Day 8 - The afternoon adventure along the Icefield Parkway - Banff to Jasper

Columbia Icefields to Jasper 

We got to the Columbia icefields which located about 100kms south from Jasper but it is officially our first stop within Jasper National Park which were so cool and beautiful.  

At Columbia Icefields 

Couldn't wait to get up there. Although there was a black Mountie bear I had to accost first …  hehe Frank took that photo.

With My new Husband  

Frank said that we would know our group name when we got there but at least we had time for a toilet break.

Looking towards Jasper  

We had a really great bus driver who drove us over to the ice explorer drop off point called Lyn. What a great personality and made it fun.

Columbia Icefields - with the Ice Explorers looking like ants 

Our driver Matt Riva on the Ice Explorer was fantastic even better than Lyn and Salena… I didn’t think that was even possible. We got to explore on the glacier and took lots of photos.

hello Matt you sexy hunky Canadian man...  I want to put you in my suitcase 

Got to cuddle a wonderfully sexy man…

My wonderful Pete.. Miss you every day

Pete just before I disfigured him. Although I still say it was his sunnies that did the damage.  We were trying to make each cold with the cold hands.

the "damage" thankfully didn't require any plastic surgery whew !! 

It was so amazing to walk on an actual glacier and always I drank the glacier water. The legend goes that if you drink glacier water that you will look 10 years younger, so we will see on that one. 

Sunflare over the Glacier Range 

But it was truly a happy experience. I took in as much as I could and just enjoyed. Lots of photos of us all and took them of all each. But this is one place I was happy to be in front of the camera instead of behind because it was truly memorable experience.

In front of the camera 

I got a great shot of Matt doing Moose ears at the other driver

Great shot of Matt doing Moose ears at the other Ice Driver  

He pointed out the glacier which sits on the continental divide which divides the rivers under the glacier 3 ways into the Artic, Pacific and Atlantic oceans which sits on top of the Dome Glacier.

Dome Glacier  

The Glacier is also the largest in North America and one of the reasons why the area was classed as a Heritage site by the United Nations which is quite rare for a National Park and the ice is as thick as the Eiffel Tower is tall. It was truly a stunning piece of nature. 

Looking at the Icefields from the bus 

.The Columbia Icefields form part of the Athabasca Glacier which we would follow to the Athabasca falls.  Surprisingly it moves every day so there are deep crevices that form quickly we got a great shot of the crevice…  Thanks Karin for that. 

The Crevice  

We had a bad driver on the way back she was so dry and boring in comparison to Lyn and Matt. When we got back we just all enjoyed lunch together and like all the tourist areas it was expensive for a sandwich drink and snack for later. It is ridiculous but I guess it is part of the way they make money.  I made a stop at the gift store and a Aussie girl served me and she was pretty much ready to head home as soon as the season closed in a about a month.

Our last view of the Columbia Icefields :(  

We made our way towards Jasper but we still had about 2 hours of driving ahead of us. It was a great afternoon but yet again coming over overcast.  I think most of us had a bit of snooze on the bus as we wound our way to Jasper and the stop at Athabasca Falls. 

The Athabasca River  

It was photo shoot time and time for the group photo.  As well as a bit of exploring but frank said no to going down to the river’s edge because of liability. I am so going back one day so I can do that. I loved the colour of the waters at the Falls they were so blue.

Athabasca Falls  

One of the group members showed me a good trick with the camera so you get the butter of the falls without too much shake. Which was perfect and I loved the shots but the falls weren't quite big enough or hidden by the rocks but they were powerful apparently they send the largest volume over the limestone rocks in the area.

The Canyon    

The beautiful blue water at the end was so picturesque especially with Rockie beach that surrounded the shore line.  I didn't want to leave.  

The shore line from the river lake that flows out of the Falls 

But we made our way to the drop off spot for the rafting excursion and got to enjoy with Pete, Jeff, Cathy, Tracey Carolyn and a few others and it was so cold but yet so beautiful as we slowly drifted down the river.

