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Summer 2022 AB/BC Road Trip
  • Betty Foidart
Jul – Aug 2022

Summer 2022 AB/BC Road Trip

A 15-day adventure by Betty Read more
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  • Trip start
    July 22, 2022
    Betty FoidartSummer 2022 AB/BC Road TripTraveler

    Banff I

    July 23, 2022 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    Our drive to Banff went smoothly except for almost running out of gas on the way to Moosomin! We arrived there with just 5 km showing on the gauge. Next time I will know better than to accept the advice of someone who regularly travels to Wainwright! We had difficulty finding the Days Inn hotel in Swift Current and our GPS was no help. Not a great start :(

    Our first night in Banff was at Two Jack Lakeside in an oTENTik. We were very impressed. I brought my electric frying pan to make meals but there was only 5 amp service so we had barbecued perogies! They were home made by Linda and were delicious on the bbq….who knew? Unfortunately it started to rain and we were forced to eat in the car as you can’t bring food or anything with a scent into the oTENTik. We were surprised that about 90% of the campers were large groups of Japanese families. Using the bathroom was a COVID nightmare!    Read more

  • Betty FoidartSummer 2022 AB/BC Road TripTraveler

    Banff II

    July 24, 2022 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    We had a full day of exploration in the Banff area. We started our day with a 2 km hike at Lake Minnewanka as it has always been a favourite spot. We saw big horned sheep on the roadside but were unable to stop for photos. Traffic was insane. Trying to find a spot for our picnic lunch proved to be quite a challenge. We tried to get a parking spot at Johnson Lake and that was futile as the lot was full and there was about a km of cars parked along the roadside. It was a sunny Sunday afternoon and it seemed all of Calgary was at the lake. Our next attempt was at Cascade Pond and we were lucky that someone had just pulled out of their spot. It was also a very busy family location. We are learning that Banff is crazy busy this summer.

    Our next attempt was to visit Lake Louise and Lake Moraine. Impossible!! After a 58 km drive we were unsuccessful in getting into either area. We drove back to Lake Louise Village and were advised by a tourism person to wait an hour or two and try again. On our second attempt we were able to get a $12.25 parking spot at Lake Louise. The people at the lakefront were shoulder-to-shoulder as bus loads of tourists were being dropped off. It was so disappointing. Parks Canada has started a shuttle service to ease the crowd issue but there were over 100 people lined up waiting for the return bus to the Village. We were turned away from Lake Moraine again and decided to give up returning to Banff hugely frustrated.

    Our second oTENTik experience was at Tunnel Mountain located right in Banff. We really enjoyed our stay here as it was very clean and the facilities were great. They even had an electrical outlet attached to the picnic table so that we could have our tea and toast for breakfast! Once again we were surrounded by large Japanese family groups but the facilities were much improved so it wasn’t a concern.

    In the evening we drove to downtown Banff for ice cream at the famous Cows shop but it was closed. It seems all of the Banff businesses are unable to find adequate staff to maintain their regular business hours.    Read more

  • Betty FoidartSummer 2022 AB/BC Road TripTraveler

    Icefields Parkway I

    July 25, 2022 in Canada ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    It was time to move on. We stopped at the outskirts of Banff to see the hoodoos and were then on our way to Jasper. As we passed the Moraine Lake turnoff we decided to give it one last try. Again we were told no access but I stopped the car and we pleaded with the traffic attendant. I told him this was our third attempt and because he remembered us from the previous day he allowed us through the traffic barrier. Hurray!! It is still one of my most favourite breathtaking places in the Rockies and is now one of Linda’s favourite memories.

    The drive down the Icefields Parkway was quite amazing too. We stopped at the Columbia Icefields Visitor Centre and had our picnic lunch along the parking lot. The exhibits were all new to us as they were redone 5 years ago. We also made stops at Sunwapta Falls and Athabaska Falls. With all the Spring rains, the falls were powerful.

