Lift Off – Having a Great Altitude – Back Country Hike – July 2019 – Part 2
Up early, showered, packed and breakfasted, we popped outside to see a beautiful morning in Canmore. This bodes well for our hike, although, the temperatures up at 7,000 feet were warmer than usual.
We gassed up and headed towards Banff and Sunshine Village. The summer vacation traffic was already building and there was quite the line-up at the Banff National Park gates. Not to worry, we already had our Parks pass and cruised through in the right lane.
We turned off the Trans Canada Highway onto the Sunshine Village road and began a steady climb up to the base gondola station. The road was under repair, so the trip was a little slow in places, but, we were early in any case.
We arrived in the parking lot 15 minutes early and took the chance to stretch and sort out our packs.
M & M arrived and greetings were exchanged. The 4 hikers settled their packs on their backs and headed to the gondola station for the easiest part of the hike. A summer pass up the gondola to Sunshine Village is about $40 Canadian. This also gives you access to the Standish chairlift up to the alpine meadows and a series of easy day hiking trails and picnic spots. Well worth it.
Not much to tell. After working for 3 companies over 43+ years (38 years 7 months with my last company), I finally got that promotion I had waited my entire career for……retirement.
I have been exploring this new career for the past 7+ years and while it is not always exciting, the chance to do what I want for myself and my family instead of what my company wants has been very fulfilling. Early on, there was a long list of projects in my “to-do” hopper and I attacked these projects with a vengeance for the first 9 months of retirement. Eventually, my brain told me that this was not what retirement was about, so it took me another 5 months before my industriousness again took over and I attacked another line of projects, this time somewhat shorter and less complicated, as well as many new projects related to the family weddings in 2016. After going hard for 6 weeks and 3 weddings, my body was telling me to relax, then the flu bug hit and as soon as that was done with me, my sciatic acted up. No rest for the wicked. In 2020 and 2021, the Covid 19 pandemic changed the whole retirement gig. I was lucky to not be still working, for sure.
I enjoy photography, gardening, working with my hands, walking, cycling, skiing, travelling, reading and creating special photo and video productions obtained in my first pastime. I may never become wealthy in any of these pursuits, but I already feel I am rich in life experiences far beyond any expectation.
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7 thoughts on “Lift Off – Having a Great Altitude – Back Country Hike – July 2019 – Part 2”
As does the anxiety. I had been planning this for so long, all I wanted to do was get under way. It is always good to be up in the mountains on a sunny day. Thanks for reading Lael. Allan
Wow, your photos look absolutely amazing, and I enjoyed every single one. There’s certain magic when it comes to scenic views from Banff and surrounding landscape, hope there are more posts with even more photos coming. Thanks for sharing and have a good day
Thanks very much. Photos in Jasper and Banff are good in any season. I really had to debate if I wanted all the weight of my good camera on this hike, but when I saw the photos, I was glad I brought it along. Plenty more pix and blogs on this hike to come. Thanks for reading and commenting. Allan
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Oooooh the excitement builds! ❤
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As does the anxiety. I had been planning this for so long, all I wanted to do was get under way. It is always good to be up in the mountains on a sunny day. Thanks for reading Lael. Allan
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Trip anxiety is yucky. I get that too. I just want to get on with it!
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Beautiful weather!
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Ahhhhhhhhh, but wait a bit. Thanks for reading and commenting. Allan
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Wow, your photos look absolutely amazing, and I enjoyed every single one. There’s certain magic when it comes to scenic views from Banff and surrounding landscape, hope there are more posts with even more photos coming. Thanks for sharing and have a good day
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks very much. Photos in Jasper and Banff are good in any season. I really had to debate if I wanted all the weight of my good camera on this hike, but when I saw the photos, I was glad I brought it along. Plenty more pix and blogs on this hike to come. Thanks for reading and commenting. Allan
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