Saturday, May 5, 2012

Everyday for 7 Weeks–Day 7–Banff to Hinton

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Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day7 - Banff to Hinton

Today was wrought with conflict from the beginning. I didn’t want to get out of bed. I was warm and comfy, and I didn’t feel like going anywhere. I eventually convinced myself that I was gonna see some awesome scenery. A bribe with a chocolate bar sealed the deal. 

I rode around Banff for a bit before turning the bike north. While I was walking yesterday, I saw signs for a waterfall, but didn’t walk far enough to find it. Today, I did. It was nice, but I still wasn’t in the best of spirits to enjoy it properly. A quick snap and I was off again. I am enjoying the photo of it now though.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day7 - Banff to Hinton

It was cold; above freezing, maybe around 40F. My gear was keeping me warm. I took the scenic route out of Banff along 1A. I enjoyed the twisty, windy road. The mountains looked great, but I still didn’t have my head in the game.

I watched as the clouds and the blue sky fought to control the sky. The blue sky kept poking out and tried to bring the sun with it to burn away the clouds as it lit up the mountains below to a blinding white. The clouds were having none of it. They quickly moved in to block any advance the blue sky made. It was snowing high up on the tops of the mountains. When I tried to encourage the blue to come back, the clouds had the wind blow the snow down onto the valley and onto me. At least it wasn’t rain.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day7 - Banff to Hinton

Most of the turn off spots along 1A and in Banff in general were closed for the season. Lake Louise was open, so I road up the mountainous, gravel strewn road. The parking lot edges were covered in several feet of snow. A brief walk through the snow-filled woods, and I saw the lake. Well, I saw this bench first actually.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day7 - Banff to Hinton

Then I saw the lake.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day7 - Banff to Hinton

the thin ice sign didn’t stop many people from running out onto the lake.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day7 - Banff to Hinton

I have some experience with frozen lakes, so I stayed on what appeared to be the sidewalk (it was covered in snow too).

Here is my snowy recreation of the famous Lake Louise photo. It isn’t quite the same, so I walked back to the bike.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day7 - Banff to Hinton

Since I already had my helmet and gloves off, I decided now was as good a time as any for a snack. I quickly ripped open my package of corn nuts. Too quickly I fact and several went flying. Darn it! Then this little guy swooped in within seconds to try to eat it. I’d never seen a bird like him before. Anyone know what he’s called? He’s about the size of a morning dove with a beak about 1.5 inches long.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day7 - Banff to Hinton

He tried to bite the corn nut, but couldn’t break it by biting. He spit it out and just looked at it, and then up at me. He must have been thinking “what the hell is this?”

Then his buddy flew over and tried to eat it. He failed in the same way as the first, so he just gulped it down swallowing it whole. I starting laughing. A lot. It was so funny watching them. I don’t know what specifically was so funny, it just was. They chased each other around fighting over the last piece. The second bird got his beak near it and swallowed it whole.

The first bird jumped up onto my helmet. I HAD to take a photo. I’ve never seen a bird on a motorcycle helmet before, much less on MY helmet.  They hung around until I was done eating waiting for me to drop more. I was more careful and didn’t.  You’re not supposed to feed the animals here. Those birds gave me a big laugh and really made my morning.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day7 - Banff to Hinton

More closures. Most I was able to walk around, but this one had a five foot snow bank. It was a good deterrent.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day7 - Banff to Hinton

I headed further north on the ice fields parkway. I’m not sure how to start describing this road. The scenery was better than yesterday, and yesterday was awesome. The awesome scenery department had a buffer overflow into the rest of my brain, and I’m sure I lost some childhood memories in there trying to make room for it all.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day7 - Banff to Hinton

The mountains towered over the valley on both sides of the road. Massive mountains just looming all the way to the clouds all different shapes and sizes. In some places you’d hurt your neck looking nearly straight up at them.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day7 - Banff to Hinton

It was slow going today, as I was constantly pulling over to snap photos. I took double the photos today that I did yesterday. Yes, I rode a few more miles, but just wow.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day7 - Banff to Hinton

I was also riding slower, so I had more time to look at the scenery. There wasn’t anyone around, and when there was I would pull over and let them pass. I wanted to enjoy things at my own pace.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day7 - Banff to Hinton

My heated gear kept me warm, and so did my slower pace.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day7 - Banff to Hinton

Eventually, I rode out of the snow and it was back to clouds vs blue sky.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day7 - Banff to Hinton

I founds a stretch of blue sky just after one snow storm, and just before what appeared to be another one. So strange to see a snow storm from a distance. When riding you do it all the time with rain, but I don’t recall ever doing it with snow. I pulled over and started to make lunch. (southwestern couscous and grape gatorade. yum!)

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day7 - Banff to Hinton

The lake was below the road about six feet, but there was an easy trail carved out by the many feet who went before me. I found a nice spot in the sun and ate my lunch while leaning on a large rock.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day7 - Banff to Hinton

I love the look of the water in this area. The turquois color is very beautiful and comes from the glaciers. It’s also very clear.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day7 - Banff to Hinton

Yes, the lake was frozen, but the warm sun felt great. Even though it was still only 40F.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day7 - Banff to Hinton

more awesome scenery

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day7 - Banff to Hinton

this was another overlook area.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day7 - Banff to Hinton

A fun road that wound around and then up one of the mountains. I enjoyed the sweeping turns. I love a road that doubles back on itself like many great mountain roads do.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day7 - Banff to Hinton

Somewhere in the middle of that part of road.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day7 - Banff to Hinton

Another shot from the other direction

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day7 - Banff to Hinton

When it was snowing before it was blowing snow from on top of the mountains down in large soft chunks.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day7 - Banff to Hinton

