Canadian Icefields Road Trip (Day 11 – Part 1)

[Gilligan]

Day 11 – 6/28/09 (Part 1) --- 22 miles  (In and around Banff, Alberta)
40 at 7 AM --- 73 at 6:20 PM

Finally, after a 6-year delay, we met Gryphon-Rider (AKA Kevin) and his family at the gondola in Banff.  We took the ride to the top and walked to the numerous overlooks.  The views were breath-taking.  After taking the gondola back down, we met a Harley-riding couple with their “Harley Dog.”  Of course, he was running straight pipes … poor dog.


                         At the Banff Overlook with Gryphon-Rider and Family


                         Bow Valley to the East


                         Banff


                         Banff Close-up


                         Top of Gondola


                         Top of Gondola Close-up


                         Banff


                         Banff Hotel, Bow Falls and Tunnel Mountain


                         Hotel and Falls – Close-up



                         Bow Valley to the East


                         Harley Dog on the Way Out

[JimL]

Gilligan thanks, these are incredible photos.  Previously, when I thought of Canada I would think of snow and lots of trees, it amazes me how beautiful these places are. 

Banff, Alberta is now on my list of places to visit.

[Popeye]

Must say I look forward to this post each day, the pictures are awesome.

Keep em coming.

[Normandog]

Wow, I did not know you could ride a Gondola and see such beautiful views. That's one of the downsides to going with a tour group. Or any group for that matter. You don't always get to do what you want.
Great pictures.

[R J]

My youngest daughter traved all over this USA/Canada/Alaska with me and would write reports to tell her fellow classmates on what they did that summer.

Several of her teachers asked how she knew of these places.     She said Research, library & Internet. She found a bunch of places for us to visit each trip.      Told her when she 1st started riding, ya see something you want to visit, holler.     Told her we were not out here to make miles, we are here to see and enjoy things, as it might be your only chance.

1st year it was things she spotted on the highway.    ALL years after that, she wanted to plot a map as to how and where we were going.    She would research the whole route and have a list of places to stop or stay for the night.     Made for some very memorable times.   Plus, we have a library full of 57 photoholders, and each one has 200 pictures in it.....   Each group, she put a header label in front of them, + she kept an excel spreadsheet, with an index.

Too bad I haven't kept it up in the past 11 years, since she quit riding..

[Gryphon Rider]

It was a pleasure meeting and spending the day with the two of you.  My only regret was not being able to put on some motorcycle miles with you.  Life with a young family brings a different set of fun experiences  .  Those of you about to reply with the "sidecar" suggestion...it just ain't me!

[Gilligan]

It was a pleasure meeting and spending the day with the two of you.  My only regret was not being able to put on some motorcycle miles with you.  Life with a young family brings a different set of fun experiences  .

We had a great time with you and your family and felt honored that you would take time out to show us the sights.

We do understand about "young families."  As you know, we waited to do our long-distance touring after our "boys" were independent.  Hang in there.  Your day will come.

Our home is always open to you and your family.

PS
Part 2 will be posted tomorrow.

[Gilligan]

For those of you who have complimented the pictures we have, you should know that Navigator takes all of them that she is not in.  She loved sitting on the back of the Valk "shooting away" at the scenery.  She also did most of the route-planning.  This is a part of what made our "two-up," long-distance touring the most exciting part of our lives for over 10 years.