Broken Bones, Australia Day and the USA

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Five weeks since the last writings and alot has happened... Let's start from where we left off.

In Gretchens determination to learn to snowboard, under lights night skiing at Mt Norquay, she had a sizable stack, the result a sore head and a busted radius. Almost 5 weeks later and she has been through 3 casts, a red, a purple and a blue, and two goes at a velcro splint. Slowly but surely its healing.

Following the 'break' was Australia Day, or Australia Week in Banff, aussies managing to drag out the festivities. We had a staff party at Norquay, using the tube park, then had triple jjj"s hottest 100 count, the annual cardboard sled derby at Norquay, then actual Australia Day. An epic several days with lots of Barnsy and dress ups.

At the end of the week I left the cold and flew to the USA. Meeting Mum, Dad, Mel and Cal at LAX. Five days in LA, five days in Vegas. So nice to wear shorts and thongs, and importantly see everyone after 6 months away, hugs and kisses all round.

In LA we took in a Lakers game, and watched them go into overtime against Houston with Kobe and the lads getting the win, Disneyland, the stars homes, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills and all the overpriced shops for the rich and fabulous, Venice Beach, and the Hollywood Stars walk of fame. We definitly made the most of out time in the city of angels.

In Vegas, we checked into the 'quaint' Ceasers Palace, (yes Ceaser did ACTUALLY live there). Vegas was filled with Sex and the city slot machines, the Super Bowl weekend, Le Reve (an absolutely amazing water show/circus), Holly Madison's Peep Show (an absolutely amazing show of breasts), dolphins and lions, roulette, rollercoasters, old men and young girls (I don't think it was love??) and cheap as chips outlet shopping.

We boarded Air Canada for a return to thermals and snow. Calgary for a night, then jam packing the van with 6 people, even more suitcases and a few carry on bags, we rambled west into the Rockies.

Mum, Dad, Mel and Cal had an eventful first day in Banff, a police chase down the main street of Banff, and on their first trip up to Norquay a car run off the road and down the embankment!
We checked out Lake Louise, had a sliegh ride around the lake, the Banff Gondola, and a few drives into the genereal beauty that is banff. I'm sure I actually saw more of Banff in those few days then I had in months here.
We also did the drive to Calgary and took in a Calgary Flames Ice Hockey game, the atmoshphere was something else! High impact and high speed.
Banff turned on the weather, falling snow, and warm days of minus 10 or warmer, although I'm sure Mum and Mel would disagree on the warm part.

We moved Cal into Grizzly house, turning the empty upstairs laundry into a bedroom, small yes, window no, BUT it is his own room in Banff, which is a rarity, as almost all accomodation in Banff is twin share rooms, just so the money men can maximise rentals.

We said goodbye to Mum, Dad and Mel, and as I write this they will be enjoying amazing Vancouver before flying back to Oz tomorow!

Last week Cal and I had the pleasure of seeing Ash Grunwald, an amazing Aussie artist, who really turned it on and put on a cracker show.
Yesterday was Cal's first day on the slopes, and after he wakes up this arvo we'll head back out.

For those missing the G banger and I, yesterday we confirmed our return flights back to Australia, we fly out of Vancouver on the 20th of June, arriving back to Tullermarine on the 22nd. Making it a week shy of 11 months abroad.

The weather man tell us its dropping back to minus 30 and below, time to brave the cold and go riding.
See you all in 4 months!! xoxoxox

NB: Because of all the photos, the silly blog wouldn't upload them in order, sorry but I'm sure you will all figure them out.

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Comments

[James]

Oooooh...
Oooooh... Laker girls!

[hannahjamesina]

Gretch just had to copy her little sister didn't she.... taking things a bit far though don't you think sis?! Totally jealous of the lakers game!! Thanks for the blog, allowed me to relive my time in the states! Sam, your hair is long and curly. A police chase in Banff?! intense! Missing it!