Oh Canada!

June 16th Tuesday

Leaving Fernie, BC a town of my youth. It is all about skiing and biking, towering Rockies dwarfing the single street downtown. Calgary folks are just starting to move in with their second homes, beautiful modern homes on the hill overlooking the the skate park and the bike park. I did a bit of damage on the wooden walk at the lid's bike park. Clearly I don't have skill I used to. Reese was a madman, pushing his bike to the top of a hill and taking jumps and tight turns. Ruby joined in on her 'Hello Kitty' bike on a smaller scale. Warm, gorgeous mountain weather. 

We camped a few klicks out of town at a well maintained provincial park.  We mountain biked from camp though Reese has not learned to embrace the uphill yet. Thick cedar woods kept us cool without mosquitoes. I am grateful for every day we don't need to apply bug spray. It just another hassle factor; putting up screens, keeping it zipped, and something else to police. 

We had the WORST NIGHT EVER after leaving Fernie. We stopped through Cranbrook and spent the better part of two hours learning about the Canadian Pacific Railroad where rail cars from the turn of the century and the late twenties were restored. Gorgeous craftsmanship with inlaid wood, stained glass and fixtures that have stood the test of time. 

We followed the glacial Kootenay river for sixty miles or so, as it wandered between two mountain ranges, stopping or pooling at times for irrigation and recreation. 

When we arrived at Fairmont Hot Springs, a site I found on line we were ready for dinner and an adult beverage. 24 hours with the kids without break is a test I do not always pass. The site promised laundry, a hot springs pool, showers--an upscale KOA in my mind. There is also a hotel, spa, restaurant and shopping on site. We passed miniature golf and other kids activities, filling our heads with visions of fun. My original thought was that we would spend two nights, lounge by the pool, do laundry, play, and catch up with WiFi. But when I discovered at check-in the pool required payment my rose colored glasses began to fog. We opted for one night with an option for a second, but the width of the sites were so narrow we could barely put out our chairs. We were near the bathroom, where it was requested not to do our dishes, but there was no other sink provided. To prevent creating bear bait one must leave absolutely no trace, not even smells. ' Be bear aware' was plastered everywhere. There was no means for us to heed this missive under the circumstances and black bear had been loafing around the site. 

After the kids and I payed the discounted $6/pp for the late swim Rich took off to do laundry--1/4mile from our site.  One would assume there would be a change machine and laundry soap for purchase, but no, that would be too low-brow, as would a wash up sink for dishes. Rich then hoofed it to the hotel to get laundry soap and ended doing laundry there since we didn't have correct change. Between running back and forth, finishing the laundry at 11, me finishing the dishes in the dark at our campsite (I strained the wash water in the bathroom sink---take that), screaming the children to bed we decided there was nothing accommodating about the geriatric, snobbish Fairmont where we clearly did not make (nor did we want to) the cut. I must add at this point Rich and I were venomously whisper shouting at each other, not that anyone could hear us. They were all tucked into their shiny giant houses on wheels where they could do their dishes inside. It made me not want to flush after peeing in their damn toilet. 

The only redeeming aspect of our stay was wifi. We both dove into our phones, not searching news (although I wonder who some woman is from Spokane) but Facebook.  Seeing familiar faces, feeling some community, as corny as it seems, was comforting. 

Being in Canada has curtailed my electronic use and because of that highlighted my need for connection via the Internet. It isn't all Facebook, but also the ability to look answer questions in the moment. I have always recognized I was more 'connected' that Rich, I never realized the extent of need to 'disconnect' from the moment. Even this moment, writing on the phone, is my moment to be by myself, to disengage. 

Friday June 19th

Radium Hot Springs and wolf siting in Kootenay National Park were two recent highlights, and any moment without rain brought joy to the rest. We traveled through Kootenay to spend time in Banff which is gorgeous, and wet. The rain boots are in use, as well as all polypropylene clothes. The skies have been clearing in the afternoon allowing a hike and fire time. Mornings, late as they are for us (we are out just as the eleven o'clock check time rolls around) becomes a scramble as rain waxes and wanes. It doesn't do much for my attitude. I know I need to buck up. My control issues have come to the forefront as the van gets wet and filthy. Let it go, let it go!!!!

A hike up Johnston Creek to see waterfalls in sunshine has improved my mood, as has viewing Lake Louise. One has the impression it is a remote, secluded place but instead it has a towering hotel originally built by the Canada Pacific Railroad and hundreds of voices in many languages roaming around the boardwalk.