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DAY 55, MAY 8
I finally am able to get to a computer to add to the travel blog and catch up with e-mails.
We left Golden, British Columbia and had the most magnificient drive to Banff. We drove through Kicking Horse Pass and into Yoho National Park and our first stop took us to Emerald Lake. In the summer this lake is the most wonderful shade of emerald green hence it's name. But in early May it is still snow and ice covered. We had a wonderful lunch over looking the lake and the magestic mountains surrounding the lake. We wanted to get into Moraine Lake but the roads were still closed with snow. Every turn in the road took our breath away. The next vista seemed more beautiful than the last. What a beautiful country we are blessed to call home.
The next stop took us to Lake Louise and again it is still covered in ice and snow. But the mountain, the sun and the snow covered peaks and lake made for wonderful pictures.
I treated Kirk to High Tea in the diningroom of the Chateau and sat for a long time listening to the harp player and
drinking tea. What a wonderful way to relax. It reminded me of the afternoon last year that I took Lexie and her friend to High Tea at the Chateau Laurier in Ottawa.
We wanted to get into Johnston's Canyon to see the falls but it was a bit of a walk and snow covered so we did not do this walk.
It took us hours between destination becaused we stopped so much to photograph the scenery and the animals. We were fortunate to see deer and elk along the road.
We took the old highway 1A from Lake Lousie to Banff as we knew we would see more animals. One fun situation was when we saw a grizzly. There were 6 cars stopped on the road and everyone out of their cars with cameras. The grizz went into the bush along side the road and the 6 cars and us following drove like mad chasing the bear. The bear won and took off into the bush.
We arrived in Banff at 7:30pm and after trying 6 place all with no occupancy finally found a room at the Delta Evergreen Hotel. We got their last room. It was way over our
budget but we wanted a warm bed for the night. There is a wine festival and a dance competition going on in the town. Banff is full of university students for the summer. We have met a lot of young people from Australia and Ontario. They all love their jobs and love their surroundings. What a great opportunity for them. Kirk, of course, is in his glory talking to them all and finding out about them.
Day 56, MAY 8
Mother's Day. We were going to go to the Banff Springs Hotel for brunch for a MD treat but it was too rich for our budget and our blood stream so instead we had a light breakfast at the Wild Flour Organic Bakery and then went to the Banff Springs to take pictures of the Bow Valley. This reminded me of when I was 19 and worked along with my friend Gail Coleman at the Springs as a chambermaid. We all stayed on the top floor of the hotel. I took pictures of our room and where we used to go out on the roof and sunbath. Lots of good memories.
We left Banff before noon and had the
most wonderful drive to Jasper. I have been told this is the most photographed route in the world and a favorite of most photographers. They are right. The beauty is over whelming. The mountains are so majestic, the waters of the rivers so green blue, the sky so blue and we saw moose, elk, big horned sheep and mountain goats. We spent more time out of the car than in it. There is no snow and it is about 7* and sunny.
We stopped at the Columbia Icefields and photographed the Athabasca Glacier. It has receded so much from the road it is hard to believe.
We spent about an hour at the Athabasca Falls. Incredible beauty.
I sound like a broken record but it is hard to find the words to describe what we are seeing and experiencing. Kirk keeps pinching himself and telling me how lucky he is to be able to be seeing this. He is so appreciative and that makes me happy so see him so happy and relaxed.
We arrive in Jasper about 7pm and stay at the Jasper House Bungalows just outside of town and on the Athabasca River. What beautiful surroundings.
The sun
is not setting before 9:45pm.
This has been one of the most memorable Mother's Day. I felt totally spoilt not by things but by the beautiful surroundings and the gifts from our Creator. God's handiwork.
DAY 57, MAY 10
We spent about an hour walking around the property and photographing the surroundings. We then drove to Jasper Park Lodge for brunch. What a beautiful hotel with little cabins nestled around the lake. This time the ice had gone out of the lake and we were able to appreciate the deep turquoise green of the waters and the reflections in the water of the mountains. We left here about 1:00pm and then drove straight to Edmonton which was about 378km to stay with Kirk (Kirk's namesake and his sister's son) and Debra and little Sophia. Their daughter Diana and Andy came for dinner. It was a wonderful family reunion.
It was amazing to watch the landscape change and turn into flat terrain with evergreen trees and then flat terrain without trees. It will get even flatter as we continue to drive West.
DAY 58, MAY11
We have been having a nice quiet day with Kirk and Debbie and talking
a lot about family and memories. It is a wonderful time for both Kirk's to reminesce about the past and days at camp and Port Perry with Grandma and Grandpa (my Kirk's mom and dad)
We will leave in the morning for the next leg of our journey and that will see us in Regina to visit Kirk's friend and then on to Winnipeg to visit with Audrey and Inge who are Kirk's cousins.
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