Monday, July 22, 2013

O Canada!

Jeff and I are on vacation, traveling around British Columbia and a bit of Alberta. We're having a marvelous time, after a rocky start that got us into Vancouver at 2am, or 4am in our CDT heads. The people we've met couldn't be friendlier, and there are beautiful sights around every bend. I haven't gotten to knit as much as I'd like since I'm the designated driver, but I have squeezed some in here and there. Mostly yesterday.

Yesterday was when we took a 15-hour ferry ride -- mostly in daylight this time of year -- from Port Hardy on the northern edge of Vancouver Island to Prince Rupert, just a bit south of Alaska's southern tip. It started out foggy, but soon the weather cleared and I got to sit on the sun deck, knitting and watching for orcas, humpback whales, and sea lions -- all of which we saw. The Inside Passage through the coastal islands is quite narrow at times, and it was amazing how close we sailed to the shores on either side. What a way to travel.

As far as I could tell, I was the only person knitting on the ferry. I didn't get the odd stares and questions that I often get as a guy knitting in American airports and like situations. I finished up a coaster and completed a placemat in the bison color. Once I finish its accompanying coaster I'll be ⅔ done with this project. I'm not sure if the Ivory yarn I have will hold out, but it just might.

Tomorrow we head for western Alberta and the Canadian Rockies for some hiking. It'll be good to get away from the car for a few days to stretch our legs. Oh, and at the risk of drawing the ire of my fellow Texans...

I've been wearing jeans. Outdoors. In July.

6 comments:

  1. Gah, all of this sounds and looks amazing! Enjoy that cool weather. So jealous you saw orcas!

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  2. You are the smartest man in Texas to head for Canada in July! Looks wonderful. I love ferries. You get the "boat" thing but without seasickness, generally.

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  3. I think sitting with you on that deck watching the scenery and knitting would be perfect. I have never been to Canada but I must, one day.

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  4. ps: the coasters are fab.

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  5. So happy y'all enjoyed visitng us "up here"! As a Canadian, I feel obligated to point out that in most places in Canada you can't wear jeans in July. I have a close friend from Dallas who packed his down vest to visit me on Canada's east coast in mid-September. I think it was just wishful thining on his part!
    Lori

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  6. The great majority of Canadians would never think to mention your knitting, no matter how interesting, or unusual, they found a male knitter We're prtty much "live and let live". While in a nearby community protesting the seal hunts,Paul McCartney stood in line with the rest of us with no one asking for autographs.
    We take most things in stride--just don't mess with our hockey!
    Lori

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