July 5th, Radium and Banff

We left Golden and headed to the town of Radium and the hot springs that they are famous for.  Walter has wanted to visit these hot springs for as long as I can remember so we went.  It was very nice, they had two pools, one the regular temperature and the other at about 40C.  There is hot, hot water from the springs pouring into that pool.  Walter loved it but it was a little too warm for me.  Then we travelled through Kootney National Park up to Banff.  For at least half of that trip we saw complete forests gone from the pine beetles.  It was hard to believe that the trees could be gone all the way up a mountain.  I saw one deer on the side of the road and a mother mountain goat with her little one on a cliff.  Tonight we are in the town of Banff and relaxing before we head to Calgary tomorrow to visit Walter's family for a bit.  We will not be posting much in the next day or two, we are going to enjoy some time with his parents.  To all of you who have been reading and commenting on the blog - we appreciate your constant concern and wishes for safe travels - we love you for it.  1 province down, 9 more to go!!!!  LIVE TO RIDE - RIDE TO LIVE.

Noreen & Walter

Columbia River Wetlands on the way from Golden to Radium.  These are Canada's largest wetlands and Robert Bateman is a huge supporter.

Walter and I at Radium Hotsprings.  The temperature is 40C - almost hot enough for Walter.

Pine beetle devastation in B.C.  We are talking about kilometres and kilometres of bare forest.  That went on for about 50kms of our travels.  Unbelievable.

Still more pine beetle devastation.  Who would think that beetles could do that much destruction.





This is what the forest is suppose to look like.





Marble Canyon in B.C.



Marble Canyon in B.C.

Following the police into Banff National Park.  Nice job for them!!