waiting at the Eco Station

I once again found myself without a sketchbook on me (a fatal situation as far as sketchers go...) when I was unexpectedly forced to wait an hour or so in a long lineup to discard a carload of household items at the local Eco Station. Fortunately, there was a pen in the glove compartment, and the flaps from a box proved to be a great surface for some sketches of the truck in front of me.

scenes from an acreage

As urban folk, we are drawn to the special opportunities we have to experience rural homes such as that of our dear friends living on an acreage east of Edmonton. This summer, we had opportunities to enjoy a campfire worship time under the stars (and in the presence of the northern lights last night), taste the many delights from their impressive vegetable garden, and simply enjoy one another's company.

cousins

Our kids and their cousins on my side of the family, all together for the first time in three years.

at the Royal Tyrell Museum

The Royal Tyrell Musem, located 5 hours southeast of Edmonton in Drumheller, is full of subject matter. There was not too much time to sketch on my recent visit, but the large format Moleskine sketchbook allowed me to do two very loose doodles of a Pachyrhinosaurus and a Triceratops.

The Rockies: part 4: Miette Hot Springs

A soak in the hot springs in Miette in the late aftertoon, before heading back home...

The Rockies: part 3: Bow Lake

Some of the mystical views across Bow Lake, with some jagged ranges framed by glaciers. Some more freedom on a larger format sketchbook for a change...

The Rockies: part 2: Lake Louise

The panoramic view of the mountains at Lake Louise, unfortunately without the lake in this sketch.

On this long weekend Sunday, Lake Louise felt like an entire city had descended upon it, turning it into something not unlike the atmosphere of K-Days (I am aware we contributed to it by our mere presence). Our plan to have a leisurely coffee at the Chateau changed quickly to avoid stress, and in the end we enjoyed a pleasant lunch at the much smaller and quainter Deer Lodge, with its old Rocky-esque architectural character.

The Rockies: part 1: Saskatchewan River Crossing

Some early morning mountain views around Saskatchewan River Crossing, where the Icefields Parkway meets the David Thompson Highway, between Banff and Jasper. From here the North Saskatchewan River flows all the way through Abraham Lake, Nordegg, Rocky Mountain House, Devon, all the way to Edmonton and beyond.

IKEA duvet covers

The kids take a long afternoon nap. Their daily schedules have been completely out of whack for weeks, and we need to start thinking about re-conditioning them as they approach September.

roasted pig

A feast this weekend at the in-laws entailed a whole roasted pig, crispy and juicy, which drew out some unexpected primal instincts in us urban adults and some interesting questions from the kids, like:
 "Is this a boneless pig?" and
"Can we pet him?"

at Sunnyside Camp: day 3

from our last day at Sunnyside Camp.

at Sunnyside Camp: day 2

 Day 2 at the camp... again this year, I had the privilege and joy of leading ten eager sketchers through two 1-hour sessions of sketching exercises.

at Sunnyside Camp: day 1

Some sketches from my first full day at the annual family Bible camp we have been attending. This year, I was only able to participate half way through the week, but had the privilege of again being able to spend some time outdoors around the camp grounds drawing.