17th May 2019

13th May. Tom's  birthday,
Well today we take Tom back to his camp work life. The weather has been perfect while we have been with Tom, in  fact, we have had great weather so far.  We say our goodbyes to Tom, and head towards Kamloops.
Kamloops is a major city in a regional area. After checking into our accommodation, we go for a drive to get a couple of things. One of which was a map of Canada, so roads can be marked off from where we have been. After asking at the reception where might be our best bet, the suggestion was Wal-Mart. Oh my, our first experience with a Wal-Mart. I am sure we have all seen the pics on social  media about wal mart, so here we go. Wal-Mart is a very large shopping center  which is just like a Woolworths and Big W combined. There are all sorts of things all under the one roof. We wonder around and find what we want, plus a little more, then go back to the room and retire for the evening.
Tues 14th,
After breakfast, we decide to go for a drive to see where it was that Tom starting his Canadian adventure, Mount Harper. We drive around Paul Lake, a pretty spot, with a few homes dotted on the shore line. Amazing places to live, lakes that have mountain coming right down to the water. Then we advance up Harper mountain to view where Tom first worked. Everything is shut down for now, as the snow around this  area has gone. Some of the mountains transform into mountain bike rides. We leave this area, and head of to Sun Peaks resort for a look around. We decide the road less travelled, as the maps gave two options. We drive for a while, the road gets a bit smaller, but is still bitumen, then it turns to gravel, but it looks well used. We start to notice signs like, No Shooting, No trespassing, then the road gets a lot smaller, we make a decision to turn around, although the map said we only had 30  mins to go. Hmmm. So we retrace our tracks and follow the well used road and find Sun Peaks resorts. There is lots of new building happening, but most of the shops were closed. We found a place and had a coffee, ( I have given up on finding good coffee ) so we head back to Kamloops. I have got a bit of a head cold, so rest is the order for the rest of the afternoon. Later on we venture out to find some throat lozengers. The drug stores here are not just for drugs/medication. They also have lots of other things,  like milk,  general groceries, greeting cards and many other things.  There are Pharmacies and drug stores on this side of the world,  and they are exactly the same.  I also find a Canadian post shop, and send a couple of things away.
We find a lovely Chinese Resturant a couple of streets away and have a meal while we are out.
Wed, 15th.
A quiet day today, just rest and sleep, as I still have the cold. We go out for a late lunch, and have another first, we eat at Dennys, an American style diner. Food was good, as was the service. The day is spent sleeping. Bob is starting to come down with the bug now.
Thurs 16th.
We leave Kamloops,  and head on our way to Banff. Some beautiful scenery, and Bob and I share the driving. I am feeling much better.  This is a 5 and a half hour trip, we come across some road works,  and realize that road works must only be able to be done at certain times due to the snow and ice on the roads. On our way to Banff is Lake Louise. This is on Bob's list of things to be ticked off.  So we go into the lake area.  What an amazing place.  Even though the lake was still mostly frozen,  it was still beautiful. And busy, lots of people from every different country. One can only imagine how busy this place will get in the next few months. After we leave Lake Louise, and heading onwards, I happen to see a brown bear, eating grass as we go past. That was so wonderful to see.
We arrive at our accommodation, check in and decide to take a little drive around to find a place to eat.  Man this is a cute place,  much like the Whistler Village,  w eat and head back to the room.  But I know I will be exploring this place better tomorrow.  Bob is the worse for wear from the head cold.