Thumbnail is a street shot of buildings and reflections of buildings near our hotel yesterday afternoon.

And a sample of some street art in Calgary, this one is called 'Fire'. We saw some larger more impressive pieces on the way out of town.

We didn't have much lined up today but a biker we spoke to some days ago suggested we head down the road to Longview as it was a great ride with big sweeping corners. Well as it turns out he was probably from really flat country with very few corners but in spite of that it was a comfortable rather than challenging ride and the scenery was just wonderful. We travelled toward Black Diamond which we assumed referred to oil since we had seen many oil donkeys operating but in the town itself there were many diagrams of black diamonds on business and municipal signs so who knows, not me. This is a shot as we started to head for Black Diamond and were delighted to see some mountaims in the distance.

We travelled through the foothills to the Rocky Mountains for a long time and it was wonderful with broad grassy valleys sweeping up to gently undulating hills to steeper hills and mountains beyond. The grassland was phenomenal and we literally passed through thousands of acres of country which was littered with big round hay bales. When there were cattle present (rarely) they were standing in grass almost as high as their bellies at the shortest and half way up their sides at times. The cattle groupings looked like bovine maternity wards with all cows in good condition so the hard work begins again to replenish stocks after drought. A shot looking onto Mt Sentinel Ranch.

Longview was aptly named with views in all directions of lush grassy plains but by this time we had seen a sign for 'Crowsnest Pass' which sounded interesting and in the direction of some great looking mountains so off we went. We found a spot in the Pass which was famous for a disaster in the town of Frank in 1903. A limestone wedge 425m long by 150m deep broke free from the top of Turtle Mountain and smashed apart as it slid down the mountain literally covering the valley floor and obliterating part of the town. 70 people died but not the men working underground in the coal mine, they tunelled out. Just to get road and raiI line back in has been quite the engineering feat.

The Pass was spectacularly rugged and beautiful and they even have a golf course and country club.

A waterfall down river from the site of the disaster with the same train.

We headed back down the pass to find 'Head Smashed in Buffalo Jump' among incredibly lush and flat to undulating grassland which we expected to be the highlight of the day and it probably was. This was a cliff area where since some 6,000 years go until around 150 years ago when they gained access to horses and guns the Blackfoot Indians used to herd the Bison over the edge of the cliff to kill them and they would then set about preserving the meat and fat for sustenance then and future use and using the hides for clothing and tents and bones as tools and weapons. The interpretative centre was impressive. It was 7 storeys from the ground floor to the top where we walked along the cliff top and it was situated quite a distance above the valley floor so the fall was considerable. The centre handled the history and context of it well with the Indians livelihood as well as the demise of the bison once European man came on the scene. Embarrassing really.

On the cliff top.

It was getting late in the day as we headed for Waterton National Park and there were several areas of rain in all directions which we had avoided throughout the day but it looked like we would get dumped on before we got in, thankfully we didn't but we got some great shots of threatening skies. We expected a ride in flat featureless country but nothing could be further from the truth. Initially we had more undulating grassland with many warnings of high wind gusts and not surprisingly prolific numbers of wind turbines but we turned toward some more hills which led to mountains and yet again WOW!. A view from Pine Ridge viewpoint as we are heading into the Natiomal Park.

The Prince of Wales Hotel where we are not staying but literally sitting on top of a rocky outcrop above the lake.

And a shot of the lake. Just beautiful.

Bits and Bobs:

Finally got a decent shot of an oil donkey near Longview.

Just out of Longview a reminder that we were in remote territory.

Last Night's Accommodation:

International Hotel Suites Calgary. 220 4th Avenue Southwest, Calgary AB

Generous comfortable space in the bedroom and sitting / kitchen space....the smallest space was the bathroom which was even smaller than a majority we have had so far, go figure! Included wifi and breakfast. Bar, lounge and cafe on site and a nice dinner in a comfortable chair was good at the end of the day. Between when we booked and today the parking has gone from off-site to within the building with a lift to rooms so worked well for us.

The thumbnail is a shot of the bikes in front of Minnewanka Lake. Really pretty. This is a dam which has had it's capacity increased by 14 feet in the early 90's then another 65 feet in the 1970's as water was directed from Johnson Lake via a large canal we ultimately rode past.

