Update #13 - Tea House Climb

Our eyes opened with excitement before the sun was even up and before long our backpacks were stocked and we were dressed. We quietly kissed the kids good-bye while they slept knowing they were in the safe hands of their grandparents. As we drove towards the Rockies the sun rose behind us slowly revealing the rugged ranges before us. We chatted with anticipation at the day that lay ahead of us. The Tea House Climb had been one we had both wanted to do but were unable to as it was too difficult for the children... and here we were driving towards Lake Louise about to live a small dream. Looking out the window our eyes feasted on the many changing colours of the trees, the odd bit of snow melting and even an elk.
Our arrival was a stark difference to our previous visit to Lake Louise. Being early in the morning, only a few cars scattered the car park. As I stepped out the car, I was hit by the crisp cool air and quickly added another layer of clothes.

And so began our journey....
From the lake you could not see the tea house as it was tucked away up in the ranges only accessible by foot, horseback and in emergencies, helicopters. The journey, although only 3.4km to the top was a tiring one as it only seemed to go up in a steep sort of way. As you walked, you kept hoping that it might just for a moment change gradiant but this was not to be! Despite our puffing and panting (well actually I think that was just me - Howard's fitness is much better than mine since he's been riding to work and back) we continued to talk. Being the only ones on that path and being in bear territory we had to keep the conversation going. A great way to get couples to talk! We finally caught a glimpse of the teahouse (see photo 2 - Look very closely just to the right of the waterfall) as the trees began to clear. Along the way we stopped at "Mirror Lake"(photo 4) which is at the base of the "Beehive" (photo 3). Another kilometer or so and we ahhhed at the waterfall (but could only capture a tinee bit of it on film) and then climbed many a stair and finally the little house stood before us.
Discovering it was not open yet (nothing seems to open in Canada before 10am!) we happily sat on the lake's edge and caught our breath. 

Finally a chap in dreadlocks who looked like he hadn't bathed in days appeared on the balcony and asked if we'd like to order. He was a backpacker from Australia who had been there for the past four weeks. They stay in the cabin and literally earn their bread and butter. We had a good laugh with him and he was very excited to hear a bunch of Aussies. The tea was served in an enamel teapot with a cracked stained old coffee cup. The cake, a bit stale but it all added to the atmosphere. Although, I don't think the two Japanese tourists to the left of me quite had the same sentiments. The decent was a lot easier than the ascent although a bit rough on the legs. We often passed a couple or two and the question was always the same, "(puffing and panting) Is it far to go?" Except one guy had us in stitches with, "Is there (puff) a (pant) doctor (puff) up there? (pant)" He then smiled.
By the time we returned to Lake Louise, it was swarming with tour buses and people. We walked towards the car, our experience almost a dream - although my aching legs reminded me otherwise! It had been a wonderful day.
I've decided to keep our other happenings till next update as I really wanted to be able to share the joy of just that one precious day.
God bless you.
With love,
Howard and Shona Eban.

Update #12 - Folks Arrive

Well this week weather wise has really been like living in Melbourne on steroids! We've gone from the children being amazed that they can make steam come out of their mouths while walking to school all rugged up, to being in shorts and t-shirts, to having rain bucketing down and of course we can't make it through the week without windburn as well! :)
The week has been filled with routine stuff but the highlight by far was the arrival of Howard's parents, Eion and Rosa from Australia. I wished I had captured the moment on film. There were hugs and kisses and more hugs and "I've missed you sooooo much" and more hugs and kisses and boy did my kids talk their poor grandparents' ears off!!! This morning I had to use all my mummy power to keep them out of their grandparents room but eventually I gave in. All you could hear was chatter chatter chatter giggle giggle chatter chatter. Let's hope the novelty wears off or else their grandparents might wear out before their stay is over!


Other news this week is that the kids had the Terry Fox run and we were very proud that both Laura and Nathan managed to run nine laps in the given time. We even had a "Jack Rabbit" join in the run (see photo two). He's often seen hopping about on school property. The jack rabbits are unique in that they turn white in the winter time so I'll have to see if I can snap him again in the colder months for you.
Well it's a short one this week as I have some lovely people I need to be with and Daniel was full of "quotes" this week, so I'll leave you with them.
All our love,
The Eban Clan.
Danny's Quotable Quotes

"Is this how big a stick would be if it was a toddler?"

