Upper Saddle Mountain, BC

The Kootenay's region of
British Columbia has fast become
one of my favorite places to photograph.
After departing the Needles Ferry across
Lower Arrow Lake, the
mountain views become more
and more dramatic.
Exploring here during the winter
awards you more treats than you
can possibly digest in a few hours.

The vistas are simply stunning. Snow and fog
envelope the mountains in cloaks of down.
And give us glimpses of
their tree clad sheer faces. You could
honestly spend all day looking at one mountain,
the mists change constantly and add a feeling
of mystery to the whole experience.
Saddle Mountain and Upper Saddle Mountain
lie south of Nakusp, and the hike
up Saddle Mountain to the lookout offers spectacular
views of the Arrow Lakes.

Mother Nature never fails to impress
and surprise me, usually at the same time.

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Snowfall December 26, 2008

It's still snowing here in Vancouver, British Columbia.
5-15 cms are expected to fall again today.
There are more weather warnings up.
Now we are expecting wind and rain on top
of the already bizarre winter conditions here.
Avalanches are a very real phenomena.
Heavy snow on rooftops is creating some pretty
hairy incidents.

Tomorrow we are expecting 7C temperatures.
A virtual heat-wave.
That is going to make for a whole lot of water
looking for a place to go.

I've been looking at the "Public Warnings" section
of the weather map -- well it's easier to
say which areas don't have any warnings
up than the ones that do.

I wonder if there is a cure for cabin fever?

Record Snowfall for Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada for December 24th, 2008.

The snow keeps on coming here in Vancouver.
This morning we hit 62 centimeters of the white stuff.
For those of you who think in inches and feet, that is over 2 feet.
And it hasn't let up all day.

There is still a snowfall warning up at 3:30 in the afternoon
for all of British Columbia.

Flights in and out of the city are delayed or canceled.
Traffic has come to a screeching halt.
There are power outages in some parts of the city. Delays of over
2 hours to restore service.

Santa seems to be doing well and is on schedule, though.

Maybe he'll bring a snow blower!

Record Snowfall for Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, December 2008.

Snowfall warnings for British Columbia are being issued.

No kidding.
It never stopped snowing yesterday, and was
eerily beautiful even though the city has come
to a screeching halt.
The snow is playing havoc with travelers trying
to escape to warmer climates. Who can blame them?
Cabin fever sets in after a few days indoors.
You start eye-craving any color other than white.
You put your boots on before getting out of bed.
You now own more "outdoor" clothes than you ever thought
could possibly fit in your closet. And you're still cold.

Looks like Canada is going to have a White Christmas after all.

British Columbia in the Snow, December 2008

British Columbia is experiencing some unusual weather at
the moment. Pretty much an understatement when
you see what the rest of the country is going through.
There are even Special Weather Statements
for parts of Canada. Not quite a warning,
but still special enough to take heed
and pay attention to.
I just got a letter from some friends
of mine that moved to St. Anthony, Newfoundland.
I won't say anything about British Columbia's
-4C weather now.
Maybe Ill wait till the summer to visit them.

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!

Temperatures in British Columbia

There's no doubt that British Columbia is experiencing some cold temperatures right now. Today is -17C with the wind chill factor figured in. And that's in Vancouver.

Somehow the snow and cold brings people closer together. We share a kind of bond, a "how-are-you-coping" mechanism that is actually kind of fun. I just got off the phone with a fellow in a help center. We had a conversation on how to park your car blocks away from where you live because the roads are too bad to get yourself home right now. In "normal" times this kind of conversation would probably never happen.

I overhear discussions in the local coffee shops about keeping your car running, on the warmest hats to wear (and who cares about fashion in this weather?) , on "how can I help you to get there?", and other tips and tricks to make it through this cold snap. A wonderful Christmas feeling that makes me proud to be living in British Columbia, and with people who show they really care about each other. Adversity is just something you share, laugh at, and pull together to overcome.

Mother Nature is very clever. She brings us such incredible beauty, with a catch. You now need to either help other people, or you yourself need help. It takes us out of ourselves and the day to day issues and stresses we all face. It makes life bigger than our own little worlds.

Now I need to go find an ice scraper. Life is such an adventure.

Frost & Snow

Not only is it frosty in Vancouver right now, its snowing.

I love how the snow makes everything seem different. New and fresh and clean somehow. And makes people seem more cheerful. Except the folks that have to drive in it, of course. Its not much fun slip sliding your way through an obstacle course of unpredictable obstacles.

British Columbia has to be one of the most diverse places on earth for scenery. There are so many mountains that its hard to keep track of the names of all the peaks. There is the Pacific Ocean for a backdrop; there is an incredible variety of landscapes, from rivers to rain forests. There is a peace here that seeps into your very soul, a sense of belonging to something bigger, and better.

I can't wait to wake up tomorrow and see how Mother Nature has transformed her world into something ephemeral.