Moving to Calgary

Pretty much a month ago, at the end of February, I helped my daughter move to Calgary. This being “essential travel” also meant a road trip at the same time. Not in the middle of winter but also definitely not without snow.

What I saw from the air just a few weeks ago I did get to see from the ground this time. Crossing three major mountain ranges is always exciting and can be challenging with very quickly changing weather conditions, especially in winter.

It all started on a Friday. We got up nice and early to catch the 7:00am ferry as first of all we have to get off the island to go anywhere. The island of course is Vancouver Island. We sat at the ferry terminal for 7.5 hours going nowhere as there were very windy conditions on the mainland in Tsawwassen and not a single ferry left or arrived there that day.

So back home we went, unpacked our essentials to try again the next day. We got up at 4:15am to get to the terminal nice and early and it felt very much like “Groundhog Day”.

Arrived at 5:45 and finally left on the 8:00 ferry at 8:45. Just happy to finally be on the “move”.

The first mountain range to cross over was the Coast Mountains via the Coquihalla, the fastest connection between Vancouver and Kamloops. The lower part of the highway is following the route of the former Kettle Valley Railway and was a toll road at its opening from 1986 to 2008. With speed limits mostly around 120km it is a very fast paced freeway.

A little bit of snow still around and slightly slippery and slushy right around the summit. Although this part of the mountains doesn’t look very challenging weather conditions can become treacherous very quickly here. Anybody ever watched the tv show “Highway thru Hell” ?

When you come down into Kamloops you have reached a totally different climate. Dry, semi arid, some snow in the winter with rolling hills all around.

From there we followed the South Thompson River that bears one of the largest Sockeye Salmon Runs and then we arrived in Revelstoke just as it got dark.

Our goal was Golden at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. From there it would only be around 3.5 hours to Calgary which should get us there in time to return the Uhaul trailer.

Now up Rogers Pass which is known for the most prolific snow falls in all of Canada. As it was dark we didn’t see much of it. More of that on the way back!

Reached Golden around 9:00pm and stayed overnight in a pet friendly room as we had a travelling rabbit with us. Charlie is pretty incredible, completely toilet trained and behaving more like a cat but a rabbit.

Up early next morning and travelling across the Kicking Horse Pass through Yoho National Park and into Alberta. Lots of snow blowing across the highway which is so beautiful.

Through Banff National Park and into the foothills. Lots of gusting winds but beautifully sunny as most days in Alberta. And we did an amazing job unloading and returning the trailer all in less than 3 hours.

After running a lot of errands and getting settled there was a bit of time to explore 17th Avenue, a small hike along the Elbow River and the discovery of a superb bubble tea place and of course Butterblock in the Devenish Building, a former department store. Our favourite definitely the double sesame croissant and the green matcha almond bread pudding with custard filling. I don’t think I have ever eaten something that tasty. Their croissants have 81 layers, can you imagine!

Almost 2 weeks later I drove back, this time across the Kootenay Pass. Incredible how much had changed in just that short time.

Coming into Radium Hot Springs through the canyon which feels like a crack in the mountains is quite spectacular.

Always love the Rocky Mountain Trench, a long narrow valley between the west side of the Rockies and the Columbia Mountains. This is where the gorgeous Columbia River has its origin and flows to the North passing by the Columbia Mountains.

Up Rogers Pass again through Glacier National Park passing through snow sheds and melting ice falls.

The Visitor Centre still tucked away in the snow.

A quick stop in Revelstoke and crossing the Columbia River which is flowing south now.

Again passing the South Thompson River, Kamloops and descending into Merritt.

I arrived in Hope when the sun was just disappearing in the West with a stunning sunset. Overnight in Vancouver as I had an appointment at the German Embassy.

Breakfast at Granville Island, very deserted looking where all parking is free now! Those past years they wouldn’t allow coaches anymore but probably be happy now to have them.

Onto the ferry and to Victoria where the plum trees are in full bloom!

1200km from Calgary through such incredibly stunning areas, diverse landscapes and eco systems following the same routes that I had taken so many times as a tour director. Always an adventure!