Bluey

It is an enjoyable but reasonably long drive from Lake Louise to Vernon, taking about 5.5 hrs plus breaks. Passing through several national parks, including the Yoko and Glacier NPs, time passes very quickly. Golden was a pleasant spot for lunch, then late afternoon we sought out ice cream. Setting for a manufactured variety at a 7-eleven in Revelstoke, we were then dissappointed to pass by many ice cream shops in the following two hours drive to Vernon! Darren's colleague Max, and her parents Sonia and Al made us very welcome at their home in the Okanagan Valley, where the weather resembled a southern Australian summer more than anywhere else on the trip. The valley is semi-arid and relies on irrigation from the Fraser River (BC's largest) and its lakes. Next day we drove about 6 ... read more

As we drove towards and into Banff township, the rain that followed us from Drumheller struggled to wane. We spent a short while in the town, glad that we chose to stay in Lake Louise instead as Banff is so busy and commercial. We didn't see the surroundings for clouds so did not know what else we may have been missing. Darren enjoyed a short walk around a fen before we headed to Lake Louise, where we found our comfortable accommodation in a super huge hotel (but not the very expensive one right by the lake.). Next morning the thick cloud burned off by 11am, so we had a fabulous drive up the Icefields Parkway to the Columbia Icefields, where Darren took a bus to the Athabasca Glacier while Anna checked out the shop and cafe. ... read more

Calgary does itself up for the stampede, with murals in many windows and the locals dressed in Wrangler shirts and jeans. First night we went to Caesar's Steakhouse to try out Albertan beef and a local creation, the 'Bloody Caesar', supposedly invented at the Westin Hotel in Calgary in 1969. Next day we wandered downtown to watch some festivities associated with the Stampede, including square dancing and an indian parade cum festival. Darren loved a few good hours at the wonderful Glenbow Museum, a highlight being the Vistas exhibition, featuring works by artists who were taken on the railway through the Rockies when it first opened. Anna checked out the shops. Late afternoon it was off to the Stampede Park. It was absolutely thronging, being a Saturday night, and often difficult to move. It's very similiar ... read more

We were out of luck during our stay in Jasper, as there was either heavy cloud or rain for the most part of our time there. We had some good fortune on our full day when we hired a car though, as the morning remained relatively clear. We drove up the Maligne Valley to its canyon and lake, enjoying the spectacle of its river gushing though a very narrow gorge. Also spotted about four black bears along the way, along with about 10 -20 cars on each occasion, pulling over to look from a (usally) safe distance. Alas there were no caribou or other deer sightings, despite the ample signage. In the afternoon we drove to Mount Edith Cavell, where Darren managed a walk to photograph the spectacular Angel Glacier, perched high on Edith's belly. Unfortunately ... read more

Travel guides tout Prince Rupert as Canada's gloomiest city and they weren't kidding. The sun failed to show all day, with a thick fog surrounding this town of around 15,000. No small wonder given it is so close to Alaska. We wandered around Cow Bay, a small historic shopping precinct near the wharves where we enjoyed our best coffee on the trip so far. Then Darren checked out the Museum of Northern British Columbia, that had another fine Indian display. Anna was over Museums at this point. There were also many totem poles throughout the town, which is only 105 years old. We figured that the weather here must affect locals' outlooks. The B & B host did not offer to pick us up from the ferry, which was five minutes' drive from his house, but ... read more