Fall travels - part 4b (Banff)

Following our Yoho hike, Carrie and I met up with Lily and her grandparents, who were on their way from Vernon with the fifth wheel. We made our way to Banff and set up camp. (By which I mean we opened the camper door. Pretty much anyway. There's something to be said for RVing!)

As we arrived at the RV camp we saw our first real wildlife.

Our time in Banff was relaxing. We all fit in the camper at night so no tenting was necessary (and not allowed, I think, to prevent being eaten alive in your sleep).

Comfy quarters.

I forget if that site had a power hookup (it did have water/sewer) but in the morning we'd wake up to 10 or 15 degrees in the RV, and somehow it got me up early every day, before everyone else. I'd bundle up, grab my camera, and head out to find me some wildlife shots. Alas, that approach never succeeded, but I did run into a sunrise once. Totally worth it!

Psalm 65:8

The weather mostly cooperated, so we explored the area a bit. Surprisingly busy at this time of year (end of September).

Roadside scenery

More roadside scenery. This one caused a slight traffic jam.

Our beautiful little showoff.

All that's missing is yodelling... and goats.

Fairmont has some sweet spots for hotels. This one's in Banff.

One day trip we made was to Lake Louise. It was a weekend and there were about a million people in the area. We spent a ridiculous amount of time circling the parking lot looking for a spot to park. If it was just me I wouldn't have bothered. Perhaps fortunately, less cool heads prevailed.

It certainly is picturesque.

Another Fairmont. Thank the railroad companies for these well-placed digs.

Walking with grandpa.

Later when it was a little less busy, we ventured to Moraine Lake, an equally pretty setting.

The girls climbed a big rock pile beside the lake. Also beside the lake, lots of driftwood...

View from the pile.

Very heartening: obey or be eaten.

Another trip was to Johnston Canyon to see some waterfalls and whatnot.

Don't look down. And, uh, trust the engineers.

Dad gets a break.

Waterfall spotted. It was really more about the walk.

This photogenic raven got an inordinate amount of attention from tourists.

 After three days in Banff, it was time move on. We hit the road, taking the Icefields Parkway from Banff National Park to Jasper National Park. A scenic drive through the Rockies, this route provides great views of glaciers and mountains... if conditions are right.

Conditions were right.

Hilda Peak & Glacier

We stopped at Athabasca Glacier, which is a big fat tourist trap. Nice, but a trap. The huge interpretive centre was overrun by tourists, mostly Asian. They get shipped here by the busload, and then they happily stand in long lines to buy expensive tickets for a glacier tour in a six-wheeled coach bus. At least they don't skimp on spending once they've made their way here! Fascinating money-maker, this operation. I cannot imagine being here in the middle of summer, especially next year when access to national parks is free.

Athabasca Glacier, receding rapidly. That's okay, my freezer still makes ice!

A few of the buses.

Six-wheeled monsters out on the glacier.