July 21: Today was the most beautiful day of our trip.
We went through Canmore on our way to Banff: nice town, actually. The main street is entirely lined with inns/hotels/lodges but it felt unpretentious despite this, nicely cradled by the Rockies. Banff (town) is nice too, although it even more clearly caters to tourists. Took a look at the Banff Springs Hotel, the admin building and other attractive sites but the numbers of tourists made stopping problematic (and the bug cemetery on our windshield made pictures through it inadvisable!). We were able to get a spot to see the lovely Bow River falls. Temperatures by this point were 13 degrees and less and there was a cool breeze; it was kind of odd to see everyone bundled up in long pants, sweaters and jackets. (Even saw one soul in a tuque and mitts!)
From there, of course, we went to see Lake Louise. Nineteen years ago when Garry and I brought toddler Samantha here, we parked on the side of the road or in a parking lot and she ran around. This time we were directed to an overflow parking lot, also chock full of cars and RVs, and stood in line in the increasingly cold wind for a school bus shuttle up to the lake. Worth it, of course, even if skies were overcast and the brilliant turquoise of the lake dulled by the reflection.
We then headed onto the Icefields Parkway which we had been told was a not-to-miss site, and we would agree heartily. We were constantly awestruck by the grandeur around us, taking advantage of the many pull-over spots available to take pictures. (Our joke of the day: Look, another picture of a mountain!) The sun deigned to appear from time to time which of course made the peaks that much more striking. We took a hike to see the canyon worn out by the powerful Mistaya river, and stopped at the Columbia Icefield to see the Athabaska glacier -- which has indeed receded a lot. Also saw some elk munching on bushes! Did a little bit of shopping and had supper at a Subway in Jasper -- far less touristy than Banff, even with its huge number of stores. Finally arrived in Edson around 9:40 p.m.: loving the late light! Our thirteen and a half hour day flew by. We both agree it was one of the most memorable days of our trip.
Comfort Inn and Suites, Edson. Subway.
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| Bow River falls |
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| Bow River |
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| Lyndsey at Lake Louise |
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| Mistaya Canyon |
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| Mistaya River |
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| View from the heights. Yes, that's the road we just climbed. |
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| Athabaska Glacier |
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