"Blade for the 'Bou"


A late start and a quick stop at the excellent and helpful Konquer Motorcycles in Kelowna to tighten Gray's chain (and eliminate the knocking sound) and it's time to head for the hills.

We took Highway 1, the main trans-Canada link through Glacier National Park and over Roger's Pass. A fast Highway through great scenery but a bit busy with trucks, RVs and weekend drivers. Needed a lot of concentration but the glorious sunshine a fast pace raised our spirits.

Despite the late start we got to Lake Louise at about 6 with plenty of time for a shower, beer and dinner. That's when we discovered that Alberta is not in the same timezone as British Columbia and it was already 7. A quick walk up to the lake and the VERY swanky chateau hotel and then back to Deer Lodge for dinner. Sue and I stayed here with the boys 15 years ago and it hasn't changed at all.

We decided to eat in the lounge where the waiter was a "character". Graham had the gnocchi and salmon while I chose the Caribou medallions and was offered a steak knife - "Blade for the 'Bou. Bam" as it was dropped on the table.

The next day dawned cold and cloudy and we thought we would go for a canoe around Morraine Lake before riding up to Jasper. I remember Morraime Lake as a quiet little place but by 9:00 the car park was packed and the gift shop teeming. We decided to skip the paddle and get on The Road.

The Road today being the Icefield Highway, one of the greatest motorcycling roads anywhere. It runs up a glaciated valley in the Rockies between towering mountains, glaciers, lakes and cascading rivers. Every turn bring new sights and if you aren't careful you start to get a bit blasé.


There are a couple of very touristy spots on the way with hundreds of cars and busses stopped to visit the glacier or the new "skywalk" but it's easy to avoid them and find the quieter pull offs. And if you are very lucky, you might, like we did, turn a corner and find a Grizzly Bear ambling across the road in front of you. (Not my picture BTW).


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