Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Canada Part II

I know I always say this, but MAN Where has the time gone?  July 3rd already-and At that It's almost over!

Let's venture back into our recent Canada Trip.  After Seth's conference we traveled South to Calgary.  While in Calgary we made our way over to Banff National Park.  If we would have done our research better-we could have planned better and tried to spend more time in Banff.  There are four National Parks in this area, and they are all somewhat connected to each other.  Due to our poor planning and time restraints we only got to see Banff, but we would LOVEEEEE LOVE LOVE to go back to this place.  It was absolutely gorgeous.  We went on a somewhat cloudy day and it was still beautiful, so I can only imagine what it would look like on a sunny blue sky day!

Entrance to Banff.

Very Pretty Rockies :).

Seth with a Canadian ten dollar bill.

We were pretty excited when we were told it was a ten dollar entrance fee to get into Banff.  We thought that was pretty cheap-especially when compared to the entrance fees at USA National Parks.......

Then we found out it was Ten dollars a Person.....Bummer!

These little tunnels were built for the wildlife to be able to easily cross to the other side by simply walking over the highway.


While driving we saw this big guy on the side of the road.  

We pulled over to try and get a picture, but we OBVIOUSLY weren't as daring as a group of folks who were right by the fence.  I couldn't believe they were so close, and were only trusting a puny little fence to keep this HUGE elk from bulldozing them.  Seth and I stayed further back and away, wanting to give this guy some space.

That cute man of mine.

At Lake Louise.  Stunnning! (Not me of course---the Lake).

It is so fun to see things for the first time with Seth-he likes to take it all in.

Man that is just tooooooooo great.

After visiting around Lake Louise for a bit (we didn't venture to far from the much traveled trails due to the fact that they told you not to hike around Banff unless you have four people in your group--being the law abiding folks that we are, we didn't travel far off main trails due to it being just the two of us.  Seth said he wasn't going to join with a group and trust that they would stick with us throughout the hike) we went to have some lunch.

We actually ate at a pretty decent place in Banff and went to a candy store.  I've never known that Seth enjoys Jelly Beans, until recently when I bought some and he scarfed them down and expressed his new found love for Jelly Beans.  In the candy store I saw a pretty big Jelly Bean area and wanted Seth to come and create his own Jelly bean bag variety.  Not thinking much about price (because it said up to 100 grams was a certain price) we went to town and I made the poor fella pose for pictures.

Seth getting ready to go to town filling up that bag full of Jelly Beans.

Getting a little of every flavor and variety that was offered.

So, after filling the bag about half full, we mosied on over to the register and I pulled out that little Canadian ten dollar bill that we weren't able to use previously to get into the park.  While waiting the guy at the register looks over Seth and I and immediately states, "You from the States".  "Why yes, yes we are" I replied with a puffed up proud face :).  The guy then replied with "That will be 13.88" I tried to contain my posture and keep my mouth from dropping to the floor.  Slowly put my ten dollar bill back into my wallet, and pulled out the Visa.  Seth and I didn't look or speak to each other, and we each tried to walk to the car looking like we meant to spend $13.88 on some jelly beans.

Once in the car Seth and I are both appalled and speaking our mind to each other about this recent purchase.  "100 grams, I thought that was going to be a decent amount of Jelly Beans"  "That's why he knew we were from the states, because only idiots from the States don't know how much 100 grams is".  We constantly brought up this $13.88 spent on jelly beans, and due to that amount we both refused to eat anything for supper.  We snacked on the jelly beans and a few other things we had brought with us and sat in our hotel and sulked.

You can see where Seth's finger is to the top of the where the jelly beans go. Only half of the bag is full.  Don't you notice that is a forced smile.

Don't worry-we're over it now :).

While in Banff we hiked to two waterfalls.  It was a little scary for me at certain moments, but we managed and were very glad to see the waterfalls.

A little anxy about walking over this river (which was moving very fast mind you) on this walkway that was balancing off the rocks.

The first waterfall.

Getting ready to go to the next waterfall.

Looking good.

So after getting to the second waterfall, to see the fall you had to walk out on  this metal contraption that was pretty much hanging from the side of the rock over the middle of this raging river.  Water from the waterfall was smacking you the face, and we had this other couple with their children hanging out on the metal contraption with us.  Seth wanted a picture so I quickly let him take one of me and quickly took one of him.  That's why I look so strange, but still wanted to share the fun adventurous story :).


It was very lovely though-once we got off the metal contraption thingy :).

This is just a side note for Seth-every picture I take of him he never is looking at the camera smiling.  He is always looking over the top of the camera or at me, which you see in this here photo.

When we were heading out of Banff we saw three bears through the woods.

If you look around closely you can see one in about the lower mid left, and the other two middle middle and middle right. Seth was pretty excited to see these fellas.

Another pretty Mountain in Banff.

There were a bunch of Esso's in Canada-reminded us of Clemson!!

After all our fun in Canada we were both ready to get to Utah and wake up in our own home.  Have our own Coffee-make our own breakfast-go to church-See our cute little Garden-and Get back to Work!  We both miss our routine when we aren't in it.

Thinning our basil out and using it for Pesto!

Our garden is doing well.  Flourishing under the nurture and care of Seth and I :).  We have basil, onions, green peppers, squash, and tomatoes.


We are proud of this little garden!

Well Seth and I will be traveling in T-Minus 2 days!  Looking forward to seeing everyone!!!!!

Hope you all have a great Fourth!


The Cook's :).


