Days Inn And Suites Revelstoke

... springs hadn't changed much. Same wooden building. Same pool. It looked kinda dingy. We passed on actually taking a dip.

From Harrison we drove on through the winding Rocky Mountain winding passes. Andre had his first experience driving mountain roads as we traveled some of the steepest parts. I think I have a few hairs left on my head. Whew!. For a sixteen year old he drives very calmly without fidgeting ...

... about Karelian Dogs which they are starting to use to teach bears the boundaries of 'human territory' which they shouldn't cross. Bears are a bit of a problem in Canada, once people start feeding them they then get dehumanised, then start getting aggressive, at which time they are shot. So a lot of work is now going into finding other ways of controlling this problem. Everywhere ...

... wetlands. This is a bird watching paradise. Several varieties of songbirds are here for just a few months, then migrate all the way to South America. Researchers have banded birds that return to the same immediate area for 9 or more seasons.

Tomorrow we leave Canyon Hot Springs and travel to Golden, BC to see Yoho National Park, plus do some white water rafting on the Kicking Horse River.

... water was pretty cold but I managed a swim at both 9pm and 7am.

It was also the night for getting to know my fellow travellers on the Moose bus. I'm trying a lot harder to remember names so I don't end up with the situation I had in Vancouver, where I couldn't remember the names of half the people I met.

Later we head on to the rockies, which is what we've all been waiting for really.

... a hairy rodent type creature with grey fur but a reddish tail. It made a high pitch noise and we soon realised the stream bed was covered with them. They are so cute, sitting around in the sun, some of them quite rolly polly fat. I think they have a face a little like a bear. We didn't know what they were at the time but the interpretation centre at the car park made it clear that they were Hoary Marmots. They are actually ...

... the lookout and went for a lovely walk in Inspiration Woods. Right at the start of the walk a sign warned us that it was bear territory (and Revelstoke is particularly known for Grizzlies). We did all the right things - were in a tight group of four, had a whistle and clapped regularly so as not to surprise any bears. We were all a little paranoid, especially Mum and Dad, being their first hike in Canada, but we didn't see anything of course! Afterwards we went ...

... no longer an impediment; propane tanks can be filled simply by pulling into a gas station; and we can even enjoy listening to CBC radio whenever the mood takes us. It seems that the real challenge and adventure of travel has been left behind in Latin America, and we still yearn to return to roads less travelled. But as always, the Channers can quite easily change their minds. After today's sightings of two black bears with their cubs, several wolves, numerous deer, nesting ...

... its 19 aqnd they ask EVERYONE for two forms of id!!) Spent most of the evening in a English type pub called The Pump and Tap $2 for a vodka and coke!! October 24th BANFF - JASPER FREE PANCAKES for brekkie today before heading to Lake Louise - absolutely stunning . . no words can describe a place like that. Rhian Sarah and I explored the hotel there - v. POSH - up to $2000 per night at the height of season! Even more unbelieveable scenery all the way to ...

... completely energized just thinking about it. So, tomorrow is my first day "back to work", and boy look out! All my past experience is coming together for this - you know the saying everything happens for a reason? Well, all my past careers were meant to happen to lead me to this point. Again, I can't even begin to put the enormity of my gratitude into words. I am truly truly blessed.... I wish the same for all of you... sleep well... sweet dreams...

... bad that what we thought was brilliant yesterday becomes average with each new sight we see if that makes any sense. Believe us when we say the photos really don't do these places any justice. You can't capture the feeling of being surrounded on all sides by massive chunks of rock and ice it has been truly humbling. So ...