Canada – Page 5 – JaksTrips

Kananaskis

21st May

More lack of sleep. I breakfasted on granola and coffee. Spoke to Carol which was lovely. Set off in our big bus, it seats 21 and we are 12 so lots of room, all the bags are sectioned off bit at the rear. Shopping at the MEC and Safeway and a short tour of Calgary – the tower, the fort, the stampede ground. Then out onto the big road to the mountains.

Stopped in Kananaskis district to walk up to viewpoint. I felt pretty rough. Very hot and sunny. Still snow on ground. My water bladder leaking, most annoying, the valve has come off. Only 7 km and 400m of ascent.

Got back to bus and set off and there was a bear by the roadside. Then to Canmore to the Rocky Mountain Ski Lodge where we stay 3 nights. Very comfortable and has a fridge.

Out to Elita restaurant for big local beer and nice chicken dish. Interesting menu including bison quesadilla and full vegan selection. Bed.

First bear, just near the car park we had been in!

The Three Sisters — View from Rocky Mountain Ski Lodge

Calgary

20th May

Didn’t sleep enough. I was worried about not having access to money so rang my credit card provider who sorted it out. Quite an achievement as I couldn’t remember any details of my account.

Glen gave me fresh fruit and scrambled eggs and coffee and juice. I went and bought some groceries in Safeway. All the veg seemed bigger. Most things were in huge multi packs. Glen then took me for a little tour in his car. We stopped off at Tim Hortons and he got me an espresso. Then we looked over the Bow river to the downtown skyline. He drove around the area overlooking the river and with a view of the Rockies. He was keen on a huge multi million dollar house that was going up. Some old houses in old clapboard style but a lot of new too. We stopped at an estate sale and looked around at what was a lifetime of someone’s old stuff mostly old tat. I think someone had died, it seemed quite sad. Then Glen took me to the Ramada and I checked in.

I went to the Mountain Equipment Co-op, a wonderful outdoor store. Looked into bear spray and bells. Bells not recommended so decided to ask tour leader.

Eventually met up with the group. Mireille is the leader. Group is Andy, Heather, Natalie, James, Norman, Sally, Joy, Geoff, Steph, Chris, Jo and me. M gave an introduction. I said my intention was to feed myself and not join the kitty. I need to watch the pennies plus want to eat what I want to eat. Off to nice restaurant Murietta as gesture on my part that I’m not completely isolating myself. I had a Calgary blonde beer and a big goats cheese and kale salad. Very good.

Watched Allied movie. Bit rubbish really.

Upside down switches. Naked cars with only rear number plates.

Canada May 2017

Friday 19th

A long day with the added confusion for me of traveling back in time. I flew from Leeds Bradford to Heathrow “we had a problem with one of the aircraft’s computers but are going anyway “. Visions of switch off/on and waiting for Microsoft’s own special idea of time passing. From Heathrow it was my first long haul flight. I had a nice and interesting companion to chat with. Watched Denial which was very good about Penguin books and Deborah Lipstadt fighting David Irving. Listened to some podcasts and read a bit. The veggie food was fine, rice with veg and tofu. Had a beer. Walked about a bit. Suddenly it went dark which confused me because it had been bright sunshine outside despite being so late at “night”. Mechanical darkness. I failed to sleep. Hummus sandwich came when they wanted to wake everyone up. A wobbly landing at Calgary but thankfully the plane didn’t tip over. And in Calgary it was only 2 hours after the time I left Heathrow.

Then my big failure. I’d not brought the card I’d loaded up with cash. Managed to get cash out so not a major problem but annoyed with myself. Got a bus into town. Seemed a long way. Walked 10 minutes to Tuxedo House bed and breakfast to be welcomed by Glen. Slept a little but not enough.