Saturday 070707 Banff – river hike

The forecast cold front came through last night and when we arose, we were in the clouds. But it wasn’t very cold – around 50 degrees at 7 a.m. After coffee, eggs, and toast, we still could not see any of the surrounding mountains. So we decided to stay in town and visit shops and museums.

Fortunately, as the day wore on, the sun came out, and by mid-afternoon it was beautiful and mild. So we took a hike along the Bow river (no climbing or steps) which runs through the heart of Banff (and during the Spring thaw, can flood parts of town). The name Bow was the local Indian description of the river/valley. The quality of Douglas fir trees found here that make (made?) excellent bows for hunting. The Bow starts at Bow glacier (seen from the ice field parkway we drove yesterday) and flows southeast into the South Saskatchewan River in southeast Alberta. From there the river flows into Hudson Bay – not the Atlantic or Pacific! The water is cloudy green, deep, and swift. No salmon; trout instead.

The bridge in the above photo is the only bridge in town and is the main road over to the Banff Springs Hotel as well as the various hot springs mentioned yesterday. There are three Indian heads sculpted or cast at the top of the arches on each side. As we walked the path along the river, we noticed trees leaning into the water, and that a lot of grass and tree roots were submerged. And the lower parts of the bank were quite wet. So the river is still quite full from the spring thaw and flowing rapidly.

Along the river are many beautiful homes. The above house is not quite as nice as others but it demonstrates the profuseness of the Balsam Poplar pollen (seed pods). It looks a lot like an invasion of wooly caterpillars! There were many lovely homes of stone, or wood, or logs with beautiful gardens and lawns. One even had a three-hole putting green. The flowers were magnificent. Hanging baskets are everywhere.

M. A small wedding had just been held at the gazebo in the park. The wedding party was posing for pictures as we passed. Her gown was white with dark red flowers embroidered at the hem, bodice, and sprinkled across the hoop skirt, and she carried dark red roses with a spray of orchids. It was unusual but striking, quite lovely. At the Anglican Church one block off Banff Avenue, another wedding party was emerging. The groom and an older gentleman were wearing kilts, and there was a bag-pipe player who, I assume, had played the wedding march. The English ladies love their hats and there were several grand examples of spring hats, wide-brimmed, pink, with large, bows.

We stopped at an Indian “trading post” and poked through the assorted merchandise. One could purchase real pelts – wolf, bear – with heads, if one wanted. Ugh. They had deer leather shoes, gloves, fur scarves, etc. Everything we never would want or use. Wayne bought an airy straw hat, and a carved, crystallized limestone bear, with fish in mouth, for his collection.

W. While walking through town, we saw several Royal Canadian Mounted Police in dress uniform. He was kind enough to let Margaret pose with him. He was pleased when we told him we had visited the RCMP training Depot in Regina. He said it was one of the best six months of his life – and he never wanted to go through it again! (Sounds like boot camp?) He was also pleased we had gotten to visit the new museum there – he was anxious to see it for himself.

Hunger sent us looking for something light for lunch. Light - well, maybe not - but very delicious. Wayne stumbled on an open door with menu and decided immediately, this was the place. We shared three appetizers: shrimp coated with wanton/fried; calamari/fried; and spring roll. It was delicious.