No Exit

Writing this early the next morning so I don't forget too much of the excitement. Managed to pack, breakfast (finished off the eggs) and depart from Fairmont by 8am and enjoyed cool and overcast skies along the connecting road between Radium and Highway 1.

There was a warning of a bear on the road and sure enough, a few minutes along a car was pulled over watching a smallish black bear saunter along the shoulder. apparently they scavenge for wheat beside the rail lines so who knows what on the roadside? The b-doubles that thunder along take a toll on such animals although by Oz standards, I haven't noticed much road kill. Tasmania remains my undisputed king for that! Might have something to do with the amount of wildlife, or perhaps a comment on its intelligence.



Anyway, we stopped at a Forest Cabins site for coffee while I changed into winter clothes. Tess and I argue over souvenirs - I want to buy the usual kitsch for the kids (some useful like caps!) while Tess is hanging out for quality. Hence we've bought nothing. sorry kids:(



As soon as we hit the Highway, Gypsy piped up with information after being silent the last few days. We took his advice to visit Sunshine ski resort because of the wildlife encounters and sure enough we spotted a roadblock ahead with people separated by just the guard rail and their car doors from what looked to me, a grizzly bear and her two cubs.



The advice is not to linger too near the bears so they remain wary of humans and cars so we took some passing footage and continued on to meet some big horn sheep - or goats. The biggest eventually got annoyed so we moved on and on our return, managed some better footage of the bears, still in the same spot. I'd be wary of them even in a corolla!



The wind had picked up as we had our first view of the mountain that hangs over Banff and began what our guide said was a three hour tour! First stop was a canoe hire place and a nice walk beside the Bow River.



We continued the tour to our room for the night, Banff Springs Hotel, which is such a landmark that a drive through the grounds figures early in the tour. Hogwarts comparisons are inevitable.

We proceeded to Bow Falls with its impressive volume of water. Our room overlooks it.



We then had an informative drive through the golf course which promises encounters with elk and bears amongst other creatures.



We retraced our tire marks and headed up Sulphur Mountain to Banff Gondola, built in the late 90s apparently. Once again, there was no queue, so $60 poorer, we took the 6 minute ride to the summit. It was snowing!

We climbed to the Observation Deck for great views and descended to eat a disappointing chicken burger lunch before venturing into the wind onto the boardwalk which followed the ridge line.



Using the wind as an excuse, we turned back before the steepest part of the ascent and shared our ride down with some chatty Japanese (?) - listen to the footage.

GyPSy then suggested we walk through the grounds of the Parks Headquarters for a shot down Banff Avenue. The gardens were lovely but it was after 4 and we could book into our room - which was costing us a bomb anyway - so we climbed into the car and proceeded to the exit, only to discover this! [actually, these are flowers. the impressive tree blocking the gate shot is on Tess's camera. Visit again in a day or so:)]



I had wondered why a Parks worker had been slow to move out of my way. It would take an hour for a crew to remove the pine so we managed a walk down the avenue after all, nearly buying lots of tat but somehow avoiding final purchases.



Finally released, we clumped across the nastiest cattle grid - for moose? - and eventually booked into this old classic. Dimly lit, long corridors, thousands of rooms but with real class. Analogue bedside clocks:)



After sussing out our 6th floor room, we changed and repaired to the Randle Lounge for a drink. We had a great view from what amounted to a conservatory without plants, except the door kept blowing open.

Both Canadian ales proved underwhelming so we ordered a pizza, which was excellent and a reasonable cabernet by the glass. Deprived of ice-cream all trip, I lashed out on an apple pie dessert which was also lovely.
View from our bedroom of Bow Falls.


It was only 9pm so I found the pool - 33m indoors and a hot one outdoors - and did a few laps which felt good, although reminding me of how unfit I have become with all the driving and so little swimming. I worry about my pool back home, empty:( Not happy Giovanni!

After all that, I only had energy to connect the various chargers and flop into bed.

Today we will finish our tour of Banff and then travel the highly regarded Icefields Parkway to Jasper. Weather not brilliant but fingers crossed for sun:)

Adieu.



- All my own work. RV. Except for the bits by Tess.

Location:Banff, Alberta, CA