Wildflowers in Bloom

The wild flowers have been gorgeous!  We have seen huge patches of Indian paintbrush, the colors of which vary from light orange to bright red.  

A large field of paintbrush

A single paintbrush

Locoweed, I think!

Fireweed

Oxeye daisies, apparently an invasive plant

Purple harebells, vetch, and locoweed are everywhere; yellow gellardia and cinquefoils dot the hillsides; white daisies and fleabane punctuate the ditches, and on occasion, we see a brilliant orange flower.

When I finally got close to it, I realized it is a Canadian Wood Lily, and its beauty astounded me. My two pictures, though lovely, do not do it justice!

Hinton, Day 3

July 25, 1029 4:18 p.m.

Well, we are still here.  The part did not come in.  Don has been gone for an hour and half . . . is he visiting the Cannabis store next to Starbucks?  Ha, ha!  Seriously, it took him that long to track down where the part might be - and we hope it comes in tomorrow!

This morning we took a drive to the hamlet of Brule.  It is a small bedroom community about 30 minutes from Hinton.  With very few cars on the road, we were able to leisurely drive, looking for critters, of which we saw just one deer.  But the vista at the Solomon Lookout gave us an opportunity to observe the lowering of the tree line as we head north and the rockiness of the mountain.

At one point, a large fire swept through the area, and when the trees grew back, they formed the shape of a black cat, hence the Black Cat Fire.  I didn’t think it would show up in my picture, but it did . . . and I have included a picture of the information plaque to help identify the cat.

The Beaver Boardwalk

Just over the hill from the Chamber of Commerce building is the Beaver Boardwalk.  It was built in 2006 by the Pulp Mill in an area where beavers had been living.  They have allowed the beavers to stay in the area, and the town keeps the Boardwalk in shape.  

It was a real treat to see the beavers in action.  We saw a pair swimming around, and when I was returning to the beginning, I walked by this guy.  He was just quietly sitting there, chewing on branches.  If Jordy and Nelson had behaved, I might have been able to stick around longer, but they were not patiently waiting like some dogs will do.  

I love this little guy swimming right toward me!

This little gem was definitely worth going to.

Stranded in Hinton

July 24, 2019

Before we left Wichita, Willie was giving us a problem that we were unable to diagnose.  We were hoping it wouldn’t act up on our trip, but ah, in Hinton, he decided to remind us that he had a problem. Luckily, we were within 3 blocks of the GMC dealer who could help us . . . but it would take a few days to get the part.  And so we parked in the Chamber of Commerce parking lot for a few days and have had the opportunity to learn about Hinton.

The dogs were not sure what to think about being cooped up in the RV for two days.  We took them out when we could, and we went driving with them, but this was how they spent most of their days.

We were doing what every Chamber of Commerce was wanting us to do:  stick around and spend money.  So we visited Starbucks every day, mostly because they have good wifi, but also because I love my chai tea (though they don’t make it quite the same).  Interesting that next door to the Starbucks is a Cannabis store!  We went to The Daily Grind three times, for lunch, snack and breakfast.  It is a darling coffee shop with outstanding food.  We visited the Jeep dealer to try to get our window fixed, but the part would take several days, so that failed.  We shopped at their local grocery, we visited Dairy Queen, we bought gas . . . 

And we found that Hinton is a lovely town.  It is fueled by coal mining and the pulp mill, and it appears to be prospering.  We would easily come back here, as there is much more to see.

Don't Let Us Down Now, Willie!

Well, we were up very early July 23 in order to get a jump on a long driving day.  I went to Starbucks at 7:00 a.m. to catch up on all of my blogs, and by 8:30, Don and Bart were ready to go.  We jumped into the Willie and started . . . or not.  For some reason, he had gone into Limp-home mode and we could go no faster than 5 miles per hour.

Uh oh.  Luckily, we are in a town that is big enough to have a Starbucks. . . and a GMC dealer.  The dealer was as nice as could be and they actually think they might have a solution to this annoying problem.  In the meantime, we are back at Starbucks with the pups, sitting on the patio watching the world go by!

It doesn't get dark until 10:00 p.m. so we still have plenty of time to get to Dawson to meet Katie!

Edit:  Well, the part won't be here until Thursday, if we are lucky, so we are here for a few days.  There are many worse places to be, and we have a built-in catch-up day on Sunday, so not a problem.

