Where in the World is Rod?

Tags

Banff, Beauty, Canada, creation, humour, Lake Louise, nature, Okanagan Valley, Peachland, Poppies, Revelstoke, Three Valley Gap, travel, vacation

Have you been thinking “Where in the world has Rod gone?”  Or maybe you haven’t noticed I haven’t blogged for a while.

No excuses – I just didn’t have the urge to post since returning from Mexico in April. Then Susan and I took a road trip from Winnipeg through Calgary and the Rockies to the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia.  We have a number of friends in this area so we changed our name from Sprange to Sponge and went-a-calling.

We left Winnipeg at 4:30 am on a Thursday and drove to Swift Current, Saskatchewan   There wasn’t a lot of excitement during these first 600 kilometres or so, for which we are grateful, but we did see three antelope running along the prairie.  Absolutely beautiful.  These guys seemed to be travelling at about 30 kph and moved with such grace. We had not put two and two together before – “Oh home on the range, where the deer and the antelope play”.  We didn’t see deer but lots of cattle and these three amazing antelope.

There was evening and there was morning – our first day.

First thing we left for Calgary where we stayed two nights with friends who have recently moved there from Winnipeg.  It was a good time and we enjoyed seeing their new home.  It feels much better when we can visualise friends in their environment.

Sunday we left to drive as far as Revelstoke British Columbia.

The drive through the mountains was of course spectacular.  First we went through Banff National Park.

Just another wonderful mountain along the highway

Driving through Banff

Special bridges built for wildlife to safely cross the highway

We had a nice coffee in Banff Township and then stopped at Lake Louise for lunch.  We hadn’t been there since the early 90’s.  The changes are not for the better – but it is still a beautiful spot (if you can find a place to park and don’t get trampled by the crowds of tourists).

The glacier has receded dramatically since our last visitI never tire of the emerald-green colour of the lakes in the Rockies

This is a telephoto shot of the rock face showing the  colours

We were expecting high prices at the Chateau Lake Louise – but not the daylight robbery of $26 for mac and cheese! (I’m turning into my Father)  We went back down the hill to the village and received slightly better value – and the view was still pretty good – if you like snow-capped mountains, rushing mountain streams and assorted evergreens trees.

Poppies have special meaning for Susan and me, and the alpine poppies at Lake Louise are favourites

Colour variety

Having filled our tummies and the gas-tank (I still laugh at the old joke, eat here and get gas) and we continued on to Revelstoke going over or through Roger’s Pass (never sure which).

We reached Revelstoke in mid-afternoon and discovered we had picked the perfect B and B.  If you are ever in Revelstoke stay at Cornerstone Bed and Breakfast. It’s a lovely house with even lovelier hosts. Sharie really took good care of us and Jun made breakfast an art form.

Next morning we were on our way to Peachland in the Okanagan Valley.

Three Valley Gap is a lovely spot to stop between Revelstoke and the Okanagan.

We were welcomed into the delightful home of very good friends whose condo overlooks Lake Okanagan – I won’t use their names as people may not wish to be associated with the Sponges publicly.  I’m with Groucho, I wouldn’t want to join a club that would have me as member. So respecting our friends privacy we move along.

Maybe one day the town will move the cables underground where they belong. But what a gorgeous view from their front balcony.

I’ll stop at this point and we can all have a rest – what a perfect place to stop and relax for a while. Pinot Gris for me please.