Tuesday, January 03, 2012

Skiing in Kootenay National Park

I went for a quick ski along the Simpson River in Kootenay National Park on my way back home from Canada today. It's a bit of a long drive so it was nice to get out and stretch my legs. It was a little colder than I thought it would be however. The temps were above freezing in Calgary and also in Cranbrook but back there in the parks it can be pretty darn wintery.

I've been really enjoying my trips to Canada. The people have been really friendly especially when they find out I'm from the states. It's a different culture than here in the states though for sure. Different holidays, different ways of doing things, saying things and looking at things. It's the same but different. I'm enjoying that difference.

But the Northern Rockies are pretty much the same. The animals and the trees don't know that they are Canadian,.. and as I skied along in Kootenay National Park I saw some rather big looking dog tracks back in there.. They weren't fresh but they didn't look domestic. Let me put it this way, I didn't see them in the parking area, only way back in there... Made me watch my back a little.

Still it was nice to be on my skis out there all alone in the wilderness.

9 comments:

Jules said...

Ohhh, that sounds like exactly what you needed to break up the drive. Either that or a soak in the hot springs. It'd be nice if we can do this in Feb.... (minus the large local canine-type wildlife).

That's a really gorgeous photo too. But, I am an admirer of whites and blues together.. and wilderness and mountains...

don said...

Yes, it's a nice place to ski and fairly level. Just enough up and down to be fun.

Kira (owner: Flying Bicycle Creative) said...

Hi! I'm the art director for Zone 4 magazine and I'm wondering if you would be willing to sell one of your photos for our spring issue! We're interested in a shot of Flathead Lake from 2007 on your blog. Please contact me at kira[at]flyingbicyclecreative[dot]com if you are interested! and ps, sorry if this double-posts...having a bit of an issue with blogger today!

don said...

Hi Kira, thanks for showing interest in my picture. I sent you and e-mail. Let me know which photo you are interested in.

Jules said...

WOW!

Quiet Paths said...

Very crisp. I can nearly feel the cold. Love stuff like this. Well, I guess I'll have to vicariously enjoy the skiing through you now. At least for a bit. So, don't forget to take your camera along. I love Canada. I have so many relatives up there... both of my grandparents were what I call 'border switchers'.

don said...

Canada is a good country to have up there. We couldn't have a better neighbor. I've heard it said on the CBC that Canada is America's hair... :)

I just wish I could get some sort of clearance pass so they didn't have to shake me down each time I cross the border..

Yes that's really too bad about your skiing injury. I had a friend who did that and he recovered without surgery. I'm not sure what I'd do.

Quiet Paths said...

We don't usually get hassled too much. I guess because we're middle aged. Who knows... at any rate it's gotten weird from the US side coming back over the years.

Yes, I have a friend you who tore her ACL and is skiing now without a brace. She didn't have surgery. So.. I guess the surgeons want to pay for that third vacation house. Ha.

don said...

Yes I have a worse time coming back to the states for the most part.

I guess it depends on how bad your injury is if you'd need surgery. I think I'd let it heal up good before I tried to ski again if it were me.