A marked change on the horizon
A very different day, in terms of “the view from my window”. We headed west from the Edmonton area, intending to drive until it was time to stop.outside, rural ordinary, until around mid-morning, on the horizon. Unlike the usual clouds.
Yes, we have reached the mountains. Before much longer, we paid to get through the gate, into a National Park. I’ll avoid my usual rant; suffice to say that our parks should be free. Anyhow, in the park the traffic flow changes. Just as many vehicles, but the drivers are often distracted. Vistas and wildlife. Pulling over for a bear may also reveal a herd of mountain sheep, or elk. All ignoring the clicking cameras, as if they accepted being the stars of this reality show, without recompense.
We were at the north end of the strip, so our first real stop was in downtown Jasper. Are there enough hotels, already? The search for bubbly water was futile, so we headed back onto the main highway, going south. It may be my imagination, but it seems that we had the downhill advantage, and most of the cool streams were on our right. Great scenery, as the peaks grew higher and mightier. I have a few photos, but that can wait.
A confession: the mountains leave me non-plussed. I’m too old to take up mountaineering, and that rock is cold and lacks forgiveness. Give me sand and shore, any time.
Around the supper period we arrived in Banff (again, are there enough hotels, already?). Cognizant that boon-docking is frowned upon, I scored some grapes and fuzzy water in a very crowded supermarket, before we set off for Canmore. No, I didn’t see Mike.
Our campground is in reconstruction, and their map was nothing more than a distraction. Where are Andy and Jennie, when you need them? Tomorrow, we will find a well marked pass through the Rockies, and complete the trek to the other ocean.
