Week 3 - The Canadian Rockies, Banff & Jasper, and Back to the USA
/Hanging out around Banff
It was a quick ride up a few switchbacks, and I was at the Mt. Norquay ski area. I bought a ticket and hopped on the rickety chairlift for the 8-minute ride to the top. It was quiet at the top and the view of the Rockies, lakes, and Banff down below was simply a beautiful picture painted by the Universe. I hung out at the top for a bit, breathing in the air, the view, and the moment.
The Splendor Keeps Coming
Today was the culmination of the spark that ignited this trip, Banff and Jasper. I believe I’m as far north as I’m going to go on this current journey. The ride from Banff to Jasper, while only about 200 miles, amounted to over 6 hours on the road. The day was full of immense natural beauty and an endless array of opportunities to immerse oneself in nature. A day on the motorcycle passing through these wonderful places is a like the trailer to a feature length movie. It gives you a good idea about what it’s about and makes you want to tune in for more. I was grateful to have the time I had to experience the journey from Banff to Jasper and all that laid in between.
The Canadian Rockies are immense and occupy a region far and wide. The vastness of the area that contains the Rockies is only rivaled by the shear awesomeness of the mountain peaks, alpine lakes, and glaciers. Glistening turquoises lakes of glacier water, ice-capped jagged mountain peaks, and seafoam glacial rivers of runoff flowing down from those high peaks. Where to begin without it sounding like a laundry list of cool stuff?
The lesser traveled Bow Valley Parkway on the way to Lake Louise. What a great ride! The air was filled with the scent of Christmas in August. The undulations of the road produced a rhythm that was peaceful. The massive peaks of the Rockies were ever present. I arrived in Lake Louise with the fancy Fairmont Chateau off to the side. The glacial water and the canoe boats drifting across with what appears to be a glacier as a backdrop, didn’t seem real. Another picture painted by the Universe.
Moraine Lake was an entity in and of itself. I was mesmerized by the glistening turquoise water. The twinkling of the sun on the lake was like a constellation of stars in the night sky. I ate lunch outside by the lodge, chatting with fellow travelers, and enjoying letting the time pass effortlessly.
Now on the Icefield Parkway, 93, heading toward Jasper. The mountains took a different form and the terrain changed as I made my way closer to Jasper. The peaks were tall and the mountains massive. Now the tops of the mountains at times gave a feeling of a lunar landscape. Something extra-worldly.
Peyto Lake, the colors, so turquoise, it looked as if the Universe itself was enhancing what I was seeing in real-time. How can these colors happen in nature and at such a scale? Riding the Icefield Parkway and passing by the Columbia Icefield reminded me that what I was seeing was uniquely this place. The landscape, the terrain, the colors, and the sheer ominous presence of the glaciers were specific to this part of the world. The fast-moving seafoam green glacial water flowed through fields of streams on the side of the road. If not for the road, I don’t see how this land could be easily navigated.
There was no climax to having arrived in Jasper, just the recognition that I was here. I did it. It was a good feeling, and my attention turned to finding a hotel, a shower, and a beer. Fast forward to the community table at the Jasper Brewery, a cold IPA, and a conversation with a newly married couple from Edmonton. The day was complete.
A Lesson with a Smile and a Nod – In the Moment
There’s always the possibility of learning something or receiving a message of sorts. This could come directly, or something observed. Experience is the greatest teacher either by doing and/or being immersed in a moment.
At Moraine Lake I stepped down a few steps off the path and there was that iconic view. I switched between being in the moment and snapping off one too many pictures. It was the perfect spot I was standing in. Once I finished all the clicking of pictures and video clips, I remained in place, just being there. It was serene, beautiful, and my favorite expression, “A 3-D picture painted by the Universe.” A young woman came and stood several feet to my right to do the same, switching between taking pictures and immersing herself in the experience of the place. There was enough room for both of us. There was also no shortage of other great vantage points as well.
All of a sudden, an elderly woman appeared behind us, as if she was waiting in line for something. Mind you this is on the bank of a lake, again with no shortage of great vantage points. At that moment the young woman looked down at her phone and the elderly lady shouted, “Hey, I’d like to take a picture why don’t you go surf the Internet somewhere else!” The young woman did not respond. Her eyes raised up from her phone. She looked my way and I at her. She calmly and subtly smiled at me and I at her. She was unphased. She gracefully cleared a path and continued her gaze toward the surreal lake, while the old lady screamed louder, “Searching the Internet!” The old lady took a few pictures and turned away even more angry that she was not able to get a reaction out of the girl.
I don’t know what the young woman felt, but by her reaction, or lack thereof, there was a lesson in being in the moment and in emotional intelligence. She did not have an emotional reaction. This could have turned into a scene of “road rage” on the banks of Moraine Lake. However, she remained in the moment and continued to gaze at the beauty of the lake. The young woman’s smile was sincere and there was no sign of her ego. She was not insulted, angered, or took any of it personally. It was a beautiful lesson in being totally conscious, still, and present. Beautiful.
When the music is playing, why be concerned about the notes.
When you’re listening to a good song and feeling the vibe you’re not concerned with the notes or the arrangement. You’re not trying to break the song down into discrete parts in an effort to better understand the composition. You’re feeling the music. The song moves your soul. You experience it and you feel it without any judgement and without the need to label it in any way. That’s how I was feeling about this trip and the ride today.