"I need a healthy breakfast. Is this cereal low in sugar and high in fibre?"

"My hands are sticky. Good thing I'm not driving."

"They call tissues Kleenex's here. Is that cause they make your nose clean?"

Update #11 - School

Dear friends,
Well we survived our first week of school and in the process learned many a thing. When you make a mistake while writing, you must ask for the eraser NOT the rubber and if you need to visit the little room down the hall (toilet) you ask to go to the washrooms. School is also very different as it is all in one building. As you can see from the photos it has a series of halls with rooms attached. Apart from the playground every room is within that buildiing - toilets, I mean washrooms, the library, office and even the gym. The kids eat their lunch in the gym and if it's too cold to go outside (that would be colder than - 20'c!!!) they play in the gym. Oh, and if they want to come home for lunch they can. You have indoor and outdoor shoes which you are constantly changing in and out of and coats are a must. Otherwise, school is pretty much the same. The kids are settling in and even starting to make friends, although I think it will still take awhile to fully adjust. We love the weekends and Saturday (today) is always an adventure somewhere. Today we rugged up and did the Fenland Trail which is in Banff. A fen is like a wetland area and we were suppose to see elk but Danny was in a very happy mood and kept bursting into song! He wasn't too preturbed as we had seen deer on our way to Banff (photo 3 - they're the tiny dots by the lake!) and aren't elk just like deer anyway mum?


The weather is cooling down a bit more each day and the snow is no longer a light icing on the Rockies, but more of a coating. I was sooo cold on the walk today and we haven't even reached zero degrees yet! Oh boy, oh boy!
I'll leave you with some funny quotes of the week. Otherwise, hope you are all well and thank you for your emails.
Love from your adventuring friends,
Howard, Shona, Laura, Nathan and Daniel Eban.

Quotable Quotes for the week

Nathan: We learned all about the Terry Fox Run today but I don't know what his name was. It's about a man who had cancer and ran across Canada but then he died!

Laura: It's very different in Canada mum - my friend eats Toadfood (tofu). Why would anyone like food made from toads?

Nathan: Oh look! What's that?
Mum: A cow.
Nathan: Is it a wild cow?
Mum: No, just a regular cow.
Nathan: (disappointed) Oh.

Update #10 - Spray Lakes

Dear friends,Today we left our house, backpacks in tow, for Laura and Nathan's first day of school (see first photo). Nath was so excited and would have been there before the teachers had even arrived if I had let him. :) We set out by foot and it almost seemed surreal that we were off to school. There were no uniforms and no school traffic - didn't feel like a school day at all! Yet as I waved them good-bye at their classes it hit me. My heart sank and I prayed that they wouldn't feel as nervous as I felt for them. I remember sitting at my desk as a nine year old on the first day in a new school in a new country looking around the class wondering if any of these faces would one day be a friend.
The day has slowly moved along. I have quickly discovered that I do not play "goodies and baddies" as well as Nathan and when it comes to "plans" in the backyard my creativity is no match for Laura's. Daniel just shakes his head and says, "Can we go get them from school yet?" It's going to be a long day!

On Satuday we visited Kananaskis (another part of the Rocky Mountains). I can't say I enjoyed it as much as previous trips as Howard decided to take the gravel road and there comes a time in the drive when "Ten Green Bottles" is no longer enjoyable to sing!!! However, the highlights along the way made it worthwhile. We spotted a mother and baby moose (see second photo) in a clearing. At first we thought they were horses but on closer examination realised they were definitely moose. You will also notice that the mountains look as though they have been sprinkled with icing sugar - yes the cold is on its way. 
Later we found a lovely spot to picnic (third photo) and as we were munching on our sandwiches realised we were not alone (fourth photo). We're still trying to find out whether they were gophers or ground squirrels or something else. They had Nathan in stitches and Laura would have loved to have shrunk and become their new friend. As for Daniel, he thought the game was to try to catch them as they popped up out of their holes!
Speaking of that little bundle of energy - he requires a lego buddy to construct with... now that I can do (well I think so anyway!).

With love from your friends in Canada,
Howard, Shona, Laura, Nathan and Daniel.