    One idiot driver decided to pull out and pass a car as I was approaching. I had to pull over onto the paved shoulder in order to avoid a head-on crash! Geez!! We also read today that a kayaker died at Sunwapta Falls on the day that we were there. I am so glad we weren't there to witness it.    Read more

  • Betty FoidartSummer 2022 AB/BC Road TripTraveler

    Jasper I

    July 25, 2022 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    Our accommodation for the next two nights was in the Ice House at Palisades Centre just 12 km east of Jasper and is part of the national park. The Centre is for high school educational programs offered by Parks Canada and during the summer they rent out the buildings on the property. On first sight we wondered if this would work out because there was not a soul around and we were in the middle of a heavily forested area. The isolation was concerning. We later found out that there had been a bear around our cabin just hours earlier. Although it was an historic cabin it had been recently remodelled and was ideal for our stay. We had a gorgeous view of the mountains from our dining area. It was a bit pricey but much less than hotels in Jasper townsite and we were able to make our own meals.

    Jasper is a designated dark zone region so I had hoped to do some star gazing and possibly view the Aurora Borealis. It was disappointing to hear that because of the bear sighting I was advised it would be safer to remain in the cabin. It was a beautiful clear night but the mosquitoes were hungry so I wouldn’t have survived being outdoors for long anyway.    Read more

  • Betty FoidartSummer 2022 AB/BC Road TripTraveler

    Jasper II

    July 26, 2022 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    Our first stop of the day was at Maligne Canyon. Although the hike was only 3 km the return trip was uphill and the temperature was in the low 30s. The fine mist from the waterfalls was so refreshing!

    Further down the road was Maligne Lake. A small red car in front of me was obviously terrified of the curvy road with steep drop offs because the driver drove much of the way near the middle of the unmarked road! Oncoming cars had to hug the cliff side and I decided to back off in case of an accident. Yikes!!

    We walked along the lakeshore and found a perfect bench to have our picnic lunch. Although we had intended to walk further we were enjoying the view too much and decided to just relax and take in all the beauty.    Read more

  • Betty FoidartSummer 2022 AB/BC Road TripTraveler

    Animals of Jasper

    July 26, 2022 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    We were quite lucky in encountering some wildlife while in Jasper. We saw a large black bear along the road but he went into the bush before I could stop for a photo. We also saw a cow elk and several warning signs that they had their young so they would be very aggressive. A herd of mountain goats on the road to Maligne was fun to watch. We also got to see a bald eagle in it’s nest.Read more

  • Betty FoidartSummer 2022 AB/BC Road TripTraveler

    Travel Day…Jasper to Sun Peaks, BC

    July 27, 2022 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    We had fuelled up the night before in Jasper for $1.72 a litre….a gift from Jason Kenney….so we were ready to hit the road to Sun Peaks. Shortly out of Jasper along the Yellowhead Highway I encountered idiot #2 and had to quickly move to the shoulder to avoid hitting a truck who was unsafely passing another car. At least he waved at me as he drove by me in my lane! Maybe the rules of the road are different in Alberta.

    In the small town of Valemont we discovered the most modern restroom in the community playground. It cleans and dries the toilet seat automatically and locks the door when you enter. We were disappointed that we couldn’t try it out because it was out of order but we didn’t figure this out for several minutes. Instead we had to use the smelly porta-potty 😬.

    We made a short stop at Mount Robson, the highest mountain in Canada and on the World Heritage registry for it’s contribution to fresh water. Our picnic stop was in Clearwater at Wells Gray Provincial Park but there was no time to explore this scenic area. It was probably a good thing because the temperature soared to 39 degrees!

    On day one of the trip Linda commented that Ernie and Andy like the ac very cold when driving but she likes the fresh air. I also don’t like it when John cranks up the ac to frigid. So I understood Linda’s comment to mean that she preferred the windows open when driving and no ac so that’s what we did every day. When we hit the 39 melting point today she asked me “Are you keeping the ac off to save money on gas?”. I said, “No, I was trying to do what you preferred” all the while sweating profusely! I thought this misunderstanding was so funny….Linda didn’t see the humour in it as it seems I often misunderstand her. Sisters!!!    Read more

  • Betty FoidartSummer 2022 AB/BC Road TripTraveler

    Pinnacle Lodge at Sun Peaks

    July 27, 2022 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    Arrived at our VI resort at 6 pm. It took us 8 hours to get here, a bit longer than anticipated, due to a long stretch of construction where the Trans Mountain gas pipeline was being laid. It was a scenic route.

