Finally, Banff...

Internet connectivity north of the border has been problematic so finally catching up with our travels since leaving sunny, hot Colorado for more northern climes. The trip north saw us spend some time in Buffalo, Wyoming where we picked up the rain that has dogged us every other day. In Buffalo I was caught in a deluge the likes of which I have never seen while attempting a ride up Crazy Woman Canyon which according to the locals is a must see. When the Wyoming skies open up and let loose it's something to be experienced. My hastily donned raingear was but a laughable and futile attempt to stay dry but what the heck, sometimes the road that beckons seems more akin to a waterway than a roadway.

We also spent time in Montana and then crossed the border into Alberta heading to our first Canadian stopping point Banff. If you've never been to Banff it's hard to describe.it certainly has the affluence of a Vail or Aspen but seems to lack the pretentiousness of those hamlets. Banff is definitely an international destination and the streets are full of folks from around the world. Europe, the Middle East, the Orient are all well represented and the stores offer a far more eclectic mix of offerings than anywhere I've seen stateside.

For us the journey to Banff was more for the natural rather than human beauty and in that regard Banff does not disappoint. At least when you can see it... we left Denver in 100 plus temperatures and drought conditions but up north neither of those seem to be an issue. Sweatshirts, long pants, and rain jackets are the norm here but still, about every third day, old Sol deigns to make her appearance and when the grey skies make way to sunshine and white cottonballs drifting by Banff is a spectacular place to experience the outdoors. Folks sometimes ask why leave Colorado when we have mountains galore but the Canadian Rockies, despite lagging in altitude, more than make up for it in rugged splendor. Here's a little teaser of what Banff has to offer:

From Banff it's on to our final destination of Jasper via the incredible Icefields Parkway but more on that to come!