You and Me and… a Bear named Boo

Condos in Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
June 2019

This blog will age me and yes, I remember Lobo’s music. I grew up in a family that traveled most summers, and my parents subscribed to the theory you better understand history and geography if you see and absorb it.  In reality; they just want to get us out of our remote isolated community for everyone’s sanity, anything else was a plus! 

Summer 2019, my husband and I did a road trip through parts of British Columbia and Alberta.  I had traveled as a child and adult through out both provinces; him not so much. A friend recommended Golden as a place to stay.  I researched and decided I liked several rentals in Kicking Horse Mountain Resort just outside of Golden.  IMHO a "Brilliant Decision" (he does agree and has invoked editor rights for this blog).

Golden,  BC
Directions to Kicking Horse Mountain Resort.

Golden is a fantastic base for exploring hiking trails, mountain climbing, mountain biking, white water rafting (May-July), world-class skiing, snowboarding, cross country skiing and snowshoeing, along with waterfalls, lakes, and various heritage sites; so basically, it’s a great outdoor activities base regardless of season. The Kicking Horse Pass Resort is 13 km up the mountain from Golden; or in others words the ski resort area of Golden.  We visited in a “shoulder season”, so restaurants and bars at the resort were on reduced hours or not opened.  We primarily dined in at our rental condo with a few evenings in Golden. 

Surrounded by six incredible Canadian National Parks; Golden served as our gateway to visit them; specifically, Revelstoke, Yoho, Glacier, Banff and Jasper (Kootenay was visited from another locale).  The drive to the Columbia Icefields (Jasper) made for a long day, but that was really the only one. 

Boo June 2019

Our rental was perfect for the two of us, a one-bedroom condo with washer and dryer and a private hot tub on the patio.  We could not have asked for more except maybe a softer mattress!  The icing on the cake to staying in Golden and unknown to us until we arrived, is the Kicking Horse Grizzly Bear Refuge which is in the Kicking Horse Mountain Resort. This is the largest enclosed and protected grizzly bear habitat in the world and is home to Boo.  Boo was born in the wild with his mother being shot and killed by a poacher in June 2002, leaving Boo and his brother, Cari, orphaned and defenseless at just five months of age. They were given a second lease on life and a new home at the Kicking Horse Grizzly Bear Refuge.  Alas Cari died but Boo is a thriving Grizzly you can visit.  Just make sure to confirm the schedule as it is not open to the public for more than 4 or 5 hours per day during the spring, summer and fall seasons. 

Golden for us will always be about “You and Me and A bear named Boo”.  Although we saw several grizzlies in the wild, the highlight of this trip will always be Boo.  Finally, the Eagle’s Eye Restaurant at the Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is worth a visit; if only for the breath taking views. 

Boo Playing in his Pool

Mountain Bikers heading up Kicking Horse Mountain 

Road to Kicking Horse Mountain Resort

Golden BC Outdoor Playground; Road to Kicking Horse Mountain Resort

Kicking Horse Pedestrian Bridge

Reflection Lake, Golden BC

Video Compilation of Boo Clips

The following web sites are excellent resources for information on Golden BC and the Kicking Horse Mountain Resort.

https://www.tourismgolden.com/

https://kickinghorseresort.com/

https://kickinghorseresort.com/purchase/boo-grizzly-bear/

https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/culture/spm-whs/sites-canada/sec02h

Mixed Emotions

Beaumont Hamel Newfoundland Memorial
Beaumont Hamel , France
Canadian National Historic Site

July 1st is a day of celebration in Canada; it is our national holiday marking the anniversary of Confederation in 1867, when the British North America Act came into effect. Like all Canadians, I joyfully celebrate Canada Day with pride.  But as a Newfoundlander, this day marks an additional and more solemn anniversary; Memorial Day marks the anniversary of the Battle of Beaumont Hamel on the first day of the Somme Offensive during the World War 1 (July 1, 1916).  This anniversary predates Newfoundland’s joining Canada, when Newfoundland was a dominion of the British Empire.  

As I sit here and listen to the pouring rain on this Canada Day, I can’t help but remember the 2018 girl’s trip; a driving tour of Belgium and France.  A stop at Beaumont Hamel wasn’t discussed per say as we just knew it would happen.  Upon arriving after 15.5 hours of travel from Canada, a 4.5-hour time change coupled with 2 hours in customs at Charles de Gaulle Airport, we excitedly went to pick up our rental vehicle.  Que le plaisir commence!! 

Well, not so fast ladies! Our rental agent decides the vehicle we rented; a SUV was going to be too big for what we needed.  He spent the next hour to no avail trying to find us a smaller vehicle. By this time, I must admit I am convinced we rented a Bus!   We finally get out to the vehicle, said SUV, which supposedly could hold up to 8 passengers.  We stared and kept saying, “are we sure this is the correct vehicle”?  It was!  Oh, and the only way it would hold 8 passengers was if they were Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs, even then it would be a tight fit.  

