I should back up a bit. Where to begin? I suppose the beginning will have to do.
Before Bryan and I head over to New Zealand, we’re having a small little pitstop here in Alberta. Four nights at three hotels. Tagging along is our good friends Blake Patenaude, straight outta Burlington. Seriously, who wouldn't want to vacate with this guy?
It’s great that Blake’s joining us for this little trip. Our forth is James Lorentz- a good friend of ours who moved out to Jasper- a small mountain resort town nestled in the Marmot basin just on the northern edge of the Albertan Rockies. He works at the Jasper Park Lodge- an awesome hotel that really has that northern-canadian alpine feeling. It's a quiet time for the mountains, which is really nice. More space to think.
We met James at baggage claim in Edmonton after a very comfortable flight from Toronto by way of Calgary. Before too long Ovie's beautiful red I Am Canadian backpack rolls around the corner. Couple more bags follow. A few baby car seats that looked a lot like my pack.
More bags continue to flow out as more and more people grab their belongings and leave. Time seems to be moving slow. Before long we’re the only four left at the conveyer belt- and that sucker’s been drained dry. My bag didn’t arrive. Not to worry, it was only two hours away in Calgary and didn’t make the connecting flight. Guess my bag shouldn’t have had that last cocktail at the airport bar. Rookie mistake.
So how to salvage this little blip in the schedule? A quick zip over to the West Edmonton Mall for a little waterside action at the water park. Definitely the most intense waterside experience I’ve ever had. For the most extreme slides (which we did first cause, why wouldn’t you?) have a pod-like starting point where you’re locked in this little capsule like a sardine in a tin, and this lovely female voice comes on the P.A “Starting in 3,2,1”
And then the floor literally gives out from under you as you are rocketed downwards at about an 80 degree drop, followed by a loop. What a rush. Sliding down the slides was a great way to ring in this adventure- to return to being a goofy little kid again- not holding anything back- just taking the leap and learning and growing from the results (yes, water sliding can be an enlightening experience- don't look at me like that!)
We spent Sunday night at the jasper park lodge for a little R&R. Less rest and relaxation, more rather rowdy and reckless.
But the highlight for us thus far has easily been yesterday’s majestic drive through the rocky mountains- from the tip at Jasper southward to the Banff hot springs.
We could not have dreamt for more ideal conditions- the sun was massive, hot on our chins as we would our way through the jagged wilderness.
Each side of the mountain has its charm- whether the sun hits it directly and coats each rocky formation with a beautiful light- or even the understated dark side of the mountain- quietly resting, almost contemplative.
We stopped by an awesome frozen waterfall along the way and traversed the very precarious ice in order to get to the last little crevice where water continued to flow, and filled our water bottles with the incredibly fresh water. Couple hearty slugs of that stuff, and you can’t help but feel like a real human being. Rationing the water has been hard, I’m down to my last few glasses. It’s a pretty good way to kick off a hangover in the morning, I’ve learned so far.
I suppose now is a good time to mention the photo gallery page. I reduce the photos here to make them fit with the text, but over there, you can browse and view the photos in (hopefully) all their splendid glory. We're having technical issues with Bryan's camera so that footage will be delayed, but in due time, it will make its appearance.
In all honesty, that drive through the mountains should be a right of passage for all Canadians. There is really something magical and poetic hidden in the mountains, a kind of perfect, solitary peacefulness overwhelms you, and nothing else matters but admiring the beauty that is sprawled out before you. Needless to say, Bryan and I are hooked on beautiful scenery. More and more to come.
We rolled into the Banff Springs hotel at about six o’clock last evening and right away the four of us passed out. I think between us all we had a collective 20 hours of sleep since saturday evening.
Later we ate at an italian restaurant last night at the hotel called Costello’s- nice italian Chianti, margherita pizza (the basil!) as well as a few Spaghetti and Meatballs for a few of us (I can’t remember the last time I had that childhood favourite).
Again last night was filled with laughs- complete with ridiculous inside jokes that I’m not sure the four of us even completely understand.
The massive Banff Springs hotel- a real-life castle- was fun to wander and joke around in late at night when most sane guests would be sleeping- to just enjoy the fact that, well, we’re in a freaking castle! <photo w/ suit of armor> There is just so much to take in, but right now our energy is focused and our passion is clear and present. We are up for anything and there’s a whole world out there to enjoy.
It’s odd to think we’ll be flying halfway around the world in a few days, but for now, it’s time to enjoy canada’s great white north with some good company, and the rest will take care of itself.
Cheers!
-K