And another view of Minnewanka as we rode the Loop Road further around the mountain.

From here we headed back toward Banff as we had seen a sign to Tunnel Mountain which had intrigued us so we set off to find it and find it we did. Turns out at the time of the original Railway Survey of the area in the 1800's the mountain to the right of the shot was deemed to be a hindrance to the line and it was decided a tunnel was needed. At th end of the day an alternative route around the mountain was built but the mountain retained the name. Doh! Picturesque ride anyway.

We headed off on the Trans Canada Highway and at the first opportunity diverted off onto 1A which was a great ride though when it was the main highway it would have been an incredibly frustrating drive I would think with limited spots to pass or pullover. We called into the little town of Canmore for a coffee and talking to the locals who realised we were Australians referred to us having 3 mountains called the 3 Sisters and then directed us to see their 3 Sisters and here they are, from left to right, Frances, Olive and Grace. I don't know if our own 3 Sisters in the Katoomba Mountains are individually named or not. Does anyone else know?

Then cruising along the road we spotted a great mirror image of Nakoda Lodge in a lake and decided to see if we could get a shot. We didn't get the Lodge from the angle we could reach but I was happy with this shot looking back to the Canadian Rocky Mountains which were beginning to shrink behind us at this point.

We gradually saw the great Canadian Rocky Mountains disappearing into the distance and as I'd stopped for another photo shot Norm thought it was a good chance to record a farewell shot.

As we progressed toward Calgary the mountains continued to shrink behind us and the river dropped into a deep valley and the hills were covered in fewer trees and flowing grasslands. As we approached Ghost River Dam we must have been in Reservation Territory as we saw a sign to 'Chief Stoneys Rodeo' and went past a massive building obviously an indoor one. A bit later on we spotted a sign to Stoneys Medicine Hut but this is what caught Norm's eye, the remains of a massive old barn.

We fuelled up in a Reservation compound site attached to what looked like a massive Gas Fraccing operation with temporary accommodation back on the highway. The reservation has gained a nice new Youth Centre and very smart Servo complex and what looked like a big Casino. Hope it ends up a long term plus for them. Just beyond here we came across the Ghost River Dam (above) and soon after we were within site of rapidly developing outer suburbs and then Calgary where friends Frances and Trevor have attended the Calgary Stampede (Frances many times). We rode past a huge centre where some of it at least takes place.

The Chinese Cultural Centre, Calgary.

And a view across James Park to two very different towers of two very different times.

Bits and Bobs:

After missing a great 3 in 1 sign of a Caribou Bear and ? Not sure what, I wasn't going to miss this one where there was room to pull up. Didn't see any on the ride.

And this is typical of grates on the footpaths in Calgary so a handy reminder to keep right.

And a nifty way to accept deliveries in multi-storey buildings. Drive in and onto the turntable which then turns to the right spot and then you can reverse to the appropriate unloading dock. Handy for cities with limited space but also caters well for their brutal winters.

Last 2 Night's Accommodation:

Banff Caribou Lodge and Spa Banff, 521 Banff Avenue, Banff AB T1L 1H8

A lovely place to drop for a couple of days. Lovely welcoming atmosphere and staff. Great facilities. Comfortable room and bed. Beautiful swimming pool and spa complex on site. Included underground parking and wifi. Great bar and restaurant on site and the service throughout has been excellent. Considering the proximity to town and a lot more expensive options thought this was good value.

Thumbnail is a shot of the back side of the Fairmont Banff Springs Chateau because the sun wasn't shining on the front, but it was all impressive. 

We fuelled up first thing on our way to the bottom of Sulphur Mountain for a Gondola ride and kept tripping over the 'Free Banff Parade' with all the cadets from surrounding districts marching. Not sure what they were freed from or when but they looked impresive.

On our way to the Gondola we spotted some people out for a serious ride by the look of the supplies they carried. This is an old camping tradition throughout the Rockies. Nice.

Parking was at a premium again with cars parked in precarious positions a big distance from the gondola departure site. We found this camper parked in the middle of 2 spots so decided to help ourselves to the leftover space.

The Gondola ride was awesome and there was a huge climb up and down stairs once we got to the top to observe more mountains around an observation site. Beautiful and a bit much to take in really. This is overlooking Banff and surrounding country and mountains. Awesome.