PS  I will have to restate my previous post statement about Utah BBQ.  We have had very DELICIOUS BBQ that our friends have Made us, but I did not include them when I stated that Canada/Utah BBQ needed to be taught a few things.  They are from the South; therefore, not including in that group of people.  Just for the Record :).

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Canada Part I

As many of you may already know, Seth and I have spent the last week in Canada.  Seth (my very smart, handsome, and intelligent husband) presented his research at a Society for Resource Management Conference in Edmonton, and lucky me was able to attend as his sidekick.  The conference lasted five days and consisted of Seth attending the other Resource Management folks research presentations during the day.  In the evening the conference held 'socials' that I was able to attend with Seth.  

I also got the opportunity to go and watch Seth present his research during his session :).  He did such a great job, and looked mighty good during it!

I was so proud of him that at the end of his presentation I stood up, clapped my hands, and announced to everyone "That's my Husband!!"  :).







Just Kidding...... :).  I sure did want to though.

Most of you have already seen this picture, but just wanted to share again.  This was Seth right before his presentation.

Here are a few pictures of us while in Edmonton.

One thing that shocked us the most (which we were aware of, but still just thought it amazing) was the sun didn't set until about 10:30 at night.  So, it stayed light outside until about 11~11:15pm.  The sun also rose about 4:30am.  We had such a hard time going to bed because it was light outside, and most mornings the sun would wake us up about 4:30~5am.  There were several mornings we jumped out of bed thinking we had somehow overslept.

This is a view from our hotel room about 9:45pm.

University of Alberta's Campus.

Edmonton's Botanical Garden.

The last evening of the conference they held a 'Pig Roast' in this botanical garden area.  It was Gorgeous, and I Wish I would've gotten more pictures-but I didn't want to be a weirdo with our camera :(.  They had a band, tall women on stilts (which I wish I would've captured), and the 'pig roast'.

Canada has a lot to learn about BBQ & roasting a pig as does Utah.

Seth and I will be so very ready to eat some REAL good BBQ in the South :).

Once the conference was over we traveled down to Calgary and went to the Calgary zoo.

Seth with a banana tree.

We went towards the end of the day, so lots of the animals were already put away--but it was fun and different and we both enjoyed ourselves.

A butterfly garden.  There were butterflies everywhere and it was very neat!  You can't really see them well in any of my pictures, but there were butterflies of all colors and sizes.

Well I'm going to stop it here.  Next post will be about our trip to Banff National Park, but before I forget.....

On the way to Canada (we were still in Montana) Seth saw a Bald Eagle and got very very veryyyyyyyy excited :).  During this incident I was driving and Seth began to excitedly yell for me to pull over and turn around.  We watched the eagle for a few minutes, took pictures of it, took pictures with it (but it was zoomed in from taking pictures of the eagle so they didn't turn out for us), and watched it fly away.  Seth Had to call someone immediately to make sure we really saw a Bald Eagle, and he just had to tell someone.  

The Bald Eagle :).

Well folks, hope you all have a great week!  Almost into July-WOWWWWW!!!!

11 Days until we see all our families!


The Cook's :)

(The Sign says Welcome to Alberta).

Sunday, June 3, 2012

A Cook Weekend.

Can anyone else believe we are in the sixth month of 2012?!  These past six months have gone by ridiculously fast.  

We soon will be venturing up into Canada for Seth to present his thesis and research at a conference.  Work for the poor guy & Vacay for me :).  

Upon our arrival to Utah from our Canada adventure we will be yet again off to visit our families.  So these next two months will also be flying by us ridiculously fast.

Just a little recap of our upcoming events :).

This past week was a normal work week for us, so not much fun stuff to include you in with that.  This weekend on the other hand was fun, relaxing, and eventful!

Facebook informed me that two of my high school friends were recently married and honeymooning it up out West--in Utah specifically :).  How fun!  After much debate on whether I should try to interfere with their honeymoon or not??--the realization that folks that I knew from SC were in Utah and there wasn't an option to NOT interfere :)!  After communicating through facebook we found out that Jessica (Wilkerson) Phillips & Ray Phillips would be galavanting through Logan on Friday night heading towards Salt Lake and immediately dinner was planned :).

We hadn't seen each other in about six or seven years and it was so fun to hang out and catch up on Life.  Of course-any time folks from the South come to visit you have to take pictures!

Recent newly weds Ray & Jessica :) How fun!

Saturday we went to the Farmer's Market (where I slacked on picture taking) and had some Authentic Tacos & Pupusa's with a Yuuuuuummmmmmmy Blueberry Tart.  For the rest of the afternoon we enjoyed the warm, sunny weather at our apt and then went off to The Pate's for a Yuuuuuummmmmy Mexican feast, to enjoy their new deck, and the warm, sunny weather in their yard.  It was such a fun evening hanging out with them (where I also slacked on picture taking).

Miranda & I

This lovely Sunday we went to church and had lunch with our neighbor's The Hartman's.  After hanging out for a bit with them we went off to meet the Koehler's for 9 holes of golf and catching up after their recent return from Ethiopia--(Marilyn and I caught up while our guys played 9 holes).  It was a beautiful sunny day :).

Seth in action.

The beautiful Scenery.

Seth & Jonathan.

The Wellsville's.

Marilyn & I.

Just a little blurp from our fun weekend!  Hope you all have a wonderful week :).


The Cook's :)

Seth totally didn't like us matching, but he was walking out of the door with his Clemson shirt and I just ran in to change into my Clemson shirt so we could match :).  He didn't have time to change.