On the road again!
After spending two great days in Banff, it’s time to hit the road again heading for Jasper. Today’s route is the amazing Icefields Parkway, which winds through the mountain ranges between the Banff and Jasper national parks. I stop at several amazing points along the route, including the tourist hot spot Columbia Icefield, which provides a great opportunity for a coffee break.
I arrived in Jasper during the late afternoon, and settled down for a nice meal and a beer during contemplation of the amazing views experienced along the Icefields Parkway.
After a relaxing evening I woke early the next day for a boat trip on Maligne Lake, which is approximately a 1 hour ride from the center of Jasper. The road leading up to the lake is almost as amazing as the lake, especially when the run is rising over the mountains and breaking through the dense forest.
Before heading out on the boat I had time for a nice cup of hot coffee, it was a bit chilly leaving before sunrise and whilst the heated grips kept my hands warm, everything else was feeling a bit numb.
The weather for the boat trip was perfect, with a crisp chill in the air but a warming sun when away from the shadows of the treeline. The tour guides were very knowledgeable and friendly, which made the trip even more special. Part way through the tour we stopped at Spirit Island for a quick rest break and photo opportunity. The views from Spirit Island landing platform are amazing, and it felt like a very special place to be on such a lovely day.
As the we arrived back at the tourist center I felt so lucky that I’d had the opportunity to visit such an amazing place, and was also looking forward to the great ride back to my hotel in Jasper. The temperature had now risen a few degrees, and I planned to take my time to get some great photos on the way back to the hotel.
Upon arriving back at the hotel, I decided to eat out in Jasper to take in the local atmosphere. Jasper also provided an opportunity to take some pictures of the railroad locomotives opposite the main street, which my colleagues back in the office would surely find interesting.
After being well fed and watered it was time to head back to the hotel and think about the experiences of the day, and look forward to the next leg of the journey to Clearwater.