Finally feel as though we are on our way after bouncing around BC and AB like a ball in a pinball machine.
Sorry but no photos today as it was a pure driving day.
Bit of a lazy start after some good (but tiring) hikes yesterday but we were on the road by 10am.
The weather was good and the roads not too busy so we scooted along while listening to audio versions of some tv programs such as Red Dwarf which helped manage the boredom.
Actually it wasn't too boring, surprised to see bends in the road and rolling hills.
I guess the flat, straight stuff is coming.
Another BC car was in the hotel parking lot, the owner said to me "so you took the wrong turn as well, eh?".
Car still looks good when viewed from 50 meters away but get closer and we've become a bug graveyard. Julie said it sounded like the hail from the other day as we hit bug after bug.
Got a long day tomorrow and want to start early so that we can enjoy some of Canada day.
Happy Canada day everybody, catch you tomorrow.
Non domestic animal count:
Dead bugs = infinity
Thursday, 30 June 2016
Wednesday, 29 June 2016
Day 5 - Waterton Lakes National Park
Today was not a driving day, instead we headed off 45 km south of Pincher Creek to Waterton Lakes.
Waterton is located in south-west Alberta and backs onto Glacier park in the USA.
We did a hike to a rocky outcrop called Bear Hump which gave awesome views of the lake and the town below (see photos).
After lunch we strolled around the marina, town and lake before heading off down the valley to another hike in Red Rocks canyon.
We figured we needed the exercise as the next few days will be driving only.
Non domestic animal count:
Deer = 2
Pika = too many to count
Waterton is located in south-west Alberta and backs onto Glacier park in the USA.
We did a hike to a rocky outcrop called Bear Hump which gave awesome views of the lake and the town below (see photos).
After lunch we strolled around the marina, town and lake before heading off down the valley to another hike in Red Rocks canyon.
We figured we needed the exercise as the next few days will be driving only.
Non domestic animal count:
Deer = 2
Pika = too many to count
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Reflections in the lake
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Day 4 - Sundre to Pincher Creek
After a scrummy breakfast of waffles and bacon (thanks Lee and Mark!) we headed across to Drumheller.
This is where the badlands are and where dinosaur skeletons and fossils have been found. It's also home to the Royal Tyrell Museum of Palaeontology.
It was very interesting and well worth the visit.
Afterwards we heard off on the drive to Pincher Creek. The route meant doubling back on ourselves for a while. It seemed strange to be back on the Trans Canada heading west.
Finally we got to highway 2 going south. About 75km south of Calgary we came across the blackest clouds we'd ever seen and traffic stopped.
As we slowly inched our way forward we noticed that the grass was getting whiter and snow was starting to accumulate on the road. A truck had jackknifed in the other lane as well which added to the carnage.
The snow was actually hailstones but left a blanket about 4 inches deep. This obviously caught out the motorcyclists and I'm glad that I was in a car.
We slowly navigated the 'snow' and then got back into regular conditions only to face a similar situation about an hour later.
This time it had just started and luckily hadn't had time to accumulate.
The noise was horrific what with the rain wind and hail. Thankfully the stones were quite small so I don't think we have any damage.
Finally got to Pincher Creek and our hotel (a little too basic for my tastes). Tomorrow we go down down to Waterton park for the day and spend another night here at Pincher Creek.
This is where the badlands are and where dinosaur skeletons and fossils have been found. It's also home to the Royal Tyrell Museum of Palaeontology.
It was very interesting and well worth the visit.
Afterwards we heard off on the drive to Pincher Creek. The route meant doubling back on ourselves for a while. It seemed strange to be back on the Trans Canada heading west.
Finally we got to highway 2 going south. About 75km south of Calgary we came across the blackest clouds we'd ever seen and traffic stopped.
As we slowly inched our way forward we noticed that the grass was getting whiter and snow was starting to accumulate on the road. A truck had jackknifed in the other lane as well which added to the carnage.
The snow was actually hailstones but left a blanket about 4 inches deep. This obviously caught out the motorcyclists and I'm glad that I was in a car.
We slowly navigated the 'snow' and then got back into regular conditions only to face a similar situation about an hour later.
This time it had just started and luckily hadn't had time to accumulate.
The noise was horrific what with the rain wind and hail. Thankfully the stones were quite small so I don't think we have any damage.
Finally got to Pincher Creek and our hotel (a little too basic for my tastes). Tomorrow we go down down to Waterton park for the day and spend another night here at Pincher Creek.
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| Snow?! |
Day 3 - Golden to Sundre
Today we left the Rockies and headed towards Sundre AB.
Sundre is a town in central Alberta about 100 km north west of Calgary (thanks Wikipedia) and is where my Calgary friend and ex-colleague Mark has a very nice RV setup adjacent to the Red Deer river.
