July 2007 .............

Takkakaw Falls: The highest waterfall in the Canadian Rockies, it has a vertical drop of 1016 feet. Takkakaw is the Cree Indian word for "awesome" or " magnificent" (depending on what article one reads) A protruding ledge near the top makes the water explode out from the cliff face before falling free almost to the base. The falls are in the great glacial valley of Yoho, and are fed from the Daly Glacier part of the Waputik Icefield. Since the falls are glacier fed they gain volume all through the summer, until the first hard freeze in September. They are truly a sight to see. If you're on a tour bus, getting there is something, and getting back down is worse. The bus must pull forward into a sharp curve, and then back up the mountain to the next curve where they can go forward. On the way back down they must back down the mountain to the next curve. There is a length limit for motor homes, and for good reason.

July 2007.............

Olympic Park: Fifteen minutes from downtown Calgary, it was built for the XV Olympic Winter Games in 1986. The complex includes an Olympic bob sleigh/luge track and a 90 metre ski jump tower, as well as Olympic memorabilia in the Olympic Hall of Fame and Museum, the Olympic cauldron and the spectacular Flags of Nations concourse. The park hosts events throughout the winter months and the mountain bikers love it in the summer. They don't use the huge ski lift anymore because the landing area isn't long enough for today's skiers. We spent about half a day in the park and enjoyed it.

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