Waterton Lakes, a short hike

 Saturday we set off for Waterton Lakes. A six hour drive which included Mike grilling the kids on Canadian geography before allowing screen time, Shwarma in Calgary and lots of road trip snacks.

We checked into the Heritage Inn in Pincher Creek, about a half hour drive from the park. A two bedroom suite with a pull out couch in the living area and a small kitchenette.

 We swam in the indoor pool and the hot tub. Bentley (Mike and Aimee's friend from the Armed Forces) joined us for a pizza dinner and they made plans for the hike the next day. They were up early the next day for breakfast and then to get the boat across the lake to the start of the trail.

The kids and I were slower to get going and go down for the hotel breakfast.

Then we drove into the park, surprised by the free admission, and to the hill that has the Prince of Wales hotel for our hike.

 

Everyone, including River's little cat, got sprayed for ticks (they were really bad last time we were here).

Maya was very concerned about them and tried not to touch any long grass, imagining them waiting to pounce on her. Of course she was the only one to get a bug on her (I am unable to confirm that it was a tick because Avery knocked it off the back of her leg, but she was convinced that it was)

It was hot, smoky (forest fire smoke coming up from the U.S.) and very windy. Not a great day for a hike. Mike and Aimee reported that the smoke wasn't bad up on their hike, perhaps it was trapped down in the valley where we were.

I distracted Maya with flower spotting.

Last time we were in Waterton Lakes it had been spring, some trails still closed due to snow cover.

There had been lots of flowers then.

There were still

plenty for us to find

in the woods

and meadows

beside the trail.

We turned a corner on the trail and received the full force of the wind (strong enough that I felt I had to hold on to River to keep her upright). At this point the trail headed straight up hill towards the hotel. That didn't look like fun so we opted to turn around and retrace our steps rather than completing the loop.

Some more flower hunting on the way back

but now our distraction was helping River in her hunt for butterflies.

Back to the car and as the hike had been cut short I decided to go into Waterton village

to the waterfall

 

where we played

with some 

photos.

Then a stop at the playground before returning to the hotel

We had snacked on the beach after the hike but still had room for grilled cheese and then off to the pool. Races, handstands, in and out of the hot tub. I had River without her "floaties'' on, jumping into the water to me. Suddenly it clicked and she was swimming, underwater but swimming. She was so excited she wanted to do it again and again.

Mike, Aimee and Bentley returned as we were swimming, after their 6 hour hike. They reported that it had been tough but the scenery spectacular  (Photo by Aimee.)

 

and the swim at the top, "refreshing" (yep, there was still snow up there) (photo by Aimee)

Swim and hot tub at the hotel pool (with River showing off her new found skill), Chinese food for supper and everyone crashed early.

 

NOt the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim

2 years ago, when the whole family was in Arizona, Mike and Aimee (mostly Mike) decided that they wanted to hike the Rim to Rim in the Grand Canyon. They applied (there are limited spots in the cabins at the bottom of the canyon) and received a confirmation that they could do the hike the third week in July, 2026. I was booked to babysit the kids.

Then things happened: there was a huge fire that destroyed the lodge on one side of the canyon where they would have stayed to start the hike. So they made arrangements to stay elsewhere and a friend offered to join them to drive them there. Then the government changed the entrance fees for non-Americans, adding $1,000s to their trip. They cancelled, but still wanted to do a significant hike. So they decided to do  Crypt Lake Trail in Waterdon Lakes National Park. I was still booked for babysitting duty.

From the website: 

National Geographic recently rated Crypt Lake as one of the World’s 20 Most Thrilling Trails! An exciting 15 minute boat ride** across Upper Waterton Lake brings you to the trailhead at Crypt Landing. The trail passes 4 spectacular waterfalls: Hell Roaring Falls (1 km), Twin Falls (3.5 km), Burnt Rock Falls (5.6 km) and Crypt Falls, (8 km) which is approximately 600 ft. tall. A highlight for many is the steel ladder and 60 foot tunnel through the mountain. After a short maneuver around a cliff (with cable for added security), hikers arrive at beautiful Crypt Lake. Towering cliffs surround the lake on all sides

 Distance: 17.2 km / 10.7 mi (return)
Elevation Gain: 700m / 2300ft.
Rating: Difficult
Hiking Time: 5-8 hours

I had one day at the house in St Albert before we set off. Time to enjoy Mike's "hobby farm" with his fruit trees (2 apple, 2 pear and 2 plum),

 

quail (quite a small flock at this point, just 11 layers, but good egg production)

rabbits (this is Luna, who is probably pregnant, so baby bunnies in the future)

 

(Zeus, the daddy). Moon, the second female, was in the garage along with a pen of male Quail who wont be around much longer.

and a massive, overgrown raspberry patch.

Which yielded plenty of berries for breakfast and to go in the freezer.

Every time I visit there is a request from Avery or Maya to paint them something of their choice. Avery usually wants me to paint a character from one of his video games.

This was his selection this year. I hadn't bought my paints with me as I didn't think I would have time to paint, but, using pencil crayons I got it (him?) finished just before the return flight.

 

Grandchild week - part 2

 

Monday it was pack up and head to the Long Point Cottage. Much is the same as when I moved 6 years ago but there are some changes. The huge modern house next door over powers it and makes it look more "cottage like". George and I always intended for it to fit in to the community, not stand out. There is also a second story on the garage, with another dormer and a balcony. Also things we had planned to do.

The beach is a constant, even though it changes from year to year, it cycles back.

As you can see from the postures in the foreground, it was a coolish day

but the geese didn't mind and neither did the kids.

Everyone was in and out of the water

all week.

Nic and Dave came one day, as did Fiona.

Aimee ran in the morning and Mike ran, biked and swam (training for a "sprint triathlon"). Mike also came back to Dover to sail with us on Wednesday night.

Maya acted as bartender

with apprentices, River and Cigi.

We did some cooking but also had food from the Chip Ship, Pizza and Belgian Waffles from the Old Cut dairy bar and ice cream from Udderly Cool.

Maya, Cigi and I completed a puzzle I had picked up at a garage sale

 

and the one we had left last year. There were also games of Settlers and Uno.

We walked on the beach and took turns in the hammock

which was where I went

when I needed some peace

and quiet.

It was a week of wet towels, handstands in the water, running to get off the hot sand, wave jumping, sugary cereal, strawberry milk, reading at bedtime, sand everywhere, pillows and cushions in the secret room (master bedroom closet), hosing off on the back deck and sleeping in (well not Cigi, or Chris, or Aimee, or me) (actually only Mike, Avery and Maya slept in).

Sadly Jason got bad news and had to leave. His mother had suddenly passed away while his parents were on a camping trip up north and he left to help his Dad with the drive home.

Mike and River left on Friday, for an early morning flight back to Edmonton. The rest of us packed up Saturday morning and Aimee's sister and her family came that afternoon and stayed over at my place. I drove Aimee, Maya and Avery to her brothers in Toronto on Sunday. They flew home on Tuesday.

I needed a few quiet days to recover, remake all the beds, put the toys away and generally put the house to rights.