I left Jasper and it was a brisk sunny morning. By the time I arrived in Kelowna, more than half of the 6.5 hours of riding was in the rain. I was wet, muddy, and physically spent. Yet the ride was a blink of an eye. Most of the day, like the previous days riding in Canada, have been through remote and rugged terrain with grand views. Today I spent most of my time in British Columbia, a new province for me. Moving through the landscape on the motorcycle I contemplated what I was feeling. I was searching for words to label, to model, to characterize, to try and explain what I was feeling. I was searching for that eloquent soliloquy in my head that would speak to the experience I was having. It struck me plainly. I was simply being. I was a Being simply being. No words necessary and no explanation needed. The music of my life was playing, why be concerned about the notes.
I was feeling joyful and at the same time still. Even as I traversed the gears of the motorcycle, through corners and straightaways turning the throttle, leaning the bike side-to-side, velocity constantly changing, and yet there was a stillness. What was it like? “I guess you’d have to be there.” How often have we used or heard that expression? It’s because words fail and fall short. Explain what wine or food taste like or tell me what that song sounds like, or what the color of a flower looks like. It’s all words. It’s the “being” and experiencing that matters. In the moment there are no words necessary.
The Serendipitous Cousin Coincidence
The idea of having come this far and heading to Washington State energized me. Even though I was about 3,400 miles from home, crossing the border back into the USA brought a sense of being that much closer. I was 30 min from Bellingham, WA and set course to visit friends. It’s really a special feeling to connect with people you know, while on the road, in a setting that is very different. Regardless of how much time has elapsed, when you reconnect with friends it’s like continuing the conversation from a day or two ago. It’s effortless. I was happy to reconnect.
My cousin was following my travels on Instagram, with the other 3 or 4 followers, ha ha, and he reached out to me several days ago. He was going to be in the Bellingham area the same day I was! No-coincidences, that’s for sure. I was glad to meet up with him. I was enriched by the time we spent together and was thankful
The Ferry to An Old Friend
It was a short ride today. I had a friend who I worked with about 20 years ago who lived in Washington now with his husband, not too far from Olympic National Park. It was a brief ferry ride to the peninsula. He had invited me to spend the night at his house. A quick and beautiful ferry ride across from the mainland.
Once docked, the line of motorcyclists left the ferry like the start of MotoGP. It was like a video game through the twists and turns. I was early and stopped at a Café for a bite. I texted Tony and he showed up. A reunion at the Café. It was comfortable and the 20 years in between now and our last encounter had no significance. Time wasn’t a factor. It’s a great thing.
Back at the house the three of us sat outside gazing at the beautiful view and catching-up on life. We talked about the many things that led up to all of us being exactly where we were at the moment. The conversation was effortless, there was genuine interest all around, and there was depth to what was being discussed mixed in with plenty of laughs as well. They had found a great property and house. The work they’ve done creating a beautiful space for their lives is clear. What is even more apparent is that it is more than a house where they live. They’ve created a home together. Sometimes you go over people’s houses and it’s simply a place where they live. Every now and then you experience an energy that says, “welcome to my home.” There’s a warmth and love, a stillness that they’ve found together in this place. I felt fortunate to be there and to be welcomed into their home.
Pacific Coast Bound and Touching the Ocean
Hours passed and the miles added up. I found myself within minutes of the Pacific Ocean, the trip meter since I left Boca Raton was now clicking past 5000 miles. It’s just a number, just like 21 days on the road is a number. Yet it is an indication that stuff happened and is happening. The people interactions of the last couple of days, and the range of experiences over the three weeks have been a gift. In many ways I feel like the architect of this experience and of the joy I’m feeling. Yet there are forces at play, serendipitous occurrences, and an energy I’m feeling that is a gift from the Universe.
I arrived in Long Beach, Washington for the evening. I took a walk to the beach. The seagulls were in flight, the wind was blowing, the tide was coming in, and the glimmering sunlight in the surf was magical. The sound of the waves, the wind through my hair, and the smell of the ocean, it all brought me even deeper into the experience. People were walking along the beach, some were flying kites, kids were playing in the sand, it all was a symphony of stillness and I experienced it all in a timeless moment. As the tide receded, I followed the surf to touch the ocean. Just like on my last cross-country experience, it was as if a handshake was exchanged with the Pacific Ocean in an act of gratitude. I can go no further west. It’s time to make that easterly turn tomorrow and begin the journey home.
Three weeks on the road, and innumerable timeless moments full of wonderful experiences. On the conclusion of Week 3 it was great to celebrate by touching the Pacific Ocean.
Day 15 – Week 3 Monday 8/19/2019 - Banff, Alberta Canada - Banff National Park Loop, Mt. Norquay, Lake Minnewanka, Bow Falls, Fairmont Banff Springs, Sulphur Mountain
Day 16 - Banff, Alberta Canada to Jasper, Alberta Canada - Two National Parks; Johnston Canyon, Bow Valley Parkway, Morant's Curve. Lake Louise, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louse, Moraine Lake, Icefields Parkway, Peyto Lake, Columbia Icefield, and Jasper
Day 17 - Jasper, Alberta Canada to Kelowna, British Columbia Canada in the Okanagan Lake area, BC Wine Country
Day 18 – Kelowna, British Columbia Canada and Okanagan Lake Wine Tour – Rest Day
Day 19 - Kelowna, BC Canada to Burlington, Washington USA crossing the border into the USA with a stop in Bellingham, WA to visit friends and then on to Burlington for dinner and the night in a local hotel with my cousin
Day 20 - Burlington, WA to Kingston, WA via the Edmonton ferry to visit and spend the night with friends at their house
Day 21 - Kingston, WA to Long Beach, WA via Olympic National Park, Port Angeles, Forks, and Lake Crescent - Arrive at the Pacific Ocean