So Parks Day was celebrated by Park Radio in a truly and authentically Canadian fashion-- we escaped the hustle and bustle of town and spent 3 days hiking and camping/cabining in the backcountry of Kananaskis and Banff National Park.  Remember my apprehension?  It was apparently unfounded.. the only truly shocking thing was the difference in scenery.  WOW, but the mountains sure do pack a punch!  (Or, if you're like my uncle, viewing my pictures from back in Ontario, you might be saying "Why does every picture have a mountain in it?  It's getting kinda old."... are you? )  

We all met in Canmore, early Friday morning.  Our group had decided to take two cars so we could leave one at the Mt. Shark parking lot for when we hiked out.  One of the cars I'm actually purchasing in the not too distant future.. a manual transmission Saturn wagon from last decade.  The joke is that I have no idea how to drive stick.. or rather, I didn't.  As I was about to get into the other car for a nice, cushy passenger seat ride to the trailhead, I was handed keys to my [soon to be] wagon.  Oh. No.  A little terrified, I buckled myself into place and turned the key... no explosions.  Phew.  I ended up making it to the far side of town before I stalled out for the first time.. but not without a few 'hucka-huckas'.. the second stall was on the steep part of Spray Lake Road..  Let me tell you, there are some very definite pros and cons to getting your first lesson in stick-shift on a narrow, gravel, mountain road...  but please don't let this humble account fool you-- I was told I'm 'a natural'.. despite all.

The hike itself was gorgeous.  We followed an old logging road for a bit.  By five kilometres in, we'd already ascended through a dense forest and were emerging on a meadow full of levies from the melting glacier, not too far in the distance.  Navigating these levies was hilarious.  Myself and another had come without poles-- a hiking must for those who find the idea of debilitating muscle and joint pain in your 40s less than appealing.  Hopping whole channels, tiptoeing from rock to silt bar and even trusting rickety logs as support... we did it all.  Only one person from our group had much trouble.. and that is more than forgivable for two reasons:  1.  She made us laugh hysterically with every shriek and protest  and 2.  She's 4'11'.  

We proceeded to hike over the pass, through the still plentiful snow, and back down into the Upper Spray Valley.  I have to admit, during this time, I had fallen into a bit of a silence.. a determined silence.  The mosquitoes were worse than I could have ever imagined!  Their swarming was wearing on my nerves...  it was all I could do not to run stark, raving mad into the river!  Finally, there was a merciful breeze and I remembered that there would be a cabin and relief, soon.  

(To be continued..)