After the somewhat big ride from Cranbrook (145km) I decided I should sleep in for a bit. Then an hour later I thought naw, stay in bed. Eventually hunger got the better of me so I jumped in the shower and organized. Today would laundry, food, blog and sit in Hot springs day. Stepping outside I was greeted by the snow capped Rockies and the sound of the rushing river below the highway and out of sight.

For those that care the laundry mat is beside the Petro Canada, the food store by the Visitor Centre and the wifi is of course free at the Centre so I uploaded a bunch of video while I ate a sandwhich.

Back to more interesting stuff I dropped off my supplies back at the Hostel and rode up about a kilometer and a half to Radium Hot Springs. As soon as you enter Kootney park the highway cuts right through the mountainside and I recommend stopping here to looking at the rushing river pooring out from some diversion under the highway. At the Hot Springs there is a hot tub (40 degrees), a hot pool (35 degrees) and a cold pool which is regular swimming pool temperature. I was hoping they had a supper cold pool for legs but there wasn’t and I wasn’t going in the river either as it had some pretty intense flow.

The springs themselves are not visible and you are in a large swimming pool that has some chlorination due to the high volume of visitors but every 11 hours they send a burst of springs water into the pool to flush out some of the old water and replenish the minerals. At one end you can literally lay down and take a nap or you can gather around the center where there is a little pod people can rest at. There is a view up the mountain where two adult and three baby ram made their way and the general vibe is very relaxing.

I spent a good four or five hours there and spoke to a few people while I soaked. Jasmine was a young women from Saskatoon who moved to Radium Springs a few weeks ago to work at her aunt and uncles restaurant. I also spoke with a man who was into cycling and gave me some good tips including an Eagle or Osprey nest near the Castle Junction.

On the way out I decided to get a massage and though it was the end of the day the masseuse said he could give me a 30 minute session. Overall you have the right impression that I had a nice easy day.

P.S. it poured rain really hard which I think will be a help tomorrow.