Day 2, Tuesday September 15
Had dinner in the Banff Springs last
nite after I wrote my first blog and sent it; glass of wine to
celebrate my accomplishment ,shower and down to Randal's lounge over
looking the terrace/Rockies.
Went into downtown Banff to the
Patagonia shop for Ralf to get proper cycle clothes-bright red
waterproof jacket and waterproof pants to wear over cycling shorts.
Back to hotel,back to bed (to sleep)
Woke up at 0540 to a winter wonderland
:-( Obviously it snowed overnite ) ... no snow day for Ralf.
Made a coffee in room while getting
ready for day 2. While waiting for car (love the valet service thats
included ) took some pictures of the landscape. Will post later when
I have WiFi :) Temp 1C...not good.Ralf said to keep eye on dash where
outside temp is shown. If temp goes below 1C he is concerned about
black ice and possible cycling mishaps. So we are not temping fate
and will work with Mother Nature minute to minute, day to day.
So far weather hovering around 1and 2.
Every 10k or more when Ralf gets in support vehicle he is in better
shape physically and mentally. Its surprising how the right clothing
makes the trek bearable. Hmm bearable- haven't seen any wild life
like that yet. The last 2 10K stops Ralf kept asking me for his sport
drinks and bum butter.So this time I got out of the car to look for
the items. The back of my Escape looks like a homeless person lives
there.While in back of the car with side door open to the brush, I
took the time to do some reorganizing. Ralf's sport drinks were in
the cooler but under 24 loosely packed bottles of water. Bum butter
is in one of the many plastic bags Ralf packed. Ralf does not pack
with any thought in mind. Found the bum butter which Ralf will now
keep in his suitcase. Noticed a bag with fruit in it-green and red
grapes, some really ripe bananas, and licorice ( that's where it
went). Thought I would throw this out but had some grapes and thought
they tasted pretty good.Haven't had breakfast yet so not sure if
fruit was good or just hungry.Perhaps the latter. Sure wish I had a
thermos with coffee in it. While pulling out food I suddenly became
aware of my surroundings. Had to keep checking my blind spot as
concerned about some wild animal especially a hungry one , might make
me his breakfast.
Thanks Frank (Clegg, not to be confused
with any other Franks) for your email to Ralf about your road trip
eons ago. It brought a chuckle to his face. I will now add bears to
my list of things to look out for. I sometimes feel travelling
through the rockies with the signs of 'watch out for wild life' that
Ralf is 'Meals on Wheels' So far the wild life I've seen is one eagle
and ravens.
Temp alert-it is 5C- a heat wave
compared to the temps we've had.Stopped in Lake Louise for a late
breakfast.A bus tour full of tourists from Taiwan. Our Chinese waiter
told us not to have the soup despite all the tourists having it. He
said 'not for you'. So had bacon and eggs and COFFEE. He filled my
thermos with coffee so I'm good to go. Ralf thought he would stop in
Field but apparently its downhill from Lake Louise so we are going to
push on to Golden. Insisted Ralf buy thermal socks at a sporting
store in plaza where we ate. If your shoes are totally wet from rain
at least (his) feet will be warm. I experienced that on the West
Coast Trail. We walked through water up to our knees; hiking boots
completely saturated with water but our feet were toasty warm. Socks
were made from Merino Wool. Expensive socks but so worth the money.
Met Ralf at first 10k after Lake
Louise. He was told by staff in sporting store it's all downhill to
Field. Ralf said it has been uphill ...called them “lying
bastards”. Well since we departed it has been a downhill journey.
Ralf said he was traveling at 60K/hr-wheels a little wobbly so
applied brakes the whole way down.Once in Field we are in British
Columbia.Temp now 7C. Had bought Ralf a new Under Armour headband for
this tour. Because it was so cold and didn't need to absorb sweat he
declined wearing it. I thought ,great... I'll use it when at fitness
club.Well he's wearing it now...just like old times!Now we are
soldiering on to Golden B.C. Temp holding at 7C; rain at this moment
but I'm sure it will start up again (Murphy's Law).Temp has risen to
8... wtf... Going down a mountain.It is miles of going down.Ralf is
going to really appreciate this. I'm so glad he's not going the other
way.He was concerned about the westerly winds but when your
travelling at 60K/hr what is a little wind? I think this is part of
the Kicking Horse Pass.
Was meeting Ralf at a 11k spot.Halfway
to Golden. I waited and waited and waited-drove around the lookout
spot. Decided to brave the elements,actually the wildlife and walk
into the area where cars were not permitted.Practiced different
shutter speeds for when Ralf flies down mountain.After a long time
decided to go back and wait in car. Surprise Ralf is there. Holy cow
I missed a great photo op. Apparently he flew past me and waved me
on... I didn't see him so he cycled 5K down and 5K back.No cell
phone in bottom of mountain. It was hair pin turns to bottom of
mountain. Wanted to take pics but Ralf was freaking out.He doesn't
know what I do when he's not with me... I'm getting good at driving
while taking photos.
In Golden.Staying at Holiday Inn
Express.Spoke with our good friends the Harveys.They told us the
great weather y'all are having. Change the topic. What is Golden
like... you really have to experince it or not. It is a blend of
industrial,commercial, and a splash of tourism all in one place.It's
not a big place.
I really wonder what people do in these
places especially the young. Actually the young live for the
snowboarding/skiing so what do the old do? Well Ralf washing his
clothes in the bathtub with the Norwex detergent I brought. It is the
best non chemical product for releasing dirt ( did a promo for you
Sheryl if your reading this blog which you're probably not :).Ralf
just asked me where his underwear was (just showered)...oh I have it
soaking with his other clothes. Hopefully Ralf has more.
Time for dinner so I will post some
pics from today.