The amazing Rockies from the Athabasca River  

He pointed out Mt Edith Cavell which was shrouded in clouds (surprise surprise) and he wanted to know if any of us were going up and surprisingly there was only me and Jeff going up.

The amazing Rockies from the Athabasca River  

Can’t wait for that one as I am hoping that will be my highlight optional and he told us how it got its unique name. This is because a nurse secretly cared for the soldiers in defiance of the Nazi regime and then was killed by the Nazis when they found out what she was doing. Because a lot of the injured soldiers were Canadian they decided to name the mountain after her.

Mt Edith Cavell

He had his dog Molly along for the ride and she was so cute in her little life preserver.  But it was so peaceful but very cold on the river and I am glad I rugged up but I think I really need to buy some gloves. We got some minor rapids and they were so much fun.  We got the story about how Marilyn Monroe stayed at the cabins by the water, she got asked to leave because she was not good at obeying the ummm dress standard.  Hehe it was such a pretty area with the hanging trees falling into the river and the mountains surrounding us. 

Athabasca River 

We landed finally about a hour later and headed back into Banff and I made arrangements to go with Carolyn and Tracey for dinner so got changed almost grabbed a 2^nd jacket but changed my mind at the last minute a decision I would regret later. We wandered the 30 mins into town and I got to know the girls a bit better. We saw one of the Rocky Mountaineer girls as we walked into town and she was dressed like the hosties used to be, gave us a big smile and said hi. Jasper was a friendly town…

Coming into Jasper    

It was really great to hear that people still have a strong belief in giving back with Tracey being a wise volunteer. Carolyn was on the last tour of a 4 month trip across Europe and eastern Canada through PEI and the Maritimes.

Along McNaught Drive looking towards the Jasper Township 

We found a great little pizza place but it was busy and took forever mind you the service was pretty mediocre for a business that also relies on tips. I had to go ask for more drink and she looked at me like I asked her to draw blood. She was NOT getting a tip from me.  We walked back to town and froze…  really regretted not getting that 2^nd jacket but I knew I wanted to come back into town the next day and take photos through town it was so pretty.  It seemed like a lot longer walk back than what it was in town along with the fact that I was freezing.

Jasper   

I did my laundry when we got back. Grabbed the lappie so I wouldn’t disturb Tania and went down the laundry room which was nice and warm and toasty except when I needed a urgent toilet break and didn't want to disturb Tania so I snuck into the restaurant I would have looked a treat on those security cameras clutching my laptop my quarters and wearing my pjs… just glad none of the group spotted me. Finally made into bed about 10.30-11pm very weary after such a big day…  But what a amazing day and one I will cherish for such a long time. 

Day 8 - The morning adventure along the Icefield Parkway - Banff to Jasper

Banff to Jasper via the Icefields Parkway

This was officially my favourite day on this tour.  While we knew it was going to be a long long day on the bus it has the most stops with the most awesome views.  So this morning my wonderful Salena earnt a friend for life and Free accommodation in Brisbane from me.  She handed over her baby to me and I promised to love and cherish until the end of the trip. She is a big believer in pay it forward I just haven’t worked out quite yet what mine will be.  But I am sure when I least expect it.  

Sunrise out of Starbucks 

But bye bye Banff I will be back one day.  Do you know that Banff has a strong Scottish heritage and was named after Banffshire?

Bambi as we were leaving Banff

We began the day with beautiful blue skies and seeing a deer in the car park… too bad the good weather didn’t last long. We drove up the road out of town towards Lake Louise and the weather was overcast and cold again. It was definitely not looking good for clear skies above Lake Louise. 

Yep not looking good 

I want to share (bore) you with some interesting facts we were going to be climbing to 7000 feet above sea level from 4500 ft so we would notice the difference in altitude as we go.  The Banff national park is actually the third oldest in the world while Yellowstone is the 2^nd oldest while (drumroll please) Royal National Park in Sydney is the Oldest.  Also but Banff National Park was Canada’s first NP. China only has one time zone which is the only country that does because Canada has 5 and complain about the 4 we have especially during Daylight saving time.  Lake Louise is known as the lake of many fishes although we didn't get to see because it was covered in clouds.

