How to get rid of fruit flies (and other valuable lessons)

We're back in the Big Apple after a pretty-much-perfect holiday in Canada. This one more than made up for the constant driving and cloudy skies we experienced during our last visit north of the border. A few valuable lessons were learned over nine days in Calgary, Banff, and the Okanagan valley. Where possible, I've included some illustrative photos:

1. Calgary really is the sunniest place in Canada.

2. Even when a gondola is available to whisk you to the top, it's more fun to climb a mountain by foot.

3. The 10.5 mile run around the Glenmore Reservoir in Calgary is perfect in terms of distance, terrain, and scenery. It is more difficult the day after climbing a mountain than after a day of rest.

4. $75 worth of beef jerky (purchased at the shop behind us) may seem like a good idea at the time, but really, it's not.

5. Despite thousands of miles of physical separation and only getting together every 12 to 18 months, my friends and I can pick up where we left off every single time.

6. Four nights of hard partying is something better left to our selves of 15 years ago, but old habits die hard.

7. When confronted with clouds of fruit flies in your kitchen, a vacuum hose and a few drinks can make for video-game-like entertainment.

8. Classy is a state of mind.