Conversation STARTER

(Editor's note: prior posts are being updated with additional photos—see Day 1 and Day 2 for some great new pix.)

Day 6—Sunday, August 7—Protection Mountain to Banff 

25 miles; 45°F starting out, bright and Sunny, 80°F in afternoon

On a gorgeous morning we left the sparrows to consider another brood before autumn. We continued on the Bow Valley Parkway which was exquisite for biking. What made matters much better is that it was generally downhill.  Lots of day bikers and a few thru-bikepackers on their way to points north.  A fully packed bike is always interesting conversation starter when stopping at rest areas or overlooks. Noreen, Mark, and I each have had brief but interesting chats with folks from all over the world.

Noreen smoking down the Bow Valley Parkway

This statue along the parkway is a memorial to Ukranian-Canadians who were isolated in internment camps, suspected of possible collaboration or sympathy with the enemy during WWI. They were used as forced labor to build portions of the Bow Valley Pkwy. The memorial was erected and is maintained by Ukrainian-Canadian civic organizations. The plaque asks "Why?" in three languages. 

Bow River and Mark and his split personality

Forests were lush along the Bow Parkway

Stand of Trembling (quaking) Aspens

Bow River:  flows all the way to Banff and further south before connecting to the Oldman River, eventually flowing northeast to Hudson Bay which is kind of amazing.

Bike trail getting us from Bow Valley Parkway into Banff (how civilized!) plus giant dandelion waiting for a good breeze.

Lake on the way into Banff

We arrived in Banff in mid afternoon and set up shop over at the international Hostel where they gave us our own room and private bath! 

New friends Jill and Gordon from New Zealand.  They are doing the Great Divide and then have until January to tour the southwest and possibly Mexico:  lively folks!

We had a fairly mediocre Mexican dinner at Magpie & Stump after a strong recommendation…not sure if folks know what Mexican food could be up here! Had a leisurely walk around downtown which is strongly tourist-driven but organized very well with good electric bus transit and solid provision for bikes. Many of the streets are pedestrian oriented and closed to vehicles other than electric buses.  Mass transit and biking strongly supported and promoted.

Ummmm…not convinced