Four Weddings And A Kayak

As my long-awaited exam came and went with much blood, sweat, and tears, I know it is now time to perform my next sworn duty, blogging. Since I am now in a position where I can spend a few moments sharing, let’s talk about Calgary.

On May long weekend, I had the distinct pleasure of hopping on an aircraft and whisking off to Calgary to enjoy their balmy breezes and solider a wedding excursion up to Banff (also pronounced “Ban-fa-fa-fa” courtesy of Ed Harder). And so, out from Abbotsford, I flew.






Mount Baker



I’ve arrived! So my Sis picked my up and we headed back to her apartment in her car with no AC. That was the weekend of intense, deathly heat, so I, naturally, nearly died. Or just complained a lot. That evening my sister had some stuff to do, so I called up Brett to find out if Calgary could afford a bit of trouble created by our meeting.



We decided that our haunt for the night would be the patio at Ouzo, a Greek restaurant. We had a very nice waiter who referred to Brett as “honey” and “sweetie”. Or at least, I’m pretty sure that’s how it went down. We ordered a platter of ancient Greek delicacies and set about verbally destroying everything we could think of.



We sat there for a while…





..it was funny. You had to be there, I guess.

The next day we were out for an early breakfast with the Bride’s wedding party and family at Cora’s. My sister and I both spilled things, I think, and then it was off to do some shopping before getting in our little racecar and heading out of the city to Ban-fa-fa-fa.


This leads me to believe my Mother is living a parallel existence in Calgary as a real estate agent. You’d think one would pick something slightly more exciting.


Coooooooooool runnings!


Ugh. So (temperature) hot.






Poor Sis had to wear sunglasses on top of her glasses because she has a bum eye. Sniff sniff.


Sahara-ish









After a round of Spice Girls tunes, we arrived at our lodge only severely sweatier than when we left.





This is Buffalo Mountain Lodge. It was quite a nice little luxe spot for us to spend our May long weekend.


This is our cabin.


This is Sis, two minutes after arriving, unpacked and tuning in to watch “Free Willy”.


Our balcony


The fireplace we didn’t use.


My bed

After a dinner adventure into the town and picking up some wine and chocolate, we headed back for a bit of relaxation before heading to the Steph and Mark’s (Bride & Groom) room to drink said wine and other beverages of choice.




View from Steph and Mark’s room


Their massive bathroom that came fully stocked with a bottle of Tums.


Party people


Erin’s party cup




Just to remind you that we are still in Ban-fa-fa-fa


The fire inside


More party people

After spending more time on the balcony and admiring the glorious fire built by Gordner, I called it a night.







The next day, we headed into the town for a girls’ lunch at Earls before the wedding preparations were underway.






Sis, Kelly and I


Lynette and Steph (the bride)

Before the wedding, Sis and Kelly decided to partake in the hottub while I did some interneting.



Soon it was time for the late-afternoon wedding in the meadow, so we got ready and off we went.










The crazy cellist






The gorgeous bride!














Kelly, Gordner and Sis in the post-wedding heat.





Soon, we were reception-bound in search of food. We hit the open bar early and started into the appetizers while dying for a breeze through the open patio doors. Ah, the first (and apparently last) taste of summer.










I love food pictures









After a laaate night for Sis, she was up bright and early to join in on the group breakfast in the main lodge. Dericious!









After stuffing ourselves once more, we decided to check out and partake in the hottub once more before heading out for the day’s adventures.






I love how I’m so white that I blend right into the background. Actually, I don’t really love that.



After bidding goodbye to the wedding people and wishing Steph and Mark a glorious week in Jamaica, Sis and I decided we’d combat the other hundreds of wedding-goers in Banff that weekend to try to make our way to the Bow River for some kayaking. As Sis had never kayaked before, I was in for some interesting comments, although I didn’t know it at the time…






The self-proclaimed “Masterful kayaker” in action.


(You always have to include the tip of the front of your kayak in each shot so people know you were there and are cool/adventurous/etc)


I saw this expression a lot that day


Here we are, on our way to being lost in the barrens.


Looming storm


And then it was sunny.


And then it was stormy again.


Here is Sis regaling to me about how they are going to find our bodies lost in these fields of water and burnt-out trees in the foot of water beneath our kayaks.






Stormy? Sunny? It cannot decide.


Gotta love Necky-lass kayaking.









After two hours of being schooled in “masterful kayaking”, we scooted into shore and made our way out of Ban-fa-fa-fa and onwards toward Calgary. That night it was more fun and education with my old buddy B-Malio, getting hit up by bums downtown wanting money. The next day, my last in Calgary, Sis and I shopped before heading out for a night of eating at the Keg and this insane dessert place where the waitress was quite a B.

The next day I busted out of Calgary early as I had to work at lunch back here in good old British Columbia. That’s me…such a jet-setting B. No big deal.


Ja…mata ne?

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