D22 - 05/20/24 TRIP INTO BANFF

 

Yes. We could have drove the truck into town but we also don’t mind public transportation. Here for us today it made sense. We have to ride it tomorrow for a special outing. So this gave us a prelim on what to expect and now we know exactly where to make our bus transfer in town. 

Banff is a gorgeous resort town in Alberta, Canada. It’s known for its mountainous surroundings and of course hot springs, hiking, biking and skiing along with also being surrounded by Banff National Park. If you have never been here the mountains are monumental in size! 

One thing we noticed different from our last visit is that they have a majority of Banff Avenue blocked off to vehicular traffic. Great idea! Only the buses can slowly drive through. This really opens up the sidewalks and reduces that crowed foot traffic. 

Downtown was busy. But not as busy as last time. We had fun shopping and exploring downtown. Loved the Canadian Brew House. They offer Husband Daycare! Yes. Really. Now someone was thinking on that marketing campaign. 

Banff Avenue Brewing Co. was were stopped for a cold local brew and light appetizer. It was the perfect cozy spot out of the crowds to relax for a bit. 

Eventually we made our way back to the campground by bus. They make it very easy to want to take the bus. Walked Jett. She had been good while we were gone. We are being very cautious here too. Heads on swivels. A few days ago there was an incident with a cougar and a young elk in the next campground. Last time here a bear had attacked a family at night in a tent. 

Tomorrow we hope the weather is clear. We have anticipated this specific outing for quite awhile. It’s going to be stunning! 

PS …

No snow today. 

Saw some elk by campground entrance! 

D21 - 05/19/24 SCRAMBLE TO DEPART

 

Today we thought we would have a nice casual departure. It was calling for light snow. Well the snow began and before you know it we were getting huge fluffy flakes. Then a lot more huge fluffy flakes of snow. 

Now we knew we needed to get going as soon as possible. The nice young gentleman, Chris, a local who was camping next door to us came over to tell Tim this was not good weather to drive in. Be careful and these are the largest snow flakes he has ever seen. 

By the time we left our site there was probably 5-6 inches of snowfall. The temperature had dropped to 33* and no one was outside. Not even the tent dwellers who are hardcore up here by the way. Jett was not happy about being in it. Especially having to wear her coat. I put it on her to keep her dry. She thinks it makes her butt look big! But once in truck she didn’t want it off. LOL

Tim took the wheel the first twenty-six miles until we fueled and got out of the snowy/slushy conditions. Then I took over driving for the rest of the day. Drove through high winds, rain, sleet, snow and possibly hail. We have landed at Banff in Alberta Canada. And are staying here in Banff National Park at the Tunnel Mountain Trailer Court Campground. Beautimous! Love our site. Held our weekly Family Zoom from here at basecamp. Tim helped out a fellow Airstream’r here. They are so wonderful and kind and even brought us dinner. It was delicious!! Thank you!! 

Tomorrow morning we anticipate some snowfall. We will see if it happens and how much. Canada is celebrating their Victoria Day this weekend. So it will be very busy in town. Our goal is to navigate the bus system into town from our basecamp. Re-familiarize ourselves with Banff and see what’s happening! 

Currently:

2,814 miles from home!

4,780’ elevation! 

D20 - 05/18/24 SQUIRREL!

 

Say what ya want I tell Tim. This is what he says every time I wear this hat …  ‘There’s a squirrel on your head!’. Jealous I say!! 😉 It’s not my hair. It’s not real fur. It’s not a squirrel. It’s a cute puffy fake fur pom pom. Say what you want my head is toasty warm! I won’t let him wear it!! LOL

On my early outing at 5:30am with Jett it was 37*F and it was a spectacular sunrise with high pink cumulus clouds as a backdrop to the beautiful majestic mountains. Thank you Jett. I knew there was a really good reason to get me up early so that I could witness what Mother Nature had in store for us for the day. 

Once back in the Airstream and after much needed hot coffee and breakfast our decision was to take a few hikes. Our choice was to drive back to where the Akamina Parkway was shut down. Then hike the closed road out to Cameron Lake. Afterwords we would make the short hike to Akamina Lake. 

As you know for us things hardly ever work as planned. Tim and I drove out to where the road was closed and … it was now OPENED! So much for a hike. Once at the Cameron Lake parking lot we could not believe what we saw. The lake was so beautiful and frozen!! 

Looking at the temperature on the truck it was now 37*F there and gorgeous. As soon as we got out of the truck it began to snow on us! So beautiful in this setting! We explored pieces of the trail along the lake in both directions. Just a winter wonderland in May! And since there are still some old standing pines there that did not get burned … it smelled like Christmas!

Next up was a short hike out to Akamina Lake. We hiked through a beautiful pine forest, over flowing snow melt. The trail also took us across a few short foot bridges and through frosty snow patches to get to the lake. This lake was smaller and not frozen. 

On our return to basecamp we got the Jett out and readied to take her hiking on the shore of Upper Waterton Lake. Rain started right after we departed. Turned back. Watched the Preakness Stakes when we got back to the Airstream. My horse won! Took off again towards the lake with Jett and got a good hike in for her. 

Tomorrow is a travel day for us. We will finalize our drivers meeting later this evening and be on the road in the morning. The Epic Adventure takes us four hours slightly northwest of here! 🏔️

Oh yeah and I love my puffy skirt! And I’m not letting Tim wear that either!! LOL