So, what else did you do in 2013?
 

Did a camping fly-out to the Taseko lakes in the Chilcotin area. Total wilderness here, with no roads, logging, just natural beauty.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvmqUQ6lA_M

Lucked out with perfect weather, too.
http://i1304.photobucket.com/albums/...ps00fb4be5.jpg

Doesn't get very dark up there, with a near full moon, and a roaring campfire.
http://i1304.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9303db2b.jpg

Thats frickin awesome!!!

Thats crazy walter im pretty jealous. Iv been thinking bout getting my helicopters liscense for awhile now. Now you really have me thinking

Yeah, we had a couple fling wing guys join us on this trip, too.
http://i1304.photobucket.com/albums/...psed2ad924.jpg

Heli flying is really expensive, though, and is mostly just for commercial use, not recreational, unless you have lots and lots of money.

Float flying, especially if you build your own plane like I did, is much more affordable, and more fun, too, IMO.

But some heli guys have fun, too, if you work for BC Helicopters. Here is a vid made late this fall here, in the mtns just north of Vancouver. One of the helis used in the filming was on our Taseko trip.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjA24fQcscg#t=26

Simply awesome video

2013 travelling
 

I managed to get to Boracay Phillipines, Bali and Gili islands, and Beijing.
The snorkelling and diving in Phillipines and the Gili's was incredible. Wicked SPS and Fish!!! I will NEVER go to China again.

That looks absolutely amazing, nothing like getting away from it all!

I went on my first tropical trip ever to Belize. First time swimming in the ocean, snorkeling, the rest was backpacking around the jungle. lots of local camping with friends and got engaged this summer. Also went out cruising with some awesome cars and peeps and actually had a BC ferry captain do a 360 degree turn in the middle of the lake out by revelstoke. Overall, 2013 was a great year for us!

Happy new year to all!!

2013 was a good year. Got some hiking in, got some trips in, worked my butt off at work and earned my keep and then some. There were downs as well but nothing that doesn't 'build character'. With the flood this summer, we were displaced from our condo for 29 days, just got a working elevator again two weeks ago. All my fish & aquariums died from the power outage except for my goldfish, a sprig of zoas, and crummy Aiptasia (now all gone from Berghia). But we were fortunate aside from this, say, compared to folks losing their homes. 2013 was a good year for us.

On a separate note, I bought these 6 marine crustacean critters yesterday... and now they are all dead. DEAD I tell you. They were this pretty greenish colour shell, about 1 lb each. I even followed the retailer's instructions exactly... table spoon of salt, boil for 12 minutes each, serve with butter... hmm... delicious... happy new year to all (unless you're one of those 6 lobsters)

I really want to learn flying but on the other hand don't want to be tracked by FBI (hint: my name!).

2013 wasn't particularly as special as 2012 was for me. I am more looking forward to 2014 :)

That is crazy walter. Deff jealous. My uncle is a helicopter instructor in alberta, which is why iv been thinking about getting mine. But he told me the market for pilots isnt that great right now. Maybe ill look into it next year :)

Yeah, don't know what the job market is for heli pilots, but would guess better than fixed wing. If you ever watch Ice Pilots, you can see what a new commercial pilot has to go through before they can get a decent job...

Here is another vid of one of my fav lakes I fly into, just north of here. It is just above the treeline and easy hiking, right up to the glaciers and icefields. Again, no other way to get there except by floatplane (or heli).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9o5Ytfr-g0

Where's a good place to start for learning more about these kit planes? That's pretty nifty you built one. When I look up things like that for sale the asking prices are usually kinda "up there".

Well, there's lots of choices, depends what type of flying you want to do. Here are a few links of different types of planes and a support organization.
This is my plane, if you want the ultimate floatplane.
http://www.pattersonaerosales.com/Ai...bel/Rebel.html

This is the ultimate back country wheel plane.
http://www.cubcrafters.com/carboncubex

And this is the best fly fast and go far airplane. Not for floats, or back country flying, though.
http://www.vansaircraft.com/

This is the organization that supports aircraft building in Canada. If you check the chapters link, you can find your local Calgary club.
http://www.raa.ca/