Banff to Jasper, Canada.

We have an abject disappointment for yesterday on arriving in Banff. Anyway, today, Thursday, all is forgiven, The surrounding peaks seem to be dramatic, if you can get passed the tragedy of materialism in Banff Village. This is experiencing Nature,? No it is not! Overcrowded buses are reminiscent of Manhattan subways, the ego tripping is pathetic. All here for what? To show off what and how much they can spend while "communing with Nature" in a line half way around the block for a scoop of ice-cream.
YES, this is only the first few hours of Banff, yes, we need to travel beyond Banff Village and the "parking lot campground" , but... first impressions are what shape the psyche - no second chance. Not one person yesterday/last night even mentioned Nature in ANY manner or form - not one. First impressions.
Thursday, arrive Jasper NP ( Parks Canada). Dramatic peaks we pass around / under. Highlight is getting up close (not too personal) to the ABATHACAS Glazier. Truly eye-opening how quickly the glacier has receded! about 3 MILES in less than 30 years !
After supper in Jasper camp (Wapidi [elk] Camp). I'm looking at a map of Jasper and further north. " Look..." he says, "...here is the Columbia River... gosh, so that flows into the Columbia Gorge near Oregan, Washin...?"
" No it doesn't"
"... but... it's called the Columbia and... "
"... and we're in a different country - they can call their rivers whatever they want to, and this, by the way, flows into the Artic Sea. "Read more