www.outtheresomewhere.ca » B.C.

Vancouver, B.C., Canada

Chris Beauchamp — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 09:35:40 +0000

As promised, here are some of the photos we got in Vancouver. We’re in London now, and after walking for about 10 hours yesterday (we estimated about 14km), we have a ton of photos from here already, but first things first.

Although it is my intent to write more once we get a bit more used to life on the road, for now I think I’ll let the pictures do (most of) the talking.

Colin gave us a few rides in his Bronco, including from the G-hound station. What a guy.

Nerds on ice. Photo by Brianna.

Laura is graceful like a gazelle, except when she fell on her bum (which may have been partially my fault. sorry babe!).

Later on we met Katy and Kendall for a movie and a pint. Katy’s a journamalist.

Brianna’s cat Seepo clearly wants to do some traveling of his own. Unfortunately, we had to leave him behind.

Pig on pig: Des made Dale his meal of choice for his birthday–Pancetta bacon wrapped on a juicy pork roast. It was indeed porkalicious.

Over 10 pigs died to bring us this meal.

As usual, Dale does all the work while everyone else stands around. Actually, that’s not usual at all.

Des made Dale half a birthday cake. She also made us half a going-away cake (notice the word “BYE” on the right). Aside from being an awesome new-Mom, she’s also a master baker.

Group shot!

Laura and Isla-bean. What a couple of cuties.

Bath time! Rubber ducky you’re so fun!

Okay, this one’s not Vancouver, but I didn’t have time to post it before. Laura rocks out with the Malibu Knights in Kelowna. Dean (on bass) put us up. Woot.

www.TheAirplaneGuy.ca

Chris Beauchamp — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 08:40:41 +0000

For the past few days I’ve been working far more furiously than you would think someone who is technically unemployed would be. But working for yourself on a freelance basis can be like that and I’m happy to have the work. I also have a couple of other projects to wrap-up, so I’m not out of it yet.

But, earlier tonight I did finish the major phase of a web design project I’ve been doing for a client of mine (who’s also become a friend), and if you’re checking out this site you should check his out too. Allan Gallant will be billing himself the Airplane Guy, offering a range of school outreach programs to students right in the classroom. He’s been involved in aviation and aviation education for virtually his entire life, most recently having been in charge of education programs at the Calgary Aerospace Museum. Laura and I were lucky to have been given fairly free reign of the Museum, as well as some personal education from Allan, as part of this project. The guy knows his stuff.

During the photoshoot for the site, we got to check out the insides of a few vintage aircraft (including one of only 17 Lancaster bombers left in the world (those things were huge flying deathtraps, by the way), as well as learn about both civilian and military aviation. It’s interesting just how much aviation as a subject can be adapted to virtually all types of curriculum. Math, physics, history, social issues, politics, among others–all can be taught in terms of aviation.

So if you’re a teacher, or know a teacher, check it out and/or pass it along. I don’t get a kickback or anything from this; I’m just honestly convinced that Allan will do good things with this project. If I was a kid, I’d be stoked to see a presentation of the kind of material he loves to teach.

And if you like the finished result of his site, maybe check out my own site and keep me in mind for any print or web projects you need. This was a full branding effort, with logo, original photography, and a website from scratch, and I feel quite happy with all of it. Here are a few shots from the photoshoot I did with Laura’s assistance (Thanks babe!). There are more at the site.

Cheers,
Chris

p.s. — Only three more sleeps until we leave the country...

Vancouver Aquarium

Laura Beauchamp — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 02:16:45 +0000

It costs 22 Canadian bucks for an adult to visit the Vancouver aquarium but it’s worth it. They take remarkably good care of their tanks and creatures of all shapes and sizes. Ever seen a Beluga whale? How about sea horses or a prehistoric fish that’s about 6 feet long and 1.5 feet wide? If you haven’t then you need to go the Vancouver Aquarium.

I thoroughly enjoyed the way the aquarium presented their written material. The descriptions were short and memorable. They also have some awesome interactive exhibits such as video sequences that you can control the speed of, in order to see just how fast the reflexes are of different creatures.

Scales of a prehistoric fish. This is only one small portion of its body. Photo by Chris Beauchamp.

I had the best time learning random facts like there are 24 species of Piranha but only 3 species even pose a threat to humans and that’s only if you wade through a shallow pond of water where the fish are most likely irritable because they are cramped and hungry. However, if you went into the Amazon River and encountered Piranhas they’d probably swim right by. I was also fascinated to learn that Sole are born looking like a normal fish, with an eye on each side of the body, but as they mature one of their eyes migrates to the other side of the body to be next to the other eye! Amazing!

If you plan on visiting the aquarium and you find yourself hungry while you’re there, I suggest the hot dog vendor only meters from the front door of the museum. It’s a lot cheaper then the snack bar inside.

The shark dance! Photo by Chris Beauchamp

Photo by Chris Beauchamp

Jelly-belly. Photo by Chris Beauchamp

Dinner at the Millers’

Laura Beauchamp — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 01:31:09 +0000

Fresh mussels. Shrimp. Steak. Asparagus. Broccoli. Zucchini. I love food. Des, Dale, myself and Chris all did different tasks to create an amazing dinner at the Millers’ place.

Chris and Dale making dinner at Dale’s home in Vancouver.

The next day we went to Dale’s parents house (also Millers) for dinner. Margie whipped up a fantastic red meat pasta sauce which we washed down with two red wines: “Gnarly” and “Gnarlier”. I preferred the “Gnarlier”.

The Millers’ home for dinner.

After dinner Mr. Miller brought out the Scotch and Port. We ended the evening with a crash course, delivered by Chris, on how to clean your camera sensor.

Front and center is Dale and Des’s beautiful 3-month old daughter Isla!

It’s the final countdown

Laura Beauchamp — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 09:57:57 +0000

Only 10 more days. Now I’m getting excited. Woo-hoo!!!!

We had a huge turkey and ham dinner with Chris’ aunts, uncles, mom and dad. Son and dad bonded with Uncle Dave over a game of snooker. Dad won.

Sorrento, B.C., Canada

Chris Beauchamp — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 02:45:11 +0000

After a grueling overnight in the G-hound, we finally made it south to warmer climes. We’ve been in my parent’s adopted hometown of Sorrento, B.C. now for about three days, and I tell you, retirement living has never had it so easy. It’s about 4 degrees celsius, which is downright balmy for a Canadian January, and the lake views and mountain vistas are easy enough to take.

We had a late Christmas get together with the Aunts and Uncles here down at the retirement park’s club house, and it was a chance once again for my Old Man to prove he’s better at pool than pretty much any one else I’ve ever met. He’s also better at shuffleboard than his son, but in fairness, he has about 40 years on me.

We did a couple of group shots, but I’ll just put up the best one. In the other ones the family was looking kind of goofy...

Auntie Cher (bottom left) is the only normal one.

In the clutches of the Big Grey Dog.

I also cooked one of my World Famous Fritatas:

Mmmmm.

And Laura stuck her hand up a Turkish bum. Or is that a turkey’s bum? Whatever.

She took a few lessons from the master (hi Mom!).

My Old Man could school you at pool.

As usual, more photos here.

Next stop Kelowna! Then Vancouver! Then the World!