Squirrels keep guard over Sulphur Mountain

Overlooking Banff, Sulphur Mountain, was very popular for its sulphur springs. We took a gondola ride up to the top of the mountain. There we found the usual coffee and souvenir shops, but also a boardwalk to the top of the mountain, where the Cosmic Ray Station had been re-created.
The Cosmic Ray Station was established in 1956 by the National Research Station, Sulphur Mountain was chosen for the site because of its high elevation and was the most important station in Canada during the International Geophysical Year 1957-1958.
In 1903 Norman Sanson, established a weather observatory. Ottawa sent him enough weather recording blanks to last him 33 years. However, not only did he use them up, he continued to climb the mountain for another ten years to record his observations.
The view from the top of the mountain was spectacular and being above the tree-line, its was rugged and barren, but that didn't stop the Golden Squirrels from being inquisitive and letting us all get some great photos. Including one who perched himself on a rock above the pavement and kept guard over who was entering his territory.

Bow River Valley and Banff

Canoeing Emerald Lake, Yoho National Park

Canoeing on Emerald Lake, the scenery was stunning. A backdrop of mountain peaks with the last vestiges of ice clinging to the valleys. In the foreground a stand of Douglas Fir trees and a meadow of green grass.  The gentle splash of the oars as the trio of Japanese tourists glide past us in their canoe. Stunning

Canoeing Emerald Lake

Emerald Lake - so beautiful and would be peaceful if I could send all the other tourists home

Kicking Horse River

Natural Bridge on Kicking Horse River. Originally a water fall, the force of the water over time has cut through the rock and is now only flowing over the top of the bridge when the water level is quite high

 Golden Squirrel - a cheeky little fellow. As soon as he realised we didn't have any food, he was off to find another source.

Kamloops to Banff - Rocky Mountaineer Journey

As we leave Kamploops and are eating our beautiful breakfast, the scenery gradually changes from dry ranges to the lush Douglas fir trees on tall mountain peaks closer to Banff

Breakfast

Atlantic Salmon

Desert

Rocky Mountains

Rocky Mountains

Farm buildings Thompson Vallery

Vancouver to Kamloops - Rocky Mountaineer Train Journey

It is all aboard the Rocky Mountaineer in Vancouver for the first day of our journey which stops in Kamloops for an over night stay.
The scenery in the Fraser Valley as we start our long planned for and anticipated trip of a life time is lush and green with farms of blueberries, strawberries and animals. We are following the Fraser River, and we have a lot of lakes and wetlands. During the course of the day, the countryside gets drier and we climb higher and higher.  The  rocky cliff faces of the valley are heavily timbered early during the day, the glacial gorges are steep and the river is strong, torrential and the green colour, evident of a glacial river. During the afternoon the scenery changes bare clay rock and soil, with very little vegetation.

The river as it approaches Hell's Gate

Hells Gate

Hells Gate

 Lunch of ribs and mash

 At Kamloops, the North Thompson River and South Thompson River merge and continue south as the Thompson River. At Kamloops the River is held back by a weir to create a man-made lake for recreational purposes.
Our hotel the Sandman is located across from the local park it is situated on the  Thompson River and the park is the centre of cultural and recreational activities for the town.  Every evening during the summer the local council have organised a show, or music for the entertainment of the locals and tourists.  The band on our night in town was a country rock band and after having dinner at the local surf club, we wandered over, sat on the lawn and had a very relaxing evening, tapping our toes and singing along with the band.

 Our room at the Sandman Hotel, one of the best spots we have stayed during the whole trip so far.

 The beach at Kamloops

A very proud Canadian town