Hiking the Skyline Trail in Jasper, Alberta

We're slowly heading east and enjoyed a four day stop in Jasper National Park, Alberta to hike the Skyline Trail.  The scenery was beautiful and the boys were fantastic at hiking with all their stuff through the Canadian Rockies.  The weather was hot but we also enjoyed clear blue skies every day.  We camped three nights on the trail - Evelyn Creek, Snowbowl, and Tekarra.  With so many beautiful vistas, I had to add a few pic's...

 Hiking up the Notch, the highest pass of the trip.

 Travelling through beautiful valleys

 Alex heading down before going up, up, up (see the trail in the background going up the Notch?)

 Beautiful glacier fed lakes along the way.

 Another pose at another "summit", this time with stunning views of the Rockies all around.

 Zach's SHALE throw

Alex always loves finding fun in the mountain streams.  This was the one flowing past our last camp.

West Coast - Back in Canada and spending time in BC

We've been back in Canada for a month now and have spent it here on Vancouver Island, in BC.  Our trip up to Alaska and the Yukon has been put on hold for a few summers as we wanted to spend more time with family here on the west coast for this summer.  We've had some great times camping up in Cape Scott and along the north of the Island, surfing in Tofino, sailing, and enjoying the beaches!  I've attached some pictures of our month.  Tomorrow we head to Nelson, back to our favourite place, Revelstoke, and on to Jasper for some backcountry hiking and camping.  Our plan is to return to Ontario by early August.

 Zach playing around on the beaches.  We loved camping on Malcolm Island.

 Long beach walks up in Cape Scott.

 Cape Scott

 Camping on the beach north of Campbell River

  Alex catching the wind.

 Zach enjoying the ride to one of many islands Scott and Sandi took us to on their sailboat.

 Swimming from the boat - flips and jumps!

 Alex takes a turn at being Skipper (with the other Skipper keeping close watch)

 Relaxing with Aunt Sandi

 The three cousins in Tofino tackling the waves...hang loose!

 Megan ripping it up

 Zach was up most of the time riding the waves in...or, making an early exit

 Alex mastering the west coast surf

 2 bros

 Dave and Jose

 Cousins!

 Enjoying campfires on the beach

Beautiful Tofino sunsets over the Pacific

Pictures from China

 In Shanghai, Alex is holding up the biggest of the skyscrapers.

 The Shanghai skyline by the Bund

 Getting off the high speed train in Beijing...a fast ride!

 Shopping in Beijing in the hutongs

 At the Olympic Park - The Bird's Nest

 Zach flying around in the "hamster ball" rolling around

 Outside the gate at Taimenman Square

 Alex eating a "delicacy", Scorpion on a stick.

 Future Olympic swimmers outside the Water Cube at the Olympic Park

 Zach trying a scorpion as well.

The end of the Kung Fu show at the Red Theatre

 Alex with his new kite, ready to fly while visiting the Temple of Heaven

 Our group as we travel to the Great Wall of China

 A beautiful day at the summer palace

 Travelling around Beijing style

 Our favourite foods - hot pot

 Where else?  We walked past the big crowds to some quieter spots on the Great Wall

 Travelling around Beijing on the subway - Alex's awesome China hat

 Going to the Forbidden City

 Zach and Alex taking a break on the Great Wall

The best night out - street food outside our apartment!