For our last full day here in Canada we have chosen to visit what is described as the greatest outdoor show on Earth, the Calgary Stampede. The Stampede is situated in central Calgary and we decide to take the Park and Ride and catch a train.
We have booked to see the afternoon Rodeo and the evening Chuckwagon races but the Stampede is very vast with all sorts of entertainment, stalls, fun fair and eating kiosks. There is an indoor area that is like going to the ideal home exhibition. There is so much to see and do you cannot possibly see everything on one day. It is worth planning ahead which we have roughly done and before going to the Rodeo we choose to watch the Super Dogs. The show is brilliant entertainment, with all sorts of dogs not just showing their agility in jumping over fences and racing through tunnels but also doing all sorts of tricks and disco dancing. Rosie still has a lot to learn.
So onto the Rodeo. The Rodeo is made up of quite a number of events all of which attract prize money which enables the winners to take part on the last day. We are seeing the Rodeo on the last of the heat events which means there is a lot to go for to get the places that are available. So we see Steer Wrestling, Bare saddle bronco, Barrel racing from a an excellent vantage point.
After the Rodeo we go to watch an Ice Dancing show. The show offers brilliant music and entertainment with the band playing Led Zeppelin, Rush, Pink Floyd, Elton John. The ice skaters are Canada’s Olympic gold medallists and there is so much more.
The initial evening entertainment is the Chuck wagon racing. Here 4 horses pull a chuck wagon driven by 1 person who assisted by out riders. There are 4 teams in each race. Each of the teams of horses have to be driven around 2 barrels without knocking them over before being driven around the circuit. It is quite spectacular with each of the drivers vying for a place on the coveted last day with $150,000 prize money on offer.
After the Chuck wagon racing we have the evening show. This is again very spectacular with singers and acrobats. The evening is drawn to a close with the grand firework finale with a rousing rendition of Oh Canada, and pictures being shown of the many places that we have visited on our travels and the wildlife that we have seen. It was a very fitting ending to our holiday.
Saturday, 17 July 2010
Thursday, 15 July 2010
Day 17 - The trail ends at the last Port o' Call
As we leave Banff we pop in to Canmore. There is a fair bit of Nordic skiing available here and we see people with roller skis practising on the road. We also see a curling rink reminding us that the Winter Olympics were held in Calgary in 1988. Further on we decide to veer off Highway 1, the Trans Canadian Highway, and go down Highway 40, a longer route to Calgary, but it is worth it as we take a last trail through the Rocky Mountains, this time following the Kananaskis Range. It is a long detour and we see deer, gophers and a cayote. We also see some scraggy Rocky Mountain Sheep. The scenery is again a fantastic wilderness.
All along the routes that we have taken in the Rockies we have seen people cycling, even during the all the snow. This is really extreme seeing these people going up the mountains but they seem to do it and you have to admire their ability and stamina.
Soon though we leave the mountains behind and head toward Calgary. Our hotel is the Port O'Call and is situated near the airport. It has a swimming pool with slides and hot tubs. To the amazement of the girls our room has 2 doors, one of which goes out onto our balcony that leads directly to the pool. It is not long before they get their swimming costumes on. The swimming pool is a substitute for the noise of the aircraft taking off.
Getting here we have relied heavily again on the Sat Nav. What a real asset, we would have been struggling without it, especially here in Calgary where the traffic was very busy and the motprway is worse than the M25. We have now done 4000km. The car has been quite adequate but anything smaller would have been a struggle both in terms of getting up and down the mountains and also space for fitting 4 suitcases and flight bags. Our radio entertainment has been by way of Sirius, a satellite broadcaster. We have a vast choice of radio stations that we can listen to from Elvis to Vatican Radio, from Frank Sinatra to 24 hour news.
And would you believe it, petrol here in Calgary is the cheapest of the route so far at $0.92per litre.
All along the routes that we have taken in the Rockies we have seen people cycling, even during the all the snow. This is really extreme seeing these people going up the mountains but they seem to do it and you have to admire their ability and stamina.
Soon though we leave the mountains behind and head toward Calgary. Our hotel is the Port O'Call and is situated near the airport. It has a swimming pool with slides and hot tubs. To the amazement of the girls our room has 2 doors, one of which goes out onto our balcony that leads directly to the pool. It is not long before they get their swimming costumes on. The swimming pool is a substitute for the noise of the aircraft taking off.
