Drops of Jupiter

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Hi everyone,

I know that it’s been a long time since my last post but trying to find a wireless connection out here is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. The past week has been amazing. We drove the entire length of the Alaskan Highway and saw some beautiful wildlife, grizzly bears, black bears, buffalo, stone sheep, mountain goats, and a coyote. The highlight for me was seeing two young grizzly cubs eating and playing on a hillside, they were truly beautiful. The drive was long at times but so strikingly beautiful that it made up for it!

After the Alaskan highway we made our way into Alberta, Canada to Jasper and Banff National Park. They were so different than I had expected- there was a very European and French feel to the towns. The mountains were amazing though. We drove the Ice fields Parkway were there are glaciers that come right to the highway. I wasn’t feeling all at that well so we didn’t hike them but it was still cool to see them so up close. At Banff we splurged on ourselves and stayed at the Banff Springs Hotel, it was so amazing. I felt like a pampered celebrity, even if it was just for one night. It is literally a castle in the middle of mountains and lakes. The scenery alone was worth the trip.

After Banff we headed back into the states and into Glacier National Park in Northern Montana. I have always wanted to come to Montana and was not disappointed. The park is beyond beautiful. We drove the going to the sun road a couple of times and were awestruck by its beauty each time. The wildflowers were in bloom and the animals were out. We saw a mountain goat family about 20 feet away from us and the little babies were so cute. They were chasing each other around in a circle until the mama came over and laid the smack down. We camped within the park last night and were able to see a lecture called Native Americans Speak given by the Blackfeet Tribal Nation. They spoke a lot about the revitalization of their culture and language through the area. The weather has been gorgeous, as Montana is having record high temps lately. We hit 93 today. Montana is interesting because you can go from the prairie into the mountains in the span of a couple minutes. Right now we are surrounded by stunning, rocky, jagged mountains.

We are off to Wyoming for Yellowstone shortly and are planning on spending a couple of days there. I am so excited, it will be my third trip to the park and I am looking forward to it as much as I was the first time. We should be home pretty soon and I am so psyched to see everyone. I have missed you guys so much. See you soon and I hope all is well.

Love Laura

The site was pretty slow with picture so I will add more very soon- so check back in the next day or so!

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Photos

stone sheep
check out his eyes

Coyote or a Wolf
Who can tell-I wouldn't want to meet either up close and personal

Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada
Mountains and Glaciers

Fairmount Banff Springs Hotel
Literally a castle in the mountains!

St. Mary's Lake in Glacier National Park
So serene and peaceful

Comments

[Joyce]

Prairies to Mountains in minutes
Awesome Laura, just fantastic. So glad you are able to share this wonderful trip. I'd love to see Montana now after your description. Prairies to mountains in minutes! The song God Bless America comes to mind. So where will you be on the 4th of July? So like Mom's to come by and put the "hand down" on their kids fun, huh? Ooops, Deb are you there? The weather has been good out here for a week now and that's a great treat after much cloudiness. I hope this is the bright season come to stay. Keep the updates coming! Stay well.