NN for now.
Had dinner in the Banff Springs last
nite after I wrote my first blog and sent it; glass of wine to
celebrate my accomplishment ,shower and down to Randal's lounge over
looking the terrace/Rockies.
Went into downtown Banff to the
Patagonia shop for Ralf to get proper cycle clothes-bright red
waterproof jacket and waterproof pants to wear over cycling shorts.
Back to hotel,back to bed (to sleep)
Woke up at 0540 to a winter wonderland
:-( Obviously it snowed overnite ) ... no snow day for Ralf.
Made a coffee in room while getting
ready for day 2. While waiting for car (love the valet service thats
included ) took some pictures of the landscape. Will post later when
I have WiFi :) Temp 1C...not good.Ralf said to keep eye on dash where
outside temp is shown. If temp goes below 1C he is concerned about
black ice and possible cycling mishaps. So we are not temping fate
and will work with Mother Nature minute to minute, day to day.
So far weather hovering around 1and 2.
Every 10k or more when Ralf gets in support vehicle he is in better
shape physically and mentally. Its surprising how the right clothing
makes the trek bearable. Hmm bearable- haven't seen any wild life
like that yet. The last 2 10K stops Ralf kept asking me for his sport
drinks and bum butter.So this time I got out of the car to look for
the items. The back of my Escape looks like a homeless person lives
there.While in back of the car with side door open to the brush, I
took the time to do some reorganizing. Ralf's sport drinks were in
the cooler but under 24 loosely packed bottles of water. Bum butter
is in one of the many plastic bags Ralf packed. Ralf does not pack
with any thought in mind. Found the bum butter which Ralf will now
keep in his suitcase. Noticed a bag with fruit in it-green and red
grapes, some really ripe bananas, and licorice ( that's where it
went). Thought I would throw this out but had some grapes and thought
they tasted pretty good.Haven't had breakfast yet so not sure if
fruit was good or just hungry.Perhaps the latter. Sure wish I had a
thermos with coffee in it. While pulling out food I suddenly became
aware of my surroundings. Had to keep checking my blind spot as
concerned about some wild animal especially a hungry one , might make
me his breakfast.
Thanks Frank (Clegg, not to be confused
with any other Franks) for your email to Ralf about your road trip
eons ago. It brought a chuckle to his face. I will now add bears to
my list of things to look out for. I sometimes feel travelling
through the rockies with the signs of 'watch out for wild life' that
Ralf is 'Meals on Wheels' So far the wild life I've seen is one eagle
and ravens.
Temp alert-it is 5C- a heat wave
compared to the temps we've had.Stopped in Lake Louise for a late
breakfast.A bus tour full of tourists from Taiwan. Our Chinese waiter
told us not to have the soup despite all the tourists having it. He
said 'not for you'. So had bacon and eggs and COFFEE. He filled my
thermos with coffee so I'm good to go. Ralf thought he would stop in
Field but apparently its downhill from Lake Louise so we are going to
push on to Golden. Insisted Ralf buy thermal socks at a sporting
store in plaza where we ate. If your shoes are totally wet from rain
at least (his) feet will be warm. I experienced that on the West
Coast Trail. We walked through water up to our knees; hiking boots
completely saturated with water but our feet were toasty warm. Socks
were made from Merino Wool. Expensive socks but so worth the money.
Met Ralf at first 10k after Lake
Louise. He was told by staff in sporting store it's all downhill to
Field. Ralf said it has been uphill ...called them “lying
bastards”. Well since we departed it has been a downhill journey.
Ralf said he was traveling at 60K/hr-wheels a little wobbly so
applied brakes the whole way down.Once in Field we are in British
Columbia.Temp now 7C. Had bought Ralf a new Under Armour headband for
this tour. Because it was so cold and didn't need to absorb sweat he
declined wearing it. I thought ,great... I'll use it when at fitness
club.Well he's wearing it now...just like old times!Now we are
soldiering on to Golden B.C. Temp holding at 7C; rain at this moment
but I'm sure it will start up again (Murphy's Law).Temp has risen to
8... wtf... Going down a mountain.It is miles of going down.Ralf is
going to really appreciate this. I'm so glad he's not going the other
way.He was concerned about the westerly winds but when your
travelling at 60K/hr what is a little wind? I think this is part of
the Kicking Horse Pass.
Was meeting Ralf at a 11k spot.Halfway
to Golden. I waited and waited and waited-drove around the lookout
spot. Decided to brave the elements,actually the wildlife and walk
into the area where cars were not permitted.Practiced different
shutter speeds for when Ralf flies down mountain.After a long time
decided to go back and wait in car. Surprise Ralf is there. Holy cow
I missed a great photo op. Apparently he flew past me and waved me
on... I didn't see him so he cycled 5K down and 5K back.No cell
phone in bottom of mountain. It was hair pin turns to bottom of
mountain. Wanted to take pics but Ralf was freaking out.He doesn't
know what I do when he's not with me... I'm getting good at driving
while taking photos.
In Golden.Staying at Holiday Inn
Express.Spoke with our good friends the Harveys.They told us the
great weather y'all are having. Change the topic. What is Golden
like... you really have to experince it or not. It is a blend of
industrial,commercial, and a splash of tourism all in one place.It's
not a big place.
I really wonder what people do in these
places especially the young. Actually the young live for the
snowboarding/skiing so what do the old do? Well Ralf washing his
clothes in the bathtub with the Norwex detergent I brought. It is the
best non chemical product for releasing dirt ( did a promo for you
Sheryl if your reading this blog which you're probably not :).Ralf
just asked me where his underwear was (just showered)...oh I have it
soaking with his other clothes. Hopefully Ralf has more.
Time for dinner so I will post some
pics from today.
NN for now.
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