a weekend in British Columbia May 10, 2024

 " G O N E   R O A D   T R I P P I N "

Just three days ago when I saw everything that needed to be good, was going to be good, I went on a mission putting a plan in place to do a short road trip.  Calgary to Golden to Radium to Calgary, that was the plan, with two nights in Radium.   Since retirement back in 2018, my get-aways have been weekdays but lately the conditions have not been user friendly with a few days straight of respectable weather through the week.  I decided, just do it, weekend or not!  

Along the way to British Columbia, I stopped off at Two Jack Lake in Banff just to have a look.  People were on their paddle boards and in their kayaks.  It already felt very warm, the forecast was for sunshine and plus mid twenties celsius. 

not much ice left

it will probably be gone by the end of the weekend

at the border between Alberta and British Columbia with the mountains of Yoho behind me

It was very late morning, approaching noon by the time I arrived at Emerald Lake.  It's was a beautiful Friday, not even the long weekend nor high tourist season. I was surprised when it came to snagging one of the last parking spots. It was a challenge to move about amongst the throngs of people on the bridge that crosses the creek.  I aborted the crossing. That's a telltale sign of what is to come as the weeks go on.  This was my lunch time view from a rock on the edge of the Lake.  

After lunch and before heading back to my car, I captured this selfie.  

Next up was Golden!  The last time I was here was back in 2018 shortly after retirement.  The wildfire smoke was beginning to hoover over the area which cast a grey dull vibe to that day back then.  Instead of hiking this time (trails not accessible yet due to snow and high avalanche ratings), I walked the two sky bridges.  I paid for the ticket, entered through the arch, walked the canyon trail to where the first bridge crosses the canyon. This is the view of the first bridge from a viewing platform.  Take a deep breath and go for it, I told myself!

A couple went ahead of me, I gave them space, then slowly stepped onto the bridge and began to cross.  Once on the other side, I asked the couple would they capture my photo if I stepped back onto the bridge.

Just before aiming for the second bridge, I stopped for this selfie.  

This is the view of the second bridge from a viewing platform.  

getting ready to step onto the second bridge

view looking down onto Golden from the centre of the second bridge

looking across to the first bridge just above the canyon wall 

photo taken from centre of second bridge

After enjoying the sky bridge experience, it was time to hit the road for Radium.  The highway behind Golden and Radium is beautiful.  There were not many places to stop to enjoy the views of the Columbia Valley but where there were pull offs, I pulled off.  This was the view at one of them. 

With some time to spare before checking into my home away from home, 

I stopped off to admire this scene a few kilometres south of Radium.  

It was a hot day, I was tired and felt like a hot mess.  

This Moon Mist Ice Cream on a waffle cone perked me up!