We're Officially Gearheads

As Ben and I (and most of Canada) celebrated Barack Obama's victory yesterday, Calgarians also rejoiced for the first snowfall of the year, which arrived much later than usual. Sorry, skiers, but I am thrilled we had a grace period to adjust to the weather here!

To commemorate the occasion, Ben and I headed to a highly recommended outdoor shop and proceeded to pour our life's savings into gear. After two hours, help from the entire, fabulous staff of Coast Mountain Sports, and a credit card charge that I have already selectively erased from my memory, we are ready to go!

The reason for this stocking up of gear? I joined the Calgary Outdoor Club and signed us up for a sunrise hike on Saturday morning. The list of required equipment included things like icers and head lamps. Ha! We will be hard core before you know it. Ben also purchased ski discount cards for both of us to use at Sunshine Village, one of the top ski destinations in these parts.

So now we are proud owners of the aforementioned icers (which attach to your boots and supposedly keep you from slipping and sliding) and headlamps, not to mention ski pants and jackets, ski and hiking socks, warm hats, the fattest, warmest mittens you have ever seen, hiking boots, and of course the obligatory long underwear.