A Canadian Wedding

[Photo-John]

I just got back from a wedding in British Columbia. Two good Canadian friends who used to lived in California for a while got married on Saturday. We flew to Calgary, where they live, on Wednesday, did some mountain biking on Thursday, and got up on Friday morning and drove 3 hours to BC for the wedding. They were married on Saturday, at the Panorama Springs resort, in the Kootenay Mountains of southeastern BC. It was the best wedding I've ever been to. Got to see great friends in a beautiful place, do some wonderful mountain biking, and take some really fun pictures.

I declined to be the official wedding photographer. That's not my thing. But I love taking pictures like these. These photos mean so much more to me and express my own feelings about the union. I wouldn't have been able to take pictures like these if I was the official photographer.

[Photo-John]

While the bride was busy getting ready for the wedding, the boys played. It's important to note that the bride expressed serious regret about not being able to ride with the guys. But that's the way it goes with weddings. She doesn't get to be the princess without some preparation

We did a huge ride on Thursday, near Calgary, on the edge of the Canadian Rockies.

[Photo-John]

And we got ready for the wedding by doing a ride in the near-freezing rain, followed by a good, hot soak. Note the new snow about 800 feet up the mountain slope

The groom is wearing the green helmet.

[Liz]

It's good to see you around again. You were missed. ;)

The wedding pictures are great, John. I'm glad you had such a good time doing a variety of fun things. The pictures brought it all to us. Thanks for sharing them.

The mountains and "new snow" are awesome.

Liz

[Seb]

John, These photographs are gorgeous, especially the first one. Your friends seem to form a very happy couple.

As for your photographs of mountain biking in BC, they just remind me how fantastic this place is. I gotta go back there, I have to!!

Thanks for sharing

Seb

[Photo-John]

Thanks, Seb. Glad you enjoyed the photos. I love BC and Alberta. I think the season might be over for this year, though

I need to visit Quebec and the Maritimes. It's been a long time since I've been there.

[OldSchool]

Hey FJ,
Beautiful photos. I was just up in the Banff area last month. Did you see any bear? They didn't tell me about that until I was headed out on my first ride -- solo. Brrrrrrr. Talk about swimming with sharks.

Hey, I think I recognize Jed in that last shot. Any other mtbr.com folk?
Cheers,
Tim

[tink]

Gorgeous!!

Wedding photos I mean!!

I'd be a bit scared to jump in that jaccouzi!!! lol

What awesome views you have captured. Well done!

[Lara]

Some beautiful photography John.

I've gotta say, the last shot in the jacuzzi cracked me up!

[another view]

I wouldn't have been able to take pictures like these if I was the official photographer.

I agree! So, a wedding Photo John style - looks great. Quite the bachelor party, too!

[Photo-John]

We didn't see any bears. But I'm oh so aware of their presence. A friend of Nicole's (the bride) was killed by a grizzly this summer, during a run. I have a very healthy respect (fear) of all bears.

You recognized Jed correctly. Capm used to work at ConsumerREVIEW.com as the OutdoorREVIEW.com/SnowboarderREVIEW.com manager. Raymond, who's responsible for the original site design here and on Mtbr, was also there. Francis came with his wife, but didn't get to ride.

[OldSchool]

Hey PJ,

I'm sorry to hear about Nicole's loss. I'm guessing that her friend was attacked above Canmore. If so, I was heading out on the same trail she was attacked on when I learned about it from a hiker. I didn't do much solo rides after that (not that that would help).

BR,
Tim

[Photo-John]

Yeah. Sounds like the same attack. There were three of them and she climbed a tree. That wasn't the right thing to do with that bear, I guess.

[another view]

There are "guidelines" for what to do when you have a bear encounter, but they can often be unpredictable. Very sad news. We take a lot of precautions on kayak camping trips up north because of black bears and they're not known to be anywhere near as aggressive. Finally did see one on the drive home this year - a small one at maybe 150lbs. Fortunately we were in the car but they have been seen near campsites out on the islands too. A healthy respect with a side order of fear is a good way to look at it.

[MJS]

I'm not a hunter and completely believe in the right of survival for all creatures, but that is the exact reason I keep a 12 gauge loaded and in a quick access lock on the wall when in residence at our cabins off the blue ridge in N.C. Beautiful work John. I see all the mountain stuff and thank the stars for my nice and flat Miami area rides. I'm getting too old for that stuff.

[villenadecorte]

John these are all such great original shots!!!
I hope you had a blast.

-rebekah

[adina]

Love that cake, although those don't look like mountain bikes

you have a cool job.

[Photo-John]

you have a cool job.

That wasn't work. The trip was about friends and fun. It had nothing to do with my job and no money exchanged hands. It was all for love

Glad you like the photos. That first one made it all worthwhile.