Canada, June/July 2018

When I was about seven my grandmother bought me a book for my birthday, an encyclopedia-style photo book called (something like) A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words. The book had the coolest pictures of all the coolest places in the world (at least to a seven-year-old). Thinking about it now, the book had a lot of black and white snapshots of locations someone thought were important. The book did hold my attention for quite a while and I still remember it (vaguely). I would say now, though, “a good picture can generate a thousand words” is a more accurate statement. So, with the 30 plus photos on this post, I’m hoping to generate a book’s worth of words.  

Our June/July trip to some of the great national parks of Canada (particularly Kootenay, Banff, and Jasper) presented me with the opportunity to take a multitude of photos. I’ve chosen to share our trip through some of those images in categories—eating, waterfalls, people, flowers, rivers and lakes, animals, and mountains. I’ll provide short captions on the photos, but will be glad to answer questions for those wanting more details. I hope these give you a sense of a trip we loved.

The Joys of Eating. We tried to revisit past favorites and find new places to add to our favorites list. We were more successful with the tried and true.

Frank's Diner in Spokane and a great rail car breakfast.

The fish burger was a great sandwich to split (Hogshead Pub, Canmore).

The rainy day coffee crew at Moraine Lake Lodge.

Poutine is a Canadian favorite--this one at Baker Creek Bistro near Lake Louise was wild boar, cheese curds, gravy, and fries. 

A new favorite is Cassio's Italian in the village of Jasper.

Waterfalls and More Waterfalls. All three of the parks we visited had numerous waterfalls or cascades. Here are few of our favorites.

This cascade is at the entrance to Kootenay Park.

This impressive falls flows into Grassi Lakes in Canmore.

Johnston Creek's Lower Falls, Banff National Park 

Tangle Creek Falls in Jasper National Park.

Sunwapti Falls in Jasper

The important People We Met. Although most of my photographic subjects were nature, there were a few people pictures worth revisiting.

A very colorful tourist at the overlook to Mt. Rundle outside Canmore.

Legs were in in Banff.

This vendor at the Canmore street fair was there four years ago...same shirt and hat.

My favorite people, Anne, was bundled up as she braved the elements (wind and sleet) at the top of the Jasper Mt. Gondola.

Flowers. At the turn to summer there were some lovely flower displays.

On the short hike to the Grassi Lake Falls, I spotted what looks like a type of orchid in the wilds.

At Brewster's Kananaskis Ranch GC we found these lovely day lilies. 

Wild roses grow beside the burned out logs along a section of the Bow Valley parkway (between Banff and Lake Louise).

Rivers and Lakes. Water is the dominant force in the parks. The light blue color is caused by glacial silt in the rivers.

Canoeists launch into the Vermillion River in Kootenay Park.

Mountains, forest, and river in Kootenay.

Rock reflection at a manmade lake along Spray Lake Drive from Canmore.

Lake Louise may be more famous, but we think Moraine Lake 14 km away is more picturesque.

Johnston Creek Canyon is one of the most popular hikes in Banff National Park.

Mountains reflected in Hector Lake north of Lake Louise.

One of several roadside streams we saw on the way to Jasper. 

Wild Animals. The wildlife sometimes seems quite tame, but rangers are always warning people to remember they are wild animals--cute though they may be.

Ground squirrels at a mountain overlook. 

Ravens are one of the dominant species in the parks.

The first bear we saw was the only grizzly (identified by a ranger) we saw.

A nesting pair of osprey was spotted by Anne when I was photographing snow fields.

Most of the mountain goats we saw were in the process of "blowing their coats," but this mom and kid were still in pretty full coat.

We saw several black bear.

Large male elk with full rack of antlers just outside Jasper National Park on our way to Kamloops, BC.

Mountains. Obviously, the Canadian Rockies are impressive. Everywhere we looked there seemed to be a new range of mountains. Every once in a while we could put a name to a mountain, but most were just beautiful--named or not.

Mountains surround Spray Lake near Canmore.

We pulled in to a turnout to turn around, but I saw this view and we stay for photos. We think the mountain is called Cascadia.

Bow River and Castle Mountain

An edge-on view of part of the Columbia Ice Field.

Mt Athabasca

Next: With Highland Games coming up and a central Oregon camping trip just after, I should have plenty of material for the next post.

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