Mark and his wife Lee invited us to stay with them as we passed through en-route to Drumheller. It was great to see the both and they made us very welcome.
On our way through the Rockies we stopped off at the spiral tunnels. This is where long trains go through the mountain and double back on themselves.
The photos I took do not do it justice so I'll post a YouTube link (not mine)
Spiral tunnels
As we approached Banff (we didn't stop) we saw a grizzly bear just at the side of the road, safe, behind the fence. It was unmistakeable and we all saw him. Unfortunately this was a fast part of the highway so no opportunity to stop or take a photo.
Made a brief stop at Canmore to buy some vituals and grab something to eat.
All in all a nice day, great weather, great scenery
Non domestic animal count:
Grizzly bear = 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEe9d69NpyM
Grizzly bear = 1
Sundre is a town in central Alberta about 100 km north west of Calgary (thanks Wikipedia) and is where my Calgary friend and ex-colleague Mark has a very nice RV setup adjacent to the Red Deer river.
Mark and his wife Lee invited us to stay with them as we passed through en-route to Drumheller. It was great to see the both and they made us very welcome.
On our way through the Rockies we stopped off at the spiral tunnels. This is where long trains go through the mountain and double back on themselves.
The photos I took do not do it justice so I'll post a YouTube link (not mine)
Spiral tunnels
As we approached Banff (we didn't stop) we saw a grizzly bear just at the side of the road, safe, behind the fence. It was unmistakeable and we all saw him. Unfortunately this was a fast part of the highway so no opportunity to stop or take a photo.
Made a brief stop at Canmore to buy some vituals and grab something to eat.
All in all a nice day, great weather, great scenery
Non domestic animal count:
Grizzly bear = 1
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Just another of the amazing views in the Rockies
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEe9d69NpyM
Grizzly bear = 1
Tuesday, 28 June 2016
Day 2 - Revelstoke to Golden
Shortish day today not too much driving.
We went into the Rockies and parked the car at the Rogers pass visitors center.
We embarked on a hike called the Balu trail into the high alpine but cut it a little short due the bugs which were getting annoying and the high risk of grizzly bears.
We weren't really geared up for bears as the recommendation was to carry bear spray which we didn't have. Despite this we still hiked for over 3 hours and saw some great alpine views (see below) not to mention one hell of a workout.
Although we didn't see any bears we did see our first ever live, in the wild porcupine. It just bimbled out of the undergrowth and then disappeared before we could get a good photo. Unfortunately all you get is a view of his tail.
We got into Golden and were too tired to go out for dinner so bought some beers and a pizza and went back to the hotel room where we watched the new Jungle Book movie.
Non domestic animal count:
Porcupine =1
Marmot =1
Pika = whole bunch
We went into the Rockies and parked the car at the Rogers pass visitors center.
We embarked on a hike called the Balu trail into the high alpine but cut it a little short due the bugs which were getting annoying and the high risk of grizzly bears.
We weren't really geared up for bears as the recommendation was to carry bear spray which we didn't have. Despite this we still hiked for over 3 hours and saw some great alpine views (see below) not to mention one hell of a workout.
Although we didn't see any bears we did see our first ever live, in the wild porcupine. It just bimbled out of the undergrowth and then disappeared before we could get a good photo. Unfortunately all you get is a view of his tail.
We got into Golden and were too tired to go out for dinner so bought some beers and a pizza and went back to the hotel room where we watched the new Jungle Book movie.
Non domestic animal count:
Porcupine =1
Marmot =1
Pika = whole bunch
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A wild porcupine tail.....honest!
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Saturday, 25 June 2016
Day 1 - Hope BC to Revestoke BC
A great day of driving, mellow and smooth, that is until Julie took over then everything became somewhat more manic and unpredictable (just kidding, she hasn't driven much so is still getting used to it)
Up the Frasier canyon to Cache Creek before heading east to Revelstoke.
Surprising how much better mileage you get when you're not sitting in Vancouver traffic.
Had brunch at the Packing horse cafe at Spences Bridge, our regular lunchtime haunt when we're in the area.
Weather dry but cloudy.
Supposed to be a lot of activities in downtown Revelstoke tonight with live music and stuff so will go and check that out. Need to stretch the legs after spending most of the day driving.
Julie is planning on hiking up mountains Sunday (tomorrow) in Glacier national park, hopefully the still present snow will keep the hike short, it is Sunday after all.
Today's non-domestic animal count: 0
Up the Frasier canyon to Cache Creek before heading east to Revelstoke.
Surprising how much better mileage you get when you're not sitting in Vancouver traffic.
Had brunch at the Packing horse cafe at Spences Bridge, our regular lunchtime haunt when we're in the area.
Weather dry but cloudy.
Supposed to be a lot of activities in downtown Revelstoke tonight with live music and stuff so will go and check that out. Need to stretch the legs after spending most of the day driving.
