A travelling we will go .....

As we missed the August Bank Holiday in the UK we decided to travel to the Kootenay Valley over the Labour day weekend! We departed Calgary on the Monday and headed to Banff, people had said it was warmer in Banff but we did not expect the intensity of the heat in the afternoon. A short stroll confirmed heat and the need to take in lots of water. After an early start on Tuesday we started our hike up to Healy Meadows and up to the Pass from Sunshine car park, we prepared ourselves with sunscreen SPF 30, Deet to keep those bugs at bay and of course bear spray. The bear spray is psychological as if you have to use it you are in a situation you shouldn't be in. Rangers tell you to talk loudly, make noise and call out which we do as it is better not to surprise a bear let alone come between a mother and her cubs!

As we reached the Meadows and then the Pass we were the only hikers encroaching on nature. The views were awesome, 360 degree views of mountains, glaciers, cornices and the only sounds were from the breeze and the insects as they flew around. We were too late this year for the brilliant meadow flowers - perhaps next time. After a short while we were joined by three other hikers who found their own space to take in the views. We munched on our sandwiches courtesy of Safeway in Banff; we can well recommend the gourmet sandwiches the fillings, chosen by yourself, are fresh and exceedingly tasty but perhaps a little on the large side.

On returning to our hotel we showered and decided on an early evening meal which turned out to be very fortuitous as after the main course we watched an electrical storm the likes of which we have never seen. To top it all there was a power cut every where in Banff; some other residents went back to dark rooms Why? When like us they could remained in the dining room watching a spectacular display of forked lightening - light was restored an hour or so later.

We departed Banff the following morning and decided to travel along the Bow Valley Parkway for a while until the Kootenay Park turnoff. We were rewarded with a grizzly bear sighting, a young angry male who scowled at us as he crossed the road and gave us an opportunity to take a photo. Our journey continued through Kootenay Park and into British Columbia. The Park has many stopping places often with a trailhead; Stanley Glacier is an enjoyable hike as it offers mountain views and also the Glacier. Last year we had to take care on this hike as a bear had been digging quite close to the trail. Ranger stations, Banff, Radium and at Kootenay itself have up to date information regarding bear sightings and also cougar sightings. It is important to be bear aware.

Lake Kootenay is a perfect place to chill out; there is the lake with osprey and eagles (and other birds) you could even go fishing yourself. It is peaceful except for those loud motor bikes doing the Selkirk Loop. There are no night lights in the area so on a clear night the milky way is visible as are satellites as they spin around our planet all at different speeds.

The garden at the Log House is still blooming with colourful roses and other flowers; the trees are still heavy with fruit - plums will be ready shortly followed by the apples. The grapes are small but juicy and tasty to eat. Other berries are now dwindling in supply, however green string beans and zucchini are plentiful. My sister and her husband grow enough vegetables to be sufficient throughout the winter only having to purchase meat and fish. The temperatures in the morning and the late evening were telling us that the fall was not that far away, before we left the heating kicked in as the temperature in the Log House fell to 8C and the geothermal pump felt it needed to pump in warm not cold air! What efficiency.

Our journey back to Calgary allowed us to see a female moose with two young in Kootenay Park, the cooler temperatures had allowed a sugar frosting of snow on some of the higher peaks.