Q: Is winter over? Will Eva become a best selling author? Did Brian complete just one telemark turn?

To answer the first question - today is April 20th it is snowing outside!

To answer the second question - yes!

To answer the third question - depends who you ask!

It has been a winter of ski trips, visitors from Germany, museum visits, cookies cooked and Brian & Eva independently escaping to the desert. As Spring rounds the corner a short Easter van trip is made, the garden is prepped and bikes come out of storage.

A highlight of some of our ski adventures the past few months

Eva braving the cold by castle mountain

Skiing down a solitary valley

Impressed by the mountain (Temple?) in background

at the infamous Inkpots

another beautiful day in the mountains!

In February Eva had some friends from Germany visit

We met up with them for a long weekend in Castle Junction. It was probably the coldest weekend of the year, -30C maybe? Eva getting ready to brave the cold

Exploring Lake Louise

This winter we also tried to expand our culture horizons... Eva walks the red carpet at Studio Bell which focuses on Canadian music history

after learning to rock out!

Checking out the dinosaurs at the Royal Tyrrell museum

There are rumors we were also spotted at the ballet but since there seems to be no photos it probably didn't happen...

Brian uses some of his spare time to bake some cookies!

the sweet smell attracts a nightly visitor

Most importantly Eva became an author!!!

books....

a book signing at CafeBooks

if you haven't already, pick one up at amazon (Canada) or better yet go to. your local independent bookstore and ask for a copy!

in March winter broke Brian's brain so he headed to the desert for a few weeks

the change in scenery is a much needed break

He did a little climbing,

bouldering,

biking,

and camping

Meanwhile Eva checks out the synchrotron at the TRIUMF particle accelerator in Vancouver where she will is collaborating with physicists to better understand the nature of the earth

After that she heads to Death Valley for some needed geology R&R with some of her previous Alaska / St Elias co-collaborators

April brings us all back together - Over Easter weekend Spring tried to make an appearance, so we headed out to Ya Ha Tinda to do a little climbing and vanping. Nice sunny day!

After a day of climbing Eva walks back to the van

Campsite is still a little snowy but being spring and all its time to bust out the grill

Eva enjoys some freshly grilled veggies and fish

while the Giraffe approvingly looks on

Back at home its time to get ready for garden

and bike season (Brian takes a bike repair class)

All the while we take advantage of warm sunny days

and that is how it is on a snowy April day in Calgary...

Giraffe out