Note: This is the MUCH anticipated second installment of my Banff Log. For part 1, go here. Day three finally brought us to Canada. That's where we pick up this episode...
Day 3 - Sullivan Lake to The Canadian Border to Radium
We woke up to chirping squirrels
and birds and a sleeping Teagan. He was uncovered in the early morning but went
back to sleep when Autumn covered him up. I snuck out and started some water
for coffee while the campground slept. It was about 6:45 and the perfect time
to be up and about. Teagan woke up and Trinity came trotting around after
spending the night with mom and Harry, which ended up being really good for
everyone. A quick clean and pack and we were on our way.
 |
| Canada, here we come! |
 |
| First Border Crossing |
About 25 minutes later we hit the
Canadian border where we had to show ID and Teagan and Trinity were officially
international travelers! We stopped for pictures and the officer checking our
paperwork stamped some papers for the kids. The mosquitos welcomed us as well,
making our Canadian debut a success! Then we hit the road.
 |
| Besties on top of Kootenay Pass! |
A long climb up Kootenay Pass
quickly showed us that Canada is just plain big. Huge views, huge mountains and
valleys greeted us and we stopped to check out a caribou momma and baby on top
of the pass. We threw some rocks in the lake (mandatory, even in Canada) and
then packed up again. We stopped at Moyie Lake for lunch where everyone was
able to stretch their legs and get replenished for the next push. A (not so)
quick stop in Cranbrook For groceries and fuel set us up for the last leg for
the day. A 7 hour trip later and we were in Radium for the night. We set up
camp and then went into town for dinner. After an uneventful meal we went to
the hot springs and swam in the big warm pool for an hour or more. What a great
way to end the day. But end it must, so we headed back to camp and all laid our
weary heads down for the night. I think what I loved most about today was to be
reminded how even little events all add up for a really adventurous day,
especially when you’re in a place you’ve never been to before.
Day 4 Radium to Lake Louise
Whew! Day four (night three) in
the camper and we’re still having a great time! Both kids slept in the camper,
in the same bed and come out none the worse for wear. Teagan is a mover so
there’s always the possibility that he’ll wake up Trinity. He popped up first
and climbed into bed with me while Autumn braved the bears and went for a quick
run. Trinity woke up a little later and we all went down to the Kelley camp
site for some promised coffee. I sipped a little cuppa while the kids had a
little milk and played with their collapsible chairs. Autumn then came back, so
I went for a short run too. The rest of the morning was a slow motion version
of what it is to pack up and leave another camp site. There were showers and playing and hooking up
trailers. That’s about it. Then we took off for Lake Louise, only to be
derailed about 20 minutes into our drive by a fantastic view of the Canadian
Rockies. So we stopped and snapped a few shots and were off again. What a
fantastic drive! The mountains were really breathtaking with their massive
presence looming over us. I’ve seen big mountains before, but these just shot
out of the ground and shot skyward with very little distraction. The massive
amounts off rock made it all seem a little surreal.
.JPG) |
| Little boy in front of big mountains (catchy caption, eh?) |
A couple of hours later, we
pulled into Lake Louise and got in line to register. It sure is busy here! I am
so glad we were able to get reservations ahead of time. On the way in, the camp
hosts informed us that there was a bear on premises, so please observe all the
rules for camping in bear country. Now where was that bear spray? The afternoon
passed with tired kids and dinner preparation. It was a little different
because we will be staying here for a few nights. It makes it a little easier
to get organized and feel a little more settled. Autumn has done a great job
packing and organizing our little home on the road.
 |
| We all get settled in a little differently! |
After dinner we set out on bikes
to see Lake Louise. The small maps we had showed that it would be a few miles
on trails to get there. So we set off on the nice single track, ready for a
beautiful view. Well, I believe it was Thomas Moore that said something to the
effect of, “The best laid plans of mice and men oft go awry.” Yep, the trail
prohibited bikes about a mile into the trip, so we jumped on the road and began
to climb. And climb. And climb. By road it was about 4km to the lake and it was
ALL uphill. All told it was about 800 feet of climbing. It doesn’t sound like
much until you realize you’re hauling a trailer with kids. Ha! We didn’t know
it at the time, but about ¾ of the way up the hill, we saw a ranger vehicle and
a crowd of onlookers. Pedaling up, we discovered a grizzly bear wandering
around in the bushes. The kids were able to see it live and in person! It was a
first for me as well, which made all of our effort worth it!
 |
| Trailers do roll on surfaces other than pavement, like rocks and roots! |
 |
| The climb begins... |
 |
| ...and never seems to end! |
 |
| The smiles could be forced... |
After a few snaps, we found out
that we were about 5-10 minutes from our goal. The lake was just up the hill. I
think we all groaned a little inwardly, but none of use was going to quit so
close to the prize. Up we went, huffing and puffing. I was towing Teagan and
Emerson, and I was talking to Teagan when I looked back and discovered that
they had both fallen asleep! I guess it was tiring just riding up the hill! We
all regrouped and rode to the lake, where there is a fancy resort and maybe the
most spectacular view on earth. The mountains rise right out of the lake and
don’t stop for thousands of feet. Wow! The funny part was that the kids
sleeping in the trailer really attracted a lot of attention. Many of the
tourists were foreigners and many of them thought that the kids sleeping in the
trailer were as interesting as anything else. One Indian family even shot a
video of me riding past with the kids. Youtube anyone? We’re going viral baby!
Many more people stopped by to peer into the bike trailer and comment on the
two little sleepers.
 |
| Snoozers |
 |
| 3/4 of the Kelley family and 1/4 of the Harrell family |
 |
| The best 1/4 of the Harrell family. Hey baby, how YOU doing? |
But it was getting late and we
didn’t want to ride down the hill after dusk, so we set off and covered the
same 2 miles in about 1/20th of the time. Then we went for ice
cream! All four kids were awake by then, so we enjoyed a scoop of ice cream and
then it was back to camp and into bed for the kids. Teagan was so tired that,
on the way back from ice cream, looks at me from Kal’s bike trailer and asks,
“daddy, can it be my bedtime?” Too cute. It was a good way to end the day and
it’s a good way to end this journal entry.
 |
| The end of the day AND the end of this post... |
.JPG)
Comments
Post a Comment