It looks like we need a new laptop. It was pretty frustrating waiting for the pages to open during our trip--never connecting to wifi, so we're posting our BusCar log now. The laundry is already done and we're back into our home routines. Here's the notes from our journal:
Our first night out, we stayed in the sweet town of Hope. It had just under 100 fabulous wood carvings throughout the town. And, the best latte and scone I think I've ever had. If you ever pass through, stop at the Blue Moose Cafe.
BusCar log 9-24-10
We left Pine Grove, RV Park at 9:30 joining road crew and logging trucks, heading up the 5N toward Jasper National Park. The weather is a cripst 54 degrees with light clouds. Mariana, our innkeeper, said some Austrians passed through the day before and were thrilled because they ran into snow at Banff. Lots of snowmen along the road. Winter-happy people. I'm secretly hoping they've all melted by the time we pass through.
Cha Cha & Sassy are spread on the dash--evidence they are easing in to the RV life. Until this morning, they tucked themselves into their travel cubbies in the rear. They brought a smile to the the stop-sign-road-crew lady as we passed.
The roads have been fantasticm with frequent passing lanes for slow pokes like us. We'll spend today traveling the N. Thompson (river) Valley. The Canadian Pacific trains are noticable more vibrant than in the US. They follow the rivers with us. Our first night out, we're reminded they're never far away. This will take a little getting used to.
What jarred us awake in Hope has already become familiar night noise. Our Pine Grove sleep was long and deep. Maybe we were just exhausted.
We're surprise to find we're traveling through several climate zones. Not only is Lytton's claim to fame, the hottest place in Canada, reaching 112 F, Ashcroft is known for it frequent fires, and thriving agriculture. We're in the banana belt!
We're also surprised how big Kamloops is--complete with the box stores and modern Three Rivers university. We gassed up at Costco and found some RVr's squatting for the night. We know about free-loading at Wal-Mart, but Costco???
Fall is more eveident the further North we drive. Red and oranges are peeking through the intense yellow and greens.
The upper Thompson is cattle country. We've passed hundreds of fat steers grazing and cows lazing in grass fields. Even the two stock yards was passed looked like tranquil parks compared to the hot, putrid, muddy pens of Arizona. Right now, I'm thinking if I were a beef eater, I'd buy Canadian. Who knows, maybe they have their durty little secrets too. Ed says it's time for me to start looking for bear. This is his way of getting me to stop looking at those beautiful bovine and mumbling how someone's going to eat them.
Jasper- Medicine Lake - Maligne Lake - Maligne Canyon
We realize we underestimated how far we were traveling. We thought we'd be in Jasper in two days. Instead it was a full three-day drive. We don't travel at warp speed in the BusCar. Almost everyone else on the road ends up passing us. No hurries, no worries, right?
The Whistlers campground was a beautifully forested park with 781 sites--many of which were closed for the year. We passed the first RV this morning--someone actually getting a slower start than us. It's raining, and the clouds remove the view of the surrounding mountains, leaving us slogging through the valley floor.
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| Fellow camp dwellers at Whistlers Campground in Jasper |
We visited some of the surrounding and outrageously gorgeous sites:
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| Medicine Lake (empties every year through holes in the bottom) |
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| Athabasca falls with six bridges you can cross-- even drive to individually--if you don't want to hike |
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| Maligne Lake supposedly the most photgraphed lake in BC (we didn't take the boat ride where these pics are usually taken) |
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| Maligne Canyon where water gushes from lake to lake carving out a very deep, very narrow canyon along the way |
Newly cleaned/refreshed holding tanks and we're on our way South on 93 from Jasper to Banff.
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| An overpass built for animals to cross. Several of these were under construction between Jasper and Banff. |
We arrived at the Fairmont, Lake Louise in the dripping rain.
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| A rainy day at Lake Louise |
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| The rain didn't stop canoers |
We arrived in Banff in time for happy hour--which meant the girls taking a little walk. This is just below our campsite:
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| Our front lawn at the Tunnels Campsite in Banff |
BusCar log 9-27-10
We were honestly surprised at how quickly we were ready to leave Banff. This is amazing country if your a skiier, hiker, biker, white-water rafter. We enjoy easy hikes to see the sights, but aren't interested in shopping. We got our coffees, checked wifi, and left town. We're heading west to Revelstoke.
One of the most picturesque stops on the whole trip--my favorite--was a little side trip to Emerald Lake. There is a small conference center and beautifully constructed cabins for anyone looking for a remote getaway:
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| No cars allowed. Only a shuttle from the parking lot to the chalets. |
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| I'm definitely painting this one |
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| and maybe this one too |
BusCar log 9-28-10
What a wet trip! It rained most of the night in Revelstoke. We heard we just missed a wash-out in Golden. The roads were closed most of the day. We tune in to California news and hear it's 113F in L.A. All the wet is heading north.
9-30-10 We've arrive in the Okanagan--time for the vineyards and a little wine tasting. Excited about finally getting a chance to ride our bikes we set off for a sunset trip around the lake--followed by the same trip for sunrise. The girls settled into their sattle bags and we felt pretty smug. That is until we arrive at our coffee stop and found Cha Cha missing. Our worst nightmare!
Ed's now thinking our stay in Penticton is going to be a lot longer than planned, and I'm in my "worst case" mode and visualizing her dying within a week without her meds. Luckly, we just biked through a large, empty parking lot and when retracing our path, and calling her name, she came running--leash trailing behind. Her look of panic and joy mimiced ours. We four lost ourselves in a group hug difficult to release. We were lucky. New secruity measures have been taken so it doesn't happen again.
Bedding down--all four together--felt like a special blessing this night.
We could go on and on, but need to get this out. It's almost a week since we've been home. Thanks for dropping by. More from WaaleWorld to come. Hopefully, next time in real-time.
Ed's now thinking our stay in Penticton is going to be a lot longer than planned, and I'm in my "worst case" mode and visualizing her dying within a week without her meds. Luckly, we just biked through a large, empty parking lot and when retracing our path, and calling her name, she came running--leash trailing behind. Her look of panic and joy mimiced ours. We four lost ourselves in a group hug difficult to release. We were lucky. New secruity measures have been taken so it doesn't happen again.
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| Our first ride of the trip--along Oosoyous Lake Doggie saddle bags in back |
The rest of the day was spent aqauinting ourselves with some special nooks, and great wines in the Naramata Bench region and finding another great camp spot on the beach at NK'Mip RV park.Bedding down--all four together--felt like a special blessing this night.
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| Naramata Bench Wine region in the Okanagan Valley |
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| Last night at beautiful RV park right on Lake Chelan (and right in the city) |
