! Frolic! It rules). Anyway, the roll of the first couple days has disappeared (ya, but whatdyagonnado?). And now, onwards and upwards!

Right across from the bridge is this baby! A full 104 steps of vertical pumpitude. It resides in front of a large parking lot, where you pay to park, as the idea is, you go up these stairs and partake of whatever mysterious fun is up there. So I went up there. There's more streets, houses and sidewalks. Anticlimacticism at its finest. The stairs look cool, though!

The Calgary Zoo is actually pretty cool. As you can see, the steady diet of hay gives them a wonderous variety to tantalise their tastebuds. Also, I see them spit at the zoo feeder a lot. Go figure.

Having a seven-foot neck requires a lot of stretching, I hear.

This was in a very low-light situation, with a high-calibre zoom (300mm) and no tripod, so there's a bit of a blur. Next time, Mr. Tripod comes with me.

Most of us feel like this at one time or another: You just want to sleep but the kids won't leave you alone. I'd say it's time for this one to start charging rent.

Oh, if you want to email me, I'm all eyes.