And this is in the other direction from which we came yesterday. You can see the Trans Canada Highway which we didn't take and to the right of that is the 1A route we did. We checked out some of the highway today and it does give a 'BIG' view of everything around.

And this is a work shot of a train we estimate approximately 2 - 2.5 km long snaking it's way through the valley and the reason they are vaguely visible is because they are double decker containers. Awesome.

And a shot of the Fairmont Banff Springs from the summit.

We headed back to the hotel to ditch the merino long johns so we didn't expire then grabbed some lunch in Banff before we headed off again and this is a shot in Banff Avenue the main drag and it was hopping today. Also very pretty and no end of shops open if that is what interests you.

And a shot of Castle Mountain which we also spotted yesterday. We came back past here today to check out the Johnston Canyon and again we were grateful we were on the bikes and could squeeze into a tiny spot in the carpark instead of having to park hundreds of metres away on the road. Incredible.

We headed up to check out the Lower and Upper Falls in the Canyon with what seemed hundreds of other frustrating people who didn't understand about single file walking or blocking a thoroughfare or expecting the world to stop so they could take a photo. I waited and was patient on the way up but on the way back I was totally snookered and heading for an ice-cream and I wasn't stopping for anyone or anything. This is a shot of the Lower Falls.

And this is a shot of the Upper Falls! Are you joking? I climbed up and down for 2.6 km and I mean up and down on the way to and from and this is all I get????

Thumbnail is a shot of a duck on Emerald Lake and the water is both incredibly clear and translucent, we could even see him paddling...I wonder if that means he can get a better view of his potential dinner!

A shot of Emerald Lake this morning before we left with the sun coming out after the fog lifted.

We headed into Field, a tiny little Village and this was one of only 2 substantial building's we saw. One looked like it used to be a railway station (tiny) but covered in dense shade. This one was the home of the Park Superintendent built in the 1920's at a time when both the Railway's and Mining were huge in the area and the town being in the Yoho National Park the National Parks Service realised they needed to build a building which spoke of the authority of the Superintendent as well as recognising such building's were starting to have heritage value. I liked it and it still looked great.

We called in to have a look at a 'Natural Bridge' which used to be a waterfall until the water wore it's way through and before too many hundred years I guess it will no longer be a natural bridge as it also collapses. A huge volume of water was pouring under it.

From here we headed off to see the Takakkaw Falls and they were just spectacular. The water plummeted down from the Lake above and then burst out in a plume of spray before falling into the river below. Awesome. 

We took a couple of photos of a train travelling through the Spiral Tunnels on the way back from here but with the sun where it was the exposure was awful so not here. Incredible example of engineering.

And then on to Lake Louise with half of Canada and the rest of the world. Saturday, fine weather, summer holidays etc etc etc, Cars were illegally parked on the side of the road for a 2km distance before the Lake. Today was definitely a good day to be on the bikes. We managed to squeeze into a small spot at the end of a parking lot. This is a shot of either one of or the outlet from the lake. What a beautiful spot and full of people in small boats.

And the Chateau Fairmont which I automatically think of when I think of Lake Louise. We are used to the view from above (obviously from the Lake Louise Scenic Gondola which we didn't go on) this was close enough for us. We lunched on the patio of the Chateau Saloon under the umbrellas at the centre of the hotel. Very nice

From here it was on to Moraine lake and yet again, WOW! This is a shot of me with some of the peaks from the Valley of 10 Peaks behind me.

And this is Norm in front of a rugged outcrop named the Tower of Babylon.

And compliments of a tip from another biker who parked beside us at both Lake Louise and Moraine Lake we travelled to Banff via 1A rather than the Trans Canada Highway which was a beautiful ride with spectacular views of mountains of all shapes, sizes, colours and stature and this is one of them.

Bits and Bobs:

Interesting sign for a switch-back on the way to the Takakkaw Falls. Vehicles over 7m must drive the first section, then reverse the next then drive the last. VERY tight.

And a shot from above.

A sign we found on the path to Consolation Lake as we climbed for a view of Moraine Lake. Decided not to be bear food and stayed on the track we were on.

And another sign re bears at the entry to the Lake Louise Scenic Gondola site and Whipstick Lodge.

And finally a chipmunk shot. Yay!

