2014-05-24 Eureka, MT. to Banff, AB, CA

We left Eureka and drove the ten miles to the US - Canadian boarder arriving about 8:50. At 9:09 we were through customs and on our way to Alaska. As you can see we did 235 miles on this trip.

Dave had driven the truck in Missoula so he had a feeling for it. I notice there was not much traffic on the straight roads so I asked if he would like to try towing. He agreed and we swapped drivers.

He drove for about a half an hours when we came into Radium Hot Springs and the entrance to one of Canada's National Forests. Each entrance requires a pass so we made quick calculations and found their annual pass was the most efficient purchase. Less than a half a mile from the entrance the road did a 45 degree right turn and the turn had a saw tooth like rock formation pointing right at my side of the truck and trailer. Dave drifted left to the center line and took the corner like a pro. About three minutes later we came upon stopped cars. With the trailer we could not stop but Dave looked to his left out the drivers window and up the other face of the mountain on the other side of the road and saw a full sized Grizzly bear. No time for a picture. We keep moving.

 We did notice this bear in the woods.

 This over look is just before we entered Banff our next stop.

 This guy was at our campsite just about 20 feet from the door.

One of the mountain views from our campsite.

 We took the gondola ride up to the top of the mountain.

Three of us walked the 84 stairs steps down and 296 stairs steps up to this observation point. My legs were telling me I had worked them doing the heights. 

 Dave, Ron, Rob &Pat, Kate, Maxine (Rob & Maxine), Greg (Greg & Kate) and me. Rob and Pat were not able to join us on our trip to Alaska but were able to meet us in Banff. It was great to see them again. Last time was Quartzsite 2013.

 Dave and me.

 We were informed if we went on any tails we would have to have bear spray so Dave and I both purchased them and also included our camping knives (well K-bar and hunting knife). We had to document we were prepared.

The day after the gondola ride Dave and I took an easy hike in Canmore to Lake Grassi. Well the locals said it was easy. We took the more difficult trip up to the lake along the river. It had some good steep climbs so my right leg was talking more to me. After the hike I was sore but still functioning just hobbling a little at the start.

We basically climbed 3/4th the height of this water falls. Yep a more aggressive climb than I needed.

 This Lake Grassi, our destination, was named after Lawrence Grassi who spent much of his time here. Beautiful colors.