I have noticed over the last couple of weeks that I have been using certain words rather a lot. I shall therefore try to write the rest of this post without the use of the words amazing, beautiful, fabulous, incredible, peaceful, pretty, stunning and tranquil. I am not underestimating how tricky this might be…I’m in Canada, Alberta. Here goes…
The drive between Tofino and Nanaimo was a tough act to follow but the one from Jasper to Banff was an eye achingly glorious riot of snow capped mountains and newly melting teeming rivers. I took a bus which included stop offs at various ‘view points’ along the way for photographic opportunities and jaw dropping immersion in the fresh air of the Rockies. This was the Icefield Parkway, known to be one of, if not the most wonderfully picturesque stretches of road in the world.
A brief stop at Jasper (I shall return there later) and the ‘mountain view’ room I booked into really did have a mountain view, an uninterrupted mountain view at that which pretty much filled the whole of the window. I found it hard to stop staring at the mountains. They were everywhere. I’m captivated and slightly hypnotised by them. I’m only sorry my photographs do not do them justice, I am struggling to find a solution of how to truly capture this landscape.
Icefields Parkway, Louise Kenward 2014
Some places are so well and numerously photographed that you almost expect to be disappointed when you arrive. Nowhere could possibly be so attractive. However, this is a part of the world that does not fail to surprise and impress. I have not been anywhere in the last couple of weeks where I have not been able to just look up at some random point in the day and be struck by the awesome sight of the mountains towering above me. It certainly puts things in perspective.
Athabasca Glacier, Louise Kenward 2014
Athabasca Glacier, Louise Kenward 2014
The Athabasca Glacier, albeit retreating at a pace, is one of the stops along the way. Here it is possible to take a snow bus over the glacier and/or a skywalk (recently opened) and walk out over the valley on a see through walkway that protrudes from the safety of the ground. I did one on the way down and will do the other on the way back (nerves permitting, I’m not too good without something solid looking under foot).
Further along and waterfalls are bursting into exuberant life as ice waters melt and lakes are still frozen and covered in snow. It would be nice to see them in summer too, reflecting the mountains in their turquoise pools. This seems like a great time of year to visit though. While technically ‘shoulder season’, the skiing has just finished and the green is yet to establish itself for the summer. It is, however, still covered in snow and yet warm enough to explore without umpteen layers of clothes and equipment (all of which is bulky and burdensome to carry, this remains a priority). There are also times when it feels as though I have it all to myself.
Bow Lake, Louise Kenward 2014
I initially travelled to Banff and tomorrow am making my way back up to Jasper, having stoped at Lake Louise and then Maligne Canyon. Too much for one post…I shall have to write again soon.
