July 15

Rained last night and was chilly this morning so I stuck around the motel until just before 11.  Washed some of the larger insect carcasses off the bike while I waited.  Once again, had to dress for the chill.  I understand some of you reading this may have forgotten what is this thing called 'chill'.  You do, however, know what 'warm' is.  'Chill' is combatted by adding more clothing so as to preserve the 'warm.'  You may recollect all this come, say, December.  Speaking of chill, it snowed last night on the mountain peaks.  Saw it with my own personal eyes.

Drove to Yoho National Park.  Another spectacular drive through narrow valleys surrounded by steep mountains, this time with the added drama of mist and swirling clouds.  And intermittent rain, unfortunately.  Not enough to get very wet, but enough to make me worry that I might get very wet.  When I entered Yoho, I tried to be a good guy and buy my pass.  The gate at the park entrance was closed.  Go to the visitor center, said the sign.  Never saw that before I reached the turnoff for Emerald Lake, which was where I wanted to go.  Got to the Lake and it was not raining.  Got off the bike and it began.  Took a few pictures with the phone (that still sounds weird to me) and decided to head back to Golden where the weather report called for clearing skies.  Here are my poor efforts, taken in the rain while trying to keep the phone dry.

I was looking forward to having something hot to drink in the lodge, but discretion, valor, etc..

It grew clearer as I headed back to Golden.  Stopped, had lunch, gassed up and headed to Revelstoke which is where I am now.  Rained on me a bit getting here, but the main thing is I passed through two more national parks, Glacier and Revelstoke.  Three parks for the day, bringing the number for this trip to six.  (Lifetime total, eight.)  This area is as rich in scenic wonder as southern Utah/ northern Arizona.  Of course, it is a very different kind.

Supposed to be warm and clear tomorrow so I think I will ride about taking pictures.

PS again.  Another PS.  I am always forgetting things.  (One reason is I am deep down tired despite staying with friends and not pushing too hard.  It is the gravity of age.  Rats.)  Anyway, another PS.  I lost my second set of Tupelo earplugs today.  Located a hardware store, though, so I now have Revelstoke earplugs.  And a dashing shade of orange they are, too.  Just want to bring everyone up to date on the important things.