Julie is planning on hiking up mountains Sunday (tomorrow) in Glacier national park, hopefully the still present snow will keep the hike short, it is Sunday after all.
Today's non-domestic animal count: 0
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| Packing Horse cafe, Spences Bridge |
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| While not THE Bates motel, I still wouldn't want to stay here! |
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| Aaah, solitude |
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| Yogi sees us safe to our hotel |
Friday, 24 June 2016
Day 0 - we are on our way
And we're off!
Well kinda, after spending a sleepless night on an air mattress (thanks Julie) we spent half the day cleaning and making sure the house was spotless.
Finally managed to get away after lunch after a quick trip to the transfer station.
We even had a deer in our road bidding us adieu.
Easy drive out to Hope BC, electing to take Highway 7 instead of the faster but more boring trans-Canda (there will be plenty of time for the TC).
Drive was great once we got out of the burbs, scenic vistas, lakes et al, all the things BC is known for (using a stock photo as sky is pretty grey and miserable but better weather is on the way)
We went out to an Indian restaurant for dinner and we were the only ones there. Ordinarily I would have been worried but this place had a good review on trip advisor.
Unfortunately the hotel doesn't have sportsnet on TV so no Blue Jays 😢
Tomorrow is going to be a full day with a drive up the Frasier canyon before heading out to Revelstoke
Well kinda, after spending a sleepless night on an air mattress (thanks Julie) we spent half the day cleaning and making sure the house was spotless.
Finally managed to get away after lunch after a quick trip to the transfer station.
We even had a deer in our road bidding us adieu.
Easy drive out to Hope BC, electing to take Highway 7 instead of the faster but more boring trans-Canda (there will be plenty of time for the TC).
Drive was great once we got out of the burbs, scenic vistas, lakes et al, all the things BC is known for (using a stock photo as sky is pretty grey and miserable but better weather is on the way)
We went out to an Indian restaurant for dinner and we were the only ones there. Ordinarily I would have been worried but this place had a good review on trip advisor.
Unfortunately the hotel doesn't have sportsnet on TV so no Blue Jays 😢
Tomorrow is going to be a full day with a drive up the Frasier canyon before heading out to Revelstoke
Today's non-domestic animal count:
1 deer
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| Hope BC |
Thursday, 23 June 2016
Last day.
Last day.
Not content with just walking down to the village for dinner, Julie decided that we had to walk Lynn Valley canyon for the last time. 30 foot pool, suspension bridge and then take the gravel ro down to Ross road.
Finally got to the pub (Browns) and the beer hardly touched the sides as we devoured a pitcher of beer in short order. After sushi and tacos we hiked back up the hill. Think we'll be doing the same again today although the weather is pretty wet just now.
So yesterday the moving people packed our stuff including the TV so we had to watch a movie on the iPad. Probably have to do the same again tonight. Funny how we get accustomed to such things, kind of felt lost without the TV.
House is feeling really bare but tomorrow it will be barer still. Expecting the moving people to come and load the truck today.
Probably best to keep ou of their way once they've loaded the motorcycle safely.
Tomorrow we leave after a morning of cleaning, looking forward to getting on the road now, plenty of music and books to listen to so should be a breeze 😧
Not content with just walking down to the village for dinner, Julie decided that we had to walk Lynn Valley canyon for the last time. 30 foot pool, suspension bridge and then take the gravel ro down to Ross road.
Finally got to the pub (Browns) and the beer hardly touched the sides as we devoured a pitcher of beer in short order. After sushi and tacos we hiked back up the hill. Think we'll be doing the same again today although the weather is pretty wet just now.
So yesterday the moving people packed our stuff including the TV so we had to watch a movie on the iPad. Probably have to do the same again tonight. Funny how we get accustomed to such things, kind of felt lost without the TV.
House is feeling really bare but tomorrow it will be barer still. Expecting the moving people to come and load the truck today.
Probably best to keep ou of their way once they've loaded the motorcycle safely.
Tomorrow we leave after a morning of cleaning, looking forward to getting on the road now, plenty of music and books to listen to so should be a breeze 😧
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| Ash moving day and it's raining |
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| Starting to look a little bare |
Tuesday, 21 June 2016
Nearly ready to go
leave day - 2
Tomorrow the moving company comes to pack the stuff. We're quite surprised we have stuff left, these past 2 weeks we seem to have dumped, sold, donated so much stuff.
I guess you tend to collect a lot of stuff over 25 years.
I'd like to say that this won't happen again but you know that's unlikely.
At least I can get some nice new stuff.
Tomorrow the moving company comes to pack the stuff. We're quite surprised we have stuff left, these past 2 weeks we seem to have dumped, sold, donated so much stuff.
I guess you tend to collect a lot of stuff over 25 years.
I'd like to say that this won't happen again but you know that's unlikely.
At least I can get some nice new stuff.
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