Mount Edith Cavell

Who was Edith Cavell?  We certainly did not know.  We thought perhaps she was a famous Canadian mountain woman.  But when I looked her up on Wikipedia, this is what I learned:

Edith Louisa Cavell (/ˈkævəl/; 4 December 1865 – 12 October 1915) was a British nurse. She is celebrated for saving the lives of soldiers from both sides without discrimination and in helping some 200 Triple Entente soldiers escape from German-occupied Belgium during the First World War, for which she was arrested. She was accused of treason, found guilty by a court-martial and sentenced to death. Despite international pressure for mercy, she was shot by a German firing squad. Her execution received worldwide condemnation and extensive press coverage.

She sounds like she was an awesome woman, and no wonder the mountain was named for her.  The glacier on the mountain is named Angel Glacier, and we could see the resemblance to an angel.  And it sounds as if she was a true angel.

This rather hidden spot in the backwoods of Jasper National Park is a special slice of Canada.  Apparently they have just expanded the parking and redone the path to get to the glacier and has just reopened.  We feel so fortunate that we were able to go.  The walk was not particularly strenuous, and the prize for getting there was worth it!

Jordy, Nelson, and Chaco all got to go with us, and they finally were allowed to drink water from a glacier.  They drank and drank and drank.  Such clear, cool water . . . what a treat.

When we reached the top, this is what we saw:

A short video of the water running off Angel Glacier

The lake at the bottom.  Note the icebergs!

Looks like an angel doesn't it?

This glacier is unique in many ways.  First, the lake at the bottom has a glacier in it.  There is a warning near the lake that falling icebergs can create flooding and dangerous situations.

We heard the glacier calve, but we did not see any bergs fall.  I wish we had been able to stay a bit longer, but we had places to go!  So off we went, another hidden gem conquered!

Athabasca Falls

We skipped Athabasca Falls when we came to Jasper because they were so crowded.  Getting our rigs into the parking lot, despite it being the largest of the lots, would have been too much of a challenge, so we went back on Monday.

Because it was Monday, the crowds were much smaller, but we still had a little trouble finding a parking spot.  We gathered up Jordy and Nelson and walked down to the falls.  Again, a huge river pours into an area that is too small for it, so it erodes the canyon.  What I love about these falls is that they have all sorts of pot holes around which the water swirls.  Because the water was very high, we couldn’t see many of the potholes this time, but I did get a video of one.

Woody is a little worried about "falling" in

I cannot turn this one vertically . . . phooey . . . but it certainly shows how large the river is!

This is one of the potholes.

Bow Lake

July 21

Just outside of Lake Louise is a beautiful lake called Bow Lake.  When we drove through, the sun was out – first time in quite a few days – and there was no wind, so the reflection on the water was superb. Even though we were going 50 miles and hour, I was able to catch this photo.  You don’t find beauty like this everywhere!

Don likes this one best!

Taken at 50 mph, I think it turned out pretty well!

Critters

July 21 and 22

We have seen many critters over our time in Banff and Jasper National Parks.  First we saw the bear (highlighted a few posts ago). Then we saw Bighorn Sheep. These particular ones were outside Jasper on the way to Hinton, and the mamas had their babies!

Bart, with his fancy camera, captured this darling little guy!

A video of the cute little guys!

The big elk that we saw between Jasper and Hinton was an impressive guy, only to be rivaled by one we saw last time that I named the Pool Boy.  Both have 7 points, so I would suggest that they are equally gorgeous, but the Pool Boy was certainly more willing to pose for a photo!

The guy on the side of the road

The Pool Goy

We saw another bear – a grizzly -who just walked out in front of our car – far enough away that we had adequate time to stop.  

Operator error only allowed me to get this short clip of this magnificent grizzly!

Who are you?

Mistaya and Sunwapta Falls

July 21

Another spectacle that we do not have in Kansas is large rivers that somehow merge into slot canyons.  We saw Misty Canyon when we returned from the Athabasca Glacier, and today we visited Sunwapta Falls.  Both are large rivers that have eroded through the limestone and now run under the limestone and into caves that it has created underneath.

The large river flows into . . . 

and through this slot canyon!

The violence of the falls leaves no doubt that water is a destructive force, capable of changing a landscape in quick fashion.  Because limestone erodes slowly, it has taken a long time for the river to eat through it.  It is a magnificent sight, however, that should not be missed if one has the opportunity to see it.

Hanging Glaciers

July 21

Glaciers fascinate me, especially those that are called hanging glaciers.  Hanging glaciers are at the top of a mountain, and they look as if they are going to fall over the edge of the mountain.  My favorite one is near the campground where we have stayed at Lake Louise.  Last time we were here, I said I thought it looked like meringue. This time, it was covered almost the entire time, but this morning, the skies cleared just before we left. I was so happy.