But when I got near the Columbia glacier it was near blizzard conditions. It was properly snowing. It wasn’t sticking to the road, so I kept going.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day7 - Banff to Hinton

I had to stop for a quick pic with the ice crawler

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day7 - Banff to Hinton

After the next pass, the snow stopped, and it was back to clouds vs blue sky again. This mountain almost looks like it has shark gills.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day7 - Banff to Hinton

another visa with a river.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day7 - Banff to Hinton

I saw signs for a waterfall, so I followed them down a narrow round. I entered a parking lot, but couldn’t figure out where the falls were. Then I took off my helmet, and I could easily hear they were behind a nearby snow bank. I was rewarded with this shot:

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day7 - Banff to Hinton

Which was only the top part of the falls, I walked around for a bit, and got the lower half here:

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day7 - Banff to Hinton

I liked the area, so I found a sunny spot and sat down for a snack. I should mention the entire time I was there this large black bird was following me around. I think he was waiting for me to feed him, but I didn’t.

I think he’s a crow, but he had a different beak. He is also much larger than any crow I’ve ever seen.

Everyday for 7 Weeks - Day7 - Banff to Hinton

It was a good day. AB93, the ice fields parkway, is now firmly in the top 5 of the best roads I’ve ever ridden. I know completely understand why people say this area is one of the most beautiful in the world. I saw it mostly covered in snow and it was still spectacular. I can only imagine what it would be like all green with a clear blue sky, or even better when the plants are all in bloom. I wasn’t able to see all I wanted due to closures, but I am happy with what I did see. Especially when I consider that later in the year I would have to content with throngs of people and swarms of insects. I’ll take a bit of snow over those two any time.

Just before I arrived in Hinton (which smells awful thanks to an industrial plant), I saw my first sign ever saying “Scenic Road to Alaska (arrow)” pointing to AB40. I realized then, that I’d never seen a road sign mentioning Alaska before. I’m still over 1000 miles away, but it was so cool to see. Dawson Creek tomorrow, and the start of the Alaska Highway!!

The last conflict was to decide which of the 190+ photos to include in this post, and which stories to tell. I feel like today could have been ten posts. I was also torn about not write anything or to just do a summary post since today marks the completion of the first week on the road. In the end, I decided to write the post because it helps me remember the day better than just pictures. I hope you guys enjoy the photos today as much I do. Thanks for the comments and support.

 

Full Flickr Album 193 photos!

My route today:


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Other Posts in the series:

17 comments:

  1. Beautiful pictures! And it looks like a lot of snow along the road.

    I will be in Barrow from Monday through Sunday next week then riding to Anchorage on the 15th and back on the 18th. I am not sure what your schedule looks like...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thanks!

      sent you an email. if we can't meet in fairbanks, maybe Anchorage.

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  2. Very nice set of pictures Chris! Someday I'll ride in Banff....bet you were thinking the Ural would have been nice on some of those wet looking roads with cold temperatures!

    dom


    Redleg's Rides

    Colorado Motorcycle Travel Examiner

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Dom. The Ural's fairing maybe, but I wasn't cold. The roads weren't slippery. I REALLY don't miss the Ural's maintenance cycles or tire usage. The SV also gets superior MPG, but the Ural has an easy spot to carry lots of extra.

      Delete
  3. Birds are Clark's Nutcrackers and Common Raven. Thanks for your blog.

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    Replies
    1. Cool thanks! Clark's Nutcrackers they are indeed. I've never seen such a large raven.

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  4. Awesome photos Chris. I thought you'd like that road through the ice fields. Always one of our favorites.

    Too about about riding through the snow, but at least you were warm and it wasn't sticking. I am glad the birds came around to make you smile.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks. Yes, ice fields was great.

      I suspect I will get more snow. on some levels I'm glad it was snow and not rain. the snow bounces off, and I don't get wet. a few degrees warmer, and it would have been a much colder ride.

      the silly Clark's Nutcrackers, thinking about them now still makes me smile.

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  5. I'm really glad you decided to blog today, Chris! While your pictures take my breath away, I wouldn't have wanted to miss the stories about the birds and finding the waterfall. Your account of the experience made me laugh too! I generally add a number of your photos for rotating wallpaper, it's impossible to pick a favorite now!!!

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  6. Chris:

    beautiful photos, as always. I am getting chilly just thinking about your ride. In some ways it is good that you had very light traffic. In the summer it is crowded with tourists and you can't always find a place to stop.

    I liked all those waterfalls

    bob
    Riding the Wet Coast
    My Flickr // My YouTube

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  7. Chris,
    I loved the story about the birds and the corn nuts. I liked it for two reasons. First, it was funny. You wrote it well, my friend. Second, I liked how life brought you what your head needed....eventually. It seems to work that way. But, you've got to take the action for it to happen. And, sometimes it takes a candy bar bribe to begin it all.

    Loved the prose in this post. Very nice!
    ~k

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    Replies
    1. thanks Keith. I think this one is my best so far on this trip.

      :)

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  8. The coolest line I have ever read on someone’s blog? This has to be a contender.... “I’m sure I lost some childhood memories in there trying to make room for it all.“

    Great pictures Chris. I am loving reading about this trip of yours.

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    Replies
    1. lol. thanks gary. I had some great inspiration that day and wrote a good post. :)

      I'm glad you're enjoying it. i am too.

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  9. Now I'm really getting the hankering to go back to Banff/Jasper. Great photos!

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  10. Icefields Parkway will always be one of my favourite roads. You should return when it is blooming.
    I am glad to see you didn't get stuck in the snow. There is hardly anything around for shelter.

    ReplyDelete