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Published: November 6th 2007
Me at Banff.
In the Rocky Mountains!!!!Banff!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So I set off from Vancouver in the evening, still a bit ill from the cold but looking forward to Banff. As my departure date is looming near though, I only spent 2 nights here. I arrived in the daytime, almost missed the stop as I was dropping in and out of sleep and the drivers don't always announce the stops in canada!!!!! So a quick dash to get off the bus and I head to the terminal to see if the free shuttle is available - as my 3 years out of date guide book says there is one. Nope no shuttle so a cab up but its not so bad a price.
The area is STUNNING. I could see the Rocky moutains on the bus ride up, mostly at night but could tell they were immense and then in the daytime they are something else. I was in a real mountain town. The hostel was like a ski lodge with its wooden structure and setting. The area is surrounded by the Rocky's as well as woods. I have to say though it is VERY cold!!!!!!! I was talking to people there, it can get as low
Rocky Mountain shot 1
A shot of just one of the mountains surrounding me.. as minus 40 c!!!!!!!!!
After a good sleep I got talking to some people and went into the town for food and looking for halloween apperal. As I talk to them I become aware that they are all here for the 'season' and plan to work for 6 months to a year. I am the only traveller amongst them, knocking round the hostel I realised I pretty much was the only traveller in the place. It was strange.
We walked into town and walked back, a fair old trek especially going back as its uphill. Got back and prepared for the halloween festivites. I didn't have a bought or made costume so I came up witht he idea of dressing in my all black outfit with long leather coat and putting a label on the coat and top that said "God", I went as God. I did more then that though, I wrote 'The Word" on my left hand and drew in some blue and yellow lines on my write hand so show power (tho these faded pretty fast). I thought it was a clever idea. Had a few drinks in the bar downstairs and then headed to
Rocky Mountain shot 2
Another Mountain surrounding me. the town, went to a club that was cool but not too busy, then went toa pub and then headed back to the hostel.
The next day took a walk to town and explored it more then headed out to the cave basin, which was where some natural spring thing is in a cave, home to a rare snail and stinks to high heaven as its full of Sulpher. The place was small and I got round it quickly so I walked back and then went to the other side of where I was goign to see the hot springs and gondola. However I didn't realise how far it was, all up hill, practially at the top of a mountain, so hhlafway there, needing to pee and still recovering from being ill, I gave up and headed back to town. After going through town agian I walked back to the hostel and had some great pasta cooked for me by one of the people I met the day before and just hung out with them in the hostel.
I had phoned some relatives that day so my next stop would be to stay with them at their house
in Sylvan Lake, where I am now!!!!
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Graham
non-member comment
Then what?
Hey Walkindude, Your trip has been really interesting to read. I hope my trip will be as good as yours when i go in March. But what happened next after Banff? Could you please tell me what youth hostels you stayed in in LA and SanFran dude? Your a good writer, and funny! Cheers, Graham