Well, it has been a busy week! Spencer has commented on the scenery, which is extraordinary. Even the photos don't do this area of Canada justice. However, they might entice you to visit. To fill in a few holes in the story, I'll add some details.
About the truck: Took a couple of days back and forth to Calgary to visit Big Dog Performance. Those wonderful gearheads in that shop completely took care of our exhaust brake, restoring our confidence in driving up and down mountains. Thanks much to Chris and the boys!
In Banff, we also enjoyed a visit from our Calgary friends, who we met in Denmark. Their two boys and our two boys were toddlers/babies together. Now teenagers, they reconnected over a good game of Texas Hold'em and juicy Alberta steaks! Thanks for a fabulous visit!
In Jasper, we took the Jasper Tramway (gondola) up to Whistler's Summit, offering a 360 degree view of the Canadian Rockies...that is...if you continued on foot up a significant mountain trail. Spencer went to the trail's end, while Philip and I saw the value of viewing Spencer's photos after making it partway up. (these photos will be coming soon).
We also drove further north to Maligne Lake. Folks, a body is really in the wilderness up here. Even a "recovering" tenter like me, who used to seek the most primitive sites possible, finds it quite scary to think about setting up camp in these woods. On this day trip, we saw a bear, more big horned sheep and elk. We looked and looked for the elusive caribou and moose, but no luck. Viewing the scenery, however, we knew it was just the wrong day...they are definitely here.
For Mark's birthday, we took a break from our beloved camper and stayed at a lodge for two nights. We enjoyed the meals served to us (!!!) and the beds made up for us...ha-ha! The boys took a kayak out for a spin, during which they saw a loon dive down and "do the breast stroke" through the crystal clear water. We could hear the loons in the evening...really great.
Leaving Jasper, we re-traveled the Icefields Parkway back south (Rt 93), taking a last look at these monolithic mountains. If we know nothing else, we know they will be here long after our last trip up here to see them again!
I am writing from Williston, ND, tonight. We plan to spend a few days in Minnesota lake country, hoping to actually catch some fish. Spencer will pick up from where I am leaving you off. However, I do hope to post some additional photos from the Canada trip very soon.
By the way, thanks to all of you who are leaving comments. We look forward to reading them and thank you for your encouragement and enthusiasm. It has all added to our momentous adventure!
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