British Columbia

Yesterday morning found us in The Banff Gondola, heading to the top of Sulfer Mountain, 7496 ft. above  sea level. The view was awesome, and the trip up and down was fun too.

A few miles past Lake Louise took us into British Columbia, then another spectacular drive through the Rockies. And another time change, to Pacific Time.

 

We stopped in Vernon last night, at the head of the Oakanagan Valley, and as in Pincher Creek, I think we had the motel to ourselves. We at least had the pool and hot tub to ourselves.

Today we drove along Lake Oakanagan, stopped at a winery, and then drove over some more mountains to Merritt, where we again had the pool to ourselves.

I even climbed on an exercise bike for a matter of seconds!

On to Banff

A trip to Edmonton wouldn't be right without checking out the West Edmonton Mall. And the rumours were true, it is big. Apart from all the shops and stores, the attractions were awesome too. Sure beats the balls our kids got play in at McAllister Place.

Then west for a spectacular drive through both Jaspar and Banff National Parks and the Columbia Ice Field Parkway.

We even saw a herd of elk, and this little one walked over to see us.

Sarah worried about all the avalanche warning signs.

I just enjoyed being off the 4 lane highways for a bit.

Edmonton via Drumheller

We are now in Edmonton, after driving through Calgary, a side trip in to Drumheller, and a quick look around Innisfall. Drumheller was spectacular, and has to be seen, because I couldn't capture in pictures how you could be driving along through expansive fields, and then plunge into the canyon.

We ran upthe road a bit to check out the hoodoos.

And then back to get a pic of the big dinosaur for Stacy (she likes big things).

On the drive up to Edmonton I took a picture of one of the many huge grain terminals we have seen. Everything is bigger out here...the fields, the tractors, and the farms.

Pincher Creek, Alberta

Why should you relax on a vacation, when you can go... Another time change yesterday, when we crossed into Alberta, so now we are 3 hours behind. So we were up early again this morning, with our genealogist hats on. It took us longer to find the cemetary, than it did to find the gravestones of my Great Granddad, Henry E. Hyde; Great Grandmom Emily; and Great Step Grandmom Jean. They are pictured with the Rocky Mountains in the background.

After a drive down Hyde St., we headed off towards Fort MacLeod.

Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump was really interesting and enjoyable. I remember learning in school about how the natives tricked whole herds of buffalos into stampeding over the cliffs, which I imagine was a whole bunch easier than killing them other ways before they had guns. I am not sure PETA would agree with their methods.

Then back past Pincher Creek towards the Rockies. A short drive through the town of Cowley, looking for the Hyde house, but that was unsuccessful. We checked out Frank Slide, which I didn't remember, but was the worst rockslide in Canadian history, back in '03..1903 that is. The whole moutain side (Turtle Mountain) fell down on the mining village, but it turned out the mine was the place to be, as the miners all survived. We also stopped in at the Leitch Collieries, but that wasn't too exciting.

And seeing as we were right there, we scooted through the Crows Nest Pass to British Columbia, and got a picture of that sign.

Back to Pincher Creek again, but there was still time left in the day,so we drove south, to the Waterton National Park. Lovely drive, lovely vistas, and we got to see some buffalo that weren't going to have to jump off a cliff.

Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan

Spell that 3 times fast... I'm lost now, but I think it was Thursday morning we left Winnipeg at a good early hour and drove to Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. Home of our Canadian Forces Snowbirds, and apparently a big Moose. Stacy will like the picture of the moose because she likes pictures of big things.

We found the Temple Gardens Mineral Spa, and donned the requisite white robes, and proceded to the wonderful, healing, hot, (113 F.) mineral spring pool.

After a short time in the pool, Sarah went for a run, while I continued to heal. Then we had a wonderful supper, another short time in the pool, which completely drained us. Whether it was early to bed or the time changes, we were up early and the first people in the pool this morning. So it was our place to greet everyone as they arrived, and we met several nice couples. It was really neat to be in the outdoor pool, with the outside temperature below 0.

After our cooling down showers, we packed up and hit the road again. Alberta bound!

And now, here we are in a huge room, at a beautiful new Super 8, in Pincher Creek Alberta. I've already held the laptop up to the window, to show my view of the Rocky Mountains to several people that have skyped us since we arrived here.

Still in Winnipeg

First thing this morning we took a short drive over to Balfour Ave. to see the house that I lived in when I was little. Funny how you can remember things. Like the bright sunny Saturday morning out bouncing a ball with Sheila while Mom and Dad slept in. Or walking down to the school on the corner, looking in the windows for Sheila, and being chased home by a teacher. One thing that surprised me was how close the school was. It was a much longer walk when I was 4 years old!

We then parked the car back at the hotel and walked down to The Forks, explored the market, climbed the observation tower, and then walked by the Assiniboine River to where it met the Red River.

Then a tour of downtown and a meal of fish and chips at an English pub on King St.

Winnipeg...and Saint Paddy's Day!!

Not quite as early start this morning, but we easily got where we were going.  We started off backtracking a bit to have a visit with Terry Fox, who did his thing back in the year Sarah and I got married. But it still brings a tear to your eye to see the statue.

Then shortly after we left Thunder Bay we had to turn our watches back again, but we were prepared...Mike had Skyped us before we left to forewarn us.

After an enjoyable drive through western Ontario, we entered Manitoba....

Just in time to find our hotel during rush hour...

Thunder Bay

Today was a long day (I ain't as good as I once was..) We left North Bay at 7:00, and I got to see The Big Nickel. I remember learning about that in school.

Then on to Sault Ste. Marie...

And then up to Wawa, and the Big Goose.

We then enjoyed a spectacular drive southbound on the west side of Lake Superior, complete with scenic vistas and crazy truck drivers passing on double lines through 2 lane cuts in the mountains. We arrived in Thunder Bay just after 9:00.