Today it’d be more words the pictures. I guess, like always but more so, I think.
I slept in a dorm!
Three bunk beds (coed - 3 men, 3 women). The oldest person was probably 25. I saw a few older folks too. What an experience. First time at the age of 59. Nicee. Like I imagined but nicer. Lodge feeling 2 stories, common bathrooms, room stinks of hiker shoes, you get used to it quickly apparently. Had to climb up to my top bed… and down. Go find the ladder steps in the middle of the night when you need to go piss in the common bathroom, and hoping you didn’t lose the card key for the 3rd time. Tent is easier. Still, slept like a baby though. Quite an experience! Good for one time only.
The dorms -
Spoke with the woman on the bottom bed, a military nurse, wanna be coach, very structured planned, blown away by my Spontaneousity. Planned the hikes, and restaurants, and all for the full week of solo vacation. I think, Elaina from Ottawa. That’s all I know.
As I check out, the receptionist asks me where am I going?
Me: I don’t know, do you know Mount Robson? (Someone told me about it, and that half Jasper is burnt, so not attractive to me now)
Her: No.
Me: What’s the weather there?
Her: Rainy, the entire region.
Me: Ok, I’m going south, likely to Revelstoke.
(hence Rainey Directions)
A waiter in the burger joint told me he loves Revelstoke. It’s 200 miles away. Good for a short day. And I may go further.
I found out that people are quite impressed when I don’t know where I’m going. I might play this card a bit more. The truth is that I do have an idea of a few options. I check out the map, and ask about places here and there, so not completely clueless, just not decided or specific. And it really doesn’t matter much. All I know is that I still need to return to Glacier NP.
First, let’s hit the nearby Lake Louise. Last time I was there it was raining frogs. This time - frogs.
As I leave Lake Louise, I feel relieved to leave behind the swarm of tourists. It’s beautiful there, but there’s a serious crowded tourist load. Anyways, I had a good stationary break from the in the non-stop rain. I head down west, off the mountains to Revelstoke. It turns out, it’s a ski resort, it was rained pretty much the entire ride.
At some point, a rider started following me (with my aggressive riding), and he is completely on par, following me with respectable attitude (distance, etc).
Since I got a bit tired, I stop on the side of road for a bite and drink, he stops behind me, and we chat for 30 minutes. He is a real-estate agent, half in Vancouver Island, have in Mexico, of German origin. Then we part and I disappear in the rain.
Also, as I was riding in the rain, I thought - man, this feels the same energy as reading a book at home by the fire when it’s raining outside. Strange. I’m focused, riding conservatively, looking ahead though the raindrops on the visor (no wipers on helmet visors), and the elements are pounding me. Still, for some strange reason, it feels cozy, like at home by the fire. As I said, weird. But good. Not new. I do like rain riding at times, and I’m not the only such rider.
Roee’s rain jacket is amazing. It kept dry the entire way… except, I was lazy to put on my gators (shoe rain protectors). I was swimming in my boots. Now, trying to dry them as much as I can. Bummer. The cost of laziness. Live and learn. Nope. Won’t learn that. Had plenty of opportunities. But sometimes I do do the right thing, and it is rewarding, just doesn’t stick :)
Revelstoke it is. No way I continue with the rain and soaking boots. Stopped in the downtown with some signs of wrapped up fair. Cute. Had coffee & sandwich as I book a hotel, desperate to take off the gear and unwind over a beer.
And I found out they have a hot tub. Nicee. I’ll try it later. But no laundry. Now I need laundry. I guess, maybe tomorrow or the day after. Ha, nothing is urgent in this journey.
Pictures - It’ll be the smallest batch cause I was essentially running from the rain all day. But we have some good ones thanks to the beauty of nature.
Mood & Music -
As I travel west, only to travel east to Glacier, thoughts about what next popped up. Ok, say, I’ll roam for another month. And what then? I pushed the thought aside and focused on the rain. I felt nervous at some point. Not sure why. Not for long. The rain, and the ride are medicine. Meditation therapy for real.
And since my phone charger broke, I didn’t listen to music almost at all. Not sure what broke yet. I think the charger rusted. I charged my phone with the backup battery, but didn’t bother with music at that point. Man, my system works! I charge a backup battery in a pocket in the back of the bike, and it came to the rescue so many times.