Day 42: Drumheller to Banff National Park, AB

Dinosaurs galore was the theme of the day. But before we got to those, we stopped to check out the Drumheller badlands and hoodoos. Rain seems to be coupled with badlands on this trip and today Alistair and I got foiled by the slimy bentonite clay and both got an unanticipated mud bath.

After a full clothes change, we visited Tyra the Tyrannosaurus, the World’s largest dinosaur, during her final run in Drumheller. She is scheduled to be decommissioned and perhaps moved in 2029. She looked to be in fine form this morning.

As expected, our visit to the Royal Tyrell Museum was fantastic. This is an exceptional museum and it did not disappoint even if it was Ian’s and my second visit. We loved how the museum takes you on a journey through the eras showing the dominant life forms during each period and then outlining the five major extinctions and what effect each had on the life forms inhabiting Earth during that time. It is such a well thought out journey and so engaging. We loved it. The x12 real size Burgess Shale display is a crowd pleaser, we loved seeing so many original displays, and it was cool to see so many staff members hard at work in the glass walled laboratory.

We followed up the museum with the badlands interpretive walk located right behind it. Thank goodness the path was much less slippery than at the hoodoos. The sun even started to peek out which was a very welcome surprise. Ali found a deer leg (real and still with fur and a hoof on it) and chased the brothers around with it much to their disgust. We finally convinced him to throw it away and then we hand sanitized him thoroughly. Ew.

We did a stop for gas and groceries in Calgary before heading into Banff National Park. We are staying for four nights at Johnston Canyon Campground and have some pretty intense hikes planned over the next few days. There is lots of firewood available here and we are excited for campfire hotdogs!