Back to B.C.

The top photo is from exactly one week ago, the bottom from today. The difference? Snow!

That's right, snow has already fallen in Canada. This is what it looked like on Monday in Banff:

Let's go back though to a week ago when I was travelling down this same road for the last week of summer, when winter was still supposed to be a few months away. 

I feel asleep for most of the car ride, as I always do in cars, and opened my eyes in time to check in for the campground at Beaverfoot Lodge in British Columbia. The woman at the lodge was surprised to find two young, eager campers at her doorstep as it had been raining for a week. And upon entering the campgrounds we found ourselves alone. Almost. After setting up camp and wandering around the property for an hour we returned to find the grounds had been taken over by the horses.

After awhile the horses moved on and the clouds and rain moved. Hoods up and sticks poking the fire to keep it going, we waited for it to pass, which it did. When the clouds finally passed we were treated with a final glimpse of the sun before it said adieu.

The following day we made our way up to Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, reknown for it's powder during winter and mountain biking during summer.

Fortunately we had free passes for the lift and gondola (perks of working at hotels!), and so while my friend went off biking. I went up hiking. 

The hikes range in level of difficulty, but it's the steepness that will have your bum sore on even the easy trail.

While the gondola takes you 7,700 feet, the lift only goes about halfway. Both options have spectacular scenery, and as Kicking Horse isn't as known as Banff or Lake Louise, it's a lot quieter. The best part of taking the lift is at the end is Boo! 

In the middle of the mountains is Boo the bear. Boo's sanctuary is surrounded by electric fencing for our protection and his. Although it seems he escaped twice by digging under it, just in time for mating season. After his second mating season Boo had a little surgery, and now no longer has the urge to leave home.

After biking, hiking, and bear watching, it was time for a feed. My original plan was to eat at Eagle's Eye Restaurant at the top of the mountain, but it was closed for a bridal show, so instead we ate at the Double Black Cafe. I had the Pork Belly Sliders, served with hickory sticks and the house salad. I'm not a huge pork person, but the meat was flavourful and tender. Yum!