The river by the Château  

The Victoria Glacier which we also didn’t get to see either L.  The Laggen station which is just outside of Lake Louise was the first station on the Canadian Pacific railway.  Also Dr Zhivago in part was shot at Lake Louise. The rock flower that feeds Lake Louise is said to be over 400 million years old and it is also found in the nearby lakes as well at the same age.

Looking towards the Lake...
My first view.. well what i could see anyway

We arrived at Lake Louise which was surrounded in Mist and cloud while if it wasn't Lake Louise it would be beautiful. Then the tour director says oh well this is the risk we take by coming so early because it is usually covered in fog of a morning. WTF!  Don’t tell us that!!!  Because that means you haven’t done your job properly and checked the weather or organised an alternative excursion to previous afternoon when the weather was fine.  So frustrating… this was my pinnacle thing that I had been looking forward to Lake Louise for soooo long and it was so disappointing.  

Lake Louise 

When we got there it was a very chilly -1 brrrr and I needed a toilet… which was caused by the hot chocolate from the sunrise run to Starbucks but like everything in Canada and USA nothing opens until 10am including the toilets so I had to use the bus toilet which is not always fair on the bus driver. 

A Canoe a Lake and that Lake is Lake Louise 

So went off to explore what we could in the 30mins we had at Lake Louise. Saw the interior of the Fairmont Hotel in Lake Louise and experienced the Freezing cold and the water overrun by Japanese tourists including their own film crew.  

The lake Louise boat shed 

The water was really fresh and cold – yes I tried it...  I love the glacier fed water it has an amazing taste.  I ran into Dean and Angela and she was just as devastated as I was about the fog.  While it was pretty and eerie it still wasn’t the same as the pictures and kind of killed the experience for us all.  Lake Louise is the Rockies!!!!! 

Château Lake Louise.

Anyway we took off down the road onto the Icefields Parkway.  We started seeing some of the mountains we were actually seeing the mountains in their entirety instead of half peeking out of the clouds.  While we saw them going to Canmore the night before it wasn’t the same thing as seeing this amazing sight.  Karin tried to get Salena to Stop so we could actually take photos of the mountains with blue sky and the whole of the mountains.  But we got told we were stopping in 5 mins which was a little strange because we had only been back on the bus for about 30mins.  

Stop the bus we have BLUE SKY!!!!  

So when we came around the bend we pulled over and we saw this… OMG wow… it was so pretty but everyone took forever to get off the bus so we could enjoy this awesome view as well.

Bow Lake WOW!!!!  

It was so packed with all the Japanese tour buses so I plonked myself down on the dirt and in front of everyone and got an amazing view…. 

Looking back down the parkway 

And of course amazing photos… the mirror on the lake with the snow-capped peaks was kind of perfect.  

The Mirror of Bow Lake 

It was such an amazing sight given that nature can create such beauty in the middle of nowhere.

The Mountains behind Bow Lake   

I just wish we could have more time to go actually further down away from the tourist but it was literally a 20minute break.  The views as we continued down the road were amazing and also were we were climbing in Altitude as well. On the outer edge of Bow lake we passed Tito Lodge which is a accommodation outpost . Bow Lake faces onto the bow river which has that beautiful rock flower colour.  We also passed Hector lake on the parkway it was such a scenic drive and could have spent hours there.

Winter Wonderland  

We arrived about 10mins later at our next stop.  Which had no amenities stops … because it truly was in the middle of nowhere.  But we reached our highest point for the day at 7000 feet above sea level.

the amazing blue of Peyto Lake  

We walked down this walkway in between all the Douglas fir trees covered in snow. It was winter wonderland and the experience of walking down in a Christmas wonderland was just WOW… I think that is all I said walking down was Wow WOW.  It was so beautiful and awe inspiring.  I fell in love with the beauty straight away and wish we could have been there longer again.

