Yoho and stuff... 🇨🇦

After Banff & Jasper the bar was set high and I wasn't sure I'd ever see anything more beautiful. But we hadn't even reached the halfway of our 6-month trip. For the next few days, the national parks Yoho, Glacier and Revelstoke were planned, which line up almost seamlessly when driving west (British Columbia) from Banff (Alberta). Without a brochure from Yoho Park, we were initially dependent on signs that drew our attention to the Takakkawa Falls. We enthusiastically followed the signs until we came across a strange-looking traffic sign. 🤷‍♀️

We pondered what it might mean, but weren't sure. So we ignored it for now. 🤗 After a few meters uphill, we realized that the sign was showing somehow how to handle this curve, which was definitely too narrow for our bus. We surrendered in reverse. But half an hour later we were back and faced the task. 😈

In the meantime we had come across the visitor center and were able to get hold of a map of the park and it also explained how vehicles with a length of more than 7.5 meters can manage this switchback and above all it was clear that it wasn't - as we feared had - would be about several curves of this kind. After successfully mastering the serpentine, we had to smile at the thought of how this traffic sign could assert itself in Germany.. ☻️ But well, we had learned something new.🤓

A few miles further, we finally came to the attraction that brought us this new experience, Takakkaw Falls. The second highest waterfall in Western Canada, measured at 381.1 meters, could already be seen from the parking lot.

For the sake of completeness, it should be said that the free fall measures only 254 m - in case anyone wants to measure it 📏 😉.

Our next stop was called Emerald Lake: a crystal-clear, turquoise, beautifully situated lake that offered a walk.

When we got back to the bus and were just about to leave, a young (as it turned out) Canadian family euphorically sprinted towards us and asked if they could see the bus. They said they are traveling through Canada with their Skoolie for a few weeks. Even if we only chatted briefly, it was nice to meet some Canadian Skoolie lovers. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to see the inside of your bus, but the outside of the "Mountainboundbus" was very lovingly designed.

Our next stop was called: Natural Bridge. This is a natural rock formation bridging the flow of the Kicking Horse River west of Field where the slower moving waters begin their descent through a gorge to join the Amiskwi River.

I wanted to take a closer look; Time for a change of perspective.👀🧍‍♀️

Later we took a break at Faeder Lake, Lennox could refresh himself and we enjoy the play of colors of this beautiful little lake, which of course can be photographically documented.

Then we drove on to the next town and stayed the night outside of the town center at something like a sports field (golf disc), where a young German couple spoke to us in the evening; they had recognized the license plate. They said that they also come from Saarland (Merzig-Wadern district) and are currently working in the Banff National Park at the Gondola as Work & Traveler. How small the world is!

The next morning we decided to check out Skydive Yeti, which happened to be in Golden, where we stayed the night. The airfield was tucked away on the outskirts in the immediate vicinity of a train route, totally inconspicuous, but with a picturesque panorama. We talked shop for a while, dusted off 2 t-shirts (free of charge), used the wifi and set off again at noon. The national parks of Glacier and Revelstoke (British Columbia) were then quickly dealt with. Where we would have wanted to stop was blocked. Floods and mudslides have probably been quite ruthless in this area in recent months. The descent into the valley seemed endless. A never-ending construction site in the mountains, some of which was quite narrow and very curvy, made my adrenalin levels rise at regular intervals behind the wheel. It was already dark when we finally reached the first village and found a place to sleep near a golf course.

The next day took us to the Kelowna area. The sun burned mercilessly. Luckily, I found a great spot on the lake where dogs were finally allowed to run off a leash and even bathe. A lot of puppies were happy about a cool down and new friends.

The day after was one of those days that nobody needs. The weather was "okay", the mood sucked and the female hormones were not entirely innocent (if you understand). What do you do on a day like this? Exactly, man or woman goes shopping. I had wanted to paddle across a picture-perfect lake for weeks, but was too stingy to pay the outrageous rental fees. A few days ago I approached someone using an inflatable kayak; I was interested in how stable they are in the water, because I tend to shy away from unplanned swimming sessions. The father of the family assured me that you can't tip over with it. That was exactly what I wanted to hear. Since then I've been looking for a 2-seater kayak that would also fit Lennox. And found it that day. 🤩

In addition, 3 life jackets ended up in the shopping cart. For Seb' and me the middle-priced, so semi comfortable and not very stylish blue vests and for Lennox, of course the most expensive, most comfortable and best looking. 🐕

The shopping event and the “If Everything is Stupid” envelope cheered my spirits up, at least partially. Thank you Paddy for always being there for me 💯 even when I'm not "there". 😘❤