On Friday, June 16, 2000, I boarded
an airplane at Detroit Metropolitan Airport in Michigan to make the trip
of a lifetime.
I was completely psyched for this trip as I
had been planning this event for many years. Destination Banff, Alberta,
Canada - HERE I COME!!!
The plane ride lasts for approximately 3 1/2
hours. The weather was perfect for flying. The skies were clear.
I had to keep pinching myself to ensure this was in fact happening.
I had already set my watch the two time zones
ahead so I would know precisely when we landed.
Packing light for such a special event seemed
odd to me, however, I did exactly what the travel agent advised.
Later on I sure was happy to have listened to the advice of packing light.
We were scheduled to land in Calgary at 2:00
p.m. and were expected at The Banff Spring's Hotel by 4:00 p.m. that afternoon.
The night would be spent in the hotel and at approximately 6:00 a.m. the
following morning, our group were to meet in the parking lot at the bottom
of the Rocky Mountains just inside the park gates.
I've never seen such a sight before. On
the main street of Banff there were tourists going about their business.
At each end of the main street were the mountains. What a glorious
vision.
I chose to eat dinner in the hotel and retire
early to have a nice jacuzzi and massage before I went to bed. I
can't recall the last time I was that relaxed.
The bed was huge. It was a king sized
bed filled with feathers and had a beautiful antique canopy. The
craftsmanship in the furniture was remarkable.
I awoke at 4:00 a.m. the following morning filled
with excitement. It wouldn't be much longer now. I thumbed
through the brochures once more to refresh my memory of all that this trip
was to hold and felt my heart beat faster in anticipation.
The brochures indicated that the following events
were to take place:
Day 1 - The riders were to meet at the office
at 8:30 a.m. and were to be transported by van to the trailhead corral
at Mount Norquay. There they would be met by their guides and horses,
and mount up for the eleven mile ride over Elk Lake Summit between Brewster
Mountain and Cascade Mountain, and down into Stoney Creek Camp.
Day 2 - A ride is taken toward the headwaters
of Stoney Creek, returning to camp for the night. This area is a favorite
haunt of Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep, who are often grazing in the high
meadows, providing ample opportunity for pictures.
Day 3 - The riders roll up their duffel, mount
up and ride the ten miles to Flint's Park Camp. This camp, located in the
center of open, grassy ridges topped with high peaks, has become a favorite
of many riders. Wildlife is commonly seen and photographed in this area.
Day 4 - A day ride is conducted from camp to
Block Mountain, or perhaps to Cuthead Viewpoint - just two of the many
points of interest accessible from Flint's Park. This area has much to
offer the rider, photographer, hiker and fisherman alike.
Day 5 - Once again the riders roll up their
duffel in preparation for the ride to the Mystic Valley Camp. At this time
the guests have the opportunity to observe the historic art of horse packing,
using the famous diamond hitch. When everything is securely in place, the
riders mount up and ride into Mystic Valley for the final night. It is
traditional with the guides to have a real western dinner for the last
night. By this time everyone has become friends, and all are ready for
a wind-up get-together.
Day 6 - Unfortunately, every trip has a last
day, but what better way to end the trip than with the scenic nine mile
ride from Mystic Valley to the Mount Norquay Corral. The "Full Circle"
has been completed and the riders return to Banff at approximately 5:00
p.m.
I had packed sensible clothing and in a very
special area of my backpack, I had hidden my fishing rod - in the event
that we would have the time to fish in some of the mountainous rivers and
streams. Having heard from friends about how remarkable the fishing
was, I wasn't about to leave my favourite side kick at home.
With great anticipation and my heart beating
very rapidly now, I arrived at the park gates ready to start my first "official"
day of my dream vacation.
I ate a hearty breatkfast at the hotel and departed
by van to take me to the trailhead corral at Mount Noquay. To my
dismay, I was offered the opportunity to choose my horse. The horse
I chose was named Bandit. Only later would I find out the story behind
her name.
Bandit was beautiful, however, she loved to
steal apples and would live on a steady diet of them if I had allowed her
to. Bandit would do anything in her power to sneak an apple.
On the first day, we rode at a very casual rate
and arrived at the Elk Lake Summit. The view was absolutely breathtaking.
Along the trail, I had the opportunity to spot a wide array of wildlife.
We were advised by our guides "That you haven't seen anything yet".
That night, as we sat around the camp fire,
a few of the gang decided to share their musical talents with the rest
of our group and we all ended up joining in.
With all of this fresh air, I found myself wanting
to turn in very early and found myself ready to pack it in for the
night as we would be getting an early start in the morning.
I awoke at 6:00 a.m. to my dismay as I had obtained
one of the best sleeps I'd had in a long time. I was so excited as
we'd been told that we were in for a day filled with wildlife. I
had my camera ready to go and had brought what I had considered an obscene
amount of film. To my dismay, I'd used every roll of film before
our trip was over and wished they'd had a store up in the mountains so
I could have taken more pictures.
After returning to camp for the evening I found
myself totally famished. I can't recall the last time I was that
hungry. Between
the fantastic day I'd spent and the fresh air,
I was ready for a very large dinner.
The fresh air was still having its effects on
me as I turned in early once again.
I can't believe it, we're now on our third day
of our trip. We have seen so much and I feel like I could live this
way for months rather than six days. It saddens me that we're half
way through our trip, yet today, I am very excited. Our guides
advise us that we're going to Flint's Park Camp. Wildlife is seen
in abundance and I will get the opportunity to take many pictures.
This alpine wilderness abounds with spruce, larch and fir trees, wildflowers,
animals and birds. The scenery is unrivalled anywhere in the world.
I seem to be adjusting to the mountain air as
I actually made it around the campfire until 10:30 p.m. Again I slept
like a baby and awoke a 5:30 a.m. pumped and ready to go for our fourth
day.
I have been promised superb fishing in the rivers
and lakes at Block Mountain and am very pleased that I had brought
my fishing rod. The fishing was excellent and I actually caught quite
a few fish that day. We had agreed earlier that we would provide
a wonderful fish dinner for that evening and each and everyone of us caught
enough to feed the group. The peace and tranquility was amazing.
I could have stayed there by myself until dark as I didn't want to end
this day.
On our fifth day of vacation, we rode to the
Mystic Valley Camp
for the final night. I can't believe
that the time has gone by this quickly. I'm really going to miss
seeing the people that I've made friends with during this ride. Again,
I saw so much today and hope that I never forget the memories of this trip.
Nature undisturbed and at its finest.
We ate a "real western dinner" that night and
people chatted for most of the night. It saddens me that this is
ending so soon. I have met riders come from many different places and
people from all walks of life who share my joy of the wilderness.
Unfortunately all good things must come to an
end. Today we were scheduled to ride from Mystic Valley o the Mount
Norquay Corral. The ride was beautiful, the weather superb and I
must admit, it's been a vacation that I will never forget.
I arrive at the Banff Springs Hotel at 6:30
p.m. tired, excited and sad all at the same time. Tomorrow I fly
out of the Calgary airport for the journey home.
