Finding America

With a big day of hiking planned we concocted an oatmeal and fruit porridge to provide long burning fuel to our muscles. We were geared up and out the door early. The Fox lead us to the trailhead for Corey Pass just south of Bannf.

From the parking area we crossed a river by footbridge and continued on to a beautiful glade with only a smattering of trees to block the view of the surrounding peaks. The occasional ground squirrel would chirp at us from its burrows mouth and then dive fore safety as we approached.

As the trailed turned towards the mountains we could follow its sinuous path with our eyes all the way up the vertical face. LOL – are we really going to climb that. Uhhhh I guess so cause we did. It was a non stop uphill trek and was by far the steepest terrain we had hiked yet, even surpassing the vertical relief of the Grand Canyon hike we did.

A group of young men from Germany came blasting past us as if we were standing still on our climb. Other than that we didn’t see anyone else on the hike. The few level places to rest provided unparalleled views of the Bow Valley and the surrounding rocky mountains and despite the pain in our muscles the hike was totally worth it. We saw mountain goats along the way, Birds and squirrels aplenty and even almost stepped in bear scat. What a hike. When it was all said and done we were grateful for the challenge, but potentially more grateful that it was over.

We drove back to town and walked around the southern end of main street and lounged in the riverside park. It was so nice out. People strolled through the park and picnicked in the park. It was all very idyllic and it made us promise to come back someday for an extended stay.

With our muscles still aching from the hike we opted to take a trip up to the Banff’s Hot Springs. The place has been lauded for generations for its restorative and healing waters. Now I don’t know if that has been scientifically proven but slipping into that steaming pool did seem to sooth our fatigue and put the heart at ease.

It was a blast people watching as well. Everyone seemed to be in good spirits and the kids were fun to watch as they balanced along the edge of the kiddy pool and the deeper waters. We hung out for a good while until it started to cloud up and then headed back to Kodi. We took a quick detour on the way back to see the Banff’s Fairmont Hotel. Talk about an impressive place. All though it doesn’t have the natural setting that the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise had it is still mighty incredible and well worth a visit I’d reckon if you aren’t camping in the area.

We relaxed at home for a while and got cleaned up for dinner. We drove into town and settled in at the Magpie and Stump Mexican Cantina. We caught and NBA playoff game, Kam could probably tell you which team it was but I have no idea. The food was good and their signature margarita was the perfect cap to another outstanding day in the Canadian Rockies.

We watched a little free-to-air t.v. when we got back and then it was another great night’s sleep nestled in our comfortable bed and nothing but the sounds of whispering wind to stir us.