Dwarfed by Mountains.

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Skipped breakfast choosing to have a lie in instead, then set off at 10am towards Yoho National Park. The word Yoho is a Cree expression of awe and wonder, which is hardly surprising given that the park is set amid 28 peaks over 3000 metres in height.

We stopped at the visitors centre in the park and picked up information before heading up Emerald Lake Road to view Natural Bridge and Emerald Lake which is supposedly one of the jewels of the Canadian Rockies.

Natural Bridge is a spectacular natural rock bridge arching over the Kicking Horse River; it was once a waterfall which over time has gradually worn away the rock to form a bridge. We clambered out of the car with all the photographic gear and trudged to the falls. I soon became Liisa’s assistant while she asked me to pass this lens filter then that lens filter and carry her tripod here and there so that she could take her artistic shots, man!!! However it was all worth the effort as the pictures were indeed spectacular!

Next stop was Emerald Lake which was still frozen solid, but we weren’t going to take any chances and venture out on the ice. Surrounding us were the glacier capped peaks creating an eerie cold silence only broken by our feet crunching on the snow below, as we were the only persons there until we left, when another few people came along.

Leaving Yoho we drove through Banff National Park to Canmore where we would be spending the next three nights. Canmore turned out to be a delightful little town with tasteful shops and fantastic mountain views; it is also a great base for day trips to Banff and surrounding areas. Our hotel was even better that we imagined it to be, complete with modern kitchenette with granite work surfaces and huge cooker, fireplace, built in CD player, DVD player, balcony with a barbeque and also a terrific view of the mountains.

We quickly settled in and flicked through the dining guide where we discovered a vegetarian restaurant called Sunfood Café, where we decided to have our evening meal. I chose to have an omelette with stir fried vegetables served with tortilla chips and freshly made salsa, sounds very ordinary but it was delicious, Liisa ordered stroganoff with four different mushrooms which she also enjoyed. After dinner we headed to Safeway to pick up some cereal and something for Sabbath lunch before heading back to the hotel for the night.

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Photos

Rogers Pass
One of the many covered parts of the road due to high avalanche risk.

Rogers Pass
Rays of sun.

Yoho National Park
Roadside views.

Yoho National Park
Canadian Pacific Railway.

Yoho National Park
Near Natural Bridge.

Yoho National Park
Clear waters.

Yoho National Park
Natural Bridge.

Yoho National Park
The Natural Bridge.

Yoho National Park
The Natural Bridge.

Yoho National Park
Cool waters.

Yoho National Park
Liisa at Natural Bridge.

Yoho National Park
One little tree.

Yoho National Park
Gail and the falls.

Yoho National Park
Snowy banks.

Yoho National Park
Dramatic skys.

Yoho National Park
Looking down the river.

Comments

[Lesley]

Hi
Hi Liisa and Gail, Pics are amazing as usual, unreal, looks like you are discovering all of Vancouver's little secrets. Really makes me want to visit. Take it easy. Lesley

[victoria]

Incredibly beatiful. Jealousy does not let me say anything else!!!! Lots of love Victoria