Getting here we have relied heavily again on the Sat Nav. What a real asset, we would have been struggling without it, especially here in Calgary where the traffic was very busy and the motprway is worse than the M25. We have now done 4000km. The car has been quite adequate but anything smaller would have been a struggle both in terms of getting up and down the mountains and also space for fitting 4 suitcases and flight bags. Our radio entertainment has been by way of Sirius, a satellite broadcaster. We have a vast choice of radio stations that we can listen to from Elvis to Vatican Radio, from Frank Sinatra to 24 hour news.
And would you believe it, petrol here in Calgary is the cheapest of the route so far at $0.92per litre.
Wednesday, 14 July 2010
Day 16 - Return to the Icefields
Today is a direct contrast to yesterday with blue skies and about 15 degress warmer. We decide to return back to the Columbia Icefield. Our decision is not in vain for we see mountains that were shrouded in mist all the way. All the snow that had fallen yesterday has gone and the roads are dry. Snow still remains on the top of the mountains and we regularly see glaciers. At the Columbia Icefield the snow that had adorned the steps to the centre has all gone and we can see the Athabasca Glacier. We decide to take the available transportation up to the Glacier. Initially a bus took us up to the edge of the Moraine - the shale/rocks deposited by the Glacier. We are then transferred onto a special vehicle that takes us up to the middle of the Glacier, where we have the pleasure of walking on the ice. This was a really exciting experience. Following the previous days weather the ice was not slippy and we could walk on it quite easily in out hiking boots. We had also prepared ourselves for the cold by having several layers of clothing on. It was quite incredible to be there. At the far edge of the Glacier was the icefield. To one side the guide pointed out that the mountain was a 3 way divide, one of its three rivers going to the Artic, another to the Pacific and the other to the Atlantic, all of which are precious in supplying water and power on their respective ways. You can easily see how much the ice has receded - there are markers showing where the ice has reached. There is an advance during the winter months but it recedes more than it advances by about 10ft during the summer.
This is a wonderous place and we take many photos before moving back to Banff. On the way we stop frequently taking photos. We revisit Lake Louise and walk half way around the lake. We have already seen bears on the way around the lake for the first time we see a chipmunk.
This is a wonderous place and we take many photos before moving back to Banff. On the way we stop frequently taking photos. We revisit Lake Louise and walk half way around the lake. We have already seen bears on the way around the lake for the first time we see a chipmunk.
Tuesday, 13 July 2010
Day 15 - Icefield Parkway
It has been interesting to see how the price of petrol has varied as we have travelled on our journey. In Vancouver it was about $1.19 per litre, in North Vancouver Island it was $1.12, in the South it was $1.07, at Clearwater it was $1.04 and Jasper it was $0.99. Later on we find that the price in Banff is $0.97. It seems that petrol is the cheapest commodity here.
The weather has changed and as we leave our hotel heading for Banff it is raining and we are unable to see the surrounding Jasper mountains. As we reach the Icefield Parkway the weather really starts to close in with more sleet than rain. At the kiosk entrance to the Parkway (highway 93) the lady says she wished that she had brought her Christmas CD and asks us if are used to driving in the snow. We say yes and drive on and within moments we are travelling in driving snow, some of which is lying as slush on the road. The scenery immediately around us is that of a winter wonder land with snow on the trees and ground and the ice-cold pale turquoise Athabasca River, but virtually nothing can be seen of the mountains. The Icefield Parkway is one of the most beautiful roads in the world but I have to focus my attention on the worsening road conditions.
The weather slightly improved as we reach the Athabasca Falls and we go to see the water spectacularly surging over the falls, but we don’t spend too much time there as the driving rain/sleet and cold start to penetrate.
As we start out again the snow again starts to thicken and our journey slows. We reach the Columbia Icefield but decide not to travel on to the ice. There are markers showing where the Athabasca Glacier was 150 years ago, it has retreated 0.9km since then. The ice field is the size of Vancouver with 6 glaciers coming of it, thus holding an awful lot of water (ice cubes). We decide to go and have a coffee and trudge up steps of deep snow to the Tourist Information area which had a good exhibition of the creation and finding of the glacier.
Travelling on we come to Lake Louise, named after the 4th daughter of Queen Victoria. The lake is a metre thick with ice during the winter and when the ice thaws the colour of the water is deep blue owing to the light refraction and the silt coming from the glacier sinking towards the bottom of the lake. The colour of the lake is now is a pale turquoise and is surrounded by mountains and glaciers except at one end where the features of the Fairmont Hotel dominate.
