Radium to home

 This morning we started heading towards home thinking that we would probably make it to Calgary depending on how many things we would do, or go see.

After a fabulous night of sleep and an excellent breakfast purchased from a very busy cafe we were on the road around 9 A.M.

Our first stop was Numa Falls on highway 93 in Kootenay National Park. This is a cute little water falls right beside the highway. It had a nice picnic area too.

A little further up the road was our first hike at Painted Pot. We had anticipated doing a couple of kilometres there but the trail conditions were quite bad and we soon returned to our vehicle.

A few kilometres more was Marble Canyon. This canyon is like a smaller version of Maligne Canyon and was very beautiful to walk alongside (and up to the start of the falls). There were a few people enjoying the canyon with us

The drive north through Kootenay Park was fabulous. The colors of the trees were stunning and the mountains spectacular. I like that mountain scenery better than Banff National (at least the areas I am familiar with)

When we reentered Banff we took a chance and headed north to the Lake Louise area. I knew that it would be impossible to get parking at the lake however we weren't going to even try there but instead to go to Moraine Lake. As we were getting closer to the town we saw the "park and ride to the lake" parking lot jammed and shortly afterward an electronic sign saying both the Lake Louise AND Moraine Lake parking lots were full.I was surprised that Moraine Lake was full as it is a fair ways from Lake Louise and not as famous. Oh well.

We headed down the Bow Valley Parkway at a leisurely pace and stopped at a hiking location; the Castle Lookout hike. A long one at 3.7 km but we decided to give it a whirl. Turns out it is a hard core hike beyond our "old people" capabilities. We did about one km and were going hard up the mountain puffing away when we met some people who had just turned around. They had a sophisticated hiking app on their cell showing that we had only gone up 120 vertical metres with about 350 more to go in the remaining 2.7 km to the top. Back down we went!

We bypassed Johnston Canyon as it was a zoo with many people there

Caro wanted to see a quilt shop in Canmore so that is where we went next.

As we had completed everything we had wanted and didn't feel like hiking trails in Canmore we decided to head for home.

We arrived back about 7:30.

Radium Hot Springs Friday Oct 1/21

 This morning we woke to heavy fog in the valley. I had had a poor nights sleep on a mattress that sloped towards the middle. Caro slept well as she was tired from driving so much.

After our breakfast ( included in the room cost) we headed to Sinclair Trail here in Radium. It was an easy 2 k. walk along the creek; very enjoyable.

Next it was off to Invermere. Beautiful town! We drove around the town, enjoying the beautiful houses, and after a bit we stopped at the Kinsmen Park on Windermere Lake. Beautiful photo opportunity at 10:45 A.M. this morning.

Next we went to Panorama ski resort. After a 20 -25 minute drive through twisty turny roads we got to the resort. The hill wasn't as great as we expected but the time share and hill resort houses were gorgeous and we spent 30 minutes walking around these locations. I can see why some people love to come there for vacation weeks.

Our next stop was Fairmont Hot Springs where we intended to sit in the hot pool for a while. Unfortunately in order to swim there you had to have purchased a membership or be staying at the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort (at $329/night). Plan B was hiking so that is what we did!

Just a few miles south of the hot springs is a wonderful area with a trail to the HooDoo's. Another 2 k. under our belt after our visit. A  really interesting hike (about 100 metre height change overall so we had a good work out)

We drove a back road back to Invermere. This road has an adjoining bike path for the 20 ish kilometre drive back to Invermere. Not for us! Looks like a fabulous bike ride but too much for us to do. There are some really steep portions to climb.

We ended up going back to Radium. We spent over an hour in the hot springs pool, then ate supper at an Austrian restaurant where we had eaten some years ago (with Mike, Michelle and Vanessa if my memory is correct). Great food!. We shared an appetizer plate and then shared a main course.

We are at a different motel tonight as last night's place is full.