Sunshine Coast Trail Ride

We had a mountain biking adventure on the Sunshine Coast on the August 12/13 weekend with Great Exporations, a guiding company that does bike trips all over the world (www.greatexplorations.com). We rode from Halfmoon Bay to Langdale on single track on an organized 100km two day ride - Cynthia's first point-to-point mountain bike trip. It was hard work but lots of fun to be out on the amazing single track including Highway 102 and Highway 103, some epic single track. We were joined by friends Bryan and Wendi and met some great new friends and hope to see them next year! We both slept very well that Sunday night, Cynthia in particular!

Exploring the Backcountry

We decided to go exploring this weekend - we borrowed Harold's old truck and headed for the backcountry to Big Bar on the Fraser river. We had to cross the river on a reaction ferry, which uses the power of the current. This route we took goes from Clinton to Lillooet, about a five hour trip - the roads are in good shape, but are gravel and incredibly steep. We needed the clearance of the truck and four wheel drive in some areas and we needed to lock the hubs when we got stuck on a beach ... good thing we took the truck!

Mountain Biking Whistler

Cynthia and I spent this past weekend at the ranch in the Cariboo and decided to take the Duffy Lake road. We stopped in Whistler for some mountain biking on the way.

Four Soccer Balls, Six Cunninghams and a Fountain

We had an afternoon of soccer at the waters edge football pitch in False Creek (Vancouver). This fountain proved to be a great place to stop to wash off feet and soccer balls and a water fight on the way home. Max, Rebekah and Benjamin are all soccer dynamos!

Cunningham Invasion

Cynthia and I enjoyed (and survived) the invasion by the family Cunningham! Diane, Irwin, Max, Rebekah, Benjamin and Peter stopped in for a visit in Vancouver before we all headed to the island to enjoy the amazing summer weather.

Who's A Cute Little Kid!

Magnus' Caddie

Joanne and John

John Simon Gibson was born on March 29th, 2006 to Joanne and Patrick. Here is a wonderful shot of Mom and John taken by cousin Sarah Lund.

Welcome Elanor!

Ange and Magnus Verbrugge have a new addition, Elanor, born Saturday, March 18th and 12:15am weighing in at 7lbs 5oz.

Inukshuk

This Inukshuk beckons the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games. The Inukshuk (pronounced IN-OOK-SHOOK) meaning "in the image of man", are magnificent lifelike figures of stone which were erected by the Inuit people and are unique to the Canadian Arctic. Standing along Canada's most northern shores, they endure as eternal symbols of leadership, encouraging the importance of friendship and reminding us of our dependence upon one another. Learn more at http://www.sulis.net/inukshuk.htm.

Black Tusk from Whistler Peak

The views are definitely part of the reward of skiing - so next time you are freezing cold on a stopped chair with the wind blowing sideways and pelting you with snow and ice remember that its worth it!

Fun in Whistler!

Ryan and Aiden Shapero provided the evening entertainment in Whister!

Fun in Whistler !

Cynthia and I joined our friends Larry and Sarah for a few days of skiing and relaxing in Whistler. The snow and skiing was great and we were joined in the lift lines by some whiskey jacks who were well fed by the skiers and boarders.

Torrey Pines

Andrew, Gary Baerg and I headed for a weekend of golf at Torrey Pines in La Jolla, just north of San Diego. The golf course is spectacular and will host the 2008 US Open.

2006: Ringing in the New Year

We rang in the New Year by climbing a mountain on the bikes and a then a very cold Polar Bear swim in Lake Cowichan. Who says you can't play outside in winter!

You can see that Dave looks only 'slightly' fresher after a grinding hour-long climb up the logging roads. In some spots the grade reaches a 25 degree pitch - it's hard to believe that trucks full of logs go up and down these roads. I definitely earned my nap on New Year's Day!

Dave, Cynthia, Rob and Mike all went in the lake for the first annual Lake Cottage swim. I hope the lake never freezes on New Year's Day!

Cottage New Year

Home for the Holidays!!

Christmas at the Ranch

We had Christmas at the ranch and joined the Loon Lake locals at the annual Christmas bonfire, held this year at Bucky's Saloon! It was unusually warm and there was no snow!!

A Cowboy Christmas

Jackson Hole!!

The Jackson Hole Tram

Cynthia is seen here ready to take on the Rendevous Bowl at the top of Jackson Hole's fabled Tram - you can see how scared she is after reading the warning! We were lucky to be at Jackson and ride the Tram before it is decommissioned on its 40th anniversary.