The Wild West

May 25, 2024

I am writing this from home, a week after leaving Banff :(

Hello.....Alberta!

Apologies and sorry, but not sorry, to our US friends and neighbours. Crossing the boarder into British Columbia and then travelling to Alberta through Radium Springs and onward to Banff is jaw dropping, drop dead, stop- you- in- your- tracks the most beautiful scenery we have seen thus far, period, end stop! Woa that was a mouthful.

So beautiful you just want to turn the coach around and do it again!

Park entrance and Tunnel Mountain.

Hey kids, we are in Canada! Cue the wild life!

Our stay in Banff was just over a week and immediately I knew it was going to be hard to leave.  Did I happen to mention that our son and now daughter reside there? Full time! Alex is newly living in Banff (where you legally can only live if you work there). John has been in Canmore for the last 2 years, a mere 20 minutes east of Banff and just as spectacular. (please don't tell anyone, he hates crowds!). The entire environment feels as though you are surrounded by a fake, AI generated back drop, it is just that perfect.

Fun times and fake backgrounds.

The drink, (beer in a margarita is suppose to be the focus) but for me its those two smiling faces,

Arriving at Banff National Park we had a very nice campsite with full hook ups (water, electric and sewer), picnic table, oh and 365 degree, feels fake, mountain views. We arrived a full week ahead of the Victoria Day long weekend, and the ensuing crowds.

This is definitely not somewhere you want to let your cats out due to the apparent and vast amount of wildlife in the area. So, to keep them sane, I got into a daily habit of taking them out on their leashes for a wee bit of fresh mountain air.  Cats walking on leashes is not really a thing. Basically we sit the leashed cat on the picnic table or chair and trust they are enjoying being outside. Then, once they decide they have had enough sitting, we begin a game of tug and pull until we all get fed up, and back inside they go.

Because of the relaxed atmosphere and proximity of other campers, you can easily convince yourself, and I worked hard at convincing myself, that the park is actually TOTALLY safe from roaming wildlife. Still, not taking any chances, outdoor kitty time, even on leash, was closely monitored. Until it wasn't.

You must have an elk shot.

Autumn made his first great escape while we were momentarily distracted and the screen door left ajar. We later realized he had figured out how to open it. Not really that worried, we spent a good half hour looking for him, calling his name (embarrassing enough), particularly when our neighbour lady came running, wanting to know all about "poor" Autumn, even offering up a can of tuna as an enticement. As if....

After explaining to her that I was not "that" worried and also continuing on to explain why “ I hate my cat” she looked a bit frazzled. But hey, the fresh remains of an elk, killed by a cougar a day prior and steps away from our campground had not yet been discovered. So please, let's all settle down.

I am usually hard nosed and fairly cavalier when it comes to the adventures of Autumn, knowing full well he will show up, eventually. But even I was a bit on edge. I started to envision a resulting poster displayed at the main gate, published immediately after a small black and white tuxedo cat is reported to have been seen being carried off by a wild animal. PROTECT YOUR PETS!!! DON”T BE IRRESPONSIBLE!! , the poster would implore.

Damn cat, he didn’t get far. Deciding instead of a stroll on the wild side, he went directly under the coach and up into the engine compartment. We managed to get him out, after John made a few false engine starts, lol.  

My advice, don’t worry about your cats being bored. It isn’t worth the heartbreak??, embarrassment or possible lifetime park ban after becoming dinner for a hungry cougar, wolf, bear, coyote, elk, hawk, fox, moose………

After that excitement we went on to have a marvellous time with our kids, who by the way are definitely living their best lives in wilds of Alberta.

Until I write again,  Cheers

Mothers day fire and hot dog dinner. Another fake lake and mountain vista. Oh and we also saw the northern lights that night, of course!! Can't understand why they want to live here?????