Thought of the Week: July 29, 2013

"I'm not looking for the best players, I'm looking for the right players"
                                    ~ Herb Brooks (USA Olympic Coach)

Dining with David: Beavertails

Beavertails – Banff, AB – July 26, 2013
www.beavertailsinc.com
Right in the middle of downtown Banff on Banff Avenue is the perfect little snack place.  This is not your normal pastry place, this is a special, unbelievable special desert shop that also serves ice cream and yogurt.  Their namesake item is a whole-wheat (healthy!) pastry that is made fresh right in front of you.  They hand-stretch the pastry, cook it in piping oil (floating) and then topped with butter.  Now the decision comes; what do you want to put on it.  I got the special #8, hot chocolate hazelnut spread topped with a fresh-cut banana, then sprinkled with powdered sugar.
The taste is like nothing you have had.  It is not sweet like a pastry, it has a unique taste and the chocolate hazelnut with banana was wonderful.  It even seem to have a slight hint of salt that just made the other flavors pop.  A must try place if in Canada.
Rating: 10

Dining with David: Bear Street Tavern

The Bear Street Tavern – Banff, AB – July 26, 2013
www.bearstreettavern.ca
Looking for a good, local place to catch an early dinner, I was referred to a little Tavern in the middle of Bear Street, one block off of Banff Avenue.  I was lucky to get a table outside, nice courtyard in the back, where it was quiet and peaceful.  I ordered their famous pizza, the Margarita.  This was your typical Margarita with fresh tomatoes, basil and then has sauce and a nice coating of mozzarella.  Now, it gets different with a wonderful fresh crust and baked in high-temp pizza oven.  But that’s not it; they go funky and give you a special red pepper oil and then honey to drip on your pizza.  I was not sold, but certainly willing to give it a try.  I drip a little pepper oil and then honey on a slice, wow, what a difference that makes in the taste of the pizza.  They have a winner.  Great atmosphere, great pizza and great niche.
Rating: 9.5

Travels with David: Banff National Park

Banff Gondola – Banff, AB – July 26, 2013
www.explorerockies.com/banff-gondola/
After working and getting a half day to play, I headed out of Calgary toward Banff National Park.  It is a little drive across the Trans-Canada Hwy.   The drive itself, once outside of Calgary, is beautiful.  I didn’t have a lot to time so I had to quickly pick one item to do.  I decided to go to Banff and go up Sulphur Mountain on the gondola.  This is a nice, long ride up the mountain, peaking over 7500 ft.   Once at top, the views are spectacular.  I decided to go ahead and walk the just over .7 mile walk up (up as in platform and steps; at over 7500 ft.) to the Cosmic Ray Station.   The views of Banff, the Fairmont and the rivers/lakes along with the mountains are indescribable.  Who can say God is not great and does not have a plan?  Majestic lands like this can only be created by the One Creator.
Molly & I have been to Lake Louise several years ago but had not been down to Banff.  I can say this is one beautiful country and a nice little city.  If ever up in Calgary, need to find a few days to visit Banff National Park.

Dining with David: The Whale’s Tale

The Whale’s Tale – White Rock, BC – July 21, 2013

After a long day and getting into my new hotel, I wanted something good and easy for dinner.  It was suggested I head down Marine Drive and hit one of the fish and chips places.  Inside recommendation said there was one that uses a special dry-fry instead of deep-fry; sounds good.

I head about 5 minutes away and realize it was a beach strip; on Pacific coast, inside passage on the Strait of Georgia.  Along stretch of two-lane road with an East & West side shops of food and ice cream, the ocean was just across the road.  Needless to say on Sunday afternoon it was very crowded; I ended up parking a 15 min walk away.

The restaurant is a small, limited table place with two tables outside.  I order and take one of the outside tables to enjoy the view and people watch.  My food comes out after about 10 minutes and I am thrilled.  I ordered their halibut and chips.  The halibut was thinly crusted with very rich, white meat.  The dry-fry did not leave it oily nor greasy; it was an excellent piece of fish.  I am not sure it was the special dry-fry or the fact that the fish is a higher grade cut and fresh; fresh just always tastes much better.  The chips (French fries) were dry-fried with a rich, crusty outside and soft inside.  I squeezed a little bit of lemon on the fish and fries and wow, what a meal. 

I love a good fish and chips but always hated the greasy part.  Now, I have found a place that has fresh, high-grade fish with a healthy touch (yes, even I like good-for-you ever now and then).

Rating: 9.0

Thought of the Week: July 20, 2013

“A man is known by the company he keeps, and also by the company from which he is kept out.”

~Grover Cleveland

Thought of the Week: July 13, 2013

“My basic principle is that you don't make decisions because they are easy;
you don't make them because they are cheap;
you don't make them because they're popular;
you make them because they're right.”

~ Theodore Hesburgh

Thought of the Week: July 7, 2013

“Is it Helpful, Hopeful, and promote Healing?  If not, then don’t say it.”
                                ~ Dave Foster

Thought of the Day: Happy 4th of July

When the people fear the government there is tyranny,
when the government fears the people there is liberty.
~ Thomas Jefferson