And so, on to our hotel in Banff, our Sat Nav leading the way. We are staying at the Spruce Inn, a relatively new hotel. Our room is very spacious and luxurious. It is larger than any of the others we have had previously been in, with 2 bathrooms which is a real bonus.
The weather shows that it is 9 degrees in Calgary, only an hour away and the forecast is 21 degrees is forecast for tomorrow. We will have to judge how many layers we wear.
An evening stroll up the main street in Banff reveals a much more established shopping area than in Jasper. Banff is again surrounded by mountains and as the evening wears on the cloud slowly clears to reveal fresh snow.
The weather has changed and as we leave our hotel heading for Banff it is raining and we are unable to see the surrounding Jasper mountains. As we reach the Icefield Parkway the weather really starts to close in with more sleet than rain. At the kiosk entrance to the Parkway (highway 93) the lady says she wished that she had brought her Christmas CD and asks us if are used to driving in the snow. We say yes and drive on and within moments we are travelling in driving snow, some of which is lying as slush on the road. The scenery immediately around us is that of a winter wonder land with snow on the trees and ground and the ice-cold pale turquoise Athabasca River, but virtually nothing can be seen of the mountains. The Icefield Parkway is one of the most beautiful roads in the world but I have to focus my attention on the worsening road conditions.
The weather slightly improved as we reach the Athabasca Falls and we go to see the water spectacularly surging over the falls, but we don’t spend too much time there as the driving rain/sleet and cold start to penetrate.
As we start out again the snow again starts to thicken and our journey slows. We reach the Columbia Icefield but decide not to travel on to the ice. There are markers showing where the Athabasca Glacier was 150 years ago, it has retreated 0.9km since then. The ice field is the size of Vancouver with 6 glaciers coming of it, thus holding an awful lot of water (ice cubes). We decide to go and have a coffee and trudge up steps of deep snow to the Tourist Information area which had a good exhibition of the creation and finding of the glacier.
Travelling on we come to Lake Louise, named after the 4th daughter of Queen Victoria. The lake is a metre thick with ice during the winter and when the ice thaws the colour of the water is deep blue owing to the light refraction and the silt coming from the glacier sinking towards the bottom of the lake. The colour of the lake is now is a pale turquoise and is surrounded by mountains and glaciers except at one end where the features of the Fairmont Hotel dominate.
And so, on to our hotel in Banff, our Sat Nav leading the way. We are staying at the Spruce Inn, a relatively new hotel. Our room is very spacious and luxurious. It is larger than any of the others we have had previously been in, with 2 bathrooms which is a real bonus.
The weather shows that it is 9 degrees in Calgary, only an hour away and the forecast is 21 degrees is forecast for tomorrow. We will have to judge how many layers we wear.
An evening stroll up the main street in Banff reveals a much more established shopping area than in Jasper. Banff is again surrounded by mountains and as the evening wears on the cloud slowly clears to reveal fresh snow.
Monday, 12 July 2010
Day 14 - Miette Hot Springs
Torrential rain during the night was sufficient to clear the flies and bugs that had embedded themselves on the front of the car.
Our objective for the day ws to visit Miette Hot Springs. On the way there we see more gophers and a black bear. The rain also returns so by the time we reach the springs it is continuous. This does not prevent our enjoyment of taking the plunge in the hot pool. The water that comes out of the mountain is 54 degrees and is cooled to 40 degrees for the pools. Most of the rain and snow that falls on the slopes of a mountain ends up in rivers and streams. Some of it, however, filters down through the cracks and pores in the mountain rock, pulled by gravity to a depth of three kilometres below the surface. It is this water which later returns to the surface in the hot springs.
Why is it warm?
As it seeps into the ground, the water becomes hotter and hotter — heated by radioactive decay in the earth's core. When the water boils, pressure forces it upward, just like the water in a coffee percolator. The speed at which the water rises, and the degree to which it mixes with cold ground water, causes the temperature to fluctuate.
So to wallow in the pools of such warm water whilst the rain/sleet pours out of the clouds is quite something. There is a couple who have an umbrella! The surrounding mountains gradually disappear in cloud. We later notice that the mountains have become whiter and a passing hiker confirms snow higher up. Indeed as we return to Jasper there is a sign of snow falling on the car. However, the rain had not detracted from such a wonderful experience that none of us will forget.
