Greetings - 23 July 2007

Dear all,
Apologies for not sending individual emails!

The summer here is fantastic. We have been enjoying temperatures inthe mid + 30s (yes, we do say the + ) and very long days. We have a 7:30pm tee-off and still manage nine holes of golf in Fort McMurraybefore dark! We do have to contend with the bugs though. The biggest mozzies I've ever seen, mammoth horse flies and if a tarsands beetle bites you, first aid is required (seriously)

I have survived my first Stampede. It is quite the event. The city's population swells and cowboy gear is mandatory. Pubs put up tents in the carpark and fill them with live bands and shooter girls - silicone abounds! We went to the Chuck Wagon racing. A sport that flirts with death and kills a horse every year. This year, they managed two. The rodeo was amazing. An Aussie made the finals but was knocked out before the final four.

Lake Louise in the summer is simple beautiful. I went up a couple of weeks ago. Good trip for animal spotting. Saw coyote, mountain goat, big horn sheep, deer ... and a bear! The bear jam alerted us to the wee, black dot that was ambling a very safe distance away. A bear jam is the technical name for all the traffic that stops to look at a bear.

Fly-fishing was yesterday's activity. Lots of fun but failed to catch supper. Floating the Elbow next weekend. This involves lauching a raft at the Reservoir and floating down the river to Mission which is located conveniently at the end of my street. A very popular summertime pastime. Hard to remember we could walk the river in the winter!

... and the locals' tips on skiing. Kicking Horse is supposed to be absolutely fabulous. Back country cat (snowmobile) skiing out of Revelstoke is renowned as some of the best in the Rockies. I am home in August for a couple of weeks - and a little skiing. Trust all is well and look forward to catching up when I am home.
Kate xx