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  3. TRAVEL: 2007 through 2011
  4. AUGUST 2009 WA AND CANADA

BC II: Yoho to Banff

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yohonationalparkzacbribev

  • We are now in Yoho National Park (Yoho is a Cree word expressing amazement or awe). The Kicking Horse River is flowing straight toward you (It got its name when a fellow who was scouting this area to determine if a railroad could be completed through this pass was kicked by his horse). About even with Bri and Bev, the water plunges forcefully downward, to pass beneath this totally cool natural bridge.
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  • The Natural Bridge is now to Zac's right. Here is where the water plunges down. Probably not a good idea to swim here.
  • This photo did not capture the moment as well as I would like, but Bri is on the Bridge right now, taking a photo of the water gushing by below her.
  • This whole area used to be at a transition zone of an ancient ocean, where life was abundant. The tops of some of these mountains make up one of the most famous sites in the world for fossils.
  • Now what kind of berries are these, Bev? Zac has taken some recent classes where he has learned about lots of the safe native plants to eat. Some are totally tasty, too!
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  • This has got to be one of my all time favorite waterfalls, and I am a waterfall lover. Takakkaw is a Cree word for "It is magnificent," and this, my friend, is Takakkaw Falls.
  • Wish I knew how to send you the rumble and the totally cool, cleansing, refreshing mist! about 1/4 of the way down, the water hits a ledge, which makes it shoot out from the mountainside as it plummets in free fall to the valley floor where we are.
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  • We have crossed over into Alberta (from British Columbia) and Banff National Park (from Yoho National Park). Immediately, we drove to Lake Louise. However, Lake Louise has 4 or 5 huge parking areas, all of which were totally full. We drove around in them a few times, then gave up and decided that we may enjoy Moraine Lake more anyway (we wanted Zac and Bri to see Lake Louise because it is so famous. And they did, from the car). So, here is Moraine Lake. Only slightly further off the road than is Lake Louise, this place still has LOTS of tourists, but it is much easier to see than is Lake Louise is (and at least as pretty, in my opinion).
  • Moraine Lake (and Lake Louise, and several other lakes of the high Canadian Rockies) receive melt water almost directly from glaciers. The water is therefore carrying lots of finely-ground "rock flower" from the action of the glacier. This suspended rock flower results in a nearly mesmerizing and intense aqua glow to the water.
  • Mesmerizing and intense, I say.
  • Howdy, pawdna! Just drove my herd in from Penticton. Yup, I'm sure a tired ol' dogie. Thought I'd relax a spell here at this pre-fabidicated camp site. Gotta' admit, the boots are mighty doggone stiff, an' I can't seem to get these danged sticks to light a far. But hey, if you can figgur out just hows to pour from the pot, you can hep yersef to some coffee. Heck, please pour me some, too, since I don't seem to be able to pick the dern pot up. Think it may be kinda' like that "sword in the stone" thing, 'cept this here is the "pot on the rock." Anyhow, wake me up if ya' figgur out how ta' pour a nice cuppa joe..... Then we'll find a place fer some vittles in this here neck o' the woods.
  • Bev, Bri, or Zac: Any of you remember the name of the place we ate dinner at in Banff? It was basically an Irish Pub. Food was DELICIOUS!
  • We stayed at THE INNS OF BANFF. Not spectacular, but relatively inexpensive. Worth the price, I think, compared with some of the other places I priced. And it's hard to beat the view from the hot tub! Mount Rundle in the background.
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