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30/05
Hi Everyone, Another catch up session I'm afraid but I know you are all dying to know ahat happended in Banff!
I trekked the Cnyon today, yes I know, another canyon, this time called the Sundance Canyon which extends from Banff up to the natural Hot Springs and then onto Sundance. These were originally Indian lands, or First Nation folk as they are now known. The tribe who occupied these areas were called The Blood Tribe, I visited the local museum and chatted to one of the Elders, a very distinguished gentleman who was apparently one of only 120 remaining true, pure Blood tribes people. They are now 'integrating' with other tribes to keep the First Nation people in existance. The Elder said to me that 'we have all but done the Dust Dance' it didn't take too much imagination to work out what he was saying which I thought was rather sad.
There is a range of history contained in the exhibits from arrow heads dating back from 2300BC to The Treatys of the 1870's. I asked why there was so little information on what happened in between these dates and was told that when the lands were occupied a lot of influencial tribes people died. They held the ancient knowledge which had not been passed on at that time. No writings were in existance and therefore the knowledge, folklaw and history died with them. I had to decline a visit to the reserve in Calgary due to other commitments but did contribute to their economy with the purchase of some trinkets.
I spent the following three hours walking up and in the Canyon. I went to the Hot Springs as well which is fed by the Ice melt. I know I have mentioned ice, snow and water too much, but they dont half have a lot of it here!
The ice filters through cracks in the rock and eventually reaches a level where it is heated by the temperature of the Earths core. It then shoots to the surface under great pressure and is infused with sulphur. There is a cave where the steaming water then deposits itself in to a large bowl and wow doesnt it stink! It is quite uncanny though as the plant life around the Spring is quite different to any of the surrounding Countyside. They even have 6 different varieties of orchid growing, a little oasis amongst granite and ice, oops there I go again, sorry.
The Gorge starts off relatively slowly and along theway I encountered a horse backed party of people trekking to another point. i happened to be walking at a slightly faster pace and soon caught them up. The tail end of the party started chatting to me. well that soon slowed me down!
It was a good walk though and I found that I was very much on my own. I am developing a bit of a fobia about encountering a bear, I mean you do not see anyone for hours out here so itsnot much use shouting for help. Everything was fine though and the walk back down was every bit as good as the walk up. Did I mention that there is a lot of water?
Last night I met with Tim and his mate and long time friend, Don. Another nice guy and financial man, don't worry Booney, you're safe. I wasdue to meet them at the pub which is The music venue in Banff, well as far as I am concerned it is. RV time was 10.30pm but they pitched up about mid-night. The band - Urban Divide headed up by Amber, were brilliant. They play a combo of jazz funk and progressive rock, a bit like Goldfrapp meets JK. They perform mostly their own stuff but do perform some covers like Osibisa, War and a super version of James Brown'sSex Machine, really very good indeed.
Spendinf so much time in the place by myself I decided it was best just to messin with everyone else. I gate crashed a Hen Party which encouraged some other guys to join in aswell. We had what I will describe as 'a bit of a hoot' One guy thought I was an Aussie, when he picked himself up, he apologised and anounced that Canadians love the Brits because we are so similar. He told me that they drink a lot of beer and do a lot of weed. Oh well, when in Rome.....
We eventually rolled into the hotel somewhere between 2 & 3, it was another cracking night. Thanks again Tim, for the Hotel, dinner the previous night, showing me the pub/club and being a great guy. Thanks Tim and good to meet Don who came up with some useful tips for the year ahead. Thanks Chaps I hope it is not the last time we meet.
Chris
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