Kamloops Thrive Festival and Revi Again

O'Hara is the greatest. I'd bank on him to rescue me for sure!

They won the BC Provincial Mines Rescue Competition a few weekends ago, which means they're going to Fernie in September. Of course it meant O'Hara had to change his flights back to Australia, but don't worry Aussies it's only a few days less in the Mother Country.

Go Hubby Go!

Since going to Revelstoke we've been taken it pretty easy in the rain. June Gloom exists in Kamloops as well, and I'd be sad if it didn't mean we'll get lovely green grass. Unfortunately it also means we get bazillions of mosquitoes. It's actually out of control. I went for a "walk" at work the other week out in a field and the air was thick with mozzies. I think I was only outside for about 5min, I was running and had RIDIC helicopter arms and still had 9 bites. It was like Jamanji!! When we ran inside the little sh*#s were banging against the window. Probably my worst experience in Canada so far!

Last weekend Kamloops had it's first ever Thrive Festival, which is hopefully going to be an annual arts festival. Unfortunately I don't think enough people knew about it, as it wasn't as busy as I expected. We only really knew about it because work sponsored the event. O'Hara did a sausage and jerky making course and I did a portrait photography course. We both really enjoyed them and would likely do a course again next year! Though O'Hara smelt like meat for hours. It was kinda nasty. Also, now I want a better camera.... These things make me miss Hobart, as Tasmanians seem to be awesome at getting involved with local events.

We've also been growing stuff on our balcony. It's so cool, Chrystal gave us some wild strawberry plants and these things are delish!

Two extremely beautiful things!

We're off the Chicago and Madison this weekend for Connor and Karen's wedding. So excited!! Then the parentals and little brother get here!!!!!!!! AAAHHHHHHHHH!!!! It's the first time any of my family has visited (aside from big bro O'Hara and Leonie). Cannot WAIT!

Easter at Revelstoke

One hill that we'd heard so much about was Revelstoke. I know a lot of people who say it's their favourite ski hill. Something about having a lot of snow and awesome backcountry runs. They didn't lie.

Some Australian friends from Vancouver had organised a giant house, and invited us to stay for the weekend. Thanks guys! So nice :) I think we counted 17 people all up, with people from Australia (mostly), Canada, Wales, Persia (??) and Norway.

Snowman and sun, there's nothing better

Now Easter weather in Australia, could learn something from the weather in Canada. It was ridiculously nice. T-shirt and shorts in the sun good, though I know a lot of you won't believe me. This was only 2 weeks into Spring, so I am hanging out for an incredible summer. You guys in the southern hemisphere got one, it's now our turn. So some really fantastic weather over the previous few weeks meant there wasn't a huge amount of snow on the hill, luckily a fantastic season prior ensured there was good snow out there it was just a little harder to find.

It's snowing!

Our snowboarding skills seemed to experience exponential growth in the last few weeks of the season. I am hoping that it's like riding a bike, and the start of next season won't be like the start of this one. We went up for a day during the week before Easter with one of O'Hara's friends from work. He had us doing double black diamonds (steep as F), and showed us some amazing runs that we hadn't been able to take advantage of before then.

Standard jump shot

So when our new friends told us about an amazing run at the back of Revelstoke where you had to hike up a small hill and drop off a mini-cliff, we were slightly nervous (for me mostly about walking up a hill) but agreed. As you can probably tell, we survived and had a fabulous time. I fell over a stack, probably only managed about 5 turns, got ran into, experienced a deep burn in my thighs and failed significantly at a jump.

Your snowboard should be under your legs...

It was really nice hanging out with a big group of Australians again, it kinda made me homesick as there seems to be a certain vibe with a group like that. Our drive back was lovely and we found some cool places to enjoy the sun and Greg's birthday. I can't wait for summer!

Grraaww