Beaumont Hamel Newfoundland Memorial

Trail of the Caribou

Engaging the GPS, avoiding flashbacks of “Recalculating is a four-letter word” experiences from Sicily and we are on our way to Beaumont Hamel.  Eventually, we exited as directed by the GPS onto a small paved road.  We travelled several kilometres without seeing another vehicle, coming to an intersection, and continuing as directed; our two-way lane quickly became a paved cart path.  Yikes!  All I could think was hopefully we had better not meet vehicles along this path.  Of course, we did; one.  A few kilometres more and we arrive at the end of the said cart path in Beaumont Hamel, where we are greeted by a sign with directions to the Beaumont Hamel Newfoundland Memorial.  I can safely say Prime Minister Trudeau and his entourage did not travel our route in July 2016.  The route we travelled to Beaumont Hamel generated a lot of laughter and more than a few flashbacks to our travels in Sicily.  

One of the trenches at Beaumont Hamel

Beaumont Hamel Newfoundland Memorial is a memorial to all the Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who fought in WWI, including those who have no known grave. The whole site is a cemetery and should be remembered as such.  It is one of only two Canadian National Historic Sites outside Canada: Vimy Memorial is the other.  I am not sure how to describe Beaumont Hamel except as a haunting symbol of remembrance to both human courage and resolve, as well as, arrogance and stupidity.  Beaumont-Hamel is stunning and extremely thought provoking, bearing the scars of trench warfare to this day.  It remains essentially an “untouched" battlefield where the original trench lines, artillery shell craters and the remains of barbed-wire barriers are still visible, softened only by the passage of time. The monument of the great bronze caribou, the emblem of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, stands atop a cairn of Newfoundland granite on the highest point overlooking the former battlefield. The stunning caribou sculpture is facing its former foe with head thrown high in defiance. At the base of the statue, three bronze tablets bear the names of more than 800 Newfoundlanders (the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, the Newfoundland Royal Naval Reserve and the Mercantile Marines) who died in the war and have no known grave.

So, for myself and most Newfoundlanders, July 1st is a day of mixed emotions.  One of pride and joy as well as sadness and sorrow; and now it has also become a day to remember the start of another great adventure with good friends.  

Bronze Caribou at Beaumont Hamel (British sculptor Captain Basil Gotto)
Emblem of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment

The following web sites are excellent resources for information on the Beaumont Hamel Newfoundland Memorial:

https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/memorials/overseas/first-world-war/france/beaumonthamel

https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/history/first-world-war/fact_sheets/beaumont-hamel

Vibrant, Colourful and Noisy

Tunnel along Regent's Canal

A visually arresting destination is non-negotiable to any photographer; amateur or pro. Details really don't matter if there's no story behind it. In reality the best photographs and memories are made by going exploring, and get off the beaten tourist path because getting lost on purpose or by accident is a photographer's joy, even when at home. Ask me to describe London using just words it would be familiar, different, contrasts, similarities, poverty, wealth, uppity, welcoming, exclusive, inclusive, knowledge, ignorance, new, old and so very much more;  all combine to paint a portrait of a grand old dame. So as multiple time visitor who didn't want to see and photography the "postcard" London this trip, where does one go for a low key day with photography possibilities: well to area of London that is a real feast for the eyes, unique, kinda quirky and ultimately eclectic. All of which can be summed up in one word....Camden.  

Hip, edgy, gritty, eclectic, grungy, fun, alternative...these words and more only scratch the surface when describing the one of a kinda collection of food stalls, vendors and shops found at the market at Camden lock and area. This is indeed a photographers paradise.  So much to see, so much to photograph. My visit was a fantastic experience! To be blunt I loved it; it was vibrant, colourful, noisy and fragrant!  Next visit to London will definitely include another Camden visit.  This time on my schedule to browse some more and maybe shop a bit.  Oh and yes most definitely to take a few more snaps, hopefully with a bit more blue in the sky.  

Engrossed!

The Gaze

All Dressed Up With No Place To Go!

Say Cheese! 

Ouch!  

Dragon Medusa

New Rock Boots

Fancy Fidgets

Maybe, Then Again Maybe Not! 

Panama Hats

Horse Tunnel Market

Brothers

Lock Workers

Shoe Store

Another Shoe Store

Tattoo Parlour

Another Tattoo Parlour

Burritos, No not Mexican but Korean.  

Camden Lock

A Good Photograph is Knowing Where to Stand

Peeking at Bridge of Sighs
with Marco Secchi

Photography is essentially documenting a point in time by producing your artistic interpretation of it (emphasis on your). Good photography requires patience, dedication, creativity, good luck, and a lot of hard work. The advent of digital photography (as well as social media) has not changed that, all it has really done is open new doors with promises of instant gratification, numerous shortcuts and the ability to click away at no additional cost thereby increasing the likelihood of a good shot. But is that good photography; well yes and no, and really that depends the intent of your photograph. Digital photography has made photography more fun and available to the masses. Many of my personal favourites are from family and friends sharing a special moment from their day. They make me smile and wish I was there, which was their intended purpose.

