July 18, 2001, Wednesday- so long Karen and Phil. Don't know when our paths shall cross again. It rained hard all night and as we headed eastward, it continued without letup. Arrived in Golden, 200 miles down the road, and since it was still raining, we continued on and did tomorrow morning's drive today. Banff came into view at 6 PM with, although it was cool and breezy, no rain (so far). Just hope that the weather that we drove through today doesn't just follow us and arrive here in the morning.

While walking through the park we met two young kids and their parents, three of which were eating ice cream. Hobbes had their undivided attention. First he conned the father out of the last licks of his ice cream stick. Then the 8-year-old boy donated the rest of his ice cream. The 11-year-old girl gave Hobbes the last of her ice cream cone. He stayed by them forever!

July 19, 2001, Thursday- Happy Birthday to me! 56 and going strong. Did the preshop around Banff this afternoon…..so that Debi and Susan can work "efficiently" when they cruise town.

Tried the cell phone for e-mail and was unsuccessful. All we found in Banff were internet kiosks in many establishments, including a fancy McDonald's (they even had a river stone fireplace). Finally we were told that the Mail Boxes Etc. had a phone line.…for $3 per 15 minutes. Not bad….downloaded our mail. When we were in BC, all the pay phones had data jacks. Where are they here? Bright idea…..called Telus….the payphone operator, and found a list of 5 places in town with the new phones. Tomorrow, I can start uploading the web page….hopely.

 

DINNER AT GIROGIO TRATTORIA

Great family…..we got the phone messages from everyone for my birthday. Dinner for the celebration was at the Giorgio Trattoria…a surprisingly great dinner by electric candlelight! The reason I said surprisingly was that the menu posted to the window contained pizza (along with traditional dishes). It turns out that these were gourmet creations and not the Pizza Hut variety.

Spent time on the phone with Fleetwood and with the Novus Windshield people. Our glass hasn't come out of customs yet. It seems that somebody in Fleetwood shipping forgot to mark the package prepaid. So, it sits in customs waiting for a broker to clear it and someone to pay the freight and duties. it doesn't look like we shall get the windshield installed before the kids arrive, and maybe it will delay our departure in 10 days - if it doesn't get delivered. As they say, "to be continued".

July 20, 2001, Friday- exercise today….22 miles of biking….long hill coming back up to the Tunnel Mountain Campground in Banff. Wow…the legs got a workout today. Success also in finding the phones at the Banff Center for the Performing Arts to get the e-mail and uploading most of the web for this month. Another hour and it should be up and running.

THE FAMOUS BANFF SPRINGS HOTEL

 

This evening we did a few mile walk through the RV Park…..lots of nice folks and well behaved kids. Best of all, every view is breathtaking as the park is surrounded by mountain peaks.

July 21, 2001, Saturday- a research day…..checking out the stops that Debi, Steve and Becky may want to do next week. So, off to Lake Minnewanka, Two Jack Lake and Johnson Lake. Then, to the Norquay Ski Area, Cave and Basin Park, The Stables, The Upper Hot Springs Pool, and finally, the Sulphur Mountain Gondola. Of all the places, the Cave and Basin was absolutely fabulous, with sulfur springs, pools and wetlands, as well as formal pools and buildings. During our travels today the wildlife produced 20 bighorn sheep, and a bull elk. Not a bad day!

 

A FAMILY AFFAIR OF MOUNTAIN GOATS	THE TOWN OF BANFF IN THE VALLEY FLOOR

Got the web finished through the 17th. Love those Telus phones with data jacks.

 

SUSAN AND HOBBES AT CAVE & BASIN	HOW CLEAR IS THIS WATER AT CAVE & BASIN

Spoke to Phil today and he flies out of Kamloops tomorrow. Karen will work her way to Kalowna for some unexpected bodywork on their Explorer tow car. It seems that yesterday someone was moving into the space next to them with a 38' 5th wheel. The wide rear end swing got the two doors and a quarter panel. Nobody is happy with that one. Also, Guinan is still having the episodes of major discomforts. An x-ray at the vet didn't show anything. They are hopeful that maybe it's just a pulled muscle that will heal in time.

 

VIEWS FROM CAVE & BASIN OBSERVATION DECK	SULPHUR WATER AT CAVE & BASIN

ANYBODY FOR A HORSEBACK RIDE?	VIEWS FROM OUR CAMPSITE

July 22, 2001, Sunday- after a wet night and morning the weather dried enough to go downtown and do a few museum stops. The Whyte Museum had a wonderful display on "The Year of the Bears". Both grizzly and black bears were covered in depth and some of the film footage and old photos were priceless. Next we did the "Canada Way" museum that touted the accomplishments of the country. It had great "hands on" displays for kids of all ages.

 

BEARS AT WHYTE MUSEUM- BETTER THEN NOTHING	CANADA WAY MUSEUM AND BLACKFOOT TEE PEE

Outside of the Canada Way complex was a 16' high tee pee. Upon entry into the "Blackfoot" home we met two of the 30,000 Blackfoot that remain in North American. Filing the home were native artifacts and we were walked through each piece and learned the history of each item. Some were used in ceremonial dances, others for medicine, and others in the daily lives of the tribe members. When asked about the size of the tee pee, which was large, it turns out that over the years, as transportation methods changed, the homes got bigger. Initially the support timbers were dragged behind the occupants. After dogs were domesticated, larger logs could be moved. When the Europeans came with their horses, still larger poles could be dragged, and thus today's tee pee size came to be the norm.

As we were walking outside our coach this evening, a full sized cow moose trotted right by us. We couldn't believe how immense these animals are up close and personal.

July 23, 2001, Monday- tried to start the coach this morning and adjust the jacks, but the old nemesis of our electrical problem resurfaced. The good news is that we don't have any plans to move for at least a week. Steve and Becky return to Denver next Sunday night. So who do we call? Fleetwood? Spartan the chassis manufacturer? Cummins engine that sold a fully accessorized engine to Spartan? Our extended warrantee company?

 

EVER CHANGING VIEWS FROM OUR CAMPSITE

Decided to first call a local truck mechanic in Canmore, the next town, 15 miles down the road. Yes they do road calls and would be happy to get the go ahead. I called Spartan and they have a Cummins rep on premises. Based on the attempts that I tried with jumping the started and getting sparks but no starting, they determine that we need a starter motor assembly. Unfortunately the nearest Cummins rep is in Calgary, 100 miles away. Our towing insurance will only take us to the nearest repair facility, most likely Canmore. Cummins will only have an authorized dealer do the warrantee work. Got lucky again. The Calgary deal has a field man that will be here to work at the ski areas next Monday. If he can find the starter motor, they will install it next Monday and we won't need a tow.

Drove to Calgary and picked up Debi at the airport. She was on time and in good spirits. In less then 2 hours from her touchdown, we were dining in Banff at the Maple Leaf Grille. The stories that she brought with her kept us in stitches for the entire meal. This was the first restaurant that we've been in that didn't have any salt or peppershakers on the tables. It seems that the chief is a real prima donna and doesn't want anyone to alter his creations.