Fri 12th Aug - Ram River Falls

Mollie wasn't feeling well first thing which didn't bode well for our trip to Ram River Falls, but she had some breakfast and a chat with Lynn and perked up. Lynn is Mollie's cleaner (and has been for years so we have met her lots of times) and is really kind and nice and looks out for Mollie.

I was responsible for the preparation of the day's victuals. I made jam and tomato and mustard sandwiches and packed oatmeal and raisin cookies from the trusty co-op and ginger beer from one of the boots in the hallway.

Dirt Road as Far as the Eye can See

Mum was driving monitor for the first half of the day, and headed out on what started as a nice tarmacked road but then ended and became a gravelly track which went on for ages and ages, but with some lovely views of the mountains and an enormous sky. There was hardly anyone else on the road and we were far into the wilderness.





It took us a long time to find the falls and nothing much was signposted (I suppose there's no point investing in reassuring signs when there's no other direction to go anyway). Ram River seemed to be a range of campgrounds set in little circles (loads of Canadians have caravans on steroids and spend all their free time adventuring or quadding out in the open air, well why wouldn't you?). We couldn't figure out how to get to the falls so we asked the park ranger. He was super nice and gave us a lift to the top in his truck so Mollie didn't have to walk, then waited to give us a lift back again. I got to ride on the tailgate! Ooh!

Ram River Falls

We climbed down to the viewing point which was half way down a gorge made completely of black shale. The river was clear and turquoise and looked quite inviting but was a bit inaccessible.

Mum and Mollie

There was a man down there fishing (just by where Mollie's hand is in the picture) - gravity would have got him down ok but don't know how he would get up again especially with all his fish.

Mum and Mollie in
co-ordinated outfits

Mollie managed the climb back up (the alternative was being carried over my shoulder which I think spurred her on) and we were met by our pet ranger and headed back.

No Wildlife to be seen (all hiding)

I took over driving duties and continued round in a circle towards Nordegg (over an hour more on dirt tracks...we were properly in the middle of nowhere), looking out at all times for Wildlife. We saw a big deer and four or five excitable red squirrels chasing and jumping on each other but no sign of any bears or more exotic things like moose.



We recovered from ask the bumpy slidy gravel with a tasty toasted cinnamon bun in Nordegg (formerly a thriving mining town...now not quite sure how it survives).

DINNNNERRRR

Dinner was in Nick and Leslie's...! I had a half portion of baked spaghetti, see pic (enough for 2 people, god knows what the full sized portion was like).

And Zoe!

Tinker came and sat with us on the sofa for a little stroke...I think the cats are finally used to us.