Highlights of Kelowna

Enroute to Kelowna we drove through some desert like areas as we neared the Okanagan. The diversity of this landscape is phenomenal as you can see from other entries.


Day One -while the Lord of the manor was in the ballroom....we did our own dancing around school books in the a.m. and the Heritage Museum in the afternoon. We discovered Knox Mountain to view Lake Okanagan. If your eyesight is good you might even see Ogopogo, the sea monster who presumably lives in the lake - ask Peter, he saw it!

Lake Okanagan with logging bays in the harbour...

Proof that we reached the Apex, frozen puddles!
Another view, northwest of the very long Lake Okanagan

Day Two - after a morning of homeschooling we continued our education at the Orchard Museum and Military Museums before heading out to Vancouver and seeing spectacular sights enroute. We drove through fall and winter conditions numerous times as we reached elevations ranging from 2,000 - 5,000 feet through mountain passes and canyons. God's mighty hand in creation is very evident to us as we discover more of this beautiful province.

Highlights of Vancouver

We had two days in Vancouver and so much to see! So we narrowed our choices from sheer entertainment to educational and fun. Here's what we did:

Day One - after a swim in the hotel pool, we took a drive up the northwest shore of the city to the Museum of Anthropology at UBC.

Here we saw First Nations, Haida art and totems; original carvings by Bill Reid, famous Haida artist. The Haida people live on the Queen Charlotte Islands and build their homes on the beach with totems at the entrances. If you look in the background of the first picture you will see a Haida house outdoors with a totem -this was brought to the museum from the Islands.


Knight Gideon assists the bear with whales in it's mouth...
....not sure whose fiercer!

Two monkeys or knights...we could have quite a totem at our entranceway!

The afternoon was spent at Telus Science World where the opportunity for the study of the workings of the body, nature and water were enjoyed....

Above the knights play "A Most Eggcellent Adventure" video in the Body Works exhibit - the goal? direct the "tadpoles up the channel to meet an egg"! Amazing how video games mesmerize even when the understanding is not present. Well, I guess years from now during Human anatomy 101 I'll be able to say remember when we were at Science World......

A frog? A prince? no its Knight Gideon. The nature exhibit at Telus Science World was hands on with opportunity to climb, to touch a beaver pelt, to sit in a cedar tree dugout.

Daming the waterways to observe the course of water was of interest to these mote guardians.

Day Two - after a swim in the hotel pool (enjoyed by all), we went to the Vancouver Art Gallery and were delighted to see many of Emily Carr's works as well as members of the Group of Seven. These artists goal was to show Canada's geography from coast to coast. Google Emily Carr to enjoy her works and those of the Group of Seven.

The highlight for all the boys was the Vancouver Aquarium. Sea turtles, anenomes, urchins and beluga whales! Amazing colour and texture in this part of God's creation.

We had a wonderful stay at the Fairmont Hotel -very posh (room rate $400/night, hopefully the town got a good deal!) and the lady of the manor was able to resist having a "Chocolate Massage" at the Spa (for the mere price of $300!). We did however have a few wonderful meals - great seafood at the hotel the night before the Aquarium and the best Italian I've ever had was at Don Fransceco Restaurant -try it if you're in Vancouver sometime!

Firsts at the castle...

Lord Albert used a statuatory holiday to demolish the d.r. wall and open it to the kitchen....
Now awaiting the electrician so the studs can be removed.



November 15th - first snowfall here..... the knights were outside by 8:30a.m.!
...today we received 3-4 inches!

More birthday gifts!

Sometimes the wrapping of a gift is more of an attraction than the gift!


Here's the snake....

which shouldn't contend with such a cute kitty (thanks Oma F)!
Thanks Scottie, Judy and Tony for the Thomas activity book. It's completed as of today (within a month this little knight devoured it!).