Off to the Rockies!

We set off at 10am in the truck. Took a while to get through Kelowna but then the roads freed up.

One thing that I can't get over is the number of lakes that BC has. I can never see too much water; I'm an aquarian after all - as is Gail. Did I mention we share the same birthday? 18 Feb. Shared with my late dad too! I was his best ever birthday present. Anyway I digress... So one beautiful lake after another. We drove through flat farmland, but always there are mountains in the distance.

We saw a train! A really, really long train. It went on forever! I like the signs with the town names. Usually quite creative. I've been photographing them because 1 they're nice and 2 they help me remember where I've been!

I like the fact that wherever we stop there are washrooms (loos). Although some have been locked because it's early in the season. Normally at least one is open though and you can hold on til you find it (unlike one member of our travel group!!). I was a bit shocked at one loo on the highway that had two big window holes. Someone could easily look in whilst you're a bit busy! Gail pointed out that the holes are to let smells out! They're not flushing loos you see.

I started taking more photos of what we were passing because it's all so interesting. A cannabis shop (common site), pretty houses, a wigwam, a meeting house for the indigenous folk, more lakes, more mountains, and then the Rockies themselves! How is it that mountains are all so different? Different colours, heights, shapes.... White snow on the top of a lot of them, glaciers, waterfalls. Breathtaking.

Got a little concerned at the signs 'Entering avalanche area'. There were a lot of those. I couldn't understand why there were quite a few trees down, but of course an avalanche is very strong and will take down anything in its path. We went through a few avalanche tunnels. Hopefully strong enough to protect us!

We went under lots of animal bridges. These are bridges built for the animals to cross to prevent them having to go on the highway. They have trees on them but we didn't see any animals using them. Did see a couple of deer and an elk on our journey but no bears sadly.

We stopped at Lake Louise. It was mostly frozen! I don't think I've ever seen a frozen lake. It was beautiful. In the summer apparently it's stunning with the reflection from the snow topped mountains.

We reached Canmore where we will be staying for three nights. My son's friend Alex had been living here for the snow season but I'd just missed him (he's now planting trees somewhere.) We popped to the supermarket. Was a bit shocked to see 'handicapped' parking - that's not a word we use in the UK.

I was blown away with the view of the mountains from the carpark. I can only imagine what this place is like in the winter. Although very cold, it'll be beautiful I'm sure. Don't think I'll ever see it for real. Snow and ice scare me - I have a big fear of falling and breaking a replaced or revised hip. Anyway, I'm here now and I'm loving it

Gail's girls were watching out for our arrival. They live in Edmonton. So good to see them. I'd not seen them in a few years. They've got with them Barkley, their black lab who is cute.

We had a light meal and a long chat. All very pleasant.