F is for Franchises and Floating

Now I'm not really sure if this is mostly just in Kamloops, but there seems to be an unnaturally large amount of franchise restaurants in Canada. Franchise restaurants are in no way limited to fast food outlets such as Maccas or KFC, there are some nice restaurants included as well.

In Kamloops (a town of 100,000) we have, the Keg, Rick's Grill, Earl's, Milestones, Whitespot, Original Joe's, Boston Pizza, Shark Club, Moxie's, Brown's Social House, Cora's, Mike's Steakhouse Casual, and Kelly O'Bryan's. There are also many associated with hotels and I'm sure I'm not covering them all.

While I find it frustrating because it means there is less room for variety, there are some benefits to having common restaurants. It means you're able to go anywhere in Canada and eat out at a restaurant that you know is going to be the same. For families it's handy.

Floating is now one of my absolute favourite things to do. I've never done the Australian pilgrimage to Laos for the float there, and unfortunately I think I'm a little old for that one now. I've settled with doing it in a first world country, where the chances of being poisoned by whiskey are low, but being hit by a boat is slightly higher.

Autumn Weekends

I am not Autumn's biggest fan. I've always struggled to get into that season, because in Australia there is nothing good about it (aside from my birthday... obviously). We don't have the holiday season coming up, no Thanksgiving, Halloween or Christmas, no beautiful trees or colours and often it only cools down a few weeks before winter. It's just the doom and gloom before Winter hits. Given, in places like Cobar that's when the weather is actually at it's best. I still don't like it.

The majority of North Americans are obsessed with "Fall". Ask them, you know it to be true. They love the holidays, the beauty, crafting, cooking, decorating, eating, family. They love the fashion "you can look cute with boots and layers without needing full Winter clothes", and everyone loves the harvest. I've found a few that side with me, "it's cold but there isn't anything fun to do" but they're definitely few and far between. 

Poser(s)

Confession. This year I've become a bit of a sucker. I don't know if it's because the weather is better, or if I've started to notice the beauty and have a better wardrobe... but I've kind of fallen for Fall. I love Thanksgiving, and layering and root vegetables, and pumpkin pie, and the way the sun comes through the coloured leaves. Sucker. It reminds me of the first time O'Hara and I travelled to Europe in September/November. We were walking to the top of a hill in Switzerland somewhere and we finally understood why people liked Autumn. It's freaking beautiful!

Yay for wearing gumboots! O'Hara loved playing photographer...

This weekend I travelled to Vernon for the Pumpkin Harvest Fest at Davidson Orchards. They had everything you could possibly want (harvest wise). Mulled apple cider, pies, cakes, pumpkins. It was worth the drive. Sunday we attempted for the second year to see the Salmon Run. We've been in "off" years since we've been here, and this year was an improvement on last year (zero) but we're still waiting for the big kahuna. Still, I got to see some fish, splash around in my new gumboots and marvel at the beauty of the leaves.

The giant dead fish are particularly beautiful!

Some Summer Weekends in Kamloops

We've been in Kamloops for the last three weekends which has been really nice. Last summer we were travelling a lot, so didn't get to enjoy the lovely summer heat in town very much. We now don't have a weekend at home until October so I guess it was good timing. Summer has been awesome in BC as well, as long as you like hot and no rain (who doesn't?). Kamloops is dry as a chip, so it's not pretty but it's hot.

The first weekend was the August long weekend. Our friends Greg and Lil came up to the 'loops because Greg was playing in a soccer tourney. We floated the river TWICE that weekend. The river was moving a fair bit slower than the Channel in Penticton but there aren't many better things to do than float down a river, in the sun, drinking beers with a good group of friends. My underwater camera has decided to die so I sadly didn't get any photos on either trip.

This is what happens when you try and fit people and floats in your car!

Next weekend was the much anticipated Kamloops Ribfest. We missed out on going last year, but had friends that loved it. They loved it so much the went all three days, and it sold out each day. We were in Vancouver for work during the week, but came back Saturday so we could attend. We were pretty excited! On Sunday we got the kayak out (finally) and paddled down the river to Ribfest (again). I think we would have tried 4 different types of ribs over the weekend. Not sad about that at all!

Granville Island Brooms and a blurry kayak shot.

People will wait for these delicious bad boys!

This last weekend we had a quick visit from an Australian uni friend and his wifey. They moved to Vancouver at the start of summer and were on a cheeky interior trip before their baby arrived. Looking forward to visiting them in Vancouver with their new bub soon! We also went out to Barriere for a chicken rotisserie BBQ. Homegrown chickens and everything! I don't think I've ever had chicken that tasted that good. There is no comparison!

I'm looking forward to the weekends of fun that are coming up. In particular a short trip to the Motherland in September!!

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!

