Settling in Banff.

22nd February 2013 saw the start of a very fast paced moving in process. As the sun raised high up into the sky we packed our bags for the last time in a while and got a bus from Canmore to Banff. On arriving into Banff we had a meeting with our new landlords, signed all papers and received our keys for our new house in the centre of Banff National Park.

Mt Rundle (9650ft) Will tackle once ice has disappeared. 

After unpacking our bags fully! for the first time since we arrived in Canada we started to look around and get a homely feel to our new place. Later on that afternoon we headed to the local library to print our some cv's and get stuck into the job hunting. Little did I know when I walked into 'North Face' to hand in my cv I would be having a interview 3 hours later. On walking out of the interview I had secured what you might call a dream job? Working in store with the latest outdoor and running products and taking running groups out onto the trails and mountains through out the summer months. Perfect! 

Enjoying a bit of XC Skiing.

The following few days consisted of plenty of running and hiking around the local snowy trails & mountains to explore the area. This week has also seen a several first's for us both. Started off by XC Skiing the spray river trial I have previously done this several years ago but It was Gem's first time ever. We both really enjoyed the experience and will definitely be doing it again. Gem also tried out a yoga lesson at our local lululemon store she enjoyed the experience and it will now become a regular fixture. We also went to our first bootcamp session at our local leisure centre to be put through our paces!

Gem on a run! 

Our eventful week was rounded off with a free chocolate bar each when we paid our rent for the following month it made both of our days, sometimes it's the small things that count. 

Thanks for reading

Paul & Gemma x

Paul checking out a local trail. 

Exploring the Rockies

Near enough everyday we have been exploring and discovering new trails here in the Rockies whether it be running or hiking the weather has been unusually warm here at the moment and even today as I'm typing its been snowing all day and is forecasted for another ten inches over night it still is pleasant tho. I'm much preferring the snow to the ice!

Bumped into a Coyote on one of our little runs.

We are currently based in Canmore which is about twenty minutes down the road from Banff the town is slightly more spread out than Banff but both are beautiful places with lots of trails to explore so it keeping us both busy and happy. The first night being in Canmore Paul found an advert online for a room to rent in a house in Banff which excepted couples which is rare to come across so less than 24 hours of leaving Banff we were back to see the property and sign the papers! To say it was eventful 24hours would be an understatement but all worth it. Looking forward to moving in and not having to pack my bag up so often!

Rescue helicopter. 

On one of our walks the other day up Mount Lady McDonald trail got shortened due to a rescue mission a paraglider had crashed into the side of the mountain and had to be airlifted to hospital! At the actual time of the rescue mission which we got caught in the middle of we didn't actually know what had happened and it got the adrenaline going with mountain rescue, ambulances, police cars , park rangers and a helicopter surrounding us!

We also took a day trip to Calgary also known as cowboy city which is the closest city to the Rockies and is just over an hour away from where we are currently located. It was a short but sweet day of exploring the city the locals are friendly and the city is well connected so it allowed us to get a good feel of the area which was helpful as we are looking to do the Calgary marathon later on in the year.

View before a heavy snow fall. 

So far the canadian lifestyle seems to be suiting us both and we are looking forward to settling down in the same location for a while its family day here tomorrow so will be interesting to see what Canmore has to offer

Paul enjoying the fresh snow this morning.

Thanks for reading
Gemma & Paul x

The Rockies adventure starts...

After a very very long 3 day bus journey from Ottawa to Banff we had finally arrived in the Canadian Rockies, a long life dream of ours. To be able to run and explore in some of the most amazing and famous set of mountains in the world.

As we had been stuck on the bus for so long we decided to take a stroll to take in our new surroundings and look at potential jobs and accommodation whilst we were doing this we bumped into some of Banffs local wildlife Elks. Banff is also home to deer, black bears, cougars and grizzly Bears , I wonder how many of these we will spot hopefully non of the latter too close!

Which one first???

