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.

Radium Hot Springs

 Thursday Sept 30/21

We decided to go away for a few days and headed to B.C.

We were on the QE2 by about 9.A.M. with Caro at the wheel (we are using her Ford Escape- and listening to 60's on 6 of course).

A quick stop at Red Deer (Tim Horton's in Gasoline Alley) and then we were on the road to Canmore. Here we stopped at Subway and had a gas fill up. I found Canmore very busy and getting more and more like Banff. YUCK !!

We continued towards Lake Louise and then took highway 93 towards Radium. Highway 1 is closed near Golden so all traffic heading west had to take a detour down highway 93 to Radium before heading back towards Golden. Traffic got very heavy and slow at times.

We got to the hot springs about 3:45 and enjoyed an hour of relaxation and unwinding. Caro had driven from the Fort to Canmore and was quite tired. I had only driven about 90 minutes but it was stressful with all the traffic and the curvy mountain roads.

The photo above was taken as we left the hot springs. There were maybe three times as many people there when we arrived however even with covid restrictions there were no issues. Everybody's group  seemed to keep about a six foot difference from other people and everything went smoothly.

We got a motel room in town high up on the mountain so there isn't much traffic noise from the extremely busy highway. Our room has a nice view down into the valley

The road in the photo is the street that goes to the place in the valley where we stayed with Mike and Michelle a few years ago

We ate a local (recommended) pub (YUMMY) and came back early to our room to relax. The pub checked our vaccine status but didn't confirm that our vaccine card matched our drivers license name. I suspect it will be like that everywhere. 

It has been raining quite a bit this evening so we are hoping the hiking trails are not too bad in the morning.

Aug 1-Back home

We left Fort St. John about 8 A.M. 

Just outside Grande Prairie is the Currie Dinosaur Museum which I had wanted to see. We made a stop there but we didn't spend a lot of time. The museum is nice and well done.

We continued on the Grande Prairie and Caro took over the driving on the four lane divided.

We were home just before five and got right at cleaning out the car and getting the Yukon dust removed at the car wash.

 Kms driven 672 for a vacation final total of 6206 km.

The engine clock showed 71.24 hours total and the Escape got 12.2 km/l (34.5 mpg)

The only issue (after the windshield replacement on day 1) was a burnt out low beam headlight bulb.

There was no use of the spare tire or the camping gear.

As always we had a wonderful trip

Final Night Fort St. John

 Total km driven today 756. Total 5534.

Animals seen today. Lots-but all bison in a herd north of Muncho Lake.

 We had a wonderful drive today. I really enjoyed it even though we were retracing our previous route. The mountains were beautiful with no smoke or rain (sunny skies all day long).

The high temperature was at Fort Nelson at 32 degrees.

There was a lot more traffic today, both semi's and vacationers. I can only imagine how frustrating it would be with all the RV's going up to Alaska. We were stuck at times going 80 km/hr behind under-powered motorhomes.

We made it to Fort St John shortly after 5 P.M. We logged on to Hotels.com and booked Microtel. We found a Vietnamese restaurant nearby for supper, fueled up the Escape, and then checked in. Caro is finally able to watch some Olympics!

Coal River

 Total 605 km for a total of 4778 km so far.

Today was essentially just a driving day. We left Whitehorse at 10 A.M. after a light breakfast at A+W.

We are backtracking the Alaska highway rather than taking the Cassiar south. We are finding the drive more beautiful than when we came up over a week ago. The weather is probably a big part of it as it was sunny all day, no smoke and reached 30 degrees by the time we got to Coal River.

We saw only one animal today (a bison).

We are at a small motel/RV camp/gas station/laundromat right at the confluence of the Liard and Coal Rivers. This place is so remote that they have their food delivered from Whitehorse once a week, there is no cell service and in order to get internet I had to pay an extra $5 because (I assume) it is satellite. 

We decided to go walk a bit to see both rivers. When the manager here heard we were going out he gave us bear spray, told us how to use it, and explained that a guest yesterday had seen a bear and had scared it away by clapping her hands. The bugs are terrible so even though it was 30 degrees I put on my coat and Caro wore extra clothing plus we covered ourselves in "Off". Caro played music through her cell phone speaker to warn any bears of our presence. It must have worked as we saw none (of course it could be that they-the bears-don't like Shania Twain).

Supper was at the motel restaurant. I had pancakes (Breakfast served all day!) while Caro had a bison burger. Both items were very tasty.

Will be a quiet night tonight, with another 600-700 km to be driven tomorrow.

Kluane Park

 Total km driven 708. Total for trip 4173

Animals seen today. one caribou, one black bear and one fox (right behind where we are staying!)

This is what it looks like when a house cat wants to walk around on a dusty car sometime during the night

Today was a day trip from Whitehorse. We started by driving the Alaska Highway to Haines Junction. At the visitor information centre we talked to the information lady and asked which was the better highway to take for this day trip. She suggested highway three heading south towards Haines, Alaska. What a great suggestion! 

We started by heading to the furthest south point of our trip-the summit at Chillkat. Here we were above the tree line but unfortunately it was cloudy.

After a few bites to eat (it was about 12:30 or so) we started back with the first stop being Million Dollar Falls where we had a short walk to a pleasant little waterfall.

From there we went to the Rock Glacier where we had a bit of a strenuous walk up to the glacier. It had  a tremendous view of the mountains and valleys

Our next stop was a recommendation for the visitor centre lady and that was Kathleen Lake. 

Beautiful!

Once back in Haines Junction we decided to go for a bit up the Alaska Highway which had been an option in the morning. We made the better choice by heading south earlier. The road was a better quality but the mountains weren't as magnificent.

As we headed out from Haines Junction a cop also came out. The posted highway speed is 90 soooo because he was behind me (and stayed there) I could only do 92 km/hour. BOOOOORING!!! The highway was perfect for 110! Oh well!

After about 30 minutes of 92 km/hour and comparatively lousy mountain scenery we turned back and headed home. I "pushed the envelope" by doing 100 km/hr all the way to Whitehorse.

We decided to get Time Horton's chili again and we ate at the Air Bnb.