The first thousand kilometers...

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Today I had my first quiet moment alone with the Rockies and a rising sun. But I'm starting at the end of the story, I have to backtrack four days to the beginning.

At the last moment, Monday night, Bryce - a housemate from the Crown House - decided to hitch a ride with me from Vancouver to Kelowna. This was great but limiting in the sense that I would have to only bring with me what could fit on the bike at the same time as two gerth-y guys. So forget the towel. Hell, there's no room anymore for those extra socks. And there sure isn't space for sandals. This was going to be bare bones, even for my standards.

So, after one last night drinking whiskey on the beach with Stephan (a good good friend in Vancouver) we woke up hungover but eager to head out into the warm day. After tieing up loose ends and having a greasy breakfast (cures what ailes ya!) we were on the bike by 1 p.m. The ride was great but not quite windy enough for me to have much fun with Le Doigt. Just cruisin'.

Before I left Stephan and I did a hike up \"The Chief\" in Squamish
on the late side, narrowly beating the sunset and settled down into a cosy hostel close to downtown Kelowna. We quickly ate and bought two enormous bottles of cheap wine to enjoy while watching the sun sink. Some people drink the hair of the dog that bit them. Others, like Bryce and myself, prefer to drink another dog.

Our second day was again smudged by a cheap-wine-hangover but proved to be a good one. We just wandered around Kelowna, relaxed on the beach, and later on went to a winery for some free tastings and two more, but normal sized, bottles of wine. A BBQ for dinner, lots of wine, and we were out like rocks.

Thursday we went our seperate ways: Bryce back to Vancouver via hitchiking and myself on the road going eastward towards the rockies. Although I set out late-ish (noon) I was determined to get at least as far as Golden, about six hours north east of Kelowna. By the time I got there, though, the view was too much to resist and I pushed on into a chilly evening to get some eyefulls of the Rockies during a pink dusk. Along the way

Before I left Stephan and I did a hike up \\\"The Chief\\\" in Squamish
I even picked up a riding buddy (also on a Shadow 1100) who invited me to stay with him in Calgary when I make it down there in the next week. All in all it was an amazing, twisty ride in good weather in some of the most beautiful mountains this earth has produced.

I was sore when I got to Banff a good nine hours after leaving (having stopped only twice: once for lunch in Rebelstoke and again at a mudslide just east of Golden) but was in a great mood. Apart from the ride I finally began to feel like I was getting far away from the known, both places and people.

Today I met a very cute German gal at a clothing store that is going to ride on the back of the bike up towards Jasper and back tomorrow. I just can't resist those Germans! (or they big motorcycles). I'll spend Sunday doing a day hike here in Banff before heading out to Calgary either Sunday night or Monday. Banff is beautiful but it is too centered around tourism for my liking (and I am not crazy about where I am staying, either).

Ciao for now!

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Photos

Hiking in Squamish
Before I left Stephan and I did a hike up "The Chief" in Squamish

Hiking in Squamish
Before I left Stephan and I did a hike up \"The Chief\" in Squamish

Hiking in Squamish
Before I left Stephan and I did a hike up \\\"The Chief\\\" in Squamish

Kelowna
Bryce!

Kelowna
Bryce!

Comments

[Joseph]

Good to see you've picked up the pen again (so to speak)
I agree.. Banff is far too Touristy for my liking as well.. although beautifully sculpted into the Rockies. You're going to love Jasper when you get there... there's a TON of hikes to do and the town is less Banffish... The Columbia Highway between Banff and Jasper is gorgeous too.. Be sure to stop in at Lake Louise if you get a chance! Looking forward to following your summer trip via Travelblog. (PS, What did you end up doing with that ring I got in Bolivia? Did ya mail it out to me or leave it somewhere or take it with? - I'll forward you a mailing address if you don't already have one.) Buena suerte. Safe travels brother. Joe

[Christine]

looks like youre off to a good start!!! Love the pics and am glad you're meeting some good ppl along the way.... take care of that beautiful piece of machinery for me.... youre taking me for a ride when you get back!!! haha.