Story so far: CANADIA
Jul
9
2010
Spent a great 2 nights ‘tenting’ (as they call it here) at Waterton Lake near the US border by Montana. Described as being where the prairies meet the rockies, it is a mix of flat green land that rise sharply into the rocky mountains. That means lush fields, glacial lakes and mountains to climb!!
"BeefCake" or freezing??
And hike we did – a 5mile trek to “Summit Lake” rising 1900ft above sea
level…where as well as the lake there was still snow = confusing!!
After this 2 1/2hour meander, we headed for the border to pick up some duty free vodka (!!) before heading back to a place called Cameron Lake where we did something for the first time!…Kayaking. A beautifully clear lake we spent an hour exercising the arms that were doing not a lot during the
I was obviously doing nothing while Jane rowed!!
earlier hike!! And here’s some proof:::::::::
Jul
5
2010
Well to be accurate, quite a few yee-haws but thankfully not much line dancing!
Less Butch, More Cassidy!
We went to Calgary’s Gay Rodeo on Saturday night – an event of denim jeans and sleeveless chequed shirts! Generally a ‘prequel’ event to the more famous Calgary Stampedes, it was a fun night of dodgy dancing, Smirnoff Ice and being in the minority for once!! And while Jane was ignored by the majority of the revellers, Mike did have to break a few hearts by introducing others to his wife! (trying to be subtle there!).
Jul
3
2010
And we finally saw the illusive Canadian bear. One was a baby eating at the side of the road, the other slightly bigger also along the roadside:
Jul
3
2010
So another camping trip undertaken, this time heading out of Calgary to the west to Radium Hot Springs in Kootenay National Park. Not the most exciting town we’ve been to, but it had a nice pub next to the local church – good to see that tradition is current out here; and a friendly ‘village’ hotel that did really good coffee in the morning!
The campground was called Redstreak, cost $23 per night and was well run with seriously clean toilets and showers! A 1.2km trail made it easy to get to the town, esp on Canada Day when they had live music on the street.
The main purpose was to ‘take the waters’ – the Hot Springs is basically a massive outdoor pool at 39C and has been around for almost a century -but we also visited the nearby tourist town of Invermere on July 1st for Canada Day. A lot like a trad English village fete it was full of family fun-stuff, face painting and hot dogs cooked by the scouts! We spent a few hours there including lunch at the beachside bar (like you do!!) called Ray Ray’s.
Jun
28
2010
Today (Monday) is planning day for our next little tent trip: Off on Wednesday for 2days camping at Radium Hotsprings in Kootenay National Park.
About 200miles from Calgary, it is Canadia’s largest natural hot pool (39C/103F), is below a sheer rock wall and smells of sulphur (guaranteed when I’m in there – Mike !). The campsite is a 1.5mile walk through the woods (wooah!) and has a fire3 pit for warmth, cooking and frightening bears!!
Jun
26
2010
There's a ...... !
After many of weeks of driving around California & Canada, we have finally seen some actual wildlife. Ney, some of the very creatures advertized on yellow roadsigns as being for ”next 10miles” !! So we saw Rocky Mountain Goats (shaggy things with horns!); a Moose casually having a drink; a few local Bambii’s and Gophers (but they’re everywhere!). . .
Tent Trees Water
We took the tent with us and found a campsite right by the water’s edge (again!!). The journey there was fun – we were in JT’s Nissan Pathfinder which has 4WD – just as well – as the roads off the main ones are literally gravel. Big gravel. So: we “off-road-ed!” Trouble was that the campground was made of gravel too so banging tent pegs in called for a lot of self-control! But it was worth it as at the mo ‘cos the evenings are light until almost 11pm so we could sit out with the fire burning and a bottle of vino-local!
Jun
22
2010
Live Long and Prosper !
So yesterday, having the use of JT’s Toyota truck-thing, we decided to take a short trip out, so where to go??
Of course: Vulcan!
After about 1 1/4hrs drive we arrived at Vulcan: a pleasant, if small, town south-west of Calgary. Founded AND named back in 1915 its survival on the map was – unwittingly – thanks to Gene Roddenberry and Leonard Nimoy.
To boldly something or other ....
The visitor centre is basically a Star Trek museum and gift shop with many original props from all franchises of the show. They’ve even got costumes you can dress up in and take photos with cardboards cut-outs of all the main characters . . .Trekkie Heaven or what?!. There is a model of the Starship Enterprise outside to add true quality (Mike thinks its from Star Trek V: The Final Frontier!)
Leonard Nimoy himself was there this April for a convention-type-thing and 5.5 thousand peeps turned up to see him as he was granted the keys of the town (that meant he had to lock-up after the ceremony!!).
The only other recognition for Vulcan is that the photo used in the Encyclopedia Britannica to describe the word Tornado was taken in Vulcan.
So, there you go. A quick trip into space without the aid of artificial stimulants!!
Jun
19
2010
Well then, now we got that dire Algeria game out of the way its time for board shorts and flipflops as the 20C sun is beating down on ole’ Calgary town!
No photos yet but we shall be venturing out and about from next week – hopefully getting as far as Lake Winnepeg to the east and Vancouver & Victoria to the west.
But the main thing whilst we are here is the famous Calgary Stampedes when Calgary shuts down for 2 weeks of cowboy-related frivolity…what a gay old time!!
Jun
16
2010
NOW it feels like being back home! Day Two in Calgary and nothing but clouds and rain. Found a good local bar though which serves very good steak whilst showing the footy!!
Great to see JT (Jane’s bro’) and with 6weeks or so here we should be able to travel about a bit and (hopefully) use the tent some more.
The world famous Calgary Stampedes are the first 2 weeks of July, when this place turns into party-central!! 14days of cowboy hats, yee-haws and “I wish I could quit you” all over the city!!
Thanks to my mum and Philpot for posting comments … MORE requested please!!