We stayed an extra day in Jasper as it was raining all the way through the Icefeilds Parkway to Banff . As we had heard the drive through to Banff was purported to be the best scenic drive in the world we decided to wait for better weather the next day (and I wanted to get my $78.00 worth ).
Well that was one of the best decisions we have made thus far, as we got up to clear skies . We were on the road by 7.30am , first stop , Mount Edith Cavell 3,300mts high., What a ride up to see Angle Glacier , the views unbelievable . When we got up there we had a 45 minute walk up to the Glacier and then back on the road to Athabasca Falls . From then on what I can only describe as WOW , WOW , WOW and more WOW !!! . The best in the world would have to be an understatement, it is visual over load , glaciers , lakes and mountains to the max and the road perfect (well may be perfect, if they could get those bloody camper vans off the road or get them to speed up a bit , well a lot really) .
By the time we got to Banff we were mental tired from all the "LOOK AND THAT" and "NO LOOK AT THAT WOW!!" .
Banff is a very pretty town with heaps of tourist , we arrived on Saturday afternoon and it was bedlam. Cars and people everywhere (it is very my much like Queenstown NZ x3) . We walked up Tunnel Mountain this afternoon , took about 3hrs . We have run into a few Kiwis here, some working some just travelling .
The bike (or Rice Rocket as they call them over here ) is going great no problems now .
Tomorrow we are off to Waterton Park (approx 400km) it is on the US border. We had planned to go through Radium and stay at Fort Steel, but that way is a tourist route (to many camper vans ) . So we are taking a back route over the mountains with heaps of metal roads (sounds more fun ),and it is about 200km shorter (I wonder how much faster or slower . That folks is for the future to know , and another adventure . I'm getting bored with no stress in my life , so tomorrow may fix that ?
Photos
All on the way to Banff and Banff, a Bird , the photo with the boat in it is Lake Louise and the Glacier that I am standing in front of is call Columbia Icefeild Glacier . It is as deep as the Eiffel Tower is high.
Hi Guys, Have to add another WOW to the story as theres not another word to describe your photos, WOW. Glad the Rice Burner is behaving. Maree & Petes son has just sent an email about his trip to Banff and they thought it the prettiest place they'd seen. Loved it. They in San Fransisco now. Time flying here,Nickys holiday half over. I'd been on line right up till we left for airport to take Sharry back and when we got home I saw we'd left only 5 min before your message came to skype so you could see her. Bummer. Well, take care guys and can't wait to hear from you. XX
ReplyDeletewhats happened to the top hits? If you want more stress just think of all the mail you will have when you get home, another thing, whats your memory goin to be like after another 8 months of using that aluminium billy, will you remember how to get home?We all good here, goin 2 mount in weekend to catch up with the far now. We are goin to drive from berlin to prague now, need more stress.w+d
ReplyDeleteHows da whiskers, i forgot to ask. Do you think we should put those hills on our next tramping schedule? xxd
ReplyDeleteWow indeed! This is awesome! So much the opposite of the South African bush I live in. Thanks for sharing such a great journey! Your photos are great, what camera do you use?
ReplyDeleteThat bird's a Clark's nutcracker. (No, I'm not a birdwatcher!) The photos are WOW -- what a great way to see them, on a bike and nothing between you and the mountains. JennySF
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