If I Were Going...: Kootenay, Yoho and Banff

Beautiful country

I am not going to continue to bore with step-by-step descriptions of our trip, but I will give a quick rundown.

Yoho

We drove to Radium Hot Springs where it was actually HOT!! I even put on shorts.

We encountered this Bighorn Sheep ram along the way

We crashed a bit ay out hotel and then went looking for wildlife in Kootenay National Park and had dinner in Banff.

We were in serious Canadian Rockies

Then on the Yoho National Park, via Banff and Lake Louise.

Natural Bridge in Yoho National Park

We stopped a few times for wildlife, including Elk ...

Big guy

Ground Squirrels ...

Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel

and, Bears ...

This is truly Bear country (the hump says Grizzly)

Both Black ...

The black/tan Roman nose says Black Bear

and Grizzly Bears ...

These were all collared and/or tagged

Very accommodating Grizzly Bears ...

Posing for the tourists

We didn’t spend any appreciable time in Banff or Lake Louise because they were crowded and touristy.

But, you can't beat the scenery

We went through Johnson Canyon, where we hiked to the lower falls.

Johnson Canyon has a trail right along the box canyon falls

We had stayed in Johnson Canyon years ago with the girls and I recommend it!

It is stunning

We stopped at the Truffle Pig in Field, Alberta, and picked up lunches to go. They were a bit puzzled that we wanted them to go, but acquiesced. I had a fabulous tomato/goat cheese salad and Scott has smoked seafood that we ate beside a beautiful lake.

It didn't take long to find a good picnic stop.

Even with light rain, this is a better dining room

We stayed at the Cathedral Mountain Lodge in an adorable cabin.

Very cozy

Part of the reason we booked was a promised canoe rental; but the lake they use was frozen! We did stop at Emerald Lake, which had canoes, but it was raining!

So much for canoeing

Nearby were the spiral railroad tunnels, a fascinating series of circular tunnels carved in the mountain that facilitates the steep grade trains must travel. We were fortunate to get to see a looooooong train go through.

It looks somewhat like a snake swallowing its tail

Watch it here:

We were looking forward to a lovely dinner in the gorgeous dining room at the lodge – and then maybe sitting by a fire by the river. But, their pump broke and there was no water. The only option they offered was a free buffet that did not appeal to Scott. So we tried the Truffle Pig, but they were hosting a “Gong Show” (yes, really) and “couldn’t guarantee a table." Then we tried Emerald Lake's restaurant, but it wasn't open.

Pretty, but closed

So, we drove all the way to Golden through the stunning Kicking Horse Pass – WOW!!!! We ate at a funky diner – not worth the drive, but the drive was worth the drive.

We were a bit surprised the Lodge didn’t discount the room (after all, there was no water all day), but every establishment seems to be afflicted with early season/young employee syndrome. And, by the time we got back there was water.