After a session inthe hotel pool we return to the main street in Jasper for dinner, the rain now cleared. We immediately notice that the tops of the surrounding mountains are covered by fresh snow, there is an immense change of freshness compared to the previous evening when it was stifingly warm.
After dinner we head for an evening drive to Patricia Lake. On the way we see more caribou, quite a number in fact.
In view of the cold we don't spend too much time there, but note that it was here in World War 2 that, on the request of Winston Churchill, steps were taken to create an ice aircraft carrier to protect the North Atlantic fleet. The project worked but did not get of the ground as it was too expensive and the prototype was sunk here at Patricia Lake.
Our objective for the day ws to visit Miette Hot Springs. On the way there we see more gophers and a black bear. The rain also returns so by the time we reach the springs it is continuous. This does not prevent our enjoyment of taking the plunge in the hot pool. The water that comes out of the mountain is 54 degrees and is cooled to 40 degrees for the pools. Most of the rain and snow that falls on the slopes of a mountain ends up in rivers and streams. Some of it, however, filters down through the cracks and pores in the mountain rock, pulled by gravity to a depth of three kilometres below the surface. It is this water which later returns to the surface in the hot springs.
Why is it warm?
As it seeps into the ground, the water becomes hotter and hotter — heated by radioactive decay in the earth's core. When the water boils, pressure forces it upward, just like the water in a coffee percolator. The speed at which the water rises, and the degree to which it mixes with cold ground water, causes the temperature to fluctuate.
So to wallow in the pools of such warm water whilst the rain/sleet pours out of the clouds is quite something. There is a couple who have an umbrella! The surrounding mountains gradually disappear in cloud. We later notice that the mountains have become whiter and a passing hiker confirms snow higher up. Indeed as we return to Jasper there is a sign of snow falling on the car. However, the rain had not detracted from such a wonderful experience that none of us will forget.
After a session inthe hotel pool we return to the main street in Jasper for dinner, the rain now cleared. We immediately notice that the tops of the surrounding mountains are covered by fresh snow, there is an immense change of freshness compared to the previous evening when it was stifingly warm.
After dinner we head for an evening drive to Patricia Lake. On the way we see more caribou, quite a number in fact.
In view of the cold we don't spend too much time there, but note that it was here in World War 2 that, on the request of Winston Churchill, steps were taken to create an ice aircraft carrier to protect the North Atlantic fleet. The project worked but did not get of the ground as it was too expensive and the prototype was sunk here at Patricia Lake.
Sunday, 11 July 2010
Day 13 - Maligne Lake
Jasper is surrounded by National Park - everywhere you look mountains leap adorn the skyline. Outside Jasper there is wilderness to explore. We chose to go to Maligne Lake. On the way we passed Medicine Lake. This is an unusual lake as it contains sink holes through which the water disappears underground eventually coming out somewhere near the Abathagasca Falls. The level of the lake diminishes gradually until the autumn when it starts to fill up again. The lake acts as a waterhole for many wildlife, and we saw a minke and a gopher.
We walked alongside the Maligne Lake for a bit but midges here were a bit of a nuisance so we decided to take a boat cruise across the lake. This was a real treat and is described as the best boat cruise in Canada - you can see why. With mountains on either side, and the colour of the lake a turquoise blue, the colour owing its nature to being the silt being taken into the water from the glaciers that are on the mountains. In places you can see where avalanches have taken away whole areas of trees in their path. The lake freezes to 6ft thick in the winter and has snow on top of that. Part of the mountain range is the Queen Elizabeth range but she has never seen them. As the boat nears towards the end of the lake there is a huge glacier in front of us with mountains either side. We stop by an isthmus island, an island that becomes an island as the lake water rises. The name of the island is Spirit Island. During our return trip we see that a huge part of the mountainside has come away at some part of history leaving giant boulders as a reminder of the catastrophic event that has happened long ago in time. It is thought that some of the boulders rolled 13km and some locked togther helping to create the lake.
On our way home we keep our eyes peeled for more wildlife, and our efforts are not in vain for we come across a black bear foraging, looking in toppled trees for bugs. Just fantastic. Then later on we come across some cariboo, a declining species in these parts.
When we were in Clearwater our slumbers were awoken on both nights by a horn. This was not a car or lorry but a train and both nights it was at 4am and 5.30am. Here in Jasper the train is one of the main points of employment. Many long trains travel through and as we walk along the main street we watch a goods train go through - I am certain that it took at least 5 minutes for all the carriages to make their way passed where we were standing. It must be quite something to drive these trains through the Rocky Mountains.