Last Night's Accommodation:

Emerald Lake Lodge, 1 Emerald Lake Road, Field. BC

Not sure what happened here but the most expensive night we have had and not necessarily good value for money. Not sure if I ticked the wrong choice or there were limited options cannot remember, but that aside we had a lovely upstairs room with easy chairs and open fire in a cabin overlooking Emerald Lake. Cosy and comfortable, good bathroom, small balcony with deck chairs. Included parking 1km away (at employee residences) with shuttle which was a bit of a pain with the bikes waiting until cold enough to cover and to get kitted up to head off. Included wifi TV and games room in main Lodge. 3 restaurants on site and canoes and row boats for hire. If we removed the views and setting and kept the fireplace you may well think it was reasonable value at half the price.....perhaps. Not convinced. This is  a shot across the bridge entry and of one of the restaurants 'Cilantro on the Lake.'

To quote Norm, "Note to self, Lodges sound romantic but remember they're usually old and rustic with small rooms, stairs, limited services and facilities and a large charge, but generally come with good views".

Thumbnail is a shot shortly after we set out this morning and yes there was more snow overnight on the peaks and the day today was grey and misty and cold but we were nice and comfortable. God bless grip heaters, merino long johns, padded oil skin pants and the usual bike clobber. 

I passed up a shot of a family of deer / caribou / ? laying down but this was too good to pass up. If I hadn't diligently thrown unnecessary paper in the bin last night I could have identified them.

Not surprisingly Norm got a bit ahead of me while I took the previous shot and I was a couple of cars behind him when I noticed his stop light come on and then something black bound over the guard rail and when I checked with him at the next stop I discovered he had experienced a close encounter of the bear kind, a black bear to be precise. While I assumed he was slowing down he was in fact in the process of an emergency stop as a big black bear had climbed over the guardrail and toppled a bit as it went over and as it landed in the road in front of Norm they both had time to look at each other and register an 'oh shit' moment and Norm figuring at best even with an emergency stop he would just hit the bear which would likely upset him a bit he applied the brakes and was delighted how well the bike performed, as for the bear he spun around and bounded back over the rail into the forest. Phew, good outcome for all concerned. No thought of taking any photos there!

The Athabasca Falls. What an awesome demonstration of how the force of incredible amounts of water plus sand particles can carve through limestone rock like a diamond drill. Wow, loved it. 

And soon after, Sunwapta Falls, yet another example of the same process.

And a shot as we were heading for the Columbia Ice field.

 l

And this is the Athabasca Glacier. Where I took the photo from was where the glacier extended to in 1844 so it has retreated bit. The peak to the left is called Snowdome and has a summit of 3,456m and the one to the right is Andromeda with a summit of 3,450m.

Shortly after the last spot the GPS said we were crossing Rousseau Creek but I guess with compliments of the snow this is what we found.

And Crowfoot Glacier shortly after.

We lunched and fuelled up at the Saskatchewan River Crossing.

We passed through incredible rocky canyons like moving from one cathedral to another intercepted by rocks pushing upwards like great long plinths reminicent of stonhenge, gothic cathedrals and fort battlements. One of the outcrops.

We headed to Bow Summit and would probably have been looking across at it from the view point but it was covered in cloud. This is a shot across Bow Lake. There was also a sign to Observation Peak which was 10,214m, needless to say we didn't see this one either.

And a shot of the disintegration of the hillside beside the crowfoot glacier. We have ridden through many avalanche areas where not only snow sweeps down but also the rock underneath and this is an example of what happens as the ice expands under stone then melts and washes down the hillside. Many dramatic examples today.

And lastly the view onto Emerald Lake from our room tonight.

Last two Night's Accommodation:

Chateau Jasper, 96 Geikie Street, Jasper, AB, T0E 1E0

Good sized room and bathroom combo. Plenty of wardrobes/ Free wifi and parking. On-site gym, pool, hot tub and restaurant where we celebrated Danny's 44th birthday to the lovely sounds of piano music which somehow seemed fitting given that Tania is a pianist. Older building than some but maintained well. Reasonable value. Easy walking distance to where there is more activity in the town if that's what you want. Staff very helpful and friendly, laundry available in neighbouring building so all our laundry sorted for $4.00 so heaps better than hand washing in the room and every available surface being used as hanging space. (So far we have only had 1 room with a clothes line and that was a night I didn't wash).

