OUR LAND ADVENTURE prt 3

Our new MO, stay at each place at each camp at least 5 days and explore by motorcycle. Kootenay Lake provided a great place to do just that. First off it is a hop skip and jump from my favorite place to soak my weary bones, Ainsworth Hot Springs. This one is unique as the hot water source is deep in a cave, creating a hot steamy carved stone soak. The water at the source is 42C, plenty hot even me!

Donna and Priam sought shopping, I sought a longer ride so we did the traditional circle to the bustling town of Nelson, I took the long scenic ride, they the shorter more direct route. We met in a nice trendy “dining fresco” for lunch, ouch $80 Canadian! Get used to it!

Our venture north took us along the scenic lake, and across one of BC’s classic open ferry rides across the lake. Climbing up into the mountains we arrived at another top list camp, Revelstoke RV camp. We reunited with the manager and her hubby. He has a burning desire to hit the high seas so we talk boats and the South Pacific. This camp is unique as it has a barrel type sauna which becomes a nightly ritual for me.

Two years in the wilds of Canada and Donna had yet to see a bear. The manager heard about this so when he spotted one on his daily rounds he knocked on our door, hurry the bear is in the lower lot. Not taking any chances Donna bolted out the door still in her bear print PJ’s.  We walk down to the lower level which is still closed to campers, and there he is! A two year old male Black Bear, doing all sorts of bear things for us, filming all the way.  I approach for the photos, and get Donna in position for her bear shot. My Dad loved to tell the joke “I once shot a bear in my pajamas, how that bear got in my pajamas I never will know” we got the next best thing, Donna in her bear pajamas with the bear.

The critter put on quite a show, climbed a tree, rubbed his butt on a picnic table, and did a bit of a dance, then wondered off into he brush.

We go exploring in both directions from the camp, and gee wiz, there is a hot spring in either path. Donna found an out of the way tiny diner where we had a spectacular meal. The riding here is sublime and Donna is getting the hang of her new bigger bike.

 We hit another “road side attraction”  the Enchanted Forest. One of those tourist spots so cheesy it is cool. Decades of work putting tiny statues and nursery rhymes along a wooded path. My old man memory is a mystery, I remember almost all the words to the rhymes of my child hood. Hickery Dickery and all. On another hike up a spectacular hike up a deep canyon, a scene from a movie popped into my head, but what movie? i could not name the movie. As I walked more and more scenes came across my cerebral screen, the finally, after half an hour, bingo! I remembered the name!

This trip also took us to one of my fav places, the Continental Divide. From this place I always joke, I can pee in the Pacific Ocean then turn and pee into the Atlantic!

We headed over Roger’s Pass on a drizzly cold day. Most of the time I travel wishing I was blazing away, wind in my hair (ok not so much hair now) on my Harley. Cresting the path in near 0 visibility, and rain, I was glad to be in my comfy RV seat.

Next stop is another return, the Golden Municipal Campground. An email exchange with our old friend Prem, now full camp manager, and our site is reserved. We settle into our spot, shaded with a spectacular river view. Priam and I hit the small local cinema to see Spielberg’s latest, Disclosure Day.

I hit the local AA meeting to see some old friends and discover the Canadian Sober Riders are holding their annual gathering there in a few days. Donna and Priam had never seen “biker games’ so we signed up. Donna grabbed the hot dog and won first prize!

Now we venture into the prime scenic area, Banff and the famed Ice Fields. Even though there are multitudes of campgrounds in the area, reservations are tight, especially for our full service needs. The best place has no reservations, first come first serve, so fills up fast. After talking to the manager we take his advice and arrive in the mourning to grab a site as others leave. With no pull through spots available we unload the bikes and detach the trailer then put the motorhome in a spot it just fits.

This puts us in striking distance from our goal, Banff at July 1, Canada Day Parade. Parking is a night mare that day so we avail ourselves the public buss to town. Even with my natural rather obsessive fear of buss’s it is really handy. As usual the parade is phenomenal. Five full on, brilliantly costumed and choreographed marching bands! One band had over 100 teenagers, all the way from Toronto. Mystified as to why all these bands show up at Banff each year, I discovered they use it for warm up for the world famous Calgary Stampede parade, all to our thrilling benefit.  I am a big kid when it comes to parades and marching bands, always brings a cheer and a tear from me.

With Donna’s passion for sites we set out daily with a list of things to see. We discover a wooded beautiful road that parallels the main express way, so use it going to the many splendid things to see.  

There are some places that one is far better off taking a tour to see, so Donna and Priam use those. The explore Lake Louis and other noted places on a tour van. This gives me a good excuse to hit the Banff Hot Springs while they play tourist.

We hit our five day limit at the Canmore park and luck into a spot at River’s Edge Provincial Park. This will be one of the most beautiful places we stay but only get a few days there. Back to Canmore, this time we set our brave scout ahead on her bike to secure a pull through spot. When Priam and I arrive Donna is firmly standing guard at our space.

The next leg takes us up over the famed Ice Fields, simply one of the most spectacular paths on earth. We pass by the once massive glaciers, shrinking every year and thru the majestic Canadian Rocky Mountains. No place on earth like this!

This ends this leg of our quest and what a time it has been. Now near Jasper and the top of the Rockies and on to the next adventure!