A journey to fill my soul

Sometimes you need to make decisions based on health and happiness. I was scheduled for a 4 night stay in Canada’s Grassland National Park but the weather and smoke got the best of me. I did get in 2 very good 10k-+hikes through some of the most beautiful land abounding with butte’s and grasslands. This could have provided some of the most beautiful pictures but the smoke seems to have a better idea when it comes to photography.

Wildlife was a plenty as well, but they sure knew when a human was anywhere within a smell or view of.

The open terrain of this area makes for some very strong winds which can completely wear you down if you’re trying to relax at camp. And then the smoke, I’ve always struggled when the air quality is low, and this was too much after time. By the end of the third day I was coughing constantly, my eyes were burning, my glands were swollen. On the afternoon of the third day the winds went way up, storms moved in and the smoke increased at lower levels. After a night of the truck rocking and up coughing I knew it was time to move on. Early on day 3 I pulled up camp and hit the road….Head west old man!

Where you at?

After a 9-plus hour drive I pulled into the area I consider my jump point to head north. I’m in an area not far from Glacier National Park in the US.

The blue dot in the middle identifies my current location. Hwy 22 is my first northern road headed up to what’s called the Kananaskis Trail which is a windy road, which in the end, will drop me near Banff, Alberta, Canada. I have a 3-night campsite in the valley a ways west of Banff. Following, I’ll jump on the Icefields Parkway up to the Jasper area for another 2-nights in a National Park.

My next week will be busy sightseeing and hopefully some hiking. The smoke issue is pretty much non-existent here so that will help. Following Jasper I’ll be on a beeline headed due north, to I hope, the Arctic Ocean. Hope you’re able to join the ride as I’ll post often during that leg. This will be the drive that I came here for, it will be beautiful, and should be filled with wildlife sightings.

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Thank you all for the ‘likes’, they keep me motivated to continue posting. And thank you for all the supportive comments. Until next time, all my best, and peace….