The beautiful blue of Peyto Lake   

I especially loved the snow covered trees. We just don’t get to see that sort of beauty in Australia and it was amazing. It was busy as because another 2 buses came in before us and then 1 more behind us.

I found this looking for another photo...  sorry for the quality ... but it was my point and shoot - so i have to say that the iphone does better video 

So it was hard to get a good spot for the photos but I got there in the end. I am pretty dam determined when I want to be hahaha.

sigh I miss it ...  even though we had a flying visit... the beauty the colours to me each photo is different

Peyto Lake is so blue because of the rock flower and the glacier river that feeds it.

Beautiful Winter Wonderland 

It was named after by Bill Peyto who was an early trail guide and trapper in the Banff area. 

There was a even higher peak apart from my excitement :) 

I think this was the point that it finally hit home that I was on the other side of the world finally see the photos that I have always gazed at and hoped and prayed one day that I would get to experience and here it was in front of me.  And I had a massive happy smile on my face.

The Observation Peak

As Frank said on the way down Amazing Awesomeness Lake and it truly was. After we dragged ourselves away from Rockies Paradise we got back on the bus and headed towards our Morning tea stop at Saskatchewan River Crossing.  As we made our way there we passed Chephren Mountain which was formerly Pyramid Lake which was 6000 ft above us which was massive and so majestic – just like the whole area really. 

Icefield parkway  

The area is actually a U Shaped Valley with Chephren, Water Fowl and Upper Water Fowl Lake which was formed by a glacier. You have to love Mother Nature as she has some amazing moments of brilliance especially in these amazing glacial valleys. The glacier that we were going to see later on at Columbia Icefields actually feeds 5 of the Glacier. Yes Mother Nature is truly beautiful amazing creature.

Saskatchewan River Crossing

We had our morning tea and Potty break was at Graveyard flats which were at Saskatchewan River Crossing and I made sure I had my photo taken with my new friend for life… the amazing Salena.  She has such a great personality and despite the enormous favour she did for me everyone on the bus has loved her.  Great sense of humour and pretty agreed with us about frank … haha

Saskatchewan Crossing - what a amazing view

As we made our way towards the icefields the mountain were just amazing and so majestic and the sheer rock faces were just jaw dropping. This was such a good day for the views that we were seeing and getting to enjoy. I think I drove Karin mad that day with the continual shutter clicking on the camera.

Afternoon blog to follow it was just too long...  :) 

Day 7 - Banff

Day 7 – Banff

Had a bit of sleep in until about 8.30am which helped a bit but it was still freezing out there and I could see the snow-capped peaks from the room.  So I went to starbucks to check emails and have something light for brekkie.  

Banff with Hipstamtic 

Mum and Dad had sent messages so I tried to sort out as much as I could but I needed a letter from the camera shop to say that it wouldn’t be repaired and I knew that was never going to happen but hopefully they might have a better idea on the fixability of it. 

I loved the Look that this created

So I got a different guy this morning and he was a little bit rude and thought I was trying to commit insurance fraud.  But all I wanted was to say that it can be repaired but can’t confirm the repair because in reality; no one could not even Nikon.  Also because it was a USA Nikon they had to send it to Seattle to be fixed.  So he gave me the letter in PDF format. So glad I had my portable USB with me because that made things so much easier that I could just get the file then and there. 

Banff - the expensive end of town 

 Went and went outside and sat down and cried because I felt like the holiday had been ruined.  

Close of the Snow Cap Peaks in Banff

But one of my FB friends kicked my arse and instead of sitting in Starbucks and waiting for the responses back from the insurance companies etc i went out to experience Banff.  I decided to go up on the gondola and experience Sulphur Mountain which is where the hot springs get sourced from.  

Overlooking Banff from the Gondola 

$30 later I was on my way up...  hoping it wasn't going to be a waste the way Grouse Mountain was.  But as I headed up to the mountain..  the huge trees on the cliff face were amazing then I saw them... the snow covered trees were just amazing up close i just fell in love right there and then...

