Banff

We had only one day in Banff but it was memorable. The hotel is remarkable, first built in 1888 and renovated one hundred year later. We had lunch in Rundel's where the high tea prices stat at $32 and go up from there. The river view was the scene from our table (tea was not served st our table):)
The campground asked us to report any mountain lion sightings. What!!!!!!!! They EAT PEOPLE DON"T THEY???? No lounging under the awning for Bob. Lock the doors, close the blinds, break out the fire hoses. I don't even want them to see us through the windows.

The water in the rivers is a strange milky blue green color, from mineral deposits washed out by the rain I hope. Vast tracts of forest have died from an infestation of pine beetles caused by warmer weather. I'm glad we got to see the forests before they were all killed.

Revelstoke

Guess what! Revelstoke has a railroad museum. Imagine that! Right here in the middle of the Canadian rockies. What a coincidence:) Its right next to the trans Canada mainline at the site of the old Revelstoke station. Oh.... the main line has a train rolling by about every thirty minutes. Very cool!

Vancouver

We crossed into Canada and spent two quiet days at an elegant campground on the outskirts of town. A park located on a nearby mountain has a fabulous restaurant and a view of Vancouver. This carving depicts the gods and their subjects and is one of several just outside the restaurant.

More Carvings

Back by popular demand are some more photos of the chainsaw carvings:) We are now in Vancouver Canada and for the first time on our trip are having a rainy day. 51 good weather days in a row. A record, especially since when we were first dating (1994) Patti earned the nickname "The weather lady" because everywhere she went it rained.

La Push

As you can see their beach needs some tiding up. Patty is standing next to just one example of local "driftwood". This was the scene of the wildest 4th of July celebration ever. A bit of fog about 100 feet up burnt off about 1:00. Fire crackers by the neighbors all afternoon and evening on the 3rd and then an unbelievable aerial barrage from 9:15 to 11:00 the 4th.

They do have interesting sand castles:)

Cape Disapointment

This lighthouse sits at the mouth of the Columbia River. This is a particularly rough inlet. In fact the recent high winds have created such rough conditions the charter fleet here in Ilwaco is grounded? Beached? Moored? There is a cost guard station here with some very sturdy looking rescue boats tied up at their dock to save the unwary.

Chainsaw Carvers

Chainsaw carvers produce some wonderful art here in the northwest. We first experienced a chainsaw otter in Morro Bay and since then we have been looking for something for the front of the house. This studio caught our eye and these dolphins are beautiful. Carved from cedar they are designed to live outdoors. Unfortunately this particular one was $6500 and we were required to let it remain right were it was:) (shipping it from here to Maryland would be another fairly large bill so photos will have to do:)