Note: We're catching up on time in Canada. This post was entered on 08/27.
What a drive to Jasper! We travel from Banff National Park to Jasper National Park on Alberta-93 (it's called the Icefields Parkway). This was a gravel road when Carol and her family made the trek years ago.
The day was overcast, with the mountains in clouds and the tops in the sun.
Icefields Parkway - on the way to Jasper
Bow Glacier
Looking south at the climb we've made on the Icefields Parkway.
We stopped at Icefield Centre and The Columbia Icefield just after we entered Jasper National Park. We're about half way to Jasper at this point. The Centre had a marvelous exhibit describing the life of glaciers. There is so much to learn and see. This is the place where Carol and her family rode a snow-cat on the glacier. We decided not to go onto the glacier. We had hot chocolate instead.
Columbia Icefield
Athabasca Glacier ... tours go onto the glacier in snow-cats
Looking north of Athabasca Glacier
Looking south of Athabasca Glacier
We found available space in the Wapiti Campground. The site was really tricky to get into and there were no hook-ups.
Carol walking along the river behind our site.
It's simple ... just back in from a narrow road and squeeze between a permanent picnic table, a drop-off and two trees.
We went into Jasper after getting set up. This is the biggest town yet (vs. Banff and Lake Louise). It's very nice. We found touring information and a place to eat (Jasper Brewery) across the street from the train station.
Canadian National engine on display
We found a wi-fi spot and did a little communicating back home.
We finished the day with a few games of Bananagram, which Carol won. Note: she insisted the last comment be included.
Map Tracks
Start: Lake Louise, Alberta
North on Alberta-93 (Icefields Parkway) to Jasper
End: 145 miles @ Jasper, Alberta
So, Carol is a Bananagram nut! Who'da thought??
ReplyDeleteThis entry brings back lots of memories. We have a picture of me sitting on the overlook from which you took the picture that follows "Bow glacier" above. (I wish there were a way to point to something on this blog!) A great view.
And then there is all the Jasper stuff. I remember the locomotive, too. We were a little leery of doing much hiking in the area ... supposedly a bunch of bears were lingering around.