Near Lake Moraine

Lake Louise's Hanging Glacier

The Crow's Foot

Angel Glacier outside Jasper

As we drove up the Icefields Parkway, I saw a few more hanging glaciers.  Some were bigger than others, but all were spectacular. Many of the glaciers do not have names, and I don’t know whether these do either, but the enormity of them along with the spectacular setting just enamors me of them!

Oh Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun

July 20

Once again we awakened to rain.  We opted not to go to Lake Moraine, and since Bart had to take Char to Calgary to catch her plane, we stayed at the RV.  The original plan of catching the shuttle was scuttled because of rain, and so we spent the day reading, writing notes, and generally catching up.

Bart returned about 6:00 p.m. (his Costco run took him two hours!), and just as we were eating, the sun came out.  What a blessing it was!  We immediately hopped in the car and headed to Lake Moraine.  The lake was not completely still, but it was close.  We spent about an hour taking pictures and hoping for a still lake, and we almost got it. Not quite, but Bart was satisfied. As we left, we noticed a large number of cars lined up to get into the parking lot.  Everyone had the same idea we did . . . we just had ours first!

Then we headed for Lake Louise.  Last night we were about the only ones there.  Tonight, the parking lot was full.  Sunshine does that to people, I guess!  We were delighted to finally get decent pictures, both of Moraine Lake and of the area around it!

Athabasca Glacier

We wanted Char to see the Athabasca Glacier, so we headed up to the Columbia Icefield.  From Lake Louise, it was about a 2 hour drive, and unfortunately, it was rainy and cloudy.  But there is a beauty in clouds hanging over the peaks, peering into the valleys below.

We boarded the Glacier Explorer vehicle, and took the 32 degree slope hill to the glacier. Don and I collected almost 2 gallons of water to bring home – it is the best tasting water ever!  It was cloudy and cold, yet because of the temperature, there were no catabatic winds to make it even colder, so frankly, I was warmer than the time we visited in 2013.

We took a gallon jug, a two-quart pitcher and two empty water bottles to collect the water from the glacier.  It is so delicious, I just had to have more than a bottle full.  I know the guides thought we were ridiculous, but we have enjoyed the water.

Sorry, Jordy, you can't have any!

Bart and Char "milking" the glacier!

In 2013 as we approached the Icefields from Jasper, we passed a construction site where they were building a Skywalk over the Sunwapta Valley.  The main purpose of it is to help visitors visualize how deep the glacier was – nearly 1000 feet – since the valley is about that deep.  The Skywalk is included in the cost of the tour, so of course, we went.  I was impressed with myself that I was able to go out on it without having some sense of fear of heights or dizziness.  It was a pretty fun thing to do and a great way to end the glacier tour!

The Bow River and Falls

We used the Gypsy Guide to help us learn about Banff.  The last time we were here we did not know about the Gypsy Guides and we did not really learn much about Banff, but this time, we decided to do as much as we could with the Guide.

One place we had not visited was the Bow River and the Falls.  The Guide took us right to the Falls and the viewpoint.  The falls were not terrifically high, and they did not seem particularly rough - I think a good kayaker or rafter could probably traverse them pretty easily, though I know nothing about either and could literally be all wet.  Nevertheless, we enjoyed seeing the falls, and though they were not the most spectacular falls we have ever seen, they were beautiful in their own right.

Then we went to a place called Surprise Corner, which gave us a beautiful view of the Banff Springs Hotel and the mountains surrounding it.  This area of the country is gorgeous, and we are lucky to be a part of it.

Moraine Lake

The last time we were at Moraine Lake, it was crowded, but there was no problem getting a parking spot or finding a good place to take a picture.  That has changed dramatically.  They now have traffic officers at the turn-off, monitoring the parking lot and closing off the drive when it gets full.  So we left camp at 6:00 a.m. to make sure we had a parking spot.  We did not leave too early.

It had snowed the night before in the higher elevations!

Although there were plenty of spots available by the time we arrived, when we left an hour later, the lot was full and closed off.  I asked why suddenly it had become so popular, and one woman suggested it was the Instagram generation – and she may be on to something.  A number of people were leaving even before the sun was up, which did not make sense to me.  The lake is at its prettiest when the sun is warming the peaks, and they were missing that.  So maybe just saying “I was here” is all that mattered.

We had no idea what this lake was like in 2013, but after capturing the best picture of the trip then, we had to return.  This morning it was cold – 42 – a little cloudy, and just windy enough to ripple the lake.  We were able to take some pretty pictures but none that rival this one:

The next evening, however, the sun actually came out.  We were able to get a comparable picture - but I like my one from 2013 better!

