Beautiful Banff - Road Trip 2019

After the traffic jams at Lake Louise we were not surprised at the traffic backed up to enter Banff.  But it was just tourists trying to get the perfect picture of the Banff sign with only themselves in it.

The town itself is a wonderful spot in the midst of the surrounding mountains and filled with history.

Before checking into our campsite we scored a parking spot on the street within walking distance of both the Fairmont Banff and the Bow Falls trail.

I had heard of their taco bar on the deck offering views of the mountains and passable tacos. But alas another victim of the rain.

But we secured a nice corner table in the bar with a view.  We ordered their wings and sprouts and a couple local beers.  The portions of the bar munchies are huge!  There was enough for a second meal.

Walking back past the RV we took the trail to Bow Falls

The Bow Falls trail extends upriver above the series of cascades to well below them.

It was time we checked into our spot at the Trailer Court, and WOW what a spot.

It was great how the clouds and rain would change the appearance of Tunnel Mountain.

After walking the entire campground, all 400 sites, I am certain we have the prime spot.  But to be fair all sites have a view, but a few steps into the street helps

A short scooter ride from the campground is a small strip mall.   There’s a mini-store, laundry and booze. We’re here for the laundry – CAD $5/$2.

And while the machines are doing their thing we took a walk along one of the many trails that join here.  I would think any would be a nice way to spend a little time, on the HooDoo trail we encountered 2 Mule Deer.  I could only get this one to smile for the camera.

With laundry done, and thunderstorms expected later in the day, we thought we had time to squeeze in a short hike.  The Banff flyer describes the Fenland Loop as easy and to watch for spotted frogs and trout, with a variety of insects in the marsh.  No frogs, no trout, all the insects were mosquitos!  But the trailhead was packed, but still room for a scooter!

The little walk took just 15 minutes too long, the thunderstorm  hit HARD, with lightening,thunder and sleet!  Not our worst ride - at the North Rim we were caught in hail and took refuge in an outhouse!

I know Canada’s first national park Cave and Basin is just a scoot away.  We skipped a lot in Banff, but while rained in, we were planning our next visit!  For sure Banff deserves another visit!
It’s time to head to Glacier NP and the morning is post card perfect!  Seems the last day is always the best.

We certainly enjoyed our short time in Banff and looking forward to our return.  Please make any suggestions for our next visit in the comments. 

O.M.G certainly No Bad Days in Banff!  We’re off to Glacier NP next.

Canada Day in Jasper – Road Trip 2019

A bit of a late start from Tete Juane, with the best showers thus far on the trip!  Brand new and even supply cotton shower mats.  It’s not a long driving day, with time for a few stops.

We took the short hike to Rearguard Falls at 800 miles up stream from the Pacific Ocean, the falls marks the upper limit of the Chinook Salmon.  Only the Chinook, the largest and strongest of the salmon come this far.

Mount Robson PP is at the eastern border of British Columbia.   Even in the clouds it is  impressive.

Our next short hike was in the sun!, but on a muddy path to Overlander Falls.

The glacial green Moose Lake with it’s forested shores was a perfect stop for lunch. 

As I walked the shoreline Fran prepared lunch.  I found these 3 painted rocks left by Diane Creating Memories.  I brought them together for the picture before finding some new hiding places for them.

We crossed into Alberta and then Jasper National Park.  On entering the park there is a booth where a per-day fee is charged.  The ranger wanted to know how many days we would be in the National Parks, as the fee is good for all parks.

Before getting set up in Wapiti, we parked the Rufus in the designated RV area just across the railroad tracks.  We waited a half hour while a train blocked the crossing.  A better approach is to come from the south and use the pedestrian crossing under the tracks.

 The following morning is July 1st, Canada Day.  The parade does not start until 1PM, with a forecast of rain later in the day.  That left an overcast morning to take a walk.  We chose the lakes hike from Old Fort Point along the Athabasca River up to Annette and Edith Lakes

The trails are numbered, we chose the rocky 7e trail as our starting point as it appeared to be the less traveled.

The trail passes the Fairmont Jasper Lodge on a glacial lake and impressive golf course.

The clouds continue to gather so we turned back at Annette Lake.

We had a good view of Roche Bonhomme ‘Old Man’ formation

Kinda reminds me of  Indian Head in Anza Borrego.



After our hike we parked the scooter along an RV at the otherwise full parking lot.  Using the pedestrian underpass into town we arrived in a rain shower, but found seating with a view at the Jasper Brewery

The stormfront hit just as the parade passed.  The flags on the parade displays are blowing forward in the direction of the parade.  It’s cold, wet, windy with the rain at times nearly horizontal.

The parade will end at the park with music and other events, BBQ and fireworks.  Alas we have to concede to the circumstances and do not attend.

Our site at Wapiti Campground after we scoot back, in the driving rain.  The scooter is handy, but not the best choice in today’s conditions. None of control the weather, but we can control our attitudes.

The locals know how to be prepared.  They are dry!, the SoCal tourists are soaked to the bone!

With a dry morning and the scooter loaded we take advantage of a detour to Maligne Lake. No tour to Spirit Island, but a nice walk along the shore for the view and the BEARS!

A mother and her 2 cubs, our 1st of several bear sightings.

A lone adolescent

A mother and 2 cubs, one black and one brown.  The brown cub is behind the tree in the center.

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A better picture of the little fella.  In all we saw 4 caribou and 12 black bears

Fran is standing on 6th Bridge.  The plan was to hike up to 5th Bridge, but the hikers coming down were covered in mud to their ankles.  So, this is as far as we went!

Now on the Icefields Parkway heading south, we came up with a bit of a game “WOW - Look at that!” “What?” “THAT!” and Fran would point in any direction, it didn’t matter.  Wow, just WOW!

It is pretty amazing how the Athabasca River has carved its way through the rocks.  A stop at Athabasca Falls is well worth the time.

There are people on each side of the falls that have circumvented the safety lines for their photos.

Our destination for the night at the Icefields Discovery Center.  There is a $15.70 CAD fee paid to the iron ranger at the entry kiosk for over night parking.

We took in the Icefields Discovery Center including the theater downstairs that continuously  shows scenes and options in the area.  During our visit the WiFi was not working.  There’s a nice alternative walk back to our prime sparking spot.

We spent a quiet night with glaciers in view outside our dinette window.

We’ll check out the Athabasca Glacier and continue on to Lake Louise in the morning.  Despite the missed Canada Day events we’ve had No Bad Days!