The thumbnail is a view from the restaurant where we had breakfast this morning after the rain had actually stopped. 

We did our laundry when we got in yesterday arvo because we had a big tourist day lined up today but the day dawned wet....very wet and the mountains around us fogged in and that's how it's supposed to be for the next 2 days. Bugger! We wandered into a gift store after breakfast and bought a video so we can get to see what is here when we go home. How sad is that? If we had been given the choice we not surprisingly would have ridden through a couple of days of sleeting rain through the featureless plains we have encountered earlier in our ride.

After a bit Norm made a big statement 'Well look at that it's as good as sunny outside, let's get on the bikes and see what we can see'. What that meant was that from our 2nd storey window the rain drops were now small enough for him not be able to see them splash in the puddles on the ground, so what the hell, we kitted up and headed off and had a great day.

What we were supposed to see:

1. The Jasper Tramway (gondola / cable car) the longest and highest in Canada to the top where we would have had an awesome view back down to Jasper and across to all the other surrounding peaks but while there was rain in Jasper last night there was snow on the peaks surrounding us and most of that covered in cloud so we figured that was a waste of time.

2. Athabasca River to Maligne Canyon, a narrow limestone gorge with an opportunity to traverse 2 bridges over the canyon with great views to the water and falls below. Done and the shot above is a shot on our way out of town as we headed for Maligne Lake.

3. And these are shots of the Maligne Canyon above from well down stream to up stream closer to Maligne Lake.

4. Multiple views including the Colin and Queen Elizabeth Ranges and Medicine Lake. Done and the shot above is looking toward the Colin Range. Almost a vertical cliff with many avalanche areas and some stubborn trees that just wont give up.

And this is a shot of Medicine Lake which drains undergound so rarely flows over so the watercourse downstream of the Lake can be dry for a year or more and literally has large tees growing in it.  

5. A guided tour of Maligne Lake with views of magnificent shoreline with dense forest and glacial peaks. No guided tour but enjoyed the ride and the view when we got there and overall it would appear that the weather we experienced through the day was less wet than what Jasper experienced, Yay.

And a shot on our way back from the Lake.

And a bonus shot for Norm......a bit of an adrenaline rush as well. He decided he would try for a quick shot and if the Mum looked his way he would get the hell out of there. He thought he had another shot as well with the little baby close to the road with its Mum. Damn thick bike gloves apparently stymied that attempt so I'm glad he got this one.

Bits and Bobs:

One of many signs on our trek, and a great view behind as well. We didn't see any.

Thumbnail is soon after we headed out this morning to grey cloudy skies and light rain, and while we are talking weather, the moon didn't dance on the bay last night it was stuck behind clouds. The weather thankfully cleared and even though there was to be heavy rain behind us we stayed dry and for the most part rode under clear skies and some sun as well so comfortable.

We fuelled up at Little Fort and this was the quirky barn across from the fuel station. The sign said 'Little Fort Herefords'.

The sights we saw again today were awe inspiring and hard to limit here. This was a shot of water typically galloping down from glacial mountains (hence the cloudy colour). So many better shots, but this one I could get.

Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Rockies according to the gentleman we talked to at this rest stop taking a coffee break in his 5th wheeler. He had been part of the construction crew which built the original road 47 years ago, up until that time there was only a trail which was often impassable. The rail line was already through. He told us there is a rest stop closer to Jasper (a few kilometers further) and the construction camp they lived in was on the opposite side of the road and if they walked east along a track they reached the Fraser River and the rail line. He said they would come by train from Jasper at the start of the week to the camp and then flag the train down on Saturday to go back to Jasper to drink beer. Sounds about right. The crew from the other end caught the train from Blue River in until both ends finally met up. Must have been an awesome project and to think we see this as remote now, how much more so must it have been then!

Norm after the perfect shot of yet more snow covered mountains. We also saw some awesome freight trains. By the way, the white spots are some sort of seeds in silky groups of thread floating in the air, we were surrounded by them in a number of places today.

Mount Fitzwilliam. Just beyond here we came across a lot of marsy reed surrounded water again and Norm hoped we might yet see some moose attending their daily ablutions and splashing a bit of water up to the arm / leg pits but to no avail. This would be a preferable place to find them rather than on the road.