Need I say more 

When I got up to the top ... WOW WOW WOW ....  all covered in snow and took my breathe away literally... both the Altitude and the scenery.  It was just amazing.  I just walked around enjoyed. I got this lovely English girl to take my photo of the view with me in it so I can remind myself in 5 years that I was really there instead of thinking it was a dream.

Just to show how much snow 

As I started to take it all in and enjoy it and it was just mind blowing... The massiveness of the mountains...  Also it gives you a full understanding of why the Rockies are called the Rockies with the mountains and their rocky peaks and covered with snow.  

The Amazing snow covered Trees

Also the old growth with the massive snow covered trees was just wow..  It helped me feel happier when i reminded myself I almost missed this. I walked across to the weather station which I highly recommend if you go up there doing.  You see more of the Banff valley with Banff Springs hotel.  I took my time because of the freezing cold and the fact the wood path was really slippery but you will all be pleased to know i didn't fall on my butt once!!!!!  Sorry to disappoint Carmel!!!!

The pathway

I just stood there and enjoyed also to feel a bit better because I think the altitude was getting to me.  I was struggling for full breaths...  

I knew I should have taken my asthma spray with me because I needed it.  But just took my time...  But it was sooo cold I didn't take any gloves or scarf because the scarf was in the other suitcase and didn't have gloves with me.  I needed them that day.  

But I did try to make a snowman and according to my wonderful friends on Facebook it was pitiful...  And yes it was but my hands were getting sore from being so cold and didn’t want to lose them to frost bite so it had to be pitiful…

My apparently Pathetic Snowman

I made my across to the weather station which was really old and in this amazing remote location especially at the beginning of the 1900’s when it first opened and it was only manned by one person.  

The Weather Station

I actually met a Aussie couple from Eumundi up there whose daughter lives in Calgary so they were doing some travelling while she was working.  Then I saw the time so I knew I had to get moving so I made my way back and on the way back the clouds were coming over more and more.  

So it was perfect timing to head back.  Although I did stop to look at the snow on the Douglas fir trees and a little squirrel crawled up my leg.  

See Squirrel on my leg

OMG it was so cute… then it realised that I was a human and ran back down that was funny.   Made my back way down the mountain although I didn’t want to leave but I wanted to walk back by the river and get ready for tonight with the Canada show.  

The cloud coming in 

So I made the trip back down on the gondola and saw some decent blue sky for once.  When we got to the bottom I just relaxed with a nice warm hot chocolate at the Starbucks with the best view so far over the mountains also uploaded some iphone photos to Facebook.

Autumn Colours over Bow River

I caught the bus back to town and got off so I could walk back by the bow river which was so pretty up close and really fresh water... The water was so clear and reflective with the autumn trees reflecting on the water.  With the mountains and river and the canoes it was so picturesque.  The houses lining the river were so pretty and quaint and I would love to live in one of those especially in winter and Fall because of the colours. 

The bow river 

Went back to the hotel and got changed and ready for the night of hopefully laughter.  It was a great drive to Canmore… the view was amazing especially with the blue sky and I was hoping it would be like that tomorrow.  

the View to Cranmore

The Oh Canada EH! Show was great. A lot of fun while it is geared towards the tourists it is a nice switch off from the trip and everything…  It was a funny show with lots of over acting and VEGGIES!!!!  We were chatting to some of the actors later and a lot of them are working parents earning extra cash etc.  But I got a photo with Casey the Mountie who I have to say is hot hot hot… although my gaydar was up on that one… 

Small bit of sunflare through the bus window 

Went back to the hotel and slept but the beds weren’t the best but at least I slept a bit better than I had the night before given that I decided to take Salena up on her offer for the use of her camera for the rest of the trip…  which I still can't thank her enough for it...  It really ended up making my trip :) 

The 3 sisters in Canmore by the way this was taken around 6pm