Next two days in Banff

Hello blog,
Folks, it doesn't get much better than what we experienced during our daily outings in the Banff area.  We left and did a short hike on the Bankhead trail, then went into downtown Banff and enjoyed lunch, and on to the historic Banff Springs Hotel.  It was built in the 1880's and has served the well to do from around the world.  The CPN railroad and this hotel brought visitors to the Rockies for over 120 years.  Nice place to visit. On our way back to the camp, we drove the Lake Minneiwanka loop which we shared with a herd of Bighorn sheep.   

John

Monday started with our first big rainstorm in the Rockies.  Much better to be in the RV than trying to take down a tent in cold rain.  We took the older Bow River Parkway to Johnson Creek, where a few waterfalls are within easy hiking distance.  Which would have been nice if the rain hadn't set in for the whole morning.  So we made Lake Louise village the next stop, in order to check on Greyhound bus options back to Calgary (for my return on Friday).  Rain, rain, rain.  Checked a few campsites along the Icefields Parkway to feel out the next spot to call home.  Valleys on the tall mountain on either side of the drive are covered with large glaciers.  For this eve, we'd had a few recommendations, but nobody had mentioned this little spot called Rampart Campground, but we were pretty impressed with a site right down on the noisy, silty Saskatchewan River.   One of the nicer places I've ever camped.  And luckily, the rain tapered off within an hour of setting up.  Wet wood makes a tough fire, but we succeeded.  It's roaring and keeping us warm at this moment (49 degrees at late twilight, 11 pm).  If we get tired of looking at the mountain, we can turn the chairs and look at the river. :)   With a little more luck, we'll have sun in morning for a drive up to Jasper, and a tram ride up to the top of Marmott Mountain. 

Jay