We walked alongside the Maligne Lake for a bit but midges here were a bit of a nuisance so we decided to take a boat cruise across the lake. This was a real treat and is described as the best boat cruise in Canada - you can see why. With mountains on either side, and the colour of the lake a turquoise blue, the colour owing its nature to being the silt being taken into the water from the glaciers that are on the mountains. In places you can see where avalanches have taken away whole areas of trees in their path. The lake freezes to 6ft thick in the winter and has snow on top of that. Part of the mountain range is the Queen Elizabeth range but she has never seen them. As the boat nears towards the end of the lake there is a huge glacier in front of us with mountains either side. We stop by an isthmus island, an island that becomes an island as the lake water rises. The name of the island is Spirit Island. During our return trip we see that a huge part of the mountainside has come away at some part of history leaving giant boulders as a reminder of the catastrophic event that has happened long ago in time. It is thought that some of the boulders rolled 13km and some locked togther helping to create the lake.
On our way home we keep our eyes peeled for more wildlife, and our efforts are not in vain for we come across a black bear foraging, looking in toppled trees for bugs. Just fantastic. Then later on we come across some cariboo, a declining species in these parts.
When we were in Clearwater our slumbers were awoken on both nights by a horn. This was not a car or lorry but a train and both nights it was at 4am and 5.30am. Here in Jasper the train is one of the main points of employment. Many long trains travel through and as we walk along the main street we watch a goods train go through - I am certain that it took at least 5 minutes for all the carriages to make their way passed where we were standing. It must be quite something to drive these trains through the Rocky Mountains.
Saturday, 10 July 2010
Day 12 - the Bear Necessities
Exiting Clearwater 4 bald eagles circle overhead sealing what was a very enjoyable time at the resort.
A third of the way along the 311km to Jasper we stop for a river safari at Blue River. The safari took us along a lake fed by the North Thompson river - the main objective - to see bears, and our efforts were not in vain for by the lakeside we saw 4 brown bear cubs with their mother, the cubs playing on a fallen tree. We managed to get very close without disturbing them. It was really quite something to see these bears in their natural habitat totally free to do as they pleased.
Further on, just beyond Valemont, we joined the Yellowhead highway. The first car to go up this way came about a 100 years ago. How they did it is a miracle. Later on, during the 2nf world war the road was updated using Canadian Japanese interment labour. Just a little further along Route 16 we stopped off at Mount Robson. We are now in the real Rockies with mountains all around us.
As we continue on the trail mountains pass by every few moments, with signposts denoting their names. Soon we come across the provincial border of Alberta and cross the time zone - we are now 1 hour closer to home. A few moments later we come to the edge of the Jasper National Park. A charge is made of $9 per adult per day.
The Best Western in Jasper is the most expensive hotel that we are staying in and I am pleased that we have already paid for this well in advance. It is the only time we have prepaid, although we have made reservations for all other hotels. This allowed for any delays.
Whilst being expensive the room exceeds expectations with real luxury in every aspect, the bathroom for instance, containing a double whirlpool bath.
A third of the way along the 311km to Jasper we stop for a river safari at Blue River. The safari took us along a lake fed by the North Thompson river - the main objective - to see bears, and our efforts were not in vain for by the lakeside we saw 4 brown bear cubs with their mother, the cubs playing on a fallen tree. We managed to get very close without disturbing them. It was really quite something to see these bears in their natural habitat totally free to do as they pleased.
Further on, just beyond Valemont, we joined the Yellowhead highway. The first car to go up this way came about a 100 years ago. How they did it is a miracle. Later on, during the 2nf world war the road was updated using Canadian Japanese interment labour. Just a little further along Route 16 we stopped off at Mount Robson. We are now in the real Rockies with mountains all around us.
As we continue on the trail mountains pass by every few moments, with signposts denoting their names. Soon we come across the provincial border of Alberta and cross the time zone - we are now 1 hour closer to home. A few moments later we come to the edge of the Jasper National Park. A charge is made of $9 per adult per day.
The Best Western in Jasper is the most expensive hotel that we are staying in and I am pleased that we have already paid for this well in advance. It is the only time we have prepaid, although we have made reservations for all other hotels. This allowed for any delays.
Whilst being expensive the room exceeds expectations with real luxury in every aspect, the bathroom for instance, containing a double whirlpool bath.
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