Kamloops to Banff

Hit the road at 8am after breakfast at Harold's - same place as last night.

                 Harold's had a nice view though! It was just next door to our motel on Hwy 1 east.

We viewed lots of hoodoos where the rocks eroded more in places causing ridges. We drove from the arid area along Shuswap Lake into lusher regions. The lake was so calm the borders were reflected in it. Unfortunately, I was in charge of photography, as Jim can't take photos and drive, so photos are more limited than they might have been!

We saw an osprey nest on top of a pole with the osprey sitting in it. It reminded my of the stork nests in Estonia. Our Gypsy Guide told us that in places they put platforms on the poles in order to encourage the ospreys to nest there.

 

Heading for the Rockies.

Stopped in Revelstoke for a coffee. Revelstoke is a lovely Canadian town nestled within the mountains - I think it's the Selkirk Mountains. Outside Revelstoke we headed into avalanche country where there were glaciers coming right down to the road and where there was packed snow/ice at the sides of the road. We hoped to do a few detours for walks e.g Skunk Cabbage Trail and The Giant Cedars Trail but unfortunately they were closed. Gypsy mentioned bear activity so I took to song - If you go down to the woods today you better go in disguise, for every bear that ever there was will gather there for certain because, today's the day the teddy bears have their picnic! Anyway we could see that the snow hadn't melted and this was confirmed when we reached the Visitor Centre in Banff. Most of the highlights are still closed because they had a phenomenal winter of snow. Some of the skiing places are still open! So, disappointingly, we have come a month too early. It doesn't take away from the drive though, in fact it probably adds to it!

 

Getting closer to the Rockies!

 Snow sheds are erected along the route of avalanche country to prevent the roads getting blocked by the snow. The first one we went through had snow packed on its roof.

This snow shed was at tyhe start of Glacier National Park.

We stopped for lunch at Golden where I had carrot and ginger soup - more of a puree - and Jim had yam fries. Both were streets ahead of last night's meal.

 

Views en route.

In the distance a view of an animal overpass built to protect the wild animals from the highway. Unfortunately we saw no bears or elks or moose or mountain goats or bighorn sheep. Maybe tomorrow!

Above 5 views just before entering Banff where we are staying tonight.