End of Summer in the Rockies

With the Giraffe at the wheel the month of August flew by - many adventures were had, good food was eaten, rocks were climbed, bikes a riden and even a bear or two might have been spotted

The van parked literally down by the river - Old Man River just outside the 'gap' where it crosses through the mountains - creating a playground for climbing and adventure...

Dinner down by the river...

Crossing the Old Man River was required on foot

Eva ready to climb!

High above the "Gap"

Brian happy to be at the top!

Hiking down, down and down to an eagerly awaiting Giraffe at the van

Enjoying some post climb home made / grown zucchini bread

Another day done and the sun sets on the Old Man River

Day 2 ready to go again

making sure helmet is secure

Climbing up into the sea of stone

Day 3 Hiking the 'Gap' to check out the geology

Sitting on top - the river runs thru the gap far bellow

Closer to home we ditch the van and ride our bikes to the climbs below Moose Mountain. Not sure where the moose is... but many a marmot can be seen!

Bikes are also used to pack raft the bow river between Banff and Canmore - any moose or bears out there?

Gear loaded and ready to ride

We're off...

and riding...

and ride some more!

After passing Banff we reach the river below the falls, just out past the golfers where there be bears and moose.

Unpacking the pack rafts from the bikes!

With the roles reversed - bikes are now packed on the rafts!

Down the river we go...

floating...

floating...

however sometime is spent on shore

Other days are just spent on the bike - is that snow?!

or on foot!

Getting higher...

At the top!

While we generally lucked out with weather - the summer was fraught with fires

and smoke

Brian and the Giraffe escaped back to Squamish for a couple of weeks...

and did a little climbing

biking....

hanging out with friends...

and enjoying some ice cream

Meanwhile Eva stayed home and tended to the garden

Look at that zucchini!!!

...garden pickings...

make for yummy dinners!!!

mmmm mini pies

However the summer wouldn't be complete without some more climbing... high above Banff on Tunnel Mountain...

Another sunny day...

where did Eva go?

There she is!

Summer through the eyes of the Giraffe

Heading out on the road!

Pulling up to her favorite bakery - la baguette

A latte and chocolate croissant - just what the giraffe ordered

Picking out what to grill - "I'll take that one" she says

Grilling!

Picking blueberries

Eating blueberries

Making a mess...

More fruit from the Okanagan Valley makes for happy giraffe

and just enjoying being down by the river with the best company - what more could a giraffe ask for?

Cheers - Brian and Eva

Footnote...

Unconfirmed reports of a bear or two having been seen have neither been proven or disproven but a grainy pictures does exist - is that a bear or big foot - experts debate but we leave it for you to decide.