Canadian Rockies

We finished our trip in the Great White North by flying from Winnipeg to Calgary, and spending a few days in the Canadian Rockies.  We've been there in the summer, and it is amazing - but somehow it's even more beautiful in the winter.



A foggy Lake Louise



Castle Mountain



Mount Rundle, just outside of Banff



Jennifer burning off some excess energy at Lake Louise

Happy Thanksgiving - Polar Bear Bloopers

We hope everyone in the US is enjoying Thanksgiving - we are celebrating up in Canada, and remembering a few polar bear blooper shots....



Can you come out and play?



You can't see me.....

Polar Bear close encounters

We had an amazing time with the bears.  They are intelligent, curious, adaptable, strong, beautiful & particularly well suited for the arctic climate.  Let's hope we don't push the limits of their adaptability.



A very clean female coming to check us out at the lodge



We were lined up inside the fence, and she made repeated trips to see us.  She was probably 3 feet away from us here



Another pass



Earlier in the morning, a male came close and hung out



Bear number 2 smells the approach of a 3rd bear


After a brief grumpy exchange, the bear in the foreground drove the 3rd bear away



Then it was time for a rest by the fence, in front of the dining room



Followed by checking the humans out behind the fence....

More Northern Lights

We were treated to another nighttime light show!

Polar Bear on parole

This morning we had a polar bear visit our lodge area.  He had recently been released from the Polar Bear jail in Churchill.  The guides said that he was very comfortable with the lodge and guests, and was probably a visitor of the area last year - and probably around 5 years old.

We enjoyed following him around and taking his mug shot.

Northern Lights

We were treated to a light show last night.  No polar bear sightings today, but plenty of red foxes and beautiful scenery.



Some red to go with the dominant green color



It was one big band across the sky - here's looking over Hudson Bay



Sunrise colors in the ice early this morning



Mr Fox watches his shadow



Getting warm in the sun



Don't show Jenn's mom this picture!

Polar Bears!

High winds in Churchill caused a delay in our day getting to the lodge to see the polar bears.  High winds meant the small planes were grounded - eventually we were moved over to helicopters and made it before sundown.

We had enough time to get a few pictures...

Seattle Stormy Rainbows

A big hail storm rolled through Seattle this afternoon including rare thunder & lightning.  It was immediately followed by the most intense rainbow we've ever seen.

Looking north towards Kenmore



Rainbow slice with falling rain



Looking east towards Juanita/Kirkland



Rainbow emerges from a storm cloud

More from Greece

We are home now, catching up on the remaining photos from the trip.


Night-time very wide angle view of the caldera.  You can see the volcano shape - and it's 1,000 feet down to the water from the patio.



Old windmills in the town of Oia



Another view of Oia, from a different direction


One of the few evenings with clouds in the sky



Watercolor sky



Sunset meets night-time stars



Old Window

Greek Churches

One of the beautiful elements of the Greece experience for us was the ever-present, traditional Greek Orthodox churches.  Here are a few of our favorite church photos from our time in Greece.

Update from Greece

Greece continues to delight.....


Beautiful post-sunset colors with the setting crescent moon


Another day - this time with the stars coming out


Dreamy post-sunset colors with some clouds and haze


The big dipper over the island


Jennifer while hiking by the lighthouse


Fun local taverna handpainted sign


Awww, a sunset photo of the happy couple!