Grand Canadian Resort Canmore

... We also met a guy who was returning from Alaska and asked if we wanted his Canada Ntl Parks pass that he had bought, so that saves us $33/day Canandian. Wow. Fuel prices aren't too bad. We paid .89/ltr. It is in the 80's right now, so it is pretty warm. We set up camp and then drove a little way into the park today. Will site see more tomorrow.

... a dirty big hotel at the oth** (the Fairmont: eith** a blight on the landscape or the best thing since sliced bread, depending on your view...). Arrived in time to check into our hotel (not the Fairmont - didn't really want to spend $400/night), before going up and pretending we stayed th**e by having a drink ov**looking the lake. I can recommend the hot chocolate with Baileys - quality. Took in the lake a bit but figured we'd be back to hike the area more in the next few days ...

... guest houses... cute, we had a quick stop at Emerald Lake, and then headed for Banff town centre. Very, very similar to Queenstown. The shop fronts are wood and stone, they are expensive but beautfiul, and many eating establishments, ski and gift shops. We had a late lunch at Subway, had a look around town, and found our campsite. The funny thing was, we'd been looking out for wildlife along our scenic drive today down Bow ...

... hard to coordinate - communication was key! I could not believe quite how much stuff I had accumulated, I knew I had got a bit but ended up being nearly a whole new suitcase full! My big backpack I sent onto Max in England (not a cheap exercise) and a box I sent home. An expensive exercise, but I felt it was necessary - I also send a box back home. I ended up giving a bunch (and I mean a bunch) of stuff to Amanda and Brendan (2 Australian's ...

... which there was a relatively decent view, so we learned on the way down. There was little but rain and cloud for us to see in the valley on the way up. This was kinda cool actually. The rain added dimension to the expanse, and as much as we could not see the other side, it felt more connected just the same. There is a freedom from knowing you are getting soaked and that it will get worse before it gets better. You can sit anywhere. Everything was wet ...

... wich dropped in the night to 5 degrees C I use the only chance and drive across the N. P. while developing thunderstroms. I was lucky and didn't get wet and those National Parks are really one of the most breathtaking sights in North Amreica - but very touristy and with 10$ each day not for free. In Banff I got to know Marianne and Stan by accident and they invite me for dinner and let me camp on their spot in the campground.

... was very nice indeed. We were doing some day hiking around Johnson lake.

... were ... unusual. Their music was a 60's swing on modern rock, they were very enthusiastic but they probably should have kept their shirts on. They weren't very pretty. Everyone in the band had a go at standing on the cello. Strange. I was too sore on day 3 to go out on the slopes again, so Chrisso & Bozz went out again. Poor Janai had to work. Yes, I am a bit of a whimp. I picked the boys up later in the arvo and on the way back we ran into another ...

... The place I would most like to live is Victoria, BC and if the customs thing doesn't work out I would consider heading to Portland, OR. Hell will freeze over before I move to Anchorage, AK I will be visiting the liquor store to hunt down Alaskan Brewing Company's Hefeweizen ale and Chateau St. Michele's Oregon Riesling. The best surprise was the Butchart Gardens. My biggest regret is the maple leaf tattoo. That and not getting the opportunity ...

... seats and center console were covered in blood. It really gave us the creeps and had stupidity written all over it. You see, since we have been diverted off the Trans Canada onto a secondary highway there were all kinds of idiotic drivers passing in the worst of spots. It was a useless thing to do because the line up of cars stretched out as far as you could see. What could that hope to accomplish?? It looked like that's what happened in traffic coming the ...