We almost waited until the next morning to go back, but when the sun came out, we quickly went up. Good thing . . . when we left, the line was so long for the parking lot, we never would have gotten this picture!

And Finally - a little Sunshine!

Once again we awakened to rain.  We opted not to go to Lake Moraine, and since Bart had to take Char to Calgary to catch her plane, we stayed at the RV.  The original plan of catching the shuttle was scuttled because of rain, and so we spent the day reading, writing notes, and generally catching up.

Bart returned about 6:00 p.m. (his Costco run took him two hours!), and just as we were eating, the sun came out.  What a blessing it was!  We immediately hopped in the car and headed to Lake Moraine.  The lake was not completely still, but it was close.  We spent about an hour taking pictures and hoping for a still lake, and we almost got it. Not quite, but Bart was satisfied. As we left, we noticed a large number of cars lined up to get into the parking lot.  Everyone had the same idea we did . . . we just had ours first!

Lake Moraine

Lake Louise - unfortunately the sun had gone down!

Then we headed for Lake Louise.  Last night we were about the only ones there.  Tonight, the parking lot was full.  Sunshine does that to people, I guess!

Lake Louise

Lake Louise is a zoo. It is so much more crowded than the last time we were here, despite the fact that we are here on the same days! They even had people directing traffic at the major intersection.  Don and Bart had waited to get gas because the stations at Lake Louise are bigger than those in Banff, and they were a mess.  Both Don and Bart managed to finally get in, but we had to unhook the Jeep in order for Don to get in.

First we tried to go to Lake Moraine, but it was too full and we were not allowed in. Tomorrow we are going to try to go at 6:00 a.m. to get a spot in the parking lot!  Bart wants a picture as pretty as the one we took 6 years ago and we have three tries – I hope one of those mornings, the sun is out! 

We didn’t even try to go to the Hotel, as the traffic there was equally busy.  So we went to Field to check out the Burgess Shales . . . and although we got to see some of the fossils in the visitor center, we discovered that there really are not very good options for us.  A ten-hour hike just will not do with two dogs left behind!

We are parked in a spot similar to that 6 years ago except we do not have a fire ring.  So no s’mores, which is too bad.  Char has never had them, so next time she arrives . . . But we are close to the Bow River, which is raging, and the glacier about which I was so obsessed is still there, as beautiful as ever.  It still reminds me of meringue!

The First Bear Sighting

As we were driving to Lake Louise from Banff, traffic slowed to a crawl.  We assumed there was a critter of some kind, but we had no idea what.  When we had our turn, what to our wondering eyes should appear, but a sweet baby grizzly, but no mama – oh dear!  The baby was chowing down on a bush, but we could not find mama anywhere. He was really cute – as long as we were in the car!

Then not a few miles down, traffic slowed again.  This time, unfortunately, a man got out of his car and scared this little guy away.  We did get a view of him – a little black bear, maybe a year old.  He was surely cute, but we only had a fleeting view of him.  

I love bears and cannot get enough of them, so the fact that we have already seen two is a good omen!

The Art of Gathering

This has nothing to do with our trip to Alaska, but as I read, I like to post about the books I have finished.  There really has not been much opportunity to pull out a book, as we go and go from morning until night (Char says we exhaust her).  But I managed to finish The Art of Gathering one evening when it was raining.

I have never been very good at planning events, so this book was a fascinating read.  I wish I had read it before I went back to work, because I think I could have been more effective with the few gatherings for which I was responsible.  Priya Parker makes a case for how to create memorable and productive gatherings, whether they are weddings, funerals, business meetings, conclaves, or difficult problem-solving events.

I think it takes a very creative mind to be as effective as she and her partners are, but that should not deter those of us who are not as creative from thinking about what she says and trying to employ some of her techniques.  We have a wedding approaching, and Diana read this same book last year.  So . . . here’s hoping!

Cascade Gardens

July 17, 2019

Six years ago, Diana, Don and I visited Banff, going first to the Cascade Gardens near the City Hall.

Today, Bart, Char, Don and I did the same.  The difference was stunning.  When we were there before, the plants were much larger and more developed.  Just as in New Mexico, when the plants and trees seem to be about 3 weeks behind, we believe the same thing is happening here.  The flowers are not nearly as large, and spaces between the plants had not filled in.

That being said, the gardens were still beautiful, and as Bart said, "It was just the right size."  We get lost in the names of the flowers, and seeing too many just confuses us more.  This little garden is exquisite . . . and perfect!