The Icefields Parkway that connects Lake Louise to Jasper has, among other things, the coolest name on earth. Some of those other things though include roadside glaciers, gem-like alpine lakes, and jagged peaks.
Didn't you see the signs, it's illegal to feed the wildlife.
Peyto Lake is a ready made postcard. Just point and click. Even Rock can manage that.
Now that's the icing on the cake. Hur hur hur.
The Canadian Rockies turn geology into a spectator sport. Whole sections of the earth's crust have been thrust skywards by titantic geological forces.
Taking a breather from behind the wheel. It's hard work getting passed by two cars per minute.
So spectacular it's almost a shame to put a road through it. He says as he sinks back down into his comfy driver's seat, reaches for the steaming coffee in the convenient cup holder, and fires up the radio for the next 100km push.
The spectacular Athabasca glacier conveniently comes right down almost to the road. Also conveniently, the local Yeti took time out from a busy schedule of casting ominous footprints in the snow to pose for a quick pic.
Funny how the temperature drops when you're standing on top of a million tons of ice.
The glacier used to come right down to the edge of the road. Unfortunately, that pesky climate change issue means it is receding at an alarming rate. Which means that people have to drive further to see it... hang on a second, isn't that what caused the problem in the first place?
On closer examination, that appears to be a Cruiser in front of us! Oh the shame!
The quaint town of Jasper, end of a long but scenic haul up the Icefields Parkway. More of a backpacker hangout than an RV hub, Jasper is to Banff what Wanaka is to Queenstown.
The only black bear we saw on the trip had a pretty mellow personality.
Last day in the park, which means time to do it all over again and head back the way we came. All six hours of it. Fortunately, with a whole day to spread it over, there was plenty of time for... you guessed it... more waterfalls.
This is the mighty Athabasca Falls, just outside of Jasper town.
These days, the only thing this ancient water chute carries is overly energetic tourists who have been cooped up in a car too long.
On the other side of the maelstrom, things are quite peaceful. Just like when Mei finally gets her way.
More Icefields action. I hear Discovery Channel is taking auditions for dudes who want to ice skate in 18 wheelers. You could be looking at the next star of Iceroad Truckers, Season 4.
Taking another breather from the wheel. A long day at the helm means Hershey's is making a lot of money.
With a sun like that, it's a wonder the glaciers haven't melted already.
The long suffering Royal Canadian Mounties learned a long time ago it's better just to humor the tourists from south o' the boarder.
As if there was any doubt as to who this magnificent patch of wilderness belongs to.
A final stop before the luxurious *cough* Calgary Airport Travelodge beckons again: Yoho National Park. Something of a poor second cousin to Banff and Jasper, it turns out that you can't judge a park by the number of RVs pouring through its gates.
This is why. No paved trail. No interpretive signs. Just a narrow, unmarked trail though a peaceful grove of aspen and pines. And then this. Out of nowhere a mighty waterfall thunders into the valley below.
A narrow trail takes one to the very foot of the falls.
It's wet and wild when you get up personal with 255 cubic feet per second of glacial water.
The camera takes a pounding...
As does Rock's jersey.
What a way to wind up three amazing days in the Canadian Rockies. We'll leave things there, lest we need to mention the Travelodge again...
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