Ha'Penney Bridge, Dublin Photo Tour 

Digital photography means almost everyone carries a camera (cell phone cameras are cameras) and that is definitely true for travellers. Therefore the growth and proliferation of Photography Tours was a natural progression of this reality. Photography tours can range for several hours to photo adventure vacations, tend to be comprised of relatively small groups and are for all levels of photographers. The concept can be appealing: travel around with a pro photographer who can show you all the great places to shoot.

Barcelona Building Facade with Stefano Markovina
Centre de Cultura Contemporania de Barcelona

Now, I am an enthusiastic amateur with good knowledge of my camera gear so doing a day (or half day) photo tour is not about enhancing my camera skills per say, rather it is about working with a professional photographer who can suggest alternate venues to visit and photograph other than the traditional tourist sites. This is not for everyone but remember local photographers are extremely knowledgeable about both photography and their locale. Ansel Adams stated "A good photograph is knowing where to stand” and local photographers know where to stand. The upside to doing a day or half day photo tour is that they are significantly less expensive than workshop or vacation photography tours, and these photographers definitely know all the off-the-beaten-path shooting locations. A big plus is you can schedule the rest of your trip around your time and other interests.

The Eiffel Tower
with William Lounsbury

When hiring a local photographer, make sure they know exactly what you want to photograph. I tend to send them links to my blog and Flickr site, as well as any for my travel companions who will be taking the tour with me. This gives them an idea of the skill levels and interests.  Furthermore as the group size is limited (usually 4 or less at a fixed rate), this is a cost effective private tour focused on your interests. Be prepared to walk and use public transport.  No chauffeured rides for these type of tours. The best ones will schedule tours for the best light conditions; early mornings, dusk or night. It really is all about the light. Ultimately working with a professional results in some great photographs and yes, the bonus is you will always learn a thing or two about photography!  So here's to taking a good photography by knowing where to stand...and a little help does go a long way especially when one has time constraints.

Venice Photography Tour (with Marco Secchi)

A gentleman who knows and loves Venice (http://www.marcosecchi.com/).  During his tour, Marco suggested several places to visit to us based on our interests and that definitely helped make this trip memorable.  This was the first Photography Tour I took and he is the reason I try to book one in most cities because the experience was so great.  

Sunrise over The Grand Canal

Piazza San Marco - Up Before the Birds! 

Bridge of Sighs - A Little Different Perspective

Sprucing up - Venetian Facades

Paris Night Photography Tour (William Lounsbury)  

I wanted to do some night photos in Paris but I was by myself.  I figure it was safer to do a night tour with a photographer (https://www.wlounsbury.com/about/).  Great decision.  I got some great photos despite it being a fairly breezy night.

Louvre Pyramid

Taxi!  

The Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile
Sometimes it's the right location but due to a variety of circumstances it's the wrong time for the perfect tourist photo.  

 

Barcelona Photography Tour (Stefan Politi Markovina) 

The photography tour we did with Stefan (https://www.stefanopolitimarkovina.com/) focused on area surrounding Las Ramblas particularly the El Raval Neighbourhood.

This mural "Together We Can Stop AIDS" by Keith Haring was done in 1989 in Barcelona’s notoriously drug-infested Barrio del Chino. In the mid-90’s, the mural was disintegrating, so a tracing was made, and the mural was transferred to an outdoor wall at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Barcelona (2014).

Alone! 

Statue in Plaza Catalunya with Hotel Barcelona in the background

La Boqueria Market

Dublin Photography Tour  (Darren McLoughlin)

This was a great tour which started out with street or urban art near our hotel that we would never have found.  Darren's knowledge about both Dublin and photography made this tour worthwhile and totally enjoyable (www.darrenmcloughlin.com).  Add in some great tourist attractions and it was a day well spent.  The Street art was so fascinating on this tour that I did a blog specifically about it. https://sandrawhiteway.blogspot.ca/2015/11/the-medium-is-message.html .  

Chapel Royal and Record Tower, Dublin Castle

St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin

The Morrigan, a Celtic Deity by Friz at Tivoli Theatre Car Park.

London Photography Tour (with Andrei Botnaru)  

Our Photography Tour with Andrei (http://www.andreibotnari.com/) was booked through Aperture Tours and they will design a tour specifically for you as it is a private tour.  They recognize that not everyone wants to shoot the tourist attractions.  We went to Kentish and Camden Town areas and had a blast.   

Meeting in Progress!  Do Not Disturb.

Grand Union Walk Townhouses
Built in 1988 to a design by the renowned architect Sir Nicholas Grimshaw.

Bucks Head Roof Garden (Buck Street, Camden)