Can-an-ass-kiss?

Kananaskis.....try saying that fast three times and it begins to sound like an impertinent question.  Kananaskis Country is about 56 klicks (kilometers) from Cochrane.....why isn't there a cool abbreviation for "miles"?  Our Saturday was dedicated to driving out and through this very beautiful part of Alberta.  As we left the outskirts of Cochrane we began to get rain on the windshield, and it gradually increased as we approached the exit off the Trans Canada #1 to PH 40, which would take us deep into Kananaskis Country.  TLE and I rode with Forest and Cindy, while Tom and Darlene followed in their vehicle with Darlene's mother, Pearl.

No doubt over the past few weeks you have heard about the serious flooding that has occurred in this part of Alberta, and Kananaskis Country was not spared.  Normally we would have been doing the entire scenic loop, but due to numerous washed out bridges PH 40 (aka: Kananaskis Trail) was closed at Wedge Pond.  PH 40 runs north and south parallel with the Alberta/British Columbia border.  I can only imagine what amazing views we missed out on past Wedge Pond, because what we saw prior to that road block was breathtaking.

As we approached Kananaskis Village the rain began to let up, and we got brief glimpses of what was to come.

Kananaskis Village was the site of the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics and Nakiska Ski Area where a number of events were held.  We arrived at the Village around Noon time, and decided to get a bite to eat before walking some of the scenic walking paths around the village.  The Delta Lodge had a nice coffee bar where TLE and I ordered some Mushroom Chowder and a Ham sandwich along with some great coffee.  The Mushroom Chowder was worthy of a 5 star restaurant.  

Next up was a walk along one of the scenic walking paths at the resort.....

TLE took the above "pano" shot, and as good as it turned out, it does not do what we saw justice.  I guess if we could get the true feel of a vista such as this from a picture we would never need to visit it in person, but alas, it is pictures such as these that draw us to these locations in order to see for ourselves the amazing beauty.  

 Forest and I in the "forest"

 Nakiska Ski Area

Cindy, Forest and moi enjoying the view

Instead of returning north on PH 40 we opted to take PH 68 back to Trans Canada #1....about 36 klicks of mostly gravel road, but in very nice shape.  

There were numerous scenic overlooks such as this one.....

All the while as we drove along we were on the lookout for elk, moose, bear, deer, eagles......any wild life, but did not see much beyond a few deer, and one eagle at a distance.  We passed areas where you would just think you would find a moose standing in a pond eating, but found more cattle than wild life.

In all we were gone from 9:45 am until about 3:30 pm......we had a great drive out and back, returning to Cochrane just in time to catch another rainstorm....by 6 the clouds were gone, and the sun was back out.

We enjoyed another communal meal with the gang, and did some general route planning for after we leave Cochrane.  Saturday was a great day spent with good friends visiting the beautiful Kananaskis Country!

Thanks for stopping by!