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 Wednesday Aug 14        Rest Day 8

      Jasper (Alb)

As promised, not an active day. Decided to take it easy and prepare for this next 6 day stretch. I don’t expect it to be flat, short or downhill.

After breakfast I got laundry done this in the hotel facility way up behind the main hotel, Inns at Banff. Just 2 machines so had to wait my turn.

And this evening I gave the bike some time paying special attention to the breaks; were squealing yesterday. It’s performing admirably in all types of conditions.

I wandered into centre of town (20 mins brisk walk) to check on a few items. Hotels and accommodation all the way in. Looking for a barber...only salons about that required appointments in spite of ‘Walk-ins Welcome’ on the door. I’ll wait till the next ordinary town. Not too bad anyhow.

It’s bikes, bikes everywhere, and mountain bikes at that. For sale and for hire. And plenty of outdoor shops catering for trekking and skiing.

Each Wednesday during summer, Banff has its Farmers Market. Plenty of fruit (strawberries didn’t taste as good as Wexford ones.) and crafts and fast-food outlets on offer. 

Speaking of food outlets, one on Caribou St went for a classy name! And I passed by that Irish Pub where Walker and I dined last night.

That brought me over to the banks of the Bow River. We passed by Bow Glacier where it originates 100km up from here as the crow flies. It meanders down to here and later joins the South Saskatchewan River, then to Hudson Bay and then to the Atlantic. Peaceful down by this slow moving water and plenty of places to sit, relax and admire the backdrop.

As regards myself I relaxed with a cooling beverage in Tony Roma’s on Caribou St to go with my fish and chips.

From all parts of Banff you’re facing peaks. They tower above all. And so clear today unlike the last few days; but still we had a shower and dark period here in late morning. In the mountains weather can be so unpredictable.

Back in Bumper’s Inn in mid afternoon and just chilled out. Different to the excitement building up in Tipp for next Sunday’s match. That’ll be my first day in the US and won’t be able to tune in, but I expect to get the (favourable) result by text. Not as good as being there.

Thank God for a lovely day.