Harrison HotSprings BC.. OK.. Found an even better place to live!

So, we were heading toward Vancouver, needed a place to stay around a hour(ish) away.. went to Hope, BC, however, we've been there before, it was nice, but we didn't fall in love, so, we decided to go to an unknown place called Harrison Hotsprings. OH MY GOODNESS.. it's got a beautiful beach, surrounded by mountains, wonderful restaurants, AND WAIT FOR IT.. A CHOCOLATE FACTORY. Oh yes, we'll be back! 
We parked in a very modest camp ground right in the Village of Harrison Hotsprings, and went out for a walk around the Village with Duke, then dropped Duke off and went for dinner.

Our walk around the Village was good, we met Gus who owns the local corner shop with wood carvings outside, and fresh hazel nuts and smoked salmon inside. I think he fed Duke $30 dollars of Salmon while we visited.  We bought tons of both.. Then we walked to the beach and then we look into where to eat. 

We found a restaurant with excellent food.  We slept well and headed off toward Vancouver first thing..

Harrison Hotsprings has a Jazz Festival on their beach for a number of days in July, camping right downtown, or for those who can't camp, a Hotsprngs Inn right on the beach.. all making for an excellent place to come back toooo.

Canyon Hotsprings, BC... Oh, We're in Heaven Here!

 Duke & I walking this morning, through Banff, we came across a number of various animals.. i was ok with all of them, until is saw what was either a wolf or a very large white other dogish animal.. time to head back.

 Our drive toward BC, on highway 1, a number of crazy people cycling! I'm sure they're in great shape.

 Castel Mountain, it's grand.

 We drove by Lake Louise, it was still frozen!

 Ton of small water falls coming off the cliffs as we drove by.

 I can't imagine how they blasted this Pass, Roger's Pass, through the Rockies.

 We made it to Canyon Springs.. Very nice place. Not as remote, of our course as we like it, but, lovely for a stop in the Rockies.

 Camped here in the Rockies, in Canyon Hotsprings.  On Hwy 1, on route from Banff toward Vancouver.  This place is heaven, very warm, 90degrees here today, the hotsprings where 103ish.  They say there are allot of bears in these mountains, so, i have to be a little more careful then normal on our walks. There is still allot of snow in the mountains.. Kinda weird, walking by snow banks in a bathing shorts.

 A little ranch in the Rockies.

 Duke found a great creek to play in.

Beauty everywhere

 All ready to go to the HotSpring Pools

 Jerry in the HotSpring Pool.

Sofie lying by the HotSpring pool, enjoying the sun.

Duke very happy that we're back from the HotSpring Pools.. they don't allow dogs, so, he had to stay back and mind the RV.

Camping at Tunnel Mountain in Banff.. dinner with a long lost friend!

We left our family in St.Albert, Alberta on Friday morning, we had the most heart felt visit with them.  We next had a quick meeting in the Town of Olds.

I was very productive on the say to Banff, the high speed signal was "excellent". 

Then once in Banff.   I actually put my laptop without being asked to, it is SOOO beautiful, I was overwhelmed, once again, but the beauty of the mountains. 

We have a camping spot right on the mountain, with a mesmerizing view. 

Duke and I went for a walk, normal dogs aren't suppose to be off leash, as they might chase after animals or fall off a cliff. As Duke's so well behaved and smart and not one to chase after animals unless i say, "Yes, OK", i had him off leash when we were alone, he enjoyed all the strange smells in the woods.. I just loved the views and peaceful strength and  energy of the woods combined with mountains.

We had a wonderful reunion with a very good friend of mine from my Bell days, Beverly Gallagher.  It was SOOOO good seeing her, one of my favourite people.  As we weren't sure if we were going Jasper or Banff way, till the Olds meeting panned out, we hadn't connected until we where almost here, and she made herself free for dinner! God, what a good feeling to have friends like Bev, you can pick up where you left off years and years ago.  So much has happened to both of us in the last 9 years. Life is a journey!

Jerry lived here 30 years ago, so, he had his heart set on going to Bumpers, the best prime rib in town. So, we all indulged in Prime Rib.  It was excellent, indeed, still not as good as Jerry's, i have to say, he's still the best Prime Rib chief on this planet of ours, but, it was one of the best from a restaurant's point of view.  Bumpers we were told by the locals is one of the locals favorites up here, the staff was friendly, we enjoyed it there.

When we got back to our camp site, there where many four legged visitors, Duke didn't mind them at all.

Duke and I are going to go search for more wildlife right now.

NEXT we all head for larger hills to camp in tonight, towards Kamloops!

Warmest & Sunniest Part of the Trip so far.. St.Albert, Alberta!

We left the Town of Indian Head on Saturday.  It happens to be where they film Little Mosque on the Prairie. I've never seen the show, i will now, even if it's just to see if i can recognize where we were.  The town's name came from the Indian skeleton's found in the area. 

 Bell's Farm house on route, known as a large round barn.. we had to go take a quick peek.

 It was strange seeing all the old cold cars in the fields.. this one had around 40 of them lined up..

 So, we finally found open camp ground.  This time of year, we are one week too early! Little did we know that camp grounds don't open till the May 24th weekend! So, we found a camp ground on a golf course.  Duke & I never walked around golf course before, we did after they closed the gold course for the evening, he loved the ability to fly down the fairways. (Don't worry, he's a gentle runner, he didn't disturb the lawn!) That was just a quick stop, as our target was family in St.Albert, Alberta, we arrived here around noon on Monday.

We  had a wonderful time with family in St. Alberta Alberta. We mainly spent time with family. Quality time spent with everyone, went camping with our granddaughter & had a meeting for YLM, The Breken Group in Gibbons, Alberta (with with three local Towns & their local County).  We arrived to a very sunny and warm Monday afternoon, surprising, as its actually been the warmest spot so far, and it's the furthest north. Strange weather for sure.. We had just driven through destructive floods in Manitoba, to have arrived 2 hours south of equally destructive forest fires. 

It has been great seeing our family, Tyler, Renee, and our granddaughters Ryleigh & Teaghan.  We got to spend a day with the girls at the park, spend evenings with everyone over dinner, and spend a day and night with Ryleigh camping.  The camping was a test, or prelude to future trips, seeing if she, at 4 years old, was OK with camping, indeed she loved it! So, next time, we'd like it to be longer with more adventures.

 Teaghan loved Duke!

 How kids don't fall off swings is a mystery to me!

 Big scary slide!

 Grandpa & Ryleigh finding treasures in the sand!

 At the Park!

 Grandpa serving up lunch in the RV for the girls!

 Morning time camping..

  Morning time camping..

  Morning time camping..Breakfast!

 West Edmonton Mall.. what a great place!

Tomorrow we leave for a quick meeting in Olds, then on route to a night camping in Banff and then heading through the Rockies to Victoria, BC!

We loved our time with the family here, hate to leave.