The Jasper National Park Entrance and I had to put this one in because it has an eagle right in the centre.

Bits and Bobs:

A tuck at Little Fort this morning. These are concrete railway sleepers but different to the ones we sometimes carry as they are in groups. Check out the truck / trailer configuration.

Yes our lunchtime diner had a phone at the table. This was a 'Husky' Diner and we read that they had started here at Blue River which started as a logging camp and has developed into a snowmobile hot spots as well as helicopter skiing and just about any other scary thing you can do on snow which appeals to adrenaline junkies. This is the ideal spot (further up the , mountain I suspect) as they have a 40 foot snowfall each year.....and yes I did say 40 foot. Not all at the same time obviously but makes for great powder sports....or so the blurb stated.

We saw bear warning signs all over the place today. This is at the start of a trail at the foot of Mount Robson.

Last Night's Accommodation:

Moondance Bay Resort, 7237 Johnstone Road, Bridge Lake. BC, VOK 1X2

A good spot for people who want to retreat from the world with no TV, internet or wifi and the only food options those you bring in yourself, source from local general stores or you catch yourself in the lake. Comfortable cabin and bathroom, comfortable space overall with 2 couches and a self contained kitchenette. Deck chairs and table to relax on the veranda and picnic table and fire pit as well. Guest B-B-Q available as well as a fish shed for cleaning the catch and good children's playground as well as boats to hire. Nice spot for families and lots of caravan and RV sites as well. Good value and an interesting change for us rounding up dinner choices with limited space on the bikes.

The thumbnail is our first shot of the day, a fuel stop at Pemberton after going to 2 non-existent fuel stations in Whistler and surrounds, the planners are obviously moving such distasteful things away from the population. Already seeing great snow capped peaks and the sights just kept rolling out from there. Snow capped mountains, rugged rocky canyons and sheer mountainsides, desert like canyons and ranch land as well as dense forest from sparse and dry to dense and lush green and water water water. Cascading down mountainsides and galloping along creeks and rivers into lakes of all description. We also saw lots of high country boggy marshland with small and large lake areas before we got in this evening. And the roads! They were just spectacular, the surface was excellent to good and when not excellent just a bit bumpy and corner after corner after corner all with steep cambers for draining snow and sooo good for bikes, not to put too fine a point on it, a bit over 300kms of bliss! Aaahhhh. But, now to some of many shots of the day.

Yep, more great snow to be seen in the distance so a comfortable temperature to travel.

And Lakes, one of many, we chatted with a couple from Arizona having coffee in their camper here.

And they aren't called the Rocky Mountain's for nothing and this is a pathetic example compared to what we have seen but it is a case of so many shots (so few places to safely stop) and lots of kilometers to cover so limited time and a strict timekeeper in Normie John.

Just before our lunch stop in Lillooet traffic was stopped while 3 helicopters worked as a team to lay cable for the hydro plant. Very impressive. Norm shot this one....well with the camera.

And this is a shot of either Lilloolet Lake or Seton Dam (not sure which but assume dam as they have had submarines diving to do surveys) and check out the train line which winds it's way along the shore to the right hand side. Mainly freight these days but there is a one carriage passenger train used for leisure things but which also brings children to school in Lilloolet. There used to be a 3 hour trip around the mountains and they boarded in town from Sunday night until Friday afternoon but now they commute each day. Also, around the corner heading up the dam is a corner called Dead Mans Corner after a train derailed and plunged to the bottom. Apparently the owners got a whole lot of experts in who said it couldn't be raised as it was too deep but some farmers and loggers sank heaps of 44 gallon drums then pumped the water out and replaced it with air and raised the engine. Ha ha, love what is possible when practical people get a chance to do things. Also handy to talk to locals as you might have guessed and we get to do that a lot on the bikes.

This is a shot looking downstream from the dam and you can see salmon spawning pools which have been built to help the salmon get upstream to spawn.

This is a little bit of the canyon wall in an area called Marble Canyon. There was a massive quarry just past here. Don't know that it was marble but the colour in the white stone looked very impressive.

A shot of the General Store, restaurant, gift shop and admission gate at Hat Creek Ranch.There were camp sites, spots for RV's and caravans, play sites for kids, a circular sale yard and opportunities to do 'real ranch things'.

