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Published: July 22nd 2008
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Maligne Canyon
J, G, Corrie n I at the Canyon Summer in Whistler is incomparable to my beloved Gold Coast where it's guaranteed 300 days of sunshine every year. The sun rises around 7am, sets at 10pm and temperatures vary between 10-30 degrees celsius sometimes with sun showers..... remind anyone of Melbourne?
The month of June was fairly quiet in town but since 1 July, when the sun was out in full force, it's been getting busier and busier in town.
Work has picked up, money's great and the saving has started again since returning from our road trip to Calgary with Georgia and Jed.
When I told people we were going to the Calgary Stampede I myself didn't even realise exactly what that meant. To my excitement, driving the 900km to Calgary meant weaving our way through the infamous ROCKIES! Only half an hour into our drive and I was bewildered, amazed, in awe at the incredulous scenery we were driving through - momentus mountain ranges, glaciel waterfalls around every bend in the road, pine forests, ice fields, indigo lakes and so much more. One hour into our drive I had already depleted the battery on our camera with mountains, mountains and more mountains. As Corrie rightly pointed out,
I have no idea which mountain is what nor where along our journey it was situated.... what can I say though.... mountains move me!
Day one we camped just outside Kamloops. From there we made our way to Jasper stopping at picturesque Lake Edith, Maligne Canyon, Athabasca Falls and went for a bike ride through... I want to say Three Valleys but I'm not certain. Lake Edith was the first 'indigo' lake we spotted (it reminded us alot of Ohau) and we could have relaxed by that lake all day, but the stampede was calling. Maligne Canyon is most visited in the winter when the falls and river is frozen and you can climb the ice through the canyon. We found it spectacular though, taking up another roll of film. Athabasca Falls reminded us alot of Huka Falls in Taupo. You can feel the power behind the falls as the spray hits you on it's decline over the cliff edge. The walk ways and information provided by the municipality was great too. Our bike ride was longer than we envisioned it to be and hotter.... and with the lakes as inviting as they were, Georgia and I couldn't resist
a dip .... which is really all it could be, in and out. It was freezing, but oh so refreshing. We then drove onto Banff for our second night of camping (which means pushing the front seats of our hired Ford Focus as far back as possible and blanketing ourselves with clothes and towels for warmth - yes, we forgot a tent, sleeping bag, pillows and jammy jams).
Day 3 and it's still not the 'summer holiday' we had envisioned with it being overcast and raining intermitently, but we're hopeful and spirits are high. We drive the last 153km to Calgary and finally buy a tent, sleeping bag and pillow..... taking it back to camp (yes, we decide to pay this time) which is right next to Olympic Park, we set up in the rain and slowly realise we have bought a summer tent..... open windows so no protection from wind or rain.... so yet another night in the car we spend.
Day 4 & 5 and SUNSHINE!!! Extremely exciting as today is our first day at the Calgary Stampede. The Stampede is apparently the world's largest outdoor event and with 250,000 visiting it daily over 10 days, I believe
Three Valleys
The views from our bike ride it! The Stampede consists of agricultural displays, carnival rides, bands (Kid Rock, Sugarland, The Judds, Sheryl Crow etc. ) and the main attraction in the Grandstand is the Rodeo, Chuck Wagon Races, Steer roping, pony races, barrel races and many other events I'd never even heard of before let alone seen! It was here in the Grandstand I finally saw myself some REAL cowboys all decked out in their stetsons, big belt buckles and frilly chaps! I also have a new appreciation for these cowboys after watching them ride bucking bronco's and bulls! They are HARDCORE!
Day 6 and only slightly hungover from the closing night of the Stampede. We pack up early and head off to Lake Louise. If you have ever looked at any travel brochures of Canada, Lake Louise is very heavily featured - indigo lake in the middle of a mountain valley and backdrop to the infamous Fairmont Chateau. The toasty marshmallow I am, I cried as soon as I laid eyes on it. Truly breathtaking and I felt so at home. It was a shame that it was overcast but I'm sure the pictures I got will be beautiful in spite of the weather.... here's
hoping anyways! Sorry I don't have any for you here.... the digicam was depleted still at this point. Moving onto Moraine Lake just 14km down the road and yet again, another sight to take your breath away. It's hard to believe the water is actually the colour it is..... it looks like someone's been washing their paintbrushes in there. Stop off in Revelstoke for our lastnight of camping. Revelstoke is a small town with not alot going on, but it's coming! If anyone is looking to invest in property, Revelstoke's the place! The picture I've attached is the view in the morning from where we camped. It is not very developed but has a raging winter season..... If only I had some spare cash to put into some property there! Guaranteed it will boom and be worth at least 3 times the amount in a few short years!
The last day on the road we stopped off in Sun Peaks which was sooooo cute and quaint - a mini, mini Queenstown. Another good investment area in my opinion.
Since being home it's been back to work, nights out on the town and a 19km hike to Rainbow Lake and
the Whistler Music Festival where we watched Elvis Costello rock out. He's such a legend and dude!
This weekend is the Pemberton Festival! FINALLY! N.E.R.D, Wolfmother, Death Cab for Cutie, Jay-Z, Coldplay, Interpol, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Nine Inch Nails and so many others I can't even think of anymore! Should be great fun if not a little messy?!
This ends our update for now.
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