Images from the Road

Mt. Rainier

After an eight hour drive from Kalispell we arrived at Mount Rainier Thursday afternoon. We did an introductory sightseeing drive up the base of the mountain to Paradise. Paradise is an apt name -- it definitely was! In the late afternoon light afternoon light it was as though everything was glowing. Avalanche and Glacier lilies were everyone. A silver fox and a pika put in a brief appearance for us.

Friday was a busy day. We drove all the way around the southern boundary of the park, and up the east side to Sunrise. We did a three hour loop hike on Sourdough Ridge to Frozen Lake, then back via the Wonderland Trail. It was , quite probably, the most beautiful hike I have ever done. The sub-alpine wildflowers were in full bloom. The views of the mountain almost up close and personal. We were able to spot a few ants (climbers) making their way up the mountain.

Just for fun we added on two other short hikes -- to Grove of the Patriarchs (huge trees) and the Cowlish trail, where Sarah has previously spotted owls. None were cooperating for us today, but it was still a pretty hike through lush forest. Sarah's expert owl-calling made it seem like the owls were all around us.

Today we are worn out and taking it easy.

Jasper and the Ice Fields Parkway

.We have arrived at the end of our Canadian journey in Jasper. For two days we have been riding the Ice Fields Parkway. Wildlife sightings have been plentiful -- bear, elk, wolf.... Yesterday we rode over Sunwapta Pass at the foot of the Columbia Glacier. They have snow-coach tours out onto the Glacier from there. Of course it had to rain again before we reached our lodging was at Sunwapta Falls -- hard, stinging rain that felt like sleet. We were delighted to see our cottage with a fireplace. We spent a very pleasant evening in from of the fire.

Since we didn't go out in the rain last night to see the falls we did that this morning before we hit the road. There is a lot of water going down after all the rain. About mid-way through the 36 mile ride we stopped at Athabasca Falls. In the course of 10,000 years the falls have carved out many channels, some of which are now abandoned and dry. It was an unforgettable experience to walk through some of the old channels.

My mileage total for this trip is 565 miles. Jim's is higher as I rode in the van for a day and a half when I had a bad headache. Total bike mileage (for me) since leaving home is 1007.2. Tomorrow we'll get on a bus and head back 400 miles to Kalispell.

Saskatchewan Crossing

Another day of fantastic scenery. Images are of Peyto Lake and Mistaya (Grizzly Bear in Cree) canyon.

Hiking Lake Louise

Today was another day off the bikes and a chance to use other muscles. After a brief walk along the shore of Lake Moraine we were dropped off at Chateau Lake Louise. It's all uphill from there. Lake Agnes sits high up on the mountain, a 3.7 K walk . There is a Tea House there serving goodies, but we brought our own sandwiches and ate beside the deep, green lake. As if the climb wasn't enough, we decided to go another kilometer further up to the beehive, a rounded summit with beautiful views of Lake Louise far below.

Lake Louise Village

A beautiful 36 mile ride along the Bow River Parkway between Banff and Lake Louise Village. Since it was a short day we all went for a hike up Johnston Canyon, 15 miles along the route, to the Lower Falls. Ten more miles along the route brought us Baker Creek Chalet for a very photogenic lunch.

Some stayed on the bikes to ride up to Lake Louise. I did laundry. Lots of wildlife today -- moose, wolf, elk and deer. I also saw a Clark's Nutcracker, which is a life bird for me.