    It has been 12 years since John and I made our first visit here shortly after we purchased a timeshare with the VI group of resorts. It is not a typical timeshare as the 20 units are more like hotel rooms with a large balcony overlooking the forest below. A full breakfast is served in the morning in the main dining room and we are able to use the room anytime to eat our meals in. We have access to a barbecue and microwave for cooking.

    I’m not getting back in our car for at least 24 hours!    Read more

  • Betty FoidartSummer 2022 AB/BC Road TripTraveler

    3 Sisters

    July 27, 2022 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    Nancy, Dani and Chris arrived at Sun Peaks last night. We walked to their hotel and helped Nancy move to our resort as she will be staying with us for the next 4 days. Dani and Chris are here to use their e-bikes and a relaxing mini-holiday.

    We hadn’t seen Nancy since pre-Covid so there was lots of catching up to do and grandkid photos to share.    Read more

  • Betty FoidartSummer 2022 AB/BC Road TripTraveler

    Exploring the area

    July 29, 2022 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    On my day of rest from driving we explored the Village and did a short walk. The small deer flies were unrelenting in their desire to be more annoying than the pesky mosquitoes! We’ve even been unable to enjoy our balcony. In the evening we met up with Dani and Chris at the Voyageur Bistro and enjoyed a Canadian-themed dinner as Chris’s guests. Lots of good locally sourced food and more catch-up conversation.

    The next morning we drove into Kamloops, an hour drive down the mountain. We drove through the reserve so often seen in the news recently to see the hoodoos and encountered a small herd of mountain goats. The temperature soared to 38 degrees so hiking was not on our agenda! Instead we restocked our food and wine supplies before retreating to the cooler mountain environment.

    That evening Dani and Chris invited us to their condo for delicious Haskap Cheesecake. They had spent the afternoon picking haskaps at a nearby u-pick farm but Chris wasn’t impressed with the hordes of mosquitoes in the field and only picked 9 berries before retreating to the car.    Read more

  • Betty FoidartSummer 2022 AB/BC Road TripTraveler

    Vistas, flowers and family I

    July 30, 2022 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    We started our day off with a walk to the Village and a planned 2 km loop hike on the lower slopes of the mountain. We started off on the right trail and somehow ended up on one of the downhill mountain bike trails. Those bikes come down that mountain at a high speed so we made the wise decision to return to the base when we dodged three cyclists. We’re still puzzled on how we got off track!

    That didn’t deter us as we returned at 4 o’clock to get a reduced senior rate of $20 on the chair lift that would take us to the top. From there we did the short 1.3 km Vista hike and it didn’t disappoint. It was very hot and the bugs were bad but it was worth enduring for the great views and beautiful alpine flowers in the meadows.

    Dani and Chris came to our resort for a bbq dinner. Chris did an amazing job on the salmon that we had picked up at Costco in Kamloops. We shared stories, photos and memories of Dani and Chris’s awesome Hawaiiian wedding. It was such a great evening and ending to our short visit. Chris would have liked to see John….maybe next time!    Read more

  • Betty FoidartSummer 2022 AB/BC Road TripTraveler

    Vistas, flowers and family III

    July 30, 2022 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    Such a fun family dinner :). Chris was the grill master and Dani made a huge salad with fresh greens from her garden.

  • Betty FoidartSummer 2022 AB/BC Road TripTraveler

    Until we meet again

    July 31, 2022 in Canada ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    It was time for our BC family to head home. We walked with Nancy to the Village where there was a weekly Farmers Market. Nancy and Dani rushed off as they had left Chris to do all the packing. It was a very quick goodbye!

    The rest of our day was relaxing with a short walk in the evening after another bbq dinner.    Read more

  • Betty FoidartSummer 2022 AB/BC Road TripTraveler

    More exploring

    August 1, 2022 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    For a change of scenery we drove 10 km down the mountain to Whitecroft Falls. It was a 15 minute hike through a heavily forested area that leads to quite a significant waterfall. We had been warned about wildlife in the Sun Peaks region…mainly bears, cougars, and coyotes…so we were being extra cautious in choosing our hikes.

