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(Hi yall... Just posted 2 days worth - be sure to catch up on the previous blog as well... don't miss out !! )
Today we woke up to another sunny, but cooler day in Golden. We made ourselves waffles for breakfast then headed off to the visitor centre where a very helpful chap named Kevin showed us what we could do in Golden. After a few minutes we settled on a trip to the Kicking Horse Resort (the Golden Eagle Express Gondola ride to the top of the mountain and to the Eagles Eye restaurant, combined with a ticket to see the Grizzly bear in the bear refuge). We were a bit dubious about the bear refuge as Kevin told us they only have one bear and you're not guaranteed to see it!! So with some trepidation we boarded the gondola and headed off up the mountain, it was a fairly steady ride but it was a long, long way. The views from the top are, to coin a phrase we have heard a lot on our journey, AWESOME !!!, we all wished we had more time and were fit enough, young enough or brave enough to tackle the mountain bike ride down from the summit, oh and perhaps I should add rich enough as it was not a cheap option. Anyway we headed into the Eagles Eye Restaurant for a drink as it was too early for lunch, but we had nice latte's and hot chocolates and a long chat with our hostess Dana who told us all about her 8 year old son who already has a university level reading age, not sure how we got onto that topic! By the time we got to the bottom of the mountain we were ready for lunch so decided to eat at Peaks Grill rather than inflict the ride back to the top on Clara as she found it a bit nerve wracking. (Don't forget to check out our latest video presentation saying hello from half way down the mountain). After lunch came the challenge of the ski lift up to the bear refuge but much to her delight Clara enjoyed this ride much more, and to say our doubts about seeing the bear were dispelled is an understatement, we arrived just as the 3.00pm talk/tour was starting and there waiting for us was the Grizzly bear named Boo, he's in an enclosure but it is huge and he largely looks after himself but his diet is supplemented by the refuge.
John: When we got to the Refuge, Boo was there right up close. We followed him as he slowly walked along the fence - dispelling the myth that bears s**t in the woods as they actually go pretty much anywhere, much to the delight of the crowds watching. Anyway we followed and watched him do bear type things, including and almost pre-trained stand-up (no - not a comedy routine!! - i'd pay good money to see that though...) against a tree where his scratched his back Baloo stylee (was Baloo a Grizzly??). After a while he got bored with us watching and went off up the hill, until a Gondola came overhead and showered bananas, carrots and stuff down into the woods, when he quickly came bounding down the hillside. Overall a great experience to watch this "almost wild" bear in action. Overall very impressed with Kicking Horse Resort, the views from the summit were superb, the day had hazed over a bit so the distant views were a bit, well, hazy. I'm sure it's a great winter ski resort but as a summer resort it still has plenty to do - the mountain biking looked fantastic - with loads of guys getting the gondola up to the top of the mountain - screaming down the trails back to the bottom and then doing it all over again, as many times as you can. Colin - beats our Sunday morning ride - you'd love it mate. Overall a great day - topped off with a great dinner in Golden this evening. One thing I have noticed is everywhere is empty (especially this evening in Golden) - it's mid August and I thought the place would be absolutely rammed. But the Highway is empty, RV parks look empty, Attractions are empty, Restaurants are empty and even the Hotels don't look busy. Maybe that will all change as we get to Banff and Lake Louise.
Anyway - tomorrow we leave Golden and head to Radium Hot Springs where we hope to have a leisurely soak and then a drive through Kootenay National Park to Canmore, our next stop. Till then, sleep tight...
- comments
jojo Hi there, Still reading and fenjoy the hot sringseeling jealous! The photos cimply cannot do justice to what I know your.e seeing but very reassuring to know that the rockies are still there as wonerful as ever, enjoy the hot springs its still not sunbathing weather here, hope the foot is improving what is next on the injury list? Take care everyone lots of love jojo