MONDAY, JULY 21

MONDAY, JULY 21: 

     Mostly blue skies and sunshine this morning!  Hallelujah!! 

     As soon as Bill returned from town from having the brakes checked (he’d made an 8:00 appointment), we had breakfast, and then gathered what we thought we’d need for the day and headed out.  Even though it promised to be mostly sunny all day, it still felt too cool to be on the water kayaking, so we happily decided on Plan B:  to drive down the Icefields Parkway (the highway connecting Banff & Jasper, which we’d driven up on last Thurs.)  We’d do it just with the truck, minus the RV . . . that way, we could just be sure to enjoy the drive, and wouldn’t feel under pressure to drive this route on our way west later in the week (Bill really felt reluctant to do so, especially when he was told this morning that the brakes were ok, but couldn’t withstand a lot of stress right now.)   

     Was a fabulous drive!  As spectacular as advertised (although, in honesty, we saw as spectacular roads in Alaska – but probably not nearly as long as this highway is).  Awe-inspiring mountain peaks around every bend, in countless different forms – jagged, folded, monolithic, stately.  All majestic.  Snowpack and/or glaciers were evident upon many. 
                                                                       

 

 

 

 

                                                               

  Of course, the most prominent glacier is Athabasca Glacier, directly in front of the Columbia Icefield visitor area (parking, restaurant, tour point, etc.)  

 

 

 But there were many less dramatic ones on this road, but nonetheless stunning.  It was such a joy to get out of the truck, breathe in the fresh air (no sign of smoke!), and gaze upon God’s handiwork.

 

Other stops we made were at Athabasca Falls (actually, our first stop down the highway).  A powerful, thundering spectacle.  There are several little walkways & paths around the falls which gave us differing vantage points, which we really enjoyed. 

 

      Our next stop was at another waterfall right by the side of the road – Tangle Falls.  Aptly named, as all of the “tangled” threads of water create a totally different type of fall than Athabasca – high up, more ephemeral and gossamer looking – more like Yosemite’s Bridal Veil Falls.   Very lovely.

 

 

     As we steadily climbed the spine of the Continental Divide, we soon approached the heart of some of the highest peaks and the glaciers and the Columbia Icefield.  Got out several times along this stretch of several miles and just totally enjoyed the scenes out laid before us, including one which featured a family of Big horn sheep oblivious to the traffic and people. 

                                                

 

 

     Then, around 4:00 we stopped at  Saskatchewan Crossing.  This is an unassuming lodging, restaurant, & gas stop.  It holds a very warm memory for us.  When we were first coming north on this road back in May of last year, it had rained all day.  Because of the rain and an unintended detour on our way up to Jasper (where we had intended to spend the night before we headed west on Hwy 16), we realized that we wouldn’t make Jasper before dark (even though dark wasn’t until 10:30 or 11:00).  We were debating what to do when we came across this place and got gas.  They said that we could park our RV overnight in their parking lot.  So we did.  The little restaurant had just recently opened for the season, and one other guy (also on his way to Alaska) and we were the only people there.  We remember the chili, which tasted so good on a cool evening.  We used their washrooms to brush our teeth, as we couldn’t get the water pump in the RV to work.  It was such a quintessential spring (albeit late) chilly, misty Rocky Mountain night, and we felt so snug & cozy in the restaurant, and then in the RV as we went to sleep.   As we walked across the parking lot this afternoon towards the restaurant, it felt like re-tracing our steps from 14 months ago.  They even had chili!    

                                                                                                             

     Our last stop as we continued south was at Bow Summit.  This is the highest point in the Bow River system, at nearly 7,000 feet.  A short but steep walk up from the parking lot was rewarded with fantastic views of brilliantly turquoise Peyto Lake beneath.  And the little hike itself was just splendid – the scent of firs and pines was intoxicating!

                                                                            

      We’re so glad we drove this far south and made this last stop!  We were only about 30 miles north of Lake Louise,  but didn’t have any burning desire to go there, since we had spent time there last fall, and knew that it would be so crowded now.  Besides, it was getting to be around 6:00 or so, and time to head back.

 

We got back to “home” around 9:30, and ate leftovers at 10:00 – but still daylight, so felt earlier.  We were tired, but so happy and grateful that we were given this day of nearly perfect weather to finally be able to experience this famed highway the way it’s meant to be seen and marveled at!

 

     Tomorrow is predicted to be nice too.  Happy Campers!!