    Just down the road was a u-pick haskap farm, the one where Dani bought the haskap cheesecake and Chris had a “hissy-fit” because of all the mosquitoes! We enjoyed the most delicious home-made haskap ice cream. The owner of the farm arrived and we had a long conversation about the different varieties of haskaps, , farming practices, and issues getting reliable helpers. A very nice farm!

    In the evening we walked to the Village to see live entertainment….a local band who played 80s rock. The singer seemed to do a lot of screaming and it got very annoying so we didn’t hang around for long. We always enjoy the pleasant walk to the Village.    Read more

  • Betty FoidartSummer 2022 AB/BC Road TripTraveler

    Kamloops

    August 2, 2022 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    We headed to Kamloops after breakfast in hopes of being able to do a short hike before the temperatures soared. It was 18 degrees at Sun Peaks and an hour later it was 33 degrees in Kamloops! We parked downtown and walked along the Thompson Riverfront Park. It was hot!! After 45 minutes we retreated to the air conditioned car and sought out another walk at a park in a higher elevation. The directions were vague and confusing but we found a place to park and I struggled up a steep hill to take some photos while Linda waited at the car.

    After buying food for our dinner and filling the gas tank at Costco we headed back to Sun Peaks for a relaxing evening. It was time to pack up and plan for our departure the next day.

    At Pinnacle Lodge we met and talked with some interesting people, most notably Richard, the Innkeeper, with his non-stop chatter as he circulated amongst the guests; an East Indian man who gave us daily restaurant recommendations (which we never did get to); a woman who extolled at length the benefits of drinking hot water; and a couple and their daughter who were from Turkey but have been living in Luxembourg for the last 15 years. We really enjoyed our week at the Lodge!    Read more

  • Betty FoidartSummer 2022 AB/BC Road TripTraveler
    Golden, BCField, BCBanff, AB

    The long journey home

    August 5, 2022 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    After driving 28 hours and nearly 2000 km, we arrived safely in Winnipeg. Our first day of driving was the most interesting but most challenging as we travelled from Sun Peaks to Calgary. The scenery was beautiful despite scattered rain showers all day. At Sicamous we encountered an accident scene where a vehicle and semi had collided. On the short detour we passed the first responders rushing to the scene. That’s always a bit unnerving! We made a brief stop here to buy fresh peaches, apricots and locally produced products to take home. There was a stretch of highway construction with no guard rails so I had a strong grip on the steering wheel! Because of the winding mountain roads we arrived in Calgary feeling strangely woozy, almost as if we had been sailing the seas!

    We carried on from Calgary to Regina, then Regina to home. When we left Calgary the temperature was 16 but when we arrived in Medicine Hat, just two hours away, the temperature was 33 degrees! This time we were thankful for ac in the car. We saw a scrawny fox walking alongside the road obviously suffering from the heat…so sad. The fields in Alberta were parched but when we drove through Saskatchewan the crops were green and some harvesting had been done. The drive was uneventful….it was the prairies after all.

    In total we travelled about 4400 km. Gas prices were cheapest in Medicine Hat at $1.36/litre and most expensive in Kamloops at $1.86/litre. We prepared most of our meals, usually fish or vegetarian, so Linda will likely be craving beef this week! I brought books and games but they never left the car as our days were full of activity. We were lucky to see so much wildlife, but no bears or cougars fortunately. There was even a floppy eared rabbit near our car at the Calgary hotel! We wore our masks when we felt there was a higher Covid risk…grocery stores, Costco, some public bathrooms and the mall in Kamloops. The worst was the crowded breakfast room at the Wingate in Calgary. Overall we would see maybe 2 or 3 other people wearing masks! We didn’t care and we have stayed healthy.

    It was a great road trip and such a nice break from Covid that has ruled our lives for the past 2+ years!    Read more

    Trip end
    August 5, 2022
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