Nothing had prepared us for the majestic beauty of the Canadian Rockies. They loomed up out of nowhere and we were in awe.




As we entered Jasper National Park we started to see more wild life. We did see a few bears along the way - but we never got close enough to take a picture.






We almost got close enough to pet him.



We called these mountain goats the Bad Boys of Jasper, but they were just looking for a handout.



I call this photo "nose to nose" (see far left corner) haha.



Some information about Jasper National Park. It is the largest of Canada's Rocky Mountain parks. Jasper encompass 4200 square miles of broad valleys, mountains, glaciers, forests, meadows and wild rivers along the eastern slopes of the Rockies in western Alberta. There are over 660 miles of hiking trails, and guided tours to glaciers are provided by park services. Large numbers of elk, bighorn sheep, mule deer, grizzly bear, mountain lions, wolves and wolverines make their home in Jasper National Park, thus making the park one of the great protected ecosystems remaining in the Rocky Mountains. This photo is of one of the waterfalls in Jasper.





This is a different view of the same waterfall.



After spending a few days in Jasper we drove on through Glacier Park. Here you could take a bus tour of the glaciers - but we had seen enough of snow and glaciers in Alaska. We drove on towards Lake Louise.



On our way from Jasper to Banff we decided to stop off and see Lake Louise. By this time, we had seen so many lakes - we kinda thought "seen one lake, seen them all." So we were totally unprepared for the breathtaking beauty of Lake Louise. Tears actually came to my eyes and words nor photos cannot describe the natural beauty of this lake. You have to be there.



We had only intended to make a quick stop here before moving on to Banff. But, we spent the day and took countless pictures. After we pitched our tent in Banff, we drove back a few days later to spend another day at Lake Louise.




Chateau Lake Louise is a grand hotel that overlooks the lake. I wish we could have stayed there - but the rates were way to high for we two traveling gypsies. This picture is actually a reflection of the lake in one of the windows that I took from outside the hotel.



This is another of my favorite photos. I love the contrast of the huge poppies against the color of the sky, lake and glacier.

LAKE LOUISE History - In 1882, guided by a Stoney Indian, Tom Wilson became the first white man to discover what native Indians called "Lake of Little Fishes". He named his discovery Emerald Lake, but it was later changed by the Geographic Board to Lake Louise in honor of Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, fourth daughter of Queen Victoria. Lake Louise, with its blue-green water set against the stark backdrop of Victoria Glacier, is probably the most beloved and most photographed scene in the Canadian Rockies. There are trails for walking, skiing and horseback riding. Interpretive displays, fine dining at local hotels, a heritage railway station, and short drives to Moraine Lake.



Just a few miles from Lake Louise is Lake Moraine. The locals prefer this lake - maybe because it doesn't attract as many tourists.


We were a little disappointed that we couldn't afford a few nights a Chateau Lake Louise, but we were thrilled with the campsite we found in Banff. This was our view just a few yards from our tent. We stayed here for a few days while visiting the area and voted it Number 1 campsite of our entire trip.




Downtown Banff looked like Rodeo Drive and most everything was out of our price range. So we decided to see more of the natural beauty on the outskirts of town.

We had to hike back about one mile to get to this waterfall near Banff. It was well worth the trip.


As much as we loved this area - and we do want to return here - it was time to move on down the road. People told us that we would be passing through the Calgary during the Stampede and that we just had to go. We went because we just happened to be there. But, we just aren't into the cowboy thing. So after two days at the rodeo...on we went to Great Falls.