A shot from the Moondance Bay Resort across Bridge Lake and this is the pontoon the owners were rescuing when we arrived as it had come adrift......going on the very un-truckie knots on the rope now on it the same thing could happen again.

And finally, the view from our cabin. The fire pit would be fun except there are no fires allowed in the open at the moment as the fire risk is extreme. There is a fire currently burning to the east of the ranges in Washington State (USA) south of here which is the worst in history with 1 life lost and over 150 homes. We have been keeping a close eye on this in our travels but thankfully smoke has been our only issue.

Bits and Bobs:

We stopped for a break and an ice-cream (delicious) at the Hat Creek Ranch and this was a great photo on the veranda of an olden day version of a road train at the Ranch in years gone by. En route to Barkerville. Awesome.

And continuing with awesome, there was a bird feeder on the veranda and it might only be a silhouette shot but I got my shot of a hummingbird. Yay. Still have to work on the squirrels though got one last year so forget that, but they are slow compared to the chipmunks we encountered on the Needles Highway in Yellowstone. We will see.

Last Night's Accommodation:

Crystal Lodge, 4154 Village Green, Whistler BC VON 1B4

A nice room but small. Lots of wardrobe space for bulky snow items and shelves but struggling for space to open out 2 suitcase's. No matter, we weren't in the room for long. The Village had a great atmosphere and it is right in the heart of it so ideal location. On site gym and pool and discounts available at lots of shops on site. Parking available at a reasonable cost but not locked up so glad we had our disc brake locks. Staff great and there were more expensive options re rooms but we didn't want them. On site restaurant but with a steak worth $39.00 we figured we would eat out and we were literally a few metres from heaps of eating choices. Found a great pub with excellent restaurant meals. Spoilt for choice. Reasonable value.

No mention of wifi / internet of any description tomorrow night so likely won't hear from us until the 23rd.

The thumbnail is a shot of the bridge we left Vancouver on as we headed north for Whistler.

We have had a spectacular day and loved every minute of the ride. The views from ocean to mountain and everywhere in between have been just awesome. We've also loved the fragrance of cedar timber in the villages especially where ther has been new construction underway, it's reminded us both of our cedar house in Minniedale Road. This was the first shot for the day soon after we started to climb up from the ocean into lush forest.

And this is a view as we were well and truly above the ocean.

We had a coffee at Squamish and this is a shot at the waterfront. You can see plenty of logs which have washed up from where logs are loaded on ships further around the waterfront from here.

Lunch stop was at the Creekside Village and this is a typically pretty building we saw here and beyond, in fact the value of real estate we have seen has been staggering!

A shot as we headed up the Whistler Village Gondola. We couldn't get over the number of mountain bikes and riders who also caught all the gondolas and chairlifts we did today and then hurtled down the mountain!

And a shot from the chairlift to the Whistler summit.

The Summit, starting to be overtaken by cloud.

And a view back to where we had come from and this shot has been shrunken in.

The cloud coming in as we headed across on the Peak 2 Peak Gondola from Whistler to Rendezvous Lodge with the intention to head up the 7th Heaven Express Chair Lift but the cloud beat us so we headed back down from the lodge, and let me tell you we were definitely wearing the right gear for the temperature since we still had our bike gear on.

Also from the Gondola, when we were over the river we were quarter of a mile above it.

The square in Whistler where the original Gondola left from.

A view along the street in the village and the foot traffic increased as the evening went on.

Bits and Bobs:

Headed back to the 'Back Forty' for dinner last night and this is the seating sign. Means just grab a spot where it suits and they'll find you.

And the reverse of the sign we showed you the other day. I think we have all worked at some time with people who have this problem.

And we missed a great sign today because we couldn't stop which had a picture of a bear and said "Caution bears next 60km, do not feed bears" but this one we did get a shot of as we lined up for the gondola ride up Mt Whistler.

Last two Night's Accommodation:

Hampton Inn and Suites by Hilton Downtown Vancouver, 111 Robson Street, Vancouver BC V6B 2AB

Comfortable room and amenities. On site bar restaurant and parking. Included wifi and breakfast. Ideal spot if you want to attend a game at the BC stadium literally across the street and walking distance to lots of other great spots.