Spring, not as exciting as you'd expect

In what feels like forever, the most exciting things in my life have been Boogie, our amazing Anzac Day/Farewell party and the Blazers made it to the final round of the playoffs (only to be ousted by jerky Portland).

I'd love to post more photos from the party, but I'm 90% sure we'd be fired

So, Boogie the Bridge is an annual run held downtown Kamloops last weekend. I did my first fun run in about a zillion years! Well tried. I still can't run 5k, I'm sure that's supposed to be a really easy distance! There is a 5k, 10k and 21k and this year 2400 people ran/walked. All for charity, it was a lot of fun. There's a bunch of people cheering and playing music along the way. I was told that would make it really easy to run, but those people lied to me.

I've always wanted to bite a medal!

Aside from that, Spring has been SLOW. The weather seems to be hit and miss (no smugness), Kamloops is dry as hell (dryer than Cobar, imagine that!!) so there's no lovely flowers and not a lot is really going on. Hence why my blog posts have been about zero. Luckily, life is looking up!

It's playoffs time in the NHL, Alexis and Hal got us tickets and we're going to see the Canucks play! Excited is an understatement. Lets go Canucks!

Next weekend it's a spa getaway, next it's camping with the bears and after that it's LA. So. Pumped! Also beach volleyball has started, we're playing softball and boot camp is outside. Vitamin D levels are on the up and my body thanks me.

Look forward to some way more exciting stories!

Our first first snowfall!

This morning, it snowed in Kamloops! The first of the season, and the first time we've experienced the first snowfall magic. The silence, the mist and the little gingerbread houses before it all turns to mush. Lying in bed watching the snow>>getting up early for work.

I'm glad O'Hara decided to drive to work, rather than ride his bike this morning! Unfortunately it's not very cold, so it's unlikely to last long. But now I'm inspired for the ski season to start in just under a month!!

I'm electric

For some reason in Kamloops, I am electric. I can't seem to get out of the car these days without getting a massive electric shock. A shock so big it sounds like a gunshot, I scream "gosh darn it" (believe me?) and kick the car.

Aren't cars supposed to have some flappy thing hanging out the back to earth them? My car is obviously missing something. HELP! I'm not appreciating the temper tantrum every time I get out of the car.

Note: I've been given a fair amount of advice to help with this. Apparently it's because it's so dry here which obviously makes sense. 

Standing up and getting out of the car I can now keep myself grounded. Turning off the lights, cooking and kissing the husband good bye/hello will continue to be shocking. Ahhhh bad....

Speaking of electric... that was Vegas. Where I was last weekend. That's right!

O'Hara must have gotten lucky when he married me (huzzah) because he seemed to have channeled all my good gambling luck while I failed. Badly!

Next time Bill's. The craps table is mine!!

Ok, so this time we were a little piratey

WE CAME 5th!!! The Pirates are the greatest! Or the 5th greatest at least!!

This weekend we had a beach volleyball tournament in Kamloops. It was generally the same teams we play during the week, but it ran over a whole day. Rather than being in different pools (where we're C of D) we had to play against people who were much, MUCH better than us.

Pete after a rather unimpressive (outcome) face plant

We were the only ones dressed up, and the only ones who brought a sweet amount of gear to keep us entertained. People were jealous of our get-up, until they saw us play. During pool play it was all bad news. We didn't win a single game and were ranked 12th .... out of 12. It was not looking promising.

Drinks/Pool break

Luckily, during the quick break we stocked up on enough beer and smokies to make us semi amazing. We then had to play best of 3 (like regular beach volleyball, but nothing we'd done), which at one stage meant playing 5 games in a row. Half cut. In 36 degree weather. After playing 5 previous games. Painful!

Trying to stay cool and hydrated!

Some how we managed to win 2 matches, get flogged in the next, then win our last one by default as that team got too hot/tired and went home! Best. Outcome. Ever!

6 in the pool

Kamloopa Pow Wow

We went to our first Pow Wow!

Pow Wows are a gathering of Native American People where they compete in different events such as dancing, singing or playing drums. There was also a selection of traditional food, clothing and other merchandise. Personal favourite was a store that sold girls dance outfits, and one was Barbie brand. Would Native American Barbie be PC??

Grand Parade where all the competitors come out together

Kamloopa Pow Wow is one of the biggest Pow Wows in Western Canada. It goes over 3 days and there were hundreds and hundreds of people who had travelled from around Canada and the US to compete!

I can't imagine anything better as a little girl (or boy I guess) getting to camp out with your friends, wear awesome outfits and dance! I was pretty jealous, especially of the beautiful head dresses.

Drum and singing competitors. AMAZING!

For dinner we had Bannock (traditional fried flat bread - a bit like a doughnut) and Indian Taco *giggle* (Bannock with Chili, lettuce, cheese and salsa). It was delicious. Interesting note: Bannock is INCREDIBLE with Vegemite!!

Indian Taco!!