Icefields Parkway to Jasper

There aren't words to describe this drive. Just enjoy the pictures. (and, yes, they are all taken thru the windshield by the passenger)  

Weekend in Banff

After 5 days of riding, we were all content to hang around Banff and be tourists. Saturday morning, James and Jen went for a hike up Tunnel Mountain (think Canmore for NH peeps), which was a great little hike except that the morning fog hadn't yet lifted so there was no view.  After Pete cooked us all a gourmet breakfast of eggs benedict, we waddled our way to the local ski area, Mt Norquay,  and took the ski lift to the top, where we were rewarded with the most amazing views (and local beer).  Then, it was back into town for Doug's birthday dinner at the best steakhouse on earth (suck it, Mortons) - Saltlik. Amazing amazing amazing food, including filet with Stilton Blu cheese, lobster mashed potatoes, and top shelf wines.  To.  Die.  For. 

Sunday, James and Jen went for another early morning hike and then we all went our separate ways.  Pete and Pat rode thru the night (getting "misdirected" a few hundred clicks along the way) to get back to Seattle, Brookes braved the bus to the airport and the long wait at the Calgary airport, and Doug, Jen, ad James headed north to Jasper.

Kimberley to Banff

Last day of riding, it was only appropriate that we'd run into helacious weather.  Pouring rain, 40 degrees almost the whole way. By the time we got back to Banff, we were popsicles.  After turning in the bike, we went back to the condo where Doug had one more birthday surprise - James and Brookes came up from Seattle for the weekend. Lots of good Canadian beer, pizza, pate, and weird - flavored potato chips were consumed around the fire.

Nelson to Kimberley

Another beautiful day on the roads in BC, including another awesome ferry ride across Crawford Bay. Sunny bluebird skies and twisty roads for most of the day.  The only drawback was the smoky skies from the forest fires in Washington. Ended the day in Kimberley, a little German town with a walking Platz and lots of little Bavarian touristy restaurants. We skipped the tourist stuff and took a cab to the best German restaurant EVER.  It was a Gasthaus in Bad Tolz that was deconstructed, shipped here in the 1980s and rebuilt here. The original family from Germany still runs it and the food was AMAZING. Schnitzel and gravy and rosti and dark german beer and strudel. We can all die happily now.