Hello and welcome again to the mrlukeniktravels blog!
Apologies for the lack of post last Monday but I was in deepest, darkest Banff National Park i.e. no Internet access! I seemed to have escaped relatively unscathed and, as I write, am in the wonderful city of Vancouver. The past couple of weeks have been busy out and about over the Rockies and down at the beach here in Vancouver. I shall attempt to encapsulate this time in the space below. Here we go…
Since my last post I have spent two weeks in Banff National Park exploring places such as Lake Louise, Castle Mountain and the surrounding area. Unfortunately, the forest fires from here in British Columbia have generated a lot of smoke. This can make it difficult to fully enjoy all the Rockies has to offer. Some days the smoke is quite bad, making breathing hard not a nice experience. That said, I have nothing to complain about compared to those who have lost homes and livelihoods out here in western Canada. I had four days of clear weather during my time in the park, so made the most of the views whilst it was clear!
An example of the smoke in the valley around Banff town centre.
Having said all that, Banff National Park is a very beautiful place and nice to take a break from city living for a time whilst in Canada. Hiking is one of my favourite activities and, best of all, it is free! With a lunch, water and bear spray packed, it is easy to get on the trails and head out. Selecting a more challenging hike is also a good way to escape the crowds and enjoy the scenery. It also helps burn off some of those calories from trying new foods and varieties of beer. It’s great to hike in a group and spend time with others whilst appreciating the surrounding countryside. Nothing like a little group sweating to help the conversation along!
A non-smokey look at Castle Mountain with Eisenhower peak at right.
Exploring Castle Mountain, 25 minutes drive north of Banff, was really fantastic. It meant leaving the connection of the outside world behind and embracing the outdoors. After the bustle of Banff town it was a welcome relief. The trails in that area are pretty quiet which afforded the opportunity to see more of the local wildlife. I have seen deer, marmots, elk and wolves whilst here. Bears, unfortunately, I have not. However, there is still some time left to see them whilst I am here. Going a little off the beaten track usually brings some pay offs.
Upper meadow near Gibbon Pass above Copper Lake.
After leaving Banff National Park and the Rockies behind, I took my last longish-distance bus ride in Canada to Vancouver. This time it was only twelve hours overnight and I did manage some sleep! I have now made it across from Toronto, through three time zones, to the west coast. I still have around a month left in Canada before heading westwards again. It has been great to experience more than just the east and west coasts of the country. From here in Vancouver I head in a few days to Vancouver Island to explore there. The first hints of autumn are starting to appear now so that should be another experience.
Whilst in Vancouver I have spent some time at the beach which has been awhile since Iceland. The city’s museums have also been very good, discovering some of the history and culture of the place. I particularly enjoyed the Vancouver Museum learning about the origins of the city, the local First Nations and Northwest Coast art. Staying away from the Downtown area has allowed me to see and explore areas of the city that often get by-passed, which is a shame. There are often little pockets of wonder even in a city as busy as this.
Who’s acomin’ in here?!
That is about all for this week, remember that for more regular updates you can head to my Twitter feed @mrlukeniktravel. Similarly, for photo-related joys, my Instagram feed is @mrlukeniktravels. I shall be back next week with details of Vancouver Island and some of what it has to offer. Until next time, stay safe and travel on!