Sheri had always wanted to see Banff, but now that we were there it was a little bit disappointing. (We realize that we both have already seen so many beautiful places on earth that we run the risk ofbecoming blasé. We try not to be.) Part of our disappointment came from the fact that we were early in the season and the trails to alpine areas were still snow-covered and thus closed. The park was also rather crowded considering the fact that the summer season hadn’t really started yet.
Jasper National Park has wider valleys than Banff, with nicer views and it also felt much less crowded. Jasper is famous for its very large icefields and its glaciers. Together the parks form a thin strip of land that divides the provinces of British Columbia and Alberta. Right through the heart of it runs a (scenic)highway with lots of viewpoints, campgrounds and hiking trails. During our stay we saw Bighorn sheep (many posing very nicely for us close to the car), moose, elk and mule deer. We did lots of day hikes that brought us to canyons and waterfalls and through forests.
Showing posts with label Banff. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Banff. Show all posts
Sunday, May 15, 2005
Thursday, May 12, 2005
Oh, Canada!
With the Check engine light off (for the time-being), we continued north on Interstate 15 to the border crossing at Sweet Grass. These days, US/Canadian border crossings are a bit more involved than in the good ole days, but after showing passports, answering questions about booze, firearms and bear spray (yes, some, no, no ), we were waved on into the flat (my God…so flat) farmlands of Alberta, Canada – an area, by the way, that is home to many Dutch émigrés.
We’re happy to be in Canada. The people are helpful, down-to-earth and friendly (though not overly so), the exchange rate is good and there’s loads of open space. It’s also good to brush up on our rusty French (all governmental signage is in English and French). Additionally, Sheri likes to hear them talk (especially when they say words like “about” which is pronounced like “aboot”.)
The weather was pretty ugly (gray, cool and rainy) until we left Calgary (we passed the ski jumps from the 1988 Olympics…very high!) and the flat plains turned into rolling hills and then into the impressive, snow-covered, jagged peaks of the Canadian Rockies. First stop: Banff National Park.
We’re happy to be in Canada. The people are helpful, down-to-earth and friendly (though not overly so), the exchange rate is good and there’s loads of open space. It’s also good to brush up on our rusty French (all governmental signage is in English and French). Additionally, Sheri likes to hear them talk (especially when they say words like “about” which is pronounced like “aboot”.)
The weather was pretty ugly (gray, cool and rainy) until we left Calgary (we passed the ski jumps from the 1988 Olympics…very high!) and the flat plains turned into rolling hills and then into the impressive, snow-covered, jagged peaks of the Canadian Rockies. First stop: Banff National Park.
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