Less than 24hours of being here we decided to have a little hike up 'Sulphur Mountain' standing at 8,140ft high. The weather was great very cool but the sun was beaming, with little cloud in the sky. On reaching the top we were over come by how breath taking the views were all around us, stunning doesn't even come close! With unusual high temperatures around at the moment a lot of the snow on the grounds had gone but it made the snow peak tops on the mountains stand out even more. We both just stood there for a couple of minutes taking it all in. As it was our first day here we decided not to do too much at once and started to head to back to the village of Banff where we are staying for the mean time. 3 hours after starting we were up, down and in the local coffee shop warming back up on a nice warm hot chocolate.

Enjoying the natural hot springs.

With so much to in and around this area I don't think we are going to be stuck for things to do at any minute of each day. Today we decided to have a relaxing morning and have a soak in some of the 100% natural hot springs they have here at Banff. It felt so good on the body, it was so surreal as the air temperature was -19 and the springs were at 40 degrees. It was a great way to get your 'Hot - Cold' treatment.

Later on in the afternoon I noticed free ice climb sessions being given to the general public, well I couldn't just walk past could I? Gemma had said she didn't fancy it but I just had a stomach feeling to give it a go. You only live once right? WOW it was one of the hardest things I have ever done..... My arms were screaming after 5minutes of climbing. But after being on the wall for around 45 minutes it was time to call it a day as my whole body was screaming and the temperatures had plummeted with the heavy snow fall we were having at the time.

Just monkeying around. 

Only a small little update today but we just have so much to do outdoors ;-)

Paul & Gemma x

Top of Sulphur Mountain.

Stunning views from top of Sulphur Mountain.

Ottawa the capitale

So we started our journey towards Ottawa in a winter wonderland. Our 5 hour journey soon turned into 7 hours with the golf ball snowflakes creating mountains around us and turning the road into what looks like white bed sheets.

We seem to have turned over a new leaf in the navigation side of things as we found our hotel first time again! After a long journey and a cold walk to the hotel it was a quick check in and head down..

The next morning we did our usual and went out exploring Ottawa, our first impressions of the city were that it was a very chilled and laid back place. Oh and freezing!! At -24 degrees. On our explore we came across some of the most famous parts of Ottawa all within walking distance from our hotel : The Rideau Canal (The Worlds Largest Ice Skate Rink) and the Byward Market plus Parliament Hill.

Midweek of our stay Ottawa experienced unexpected warmer weather (+3degrees) followed by a night of rain which put a stop to some of our plans of XC Skiing and Snowshowing in Gatineau Park due to a lot of the snow melting.

Rideau Skate Rink.

Friday the 1st of February saw the start of Winterlude (winter festival). And the reopening of the Rideau Canal. So we decided that we would give the ice skating a go while we had the chance. It was going to be Paul's first experience of Ice Staking and as always he went in at the deep end and took on the worlds largest. To his utter shock as he stood on the ice for the first time with skates he suddenly crashed to the ground as his two legs went different ways! (Bambi on Ice had arrived...) 20 minutes after I (and many others passing) had managed to compose myself and stop laughing at Bambi we did actually manage to skate some of the rink before he crashed to the floor once again. Near the end of our time on the rink he had improved slightly and started to get the hang of it. However he did make a new friend with one of the locals on the ice.

Paul's new friend. Serene the Husky.

After a nice warm hot chocolate and some tea it was soon time to get down to the official opening ceremony of Winterlude.... The local park had been transformed into a winter wonder land of activities and ice sculptures. Bambi soon made a reappearance this time in the form of me, as I went to pose for a picture I ended up as a star fish on the ground. (I guess that is what you call karma)

Centre stage saw a mini concert which included local singers, dancers, acrobats and of course the good old speeches from the local mayors etc etc.... Then fireworks and a party to finish the evening off.

One of many ice sculptures.

Our next couple of days here will be filled with on going activities of Winterlude before a 2 and a half day journey up to the Rockies (Banff) for our next part of the adventure.

Gemma and Paul x

Main Stage at the Winterlude Festival.