EDMONTON TO BANFF

Woke up to a wet, cloudy day.  Didn’t have to pack up in the rain and managed to dodge it for the first part of the day.  On the road before 9 am, heading south of Edmonton on 60, then west on 39 till we connected with the “Cowboy Trail” or Rte 22 which took us to Rocky Mountain House.  Got there just after 11.  Zipped into Canadian Tire to buy a new water hose, then to A&W for a bit.  Pushing to get on the road, it’s a long haul to Banff. - at least long for us.  We’ve gotten terribly lazy about putting in long hours driving.

The road to Rocky Mountain House is lovely.  Lots of ranches, horses, cattle and a landscape that is slowly changing from flat to foot hills.  But the road from Rocky Mountain House on is spectacular.  Even in the rain, mist and low clouds the rivers, lakes and mountains are breathtaking.  Carol says she has been almost overcome with the beauty.  Jack and I just smile because we know that the best is yet to come.  The low cloud cover is allowing just glimpses at the mountains.  The rain has kept us in the vehicles with the exception of a stop at a view point before we turned onto 93 and headed south to Banff.  We went into a lodge that promised a coffee shop about 45 km out of Banff.  Its on a lovely lake which has a glacier and a cascade of water coming down from high on the mountain at the far end.  Like other lakes it is turquoise.  Again though, the sky is grey and its raining, so colours are muted.

We took the old Bow River Parkway instead of the TransCanada from Lake Louise.  They are twinning the Trans Canada and have high fences to keep wildlife off the road.  A shame but needed with the high volume of trucks and traffic going through.  The old road was much nicer.  Wild, no heavy traffic, didn’t feel pushed or crowded.

We didn’t stop at viewpoints because of weather and need to get to our campsite on time.  Its reserved but we needed to check in. We did stop to photograph deer and elk alongside the road.  Got some terrific photos.  Carol is sure enjoying the camera!

Rolled into Tunnel Mountain about 5 pm. They were waiting for the Watson/Roger party.  Nice sites.  Close to washrooms, spacious and wonderful view of mountains.  The resident ground squirrels met us as soon as we moved in and Jack soon had them eating out of his hand.  One loves soda crackers, the other green grapes.  They sit at your feet eating away.  Good fun.

A couple of observations:

- its been an interesting day traveling with Jack.  I have the window at least partway down so that I can take pictures and breath the wonderful mountain air.  He has the heater on full blast in the front (blowing right in my face) and in the back of the motorhome....

- I rarely see dark.  Jack battens down, pulling the blinds really early - like 9 pm.  Pulls the blinds.  I hate that.  Tonight was the same thing.  Inspite of the mountains outside, we are closed in like sardines in a tin.  And there are mountains outside.  He got away with it tonight because he’s really tired (although he won’t go to bed) and its raining again.

- He has a heater plugged in and running like a blast furnace.  Will be turning that down once he’s asleep.

More next time

Julie - Remember if you want to get in touch email us at julie@seacroftpei.com