Kootenay

 

Kootenay National Park was our next choice for exploration.  Once again we hopped the bikes along CA1 then accessed provincial road 93 along the Vermillion River

past mountains and glacier remnants,

across the Continental Divide and into British Columbia and Kootenay National Park.  Kootenay is a Native term meaning First Nations.

There is one main road through the park, but we were able to see a lot from there.  Wildlife wasn’t abundant along the road (we saw one deer), but scenic views of mountains, glaciers, and water were everywhere.

In 2003 a fire burned for 40 days here.  Park officials let wildfires burn as long as human life is not in danger.

The Vermillion River ran into the Kootenay River.

Area spared from the 2003 burn.

 

I told everyone to look pleased.  You can see that they complied. 

After lunch we forewent the last 20 miles of 93 and turned ourselves back toward home.  Kootenay was a beautiful park but there weren’t any interesting side roads, and the main road was pretty straight and flat.

Back in Banff the cloud shadows made the mountains blue.

We stopped for a view of the Vermillion River wetlands.  That’s Sulphur Mountain in the background.

The other side of Mount Rundle is visible from the town of Banff and from our living room.  I’ve always wondered why it was so flat on one side.  (Read explanation above.)

Back home again we relaxed (read napped for the guys), then went into Banff for a coffee and free wifi at Tim Horton’s.  Computer work done, a quick trip to the grocery and home.

Whew!

Louise and Duane